MacDill Happenings

If you really want to treat yourself or your family to a classic Christmas movie in grand classic theater, then go the Tampa Theater in downtown Tampa has just what you are looking for.  On 6 & 7 Dec at 3pm, the Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye classic, White Christmas, will be playing. Crosby and Kaye are song-and-dance men who hook up, romantically and professionally, with a “sister” act to put on a Big Show to benefit the struggling ski-resort lodge run by the beloved old retired general of their WWII Army outfit. And of course, the song “White Christmas” is sung during the movie.  Ticket prices for the matinee is $7.  There is no charge for metered parking spots along the streets in downtown Tampa on all weekends.

This Wednesday 3 Dec Champion Tour golfer and 2008 Charles Schwab Cup Champion Andy Bean will be at the MacDill AFB Bay Palms Golf Complex.  There will be a golf clinic from 1100-1200 at the driving range to immediately followed by a meet & greet and autograph session from 1200-1300.  You might get that the one tip you needed to turn your golf game around or the tip that takes your game to a higher level! Andy Bean has 11 PGA Tour wins, 3 Champions Tour wins, #8 on the 2008 Champions Tour with over $1.5M in earnings. If you want to grab some lunch, don’t forget about the great food at The ‘Main Course’ Eatery. Remember after 2:30pm each day, green fees are 50% off.

From 4-7 Dec, Boater’s World presents The St. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail™ sponsored by Mercedes Benz and co-sponsored by Marina Pez Vela on at the Progress Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park. About 25,000 boaters and sailors from throughout the Gulf Coast and Southeast are expected to attend this four-day boating festival that is packed with family fun activities, parties and opportunities to enjoy a sail, climb aboard the latest boat models and check out the hottest new gear. A lineup of premier sailing and boating manufacturers will display and debut a variety of boats, including cruisers, yachts, fishing boats, sailboats, sportsboats, runabouts and personal watercraft.  The new and expanded show venue adds 50 new sailboats to the customized floating docks, joining the current roster of 200+ powerboats. The Progress Energy Center’s Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin also will host an additional new on-land sailboat display, plus debut an impressive new seminar program for sailors and power boaters. In three air-conditioned seminar tents, renowned world cruisers, respected marine experts and intriguing boating authors will share their stories of adventure and provide need-to-know info on navigation, safety, software, marine equipment and accessories. The Accessories Tent will house the new marine-related gear, equipment and service vendors; the tent will also be air conditioned - another show first. More than 200 exhibitors will showcase what’s new in marine gear, charter destinations, engines, electronics, nautical clothing and cutting-edge technology for mariners. There are also 3 special events scheduled:
 1) Hook the Future-Kids will “Hook the Future” in free fishing clinics during Saturday and  Sunday shows with giveaways of  free fishing rods and reels as long as supplies last. Kids who take part in the weekend fishing clinics also will enjoy free show admission.
2) Discover Sailing-This national introduction-to-sailing program held throughout the four-day show gives show attendees a chance to enjoy a 30-minute sail with an expert skipper on a beautiful sailing yacht, sponsored by Hunter Marine.
3) Latitudes and Attitudes Ninth Annual St. Pete Cruisers’ Party-This crowd-pleasing party is celebrated Saturday evening, starting at 7 p.m. and is a popular, casual pizza-and-beer fest.
Tickets can be bought online to save money and time at the gate. Ticket Prices: $8 for each adult online; $10 for each adult at the gate; $3 for each child ages 6-15 online; $5 for each child ages 6-15 at the gate; and children under 5 are free.
Daily times for the show are:
  Thursday: noon to 6 p.m.
  Friday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

With most people trying to save a little bit of money during this holiday season, the Wacky Tales Children’s Theater is presenting Mrs. Santa Saves the Day.  Admission is only $4.  Children under 2 are free.  The production will be presented today at 1pm at the St. Petersburg Little Theater, 4025 31st St. S. Whacky Tales is a professional Children’s Theatre group that tours throughout the Tampa Bay Area, performing “Whacky” versions of traditional Fairy Tales as well as original scripts.

Stop by the Henry B. Plant Musem during December and experience the charm of a 19th century holiday at the Tampa Bay Hotel during the Victorian Christmas Stroll. This event runs daily 1-23 Dec from 10am to 8pm. With a lavishly decorated tree in each room of the museum and lush greenery draped throughout the Grand Hall, Victorian holiday traditions are brought to life. Antique toys are scattered about the museum, in addition to elegantly wrapped packages, imaginative decorations, and ornaments which capture the warmth of past holiday traditions. Complimentary spiced cider and savory cookies will be served on the veranda every day, and each evening carolers will perform music for your merriment. Visitors are invited to sing with the carolers in front of the 18-foot tree in the hallway. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger. Discount Days are December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 when admissions are reduced to $6 for adults and $3 for children.  Stop by the Museum store and choose from a large selection of unique Christmas gifts.  The Henry B. Plant Museum is located near downtown Tampa along the banks of the Hillsborough River next to the University of Tampa.

