Digest

On the radar

By TIMES STAFF
Published July 30, 2007

TAMPA

A LITTLE HELP TO START SCHOOL

This summer stretches longer than past ones for schoolkids, but the end is creeping closer. So it's time for the All About Kids Back to School Bash, a two-day event at the Tampa Convention Center filled with giveaways and child-friendly entertainment. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults and $1 for kids 12 and under. For information, go to www.backtoschoolbash.com.

ST. PETERSBURG

This fight begins down in the mud

Get down and dirty Friday at TASCO's annual Mudwars on Spa Beach. Events include an obstacle course, tug of war, joust pit, balloon drop and more. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with registration starting at 8 a.m. Teams consist of 10 participants and a minimum of four participants of the opposite sex. Bring a change of clothes, towel and sunscreen. Spa Beach is at 615 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Call 892-5060.

LAND O'LAKES

Ease your way into a triathlon

If you've always wanted to do a triathlon - but not a long triathlon - here's your chance. Athletes Who Care is holding its fourth annual "Babes and Bums" event at 7 a.m. Saturday with the traditional Sprint Triathlon: 3.1-mile run, 10-mile bike ride and 1/8-mile swim. But there will also be two courses with shorter distances, and a parent/child division. The event at the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex at 3032 Collier Parkway, benefits the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society and Pasco Parks and Recreation Department. Register at www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1414193.

Correction

A map in Sunday's newspaper showing the progress of electronic message signs being installed along local interstate highways did not include the correct color-coded key. For the correct map, please see 6B.

Tampabay.com

People are talking about . . .

The Republicans and YouTube

(From the Buzz)

Presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney are expressing doubts about a YouTube-style debate Sept. 17 in St. Petersburg. Here are a few comments:

"Romney is correct. The Democrats are not serious enough. The so-called 'people' who do YouTube are uneducated rabble and do not deserve his time."

"The Republican candidates are afraid of the people, afraid someone might ask 'What is your personal sacrifice for this war in Iraq?' Afraid someone might ask 'What is your health coverage like?'"

Military affairs

(From Standing By)

"I cheated on every boyfriend I ever had, but have never even been tempted to cheat on my husband - even though he's been deployed for over half our marriage and I live in a town with a 25:1 male/female ratio!"

Visit blogs.tampabay.com

[Last modified July 30, 2007, 00:52:59]