MacDill Happenings

Stop by Old Hyde Park Village this Sunday to take a holiday picture with your pet!  Sponsored by Downtown Dogs, you can have a picture taken with you and your pet in a festive holiday outfit!  The SPCA is also selling poinsettas to raise funds!  Pictures will be taken from 9am to 4pm and poinsettas go on sale starting at 10am.   Hyde Park Village is an open-air shopping center located in the neighborhood of Hyde Park. 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.

The Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary of Sarasota has guided tours on Friday and Saturday evenings. The gates open at 6pm and the guided tour begins at 6:30pm. The Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary is a non-profit safe haven for big cats, bears, and other animals in need. The goal of the Sanctuary is to provide public education on the appreciation for animals and the importance of habitat preservation. The Sanctuary was founded by Kay Rosaire who continues to run it today with help from her son, Clayton. They provide care for the lifetime of the animals which for some is up to 20 years, double their normal life span in the wild. There are 3 large indoor/outdoor housing complexes with adjoining exercise habitats, and we are continuing to expand. Each habitat has a swimming pool, toys and palm trees to provide the emotional enrichment that maintains optimal mental and physical health. At the Sanctuary you can learn about exotic and endangered Siberian Tigers, Royal Bengal Tigers, African Lions, and rare White Tigers. Big Cat Habitat offers life-long sanctuary supported by income from the demonstrations and from donations. Volunteers are also a critical part of the support of the sanctuary. Donation for admittance is $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

This Sunday the Dunedin Brewery hosts Suds on Sunday, a fundraiser for the Dunedin Doggie Rescue. There will be dog washes, ear washes, nail trims, live music by Leigh and Steve Humes, treats for dogs, a Doggie Depot and more. Leashed dogs are allowed anywhere in the parking lot or on the patio. Owners receive a free Dunedin brew for every dog wash. It runs from noon to 5 pm at 937 Douglas Ave in Dunedin. Washes $6-$12 depending on the dog size; nail trims $7; car cleanings $3. 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.

On Friday 8 May, the MacDill AFB Vet Clinic is hosting the Woof & Whisker’s Pet Fest from 10am to 2pm.  There will be games for pets and owners and make sure you sign up for the free give-aways!  The 6th Security Forces will put on a military working dog demonstration.  The clinic will be providing information on animal health care.  There will be free refresments and free pet products. The MacDill AFB Veterinary Treatment Facility offers a great price on veterinary service! They specialize in providing immunizations, heartworm testing, microchipping and outpatient services for the control of animal diseases transmissible to people. Health Certificates are also available for animals that will be traveling. Medications and over-the-counter items available include flea & tick control treatments, heartworm prevention medication, shampoos, tartar control chews, vitamins and prescription medications. Services are by Appointment Only, call 828-3558. Hours are Monday-Friday 8am to 4pm, closed on the weekends. The Veterinary Treatment Facility is located on the road behind the commissary and exchange. You must have an ID card to use this service.

Tampa Theatre’s Traveling Outdoor Picture Show will present Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Ark as part of their Sunset Cinema on 21 Mar at River Tower Park. Admission is free. Gates open at 6pm with the show starting at 8pm. This is the 1981 movie is the first movie of the Indiana Jones series starring Harrison Ford. Set in 1936, Indiana Jones, played Harrison Ford, battles Nazis who are searching for the Ark of the Convenant which they believe will make their army invincible. This movie co-starred Karen Allen who return in the most recent 2008 movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This a great time of year for an outside show. It’s not too hot and there aren’t a lot of bugs out either! Bring out your lawn chairs or blankets and food and drinks and make it a fun family night! Remember no alcohol is allowed in the park. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay will be on site holding a Pet Supplies Drive to accept donations of pet foods or supplies. Established in 1912, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay has helped millions of animals and their efforts grow each year. River Tower Park is on the banks of the Hillsborough River just west off of I-275 in the north part of Tampa.

