The five Heartland Idol finalists are probably scratching their heads and asking themselves, "What if?" a couple of days after Saturday's final round on the Circle. ...more

November 10, 2008

A showcase for artists. This is how Ann Larsen, executive director of the Pasco Arts Council, describes the Pasco Art 2008 Exhibition, a judged art show and competition that will run from Sept. 12 to Oct. 24 at the council. ...more

August 23, 2008

Two local boys, each with a cause, are getting national recognition: a Palm Harbor youth named CNN's Viewers' Choice winner this week and a Valrico lad in line for a Butterfly Award. ...more

December 8, 2007

TAMPA - The Bay area is making a name for itself as a producer of humanitarian children. This week, a Palm Harbor boy was named CNN's Viewers' Choice winner, and a Valrico child is waiting to hear whether he has won a Butterfly Award. ...more

December 7, 2007

SEBRING — Thursday evening's Heartland Idol competition was a chance for 16 local performers to wear goofy hats, sport huge shades, or to wear it short and tight and dance up a storm. The music – and especially the dress – of Madonna and Elton John took center stage at the Downtown Circle as four contestants were eliminated from a pool of 16. It was at least the third time that each singer had performed for ever-increasing audiences, emcee Don Elwell pegged Thursday's crowd at 400. As part of a regular refrain, Elwell told performers to "leave nothing on the stage" and none did. ...more

October 20, 2007

SEBRING — Thursday evening's Heartland Idol competition on the Circle gave fans and 18 semifinalists a chance to relive the 1980s. Idol contestants came dressed to reflect the style of the decade. Many wore black and spandex. Fishnet leggings were big with the females, while sequins often caught the spotlights. An audience of 350 saw two singers eliminated, while emcee David Flowers kept the event running smoothly. ...more

October 13, 2007

SEBRING — An audience of more than 300 Heartland Idol fans on Thursday enjoyed performances by "Elvis," a woman in a silk wedding dress with full veil, a teenager likely accustomed to jeans wearing a polka-dotted dress and a 7-year-old girl with purple ribbons in her hair. But while the wardrobe choices were dazzling and appreciated, it was the music that won the crowd's loudest applause. Twenty-eight performers sang for an enthusiastic audience, with spectators seated around the entire Historic Downtown Circle. Five contestants from both the Idol Junior and Teen Idol categories won the right to perform in next week's finals, while adults took part in the third of four qualifying rounds. ...more

September 22, 2007