MacDill Happenings

InSight Studio is offering weekly summer camps for children group from ages 9-12 and 13-17. InSight Studio is a small fine art studio dedicated to the traditional medium of photography. This camp is a perfect opportunity for a new budding photographer or to build upon skills for the experienced photographer. This camp allows kids to explore personal growth and artistry. Emphasis will be placed on how to use a camera, composition, natural lighting, and how to create interesting images via the gift of seeing. There will be field trips, work in the darkroom and artistic critiques, all in a real artist’s studio. New experiences each week for returning participants. Class size limited to 6 participants per week. Weekly fee of $160 includes all needed supplies. The camp is held weekly from Mon-Fri from 9am to 1pm. Call InSight Studio at 813-390-3422 or email insight305@yahoo.com. The studio location, 1906 N. Armenia Ave, in Tampa is easily accessible off of I-275 and about 20 minutes from MacDill AFB.

Saladino Baseball Academy is offering weekly Summer baseball and softball camps for boys and girls, ages 6-14. The camps begin on June 9 at the South Brandon Little League, located at 600 S Parsons Ave., Brandon, FL 33511, and last for 10 weeks. The Saladino family sponsors the nationally known Saladino Baseball Tournament each year. The price: $150 for full days (7:30-5:30 p.m.) and $100 for half days (9 a.m.-2 p.m.). The academy also will include softball instruction from Melissa Sigmon, a Plant coach and former Brandon High catcher. Former University of South Florida coach Eddie Cardieri will work as a private instructor with the academy, particularly with older kids. This Academy will help the exceptional player but also help children just learning to play. For more information, call 813-684-8226.

At the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa, Stevie Nicks performs at 7:30pm. Prices are $25 to $125. Stevie Nicks, also a member of Fleetwood Mac, sings her hits including Dreams, Stand Back, Sorcerer, If Anyone Falls in Love, Landslide, Crash into Me, Gold Dust Woman, Rhiannon, How Still My Love and Edge of Seventeen. The Ford Amphitheatre features over 9,500 reserved seats under a one of a kind canopy and the General Admission Festival Lawn provides a unique open air concert experience for nearly 10,000 additional fans. There are two 20’x30’ video screens located on each side of the Main Stage and newly added, technology advanced LED screens on the Festival Lawn area. Ford Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds is located near the intersection of I-4 and I-75 and is easily accessible from either freeway.

If your child wants to improve their soccer skills this summer, then try out the FishHawk Professional Soccer Academy. This is for boys and girls from 8-18 to work on and practice the skills they need improve their games. Coaches will work each day on technical improvements for each student. The camps in June will be in Brandon at Heather Lakes from 16-20 Jun and from 23-27 Jun. In July, the camps will be at FishHawk Sports Complex in Lithia from 7-11 Jul and 14-18 Jul. Times and fees for the camps are as follows: 4 – 7 years old: from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, $75.00; 8 – 11 years old: from 9 – 12:00 Noon, $95.00 and 12 – 18 years old: from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, $135.00.

If you need some new ideas for your home, then check out the Tampa Home Expo from 6-8 Jun in St. Pete at Tropicana Field. On Friday and Saturday, the Expo is open from 10am to 7pm. On Sunday, the Expo is open from 10am to 5pm. Hundreds of experts from remodeling to landscaping to interior design will be under one roof to help you out. See the latest in kitchen design, windows and flooring. There will be free demonstrations, classes and advice! Don’t forget to sign up for the free contests and giveaways! Admission for adults is $3 and children 16 and under are free. Tropicana Field charges $5 for parking. Tropicana Field is easily accessible and is about a 30 minute drive from MacDill AFB.

If you need an inexpensive outing this weekend, then try the MacDill AFB movie theater this Friday and Saturday.  Admission is only $3.25 a person.  Snacks are also very affordable.  A medium popcorn and soft drink is only $6.  On Friday at 7pm, watch “Forgetting Sarah Marshall“.  This movie is rated R for sexual content, language and nudity and has a run time of 100 minutes. Devastated Peter takes a Hawaii vacation in order to deal with recent break-up with his TV star girlfriend, Sarah. Little does he know Sarah’s traveling to the same resort as her ex … and she’s bringing along her new boyfriend. On Saturday the afternoon movie at 3pm is “The Forbidden Kingdom” starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li. This movie is rated PG-13 for martial arts action, violence and has a run time of 113 minutes. On Saturday at 7pm, watch “88 Minutes” staring Al Pacino. This movie is rated R for disturbing violence, nudity, and language and has a run time of 99 minutes. Dr. Jack Gramm is a college professor who moonlights as a forensic psychiatrist for the FBI. When Gramm receives a death threat claiming he has only 88 minutes to live, he must use all his skills and training to narrow down the possible suspects, who include a disgruntled student, a jilted former lover, and a serial killer who is already on death row, before his time runs out.

This Thursday 5 Jun from 3pm to 5pm authors W.E.B. Griffin and William Butterworth IV will be signing their new book, “Death and Honor”, at Haslam’s Book Store in St. Pete. W.E.B. Griffin is the reknowned author of “The Brotherhood of War” a nine novel series covering Army life and careers from WWII to Vietnam, and “The Corps” a ten novel series covering Marine Corps life and careers from WWII to Korea. He has written military and detective fiction with a total of 38 novels in six series. William Butterworth IV is W.E.B. Griffin’s son and co-author of “Death and Honor” . Haslam’s Book Store is a Tampa Bay treasure. Started in 1933, it is the largest new and used bookstore in Florida. It is now run by a third Haslam family generation. Haslam’s is located right off of I-275 just west of Tropicana Stadium and about a 30 minute drive from MacDill AFB.

If your children are planning to offer babysitting services, the “Safe Sitter” class at St Joseph’s Women’s Hospital is a great way to get them ready. The class is this Friday 6 Jun from 9am to 5pm. This full-day class provides the basic information a good babysitter needs to know such as handling situations from minor to life threatening, how to rescue a choking infant or child, how to communicate with EMS, safety hints, accident and behavior management, how to entertain kids and other babysitting tips. Students must be at least 11 years old, no exceptions. Please call (813) 870-4747 to register. The class will be in Classroom 1 and cost $50.

If you’re looking for a summer camp for the kids this summer, then check out the Summer Watersports Camp sponsored by Eckerd College in St. Pete. Registration started in March, but there are still openings available, but don’t wait because you never know how long they will last. The Eckerd College Summer Waterfront Program offers instruction in Powerboat Seamanship, Sailing, Water Skiing, Wakeboarding, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Saltwater Fishing, and Exploring Marine Life for students of various ages at various levels. Classes will take place on Boca Ciega Bay in St. Pete. Eckerd College is about 30 minutes west of MacDill AFB just off of I-275.

On 6 Jun from 11:30am to 2:30pm, bring the entire family and enjoy the Basewide BBQ and Family Day. Everyone on MacDill AFB is invited! The party will take place at the base beach at Seascapes Beach Club. There will be free BBQ chicken, hot dog, brats and drinks! There will be a water slide, sponsor booths and giveaways. Listen to the live entertainment by “High Tide”, and something for the kids with “Mike the Magician”. Bring the kids and don’t forget about the suntan lotion. June weather in Florida is usually in the 90′s and high humidity that makes the sun seem even hotter. There are a few shade covered shelters. But with a large crowd expected, it might be better to bring your own portable chairs and umbrellas. Seascapes is on the west side of the base near the base golf course, just follow Marina Bay Dr.