MacDill Happenings

Tonight the USF Bulls basketball team takes on the Cincinnati Bearcats at the Sun Dome at 7pm.  The Bulls have been playing great basketball this season with wins over No.7 Georgetown and No. 17 Pittsburgh.  The last game at Cincinnati resulted in a loss, but the Bulls always play tough at home.  Hot shooting junior guard Dominique Jones has been shredding the nets all season. Teams are focusing on Jones, but he still getting his shots, rebounds and assists!  Ticket prices start at $8. There is a special for an all-you-can-eat ticket for $20! Make sure you bring an appetite! The University of South Florida is offering free tickets to all students, high school age and younger, to every men’s and women’s basketball games during the 2009-10 season. The tickets, located in all sections, must be purchased on game day at Gate 3 of the Sun Dome Ticket Office. The University of South Florida is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of 39 community-engaged, four-year public universities as designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded more than $360 million in research contracts and grants in fiscal year 2007/2008. The university offers 219 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The university has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 46,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland.

On Fat Tuesday, Dunedin will be having a Mardi Gras celebration along Main Street in downtown.  Dunedin is closer than New Orleans!  The fun starts at 5pm with live music, drinks and Big Easy style food. There will be music from Lil’Malcolm & the House Rockers from 5:30-7:30 pm and Waylon Thibodeaux from 9-11 pm. In between will be the parade, complete with floats, bands and beads.   The event is free buy you can purchase food and drinks. Dunedin is located across Tampa Bay from MacDill AFB, just north of Clearwater. Dunedin is located in Pinellas County. The name comes from the Scots Gaelic Dùn Èideann meaning Edinburgh. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 36,632. Dunedin is home to several beaches, including Dunedin Causeway, Honeymoon Island, and Caladesi Island State Park, which is consistently rated among the best beaches in the world. Dunedin is one of the few open waterfront communities from Sarasota to Cedar Key where buildings do not completely obscure the view; a 1-mile stretch of Edgewater Drive (also known as Alternate US 19) south of downtown offers views of St. Joseph Sound, Clearwater Beach, and Caladesi Island. The quaint, but thriving downtown business district has become a model for many other west-central Florida cities. It is striking in comparison to neighboring Florida communities for its absence of commercial signage and corporate franchise restaurants and retail stores.

If you’re trying to find something romantic to do with your sweetie on Valentine’s Day, then how about a movie at the Tampa Theatre today! After the movie, it will be a perfect time for dinner! “Somewhere in Time” starring Christopher Reed and Jane Seymour is playing today at 3pm. Playwright Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve) visits a posh hotel on Mackinac Island where he is mysteriously drawn to the photo of an actress (Jane Seymour) who had performed there in 1912. Obsessed with the mesmerizing actress Elise, Richard uses self-hypnosis to travel back in time to meet her. Unfortunately, even the slightest reminder of Richard’s modern time can jar him from his seemingly real existence in the past, so his wonderful love affair is constantly just a step from being stolen away. 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 Federal holilday so parking at street meters is free. Just across the street from the Marriott Courtyard at Cass and N. Florida is a self-service parking lot that charges $5 for parking before 6pm and $3 after 6pm. If you ever come to watch a show 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 Bay Area Annual Renaissance Festival will be hosted at MOSI in Tampa. Opening day is today and the Festival will be open on weekends until 28 March. It will be open during one day during the week on 19 March. The Festival will be open  each weekend from 10am-6pm.  Each weekend will have different theme. The opening weekend theme is Highland Fling! Come out and the see the Highland Games, Celtic Village, beer tasting, free vow renewals with a mass vow renewal ceremony with the King at noon and 3pm each day.  The vow renewal is perfect for the Valentine’s weekend!  After the vow renewal ceremony, there will be reception with cake and punch. Make sure to check in 15 minutes before the Ceremony   The Festival will feature eight live stages, fire eaters, human chess matches, jousting, minstrels, maidens faire, peasants, fools, and much more.  Fill yourself up with entertainment and a three course feast in the Pirates Feast!, which requires advance purchase.  Even if you don’t want to enjoy the Pirate Feast, then you can still get your fill at the many food offerings in the Festival.   So either way, bring an appetite! The Marketplace will be offering such a huge variety of goods for purchase that you may have a hard time deciding what to buy!  Parking is free at MOSI. Advance tickets can be bought online for a discount with $14.95 for adults and children 5 to 12 years are $6.95.  With a military ID, you can purchase one ticket for the full price of $17.95 at the gate and receive one ticket for free.  Dogs and cats are welcome everyday to the festival for a$10 fee, but please register in advance.

On 28 February 2009, four friends, Marquis Cooper, Will Bleakley, Corey Smith and Nick Schuyler went out in the Gulf on what was supposed to just another fun day of fishing. Tragically, the boat capsized and only Nick Schuyler survived. In memory and in celebration of his friends, Nick Schuyler is holding the 1st Annual 7 on 7 Memorial Flag Football Tournament on 13 February. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Corey D. Smith Child Development Center, the Will Bleakley Scholarship Fund and the Coast Guard Foundation. This free event will take place this Saturday at the Idlewild Baptist Church sports complex in Lutz. Tony Dungy, Michael Pittman and WWE stars, Edge and Tiffany, will appear. It’s not too late to register your team for this event.   Or if you don’t have a team, you can register as a free agent individual and join an established team.  If you just want to come out and support the tournament, then you can take part in the Kid’s Zone with athletic activities, booths from local sponsor, $1 raffle tickets, a silent auction with autographed sports memorabilia, food, celebrity appearances and giveaways throughout the day. It is guaranteed to be a fun event for all! Participants need to be 16 and older. The team registration fee is $400 and each team is guaranteed to play three games.

