When Muriel and Harold Haviland decided to move to Florida 50 years ago from Long Island, N.Y., they were in search of a peaceful, safe place to raise a family. ...more

November 2, 2009

The first time I went into Thailand Restaurant, it was Chinese. That was 30 years ago this month. "Nobody knew anything about Thai food around here in those days," says Amnuay Thambundit, who owns the South Tampa - 5252 S. Dale Mabry Highway - restaurant with his wife, Pornrut. ...more

October 30, 2009

The medical center that has served MacDill Air Force Base personnel, retirees and their families since 1956 has been replaced by a $104 million state-of-the-art facility. ...more

October 30, 2009

The drive to qualify for the state swim meet begins this week. Local schools recently had a good warm-up meet in the form of the Western Conference championships, held Oct. 17 at the Bobby Hicks Pool in South Tampa. All 26 of Hillsborough County's public high schools had their teams on hand. ...more

October 28, 2009

Busy, traffic-humming Sligh Avenue at Florida Avenue seems an unlikely corner to find a true taste of Spain. But 70-year-old tapas recipes from Andulusia are cooking at El Sevillano. ...more

October 28, 2009

Long-awaited improvements to a park renamed six years ago to honor restaurateur Bern Laxer are nearing completion, with a dedication ceremony expected next month, city officials say. ...more

October 26, 2009

Twice-weekly trips to the library are a treat for Luu Crosby's 2-year-old granddaughter. ...more

October 25, 2009

I'm not really sweating the year 2100. It ought to be an interesting enough year. By then, it's likely cars will be running on extract of kudzu, the Tampa Bay Rays regularly will be selling out their domed stadium in Ruskin, the Bucs will be completing a rebuilding season and Dick Greco will be contemplating another run for mayor. ...more

October 25, 2009

"I believe in dog," read the sticker on the child's red wagon. ...more

October 25, 2009

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay's eighth annual Pet Masquerade set tails and tongues wagging Saturday at Hyde Park Village in South Tampa. More than 60 dogs competed in categories including most original and funniest. ...more

October 24, 2009