Master blaster
The artist's intricate work looks as complicated as it is -- taking several phases -- but the end product is picture perfect.

Youth soccer league is booming
The Westchase Soccer Association, which started in the spring, now has 300 kids on 30 teams.

Proposal may give Benito relief
Some sixth-graders who would normally attend the overcrowded school next year instead would attend a new elementary school.

Editor's note
Last Sunday we published a story about the decision school officials face as they build a second elementary school in Tampa Palms. The district can stay with tradition and open the school to grades kindergarten-through-five. Or, as some in Tampa Palms are advocating, they can house kindergarten-through-second grades in one school and third-through-fifth in the other, in what is sometimes called a "split-grade" plan.

Letter is off the mark on gun sales
Re: Anti-gun coalition tramples on our rights, by Mr. James W. Coakley of New Port Richey.

Swimming junior does her personal best in a lake
CARROLLWOOD -- Jackie Cavalieri spent a lot of time in pools this year, but her biggest swimming achievement occurred in a Texas lake.

Two young swimmers qualify for Hawaii finals
CARROLLWOOD -- Swimmers Greggory Cooke, 9, and Stephen Sheridan, 11, both of whom live in Country Place, have qualified for the finals of the 2000 National Youth Games, Oct. 19-22 in Hawaii. Although they had competition, qualification was ultimately a race against the clock.

Runners return to pounding the pavement
CARROLLWOOD -- The prep cross country season is off and running, and little has changed from last season. Some of the north of Tampa area's top runners are back, more experienced and looking for better results this year.

Couple buys weekly newspapers
Two north Tampa newspapers and a Temple Terrace newspaper are bought by the publishers of the Community News in Carrollwood.

Field owner still in the dark on lights
Because of confusing interpretations, Chuck Fest must resubmit his request to illuminate his baseball complex.

4 tax districts to vote on hiking assessment caps
Town 'N Country residents would see the widest range, from an increase of $104 in the Cove at Bayport Colony to a $10 hike at the Baycrest subdivision.

Sports complex is target of vandalism, theft
Kids out of school for the summer are suspected in most of the incidents. Lutz Elementary also has had a problem.

From a man of many words comes English
A retired engineer is honored for teaching conversational English to immigrants who want to learn, maybe even master, the spoken word.

Congregation paves way for church complex
NEW TAMPA -- After buying 33 acres west of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard on County Line Road, the CrossRoads Community Church is planning to build a haven for families complete with a church, school and baseball and soccer fields.

Developer, residents to discuss storage facility proposal
PEBBLE CREEK -- The developer and representatives of a proposed self-storage facility across from Pebble Creek in New Tampa will meet with residents this week to go over details of the plan.

North of Tampa: Week in review
BUC SUED IN CARROLLWOOD -- Neighbors in his gated community have put Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver Jacquez Green on the defense. In a lawsuit filed Monday, the Carrollwood Reserve Homeowners Association asked a judge to stop what it calls the "noise, vulgar and loud music, yelling, cursing and boisterous parties" at Green's house. The suit says Green violated the community's deed restrictions and created a fraternity house atmosphere that is disturbing the peace and damaging property values.