Homers -- What's going right

LESS IS MORE: In the obesity war, Iowa has made a small but important step. Iowa is one of 19 states and territories where the obesity rate among low-income 2-to-4-year-olds declined from 2008 to 2011. Iowa's rate dropped from 15.1 percent to 14.4 percent. We hope it's a sign that education and awareness initiatives and nutrition programs are taking hold.

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HOUSING UPTICK: The latest data shows that the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor continues to show an improved housing market since the lowpoints of a couple years ago. The National Association of Home Builders' index tracks housing permits, employment and house prices.

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MORE GOLD: Treating a community's wastewater isn't a glamorous task but it sure is important. So it's good to see that the Cedar Rapids Water Pollution Control Facility earned the gold, or top, performance award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for outstanding compliance with 3,500 operation requirements in 2012. It's the city's third gold since 2007, especially gratifying given that city staff also had to deal with severe flood damage and major repairs after the 2008 disaster.