MacDill Happenings

For an inexpensive outing this weekend, stop by the movie theater at MacDill AFB.  Admission is only $4 for ages 12 years and up and $2 for ages 5-11 years.  This price is about half price of most movie theaters in Tampa.  Plus you can buy a large popcorn and two medium soft drinks for only $10.  On Friday night at 7pm, “Eagle Eye” starring Shia LaBeouf is playing. This movie is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action, violence and language, and has a run time of 110 minutes. In the fast-paced race-against-time-thriller “Eagle Eye” Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan are two strangers who become the pawns of a mysterious woman they have never met, but who seems to know their every move. Realizing they are being used to further her diabolical plot, they must work together to outwit the woman before she has them killed.  On Saturday, there are two movies playing.  The 3pm show is a funny family movie, “Beverly Hills Chihuahua“. This movie is rated PG for thematic elements and has a run time of 90 minutes. Chloe, a diamond-clad, bootie wearing Beverly Hills Chihuahua enjoys her luxurious lifestyle so much, she hardly notices Papi, a tough looking Chihuahua who happens to be head-over-paws for the pampered pooch. But when Chloe gets lost in the rough streets of Mexico with only a street-wise German Shepherd to help her find her way home, Papi heads south of the border — joining forces with a motley crew: two humans, a sly rat and a nervous iguana to rescue his true love.  At 7pm, “Flash of Genius” starring Greg Kinnear is playing.  This movie is rated PG-13 for strong language and has a run time of 120 minutes. The Kearns were a typical 1960s Detroit family, trying to live their version of the American Dream. Local university professor Bob married teacher Phyllis and, by their mid-thirties, had six kids who brought them a hectic but satisfying Midwestern existence. When Bob invents a device that would eventually be used by every car in the world, the Kearns think they have struck gold. But their aspirations are dashed after the auto giants who embraced Bob’s creation unceremoniously shunned the man who invented it. Ignored, threatened and then buried in years of litigation, Bob is haunted by what was done to his family and their future. He becomes a man obsessed with justice and the conviction that his life’s work-or for that matter, anyone’s work-be acknowledged by those who stood to benefit.

This Thursday 20 Nov is one of the Lowry Park Zoo’s 20th Anniversary Days.  Admission will only be an admission of $20 for two tickets (ages 3 and older), plus $2 specials for rides and food.  This is the last time this special price will be offered.  Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has been named the best for children by Child magazine. There are over 2,000 animals in native habitats, rides, shows and restaurants. Zoo Hours are 9:30 am to 5 pm daily. Normal admission price is $18.95 for ages 12 years and older, $17.95 seniors, and $14.50 ages 3-11. The Zoo is located right off of I-275 and parking is always free.

The 7th annual Senior Friendly Extravaganza! will take place in St. Pete at Tropicana Field on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 19-20, 10 am to 4 pm each day. There will be more than 250 “Senior Friendly” exhibitors with information on senior services, lifestyles, health and wellness, travel and more. The event will include a special appearance by fitness expert Richard Simmons. Richard Simmons will lead the Warm-up for the Senior Fun Walk at 9 am. Senior Fun Walk starts the Extravaganza with a one mile walk around Tropicana Field. There is a $5 minimum donation to Meals on Wheels. There will be live entertainment each day. CVS /pharmacy Health & Wellness Center offers free health screenings and free flu shots by Maxim Health Systems with Medicare part B. Walgreens Take Care Health Tour Bus offers six free health screenings, including cholesterol, glucose, bone density, body mass index, blood pressure, waist circumference and body composition. Come out and enjoy free bingo games, free restaurant and product. The Citrus Health Care Hospitality Center will offer complimentary orange juice. Admission and parking is free.

If you’ve been thinking of seeing the Blue Man Group at Universal Studios Orlando, then stop by the MacDill AFB ITT for a great discount.  Blue Man Group is best known for their popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a unique form of entertainment. Discount tickets are available until 21 Dec.  Tickets for adults and children are only $44.00 with no additional handling fees or taxes.  These are for all All Seats/All Sections/All Tiers. Tickets at the door are $78.81 for Adults and $68.16 for Children. The MacDill AFB ITT is located in the Exchange Mall. Hours are Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm and closed on Sundays.

The Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot at MacDill AFB takes place this Friday 21 Nov from 8:30 am – 2 pm at the Skeet Range.  The Skeet Range is located on Rattlesnake Road on the way to SOCCENT.   All base personnel and their families are eligible to participate.  Cost is $4 per shot. Take the opportunity to win the grand prize turkey. There also will be other prizes available to win. 10 people will compete in each round with one winner being closest to the bull’s eye for 1 prize. The shotgun and shell will be provided. You may use your own gun, but it must be a 12 gauge and the shell will be provided. Lunch is available during the contest! A hot dog, bag of chips and a soda for only $2.00 You have to sign at Outdoor Recreation up by Monday 17 Nov in order to participate. Outdoor Recreation is on the road to the MacDill AFB beach. For further details contact Outdoor Recreation at 840-6919.

