As a product of the Memphis City Schools, I have some fond and some not-so-fond memories of school lunches. I typically brought my lunch from home but when I bought it, I just never knew if I was going to love it or hate it. The truth is, I loved some of the things that others hated--the pizza, the mystery-meat burgers, the burritos. But then there were the other things--the creamed corn nuggets (yuck!), the soggy french fries, and the dry rolls.

With my own son now attending school, I have seen something of an improvement in the years since I was in school. While he also usually brings his lunch from home, every now and then he buys it. He eats far more salads than I remember eating in school and perhaps fewer battered and fried/oven fried foods, as well.

In spite of such improvements, the USDA has just announced even bigger changes to school lunches. Schools will now be required to offer more fruits and vegetables, switch to many whole wheat products, and reduce the fat and sodium content in many foods. These changes won't happen overnight, though. To help kids adapt to the healthier lunches, these changes will be phased in over the next three years.

If you thought you had heard the last of the West Memphis Three case, think again. Over the weekend, one of Damien Echols' attorneys released a statement regarding new evidence against Terry Hobbs. According to the press release, three people--including a nephew of Hobbs'--have all signed sworn statements claiming that they were told that Terry Hobbs murdered his own stepson and two other boys in 1993. They also swore that they overheard an exchange between Hobbs and his brother that seemed to implicate Hobbs in the murder.

While this is most certainly a case of he said/she said, it is just one more item in a growing list of things implicating Hobbs. Most notably, DNA consistent with Terry Hobbs' was found in a knot used to bind one of the boys. Also, witnesses claimed to have seen Hobbs with the boys, even though Hobbs said he never saw them that day.

Will we ever know the truth of what happened on that May day nearly 20 years ago? Perhaps not but it seems clear that this case isn't going away quietly anytime soon.

My son's birthday is just weeks away and he's anxiously awaiting his party. He's turning six this year and has some pretty strong opinions on what kind of party he wants. This is the second year that I have been among the ranks of thousands of other parents who have to find, reserve, and pay for the perfect birthday party destination.

The good news is, Memphis has a ton of birthday party destinations. From the the old stand-by's to creative new favorites, you are sure to find the right place for your next party. Know of a great place we missed? Be sure to let us know about it. While you're at it, you can nominate your favorite birthday party destination for this year's Readers' Choice Awards!

Photo by Neil Gould

The Memphis site at About.com is currently accepting nominations for the 2012 Readers' Choice Awards. Award categories for Memphis are: Best Barbecue, Best Free Attraction, Best Cup of Coffee, Best Birthday Party Destination, Best Bar or Club, and Best Memphis Blog.

Nominations will be accepted from now until February 15th. Finalists from each category will be announced on February 22, and voting will run through March 21, 2012. The winners will be announced on March 30th.

There's no prize--just the bragging rights that come with getting recognized by the readers of one of a leading website owned by The New York Times Co.

Read more about the awards program or nominate your favorites.