Weekend reader interests piqued with health care, Farmer's Market, Manhattan miracle

Local News

• Columbia Farmer’s Market opens for season amid cold, snow (Columbia Missourian)

• Exploring nuances of Columbia's downtown camera debate (Columbia Missourian): Downtown cameras deter crime and are a great investigative tool. Or, downtown cameras have no effect on crime whatsoever. It all depends on who's talking and what kind of crime they're talking about. Sidebar: Council and mayoral candidates address Proposition 1
• Contradancers welcome all comers in community of real movers and shakers (Columbia Daily Tribune): A feature about contradance, a 17th century tradition that's made its way to Columbia.
• Alternative Spring Break combines vacation, volunteering (The Maneater): With spring break less than a month away, eager MU students are planning skiing excursions, trips to the beach and visits to family and friends. Those who have chosen to participate in Alternative Spring Break are using their vacations to give back to society.

State News

• Jefferson County foundation recycles sports equipment for kids (St. Louis Post-Dispatch): Jerry Thomas hated seeing the kids he coached wearing tennis shoes on the soccer field. The soles of tennis shoes lack the cleats that soccer players need to turn easily and avoid sliding on the grass. Wearing improper shoes increases the risk of injury and hinders their play, said Thomas, a father of four who lives in High Ridge.
• Commercial real estate woes loom over local banks (St. Louis Post-Dispatch): Banks based in St. Louis have $10.2 billion such loans on their books. They make up roughly 36 percent of all loans at local banks. As of Dec. 31, the last data available, 9.2 percent of commercial real estate loans were troubled, compared to 4.5 percent for all loans. Bankers fear that number will rise.
• Lifestyle changes can help slow dementia, experts say (St. Louis Post-Dispatch): This week is National Brain Awareness Week, and medical experts believe that raising awareness will take on added significance in coming years. Most of the 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease are 65 or older. That number is expected to grow markedly as the first wave of baby boomers begin turning 65 this year.
• A real Manhattan miracle: Frank Martin recalls his brush with death (Kansas City Star) A feature about a basketball coach who was diagnosed with a fatal disease.
  

Health Care

• Against the tide, Roy Blunt voices final opposition to health care bill (St. Louis Post-Dispatch blog – Political Fix)

• Protesters shouting “KILL THE BILL” to be disappointed (St. Louis Post-Dispatch blog – Political Fix) WASHINGTON — Rep. Todd Akin was among House members waving from the balcony to hundreds of protesters on the Capitol lawn sounding scorn for the overhaul of the health insurance system in legislation likely to pass tonight.

• Top ten facts to know about health care reform (PolitiFact): PolitiFact has checked hundreds of claims about health care reform and read the plans under consideration by Congress. As the Democrats move toward a final vote, we've selected 10 facts about the actual health care legislation that every voter should know. Agree with the measure or not, here's what it intends to do and where the big unknowns are.
• Democrats hail landmark US health care bill (BBC News): Gives a good overview of the key points in the health care bill.