MacDill Happenings

Guppy-Ween , Nauti-Night are just some of the fun events taking place at The Florida Aquarium this month!! The Aquarium features a shark collection, ocean predators, spineless wonders and rare leafy sea dragons from Australia! .There is also a Penguin Promenade every day at 10a.m and 3p.m and a wonderful River Otter habitat. There are also free-flying birds, games for the kids and an American alligator tank!

There is also a gift shop and The Cafe Ray serves deli sandwiches,pizza and salads. The Aquarium also offers programs not included in admission such as an Eco-Tour and Sleeping with the Fishes an overnight adventure at the Aquarium!

Tickets can be purchased at a military discount at ITT and at the door!

The Tampa Museum of Art is now offering free admission to all. The museum collections include 20th century and contemporary art. The museum was first established in 1979 and undergoing major renovations with the opening expected sometime in 2009. You can find more information on their web site.

The reason for the free admission is due to a change in venue,while the renovations are being completed. For more info call (813) 274-8130. The new address has not been released but will be near the Tampa Bay Convention center, I would call first for directions!! The museum store which offers many unique gifts for children and adults, is open seven days a week.

So check out the Tampa Museum of Art while it is free, and note they are accepting donations!

Here is a link to the Hillsborough School District. This website will connect you to the schools in your potential neighborhood. The Hillsborough School District has a great program called the Magnet Program. The Magnet program has elementary, middle and high schools whose curricula are theme-based and technology rich. The Magnet school teachers are specially trained in theme integration as well as in innovative and rigorous academic instructional methods. For example, Blake High School’s Magnet program consists of Visual, Performing and Communication Arts, while Middleton High School Magnet program centers on Math, Science and Technology. If your child attends a Magnet school not near your house, then there will be a school bus to take them back and forth from school. The No.1 high school football team in the state last year was Plant in South Tampa. For musicians, there is an annual all-county band and orchestra competition. Lots of challenging academic and athletic events to do in Tampa!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER EVENT TICKET SPECIALS, CONTACT INFORMATION, TICKETS & TRAVEL AT 828-2478 OR CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE.

Halloween Horror Nights @ Universal Orlando
Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Sundays $35.00
Friday Nights $40.00
Saturday Nights $61.00

Howl-O-Scream @Busch Gardens
Non-Peak Nights (Sundays, Thursdays, & Fridays) $27.50
Peak Nights (Saturday) $33.00

Lowry Park Zoo’s ZOO BOO “So Fun It’s Scary”First time ever!!!!!!
Come see what creatures lurk after dark. Thisyear brings more hair-raising fun to your family with a newbone-chilling pirate adventure, free zoo rides, creepy cemetery walk,and an eerie horse-drawn carriage ride. It’s fun that will haunt youall month long. Adult $13.50 Gate $16.00
Child $10.50 Gate $13.00

In case you haven’t seen the news over the summer, MacDill Federal Credit Union changed its name to Grow Financial Federal Credit Union.  The name change was to let everyone knowthat membership was available to a wide range of employee groups and not only the military.  However, there is still a Grow Financial branch on MacDill AFB.  There are 17 credit union locations and they can be
found using this link:  Grow Financial Locations.

Anheuser-Busch is having a Hero Salute in recognition of the U.S. military by allowing any active duty service member, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman to receive a one time free ticket plus 3 more for dependents to either Busch Gardens or Sea World in Orlando. Checkout the Hero Salute website for more info.

In Tampa, we have Busch Gardens, which is open 365 days a year. This adventure park is based on exotic encounters with the African continent. There are thrilling rides, shows to see, shops and more than 2,000 animals. The roller coaster SheiKra is a 3 minute adventure that riders 200 feet up, then 90 degrees straight down at 70 mph, not for someone with a weak stomach. My favorite rides are the Serengeti Express Railway and Serengeti Safari which allows you to see the Serengeti Plain with hundreds of exotic African animals in an open natural setting. Busch Gardens is located at the corner of Busch Blvd and 40th St, from I-275 take the Busch Blvd exit east or from I-75 take exit 54 west.

After you use your free tickets and you want to come back to Busch Gardens, here’s a money saving tip. Buy the Florida resident Fun Card which is good until the end of the year and allows unlimited entrance to the park.

The MacDill Fitness Center is probably one of MacDill’s best kept secrets! The Center offers a variety of activities including aerobics, Aikido and Jiu-Jitsu. The facility also offers basketball courts, racquetbal courts, a spin bike room, a cardiovascular room and a free weight room. Their is even a “Fit and Play” parent/child workout area!!

While visiting the Center check out the schedule of intramural sports. Also for those who want a more one on one experience you may be interested in the Program Design Personal Trainer program. And for those who enjoy a real challenge the Fitness Award Program which includes th “1000 Mile Biking Club “and Lift a “KC-135 Club”!!

The Center is located at 8115 Cypress Stand St. building #303. You can reach them at (813) 828-4496 or check out the websites www.macdillservices.com and http://eteamz.active.com/macdillafb/