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

With the struggle over health care entering another difficult phase, President Barack Obama has hit both a milestone and a speed bump in his dual pursuit of a major overhaul of the nation's medical system and a rebirth of progressivism in America. ...more

November 9, 2009

The Rebirth Academy charter school could lose its contract with the Hillsborough County school district if it doesn't improve its test scores, district officials say. ...more

May 27, 2009

Don't keep your makeup for too long. ...more

May 19, 2009

There's a green for everyone to wear, and it doesn't just have to be on St. Patrick's Day. ...more

March 11, 2009

A man who has felt like a part of the place since its beginnings is welcoming the changes. ...more

October 10, 2008

The eight-pointed star on the wall outside Trey Click's office marks it as a "survivor." The squat, orange building withstood the ravages of the 1900 hurricane, which nearly flattened this barrier island city and still stands as the nation's deadliest natural disaster. ...more

September 21, 2008

Time was, a decade ago, the United States, Norway and China dominated women's soccer without challenge. ...more

August 5, 2008

The chip on the shoulder is gone. The limo and the pajama suit are history. ...more

August 1, 2008