It seems each year a growing number of people are downplaying the importance of Santa Claus. ...more

December 24, 2009

IRA KAUFMAN'S POWER RANKINGS 1. Colts. Peyton's train keeps on rolling. ...more

December 20, 2009

Academy of the Holy Names alumna Britta Wilk McKenna, Class of 1979, was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame on Nov. 17 before more than 200 guests at the annual fall sports banquet. ...more

December 16, 2009

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: Rather than gift cards, make a donation to a cause they believe in, in their name. Do they love animals? Cancer, diabetes, heart association and Alzheimer's associations are donations well spent (let them know ahead of time that this is your plan this year so they don't waste all their time and money on you.) ...more

December 8, 2009

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

A parent is the first and often the most important teacher of the child. Whenever the parents inadequately nurture or label their child, the youngster gets more opportunities in life to become whole. ...more

October 30, 2009

The more we get together, the happier we'll be When absence intrudes, our memories will flee. ...more

March 15, 2009

Before it came time to turn the page Sunday afternoon, the Rays took one last look back. ...more

February 16, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - The co-founders of Imagine Schools visited their sole charter school in Pasco County on Tuesday as part of their effort to encourage teachers and students. ...more

January 21, 2009

Last week's "water landing" of the US Airways jet is a tribute to professionalism, experience, skill and teamwork. The pilot-in-command showed that with his calm under fire and his years of training as an Air Force, airline and glider pilot, that he had the requisite background to successfully execute such a difficult maneuver. As Barack Obama rides the train to his position as pilot-in-command of our country, let us hope that he learns from this pilot hero that one's split-second decision can mean the difference between the life and death of many people; that experience, skill and teamwork are important; that there is reward in "just doing one's job"; and in a command position, it is essential to conduct oneself with the character and humility of this US Airways pilot. ...more

January 20, 2009