When Lane Nemeth, who founded Discovery Toys in 1978 and sold the company to Avon two decades later, decided to start a pet products company a few years ago, one of the first things she did was to look for regulations about how to manufacture pet toys safely. ...more

December 22, 2007

At least they're not going to lose money, but members of the South Hillsborough Lions Club are hoping more people will pick up a tree this weekend before Santa shows up looking for a place to stack the presents. ...more

December 22, 2007

As the Christmas season approaches, patrons at the Sail Inn bar have to pay up if they let the mother of all curse words slip off their tongues. ...more

December 19, 2007

I never have to check the calendar to see if the Christmas season is approaching. As soon as the "season to be jolly" approaches all those jolly-challenged people begin their sniping. I think Jack Frost is nipping at more than their noses and some people are nipping at more than hot chocolate. ...more

December 18, 2007

To kick off the tree-lighting ceremony at Cypress Point Community Church on Dec. 12, worship director Jill Barber led the crowd singing "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty the Snowman." Children gathered around her as imitation snow blew through the warm night air. ...more

December 17, 2007

It would take a DeLorean and the flux capacitor from the movie "Back to the Future" to take a ride back in time and observe the events surrounding the nativity story 2,000 years ago. ...more

December 15, 2007

There was an early Grinch who stole our church trailer and "Thanks-For-Giving Bags" being collected by members of our parish to be distributed to needy families through our Community Cupboard Food Pantry ("Church Bemoans Theft Of Trailer Full Of Holiday Fare," Metro, Nov. 14). ...more

December 15, 2007

Operation Unwrap A Smile is marking its second year of service with a wide-scale holiday campaign to help others. ...more

December 14, 2007

NEW TAMPA - To kick off the tree-lighting ceremony at Cypress Point Community Church on Dec. 12, worship director Jill Barber led the crowd singing "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty the Snowman." Children gathered around her as imitation snow blew through the warm night air. The lighting marked the first Christmas at the church's new location, 15798 Morris Bridge Road. ...more

December 14, 2007

At Jeff Cassels' jewelry store, falling real estate values and rising gold prices are more than news headlines - they are contributors to an uncertain holiday season. At Joanie McDonald's clothing store, however, a weakening dollar is turning into a boon. ...more

December 13, 2007