[Times photo: Michael Rondou] Mrs. Black enlightens tots gently and wholly She's a parent's dream and a kindergartener's sage friend. With warmth, enthusiasm and song, she enriches character as well as the mind.

Man suspected of repair scam
Police suspect an 82-year-old woman was bilked for almost $25,000 in car repairs.

All residents can again read city's business
South Pasadena decides not to pick and choose documents put in the public reading file.

Vote may revive building at gardens
If Great Explorations gets the green light for a lease, interior renovations would begin on the dank, shuttered building.

Ceremonies welcome Laotian New Year
For two days, people gathered at a Buddhist temple in Kenneth City to celebrate the start of 2543.

City life? Not with all these critters
Peter Jennings was just signing off when we heard pounding on our back door. We both ran and opened it. There stood our next-door neighbor, who is an 85-year-old widow. She has no immediate family in the area and often asks for our help.

Eye doctor wants to see things his way
Dr. John Mason has left the structured world of a corporate-owned clinic to open his own practice.

From awful to artful
It definitely took creativity to envision what a "Temple of Doom" at 2105 Central Ave. could become. Now others want some of SoHo's mojo.

League's annual sale won't continue
The Junior League of St. Petersburg says the annual Whale of a Sale is too labor-intensive.

Fine arts show winners
The following are St. Raphael's Catholic School award winners at the St. Petersburg Catholic Fine Arts Show, held April 6 at St. Petersburg Catholic High School:

Elementary schools to hold new-student and pre-k registrations
Pinellas County schools are accepting registrations for new elementary students for the 2000-01 school year from May 1 through May 11 at the child's zoned school during regular school hours. Students already attending a Pinellas County public school do not need to register. For zoning information, call pupil assignment at (727) 588-6210.

Former resident in Easter TV service
Former St. Petersburg resident the Rev. Laurinda Hafner and her congregation will be featured Easter Sunday on ABC-TV.

Mirror Lake Lyceum opens as venue for big and small parties
Things have slowed on the party circuit in deference to holidays and spring breaks, so instead of reporting on where I have been, as I usually do, I will talk about a new place to which I anticipate going.

Attorneys head into schools to help teens
Two prosecutors from the State Attorney's Office work in 16 middle schools in a program aimed at solving delinquency problems at an early stage.

Lone black family in city for 20 years was respected
ST. PETERSBURG -- Memories of Edward Donaldson inundate Roger Hammond when he walks the Demens Landing sea wall.

Ombudsman Council to meet
The District 5A Ombudsman Council, representing south and mid-Pinellas, meets at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Mary Grizzle Building, 11351 Ulmerton Road, Room 309A, Largo.

Two forces, a common enemy -- and a turf war
Seminole wants to build a new fire station to serve the Redingtons, taking over for Indian Rocks. Indian Rocks says, "Not in my back yard."

Stalin, Bill Gates and Aphrodite rub elbows
A motley crew of historical figures comes to life in a Wellington School tradition that blends fun and education.

Local Super Seniors men win berth in state tourney
Fred DeJohn knew the Super Seniors Men's 3.5 Doubles League playoff would be tough, but little did he know that he and partner Charles Dorrell would be in the deciding match.

John Cannon: a big ambassador for triathlon
PASS-A-GRILLE -- Last Sunday morning was typical for Tampa triathlete John Cannon. First, a 2.4-mile swim in the warming gulf water, past the pink landmark Don CeSar Beach Resort and back. Then, a series of fast runs around this peaceful beach town.

Double points put Mongold on move to victory
Largo's Macky Mongold, the 1998 Mini Stock champion, isn't really running for points this year at Sunshine Speedway, but the opportunity and the challenge of picking up double points Saturday night was just too much to resist.