| Fighting addiction is a struggle at any price
High-profile alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers seem like a home away from home for Hollywood celebs like Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie and Robert Downey Jr. Some charge nearly $50,000 a month. But since Lohan's arrest last week on charges of driving under the influence and possession of cocaine -- after several in-and-out stays at pricey rehab clinics -- one wonders what, if anything, works. Headlines about backsliding celebrities should not lead people to believe rehabilitation clinics are not worthwhile. However luxurious -- or Spartan -- the surroundings, however famous or workaday the patient, it's not unusual for people fighting addictions to fail often before they may finally succeed, say doctors and those who run rehab clinics.
Open House for After School Program
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Children in Duval County Public Schools will be back in the classroom Monday (August 20th). It's time for them to get back into a routine. For many, that routine includes after school activities. Jaxparks has a free after school program for kids ages 6 - 12. It's called Club Rec.
The program is offered at 20 centers in the city of Jacksonville. A teen program will be set up at 3 of the sites.
Pam Wilson, Marketing and Community Relations Managers with Jaxparks, describes it as "the coolest club in town." Kids will be able to play games, like basketball and pool, and do arts and crafts. Wilson says the program also offers educational components and a grade monitoring system. Kids get incentives, or small prizes, when they make good grades.
Wilson says one of the main goals is to mix education with recreation and physical fitness.
CALENDAR - Lifestyle - (HometownAnnapolis.com)
PROVIDENCE CENTER, INC., greenhouses, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Providence Center Greenhouses, 370 Shore Acres Road, Arnold. 410-766-2212. QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY FAIR, 9 a.m.-10 p.m., 4-H Park, Route 18, Centreville. 410-758-0267. THRIFT SHOP, by St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 1101 Bay Ridge Ave. 410-268-5419. BROWSE AND BUY SHOPPE, Anne Arundel Historical Society, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., corner of Jones Station Road and Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Severna Park. 410-544-3370. RESALE SHOP, Chesapeake Treasures, to benefit Hospice of the Chesapeake, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Park Plaza Shopping Center, 558-D Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, 410-384-9260. DINNER SALE, by Peerless Rens, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., club, 406 Chester Ave. 410-268-5427. PHOTOGRAPH EXHIBIT, by Marion Warren, sponsored by Artwalk, 2 p.m., Sean Donlon Parking Alcove, between 37 and 45 West St.
Around Town for Aug. 12
Aug. 12 Saturday, August 11, 2007 3:38 PM CDT Aug. 12BLOOD DRIVE: 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., St. Paul Knights of Columbus Hall, 1240 Church Road. In conjunction with Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. Donors must bring photo identification and should eat before donating. Walk-ins welcome. Call Walter Knaust at 636-272-5412.MID RIVERS ETHICAL SOCIETY: lecture, "Stages of changing for good," 11 a.m.-noon, St. Charles County Extension Center, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters. Visit www.ethicallife.org or call 636-284-0280.SUNDAY DANCE: 2-6 p.m., American Legion Post 312, 2500 Raymond Drive, St. Charles. Cost $6 per person. Call 636-724-4728.SHO-ME SHUFFLERS LINE AND COUPLE DANCING: 6-8:30 p.m., Firefighters Hall, 117 McMenamy Road, St. Peters. Cost $4 per person. Beginner classes from 5-6 p.m.
Medicare drug premium to rise
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Many seniors and disabled people will need to shop around next year to avoid an increase in their monthly premiums for the Medicare drug benefit.
Medicare officials announced Monday that the average premium for basic coverage, now about $22, would increase to $25 next year.
About 24 million elderly and disabled people are enrolled in the drug benefit or in more comprehensive health plans that include drug coverage. The federal government subsidizes the cost of the coverage, and the poorest participants get extra help.
Overall, the monthly premium is still much lower than the $41 that was anticipated when the drug benefit was established, said Herb Kuhn, the acting administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
DJ tells Bali court he's addicted to cocaine
AUSTRALIAN DJ Nick Taylor faces up to 10 years jail after telling a Bali court he was carrying and using cocaine during a pre-lunch party on the island. At yesterday's hearing Taylor said he was addicted to cocaine. His girlfriend, Brigitte Kaelin, told Bali District Court the popular DJ used the drug to lessen the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Police have filed alternative charges with the court: possessing narcotics, which carries a potential 10-year term; using narcotics, which has a maximum four-year sentence; and being addicted but failing to report to authorities, which has a potential six-month term. Lawyer for the 41-year-old Taylor, Erwin Siregar, said the court testimony demonstrated he should only be charged with addiction. Police arrested Taylor during a morning raid on a private villa party in June.
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