MacDill Happenings

Drivers Edge will be presenting a free driving class for drivers under 21 years of age in Tampa on 20 & 21 March. Driver’s Edge provides a free educational program for young drivers (aged 15-21) teaching real life emergency avoidance and response techniques and overall driver safety. However, donations can be made to support the program. Over 70,000 young drivers have been educated so far! Every student has a chance to get behind the wheel of a car with a true professional instructor sitting next to them at all times. Taught by professional racecar drivers and professional performance driving instructors from some of the world’s most famous and respected driving schools, each student has a behind the wheel experience that includes evasive lane change maneuvers, ABS and non-ABS braking exercises and comparisons, panic braking instruction and skid control instruction. Students will also learn about vehicle maintenance, tire safety and preventative vehicle care as elements of safe driving. Registration is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The class is open to anyone age 21, or younger, and they must have a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license. The class schedule is Saturday, March 20, 8:00am - 12:30pm, and Sunday, March 21, 8:00am - 12:30pm. The afternoon sessions are already full for Saturday and Sunday, so hurry up and register before the morning classes fill up! Driver’s Edge is a non-profit organization only funded by charitable donations,public grants and corporate sponsorships. This is class is taught behind the wheel and in the classroom with an “MTV” flavor to appeal to young drivers. Driver’s Edge was developed to fight the larger number of automobile accidents and fatalities that so many young inexperienced drivers are involved in. The class will taught at Derby Lane at 10490 Gandy Boulevard in St. Pete.

If you are looking for something free to do on Monday’s, then head over to Sarasota and visit the Ringling Museum. Although it is not advertised on their website, the Ringling Museum has free admission on Monday’s. The John and Mable Ringling Museum was built with the fortune John Ringling earned with his brothers in the world famous circus empire. John Ringling became even wealthier through oil, railroad and real estate holdings. The Museum is partnered with Florida State University to produce educational seminars and programs. However, the free admission does not include Cà d’Zan and Circus Museum. When John Ringling bequeathed his art collection, mansion and estate to the State of Florida, his bequest included a requirement for free admission to the Museum of Art one day a week. Also, the grounds of the museum can be wandered for free any day of the week. The Museum of Art was built by John to house his personal collection of masterpieces, today features paintings and sculptures by the great Old Masters including Rubens, van Dyck, Velázquez, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, El Greco, Gainsborough and more. The Ca d’Zan Museum which means “House in John” in Venetian dialect is a palatial mansion with 56 rooms filled with art and original furnishings. The Ca d’Zan Museum is built in the style of Venetian Gothic architecture. The Circus Museums built after the death of John Ringling is a tribute to the American circus. The grounds and gardens are a beautiful part of the estate that can be enjoyed for free any day of the week. The Rose Garden, Mable’s Secret Garden, the Dwarf Garden, and the Millennium Tree Trail. Grounds are open from 9:30am to 6pm. The Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Normal admission prices are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students 18 and older with an ID, children 6-17, Florida teachers with ID and active duty military. You can save yourself a lot of money by visiting the museum on Mondays!

Take your Valentine to the Lowry Park Zoo on Sunday! Admission to Lowry Park Zoo on Sunday 14 February is only $5! Admission is price is good all day long. Zoo hours are 9:30am to 5pm. Located in the northern part of Tampa off of W. Sligh Ave, it is easily accessible from I-275. Lowry Park Zoo has been named the #1 zoo in America by “Parents” magazine and “Child” magazine. There are more than 2000 animals on 56 acres of natural habitats in seven main exhibit areas. There is a combination of natural habitat exhibits and caged exhibits in each area. The seven exhibits are Asian Gardens, Primate World, Manatee and Aquatic Center, Native Florida Wildlife Center, Free-Flight Aviary, Wallaroo Station children’s zoo and Safari Africa. At some exhibits you have the opportunity to feed the animals. There are two water play areas and you can see educational shows. There are also rides for an additional fee. Expect to spend at least 4 hours to see all exhibits. You can bring a picnic basket to enjoy before or after the visit at Lowry Park. Of course, there are plenty of restaurants in the zoo. Parking is free.