Come out to south Tampa at Old Hyde Park Village to take part in the Enchanted Tree Lighting ceremony with Santa Claus.  Santa will be there from 6pm to 8pm to light the 30 foot Christmas tree and listen to everyone’s Christmas wishes. There will be musical performances, carriage rides, carolers and other childrens’ activities. Don’t forget about the unique shopping boutiques, stores and restaurants! Remember Old Hyde Park Village offers a pet-friendly environment, but please have your pet on a leash. There is plenty of free parking!

If you want to relax and get away from the Christmas shopping crowds and not spend a lot of money, then stop by the movie theater at MacDill AFB this Friday and Saturday night.  On Friday at 7pm, “Body of Lies” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe is playing. This movie is rated R for strong violence, torture, and language and has a run time of 120 minutes. Based on Washington Post columnist David Ignatius’ 2007 novel about a CIA operative, Roger Ferris, who uncovers a lead on a major terrorist leader suspected to be operating out of Jordan. When Ferris devises a plan to infiltrate his network, he must first win the backing of cunning CIA veteran Ed Hoffman and the collegial, but perhaps suspect, head of Jordanian intelligence. Although ostensibly his allies, Ferris questions how far he can really trust these men without putting his entire operation - and his life - on the line. On Saturday at 7pm, “Lakeview Terrace” starring Samuel L. Jackson is playing. This movie is rated PG-13 for intense thematic material, violence, sexuality, language, and drug references and has a run time of 110 minutes. A young couple has just moved into their California dream home when they become the target of their next-door neighbor, who disapproves of their interracial relationship. A stern, single father, this tightly wound LAPD officer has appointed himself the watchdog of the neighborhood. His nightly foot patrols and overly watchful eyes bring comfort to some, but he becomes increasingly harassing to the newlyweds. These persistent intrusions into their lives ultimately turn tragic when the couple decides to fight back. Admission is only $4 for ages 12 years and up and $2 for ages 5-11 years. Remember a large soft drink and two medium popcorns is only $10!

The historic Beach Theater in St. Pete Beach is showing free matinees on Saturdays until the end of the year.  Playing this Saturday at 10am is the Laurel and Hardy classic movie, “Babes in Toyland”.  The movie runs for 73 minutes.  The St. Pete Beach Theatre is a historic landmark along the west coast of Florida. Built in 1939 for about $50,000 by Boston financier Stephen Girard, it was said to be the first theater ever erected for sound equipment on the coast.  There aren’t too many places that offer a movie for free, so stop by the movies on the way to the beach!

Enjoy the cool weather and get out for little exercise. The Weedon Family Night Hike explores the trails of the Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Since parts of this hike occur on rugged trails, strollers are not recommended. The hike, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, is free, but registration is required at (727) 453-6500. Weedon Island Preserve is an approximately 3,164-acre preserve that extends along the west side of Tampa Bay in Pinellas County. It is the largest estuarine Preserve in Pinellas County, and is predominately comprised of aquatic habitats with mangrove swamps, shoreline, and seagrass beds along the eastern edge of the Preserve. Weedon Island Preserve contains a fishing pier, a 45-foot observation tower, 6,600 feet accessible boardwalk with three observation platforms, paddling trails and launch , over 3 miles of hiking trails, 3 small picnic areas and a Cultural and Natural History Center. The Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center opened in the fall of 2002. The mission of the Center is to interpret the natural, cultural and archaeological history of the Preserve in order to demonstrate how the environment and people support and shape each other.

If you don’t want to cook at home this Thanksgiving Day and your trying to find a nice restaurant, then look no further than The Bayshore Club on MacDill AFB.  Thanksgiving dinner is always an elegant affair in a beautiful setting for price that cannot be matched out in town.  The buffet will include roast turkey with stuffing, baked ham with raisin sauce, baron of beef, seafood newburg, baked fish, a pasta station, candied sweet potato, mashed potatoes, steamed rice, seasonal mixed vegetables, assorted of salads, a variety of breakfast items, assorted cheeses, a variety of breads, seasonal fruit, assorted pies and cakes, and a variety of drinks. Dinner on Thanksgiving Day will be served from 11am to 2pm, but you must have reservations so call 828-4756 right away!  The price for non-members is $19.95.  The price for members is $16.95.  Children 6-12 years old are charged $8.85.  Children 5 years and younger are free.