Meaning of Christmas In response to the column by Raleigh Whiteman dated Dec. 3, I'll take the bait. The fact that your children (spouses and grandchildren) are unable to spend Christmas with you is a good sign. They are setting up their own family traditions. It is a tribute to you and their mother. Feel blessed. Forget shopping. You will be wasting a lot of time and money trying to find things they don't need or want. They will also be doing the same for you. As the patriarch of the family, you have an opportunity to change things. Return the real meaning of Christmas, it will be the greatest gift of all. Here are some suggestions: ...more

December 6, 2009

Walter Dartland of the Consumer Federation (Other Views, June 10) expressed his support for Gov. Charlie Crist's veto of the funding for the highly successful Insurance Capital Build-Up Incentive Program reauthorized by the Florida Legislature a few weeks ago. ...more

June 25, 2008

If ads for popular beauty products leave you skeptical, relax. Our 4you Beauty Board's veteran testers are ready to try the latest and greatest when it comes to all things beauty. We'll share what worked and what bombed with the hope of making your life a little easier. This week: eye makeup removers. We doll up then clean up to see what works and what doesn't. ...more

June 21, 2008

In today's world where top executives keep subtracting, Beall's Department Store at the Mall provides free gift wrapping. The loaf of specialty bread that was $2.50 last year is now $3.50, and people who are used to good ingredients immediately know something has been tampered with. By the way, the loaves are smaller too. At Beall's, cheerful ladies are busy wrapping while customers wait patiently in line, exchanging smiles and bits of conversation. Now wouldn't you call that the old fashioned "Christmas Spirit?" ...more

December 30, 2007