The good KCWI-TV Great Day Meteorologist Jason Parkin has been named the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society’s Celebrity of the Year for the Iowa Chapter. The award is based on a candidate’s success in generating funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during a 10-week campaign from March 7-May 11, and

The good Metro Waste Authority is now accepting applications for grants to support environmental projects, such as cleanups, rain gardens and recycling initiatives. Recipients can receive up to $2,500 for projects. Applications must be received by June 7, with winners notified by June 28. Metro Waste Authority has provided more

The good The Polk County Health Department recently received a $10,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Vaccine Program Office and JBS International Inc. to increase vaccination rates among adults in Polk County, specifically the Tdap vaccination that protects against whooping cough (pertussis), diphtheria and

The good National Drug Endangered Children Awareness Day was declared to be on April 24 last week. Supported by several local organizations, including the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement (M.I.N.E.) Task Force. The Iowa Alliance for Drug-Endangered Children is concerned with children who are at risk of suffering physical harm or neglect

The good The IMT Des Moines Marathon held a group run/walk last weekend to show its solidarity with those affected by the Boston Marathon bombing. Bright and early on Saturday morning, volunteers met at Nollen Plaza for a moment of silence and reflection before proceeding with a support walk/run of

The good The 2013 Fight for Air Climb took place in downtown Des Moines last week to benefit the American Lung Association in Iowa, and 1,100 people climbed for the cause. Monica Newman and Steve Cannon took the “best overall” times for the respective individual female and male divisions, both

Good Bad Ugly 04.11.13

The good The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is introducing residents to the expanded public transit system in Greater Des Moines and is offering free rides through April 30. The new Route 60 is free and loops at the heart of the transit network, connecting University and Ingersoll

The good The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced that more than $882.4 million in excise tax revenues were generated in 2012 by sportsmen and sportswomen and will be distributed to state and territorial agencies to fund fish and wildlife conservation and recreation projects. The Service’s Midwest Region will

The good In the wake of her departure from the superintendent’s seat for Des Moines Public Schools, Nancy Sebring has recently announced she will be making a comeback by running for office. She’s kicking off her campaign for governor with a waffle breakfast at the St. Hypocrethius Episcothic Church at

The good Students of Des Moines’ first ever professional improvisational comedy school, Anything Improv, will graduate on March 24 at 5 p.m. at the Gas Lamp, but the ceremony is sure to be more colorful than the Gettysburg Address often recited by valedictorians at high school graduations. The graduates will