| Helping kids be healthy
IT PROBABLY shouldn't have come as a surprise that the new University of South Alabama Healthy Life Center is awash in patients. We've all seen the stories and statistics detailing Alabama's problem with obesity. If Alabama is the second-fattest state in the nation, then it stands to reason that obesity is a problem for young Alabamians. And young people are the Healthy Life Center's targets. Nevertheless, the Press-Register's news report Sunday was alarming: Since it opened five months ago, local pediatricians and other doctors have referred nearly 200 obese youngsters to the center. The young patients are suffering from such health problems as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and acid reflux -- conditions that more often afflict adults.
choose your community:
1. "For One More Day" by Mitch Albom: A touching novel by the author of "Tuesdays with Morrie" that asks the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a loved one?2. "Cross" by James Patterson: Beloved forensic scientist Alex Cross juggles single parenthood and hunting down the rapist/murderer known as "The Butcher of Sligo."3. "Next" by Michael Crichton: Science fact blends with futuristic fiction in this exciting biogenetic thriller. Another action-packed novel by the author of "Jurassic Park" and "The Andromeda Strain."4. "Shadow Dance" by Julie Garwood: A disturbing wedding reception conversation and a challenge propel Jordan Buchanan on a mission that quickly turns deadly.5. "Hannibal Rising" by Thomas Harris: In this terrifying prequel, the young Hannibal Lecter opens into full homicidal bloom.
The right slice: We rate the best and worst frozen pizzas
Sometimes frozen pizza is the best you can muster on a busy night. Or maybe you or your spouse or your kids have a craving. Or maybe you need to feed a crowd quickly and the pizza delivery folks are just going to take too long, especially on Super Bowl Sunday. .
An old standby doesn't disappoint
Dinner theater also offered. Current show: The Odd Couple. Tickets: $35 per person, price includes entertainment, dinner and dessert. www.villageinndracut.com Loyal patrons of the Village Inn in Dracut are touting its charms, from the restaurant's friendly service to its fresh seafood and signature, slow-cooked prime rib -- arguably the best to be had north of Boston. We stopped by on a Thursday evening to see if the restaurant lived up to the hype. I hadn't been to the Village Inn in years and was curious to find out whether the new owner had made improvements -- the restaurant changed hands last year. After just a few minutes, we were seated at a booth in the main dining room. We were impressed by the décor. The tan walls are glazed, giving them an Old World charm that works well with the dark wood tables and comfy booths.
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