MacDill Happenings

The Tampa Bay Rays take on the Detroit Tigers on 5 September. Game time is 7:08pm. After the game the Summer Concert Series continues with a free Beach Boys concert in right field immediately following the game. Beginning their career as the most popular surf band in the nation, the Beach Boys finally emerged by 1966 as America’s preeminent pop group, with hit singles such as Surfin’ USA, Little Deuce Coupe and the album Pet Sounds, the Beach Boys remain an iconic group to this day, with timeless hits like, Kokomo, Good Vibrations, Barbara Ann, and Fun, Fun, Fun. According to Billboard, The Beach Boys are the No. 1 selling American band of all time. They have had 36 Top 40 hits, the most of any U.S. rock band.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 Trop 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.

MacDill AFB will be hosting an Education Fair on 3 September. The MacDill AFB Education Center is hosting this event at the Bayshore Clubfrom 10am to 2pm. There will be plenty of college representatives from both on & off base schools provide information on both traditional & on-line programs, degrees and certificate programs. Come see what they have to offer! So far, over 37 schools will be represented. Sign up for the free giveaways. Put tuition assistance or the new GI Bill to great use! If you have more questions on your educational benefits, you can call the Education Center at 828-7321 for more information. If you have children who will be looking for a college to attend next year, then this is a good opportunity to find out about some local colleges. You can find out about transferring your new GI Bill benefits to a dependent. Besides having tuition covered and a stipend for books and fees, you dependents can receive the BAH amount for a E-5 where their college is located at! However, spouses cannot receive the BAH benefit if you are still on active duty. Come out to the Fair and get your questions answered!