Both sides of the Jefferson High gymnasium were packed with stomping, cheering, chattering students early Thursday afternoon. They weren't there for a pep rally or a big game, although you couldn't have guessed that by how excited everyone seemed. ...more

May 9, 2008

It's no surprise that South Florida Community College's President Norman Stephens received a positive evaluation. He's as good as they come in his position anywhere in the nation. The fact is, our area is filled with leaders who do a fine job. Stephens has continued a tradition of excellence at SFCC. If anyone's been critical of his leadership, we haven't heard it. That's amazing because rarely does anyone in a position of power maintain such high regard from so many people. Even many outstanding leaders, due to the tough decisions they have to make every day, generate a few enemies along the way. City managers, county administrators, school superintendents and a number of other key positions are tasked with difficult jobs that require decision making that upsets some people. Often those jobs have a high turnover. A lot of city administrators around the country last about five years and move on, due to their inability to be effective. ...more

February 1, 2008

Norma McCulliss of Palm Harbor urges support for the Lupus Foundation of America. ...more

January 29, 2008

For the next three days, 29 rinks around the National Hockey League will go dark. Sheets of ice will remain cold and clean. Skate sharpeners will go silent. ...more

January 26, 2008

While knocking off opponents all over town, the Ridgewood Rams have been knocking off records, too. ...more

January 18, 2008

When I was a child, Christmas at our house revolved around the tree. It wasn't Christmas until the tree went up, and the holidays were not over till the tree came down. In that respect, not much has changed; the tree is still the focal point of our holiday trimmings. But these days it fights for attention with one other decoration that is slowly taking over the spotlight, and my living room – my Dickens Village. What started in 1995 with just one little ceramic house, The Old Curiosity Shop, has grown into an entire Victorian town. The display now has 12 buildings, including some with moving parts. All of them are lighted and one even plays music. The village also has 10 trees, a road, a bridge, and a town square complete with mailbox, stone fences and a dozen different sets of tiny Victorian people doing everything from selling newspapers to lighting the street lamps and peeking in windows. My village grows every year, because friends and family are continually buying new pieces for it. They know that village "stuff" is a gift I'll always love. ...more

December 30, 2007

She's one of the best-known CEOs in the Tampa Bay area. She heads an organization with a $43 million budget and 120 full-time employees. Her organization's always in the spotlight, and a half- million people walk through the doors every year. ...more

December 9, 2007

Regarding 'Meet Our 2007-08 Community Columnists' (Commentary, Oct. 28): Congratulations on being chosen to write columns for The Tampa Tribune! All 22 of you will be in the spotlight this year. We, your new readers, are eager to discover your talents, read your various opinions and become familiar with your smiling faces. ...more

November 1, 2007

This week's Smackdown pits Bucs receiver Ike Hilliard and cornerback Phillip Buchanon against each other to determine who Tampa Bay's most reliable player is. Winner shows their consistency once again. ...more

October 19, 2007

An editorial urging support for Pasco Safety Town. ...more

October 9, 2007