Ever since John McCain picked Sarah Palin to be his running mate, many have lavished praise on her decision not to have an abortion after she and her husband learned that their youngest child, Trig, would be born with Down syndrome. Do those telling Palin "attagirl" and "way to go" have any idea what challenges and struggles Trig's parents - and all of us who care for children with special needs - live with every day? Though everyone cheered the Palin family in Minnesota last week, will those people be there for that little boy and his family when their support is really needed? ...more

September 9, 2008

Americans are always being counted and categorized by one study or another, so there are plenty of statistics about people with disabilities. Some of the most disturbing have to do with weight. ...more

September 6, 2008

Publix Supermarkets plans to open at Britton Plaza in South Tampa ...more

September 5, 2008

I'm not very good with goodbyes, but I would be remiss if I did not take the time to thank all of the Albertson's associates with whom I have had the pleasure of working with at our Sebring location for the last 11 years. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication that made our store Albertson's "Store of the Year" in 2005. ...more

September 4, 2008

You might call it the latest in multilevel marketing. Publix Treasure Island, the supermarket chain's newest store on Gulf Boulevard, features a second-floor grocery store perched atop a ground-level parking lot. ...more

August 29, 2008

You're stressed. How do I know? Because my mailbox is overflowing with e-mail from people who are overwhelmed. ...more

August 24, 2008

Last week's column about the closing of Whaley's Market in Hyde Park brought in a lot of mail and much of it touched on the loss of neighborhood institutions. ...more

August 11, 2008

Whaley's Market isn't the glitziest grocery store in town. The carpet is worn and splotched. The paint along the side walls is a dull shade of coral. Some wire racks in the refrigerators are old and rusted. A new 39,000-square-foot Publix GreenWise Market going up around the corner promises to outshine and outmerchandize the South Tampa market ...more

August 6, 2008

Made all your summer travel plans yet? Oh, you say the gas prices have you down and instead of that trip to the Grand Canyon you had planned with the kids, you're taking the family to Busch Gardens. ...more

July 23, 2008

A second arrest has been made in connection with a violent robbery that occurred Saturday in Masaryktown. ...more

July 22, 2008