Winners

At first glance it would appear as though Iowa Health-Des Moines and its rival Mercy Medical Center have won the fight to finally build hospitals in West Des Moines. But Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield — who agreed to let both companies build their coveted suburban hospitals — is the real winner. In return for building in West Des Moines, both hospital companies agreed to accept “significantly lower” reimbursements from Wellmark for services at the new hospitals. Does that mean patients will receive “significantly lower” health care or have to pay “significantly higher” bills to use the hospitals? Maybe there is some truth in Wellmark’s advertisements — “You just can’t beat the Blues.”

While gasoline prices remain high and the public slowly becomes aware of the benefits of acting “green,” is it any wonder more and more Des Moines area bicyclists are participating in programs like the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority’s Bike & Ride program? Since the program’s inception in 2005, when bike racks were first installed on the DART’s 100-bus fleet, an average of 1,300 uses per month have been recorded. In August, a record-number 3,302 uses were recorded. To celebrate its success and to encourage new users to try the bike racks, DART is allowing all passengers who board with a bike to ride free during the month of October. Now there’s some news that is easy on the wallet and the environment.

Seventeen governors across the country, including Iowa’s Chet Culver, issued proclamations supporting “Lights On Afterschool 2007,” the only nationwide rally for after school programs. Organized by the nonprofit group, The Afterschool Alliance, the program was launched in 2000, and last year more than one million people participated in events to show their support for the after school programs, which benefit children and families.

Cheers to Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company for being named one of two state recipients of the Iowa Restaurant Association’s “Restaurant Neighbor Award.” The award highlights community service achievements, and the winners advance to compete for a national award from the National Restaurant Association. The downtown Des Moines eatery and pub won the state award for its “Charity Days” program, where each month it partners with a local charity to host a “day” for the organization where the entire day’s profits are donated to that group. Local charities like the Central Iowa Shelter and Services, ALS Association of Iowa and the Des Moines Public Library have benefited from “Charity Days.”

Losers

Look at it this way Chicago Cubs fans: your team finally signed some better players in 2007, crawled out of the cellar from last year, improved by 19 games and went to the playoffs before getting swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who had the best record in the National League this year. Not bad. With new ownership coming onboard in 2008 — the 100th anniversary of the Cubs’ last World Series championship — next year “could be the year.” Then again, what’s the rush? The Tribune and Wrigley companies have proved for decades that losing is downright profitable by grooming a fan base that has come to accept losing and believes in silly curses. After all, as long as fans continue to fill Wrigley Field to drink beer, watch babes and talk on their cell phones, why care if the team wins?

A report from the Piper Jaffray investment firm outlines three ways for a proposed 450-bed Iowa Events Center hotel to be built. Two options would cost the city $86.4 million over 30 years, and a third would cost $32.6 million over 20 years. All, however, require city subsidies and depend on Polk County taxpayers to pay back the debt if the hotel can’t cover the interest payments on bonds. Though all three versions would involve an ownership group controlled in some way by the city or county, it looks like taxpayers have little say in the decision, and they are going to foot the bill whether they want to or not.

A new survey published by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University reports that an increasing number of this country’s middle and high schools are seeing drugs used, seeing other kids who are drunk or high, and are seeing drugs bought and sold on their school campuses. Since 2002, the report says, 39 percent more high school students and 63 percent more middle school students attend schools where drugs are clearly present. Since 2006, these percentages have increased 20 percent for high school students and 35 percent for middle school students. The report also says that students who attend schools in which drugs and alcohol are present are 10 times more likely to abuse prescription drugs, four-and-one-half times likelier to use marijuana, and nine times likelier to use other illegal drugs. CV

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