MacDill Happenings

The Museum of Fine Arts in downtown St. Petersburg is offering a special discount admission through the end of August. Visitors can enter for half-price on all admissions from 10 am to noon, Tuesday through Friday. On these days and during these hours only, adults pay $6 each, seniors 65 and older $5, and students seven and older with current I.D. $3. The discount is not offered on weekends. The Museum of Fine Arts was founded by Margaret Acheson Stuart (1896-1980) and reflects her vision of providing outstanding examples of world art in an inviting, elegant setting. The Museum opened to the public in 1965.The collection has more than 4,600 objects extending from antiquity to the present day and features stellar French Impressionist paintings. Galleries of Steuben glass, decorative arts, and pre-Columbian objects are especially dramatic. Two interior gardens, one devoted to sculpture, encourage reflection. An intimate second-floor gallery, in the new wing, displays works on paper and photographs. The Museum’s photography collection of nearly 1,400 images is one of Florida’s most respected. The Museum is dedicated to serving all people by pursuing excellence in art from antiquity to the present through collection, exhibitions, and education for its diverse audiences. The original wing of the museum was designed by architect John Volk. From the guard opening the front door to the carpeted galleries, this Museum welcomes you inside both its exhibition galleries and intimate gardens and encourages you to stay. The new two-story building sits adjacent to the original building on Beach Drive, facing Straub Park to the north. There is a museum store and cafe to add to the enjoyment of your visit.

The National Armed Services and Law Enforcement Memorial Museum in Dunedin is a showcase for weaponary and artifacts from the military and police forces. The non-profit museum open in 2002 and is housed in a 14,000 square foot building. There are uniforms, weapons, flags and personal collections from local police officers and service members. This is an educational memorial museum honoring those who serve, or have served, in the U.S. Armed Forces, or in all levels of law enforcement. Hundreds of arms and artifacts are on display from the flintlocks of the Revolutionary War to the electric Gatling gun. Most all of the small arms used by the United States military are represented in the museum, as are law enforcement weapons from major departments and agencies throughout the United States. The Museum is always looking for volunteers, so if you are interested in helping out call (727) 734-0700. Hours are 10 am to 2 pm on Tuesday through Friday and 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students ages 7 to 16. Free for children under 6. Group tours are half price.

Today at 3pm, the classic movie “Gone with the Wind” starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable is playing at the Tampa Theatre. You may have seen on televison, but seeing it on a big screen movie theatre is an experience that cannot be missed. The epic tale of the indomitable Katie Scarlett O’Hara and her passionate life and many loves during the tumultuous Civil War and Reconstruction Eras in the American South. From her young, innocent days on a feudalistic plantation to the war-torn streets of Atlanta; from her first love whom she has always desired to three husbands; from the utmost luxury to absolute starvation and poverty; Scarlett survives it all to see ‘anutha day’. This much-beloved classic and winner of 8 Oscars is a masterpiece of meticulous backdrops, glorious sunsets, numerous silhouettes, and ultrasaturated Technicolor which creates a hyperreal vision. The romantic score is every bit as lush and dramatic as the photography, borrowing folk melodies from the Old South to make the tragic war concrete. Heavy nostalgic tones pervade the often witty dialogue and larger-than-life charms and faults of the leads. Gone With The Wind stands among the greatest epic dramas ever filmed. The run time for this movie is 3 hours and 58 minutes, but there are refreshments for sale! General admission is $8. Built in 1926 as one of America’s most elaborate “movie palaces”, the Tampa Theatre today is a historical treasure of Tampa. Located in downtown Tampa, the Theatre is easily accessible from I-275 and I-4. Designed by famed theatre architect John Eberson, the Tampa is a superior example of the “atmospheric” style of theatre design. Inside the Tampa, audiences are transported to a lavish, romantic Mediterranean courtyard replete with old world statuary, flowers, and gargoyles. Over it all is a nighttime sky replete with twinkling stars and floating clouds. Tampa Theatre was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, is a Tampa City Landmark, and is a member of the League of Historic American Theatres. There is on street parking nearby and parking lots within walking distance. Remember the street parking meters are not in service during the weekend so parking at street meters is free. It’s a tradition to hang out at The Hub, downtown Tampa’s classic dive that’s located two doors down, before or after a theater outing.

