MacDill Happenings

The Tampa Bay Lightning take on the New York Rangers at 7:30pm tonight at the St. Pete Times Forum. If you haven’t been to a hockey game, you will love the non-stop action! Danny Lokey from American Idol will be putting on a concert after the game! Lokey turned into country singer with his Nashville debut, My Best Days. He’ll perform outdoors on the West Plaza stage immediately following the Lightning -Rangers game. A game ticket is required to get into the area. Also the first 5,000 fans get a free Lightning hat! Tickets at the Forum start at $10.75. But you can purchase discount tickets at the MacDill AFB ITT office. The St. Pete Times Forum is located in the Channelside District of Tampa just south of downtown Tampa. The Forum has state-of-the-art technology and innovative design which combine to make the St. Pete Times Forum one of the best facilities in North America. In addition to NHL hockey, the St. Pete Times Forum hosts more than 150 events annually, including concerts, family events, ice shows, the circus and other indoor sports. The Forum has a full range of food available including a great restaurant with a buffet, The Medallions. There is plenty of parking nearby at Channelside or directly across the street from the Forum. Channelside offers a variety of restaurants sure to please any palate from Hooter’s to Stump’s. But if you show your military ID card at the box office, you can get two free tickets!

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The Pier in St. Pete is having the Aquarium’s Big Tube Fish Restocking Ceremony today starting at 1pm to kick off the Christmas Holiday Stroll. The Stroll runs from 1pm to 6pm. Enter for a free chance to win a $1,000 worth of presents. The presents are on display next to Crystal Mirage Gallery. The drawings at 5pm, you must be present to win and you get to choose the present of your choice. There is a limit of one ticket per person. Select stores will be offering cookies and cider and it should be warmer today! Bonnie Gray Productions “Bedazzled” performs in the Courtyard by the Bay from 1pm to 4pm. Get ready to listen to get “Bedazzled” with some great Jazz, Blues, Pop, Lite Rock, Swing and Showtunes. Listen this great show that has been preformed on Cruise Ships, Casinos, NightClubs and Theatre. And of course, Santa will be there from 2pm to 5pm so you tell him about your Christmas wish list! Come out and relax by the water, listen to the music and grab a beverage or bite to eat while you enjoy your afternoon at The Pier. If you’re lucky, you might see a sailboat go by or catch a glimpse of a dolphin! If you haven’t been to the Pier it is located in downtown St. Pete on Tampa Bay. Located at the end of a mile-long approach, this five-story inverted pyramid features shops, restaurants, its own aquarium, boat docks and great place to fish from. On the ground floor of The Pier you can stroll through unique shops or grab a quick snack, and just outside a variety of activities are offered — from boat tours to feeding pelicans or peddling a surrey bicycle around the waterfront. The top floor of The Pier has a restaurant with a huge observation deck providing a beautiful view Tampa Bay. There are a variety parking options of near the Pier.

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Country music star and US Army veteran Craig Morgan will present a free concert on MacDill AFB on 10 December. Sponsored by the USO and Jack Daniels as part of the “Toast to the Troops”, this free concert starts at 3:30pm. No tickets are required, but only military ID holders and their family are allowed to attend. The concert takes place at Hanger 3 located on Hanger Loop Rd. Please do not bring pets, large bags, coolers, alcohol, glass, and backpacks. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Craig Morgan began his musical career in 2000 on Atlantic Records, releasing his self-titled debut album for that label before the closure of its Nashville division in 2000. In 2002, he signed to the independent Broken Bow Records, on which he released three studio albums: 2003′s I Love It, 2005′s My Kind of Livin’, and 2006′s Little Bit of Life. These produced several chart hits, including “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” which spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard country charts and was that publication’s Number One country hit of 2005. He has charted seventeen times on the Billboard country charts. Besides “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” six more of his singles have reached that chart’s Top Ten: “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “Little Bit of Life,” “International Harvester”, “Love Remembers” and “Bonfire.” He frequently performs at military bases both in the U.S. and abroad. He was awarded the 2006 USO Merit Award for his tireless support of US soldiers and their families. He has been active in raising money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

