Accent On Tampa Bay #208, March/April 2015 by Accent On Tampa Bay Magazine

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On Tampa Bay

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Vol. 27, Issue 208 March/April, 2015 Publisher Albert F. Martino, Jr. Senior Editor Melissa Wolcott Martino Sales Barbara McGovern Senior Sports Editor Peter Martino Graphic Designers Missy Lynn Contributors Michael Martino Marty Peters Deborah Quigley JoAnn Ryan Scout Stewart Photographer Melissa Wolcott Martino Proofreader Beau deCatta Cover Photos: courtesy of Bay Area Renaissance Festival PUBLISHED ON LINE BY

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AM PUBLICATIONS St. Petersburg, FL (727) 577-5500

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LOCAL FOCUS Harlem Globetrotters at Amalie Arena Wed, March 4 www.harlemglobetrotters.com

For some entertainment for the whole family, the Harlem Globetrotters are a must-see. Catch these iconic pros in action with amazing ball-handling skills, high-flying dunks, trick shots, hilarious antics, and notorious on-court fan interaction. This talented bunch of athletes represents the time-honored history of exhibition basketball in a family-friendly atmosphere -- and with a 98.5% winning percentage you know they’re good at it. The 2015 World Tour features the Washington Generals, who are back after a five-year hiatus to see if they can beat their old rivals, the Globetrotters. Their last win over the Globetrotters was in 1971. Pet Resources First Saturday Celebration Sat, March 7 www.HillsboroughCounty.org/Pets

Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center invites the community for family-friendly fun and shamrock specials during the First Saturday Celebration on Saturday, March. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 4

at the facility. The St. Patrick’s Day-themed event will offer green refreshments and giveaways, exhibitors, a bounce house, food trucks, and adoption specials on Heart o’ Gold Dogs and St. Pat’s Cats. All fees include spaying/neutering, vaccinations, County license tag, and micro-chip with free chip registration. With spring break for Hillsborough County public schools just around the corner, First Saturday Celebration is an excellent opportunity to acclimate pets to new surroundings while family members are at home and not in school. The facility is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for adoptions, lost pet searches, and County pet license tags. (813) 744-5660. 440 N. Falkenburg Rd, Tampa PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship TOURNAMENT - March 9 - 15 www.ValsparChampionship.com

A great cast of PGA TOUR pros will compete over four days of competition for a winner’s haul of 500 FedExCup points and a winner’s prize of more than $1 million. The strong field includes Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar and Adam Scott who are ranked among the top 10 players in the world. John Senden is the defending champ. Beyond the golf action, the tournament will feature the first Valspar LIVE! event with country act The Band Perry on Saturday evening after play is concluded. The concert, whose admission is free for all those holding tickets for Saturday, will be held on the Osprey Driving Range. Other activities include the Family Fun Zone, the Hooters Owl’s Nest at the 12th and 13th hole, the Valspar Color Experience and the Pinch A Penny Birdies for the Brave Military Outpost. The tournament will raise significant funds for area charities and feature free admission for all children age 15 and under with a ticketed adult.

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www.bayarearenfest.com/index.html

2015

37th Annual

he Bay Area Renaissance Festival is a long-standing tradition whose 36th season begins on February 22 and ends on April 6, 2014. The Festival is open weekends, as well as Festival Friday, April 4, 2014. The Festival is open from 10 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6 pm rain or shine. Remaining Theme Weekends: Buccaneer Beer Fest - Feb 28 & March 1. Bring your furry friends and pirate pals. This weekend will showcase pet rescue groups, pet training demonstrations and contests for dogs. Flight of Fantasy - March 7-8. This weekend will feature a world market and entertainment from around the globe. Also all individuals and dance troupes are invited to the Florida State Belly Dance Championship. Shamrocks & Shenanigans - March 14-15. Transport to Ireland by visiting the Celtic Village, where you can find local Irish vendors and fun for all ages. Watch the Highland Games or kick up your heels with traditional Irish music and dance.

