Homers: What's going right

PROCEED WITH CAUTION: The proposed new power plant in Marion that would use plasma arc technology to turn garbage into energy and keep lots of trash out of the landfill has an exciting appeal. Still, we're glad to see the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency board is proceeding cautiously. No such municipal-scale facilities are yet operating anywhere else in the United States. Last week, the board agreed to the concept of diverting some garbage and giving up some of the revenue it brings for the landfill operations. But it also required the Florida developer, Plasma Power LLC, to secure permits for construction and operation before getting more board commitment.

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MBA STAR: The full-time MBA program at the University of Iowa's Tippie School of Management boasts the highest job placement rate of any U.S.-based MBA program. Among the UI Class of 2010, 95 percent found a full-time job or accepted a job offer within three months of graduation.

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ACADEMY PLUS: More than 700 African American students have benefitted from The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success, a rigorous, 22-year-old summer program taught by African American teachers with expertise in the culture and in their subject areas. The fifth annual tribute and fundraising event is Thursday; call Ruth White at (319) 364-2063 or email retwhite@aol.com for information.