Red, ripe strawberries are not just a historic crop in eastern Hillsborough County; toward the middle of March they become deliciously affordable as market prices drop, shipping becomes expensive and U-fields open in the Plant City area. ...more

April 1, 2009

Research With Embryos All of us began life as embryos. Aren't we lucky or blessed that no one put us in a dish and tore us apart in the name of "science"? ...more

March 11, 2009

Doctors have given a woman a new windpipe with tissue grown from her own stem cells, eliminating the need for anti-rejection drugs. ...more

November 19, 2008

The local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has taken in more than 130 cats and dogs and two guinea pigs affected by Hurricane Ike in mid-September. The animals had no identification or were surrendered by their owners. ...more

October 1, 2008

Last week's column about the closing of Whaley's Market in Hyde Park brought in a lot of mail and much of it touched on the loss of neighborhood institutions. ...more

August 11, 2008

People always find the time to complain but more often then not, the time to praise. My husband recently had surgery at Highlands Regional Medical Center, and we were blown away by the quality of care he received. Transplants from South Florida we were not sure of what to expect at a small hospital. Our daughter made the comment about the hospital being so small inside and out, and one of the nurses (Reba) made the comment "We call it hometown." So true, everyone we came in contact with treated us like old friends and really seemed to care. Starting with the admitting clerk, pre-op nurse to the surgery staff, volunteers in the waiting room and his follow-up care on the third floor. Thanks to all for making this difficult time a little easier. ...more

August 4, 2008

Tarpon Springs Castle Winery introduced its newest wine this week, Pinot Grigio, bringing its current roster of offerings to 13 varieties. Here's a quick peak. ...more

January 26, 2008

When it comes to matters of the heart, Bill Ismer is something of an expert: The retired lawman has had two. ...more

January 16, 2008

2 Hearts, 1 Love "When I received my new heart, I gave it away," says Bill Ismer, whose story about love, life and transplants won him a place in the 2008 Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. Ismer ended up marrying the nurse who held his hand through the tough times. ...more

January 13, 2008

When it comes to matters of the heart, Bill Ismer is something of an expert: The retired lawman has had two. ...more

January 12, 2008