Santa's workshop got a little outside help this year, courtesy of Oldsmar couple Kevin and Debbie Bechtel. The Bechtels, owners of Life Brokerage Partners, 3982 Tampa Road, donated 97 bicycles and helmets to the Pinellas Sheriff's Christmas Sharing Project. The project helps families in need by seeing that children in those families find a gift waiting for them when they wake up Christmas morning. ...more

December 22, 2007

ITALIAN ALBERTO'S ITALIAN GRILLE AND BAR, 3970 Tampa Road, Oldsmar; (813) 814-2272. This strip plaza restaurant offers a fine twist on traditional Southern Italian fare. From bruschetta to pasta dishes made with spicy pink sauce, the menu features lots of creative dishes. Meat lovers will enjoy the Filet Alberto and the ossobuco. Other standouts include Penne Puttanesca, a salty pasta with olives, capers and anchovies, and Shrimp Richelle. ($) ...more

December 19, 2007

TAMPA - Jefferson Bank of Florida has opened its first location, at 3711 Tampa Road in Oldsmar. The full-service bank will provide commercial, real estate, home equity and consumer loans. ...more

December 12, 2007

St. Petersburg Drive's glory days may soon return. Oldsmar officials hope recently initiated traffic-calming measures will spark an influx of new businesses along a roadway on which motorists are traveling slow enough to notice what's available. ...more

November 30, 2007

Sledding with holiday abandon will take place at R.E. Olds Park, 250 Shore Drive E., during Christmas Wonderland. It will be held Friday, Dec. 7, 6 - 9 p.m. ...more

November 24, 2007

NEW AMERICAN/ FUSION THE BLUE HERON, 3285 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor; (727) 789-5176. This lovely restaurant intrigues with a fusion menu that includes sweet-and-spicy duck, Gulf Grouper Piccata and Walkerwood Swordfish. Don't miss the Australian Rack of Lamb or Thai Coconut Snapper. ($$) ...more

October 19, 2007

DUNEDIN - A day after walking into oncoming traffic, a New Port Richey woman died Sunday at St. Petersburg's Bayfront Medical Center, a hospital nursing supervisor said. ...more

October 1, 2007

DUNEDIN - The New Port Richey woman hit by a car on Tampa Road Saturday died today. ...more

September 30, 2007

A Bay Crest Elementary teacher is holding a weekend-long scrapbook session to raise money for multiple sclerosis. Jackie Durning, who teaches third grade, coordinated the second "MS Crop for Hope," which starts Friday at the Residence Inn, 4012 Tampa Road, and ends Sunday. Although the scrapbooking activities are booked, Durning will have several auctions and raffles open to the public. Items include restaurant dinners, museum admissions, sports memorabilia and goodie baskets. Proceeds will benefit the mid-Florida chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Last year Durning raised $5,000 from the crop and a multiple sclerosis fundraising walk. She hopes to raise $10,000 this year. ...more

September 27, 2007

ITALIAN ALBERTO'S ITALIAN GRILLE AND BAR, 3970 Tampa Road, Oldsmar; (813) 814-2272. This strip plaza restaurant offers a fine twist on traditional Southern Italian fare. From bruschetta to pasta dishes made with spicy pink sauce, the menu features lots of creative dishes. Meat lovers will enjoy the Filet Alberto and the ossobuco. Other standouts include Penne Puttanesca, a salty pasta with olives, capers and anchovies, and Shrimp Richelle. ($) ...more

September 19, 2007