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

It will be easy for the Tampa City Council to adopt a rule that would give local vendors priority when the city awards a contract. ...more

November 12, 2009

Great items for your kids. ...more

September 7, 2009

The Port of Tampa is opening a route to Puerto Rico by closing a deal with a third major container service, Horizon Lines Inc., the nation's leading domestic shipping company. ...more

September 4, 2009

Moving the sheriff's office to the Restoration Church, or any other location outside the city, is a big mistake. To move the department it will continually add more expenditure of time and money to travel to the courthouse as well as create a security risk in moving prisoners. Instead, convert the Sebring Middle School into a sheriff's office where ample parking is already available. Classrooms would provide space for personnel departments while the principal's office could be used for Sheriff Benton and additional jail space could be added to the gym. ...more

May 2, 2009

The movie camera collection of retired postman Dimitris Pistiolas recently made it into the Guinness World Records - for the eighth time. ...more

January 18, 2009

The Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce is hosting a seminar on Florida Ready to Work for area employers on Friday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. Florida Ready to Work is a new employee credentialing program sponsored by the state of Florida and administered by the Florida Department of Education ...more

January 18, 2009

Unwanted stress can crop up unexpectedly for people coping with serious illnesses. Michelle Riba, a professor of psychiatry and associate chair for integrated medicine and psychiatric services at the University of Michigan Health System, says there are ways to steer clear of these unnecessary stresses. Here's one such tip: ...more

January 10, 2009

Norma Vazquez of New Port Richey says Pasco Code Enforcement is wrong to cite the Elisha Ministries homeless shelter. ...more

January 3, 2009