MacDill Happenings

The Hillsborough Choice Options application period for magnet programs, School Choice, and Career & Technical Education programs for the 2010-2011 school year is open from January 12, 2010, through January 25, 2010. Learn about the magnet program on 21 January at Tampa Bay Tech High School at parent information meetings. The meetings will take place from 5pm to 7:30pm. For elementary magnet, middle magnet and School Choice information the meeting will be in the Tampa Bay Tech cafeteria. For high school magnet program sessions, individual room numbers will be posted on boards near the cafeteria. Under Hillsborough Choice Options, students can apply for a magnet school, a Career & Technical Education program, or another public school with available space within Hillsborough County. Students who wish to remain at their current magnet or choice school, or prefer to attend their attendance area school, do not need to complete an application. Normally, students attend a school based on their home address. However, HCPS has more options available for students who wish to attend other schools. The Magnet School program allows students to attend schools that are in line with their academic interests. The School Choice program allows students to chose up to 3 other schools not in their normal school assignment area but acceptance is dependent on space availability. The Career and Technical program allows students to attend specialized technical schools. Applications can be completed on line by current students. New students need to complete a paper application.

On 20 January, the Minaret New Music Concert will present new music by the faculty of the University of Tampa.   New acoustic and electronic music by Tampa composers including UT faculty David Clark Isele, Bradford Blackburn, Haig Mardirosian (dean of the College of Arts and Letters) and featured visiting guest composer Zack Browning (UIUC). Performers include UT faculty Hein Jung and Grigorios Zamparas along with guest Corey Holt Merenda and Kim McCormick. The free concert will take place at Reeves Theater on the University campus from 4pm to 5pm. The University of Tampa is a medium size private university with about 5,600 students on 100 acres on a prime Tampa location on the western bank of the Hillsborough River. The University offers more than 100 areas of study and pre-professional programs through a strong core curriculum rooted in the liberal arts. An Evening College presents degree programs to adults who want to study part-time at night. Graduate programs are offered for Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Finance, Master of Science in Marketing, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Technology and Innovation Management and Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Innovation. The MBA program is one of the largest in Florida and is one of the elite private schools in the Southeast to have AACSB accreditation. So stop by and learn how to grow and take care of your plants and check out the University of Tampa at the same time.

As part of its Oscar Classic series, The Tampa Theatre is presenting the Oscar winnig movie “Rebecca“  at 3pm on Sunday 17 January. This Alfred Hitchcock directed suspense movie won the Best Movie Oscar in 1940. A shy ladies’ companion, staying in Monte Carlo with her stuffy employer, meets the wealthy Maxim de Winter. She and Max fall in love, marry and return to Manderlay, his large country estate in Cornwall. Max is still troubled by the death of his first wife, Rebecca, in a boating accident the year before. The second Mrs. de Winter clashes with the housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, and discovers that Rebecca still has a strange hold on everyone at Manderlay. 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 Florida Classic Cluster Dog Show takes place on Saturday in Brooksville at the Florida Classic Park. Admission is free and the show runs from 8am to 5pm. Brooksville is about 75 minutes north of MacDill AFB. The Florida Classic Cluster in Brooksville is the state’s version of the Westminster Dog Show and brings breeds, breeders and handlers from all over the world to compete. Florida Classic Clusters features American Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Shows, Obedience Trials, Rally Trials and free tours to learn all about AKC dog shows. Visitors can go behind the scenes and learn how a dog is judged, meet dog handlers and more! If you are looking for a pet, there will be rescue organizations on site with adoptable dogs. Florida Classic Park is a 50 acre beautiful, high and dry park and is conveniently located within one mile of I-75 and S.R. 50. The park also has 265 RV sites with electric and water available.

Spend an inexpensive night watching a movie at the MacDill AFB movie theater this weekend. During the month of January, adult tickets are buy one and get one free! Ages 12 and above pay the adult price of $4 a ticket. So two people can get in for only $4! Ages 6-11 pay only $2 for admission. On Friday at 7pm is the new Matt Dillon action movie “Armored“. This movie is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense violence, some disturbing images and brief strong language and has run time of 88 minutes. A crew of officers at an armored transport security firm risk their lives when they embark on the ultimate heist….against their own company. Armed with a seemingly fool-proof plan, the men plan on making off with a fortune with harm to none. But when an unexpected witness interferes, the plan quickly unravels and all bets are off. On Saturday at 7pm is the new action movie, “Ninja Assassin“. This movie is rated R for strong bloody stylized violence throughout, and language and has run time of 131 minutes. Trained in methods of killing from an early age, Raizo is a member of the secret clan of assassins known as the Ozunu. After the Ozunu kill his friend, however, Raizo breaks free from them and vanishes. Meanwhile, Interpol agent Mika Coretti discovers a money trail linking the the group to murders. Raizo saves Mika from his former comrades and joins forces with her to bring down the Ozunu forever.

