Derrick Brooks in office, maybe; Season to be charitable

The irony of former Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks possibly challenging Jim Norman for a Hillsborough County Commission seat is that if Norman hadn't backed the Community Investment Tax, keeping the team here, Brooks might be considering a run for office in Baltimore instead of Tampa. ...

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the state had to fund Orlando's SunRail to be in line for $8 billion in federal funding for a bullet train. Now that we've done our part and Tampa to Orlando is practically shovel-ready, don't talk about how other states want funding.

As my teenagers like to say, don't punk out on us now. ...

Seen on a bumper sticker: Still Can. ...

Kudos to Ronald McDonald House Charities, which recently honored more than 40 high school students with scholarships, including Palm Harbor University High's Zarin Hamid, who has overcome three open-heart surgeries and built a successful academic career. ...

I took State Road 60 to Palm Beach Gardens Friday and rediscovered that the state's longest 47-mile drive runs from Lake Wales to Yeehaw Junction.

Charitable folks can struggle in this challenging economy and Dan Weisberg is no different.

Weisberg, a local photographer, stages an annual Christmas party for children at Redlands Christian Migrant Association in Wimauma. He was worried about a decrease in support and was reluctant to ask people already suffering for help.

But he got the word out to a few folks and they rallied to the cause. The party will go on. Weisberg's story should inspire anyone who's trying to make a difference this holiday season. Don't give up. ...

That's all I'm saying.