Characters ranging from a bite-size bumblebee to a bruising Tampa Bay Buccaneer strutted their stuff Friday night at Howl'oween, a costume contest for dogs at Northdale Recreation Center. Other dog costumes included a princess, pumpkin, chocolate chip cookie, construction worker, caterpillar and skeleton. There also was a haunted trail for children and an adoption fair for dogs. Similar events are set for Nov. 1 at West Park Dog Park, 6402 Occident St. in Tampa, and Mango Dog Park, 11717 Clay Pit Road in Seffner. The West Park costume contest starts at 10 a.m., and the Seffner costume contest, at 4 p.m. ...more

October 25, 2008

Hernando County Recreation Department will host its annual Halloween Harvest Festival from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, at the Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St. (U.S. 41). Haunted house, kids' games, face painting, hay ride, moonwalk, costume contest, pet masquerade, and food will be featured. Contests will be held as follows: Pet masquerade will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, with preregistration at 6:30 p.m.; and costume contest will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with preregistration at 6:30 p.m. ...more

October 25, 2008

Impatient for Halloween? Carve out some time to visit downtown's Pumpkin Fest on Saturday. ...more

October 23, 2008

Library Briefs Land O' Lakes The following programs are available at the Land O' Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway. Information: (813) 929-1214. ...more

October 22, 2008

Brandon's own Mr. Bones will bring his magic show "From Beyond Halloween" to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Brandon Aerie 3566, 1810 Front St., N., Valrico, at 8:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The public is invited to attend. ...more

October 22, 2008

MDA Gala Draws Big Crowd Everywhere you turn, you hear about the tough times and how people aren't donating as much to local charities. That sure wasn't evident at the Muscular Dystrophy Association's sixth annual Hearts of Fire Gala on Oct. 11 at A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa. About 650 guests showed up for the event, which netted $683,000 for research and treatment and to help send children with the disease to an MDA summer camp in Brandon. Chaired by Liz Young and Suzanne Avery, assisted by vice chairwoman Marilyn McPhail, the evening featured the theme "denim and diamonds." Auctioneers peddled goods while cocktails were served during a a lively, not-so-silent auction. Dinner and a live auction followed with Denis Phillips and Wendy Ryan, both of ABC Action News, serving as celebrity auctioneers. Herman Fernandez was honored for work that led to the success of the second annual MDA Hearts of Fire Charity Golf Classic, held the day before at Tournament Players Club. Krista Fincke, 17, Jesse Stanper, 12, and Kendall Hall, 11, talked about their experience at MDA summer camp and encouraged guests to bid on packages to send more kids to the camp. ...more

October 19, 2008

More than $210,000 was raised today at the annual pet walk organized by The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Tampa Bay. ...more

October 18, 2008

Greater New Port Richey Main Street will hold a Pumpkin Fest and quarterly shop n' stroll next Saturday. ...more

October 18, 2008

PLANT CITY The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce's Halloween event, Monster Mash, will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight Oct. 24 at Walden Lake Golf and Country Club, 2001 Clubhouse Drive. ...more

October 17, 2008

Some spooky sightings already have been reported at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, where volunteers are preparing for the annual Halloween in the Woods event. ...more

October 15, 2008