5 Conversation Starters for the Holidays

The holidays can be a heartwarming time spent catching up with loved ones. But there's bound to be a lapse in the conversation at some point this weekend.

For those moments, here are a few surefire conversation starters that made news in the Bloomingdale-Riverview area this year.

From family pet to dog-fighting ring? An unusual number of missing dogs in the South Shore area had residents fearing their dogs were being . A Hillsborough Animal Services spokesperson said there was no evidence, but some pet owners were still suspicious.

Horse rescue provides a happy home. How did a champion racehorse end up nearly starving to death? Unfortunately it's an all-too-common story for abused and neglected horses, but to help — and the nonprofit needs your help, too.

The great road widening debate. The has was a hot topic among residents, politicians and business owners this year, and the debate figures to continue in 2012.

Barking up the wrong tree? A proposed county dog park has left that they don't want it in their back yards. They argue they paid a premium price for their homes because they backed up to a conservation area, not a developed park.

Who's hungry for some comfort food? The , a new restaurant in Plaza Bella that serves up homestyle country favorites like chicken and waffles and turkey and stuffing on a bun, had some residents and readers' mouths watering.