In deep water [Times photo: Kathleen Flynn] The Tampa Marine Institute has helped troubled kids since 1972. But if its state funding is cut, it may have to close.

VFW's windows violate city rules
The newly installed windows were the post's latest effort to improve the old VFW building.

Grand Central : A new column's brewing
IN A PART of my brain where words are kept, "caffeine," "energy" and "Susan Thurston" all share a cubbyhole.

Call it passion, cubed
Jason Busto wants to change the world -- starting with one house, in one city.

Feng shui fans go with the flow
Waiting to exhale? One couple isn't. They chose harmony and simplicity over chaos and clutter.

Offices to take Cafe Pepe's place
Townhomes will also occupy the landmark's space on Kennedy Boulevard as a part of the area's rejuvenation.

Amy Scherzer's Diary: An uptown hoedown
RUSTLING FOR RESEARCH: The Cattle Barons' Ball mooo-ed into the A La Carte Pavilion on Friday to raise money wild western-style for the American Cancer Society. Everyone tipped their Stetsons to the new location -- a two-step above the Florida State Fairgrounds, where five previous balls were held.

What's in a name: Dead president a local war hero
Zachary Taylor served as Fort Brooke's commander and became famous during the Mexican War.

Profile : A mother's call to duty
Shoe boxes full of good wishes help the mother of a Marine support the troops from afar. Still, she can't help worrying.

Obituary : With class, dignity, she raised eight children
The door to Josephine Versaggi's home on Davis Islands was always open, her dinner table always crowded.

Neighborhood Report
Virginia Park: This just in: Schools broadcast own news
Middle and elementary schools report activities, weather, sports and birthdays on their own television newscasts.

Man angry over cat's hit-and-run demise
Brian Sanchez's pet was run over by a speeding car. He was so incensed he posted his own speed-limit sign.

Historic Hyde Park: Residents oppose 31-story high-rise
Some say the proposed Desoto Tower condominiums would make "a mockery" of the historic neighborhood.

Davis Islands: Islands Fest to rally help for soldiers in Mideast
In addition to gawking at strange pets, festivalgoers will have a place to send notes and supplies to troops.

Port Tampa: Projects' neighbors want bay to stay put
Residents worry that two stormwater projects near the Tappan Nature Preserve could make flooding problems worse.

South Tampa: Chamber's directive: Add more members
The South Tampa Chamber of Commerce is asking executive director Leigh Humes to nearly double its rolls.

Interbay: Paint, pottery and puppets
Children will have the opportunity to spread their creative wings in many activities at the Kaleidoscope art festival.

Neighborhood notebook: Wheezy to get new home -- if he can be caught
NORTH HYDE PARK -- Wheezy, 3. Trappers, 0.