A cat, a kite, a steal, a bite

U.S. National Synchronization Team members, from left, Mary Killman, 18, of McKinney, TX; Michelle Theriault, 20, of North Hills, CA; Jillian Penner, 21, of Seattle, WA; and Meghan Kinney, 19, of Mission Viejo, CA, use a swimming technique called spulling during a practice Tuesday at the Southwest Recreation Complex pool in Largo. Spulling is a technique in which hands are used to create the force necessary to allow the swimmers to thrust their bodies above the water's surface and enable the legs to perform. [Douglas R. Clifford, Times] SEE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER PHOTO GALLERY

Former Florida School for Boys juvenile inmate Jerry Cooper is consoled by his wife, Babbs Cooper, after passing a voluntary polygraph test. Cooper took the test in an effort to prove that he and the other White House Boys are telling the truth about the horrors they endured at the school in the 1950s and 60s. "He's on so many meds for his lungs and his heart that he thought it would affect the test," Babbs said. "I knew he was gonna be okay." [EDMUND FOUNTAIN, Times] SEE A SPECIAL REPORT ABOUT THE FLORIDA SCHOOL FOR BOYS: FOR THEIR OWN GOOD

Ryan Givens, 8, of Dunedin, is shrouded in a sheet of water Thursday while playing in the city of Dunedin's new Kiwanis Sprayground, an interactive children's water playground with more than 3,000 square feet of play area at Highlander Park in Dunedin. The park is free, ADA accessible and open to the public. Park hours are 9 a.m.-sunset. Call (727) 812-4530 for information. [Douglas R. Clifford, Times]

Armed with a short-wave weather radio, Tarpon Springs resident Terry Dull rides his bicycle through rainy weather on Wednesday, enroute to a park in Tarpon Springs to watch thunderstorms move ashore. "I love checking out the Gulf weather, it makes me appreciate the things I have," said Dull. In the background, at the intersection of Disston and Tarpon Springs avenues, city workers posted a sign to warn motorists of street flooding. [Douglas R. Clifford, Times]

Jimmie Lewis, 12, eats breakfast as St. Petersburg firefighters wrap up their work Monday at his home on 3090 15th Ave. S. The Fire Rescue department considers the fire suspicious. Lolita Lewis says someone threw something flammable through her bedroom window. She owns the home and has lived there for 14 years with her sons Jimmie and Jamarcus Lewis, who is 14. The Red Cross was there helping them find a place to stay. [CHERIE DIEZ, Times]

Clifford King, 66, of St. Petersburg tries to fly a new kite at Vinoy Park last week. His wife bought it for him and their kids. "I used to make them when I was a kid in Jamaica," King said. "That's where I'm from, St. Catherine. I'd fly for fun, me and my little friends down there." [CHRIS ZUPPA, Times]

Florida Marlins 2nd baseman Hanley Ramirez ends up stepping on a base stealing B.J. Upton in the bottom of the seventh of a game at Tropicana Field on June 28. [JAMES BORCHUCK, Times]

Coated in glitter and wearing a cat mask, Peter Botti of Tampa dances his way down Central Avenue with a group from the GaYbor Coalition during St. Petersburg's Pride Parade on June 27. [MELISSA LYTTLE, Times]

Two men fish from the Weedon Island Preserve pier last week. The nature preserve, nestled between Gandy Blvd. and Bayou Grande, has hiking trails, boardwalks, picnic areas, paddling trails, a 45-foot observation tower and a cultural and natural history center. [CHRIS ZUPPA, Times]