Abe Brown's energy belies his 76 years, but I often wonder why he isn't on the golf course during the twilight of his wonderful life.
"If I had some sense, I would be out there, or on a fish creek," Brown said Thursday. "But demand is heavy. Our community is rapidly in the midst of destruction, and if we don't do something about it, that's exactly what's going to happen."
Brown made these observations just hours before Abe Brown Ministries held its 20th annual celebration banquet Thursday. The ministry seeks to help inmates turn their lives around by helping them gain an education and get jobs.
While Brown could be focusing on his golf handicap, he deals with these numbers: 70 percent of all inmates have less than a ninth-grade education, and re-offense drops by 2.9 percent for every additional grade of adult basic education completed.
So is he succeeding in freeing people from the prisons surrounding their hearts, minds and souls?
"We think so," Brown said. "You can eat an elephant" - he paused - "one bite at a time."
Brown wouldn't need to apologize if his efforts ended there.
Next week, however, he will be the featured speaker at a Boy Scout luncheon at Carrabba's (700 N Dale Mabry Highway) designed to spark a revival in our inner city areas. For information call 872-2691.
Said Brown: "I can't go to the golf course or the fish creek with everything that's needed in our community."
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Mark Desmarais didn't get a chance to go trick or treating in 2002.
Surgery to help with his cancer battle wouldn't allow it.
The 6-year-old did go last month, and a photo of his joy so inspired Richard Gonzmart that he invited Desmarais to Richard's Run For A Cure, a 5K road race that will begin and end Saturday in Ybor City's Centennial Park. Desmarais will wear race No. 1 and be something of a grand marshal.
"They sent me a picture and he appears to be so full of life," said Gonzmart, president of the Columbia Restaurants.
Gonzmart is all too familiar with the inspiration a cancer battle can evoke in people. His grandparents, his father and his father-in-law all died of it. Still, Gonzmart is steeled by stories of survival.
To honor his father, Gonzmart ran two marathons in 2001 and had friends pledge a dollar for each mile he completed. Last year, he decided to go a step further and create a benefit road race that would give people a chance to share in his mission.
The 7 p.m. race, open to runners and walkers, is personally underwritten by Gonzmart, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation. The entry fee is $15 per person for pre-registration through today, and $22 per person on Saturday.
Gonzmart said even if you aren't a runner, you can come to the park and enjoy a post-race celebration of paella and Cuban food.
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You can get an early start on holiday shopping Sunday evening at area Westfield Shoppingtown malls. In Brandon, Citrus Park and Countryside, shoppers can take advantage of a special three-hour sale starting at 6:30 p.m.
Various charities have spent several weeks selling tickets to the event and are retaining 100 percent of the profits.
Shoppers also will get the chance to win prizes.
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Priests often counsel parishioners, but who does the priest turn to when he needs counseling?
I got the answer to that question Wednesday night at a funeral for the mother of Nativity Catholic Church pastor Ralph Argentino.
More than 30 priests honored Father Argentino and his mother Evelyn with their presence, and Bishop Robert N. Lynch left the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C., to preside over the ceremony.
If ever a funeral could be impressive and awe inspiring, this was it. At the end of the Mass, the priests stood around the hearse and chanted in Latin.
