While Barack Obama puts the finishing touches on his presidential cabinet, a 9-year-old South Tampa boy is busy filling his cabinet with presidential memorabilia. Third grader Houston Britain is a presidential history buff. In a corner of his family's Hyde Park dining room, a cherry curio no taller than Houston himself is loaded with stuffed JFK dolls, miniature Ronald Reagans, and even a bobble-headed Barack Obama. ...more

January 19, 2009

Water pushed by Hurricane Ike again washed over low areas along much of the west coast today, covering some roads but staying away from homes and businesses. ...more

September 11, 2008

Call me a courageous explorer in the mold of Lewis and Clark if you want, but I did something insanely brave here: I traveled alone, on foot, all the way across the convention floor. ...more

August 28, 2008

Friday afternoon, Flag Day eve, in a Tampa Convention Center ballroom of close to 1,500 patriots, Merle Patricia Bradshaw Romain did what she knew she ought to have done ages ago. Sheathed in a pink floral dress and rising on simple, low-heeled beige sandals, Romain hoisted her right hand to repeat, with a solemnity that belied the unalloyed delight in her heart, the oath of allegiance for naturalized citizens. ...more

June 17, 2008

Salvation Army Maj. Richard Hathorn knew when and where it would happen, but he still doesn't know who slipped the $1,000 bill into one of the charity's Christmas kettles. ...more

December 25, 2007

We were in Sebring Sunday evening, mistakenly thinking the stores stayed open until 9 p.m., but we were wrong, it was Sunday and they close at 8 p.m. We checked out very fast with no other customers in line. As much as I dislike shopping I have learned one thing by that experience and it's to shop after 6 p.m. on Sundays and not have to wait in line. With that in mind, I will write down a list of gifts to get on the next four Sundays shortly before the stores close. It could save my sanity by not having to cope with the super long lines and crowds that will surely be around every other day until after Christmas. ...more

November 29, 2007