MacDill Happenings

Check out MacDill AFB Bay Palms Golf Complex for a couple of specials during the entire month of December.  You might find a good deal on a Christmas gift for your favorite golfer.  All in stock merchandise except for Ping equipment is discounted 10% off the normal price.  Since you don’t pay sales tax, you save even more compared to off base stores.  Golf balls are only discounted by the dozen or 15 pack.  If you want to play with vistors during the holidays, then 1 military person and 3 guests can play 18 holes with a cart for $145.  This also includes a hot dog lunch.  Play anytime during the week and on weekends after 11am.  If you want something for the kids to do during their holiday break, remember the driving range costs only $1 for a bucket of balls.  And after 2:30pm each day, the price of playing on the course is discounted. 

The MacDill Lanes is hosting a Kids Christmas Party this Saturday from 11am to 1pm.  This is limited to the first 48 children who sign up.  Cost is $12 per child and includes bowling, food and prizes.  Stop by the bowling alley to sign up.  If you have some questions you call the alley at 828-4005.  If you want to stop by and bowl at some other time, hours are Mon 11am – 5pm, Tue thru Thur 11am – 8pm, Fri 11 am – Midnight, Sat 1 pm – Midnight and Sun 1-8 pm. Weekdays (Mon-Fri). Rates are 11 am – 5 pm $2.00/game, 5-8 pm $2.50/game, Sat 1-8 pm $2.50/game, and Xtreme Bowling (Fri & Sat) 8 pm – Midnight $3.00/game. Shoe Rental is $1.50.

Make your plans now to get a new free Christmas tree on 9 Dec at MacDill AFB.  This part of Trees for Troops sponsored by FedEx and the Christmas Spirit Foundation.  The giveaway will be located at Bldg 72 parking lot which is across the street from the Golf Course behind Bldg 65.  From 11:30am to 1pm, all active-military and their families can pickup a tree.  From 1pm to 3pm, everyone else on base can pickup a tree.  There will be refreshments available!  550 trees will be available on a first come, first serve basis. 

The 13th Annual Sarasota Holiday Parade takes place today starting at 7pm along Main Street in downtown Sarasota. There will be floats, bands, animals & Santa & Mrs. Claus. There are thousands of participants and brightly decorated floats, several live marching bands playing songs of the season and parade entries from school and community organizations as well as area businesses all helping to add a little more ho-ho-ho to the season. The parade route runs west along Main Street from Washington Boulevard and then heads out to Gulfstream Avenue. The streets on the parade route are blocked off to normal traffic a couple of hours in advance. Parade viewers are welcome to bring blankets to toss over the curbside to sit on and lawn chairs as well. Parking is available downtown on streets and in lots other than those closed for the parade route. To find parking and a nice spot along the parade route from which to view the festivities, try to get out an hour before the parade starts.

This Saturday from 11am to 4pm is the 26th Annual Santa Fest and Holiday Parade in Ybor City.  Centennial Park in Ybor City will host the Santa Fest and will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Watch holiday entertainment, slide down the giant snow slide, tour the Ybor City State Museum, make a holiday craft and get your photo taken with Kris Kringle. All activities are free.  TECO Street car rides are $.25 from 9am to 2am on the Green Line! The Holiday Parade will start at 4pm. The parade route starts at 7th Ave and Nuccio Parkway. The parade goes east on 7th Ave to 19th St, then north on 19th St to 9th Ave, then west on 9th Ave to Palm Ave where the parade ends. Come out early to find a good spot. Metered parking spots are free during the weekend in Ybor City but may be hard to come by as it gets nearer to parade time. There are several pay parking structures available.

