Related articles:

Flowers & thorns Thorns & Flowers Thorns & Flowers Flowers & Thorns Flowers & thorns Thorns & Flowers Thorns & Flowers Thorns & Flowers Thorns & Flowers Thorns & Flowers

Health Care
Rio Salado College
PA's/Online Instructors Construction
Komatsu Equipment Co
Mechanic Education
Assessment Technology, Inc
Social Studies Content Writer General
CORT
WAREHOUSE/DRIVER General
CORT
Warehouse Supervisor

Pink flowers to the more than 13,000 walkers and runners who headed out Sunday morning for the ninth annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

It was inspirational to see so many in pink shirts — they're the survivors — accompanied by friends, family and other supporters in white. Tucson's Race for the Cure has raised more than $3 million since 1999, according to Monday's Star.

A flower to the Carl's Jr. restaurant at 6301 E. Grant Road for its sense of understatement.

The restaurant was destroyed by fire last month. The charred building is fenced, and the sign says it's closed for remodeling.

A thorn to the results of a report by the Corporation for National and Community Service indicating that voluntary service decreased in 2006.

It was not a big decrease — The Associated Press reported that 26.7 percent of those in our nation did volunteer work in 2006, which is down from 28.8 percent in 2005.

"Arizona ranked 44th of the 50 states and District of Columbia, with a volunteer rate of 24.9 percent," the AP reported.

The study was released for 2007 National Volunteer Week, which continues through Saturday.

We hope the study did not signal a downward trend in volunteering. We also hope that members of our community seriously consider donating their time to help make a difference.

There are numerous groups, organizations and people who would benefit from your time and expertise. If you need an idea, check out the opportunities listed at the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona Web site, www.volunteersoaz.org.

A flower to the bright bursts of yellow palo verde blooms that are making our community a delightful spring sight.

A thorn to those same bright bursts of yellow palo verde blooms that are making our noses twitch. We grab our nondrowsy allergy medication and a tissue and say, "Ah-choo!"

A FLOWER to the Arizona House of Representatives, which last week unanimously passed a bill that will help get drunk drivers off the road. The new law mandates that anyone caught driving under the influence have an ignition interlock system installed in his or her car for a year. An interlock system essentially uses a breathalyzer in a car. If any alcohol is detected, the vehicle will not start. The bill has already passed the Senate.