Where gifts are more than things
The Children's Home kids wish for toys and clothes and games but their utmost desire -- especially at this time of year -- is a family to love them.

Homeowners wary of growing CDD debt
With resident control just a few years away, Heritage Harbor, which has hefty loans to repay, faces an uncertain future.

Zoning: Acreage owner delays request for more density
KEYSTONE -- Property owner Charles Moore withdrew his request for a change to the county's comprehensive land use plan that would have allowed him to build more houses on his 286-acre tract than currently allowed.

Holiday happenings
LUMINARIAS FOR SALE: The Tampa Palms Women's Club will be selling luminarias in front of Publix supermarket, City Plaza Shopping Center, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. The cost is $2.50 for five or $5 for 10; free sand for the paper bags will be available in the parking lot at Compton Park. Proceeds will be donated to local charitable organizations and used for the Tampa Palms Women's Club Scholarship at the University of South Florida. Residents of Tampa Palms will place the luminarias, sand-weighted paper bags containing candles, in 3- to 4-foot intervals on the sidewalks in front of their homes. The lighting of the candles will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 24 (rain date is Dec. 25). The tradition of lighting the luminarias symbolizes fellowship and good will. Call 975-1224.

Prep notebook: Football coach resigns after 3 losing seasons
The Leto high coach had a successful first year, but then the program fell on hard times.

Youth basketball, volleyball offered
TAMPA PALMS -- The New Tampa Family YMCA is registering players for its spring coed youth basketball and girls volleyball season beginning in January. The eight-week basketball season is for ages 7 to 16, and the girls volleyball season is for ages 9 to 14. Cost is $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. A six-week basketball program for 3- to 6-year-olds will also begin in January and costs $35 for members and $50 for nonmembers. The YMCA is at 16221 Compton Drive. Call 866-9662.

Open & Shut
SUBWAY CHAIN OPENS, ANOTHER REMODELS: Subway is open at 19235 N Dale Mabry Highway in the Lutz-Lake Crossing Shopping Center. The sandwich shop offers a variety of freshly made subs and salads. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Call 909-7116. And the Subway at 3813 Northdale Blvd. is getting a makeover. The restaurant in Northdale Shoppes is closed for the next few weeks while the interior is revamped. The new Tuscany decor will include softer lighting, porcelain stone floor tiles, wall murals and new tables and chairs.

Lutz: Hollywood 20's screens may glow again
Retailers are also interested in the 81,000-square-foot space, but a theater operator may get to it first, a real estate manager says.

Students helping students
Alonso High School kids volunteer to tutor pupils at Lowry Elementarys' after-school care program.

Town 'N Country: A sideline in singing
Wanda Boote, now a dermatologist in Town 'N Country, chose medicine over music, though it was a difficult decision.

Lutz: Style Kitten mum on guv'na's outfit
Brett Montegny is coy about her planned ensemble for the annual tree-lighting event Tuesday. The free outdoor celebration usually attracts 500 people.

Odessa: Talk of trail extension hits some rough spots
Some residents voice support for the 44-mile connection, but not in their back yards.

New Tampa: Portable prayer
A young church -- without a permanent home -- buys equipment from Portable Church Industries in Michigan that will allow it to quickly set up each Sunday on a basketball court in the New Tampa YMCA.

Oldsmar: Architect unveils plans for arts center
Proposals for a theater and museum on the Kumar estate, which Oldsmar plans to buy in March, are slightly grandiose for council members.

Neighborhood Notebook
Furniture gets new life from students for charity

Week in Review
ACTIVISTS, OFF BOARDS, CITE UNFAIR INFLUENCE: Two northwest Hillsborough citizen activists say they were booted from an important government board because they crossed someone who has the ear of Hillsborough County commissioners.

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