Homers: What’s going right

THE SHOW WILL GO ON: Bluesmore may be gone, but the Linn County Blues Society says it is determined to carry on the festival's tradition.

The volunteer organization hopes to keep its traditional date of the first Saturday in August, after taking a year to regroup.

Society members say they'll look for sponsorships to cover the costs of the annual event, which historically has drawn thousands and featured national and local acts.

We hope community members come out to support their efforts.

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HONOREES SOUGHT: The Linn County Equality Coalition is taking nominations for its Woman of the Year award - a recognition honoring women who live or work in Linn County and have demonstrated a personal commitment to uplifting women and girls.

While recognition certainly is not the motivating factor for the many area women who devote their personal or professional lives to the cause, a few kudos are always appreciated. More information and nomination form at womensequalitycoalition.org.

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LIKE A HUG: Blanket-thon volunteers in Coralville have joined crews in other Iowa cities making weighted blankets to make sleep easier for children with conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, muscular dystrophy and sensory processing disorders.

Parents and caregivers say the blankets, which contain pounds of plastic beads distributed throughout, help the kids relax and get a good night's sleep, sometimes for the first time in years.

In the year since Ottumwa mom Marci Prose started the organization, Sharing The Weight volunteers have given more than 200 of the blankets to families throughout the country.

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