Tampabay.com

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

On the runway for a cure

cure_625.jpg

The 9th Annual Bright House Networks Fashion Funds the Cure was presented by Neiman Marcus and Mercedes-Benz to raise money for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The annual fashion fundraiser features a runway show with young models who are currently battling, or have battled, cancer. View the photo gallery.

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

Previous coverage: Life Force Academy

Times staff writer Drew Harwell reported Sunday that some parents and former teachers at Life Force Arts and Technology Academy, which receives about $800,000 a year in public funding, say the Pinellas County charter school has become a Scientology recruiting post targeting children. Pinellas school district officials said Wednesday they will try to close the Life Force Academy.

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

Dinosaur World has some new moves

Dinosaurs are still extinct, but the look of Dinosaur World is brand new, thanks to a 12-acre, nearly $4 million expansion that opened Wednesday. The renovation includes a new museum, a gift shop, a playground area and lifelike dinosaurs that move. Take a look at what's changed.

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

GOP convention organizers release venue list

Looking to throw a big party during the Republican National Convention? The official list of sites has something for everyone: Tampa Yacht and Country Club, St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, Czar Vodka Bar and Nightclub, and even a bowling alley. Organizers will market the list of 73 venues to delegations, associations, media organizations and others looking to book events during the convention.

FEBRUARY 28, 2012

Chat with Times Editor Neil Brown on Wednesday

Got a question about the Tampa Bay Times or its various websites? Want to make a suggestion or offer a story idea? Chat live with Times Editor Neil Brown Wednesday, February 29, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Can't make it? Leave a question in advance in the "Comments'' area below, then check back afterward to replay the chat. We look forward to hearing from you.

... Read more

FEBRUARY 28, 2012

Tampa Bay farms feed appetite for locavores

red_snapper.jpg

Locavorism is finally happening in the Tampa Bay area, and chefs are taking the lead. What's locavorism, you ask? Simply explained, it's using locally grown produce, herbs, meat, dairy and poultry on the menu. Times food critic Laura Reiley has written this story about the movement and reviewed Tampa restaurant Boca Kitchen Bar Market. You might want to pay a visit there at the Mariott Waterside after viewing these lush photos of some of the foods grown locally.

And here's Laura on WFLA-970 talking about the locavorism movement:

  ... Read more

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

ER dental work is painful to the wallet

A new study says more people are seeking emergency room treatment for dental problems, and that's costing as much as 10 times the expense of preventive care. Reporter Steve Nohlgren chronicled a local case that ended up costing a man more than $1,300. "I learned my lesson --- never enter the emergency room alive," said Kalyan Sircar. You can read his tale of woe here.

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

Two words: baby owls

owls.jpg

Photographer Jim Damaske was on vacation, but he couldn't resist taking this picture of a couple of baby great horned owls cuddling together out of their nest in Clearwater at Kapok Park.

"Great horned owls do not build their own nests, they take them from other species, and are particularly fond of bald eagle nests but can also be found in osprey and hawk built nests," says Barbara Walker f the Clearwater Audubon Society. "Overall, we are seeing an uptick in the number of great horned owl nests, not just here, but also in Hillsborough. ... Read more

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

Are you a Leap Year baby? Contact us

We're working on a story about how people born on the once-every four years date of Feb. 29 celebrate their birthday. Do you go the early route and bring out the cake on Feb. 28? Or do you figure that you were born the day after Feb. 28, so that's March 1 for the majority of the time?

Message us in the comments below, or send us an email. Please put LEAP YEAR in the subject line. But hurry, because unlike those of you who have four years to plan a birthday celebration, we only have one day to work on this story.

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

A history of implosions in Tampa Bay

Progress Energy is ready to set off charges to bring the smoke stacks at its Weedon Island plant down on Tuesday at 10 a.m. But it won't be the first time the bay area has witnessed the spectacular controlled explosions that are designed to bring the structures down in a collapsed heap without sending debris flying. Here are some other implosions that awed spectators: ... Read more

Advertisement

Video

Registration FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site.