MacDill Happenings

With most people trying to save a little bit of money during this holiday season, the Wacky Tales Children’s Theater is presenting Mrs. Santa Saves the Day.  Admission is only $4.  Children under 2 are free.  The production will be presented today at 1pm at the St. Petersburg Little Theater, 4025 31st St. S. Whacky Tales is a professional Children’s Theatre group that tours throughout the Tampa Bay Area, performing “Whacky” versions of traditional Fairy Tales as well as original scripts.

Stop by the Henry B. Plant Musem during December and experience the charm of a 19th century holiday at the Tampa Bay Hotel during the Victorian Christmas Stroll. This event runs daily 1-23 Dec from 10am to 8pm. With a lavishly decorated tree in each room of the museum and lush greenery draped throughout the Grand Hall, Victorian holiday traditions are brought to life. Antique toys are scattered about the museum, in addition to elegantly wrapped packages, imaginative decorations, and ornaments which capture the warmth of past holiday traditions. Complimentary spiced cider and savory cookies will be served on the veranda every day, and each evening carolers will perform music for your merriment. Visitors are invited to sing with the carolers in front of the 18-foot tree in the hallway. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger. Discount Days are December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 when admissions are reduced to $6 for adults and $3 for children.  Stop by the Museum store and choose from a large selection of unique Christmas gifts.  The Henry B. Plant Museum is located near downtown Tampa along the banks of the Hillsborough River next to the University of Tampa.

Come out to south Tampa at Old Hyde Park Village to take part in the Enchanted Tree Lighting ceremony with Santa Claus.  Santa will be there from 6pm to 8pm to light the 30 foot Christmas tree and listen to everyone’s Christmas wishes. There will be musical performances, carriage rides, carolers and other childrens’ activities. Don’t forget about the unique shopping boutiques, stores and restaurants! Remember Old Hyde Park Village offers a pet-friendly environment, but please have your pet on a leash. There is plenty of free parking!

If you want to relax and get away from the Christmas shopping crowds and not spend a lot of money, then stop by the movie theater at MacDill AFB this Friday and Saturday night.  On Friday at 7pm, “Body of Lies” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe is playing. This movie is rated R for strong violence, torture, and language and has a run time of 120 minutes. Based on Washington Post columnist David Ignatius’ 2007 novel about a CIA operative, Roger Ferris, who uncovers a lead on a major terrorist leader suspected to be operating out of Jordan. When Ferris devises a plan to infiltrate his network, he must first win the backing of cunning CIA veteran Ed Hoffman and the collegial, but perhaps suspect, head of Jordanian intelligence. Although ostensibly his allies, Ferris questions how far he can really trust these men without putting his entire operation - and his life - on the line. On Saturday at 7pm, “Lakeview Terrace” starring Samuel L. Jackson is playing. This movie is rated PG-13 for intense thematic material, violence, sexuality, language, and drug references and has a run time of 110 minutes. A young couple has just moved into their California dream home when they become the target of their next-door neighbor, who disapproves of their interracial relationship. A stern, single father, this tightly wound LAPD officer has appointed himself the watchdog of the neighborhood. His nightly foot patrols and overly watchful eyes bring comfort to some, but he becomes increasingly harassing to the newlyweds. These persistent intrusions into their lives ultimately turn tragic when the couple decides to fight back. Admission is only $4 for ages 12 years and up and $2 for ages 5-11 years. Remember a large soft drink and two medium popcorns is only $10!

The historic Beach Theater in St. Pete Beach is showing free matinees on Saturdays until the end of the year.  Playing this Saturday at 10am is the Laurel and Hardy classic movie, “Babes in Toyland”.  The movie runs for 73 minutes.  The St. Pete Beach Theatre is a historic landmark along the west coast of Florida. Built in 1939 for about $50,000 by Boston financier Stephen Girard, it was said to be the first theater ever erected for sound equipment on the coast.  There aren’t too many places that offer a movie for free, so stop by the movies on the way to the beach!

Enjoy the cool weather and get out for little exercise. The Weedon Family Night Hike explores the trails of the Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Since parts of this hike occur on rugged trails, strollers are not recommended. The hike, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, is free, but registration is required at (727) 453-6500. Weedon Island Preserve is an approximately 3,164-acre preserve that extends along the west side of Tampa Bay in Pinellas County. It is the largest estuarine Preserve in Pinellas County, and is predominately comprised of aquatic habitats with mangrove swamps, shoreline, and seagrass beds along the eastern edge of the Preserve. Weedon Island Preserve contains a fishing pier, a 45-foot observation tower, 6,600 feet accessible boardwalk with three observation platforms, paddling trails and launch , over 3 miles of hiking trails, 3 small picnic areas and a Cultural and Natural History Center. The Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center opened in the fall of 2002. The mission of the Center is to interpret the natural, cultural and archaeological history of the Preserve in order to demonstrate how the environment and people support and shape each other.

If you don’t want to cook at home this Thanksgiving Day and your trying to find a nice restaurant, then look no further than The Bayshore Club on MacDill AFB.  Thanksgiving dinner is always an elegant affair in a beautiful setting for price that cannot be matched out in town.  The buffet will include roast turkey with stuffing, baked ham with raisin sauce, baron of beef, seafood newburg, baked fish, a pasta station, candied sweet potato, mashed potatoes, steamed rice, seasonal mixed vegetables, assorted of salads, a variety of breakfast items, assorted cheeses, a variety of breads, seasonal fruit, assorted pies and cakes, and a variety of drinks. Dinner on Thanksgiving Day will be served from 11am to 2pm, but you must have reservations so call 828-4756 right away!  The price for non-members is $19.95.  The price for members is $16.95.  Children 6-12 years old are charged $8.85.  Children 5 years and younger are free. 

Although Thanksgiving has not come yet, believe or not Christmas is just around the corner.  Today as part of Children’s Day in Hyde Park Village there will be a free screening of the classic movie “Miracle on 34th Street” from 6pm to 8pm. There is the 1947 classic that won several Academy Awards and a 1994 remake, not sure which one will be shown.  Come out early and check out Children’s Day activities which begin at 2pm. Besides the movie there will be plenty of other family friendly activities including origami, clowns, face paining and snacks.   Hyde Park Village is South Tampa with its great mix of stores, boutiques and restaurants is a great place for shopping, eating out and enjoying the outdoors.  Parking is always free.

On Sunday 23 Nov at 2pm, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center will be presenting the Prelude to Rossini’s The Barber of Seville for free.  The performance will be in the TECO Theater. The Barber of Seville is a 60-minute presentation that features Sherrill Milnes’ musings, the voices of the Opera Tampa Apprentices and the music of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. The Opera Prelude Series performances provide an entertaining and educational overview of the grand operas. The apprentice program features up-and-coming young singers and emerging international professional artists in Tampa for an intensive residency, studying, performing, and teaching. The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is located along the beautiful Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is helping collect food for Metropolitan Ministries this Friday at the St. Pete Times Forum. Help someone in need this holiday season and receive something nice for your kindness. For every 10 food items donated, you will receive a free ticket to the circus which be performing in January. Most needed items are boxed cereal, boxed stuffing and canned fruit. Donations can be dropped off from 11 am to 1 pm this Friday in front of the box office at the St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. There is a limit of four tickets per family. Tickets, which usually are $15 to $85, are for the best seats available at any of the eight Tampa performances . Jan 7-11.