On Saturday in St Pete, the 1st Annual Aegon Wing Fest will take place at Vinoy Park.  The weather should cooperate with the weekend temperatures forecasted to be in the 70’s!  If you like chicken wings, want to enjoy some great music and finally get out and enjoy the weather, then Vinoy Park is the place to be this Saturday.   There will be a dozen chicken wing restaurants, along with the Bud Light beergarten with proceeds benefiting Old Salt Fishing charity along with great rock cover bands at this all day outdoor music & food festival. The mission of Old Salt Fishing charity is to support family interaction & camaraderie through sport fishing for recreation, science, conservation and education and to support community service efforts and provide financial support to various local nonprofit organizations. The festival will feature wing experts from all over SW Florida like Wing Zone, Hooters, Mugs Grill & Bar, Fergs Sports Bar & Grill, Sloppy Pelican & more. Check out live music on the Hooters band stage from The Go Daddies (Rock Covers), BIG DEAL! (Southern Rock) & The Defendants (Classic Rock). Families can check out the Jungle Jim’s Kidzone. There is a Wing Zone wing eating contest at 4:30pm where you can win a chance to win some great prizes by signing up at the radio station booth at the festival. Bayshore Blvd between 7th Av & 5th Av will be closed to automobile traffic and only open to pedestrians. The closest public parking lots to Vinoy Park are: BayWalk (Midcore) Garage - 117 2nd St N, 2nd Ave N Lot - 231 2nd Ave N, Wachovia Center - 150 2nd Ave N and BayWalk (Midcore) Garage - 117 2nd St N. The Downtown Looper Trolley is available just make sure you get off at Stop 3 at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort which is across from Vinoy Park.

The David A. Straz Performing Arts Center continues their free Scene on the Green series with the movie “Godspell” on 15 January. This 1973 movie of the musical by Stephen Schwarz is the passion play of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, updated to modern New York with very inventive results. The disciples and their clown-like leader wander all over New York, more or less unfolding the parables and the proverbs of the New Testament. Prepare for the live performances of Godspell Feb. 9 – May 16 in the Jaeb Theater. The movie will be played outside so in the event of rain or inclement weather the film could be cancelled or rescheduled. Let’s hope that it starts getting warmer around here! Food and drinks will be available at concessions for purchase. Sorry, but coolers are not allowed. But you can bring your own chairs or blankets! SPAC is in downtown Tampa along the beautiful eastern bank of the Hillsborough River. It is easily accessible from I-275 or the Crosstown or a 15 minute drive from MacDill AFB. Parking is available in nearby lots or on the street on the northside of TBPAC.

Come out to the beach and enjoy the sun, sand, surf and the food at SeaScapes Beach Club at the MacDill AFB beach during the Beach Bash on 22 January. The Bash runs from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Get all you can eat hot dogs, hamburgers, bratwurts, pork & beans, potato salad, brownies and cookies. AF Club members are free. Guests or a spouse will pay $9.95. FamCampers will pay $5. Children 6 and under are free. SeaScapes Beach Club is open Tuesday to Friday from 11am to 9:30pm. If you can’t make it to SeaScapes on the 22nd, then they have another special every Thursday evening. Thursday evening is “All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti” at SeaScapes. For $7.95 a person, you get spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, and soda. Desert is extra, but you can get key lime pie or brownie ala mode for only $2! Every night at SeaScapes drafts are $2 and well drinks are $2.75. SeaScapes is located at the MacDill AFB base beach and next to FamCamp. It’s a real casual atmosphere so beach wear is fine, remember this is Florida! It’s a great place to enjoy as a couple or bring the whole family!

On 23 January, the Surf’s Edge Club on MacDill AFB is hosting the 2nd Annual Soul Food & Jazz night. Listen to the Jazz and Soul sounds of Laveita Savage & All Stars from 8pm to midnight. Boomers Bar & Grill be open for cocktails at 5pm. Dinner is from 6pm to 8pm and is an all you can eat buffet. There will be a salad bar, fried chicken, ribs, blackened fish, macaroni salad, collard greens, black eyed peas, okra & tomatoes, candied sweet potatoes, cornbread, hot rolls with butter, chocolate cake, and pecan pie with sweet tea and coffee. Cost is $10 for AF Club members. Non-members will pay $15 per person. Tickets are on sale now and reservations are suggested. Tickets can be purchased by calling 828-4756.

MacDill Lanes on MacDill AFB is forming a bowling league. The 12 week long league starts during the week of 18 January. So don’t wait, find a few partners and call the bowling center at 828-4005 for details and to sign up! If you haven’t gone bowling in a while, this place is a great place to go.  There are 12 modern lanes.  It is usually not crowded. I have never had to wait for a lane to open up. On Sundays there is the Sunday Family Special. Two people can bowl for $20 or four people can bowl for $30. The price includes 2 games, shoes, 1 large pizza and a pitcher of soda. The special is available from 1pm to 7pm every Sunday. MacDill Lanes can also be reserved for parties-unit functions, birthdays, hail and farewells. The Lanes is also a free wi-fi hot spot. If you don’t want to bowl but want to get out of the house, then bring the laptop and surf the net! The Lane grill has everything you need for a meal or for a snack from philly cheesesteak sandwiches to pizza and everything in between. For a limited time only during lunch, video games are free to play. Beer is also available. Hours are 11am to 5pm on Monday & Tuesday, 11am to 8pm on Wednesday & Thursday, 11am to midnight on Friday, 1pm to midnight on Saturday and 1pm to 8pm on Sunday.