A parent is the first and often the most important teacher of the child. Whenever the parents inadequately nurture or label their child, the youngster gets more opportunities in life to become whole. ...more

October 30, 2009

Lowry Park Zoo's board of directors has hired a lawyer to recoup more than $200,000 in supplies and animals the former president and CEO took from the facility, according to a city audit. ...more

March 24, 2009

The ex-wife of former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Ricky Reynolds pleaded guilty this morning to one count of criminal mischief in a deal with prosecutors. ...more

July 21, 2008

Matt Johnson just opened Dust Bunnies of Tampa Bay, a business that features "hot girls who come into your home and clean," according to his Web site. ...more

May 30, 2008

SEBRING — A least one group of medical professionals still makes house calls. With a nine-person staff, including four nurses, the local two-month-old Visiting Nurse Association of Florida regularly makes house calls to 44 patients. The not-for-profit foundation was established nationally in 1976. "We teach them the tools to stay out of the hospital," said Kimberly Simms, director of marketing. "The nurses bring a smile and a helping hand." VNA visiting nurses work hand in hand with physicians when visiting 74 -year old Donald Vanyo. The homebound Lake Placid resident takes 14 pills a day. ...more

May 27, 2008

Why is it that when I'm sick I revert to being a child again? When I don't feel well, all I want is for my mama to come and bring me chicken soup and lay her cool hand on my forehead and tell me it's going to be all right. It doesn't matter that I'm a mother myself now and my mother is 80 years old. When I'm sick, in body or in spirit, no one can make it better like she can. I wonder. Do my children feel that way about me? They're adults now. They have lives of their own and "significant others" to comfort and cheer them. Maybe they really don't need me now. ...more

May 24, 2008

"Lost" returns tonight on ABC. I know I'm supposed to be thrilled. Part of me is, I guess. But deep inside, doubt grows. "Lost" now resembles significant others I remember from my single days. I know it's someone I need to quit but can't, even though all my friends say I should. I'm starting to have trouble remembering why I was so into this relationship. I haven't understood a thing that was going on for months. ...more

January 30, 2008

A few hours from now, after you've watched the ball drop on TV, swept confetti out of your living room and argued with your significant other for the umpteenth time about whether champagne flutes can be cleaned in the dishwasher, it will be time to get down to the serious work of New Year's. ...more

December 31, 2007

Two employees of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office have been disciplined for violating the agency's anti-adultery policy. It is the first punishment of its kind since Pinellas Sheriff Jim Coats instituted the unique prohibition two years ago. ...more

December 28, 2007