A new reality show, "World's Strictest Parents," is auditioning parents and teens Saturday on Clearwater Beach. ...more

February 26, 2009

The United Food Bank of Plant City raised about $6,000 in a silent auction Saturday during a benefit dinner at Hillsborough Community College's Trinkle Center. Celebrity chef Jon Ashton entertained the audience of about 250 people with a cooking demonstration as culinary students from Simmons Career Center and Plant City High School prepared and served a three-course meal under the direction of chef Ken Melton. (Full disclosure: I was emcee, meaning they raised six grand despite my performance.) Ashton raised more than $4,000 on his own by promising to cook a private dinner for 12. ...more

February 15, 2009

A collection of briefs about dining and cooking. ...more

February 11, 2009

Looking for the perfect gift for the four-legged guy or gal in your life? We asked some animal lovers you may know what they'll be giving their pets for Christmas or Hanukkah. (Good ideas are always worth borrowing!) ...more

December 14, 2008

Some ideas on how folks are gifting their furry friends this year. ...more

December 9, 2008

Anne Hjelle was attacked by a mountain lion while biking in the California wilderness in 2004. ...more

June 7, 2008

Those cute Meerkats return. Burly old men skid on ice. HGTV picks a new star. Military wives rule. A universe-hopping detective swings into action. And a female race car driver burns rubber. ...more

June 6, 2008

If killer snakes, giant South American stinging ants and roasted rats don't get your attention, you've been watching too much mondo bizarro television. ...more

May 6, 2008

The SPCA Suncoast is marking its 44th anniversary by giving pet enthusiasts a break on fees for microchips and adoptions. ...more

January 24, 2008

Oprah Winfrey is getting her own TV network. OWN - Oprah Winfrey Network - debuts next year in 70 million homes with cable and satellite in a deal announced Tuesday with Discovery Communications. It replaces Discovery Health network. ...more

January 16, 2008