There was an early Grinch who stole our church trailer and "Thanks-For-Giving Bags" being collected by members of our parish to be distributed to needy families through our Community Cupboard Food Pantry ("Church Bemoans Theft Of Trailer Full Of Holiday Fare," Metro, Nov. 14). ...more

December 15, 2007

Operation Unwrap A Smile is marking its second year of service with a wide-scale holiday campaign to help others. ...more

December 14, 2007

NEW TAMPA - To kick off the tree-lighting ceremony at Cypress Point Community Church on Dec. 12, worship director Jill Barber led the crowd singing "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty the Snowman." Children gathered around her as imitation snow blew through the warm night air. The lighting marked the first Christmas at the church's new location, 15798 Morris Bridge Road. ...more

December 14, 2007

At Jeff Cassels' jewelry store, falling real estate values and rising gold prices are more than news headlines - they are contributors to an uncertain holiday season. At Joanie McDonald's clothing store, however, a weakening dollar is turning into a boon. ...more

December 13, 2007

How do you know when you meet the real deal? When they know your sister's name and which vegetables you haven't been eating. ...more

December 8, 2007

Attention Quinton Johns' family: Don't read until Dec. 25. Two days after an appendectomy, 12-year-old Quinton dragged an IV tube behind his gown as he combed tables inside St. Joseph's Children's Hospital stacked with pink nail polish, measuring tapes, ponytail holders and stuffed rhinoceroses. ...more

December 6, 2007

Restoration work is nearly ready to begin at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, which was damaged by a fire. ...more

December 5, 2007

Restoration work is nearly ready to begin at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, which was damaged by a fire. ...more

December 5, 2007

Putting smiles on the faces of disadvantaged children during the Christmas season has long been a focus of gift givers. ...more

December 3, 2007

QUESTION: "I've inherited some Christmas cacti from my mom and my wife's grandmothers. The ones from my wife's side were big beautiful plants. Recently they have started to turn yellow and are withering from the ends toward the plants. I'm not sure how much and how often to water them. Should I water them on a weekly basis or should it be more time in between watering? I also started giving them plant food in the water. I don't want to lose them. Any advice would be deeply appreciated." ...more

December 2, 2007