Oh, how I wish more people would write about the Heartland Idol contest. It is truly remarkable to see such talent coming from right here in our own back door. I would not be a judge if they paid me NFL money. For the most part, even the people who don't move on to the next level are good and fun to watch. Don Ewell makes a great emcee; he sure has some quick wit about him and has a way about him that can relax the contestants. You don't have time for dinner before the 6 p.m. start? Not to worry. There is some mighty fine food to be bought. Hey, another reason to come is to see the size of them hot dogs. The bratwurst, pulled pork and hamburgers are nothing to turn your nose up at, either, and then there is the smell of popcorn, as well as all kinds of other snacks. Plus, right across the street is a cold treat wagon with all kinds of cold treats, which is nice on a hot night. ...more

October 27, 2009

Making Yourself Beautiful Inside and Out. ...more

May 18, 2009

There were no anxious moments for the Florida women's basketball team this time around. ...more

March 16, 2009

Normally, you'd expect a match between two nationally ranked teams to happen a little later than the opening round of the region playoffs. But Thursday night, East Lake - No. 20 in the ESPN Rise boys soccer Fab 50 - and Jesuit - No. 21 in the same poll - will meet. ...more

February 5, 2009

Michael N. Mattia of Tarpon Springs appreciates the wit and humor of Mark Schantz's op-ed page column. ...more

January 24, 2009

The Bucs' owners don't speak publicly often, so Bucs general manager Bruce Allen spoke for them Friday. From the sound of things, the owners aren't happy with the state of their football team. ...more

January 10, 2009

It happened in Rome, on the way to Florence. Joe Maddon had said for months that he hoped to run into just one person wearing Rays gear on his honeymoon in Europe in November as a sign that his team had truly arrived. Enter Ryan Atwood of New Tampa, spotted wearing a Rays cap in the train station as Maddon and his bride Jaye waited to head off to Italy for the second stop on a tour that also took them to Prague and London. ...more

December 9, 2008

"The Tales of Beedle the Bard" (Children's High Level Group, $12.99, 111 pages), by J.K. Rowling ...more

December 7, 2008

Just in time for the holidays, J.K. Rowling has given Harry Potter fans a little gift. ...more

December 4, 2008

Jeffrey Maricle told a jury last week that his leasing company went out of business in late October. He was testifying at a trial that ended with a finding of fraud against the company, Global Funding LLC. ...more

November 24, 2008