SEBRING – Before last weekend, it had been four years since Lynn Topel had taken a bike ride. Topel also loves gardening but there has been no time for that either. However, that will soon change for the executive director of Florida's Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative (FHREDI). Topel will be leaving her position after four years in leading the organization that covers six counties – Highlands, Okeechobee, Glades, Hendry, DeSoto and Hardee – as well as communities in Palm Beach and Collier counties. In the first two years on the job, 80-hour weeks were the norm for Topel because of the devastating impact from the hurricanes – especially Charley – had on the region. "I can tell you that those weeks were long," she said. "Now it's gotten much better. This past year has been much more normal – 40 to 50-hour weeks. But it also took those two years to create those relationships all through the state that are important to the region." ...more

January 13, 2008

At 6-foot-8, Lukas Poderis has been a player every opponent had to be aware of, and he has had some dominant games. But after last week's Tampa Hoops Classic, Poderis seems to be close to playing his best. ...more

January 3, 2008

Sunday will probably be the busiest day with the stores opening at their usual times with a lot of "Johnny-Come-Latelys" looking for that last minute gift. Wednesday, the day after Christmas, will find many returns and exchanges and everyone looking for the after-Christmas price reductions. ...more

December 20, 2007

Kultar Goraya is nervous. His wife, Rupinder, disappeared two months ago. Police say he is the only "person of interest" and they can't get a single straight story out of him. ...more

December 3, 2007

Before boarding the buses to head home, Plant coach Robert Weiner attempted to console the inconsolable. His players, many of whom were crying, were left to ponder the "what ifs." ...more

December 1, 2007

Jan. 2: Gov. Charlie Crist announces Open Government initiative during inaugural address. ...more

November 24, 2007

On 10 November 1775, the Marine Corps was founded in Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. This was before the United States became a free country. Since that time, Marines have fought in every war that the United States has been engaged and usually it is the first to fight. ...more

November 22, 2007

Sun City Center's Francine Webb is a collector of many things, but most recently she has focused on Japanese kokeshi dolls. ...more

November 21, 2007

Normally around the 20-game mark of the season, Brad Richards often sits at his locker stall fielding questions about why he's experiencing yet another stutter start to the season. ...more

November 19, 2007

How important is eye contact socially and in relationships? What are the truths, the myths, and the cultural differences when it comes to looking people in the eye? A truth according to Wikipedia; eye contact is an event when two people look at each other's eyes at the same time. It's a form of nonverbal communication known as oculesics and has a large influence on social behavior. A myth; you can't trust someone who won't look you in the eye. Or, if someone's eyes dart to many things in the room while you're talking with them they're "shifty-eyed" or shy. In many cultures it's considered disrespectful to look someone in the eye, especially if the person is a superior. In some cultures or religions, looking someone of the opposite sex in the eye is forbidden, unless the person is your mate or a close family member. ...more

October 26, 2007