DONATIONS AND FITNESS OPPORTUNITY: Lifestyle Family Fitness invites members and non-members to donate gently used clothing at their fitness centers through Wednesday in exchange for a free boot camp session in January. The "Shed the Pounds, Donate the Clothes" donation drive benefits Goodwill Industries. Donation collection carts will be placed at Lifestyle health clubs throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough and Polk counties. For the location of the nearest Lifestyle Family Fitness center, visit www.lff.com or call 1-800-543-3793. Donations to Goodwill Industries support programs that help people who are disabled, elderly or unemployed. ...more

December 19, 2009

Professional fishing guide Lori Deaton of Ladyfish Charters in Apollo Beach has guided an army of people in fishing tournaments for numerous charities. ...more

December 16, 2009

In June 1991, I found a lump in my left breast. I found it in the shower while performing a self-examination of my breasts, following the instructions on the little plastic card that hung from the shower rod. The lump was easy to find. It hurt. I called our family physician. ...more

December 13, 2009

ADULT CO-ED KICKBALL: Registration ends Tuesday for the Kickball Society's adult co-ed winter league, which plays in Tampa from the second week in January through March 7. For information, call (813) 454-1178 or visit www.kickballsociety.com. ...more

December 12, 2009

Friends of Connie Bartels, who lost her dog in a fire that temporarily displaced her family, will rally around her Sunday. ...more

December 5, 2009

Don't tell Doris Sidoti that breast self-exams and annual mammograms for women under 50 are anything but lifesaving. ...more

November 30, 2009

Regarding your front-page article on new mammogram recommendations by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force ("Anger and frustration," Nov. 18): ...more

November 23, 2009

Save the turkey Last week, a failed vice-presidential candidate claimed that animals belong next to the mashed potatoes. This week, our president is pardoning two turkeys. ...more

November 23, 2009

As a breast cancer survivor, I feel particularly qualified to assert my opinion on the latest U. S. Preventive Services Task Force's guidelines regarding mammograms. I'm uncertain at this point exactly whose best interests are served by this organization, but as one whose "starting annual mammograms at age 40" prevented "one additional death," I hope my story merits publication in your newspaper. ...more

November 20, 2009

Mammogram rules I just read the story on the government task force that is now deciding the fate of millions of American women. ...more

November 19, 2009