Health: Like mother, like daughter

Most parents try to set a good example for their kids. But increasingly researchers are focusing on the uniquely powerful influence a mother's health behaviors have on her daughter.

A number of studies now show that the choices a mother makes – from the beverages she drinks to where she keeps the family snacks – dramatically affect her daughter's nutrition, long-term health and risk for being overweight. Last month, some of the nation's top nutrition researchers gathered in New York City to discuss the importance of mother-daughter role modeling and the long-term implications for a woman's health.

Although fathers obviously are important role models to their children, researchers pay special attention to the role of mothers because women traditionally make food and nutrition choices for the family.

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Falls aims to force sale of State shopping area

Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Robart is moving forward with plans to take eminent domain action against the owners of the State Road Shopping Center despite an informal plan the owners have shown city officials.

The owners asked the city to keep details of the plan confidential, community development director Susan Truby said. The plan may entail some upgrades, but are not far enough along to judge, Truby said.

But Robart said the plans don't impress him.

``What they consider their master plan to me is entry level 101,'' Robart said. ``I consider it to be virtually nothing and certainly not in keeping with my desire for that area and my vision for that area.''

Phone calls seeking comment from Cleveland's GMS Management, the property owners, and Steven Eisenberg, the plaza's leasing agent, who met with city officials last week, were not returned.

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Paramus Senior Bus availability

The Paramus Senior Citizen Bus Program provides free transportation to the senior residents of Paramus for daily grocery shopping and trips to the malls, as well as a weekly trip to the Paramus Library and the Senior Citizen Center. Please be aware medical appointments or therapy appointments CANNOT be accommodated. The bus is maintained by the Mechanical Maintenance Department, and requests for information regarding sign-up procedures and scheduling can be obtained from the office staff at 201-649-0738.

The senior bus service is in operation Monday through Friday except for Borough holidays. Service is door-to-door to Shop-Rite and The Bergen Mall four days per week; Stop & Shop and K-Mart, Paramus Park and the Senior Citizen Center one day each week; and the Paramus Library one morning each week.

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Tesco's spreading empire revealed Supermarket chain Tesco is now the dominant grocer in 81 of the UK's 121 postcode areas - up from 67 a year ago. The rapidly increasing power of the Tesco empire is revealed in a new survey by retail consultants CACI. The report also shows that Tesco holds second place in 24 of the remaining 40 postcode districts and is almost neck and neck with the number two grocer in four of the remaining 16 districts. .

Tooting the horn for my intriguing new life in China

Editor's Note: Columnist Mary Canrobert appeared in the Catawba Valley section of the Charlotte Observer for years before moving to China this summer.

It's been nearly three months since my last column. In that time, my husband, Mark, and I have moved to China, where we'll stay for about two years -- with frequent visits home, of course. A person can go only so long without a big dose of North Carolina.

I live in Suzhou. It's a sprawling city in the Chinese province of Jiangsu. Shanghai is the closest well-known city. On a good traffic day, I can be in Shanghai in two hours, though it's less than 60 miles away.

Living in China the past few months has meant more than getting used to life in an oh-so-different country.

First, there was the huge adjustment from small, quiet Conover with a population of about 6,900 to a city of around 7 million.

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Grocery chain pharmacies schedule flu shots Through a partnership with Maxim Health Systems in Springfield pharmacies within many Ramey, Price Cutter, Price Cutter Plus and Smitty's supermarkets will conduct immunization clinics for the fifth year in a row. "Our customers have let us know they appreciate the convenience of stopping by our pharmacies to get their flu shots," said Larry Storey, pharmacy administrator. "Not everyone has time to make an appointment with their physician, so it's often easier to walk in, take care of the immunization, and be on your way." The influenza immunization is $25 and the pneumonia immunization is $40. Price Cutter pharmacies will accept payment for the immunizations via cash, check, or Medicare B. All immunization clinics at the chain's pharmacies will be held from 10 a.m.

Slow Cities Shopped

Baltimore is the slowest city in America, according to a recent survey conducted by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). And were not talking here about downshifting and the Slow movement, were talking more generic slow movement waiting in lines at the grocery store, banks, clothes shops and restaurants.

The 2006 Wait Time Survey, commissioned by mystery shopping trade association the MSPA, classified the 25 most populous US cities based on more than 10,000 responses from mystery shoppers.

Shoppers measured the time they spent waiting in line at banks, clothing retailers, department stores, fast food restaurants, sit-down restaurants and grocery stores. This included gas station convenience stores, retail outlets, and retail specialty stores.

Phoenix comes out as the fastest city in America, with an average wait time of 3.05 (3 minutes, 5 seconds), beating ortland, OR (3.30) and Minneapolis (3.41).

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