The Rays are still in the hunt for the American League East title after having swept a 2 game series from the Boston Red Sox. on Saturday, the Rays take on the Toronto Blue Jays. After the game as part of the Summer Concert Series, the B-52’s will be giving a free concert in right field. Gametime is 7:08 pm. Get to the game early and have a tailgate party! Listen to a live band and enjoy attractions at Lot 7. With a military ID, you can purchase 4 outfield tickets for half off! However, tickets have to be purchased at the box office! If you do get to the game early, then a car with 4 people or more can park for free in the Tropicana Field parking lots. Normal parking price is $15 at the Trop. The Trop is easily accessible from I-275. Inside the Trop, check out the Ray tank in centerfield. In the Left Field Street area, fans can participate in a baseball-themed game show, take their picture on a Topps baseball card, have their name inscribed onto a Louisville Slugger bat, touch and feel real game-used equipment, and broadcast play-by-play of baseball highlights. At Right Field Street kids can experience the magic of baseball in the Rays Baseball Carnival, a real working carnival that includes plinko, spin the wheel, ring-a-bat and skee ball. Or take a swing against a computer images of real Major League pitchers in a batting cage or test their arms in the speed pitch, both found in the T.G. Lee Rookie Challenge area of the Carnival. There is also kids-themed areas such as “Bats, Balls, and Brushes”, “St. Petersburg Times Pressbox” and “The Science of Baseball.” Centerfield Street has the Cuesta-Rey Cigar Bar, baseball’s first in-stadium cigar bar, as well as the Batter’s Eye Restaurant, located in the “batter’s eye” in center field. Centerfield Street also has the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall-of-Fame.

For an inexpensive night out to watch the latest movies, stop by the MacDill AFB Movie Theater this Friday and Saturday. The price of a ticket and snacks will be at least 50% cheaper than out in town. This Friday at 7pm and again on Saturday at 3pm, the new action movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, is playing. This movie is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, language, crude and sexual material, and brief drug material, and has a run time of 152 minutes. Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle. On Saturday at 7pm the new action movie, Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp is playing. This movie is rated R for gangster violence and language, and has a run time of 140 minutes. No one could stop John Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone — from his girlfriend Billie to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression. But while the adventures of Dillinger’ gang — thrilled many, J. Edgar Hoover made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One.

The first day of school for Hillsborough County Public Schools is 25 August! If this is your first year in the Tampa, it is probably a lot sooner than you are used to. The school year ends on 10 June 2010. The last day of the school year for high school seniors is 1 June. Everyone is probably getting ready to have some end of summer fun and maybe a trip, but remember there a few things that need to done before school. Don’t forget about the possible requirements of school physicals, shots and school records if you are enrolling in Hillsborough schools for the first time. Even if you are currently enrolled, you may still need physicals or shots! The MacDill AFB Clinic has a walk-in shot clinic everyday, so you don’t need appointment. But physicals requires an appointment at MacDill AFB. To make an appointment for the MacDill AFB Clinic, you can call 828-CARE (2273). There are plenty of enrollment options for Hillsborough schools. Your neighborhood school will be posting enrollment dates and times on the information board in front of the school. If you student has to taking a bus to school, then make sure know the times and pickup locations. Busing can be confusing! Don’t forget to plan to buy school supplies!

The 14th Annual “Back to School Bash” continues today from noon to 4pm at the Tampa Convention Center. This fun filled event provides the opportunity to enjoy interactive exhibits, live family entertainment and sample free lunch treats. More importantly, this event can start getting the kids charged up to go back to school! Remember the first day of school for Hillsborough County Public Schools is 25 August, just over 2 quick weeks away! Learn about swim safety tips. Look into tutoring programs for your children. There will be information available to learn how to plan financially for your children’s college education now! It’s never too early to plan for college! The first 100 paid tickets each day receive a free packback. Check out the free bead making! There will be a character parade. Kids will love the free face painting and the bounce house. Radio Disney will be there with free giveaways! You can receive a free bicycle helmet to get ready for the new school year. There will be a petting zoo. Tickets cost $9 for an adults. Kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult. There is a limit of 3 kids per paying adult.  The Tampa Convention Center is located in downtown Tampa along the Hillsborough River. There is plenty of parking at the Center and nearby.

