TAMPA – The University of South Florida Alumni Association is seeking nominations for its four 2008 alumni awards recognizing outstanding contributions to the university and community. Nominations will be accepted until Jan. 31 for the Distinguished Alumnus Award, Donald A. Gifford Alumni Service Award, Outstanding Young Alumnus Award and Class of '56 Award. ...more

December 13, 2007

Physicians are among the most trusted professionals in America, but a new survey shows that when it comes to dealing with colleagues' mistakes or incompetence, many doctors abandon the high standards they espouse. ...more

December 5, 2007

My boss is rude and cruel. She makes fun of people, then laughs at her own 'cute' remarks. She loves to catch mistakes and publicly reprimand employees. ...more

October 22, 2007

all 77 million of them - will come into their retirement years. In doing so, they will transform every aspect of American society. ...more

October 15, 2007

My horoscope for this past Tuesday as determined by Eugenia in the Highlands Today Astrology column, stated; "Things are looking up and opportunities are apparent. Try your hand at something new or offer a service that you can do for extra cash. You can learn something new if you research over the Internet, sign up for a course or talk to someone with experience." It is a five star day for me. Well, she is right in one sense, as I am up to my eyeballs in a job that I have taught myself and have no idea most of the time exactly what I am doing. Somehow in the past I have managed to pull off my bluff and get the job done with what many call exceptional success. ...more

October 11, 2007

Regarding 'Change Rocks Media World' (Commentary, Sept. 30): Every morning, I huff, sigh, 'tsk' and groan my way through the newspaper. Disasters, warnings, scandals, reversals are everywhere. But the news is also necessarily informative, and often, positive, and I wouldn't be without it. I may go online for information, but it feels less personal - even though it may say 'local' - and reading at length onscreen is uncomfortable. The news connects us as members of a community and functions as our 'watchdog.' ...more

October 7, 2007

I agree with Andy Tuck's suggestion that the school superintendent be selected rather than elected. School administration is a profession with a complex skills set. We are best served by someone who meets the job's requirements and has specific experience related to our current needs e.g. upgrading FCAT scores. Because of its locale and reputation, Highlands County would attract a number of qualified candidates, most likely successful superintendents from smaller districts seeking career advancement, which is generally tied to the size of the operation. ...more

September 14, 2007

Misguided MAP I feel compelled to write about the newest performance pay plan, Merit Award Program (MAP), that will be voted on in the school district. ...more

September 14, 2007