For an inexpensive evening out, stop by the movie theater at MacDill AFB this weekend.  There are 3 movies playing.  Admission is only $4 for adults and $2 for ages 5-11 years old.  Plus you get a great price on concessions: 1 large popcorn and 2 medium soft drinks for only $10!  On Friday night at 7pm, “Max Payne” starring Mark Wahlberg. This movie is rated PG-13 for intense violence including, drug content, sexuality, and strong language and has a run time of 99 minutes. Based on the legendary, hard-hitting interactive video game, Max Payne tells the story of a maverick cop determined to track down those responsible for the brutal murder of his family and partner. Hell-bent on revenge, his obsessive investigation takes him on a nightmare journey into a dark underworld. As the mystery deepens, Max is forced to battle enemies beyond the natural world and face an unthinkable betrayal. On Saturday at 3pm, “The Express” is playing. This movie is rated PG for thematic content, violence, language, racism, and brief sensuality and has a run time of 130 minutes. Based on a true story of football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, and his fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of American sports. Raised in poverty, Davis hurdled social and economic obstacles to become one of the greatest running backs in college football history. As the growing civil rights movement divided the country in the 60′s, Davis became a symbol for achievement that transcended race. He joined the ranks of black pioneers by teaching a generation tolerance, inspiring a movement that smashed barriers on and off the field. On Saturday at 7pm “The Secret Life of Bees” starring Dakota Fanning, and Queen Latifah is playing. This movie is rated PG-13 for thematic material and violence and has a run time of 109 minutes. Lily, a 14-year-old girl, is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother’s past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters, Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping.

If you really want to treat yourself or your family to a classic Christmas movie in grand classic theater, then go the Tampa Theater in downtown Tampa has just what you are looking for.  On 6 & 7 Dec at 3pm, the Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye classic, White Christmas, will be playing. Crosby and Kaye are song-and-dance men who hook up, romantically and professionally, with a “sister” act to put on a Big Show to benefit the struggling ski-resort lodge run by the beloved old retired general of their WWII Army outfit. And of course, the song “White Christmas” is sung during the movie.  Ticket prices for the matinee is $7.  There is no charge for metered parking spots along the streets in downtown Tampa on all weekends.

This Wednesday 3 Dec Champion Tour golfer and 2008 Charles Schwab Cup Champion Andy Bean will be at the MacDill AFB Bay Palms Golf Complex.  There will be a golf clinic from 1100-1200 at the driving range to immediately followed by a meet & greet and autograph session from 1200-1300.  You might get that the one tip you needed to turn your golf game around or the tip that takes your game to a higher level! Andy Bean has 11 PGA Tour wins, 3 Champions Tour wins, #8 on the 2008 Champions Tour with over $1.5M in earnings. If you want to grab some lunch, don’t forget about the great food at The ‘Main Course’ Eatery. Remember after 2:30pm each day, green fees are 50% off.

From 4-7 Dec, Boater’s World presents The St. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail™ sponsored by Mercedes Benz and co-sponsored by Marina Pez Vela on at the Progress Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park. About 25,000 boaters and sailors from throughout the Gulf Coast and Southeast are expected to attend this four-day boating festival that is packed with family fun activities, parties and opportunities to enjoy a sail, climb aboard the latest boat models and check out the hottest new gear. A lineup of premier sailing and boating manufacturers will display and debut a variety of boats, including cruisers, yachts, fishing boats, sailboats, sportsboats, runabouts and personal watercraft.  The new and expanded show venue adds 50 new sailboats to the customized floating docks, joining the current roster of 200+ powerboats. The Progress Energy Center’s Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin also will host an additional new on-land sailboat display, plus debut an impressive new seminar program for sailors and power boaters. In three air-conditioned seminar tents, renowned world cruisers, respected marine experts and intriguing boating authors will share their stories of adventure and provide need-to-know info on navigation, safety, software, marine equipment and accessories. The Accessories Tent will house the new marine-related gear, equipment and service vendors; the tent will also be air conditioned – another show first. More than 200 exhibitors will showcase what’s new in marine gear, charter destinations, engines, electronics, nautical clothing and cutting-edge technology for mariners. There are also 3 special events scheduled:
 1) Hook the Future-Kids will “Hook the Future” in free fishing clinics during Saturday and  Sunday shows with giveaways of  free fishing rods and reels as long as supplies last. Kids who take part in the weekend fishing clinics also will enjoy free show admission.
2) Discover Sailing-This national introduction-to-sailing program held throughout the four-day show gives show attendees a chance to enjoy a 30-minute sail with an expert skipper on a beautiful sailing yacht, sponsored by Hunter Marine.
3) Latitudes and Attitudes Ninth Annual St. Pete Cruisers’ Party-This crowd-pleasing party is celebrated Saturday evening, starting at 7 p.m. and is a popular, casual pizza-and-beer fest.
Tickets can be bought online to save money and time at the gate. Ticket Prices: $8 for each adult online; $10 for each adult at the gate; $3 for each child ages 6-15 online; $5 for each child ages 6-15 at the gate; and children under 5 are free.
Daily times for the show are:
  Thursday: noon to 6 p.m.
  Friday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.