Today from 9am to noon the 7th Annual FishHawk Area Networking Group Back to School Festival will take place at the FishHawk Youth Sports Complex on FishHawk Blvd. Admission is free but $10 worth of new school supplies or a $10 cash donation is requested that will be used to benefit the YMCA migrant children effort. The support raised last year helped more than 400 children. There will be more than 80 local business booths, 10 restaurants, live music, safety demonstrations and exhibits from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, free giveaways, and door prizes. For you Transformer fans, a 2010 Yellow Bumblebee Camaro will be available for a test drive! Along with other restaurants, Chick-fil-A, Lake Brandon Village, Formaggio’s Pizzeria will be providing free tasty food samples! Located within a 40 minute drive to downtown Tampa and MacDill AFB, FishHawk Ranch is a unique community with walking and biking paths throughout the neighborhood. You’ll find shops and grocery stores all around the neighborhood for your shopping convience with a wide variety of restaurants for every taste. Top rated elementary, middle and high school are nearby with a new sports park close to Randall Middle School. Hillsborough Area Rapid Transit also offers express bus service to MacDill AFB from FishHawk Ranch. MacDill AFB also provides free monthly bus passes to military and civilian

MacDill AFB is having a “Car Boot Sale” this Saturday 8 Aug from 8am to 1pm. The “Car Boot Sale” is mobile version of a neighborhood garage sale.  The sale will take place at the Surf’s Edge Club parking lot. Get ready clean out the house and make some money or find something that you need at a great price! You can drive up and unload your items and sell to a big crowd. This is much easier than preparing for a garage sale and you can expect more people checking out the sale than you would find in a neighborhood garage sale. Plus clean up is easier! You just have to load whatever you have left in the car and drive away. Hopefully, you don’t have too much leftover! This also a great opportunity to find some hidden treasure! If you have a child going off to college, then you might find a great price on a microwave or maybe some kitchen appliances or goods! Maybe you’ll find a good set of golf clubs or extra fishing gear! For this event, table rentals are $25. Call today at 840-6900 to reserve a table. There will also be food on sale including hot dogs and drinks for $1 and chips for only $.50!

For an inexpensive and entertaining night out, stop by the MacDill AFB Movie Theater this Friday and Saturday to see the latest movies. The price of admission and a snack is at least 50% off of what you would spend out in town. This Friday the romantic comedy “The Proposal” starring Sandra Bullock is playing at 7pm. This movie is rated PG-13 for sexual content, nudity and language and has a run time of 108 minutes. When high-powered book editor Margaret faces deportation to her native Canada, the quick-thinking exec declares that she’s actually engaged to her unsuspecting put-upon assistant Andrew, who she’s tormented for years. He agrees to participate in the charade, but with a few conditions of his own. The unlikely couple heads to Alaska to meet his quirky family and the always-in-control city girl finds herself in one comedic fish-out-of-water situation after another. With an impromptu wedding in the works and an immigration official on their tails, Margaret and Andrew reluctantly vow to stick to the plan despite the precarious consequences. On Saturday at 7pm, “My Sister Keeper” starring Cameron Diaz is playing. This movies is rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, disturbing images, sensuality, language and teen drinking and has a run time of 110 minuts. Sara and Brian Fitzgerald’s life with their young son and their two-year-old daughter, Kate, is forever altered when they learn that Kate has leukemia. The parents’ only hope is to conceive another child, specifically intended to save Kate’s life. For some, such genetic engineering would raise both moral and ethical questions. For the Fitzgerald’s, there is no choice but to do whatever it takes to keep Kate alive. And what it takes is Anna.