Here’s to karma: Did paying it forward pay off for the Valley High School softball team• In 2010, the team lost in the state quarterfinals on a by-the-book — but highly unusual — umpire’s call. But rather than wallow in bitterness, the team instead showed uncommon class, choosing to honor the umpire at its year-end banquet. With Friday night’s PIAA championship win, one has to wonder if the softball gods didn’t reward the Lady Vikes’ great sportsmanship.

Clean sweep: More than 500 volunteers. More than 65 tons of junk. Yep, sounds like another very successful River Sweep. This year’s local effort — part of a six-state annual program (now in its 21st year) to clean up the Ohio River watershed — took place in four locations along the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas rivers. It’s a shame there aren’t more local clean-ups. But what’s really a shame is that there still are so many other people throwing so much junk into our rivers and along their banks.

Summer reading: There’s a good reason parents worry about summer’s effect on their children’s education — many studies have shown kids often regress in their learning once class is out. A good ounce of regression prevention can be found at our local libraries. All are having summer reading programs designed to be educational and fun. Give it a try!

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