Dawn Firestine patiently waited as cameras clicked, hairdressers teased and a tailor stitched. A few feet away stood a photo set with a seamless white background, plastic props, including a silver globe, and a couple of sparkling vases filled with red delicious and green Granny Smith apples. She and two other Hillsborough County teachers, Katie Bullock of Lowry Elementary and Catherine Davis from Shaw Elementary, were nominated by peers, students, family and parents for the special pampering. ...more

September 8, 2008

The outside walls of Miami Jai-Alai are cracked. The paint is chipped and faded. The entrance to the world's largest fronton, once a grand spectrum filled with fans, is empty. A single teller guards the door, charging a $1 fee. ...more

September 8, 2008

He's been through tough times before, but Brandon resident Mark Mahon never anticipated that he and his 14-year-old son would have to live in the Chevy van he purchased to carry supplies for his home-remodeling business. ...more

September 4, 2008

Labor Day held special meaning for 20 families who now can do their jobs in a way they never could before. ...more

September 2, 2008

Labor Day held special meaning for 20 families who now can do their jobs in a way they never could before. ...more

September 1, 2008

Save Our Seabirds is soon going to be on the move, or at least hopes to be. The nonprofit organization is planning on moving all of its birds from its Wimauma facility into the former Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary in Sarasota. But can't do so until the Sarasota facility is cleaned and repaired. And one way SOS is trying to raise the needed cash is to host a yard sale on Sept. 20. But to have a yard sale, the organization is asking for donations. Items needed include toys, tools, clothing, artwork, kitchenware, pot and pans, small appliances and books. ...more

August 22, 2008

A $100,000 donation from one of the county's most prominent landowners to the Community Foundation of Hernando County will give nonprofit groups a powerful funding tool for years to come, a foundation official said. ...more

August 15, 2008

Tampa is about to get a life. Denizens of Second Life, a virtual online community, will hold their annual convention at the Tampa Marriott Waterside hotel, according to Kevin Alderman, a Lutz entrepreneur who sells sex toys in Second Life. ...more

August 13, 2008

Who knew art could help improve math and science test scores for local students? ...more

August 8, 2008

Bread of Life Christian Mission, an organization marking 15 years of assisting local families through a variety of charitable programs, is fighting a two-front battle spawned by economically challenging times. ...more

July 28, 2008