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The city of Seminole is hosting the Music in the Park Series on Friday 8 October at 7pm. The free event will feature a night of jazz from Dan McMillion and High Octane. Dan McMillion is one of jazz’s great high-note trumpeters. Inspired by Maynard Ferguson, Dan McMillion’s spectacular upper-register solos often sound close to Ferguson and his straight-ahead jazz band is just as high-powered as Ferguson’s more jazz-oriented groups. Bring out a picnic for dinner, blankets and chairs and relax and enjoy a beautiful Florida evening. The fun will take place at the Seminole City Park. Seminole City Park is a passive park setting hidden from the hustle and bustle city life and is located at 7464 Ridge Road, Seminole. This community park was renovated in 2001 and includes a three picnic shelters with charcoal grills, a beautiful “state of the art” band shell, three playground areas compete with play equipment for all ages, Mear Lake , access to the Pinellas Trail, and a trailside restroom facility. Seminole is a city in Pinellas County and directly across the Gandy Bridge from Tampa and MacDill AFB. Its closest neighbors are Ridgecrest to the northwest, Largo to the north, Pinellas Park to the east, St. Petersburg to the south, and the Gulf beach communities to the west. Its main arteries are State Road 694 and Alternate U.S. Highway 19.

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This weekend in St. Pete is the free annual Folkfest. This annual contemporary folk art and music street festival is held in downtown St. Petersburg, in front of the Creative Clay Cultural Arts Center on Central Avenue between 11th to 13th St. Free parking available at Tropicana Field Lot 6. The annual three-day street festival combines more than 40 artists, 15 bands and innovative family fun – with performances by national headlining artists the Indigo Girls, Dar Williams and David “LEBO” LeBatard. With artwork by Ceative Clay Member Artists, Missionary Mary Proctor, Kerry Topjun, Mr. B, Paul Flack, Don Stone, Harry Strider, and other folk, outsider, and intuitive artists. There is a children’s area with a stage and performances by Miss Toni and the Macaroni Band, Terrific Tots and the St. Petersburg Little Theater’s Wacky Tales and Pizazz groups. Activities for the whole family will include face painting, string art, design-your-own-cardboard guitar, make your own shakers and drums and a community art mural. Children from the community are invited to meet at the festival entrance (13th street and Central Avenue) at 9:45 am on Saturday to participate in a parade to kick off the event. Vendors will be offering food and beverages for purchase during this musical event. On Friday, the musical line up includes at 5 pm, Lorna Bracewell, at 6 pm, A Fragile Tomorrow and at 7 pm Indigo Girls with David “LEBO” LaBatard. Saturday’s lineup is 10 am Dylan McDonald & Debora DeLoach, 11 am Ronny Elliott, 12:30 pm Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets, 2 pm A Fragile Tomorrow, 3:30 pm Have Gun Will Travel, and at 5:30 pm The Heavy Pets with David “LEBO” LeBatard. Sunday’s lineup is 12 pm Battle of the Keys: Kevin Wilder & Lee Pons, 1 pm Crys Matthews, 2 pm Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys and finally at 4 pm Dar Williams.

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Go Rays!! The Rays take on the Seattle Mariners at this afternoon Trop. The Rays magic number to clinch a spot in the post season is 3! Get ready for the post season again! The Rays won’t settle for a wild card spot, because if they win the division then they will be home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The first 10,000 fans get a Rafael Soriano Collectible Poster. Gametime is 1:40pm. Get to the game early and have a tailgate party! If you do get to the game early, then the first 50 cars with 4 people or more can park for free in the Trop parking lots. Normal parking price is $20 at the Trop. There are private lots nearby the Trop that charge $10 for parking. 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 the 2010 season for every Rays Gold, Silver and Bronze games, the Rays offer a military discount of half off outfield tickets with a four ticket limit, when presenting an active military ID at the Tropicana Field Box office. This is a gold game, so the discount is available. If you purchase tickets on game day at the stadium, the price increases about $3 per ticket plus there is a $3 service charge! If you buy tickets at the Ray downtown Tampa store, the service charge is only $1.75, although you still have to pay the $3 day of game price increase.