For an inexpensive night out this weekend, stop by the MacDill AFB movie theater. During February, when you buy one a child’s ticket you get half price off the cost of one adult admission.  On Friday night, the new action movie “Sherlock Holmes” is playing at 7pm. This movie is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material and has run time of 128 minutes. In a dynamic new portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous characters, Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson embark on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes battles as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country. On Saturday night, the comedy movie “Did you hear about the Morgans?” is playing at 7pm. This movie is rated PG-13 for violence, and sexual references and has a run time of 99 minutes.  New Yorkers Paul and Meryl Morgan seem to have it all — except for the fact that their marriage is crumbling around them. But their romantic woes are small compared to the world of trouble they find themselves in after they witness a murder. To protect them from an assassin, federal agents whisk Paul and Meryl away to small-town Wyoming, where their marriage will either finally crash and burn, or their passion will re-ignite.  Admission is $4 for ages 12 and up and $2 for ages 4-11. A medium soft drink with free refills and a medium popcorn is $7.50.

The Florida State Fair is now open in Tampa!  The Fair started on the 4th runs until 15 February.  Located near the intersection of I-4 and Highway 301 in Riverview, it is easily accessible off of MLK or 301. Come out see the best in the agriculture and equestrian industry including an abundance of shows, music, rides, food and shopping. There is plenty of free entertainment included with admission. Today Celebrate! A Las Vegas-style show is playing at 1, 3 and 5pm. Enjoy some of the best musical performances of the decades featuring tribute artists singing classics from Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Donna Summer, Tina Turner and Reba McEntire. Parking is free during the Fair. Gates open daily at 9 am and closing time varies by the day of the week and weather conditions. Admission on weekends $12 for ages 12 and older, $6 for ages 6-11, and free for 5 and younger.  Admission on Monday-Friday $10 Adults  for ages 12 and older, $5  for ages 6-11. There is a Hillsborough Student Day on the 15th where admission for ages 12 to 12th grade is $6 and $5 for ages 6-11. On the 11th, admission is free for everyone after 4pm. Rides on the Midway are an additional cost.

For an inexpensive night out this weekend, stop by the MacDill AFB movie theater.  On Friday night, the true story movie, “Invictus“, starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman is playing at 7pm.  This movie is rated PG-13 for brief strong language and has run time of 133 minutes.  Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.    On Saturday night, the comedy movie, “It’s Complicated“, starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, and Alec Baldwin is playing at 7pm. This movie is rated R for sexuality and some drug content and has run time of 117 minute. Jane is the mother of three grown kids, owns a thriving Santa Barbara bakery/restaurant and has—after a decade of divorce—an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, attorney Jake. But when Jane and Jake find themselves out of town for their son’s college graduation, things start to get complicated. An innocent meal together turns into the unimaginable—an affair.  Admission is $4 for ages 12 and up and $2 for ages 4-11. A medium soft drink with free refills and a medium popcorn is $7.50.

Make sure you mark down 16 March on your calender.  On 16 March, the Howard W. Blake Friends of the Arts Foundation presents Tapestry! – an annual showcase that weaves together creativity, talent and skill from Blake students, alumni and faculty – at the Tampa Theater in downtown Tampa.  Howard W. Blake High School is the magnet performing and visual arts high school for Hillsborough County Public Schools.  If you want to see what great things can be done with the arts, you should attend this event.  This inaugural event will showcase the best of Tampa’s school for the fine arts by featuring a wide range of styles and moods in music, writing, film, dance, and theatre. Students, faculty members, and alumni will participate in the production, which includes several collaborative works and a few surprises. All funds raised from the event will go to supporting the Howard W. Blake Friends of the Arts Endowment Fund. The foundation’s endowment provides support for the school, its students and its teachers through scholarships for needs students attending summer arts institutes and workshops. It also provides for guest artists and general assistance for critical areas of the school throughout the year. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The Patrons’ Reception will start at 6:00 pm and the Performance will start at 7:30 pm. TicketMaster has the tickets for sale. Don’t wait till the last minute to get your tickets!  Parking is available at public lots near the the Theatre or on the street. There is a self-serve parking lot at the southeast corner of N. Ashley and E. Cass that charges $3 to $5 for parking.

Walt Disney World is offering discount tickets during its Armed Forces Salute 2010. This year’s salute is a little different from last year’s. Tickets must be purchased by July 31, 2010 and they expire on September 30, 2010. There are block out dates when the tickets cannot be used. Tickets cannot be used at all locations from 27 March to 9 April 2010. This is normally spring break time and there should be a lot of vacationers in Orlando during this time period. Tickets cannot be used in the Magic Kingdom from 3 to 4 July 2010, but can be used at Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Active and Retired U.S. Military, including members of the U.S. Coast Guard and active members of the National Guard or Reservists, may purchase 4-Day Walt Disney World Armed Forces Salute Tickets for themselves and up to five (5) family members and/or friends for $99 each ticket. The base ticket is valid for four days of admission into one of the four Walt Disney World theme parks. Two options can be purchased to upgrade the base ticket: the Park Hopper option allows guests to visit more than one park each day and the Water Park and More option gives guests a total of four visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions. Either option, or both, can be purchased for an additional $25, per option. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be activated by September 26, 2010.  The MacDill ITT office located at the MacDill Exchange mall has these tickets for sale.