A little bit about a lot of things:

• Those who lose, win.

That could be the motto of Newman’s “Biggest Loser” contest, which saw nearly 70 people take off a total of 633 pounds – or about nine pounds each, on average – during the eight-week course of the program.

The winning team included Chuck and Margaret Messer, Cathy Trayer, Jean Marie Martin, Margaret Law and Chrystal Correa.

The Messer’s 8-year-old son Robbie got in on the act as well. He joined his parents in following  the program, and shed 15 pounds.

Good for him.....and for all those who took part in the first go-around of the “Biggest Loser!”

The program focuses on information about exercise and nutrition, encouraging participants to make lifestyle changes which lead to long-term fitness and providing support toward that goal.

A new “Biggest Loser” program, sponsored by Curves in conjunction with the city of Newman, begins Monday evening, April 7, at 6 p.m. at the Newman Teen Center on Hardin Road.

It’s open to any adult who wants to lose a few pounds....no Curves membership or affiliation is required.

• Making strides.....20-year-old Zeb Parreira, who suffered a serious brain injury in an early February vehicle accident, is continuing to make progress in his recovery.

Parreira has been undergoing treatment for several weeks at Children’s Hospital Central California, and on Monday was transferred to a highly-regarded rehabilitation center in Southern California.

He was home for the day on Easter and again last Sunday, when Zeb and his family visited with friends and relatives before he headed to the Los Angeles area for what is expected to be a three-month stay at the Casa Colina facility.

It was wonderful to learn that Zeb was out and about, and doing well in the course of what so far has been nothing short of a miraculous recovery.

His family and friends have been at his side to help and encourage Zeb along that journey.

West Siders have shown their support for Zeb and a grateful Parreira family in many ways since the accident, stepping forward to help in whatever ways possible, offering words of support and keeping the Parreiras in their thoughts and prayers.

We continue to wish him the best, and to keep Zeb and his family in those prayers.

• Service clubs and organizations are an important part of the fabric of our communities, and have been for many years.

Two long-time Newman clubs are celebrating milestones this year.

The Newman Rotary Club, a group of folks who exemplify the “Service Above Self” motto of Rotary, recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of its charter.

Next week, the Newman Woman’s Club will mark a milestone of its own when it celebrates its 100th year.

You’ll read much more about this remarkable organization and its fascinating history in next week’s edition....I was amazed at what I have learned from the materials gathered by the club in preparation for its Founders Day Tea on Monday.

Suffice for now to say that the Woman’s Club (founded as the Woman’s Improvement Club of Newman) certainly helped shape the community in its early days, with an influence that has carried on through the generations.

We salute both of these marvelous organizations.....just as we extend our appreciation to each and every community club or civic group for the work they do in making our towns better places to live and work!

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