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This Friday 10 September start your weekend out right and stop by SeaScapes Beach Club on MacDill AFB for free live entertainment outside at the Tiki Hut. Starting at 5:30pm, Tommy “Bahama” Arnold will be playing beach music, new country, Motown and classic R&B. Take in the scenic view of Tampa Bay, while dining in the tropical atmosphere of SeaScapes. You don’t have to face the traffic or crowds like you find at other waterside venues. Sip delicious cocktails, or dine on delectable fare, while enjoying a magnificent view of the setting sun on the bay. A wide selection of menu items for dinner include grouper, seafood platters, coconut shrimp, grilled chicken and much more! You can’t beat the bar prices! 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! Or after an afternoon on the golf course, SeaScapes is a great place to relax!  You can’t beat the price of drinks at SeaScapes.  Draft beer is only $2 and well drinks are $2.75.  On Fridays from 5pm to 9pm, there is a seafood basket special for $8.95 which includes clam strips, cod, shrimp, potato and choice of side, either small tossed salad or coleslaw.

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The Friday Night Concert Series at FishHawk Ranch continues on 16 July at Park Square in FishHawk Ranch.  Not only are the concerts for fun, but they are also to help with a good cause.  FishHawk Ranch has partnered with Feeding America Tampa Bay.  So please bring canned goods to donate directly at the Feed America van.  The food vendors at the concert have also pledged to donate 25% of their profits to Feed America, so please make sure that you check out what they have for sale.  On Friday, get on the bus and enjoy music from the Bus Stop Band.  The Bus Stop Band will take you back in time for all your favorite classic songs ranging from R&B, Contemporary, and Top 40 hits from the 1950s to the 1980s.  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 convenience 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

For a great way to spend a Saturday evening, stop by beautiful Curtis Hixon Park on the riverfront in downtown Tampa for a free outdoor concert. The U.S. Navy band, The Cruisers, will be in concert starting at 7pm. Bring you blankets and chairs to sit on. Don’t forget the bug spray to keep those bugs away. Bring out the whole family and plenty friends and enjoy a picnic while listening to the band. No alcohol is allowed, but you can bring all the soft drinks and water you can drink! As the U.S. Navy’s premier contemporary entertainment ensemble, the Cruisers feature eight of the Navy’s most dynamic performers. Formed in 1999 as a specialty unit of the United States Navy Band, the Cruisers are under the leadership of drummer. The group takes its name from the Navy’s versatile, flexible, multi-missioned ship – the Cruiser – and the band lives up to their namesake by having the capabilities of playing genres of music ranging from jazz & standards, rhythm & blues, classic rock, adult contemporary and pop as well as original material. This elite group has engaged and excited audiences of all ages throughout the U.S. and abroad with world-class musicianship and high energy, fun-filled performances. The beautiful Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is located in downtown Tampa along Ashley St between the Tampa Museum of Art and the Sykes building. Food is available at nearby restaurants including Five Guys Hamburger across the street from the Park and a new nearby Mexican restaurant Urban Cantina located at the corner of Madison and South Tampa. You can also bring a picnic dinner and don’t forget the blankets and chairs! Alcohol is not allowed but well behaved pets are! Curtis Hixon Park has a fenced animal park along the water. This park is one of nicest parks in Tampa. With an interactive playground, wide open flat grass play area, a view of the University of Tampa, and cooling water fountains, this is a great place to relax on a Saturday evening. Parking is available at the Curtis Hixon parking garage or at nearby public parking lots.

The 2nd Annual Festival of the Arts takes place this weekend 1 & 2 May at Winthrop Town Center in Riverview. There will be a juried Fine Art & Fine Craft Show with up to $7,000 in prize money. But there will also be children’s entertainment, arts & crafts, music and painting lessons.  On Saturday at 8pm, famous jazz saxophonist Eric Darius will be performing.  Admission is $10 good for all day and evening events.  It’s a good idea for the evening concerts to bring blankets and lawn chairs! This event is a fundraiser sponsored by the Brandon ’86 Rotary Club. The Brandon ’86 Rotary Club is a non-profit community service organization that supports local non profits and the Rotary International mission to eradicate Polio. This festival is an opportunity for artists and artistic organizations to exposes culture to the Community. This is venue for Artists and musicians to display their talents, performances and exhibits in an effort to enrich the lives of all citizens of the greater Brandon community. Riverview, located near Brandon, is an unincorporated town in Hillsborough County. Riverview is conveniently located along the I-75 corridor thirty minutes from Tampa. HART has an express bus service that runs straight from Riverview to MacDill AFB in the morning and back in the evening. It’s a great to save money and time when going to and from work! If you are a US government employee, then you can receive free monthly bus passes from MacDill AFB.