This Saturday is the Pet Adoption Expo from 10am to 4pm at the Florida State Fairgrounds – Special Event Building4800. Just like President-elect Sen. Obama’s family, the best way to find a new pet is at a shelter!  More than 30 animals rescue groups, including The Humane Society of Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County Animal Services, will have hundreds of cats and dogs available for adoption inside the fairgrounds. The event will also feature pet merchandise, “Ask a Dog Trainer” and “Ask a Vet” booths. At the Spring Pet Adoption Expo in  April, more than 386 cats, dogs, kittens and puppies were adopted and nearly 3,000 people attended.  Admission is free, but donations are welcome both on-site and through TampaPets.org. Free parking is available at the Fairgrounds entrance off Orient Road. For more information about the Adoption Expo, please contact Lisa Knight at (813) 367-2078

Get ready for some great food at the 20th Annual Ribfest in Vinoy Park in beautiful bayside St. Petersburg this Friday through Sunday.  This three-day charity fundraiser features barbecue ribs from all the state and country, music, and car and motorcycle shows and a family fun zone.  There will be two stages for music.  On Friday and Saturday, music starts at noon each day and ends around 10pm.  On Sunday, the music starts at 1pm and ends around 8pm.  The highlight band on Friday is Styx, on Saturday it’s the Doobie Brothers and on Sunday it’s the Little River Band and Asia.  Advance tickets are $11.50 with a handling fee and tickets at the gate are $15. But look for specially marked Ice House products for a $5 discount coupon good towards admission. Children 12 years and younger are free when accompanied by an adult. No food, beverages, coolers, pets, lasers, profesional cameras, audio or video recorders will be permitted in the park. There is no video or audio recording of any kind allowed in the park. Blankets and small lawn chairs are allowed. All purses and bags will be subject to a thorough search at the gate.

The MacDill AFB Movie Theater will be showing 3 movies this weekend.  On Friday at 7pm, “Night in Rodanthe” will be playing starring Diane Lane and Richard Gere. This movie is rated PG-13 for sensuality and has a run time of 92 minutes. Adrienne Willis retreats to the tiny coastal town of Rodanthe, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, to tend to a friend’s inn for the weekend. Here she hopes to find the tranquility she so desperately needs to rethink the conflicts surrounding her — a wayward husband who has asked to come home, and a teen-aged daughter who resents her every decision. Almost as soon as Adrienne gets to Rodanthe, a major storm is forecast and a guest named Dr. Paul Flanner arrives. The only guest at the inn, Flanner is not on a weekend escape but rather is there to face his own crisis of conscience. Now, with the storm closing in, the two turn to each other for comfort and, in one magical weekend, set in motion a life-changing romance that will resonate throughout the rest of their lives.  On Saturday at 3pm, the animated comedy “Igor” starring John Cusack, and Myleene Klass is playing. This movie is rated PG for thematic elements, scary images, action, and mild language and has a run time of 86 minutes. Igor is sick of being a lowly lab assistant with a Yes Master’s degree and dreams of becoming a scientist. When his cruel master kicks the bucket a week before the annual Evil Science Fair, Igor finally gets his chance. With the help of two of his experimental creations Brain and Scamper, Igor embarks on building the most evil invention of all time. Instead of turning out evil, the monster turns out as Eva, a giant aspiring actress who wouldn’t hurt a fly. Just when the load on his back can’t get any heavier, Igor and his band of monstrous misfits uncover an evil plot that threatens their world. Now, they must fight to save it. The 7pm show on Saturday is also a comedy “Ghost Town” starring Ricky Gervais, and Greg Kinnear. This movie is rated PG-13 for strong language, sexual humor, and drug references and has a run time of 102 minutes. Bertram Pincus is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired. When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghost. Even worse, they all want something from him, particularly Frank Herlihy, who pesters him into breaking up the impending marriage of his widow Gwen. Don’t forget that admission to the movies is only $4 for patrons 12 years and up and $2 for children 5-11 years old. Remember a large popcorn and two medium soft drinks is only $10.

This time of year brings perfect golfing weather to Florida.  If you haven’t been to the Bay Palms Golf Complex at MacDill AFB lately, then this is perfect time to go!  There is a golf special for 3 guests and 1 military member to play 18 holes with a cart for $125.  You also get a hot dog lunch.  Plus if you’re in the market for new golf shoes, then you’re in luck.  Golf shoes during November are 10% off the marked price!  This is a great deal because you never pay sales tax on anything at the pro shop!  The golf course is open everyday 6:30am to 6:30pm and the driving range is open 24 hours a day.

The Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center is open. The center, along the warm-water discharge canal at Tampa Electric’s Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach, features a wooden boardwalk over the water, a garden and habitat displays, a snack bar, and decks from which to view the manatees.  At the center visitors can see a tidal walkway showcasing vibrant Florida plants and birds, butterfly gardens, and educational building. The center is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Admission and parking are free.