MacDill Happenings

The Rough Riders will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day today with their 16th Annual Rough Riders St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ybor City.  The fun starts at 8pm and it looks like the weather will cooperate.  More than 90 floats and krewes are scheduled to be part of the parade as it rolls down 7th Avenue.  Expect a lot of people.  Last year’s parade drew up to 50,000 spectators.  The parade starts at 7th Avenue and Nuccio Parkway and ends at 7th Avenue and 20th Street. If you are not familiar with the Rough Riders, they are a charitable civic organization in Tampa that you will see in just about every parade in Tampa. Among other things, they are known for their Teddy Bear Runs where they bring donated teddy bears to the hospitals to help cheer up children and senior citizens. The 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment “Rough Riders,” Inc. was formed for the purpose of creating and perpetuating a living memorial to the unique accomplishment of President Theodore Roosevelt and the members of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment known as the “Rough Riders”. Known as Tampa’s Latin Quarter for over a century, Ybor City is an exotic blend of aromas, flavors, sights and sounds. From the scent of roasting Cuban coffee early in the morning to the rhythms of Latin music late into the night, Ybor is a feast for the senses. There is plenty of parking in Ybor City and don’t forget about the TECO streetcars! In Ybor City you can choose from a variety of cuisine – Spanish, Cuban, Italian, Greek and French – just by strolling down La Setima, the main street of the Historic District. Share authentic tapas and a pitcher of Spanish sangria in a café atmosphere reminiscent of a Mediterranean village. Founded by Vicente Martinez-Ybor as a cigar-manufacturing center, Ybor City today is one of only two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. Red brick buildings, wrought iron balconies and narrow brick streets give it an old-world charm.

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The Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VKP), a State of Florida program that started in 2005, provides all 4-year-olds in Florida the opportunity to quality prekindergarten programs. VKP is designed to prepare children for kindergarten and develop the skills they need to become good readers and successful students. VKP includes standards for literacy skills, strict accountability, appropriate cirricula, substantial instruction periods, manageable class sizes, and qualified instructors. Parents have the option of enrolling children in school-year program that consists of 540 instructional hours or a summer program that consists of 300 instructional hours. The MacDill Child Development Center #2 will be conducting a 2011 summer VKP program that has 24 slots available. The program is first-come, first-serve based on the date of the application. So if you moving to MacDill this summer or are currently stationed at MacDill, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of. The tentative dates are 13 June to 12 August from 8:30am to 4:30pm. The cost is $15 per week. Age eligibility for VKP is for a child born between 2 Sep 2005 to 1 Sep 2006 and has not previously participated in a VKP program. The child must be a dependent of a military member or civilian attached to MacDill AFB. A child can only participate in VKP once. A child who is eligible to enter kindergarten cannot participate in VKP. If you have any questions about eligibility, you can call (813) 740-4713. To sign up, call (813) 828-5750. If you don’t want to use the MacDill, then there are many other locations that provide VKP. Although MacDill will charge a small weekly fee, the actual program is free!

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Spend a relaxing afternoon at the Pier in St. Pete today. This Sunday “soulRcoaster” will be performing. As the name implies, soulRcoaster takes the audience on musical ride covering genres that span generations. From beautiful, melodic standards, to funky disco dance tunes and hard driving classic rock and roll, soulRcoaster has the ability to please the most discriminating musical taste. soulRcoaster’s founding members, Dr. Tony Rizzo (lead guitar and vocals) and Mike Poncelet (keyboards), have taken their own talents to the next level by collaborating with diverse and gifted musicians. soulRcoaster is able to offer an exciting and ever-expanding repertoire. Joining them are Dr. James Klein (bass, vocals), Dr. Joe Hornberger (drums, vocals) who have the audience on their feet! soulRcoaster is fronted by the extraordinary lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Sheri (of Sheri and The Vision), whose boundless energy and rich powerful vocals give the band the ability to cover an astonishing collection of tunes. The Music Fest is held every Sunday afternoon from 1pm-4pm in the Courtyard and you can relax by the water, listen to the music and grab a beverage or bite to eat while you enjoy your afternoon at The Pier. When you’re at the Pier stop by and see the greenest part of the Pier, The Electric Marina Boat Rentals! Like the name says, you can rent earth friendly electric boats to leisurely cruise Tampa Bay! The top speed of the electric non-polluting boats are 5 mph, but the best about these boats at the end of your cruise you don’t have to pay a huge gas bill! Their new 24′ boats seat up to 12 people comfortably. And are equipped with a private restroom, swim transom, a recessed swim ladder, water sink and shower 4 speaker stereo/mp3 compatible, convertible top for shade or sun or fishing. The boats are equipped with GPS, depth and fish finder. You can also rent a propane barbecue for $28. Boat rental fees are $40 for a half hour and $75 for one hour.  Besides electric boats, you can also rent water bike, kayaks and sailboats! The Electric Marina also has specials during the week and weekend. If you’re lucky, when you are the Pier 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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The Florida State Fair opens on Thursday 10 February and runs until 21 February. On Opening Day, the gates open at 10am. 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. Agriculture continues to be a major contributor to Florida’s economy, with an overall impact of over $50 billion. Agriculture competes with tourism as Florida’s largest industry. The annual Florida State Fair is a showcase for our fascinating agricultural industry. On Friday and Saturday, there will be a fireworks show. Parking is free during the Fair. Gates open daily at 9 am or 10am depending on the day of week 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. On weekends, admission is $12 for adults and $6 for 6-11. On the 11th, admission is free for everyone after 4pm. Student Days & Pepsi Armband Discount Days are on Feb. 11 and Feb. 21 with $6 Admission (for ages 12 to 12th grade) $5 Admission (for ages 6-11). On 17 February, veterans get in free and after 4pm on the 17th everyone gets in free. Rides on the Midway are an additional cost.

