By GEOFF FOX RUSKIN – I’m not a foodie, but I know what I like. And I like Cuban food. Of course, in Florida, it’s practically un-American to dislike Cuban food. That affinity for Cuban cuisine is what first lured me into Ybor Grille last…
Read More Restaurant Review: Ybor Grille won’t leave you disappointed or hungry
By YVETTE C. HAMMETT SUN CITY CENTER − Tim and Kris Neldner met in the band at the University of Tampa about 40 years ago. These days, they spend some of their leisure time performing with dozens of others in the South Shore Community Chorus…
Read More South Shore Community Chorus begins another season of singing open to all
BY GEOFF FOX APOLLO BEACH – Jill Scott shook her head and laughed softly as Zelda, a 5-year-old tuxedo cat, splayed herself horizontally near the cash register at Bark & Purr Persnickety Emporium and began licking her paws. Scott scratched Zelda’s head and the two…
Read More Bark & Purr owner promotes healthy pet care, economic development
By GEOFF FOX APOLLO BEACH – There was a multi-colored, psychedelic-looking upright piano on one side of The Vibe Music Store’s front door. On the other side were a pair of electric guitars, both custom-painted to look like instruments straight out of the 1960s. Doti…
Read More At The Vibe Music Store, everything’s laid back and sounding sweet
By YVETTE C. HAMMETT For 21 years, the Riverview community has come together to host hundreds of lonely seniors who might otherwise go through the holidays with little or no festivities. Each year, volunteers would come up with a location, theme, menu and gifts for…
Read More Riverview holiday dinner for seniors needs a new chair
By RICK MAYER APOLLO BEACH − Shelly Molter says her South Shore Boutique specializes in personalization. The stylish clothing and gift shop includes a three-letter embroidered monogram in the price of purchases. “Just about everything in here can be monogrammed,” says Molter. “It’s all done…
Read More South Shore Boutique’s personalization takes flight with monograms, service
By YVETTE C. HAMMETT A no-kill animal shelter in Ruskin needs help with volunteers and funding. CARE Animal Shelter, which takes in orphaned animals, those surrendered by their elderly owners and others found in deplorable conditions, immediately needs 15 to 20 volunteers to commit to…
Read More CARE Animal Shelter in Ruskin seeks volunteers, funds for new facility
By RICK MAYER APOLLO BEACH − Playing has been deemed a right for every child by the United Nations. It’s that important. However, finding the time and right environment to get the little ones moving can be a chore for some caregivers. The Florida heat…
Read More Playtime provides a cool indoor playground − and more − for the tiniest tots
By GEOFF FOX Dec. 7, 1941: There are still Americans who remember where they were when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, forcing the U.S. to defend itself and its allies in World War II. Plenty of Americans still have clear memories of their whereabouts on…
Read More Commentary: None of us should ever forget what happened on 9/11
By PAUL CATALA When Hurricane Donna smacked into southwest Florida in September 1960, meteorologists from the National Weather Service were monitoring as sustained winds of over 100 mph and 5 to 10 inches of rain ravaged the state. In late August and early September 1985,…
Read More From Ruskin, National Weather Service keeps eyes on the skies in Tampa Bay area