On the radar

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 12, 2007

TAMPA

CELEBRITY CHEF TO MINGLE BEFORE SHOW

Curtis Stone, TLC's Take Home Chef, will meet the public before his show Saturday at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa. Stone will be signing autographs from 1 to 3 p.m. outside the complex's new Fresh Harvest restaurant. The meet-and-greet is free, unlike the $65 live cooking demonstration that begins at 4 p.m. in the ballroom. Tickets for the demo are on sale in the Hard Rock Retail Store in the casino and through Ticketmaster.

PALM HARBOR

Jessica's dad to lead Ride for Toys

Mark Lunsford will lead the Ride for the Toys at Old Palm Harbor's fifth annual Fall Bike Fest at noon Saturday. Lunsford, the father who has become a well-known advocate for tougher child-protection laws after the murder of his daughter, Jessica, will be escorted by members of the Tarpon Springs Police Department and Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. The motorcycle event begins at the Wal-Mart at U.S. 19 and Alderman Road and winds around Alt. 19 to downtown Palm Harbor. The ride will end with a block party in Old Palm Harbor on Florida Avenue. The event is free and open to the public. All toys collected will go to the children of soldiers serving overseas through the Toys for Tots program run by the Marines. For information, call (727) 787-4700.

SPRING HILL

Comic-hypnotist e_SFlbat Palace Grand

Comic-hypnotist Ken Whitener will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the Palace Grand, 275 Della Court, Spring Hill (off U.S. 19, a quarter-mile north of the Pasco-Hernando county line). The show is $20, plus tax. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for snacks and full bar at additional cost. For more information, call (727) 863-7469 or toll-free 1-888-655-7469.

Tampabay.com

People are talking about . . .

Selected comments from blogs.tampabay.com:

Military mistress

(Standing By, Nov. 8)

A song (Stay by Sugarland) reminded Jan Wesner how the Army can be the other woman competing for her husband's love.

Friends of her blog offered more songs to cry to . . .

The Promise,Tracy Chapman

Here With Me, Dido

Love Actually soundtrack

Then Lemon Stand said:"I guess since I, too, was active-duty I don't see myself as 'second' to a mistress. I know my husband serves BECAUSE he loves me and our family."

See Bill Young run?

(The Buzz, Nov. 8)

Rep. C.W. Bill Young said to assume he's running for re-election "unless I tell you differently."

Of course, he has his fans and foes.

"He can stay Forever Young . . . This past session, he brought home the second most $$$ to his district out of 435 Congresspeople.

"Give pork. Keep job. Lose Constitution and civil liberties."

[Last modified November 11, 2007, 23:59:59]