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FishHawk Ranch will host a community wide garage sale this Saturday. The garage sale will run from 8am to noon at each individual subdivision in FishHawk Ranch. Stop by you might find that treasure that you are looking for at a great price! Take a look at housewares, clothing, sporting goods, furniture, bikes, toys, books and much more!  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. The FishHawk Aquatic Club has a competition swimming pool, a lagoon pool with an amazing water slide. There is also an outdoor aerobics stage, a massage room and a gathering room in the clubhouse. 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 personnel.

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Tampa is great place to have a boat. There’s plenty of sun, plenty of free and easy access to water and plenty of great weather. However as fun as boating can be, the water can be very unforgiving. One mistake in the Bay or in the Gulf can have tragic consequences. If your new to boating, new to the Tampa area or just need a refresher course, then this Wednesday the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 79 is offering a Boating Skills and Seamanship Course. The course runs from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Flotilla 79 building at 5108 W Gandy Blvd in Tampa. If you take Gandy to St. Pete from Tampa, before you get onto the Gandy bridge, the Flotilla building is on the left. This program is designed to help you become a better recreational boater. You will be taught the knowledge and skills that you need to boat safely. With this knowledge, you can avoid problems and enhance your enjoyment of on-the-water activities. This class will also raise your awareness of what bad things might happen to you or others, so that they can be prevented. You learn how to determine what type of boat will best suit your requirement. They will provide an introduction to navigation. Sometimes when you take your boat out the weather and water seem nice and calm, but sometimes that calm doesn’t last all day. So you will also learn about the weather and boating. There many more subjects to learn about! The cost of the class is $60. There is no pre-registration just show up 20 minutes before the start of class to register.

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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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For an inexpensive night out this weekend, stop by the MacDill AFB movie theater.  An adult ticket for ages 12 and older is only $4 and for ages 4 to 11 the price is $2.   A medium popcorn and a medium soft drink is only $7.50 with free refills on the soft drink.  This Friday at 7pm  and again at 3pm on Saturday, “Toy Story 3” is playing. This movie is rated G and has a run time of 103 minutes. Woody and Buzz had accepted that their owner Andy would grow up someday, but what happens when that day arrives? In the third installment, Andy is preparing to depart for college, leaving his loyal toys troubled about their uncertain future. On Saturday at 7pm, the movie version of the hit 1970′s TV series “The A-Team” will be shown. This movie is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence throughout, language and smoking and has a run time of 117 minutes. A group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the U.S. military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed.

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For a free and fun time this Saturday evening come down to Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa for a free out showing of the classic movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. This part of the Sunset Cinema series sponsored by the Tampa Theatre. 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. Legendary outlaws Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) display their gifts for perfect comedic timing and charisma as they pull off heist after heist in this Academy Award-winning film from director George Roy Hill. To evade a relentless posse, the boys flee to Bolivia, thinking they’ll find easier pickings there. But trouble finds them in Bolivia. The film starts around 8:45pm, but arrive early to get a good spot. Bring your own chairs and blankets to sit on. Alcohol is not permitted in the Park, but this is a great time to have a picnic dinner! There will be concessions selling food and drinks if you don’t want to bring your own. Right across the street from the park is Five Guys Hamburger, so you can get your fast food fix for the day if you need it. Pets are allowed with a leash and the Park has a fenced dog park along the River. The film will be shown on a 50-foot wide screen using dual projectors that produce a crisp image and a powerful sound system ensures that you can hear the movie from any place in the park. Parking is available at the Curtis Hixon parking garage or at nearby public parking lots. On street parking is free in Tampa after 6pm, so you don’t have to place any quarters into the meters!

The Tampa Bay Business for Culture and the Arts presents Chalk Walk at Hyde Park Village.  The event runs from 7 to 9 May. This free family event is open to everyone to participate in from art aficionados to young children. Chalk Walk is a public art display covering the sidewalks in Hyde Park Village. This three-day festival will include Battle of the Business Bands, Chalk Tail party, live music, drink specials, food, family-friendly entertainment, art for sale, a chalk drawing experience for physically challenged individuals, performances from the latest crop of High School Arts Stars Scholarship recipients. Hyde Park Village is an open-air shopping center located in the neighborhood of Hyde Park. The weather should cooperate and so come out and enjoy strolling around the Village. The Village center is situated in several buildings located between Swann and Rome Avenues. Although are national retailers, the majority of tenants in the center are independent boutiques and eateries. The neighborhood of Hyde Park is located near the University of Tampa and close to Tampa’s business and cultural arts district. The boundaries of the neighborhood include the Hillsborough Bay to the east, Kennedy Blvd to the north, historic and picturesque Bayshore Boulevard to the south, and Armenia Avenue to the west. Major thoroughfares within the historical district include Kennedy Boulevard, Bayshore Boulevard, Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, Howard Avenue, and Swann Avenue. There are 3 free parking structures available in Hyde Park.