On the radar

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 31, 2007

TAMPA

Dogs fly andclowns cavort; it's the circus

A week that begins with party animals wraps up with real ones. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's "Over the Top" brings flying dogs, clowns, stomping Asian elephants, acrobats and the motorcycling Torres Family to the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. Shows are scheduled Wednesday through Sunday. Times vary. Tickets, $15 to $85. Information: www.ringling.com.

TARPON SPRINGS

Diving for cross in chilly bayou

Join the faithful Sunday at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs for the annual celebration of Epiphany, a Greek Orthodox ceremony commemorating Christ's baptism in the Jordan River. A cross is tossed into the water, and the diver to retrieve it receives a blessing. The retrieval of the cross is considered a source of God's abundant blessings and grace. The ceremony will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Call (727) 937-3540 or visit www.epiphanycity.org.

ZEPHYRHILLS

N.Y. too square? Chute on down

If Auld Lang Syne is getting a little old, consider ringing in the new year with a midnight skydive instead. Skydive City will have a big New Year's Eve bash today with scores of jumps and a pirate-themed party once the sun sets. You can take a tandem jump, in which you are harnessed to a skydiving instructor, for $185 during the day, $260 at midnight. The skydiving mecca is near the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. For information or reservations call toll-free 1-800-404-9399 or visit www.skydivecity.com.

Clarification

Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections offices are open today. An item in some editions of the Times was unclear on that point. Today is the deadline for registering to vote in Florida's Jan. 29 primary. Everyone can vote on the property tax initiative, but only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in the presidential primaries.

Tampabay.com

People are talking about . . .

'I'm not a monk. I'm a governor'

(The Buzz, Dec. 27)"Wow, that's the first lucid thing I've heard out of Crist's mouth in a while: 'I'm a governor.' That's right, you're a governor. Stop going to parties with Ah-nold and Donald Trump and start trying to lower taxes or whatever else you promised to do when you campaigned."

"And I'm also not a to be taken seriously VP running mate..."

The darkest dayse_SFlb(Standing By, Dec. 28)Jan Wesner writes about how tough it's been since her husband's return to Iraq "Jan, I've been there, just waiting for the holidays to be over because it all hurts so much with your Soldier away.""It's counter-intuitive but the last few days can be the toughest."

Is BayWalk safe?

(TroxBlog, Dec. 28)"Howard, You need to surrender yourself to the Mental Health Court for a little attitude adjustment. Diversity made America what it is; different strokes for different folks, etc."

[Last modified December 30, 2007, 22:53:37]