The 22nd Annual Bark in the Park takes place on 14 Mar at Al Lopez Park from 8:30am to noon. Help raise funds for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and have a doggone good time while doing it. Collect donations to help the Humane Society of Tampa Bay provide shelter, food, spay/neuter services and medical care for the thousands of dogs and cats that are relinquished to shelters in our county each year. There will be pet costume contests, demos, vendors and more. Bring your pets out so that they can enjoy time with other pets. There is a one mile walk fundraiser begining at 10 am with a pet costume contest immediately after the walk.  The Humane Society of Tampa Bay was established in 1912 as the Hillsborough County Humane Society with the mission “to enforce the law applicable to the prevention of cruelty to children and cruelty to all animals of any description, capable of suffering, and to do everything and anything which is legal to prevent cruelty and harsh treatment to children and animals.” It is one of the oldest corporations in the state of Florida. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay has a “No Kill for Space” program which means that no adoptable animal will be enthanized to make room for another coming through the door.

Every Tuesday the Tijuana Flats restaurant in New Port Richey hosts “Yappy Hour”.  “Yappy Hour” runs from 4pm to 7pm and takes place on the outside patio.  Pets and pet owners are welcome to come out socialize together with other pets and share a meal.  Please have you pets on a leash and be prepared to pickup after your pet. If you haven’t been to a Tijuana Flats then you will find good food, reasonable priced, served quickly, friendly employees and a fun atmosphere.  When you enter a restaurant you’ll go straight to the register and place your order. The food is served in a basket lined with paper. Cups are styrofoam.  You’ll also throw away your own trash at the of meal.  However, a server will bring your meal to your table, and refill your drinks. The menu is not too large and intended to be quick.  Portion sizes are generous and the food is made with fresh ingredients.  A great appitizer choice is the nachos which are also refilled for free.  There is a free salsa bar so you can chose mild to hot to go with your meal.  The meals are pretty inexpensive from $5-$7 and is a great place to bring the kids.  Alcohol is served, so of course you can get that margarita if you really want to get in the mood!  You can also order takeout if you can stay.

The Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort (CARE) in Ruskin, a no-kill shelter for homeless dogs and cats, is holding its Seventh Annual Tree of Lights for the Animals fundraiser from now through Christmas. The annual events allows area residents an opportunity to honor their past or present pets with a Christmas bulb or personalized dog or cat ornament which will be placed on a shelter tree. The trees will be lit through the holidays and the donations will go directly to supporting the 50-60 pets currently at the shelter. For a tax-deductible contribution of $5 or more each, a bulb will be placed on a tree for every pet you want to honor. For a $10 or more donation, a cat or dog ornament with the name of your pet(s) will be placed on a tree. At any time during the holiday season, visitors are encouraged to come view the trees and, hopefully, visit some of the pets available for adoption – if only to say hello and Merry Christmas. Tree of Light donation forms can be found online. For more information, call (813) 645-2273.

This Sunday at Hyde Park Village stop by to get your free picture taken with Santa Claus.  Santa Claus is available from noon to 4pm at Santa’s Cottage located between Milagros & B’szene Boutique. Donations are accepted and will benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Pets are also welcome to have their picture taken. Located in south Tampa, Hyde Park Village has great mix of boutiques, stores and unique restaurants that can pique anyone’s interest.   South Tampa is the area generally defined as the part of Tampa that is south of Kennedy Blvd.  MacDill AFB is located at the southern end of South Tampa.  There is plenty of free parking available in Hyde Park Village with several parking garages available and also complimentary valet parking during the holiday season!

If you thinking of taking a trip during the kids’ Christmas vacation and are a pet owner, then you want to make sure that the pets’ shots are to update if you are going to have to board them overnight.  The MacDill AFB Veterinary Treatment Facility offers a great price on veterinary service! They specialize in providing immunizations, heartworm testing, microchipping and outpatient services for the control of animal diseases transmissible to people. Health Certificates are also available for animals that will be traveling. Medications and over-the-counter items available include flea & tick control treatments, heartworm prevention medication, shampoos, tartar control chews, vitamins and prescription medications. Services are by Appointment Only, call 828-3558. Hours are Monday-Friday 8am to 4pm, closed on the weekends. The Veterinary Treatment Facility is located on the road behind the commissary and exchange.  You must have an ID card to use this service.