Published February 7, 2010, 12:06 AM EST

by SUSAN JURGELSKI

Kira Wenger was wide awake, examining her volunteer convictions as she listened to the choppy breathing of the sleeping women who had no permanent address.Around 20 had found temporary sanctuary from the frostbitten streets inside a city church fellowship hall converted into a winter homeless shelte...

Published February 7, 2010, 12:04 AM EST

by SUSAN JURGELSKI

For the homeless, temporary housing can be hard to find.Currently, shelter services are provided by the faith-based Water Street Rescue Mission, the YWCA, the Transitional Living Center and the Glass House.But as county homelessness grows, and resources shrink, volunteer-run church winter shelters h...

Published February 7, 2010, 12:02 AM EST

by STAFF

Support groupsToday7 p.m. — Overeaters Anonymous meets at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 750 Greenfield Road. Information: 391-2950.Monday10 a.m. — My Fellow Traveler, support for people in the first stage of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, discusses "Mind and Body and New ...

Published February 6, 2010, 5:39 AM EST

by LAURA DINOVIS, 17, Freestyle

I never really thought I would ever visit a South American country, let alone Ecuador. However, once my sister became engaged to an Ecuadorian and planned on having her wedding there it became an important destination.Upon writing this, it has only been about a week and a half since my family and I ...

Published February 6, 2010, 5:31 AM EST

by GADI PASKOFF, 15, Freestyle

The first thing I heard when I woke up was applause. After 10 hours on the plane we had finally landed safely and could see the flag waving in the morning air. As we left the plane, I heard the flight attendants speaking in a somewhat foreign language to me. That is when it finally hit me, I was in ...

Published February 5, 2010, 5:40 AM EST

by SUSAN JURGELSKI

It's time to sweeten the pot.Bring on the tempting, time-honored candy dish.And if you put it out, they will come.There's something magnetic about treats there for the taking.(Dieters may not agree, but hey, one piece can't hurt, right?)"Even though the trend toward healthier eating...

Published February 5, 2010, 12:01 AM EST

by CLAUDIA W. ESBENSHADE

Valentine's Day is around the corner and you really don't have to spend a lot of money to share your love sentiments — you can craft your love.And your sweet thought doesn't have to be for the one you love, but it also can be for those for whom you have love — your son's ...

Published February 4, 2010, 6:05 AM EST

by GREG CALDWELL

Hidden tigers, martial arts and international folk dancing will be among the activities awaiting visitors to the Chinese New Year Celebration at the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia Saturday.The event enables the museum to represent a unique way of recording time through a completely differ...

Published February 3, 2010, 5:59 AM EST

by SUSAN JURGELSKI

Don't fumble when it comes to satisfying the hearty appetites of your armchair football fans this Super Bowl season.As the teams square off for Super Bowl XLIV (No. 44) on Sunday, score a snack touchdown for those hungry for more than game action.You can punt with chicken, chili, potatoes, pasta...

Published February 3, 2010, 12:01 AM EST

by KEN HOFFMAN

This week I reached out for a $10 Any Pizza in the Joint at Pizza Hut, the largest pizza slinger, with 13,000 restaurants around the world … and around your corner. That's any crust, any topping and any size … for a sawbuck, an Alexander Hamilton, a Ten Spot.This isn't a pizza ...