THE UGLY: All the trash that accumulates in and along Rapid Creek when careless walkers, joggers or motorists litter on the bike path, parks or roadways.

THE BAD: The cold and rainy weather that didn't hamper the Black Hills Anglers' efforts in their bi-annual creek cleanup on March 26.

THE GOOD: The 32 groups, including local fishermen, who are part of the city's Adopt-A-Creek Program that helps keep Rapid Creek clean.

THE BAD: Former CIA director George Tenet canceled his scheduled April 15 appearance in Rapid City as a John T. Vucurevich founcation speaker.

THE GOOD: The speaker's series, "An Evening With…" sponsored by the John T. Vucurevich Foundation that brings fascinating public figures to Rapid City for a lecture, all for the bargain ticket price of $7 for adults; $3 for students. Tenet will be replaced by Gen. Tommy Franks, who led the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

THE UGLY: Tenet's role in the Bush Administration's now-discredited assertion that Iraq had to be invaded because Saddam Hussein was hiding "weapons of mass destruction."

THE GOOD: Former coffee shop operator Wayne Sumner's bid for a seat on the Pennington County Commission, after that body ended his lease in the county courthouse after 20 years. Sumner said his candidacy has nothing to do with the loss of the lease, but we think he made lemonade out of lemons nonetheless.

UGLY: The paperwork error that almost kept Morgan Brown, 12, from competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

THE GOOD: Scripps knows how to spell "technicality." More importantly, from a public relations standpoint, it can recognize one when it sees one. The organization finally came to its senses and said the Missouri girl was eligible to compete.

THE UGLY: The critical need for type 0-negative blood being experienced by United Blood Services in Rapid City. Universal donors with that blood type are encouraged to call 342-8585 to give blood.

THE BAD: Cangleska's Standing Strong Woman house, a domestic violence shelter for Native American women, must move from its Rapid City location of the past seven years. To provide a new facility in an appropriately zoned location, call Karen Artichoker at 455-2290.

THE UGLY: Abysmally high rates of rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence against Native American women.