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.

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.

On Sunday 24 January, the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts will be offering free introductory classes in Dance, Theater and Music. These classes are for children ages 5-9. Ballet clases for grades Pre-K4-1 offers an introduction to movement and ballet training. Children learn dance vocabulary, participate in stretching and strength-building exercises, and use what they’ve learned to move across the floor and participate in creative dance activities. Creative Drama mini-classes give children a chance to play, explore and create through foundational theater exercises. Activities stimulate their imagination, spontaneity, and expressive use of the body and voice as characters and stories are invented. Children can have the opportunity to try a violin, guitar and piano in a special Music Petting Zoo. Children learn a couple of basics on each instrument, and then try making music themselves. SCAP 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.

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.

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.

The fabulous flying white Lipizzans stallions who performed the rare and beautiful “Airs Above the Ground Mounted” as seen in Walt Disney’s “Miracle of the White Stallions” train here in the Tampa Bay area. These sessions are free to the public, however, donations are greatly appreciated. Visitors are welcome to come and watch the shows. Founded in the 16th century for the exclusive use of the Hapsburg Royal family of Austria, the Royal Lipizzans are the rarest, most aristocratic breed of horses in the world. The pride of the Hapsburg Empire, the Lipizzan breed was first established by Archduke Charles at Lipizza (now part of Yugoslavia). Only a few hundred have ever existed at any one time. It is a contemporary miracle of sorts that this precious bloodline is not extinct, having barely been saved by General George Patton from the Russian advance during World War II. The Lipizzans’ celebrated escape was recounted in the Walt Disney movie, “Miracle of the White Stallions”. The stallions are located in Myakka City at exit 210 off of I-75.

For a break after all the after Christmas sales, stop by the MacDill AFB movie theater for an inexpensive night of fun.  Admission is only $4 for adults and $2 for children from 11 to 4.  And the price of refreshments is a lot cheaper on base compared to movie theaters out in town. The price for a medium popcorn and soft drink with free refills is $7.50.  At 3pm, the movie is “Amelia” starring Hilary Swank, and Richard Gere. This movie is rated PG for sensuality, language, thematic elements, smoking and has a run time of 111 minutes. After becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, Amelia was thrust into a new role as America’s sweetheart - the legendary “goddess of light,” known for her bold, larger-than-life charisma. Yet, even with her global fame solidified, her belief in flirting with danger and standing up as her own, outspoken woman never changed. She was an inspiration to people everywhere, from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the men closest to her heart: her husband, promoter and publishing magnate George P. Putnam, and her long time friend and lover, pilot Gene Vidal. In the summer of 1937, Amelia set off on her most daunting mission yet: a solo flight around the world that she and George both anxiously foresaw as destined, whatever the outcome, to become one of the most talked-about journeys in history. At 7pm, the suspense movie “The Fourth Kind” is playing starring Milla Jovovich. This movie is rated PG-13 for violent/disturbing images, some terror, thematic elements, sexuality and has a run time of 98 minutes. In 1972, a scale of measurement was established for alien encounters. When a UFO is sighted, it is called an encounter of the first kind. When evidence is collected, it is known as an encounter of the second kind. When contact is made with extraterrestrials, it is the third kind. The next level, abduction, is the fourth kind. This encounter has been the most difficult to document…until now. Structured unlike any film before it, The Fourth Kind is a provocative thriller set in modern-day Nome, Alaska, where—mysteriously since the 1960s—a disproportionate number of the population has been reported missing every year. Despite multiple FBI investigations of the region, the truth has never been discovered. Here in this remote region, psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler began videotaping sessions with traumatized patients and unwittingly discovered some of the most disturbing evidence of alien abduction ever documented.