High Seas Adventure - March 21-22. Experience Traders Port full of spices, jewelry and clothing by merchants from far away lands. Is your beard the envy of all shipmates? Prove it in the Beard Competition. Festival Friday - March 27. Festival Friday brings unique educational, shopping and entertainment opportunities. School Day is a field trip destination for K-12 students, with lessons in music, costuming, combat and more. Barbarian BBQ Bash - March 27-29. Put your taste buds to the challenge and eat like a barbarian in the all new Turkey Leg Eating Contest. Make your way through the Barbarian Market where you will find BBQ pit masters preparing for Sunday afternoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BBQ Championships.

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Sunlit Festival Celebration of Literature March 7-15 www.sunlitfestival.org Literary circles intersect with other arts and cultural endeavors during the SunLit Festival, a springtime celebration of literature March 7-15. Thirteen literary events over nine days showcase St. Petersburg’s litPeter Meinke, Poet Laureate of St. Petersburg

erary heritage and today’s vibrant literary community, raising the profile of our City of the Arts. The SunLit Festival brings together various literary organizations and arts disciplines to celebrate literature, reading, and writing. HUMANE SOCIETY FUR AFFAIR - March 12 www.humanesocietyofpinellas.org/ The Humane Society Fur Affair will be held at Earthscapes in Palm Harbor, featuring live music, dining from local restaurants, raffles, wine and mingling. Fine food and beverages will be from Abe’s Place Tap and Grill, Barley Mow Brewing Company, Boyle’s Backyard BBQ, Carmel Kitchen, Delgado’s Catered Cuisine, If I Brewed The World, The Lucky Dill, Ozona Blue Grilling Company, and Southern Steer Butcher. 6:30 – 9:00 pm. Earthscapes, 816 Alt 19, Palm Harbor.

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34th Annual FLORIDA ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR March 13-14 www.floridabooksellers.com/bookfair.html

The 34th annual Florida Antiquarian Book Fair returns to St. Petersburg’s Historic Coliseum March 1315. The book fair is the largest and longest running of its kind in the Southeastern United States, and features specialists from all over the country. Visitors will find books, maps, and paper ephemera of every age and about every conceivable topic, in a wide variety of price ranges. The book fair opens at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 13. Admission includes a live music performance. Sunday’s admission includes free appraisals, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., by members of the Florida Bibliophile Society. Ticket sales benefit the St. Petersburg Public Library. WMNF’s Annual Record (plus more) Fair Sat, March 14

www.wmnf.org/events The WMNF Record Fair will be held on Sat, March 14, at the Barrymore Hotel in downtown Tampa. It isn’t just records, but CDs, DVDs, stereo equipment, musical instruments, and music related ephemera. This sale is known to collectors, DJs, and lovers of music and vinyl to be one of the best bargains in the state. Thousands of records, CDs, DVDs and other items are priced affordably. All of the money raised helps support WMNF Community Radio. There is lots of free parking; a restaurant right inside the hotel; and a cornucopia of sound and equipment for people to peruse. Barrymore Hotel: 111 W. Fortune Street, Tampa, 33602. 813-238-8001. Tampa Bay Boat ShoW - March 13-15 www.tampabayboatshows.com

Chart your course to Tropicana Field on March 1315. The Tampa Bay Boat Show showcases area boat dealers/manufacturers, the latest in boating and fishing supplies and great accessories too. This threeday sales event will feature the area’s top dealers. The Tampa Bay Boat Show offers a great way to see and compare all available makes and models in one location. Tropicana Field will be filled with new boats, watercraft, exhibits and more. The selection of boats on display range from large to small. Millions of dollars of boating inventory all in one location. Area lenders will be on hand offering low show financing rates. Florida Fishing School Seminar Series takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Take part in a series of presentations by the area’s top fishing guides and local experts….great tips, secrets and fun.

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Be The Match Walk + Run - Sat, March 14 www.BeTheMatchWalkRun.org

On Saturday, March 14, Al Lopez Park will bring together marrow donors and transplant patients to demonstrate that the cure for blood cancer really is in the hands of ordinary people. By lacing up their sneakers, participants in the Tampa Be The Match Walk+Run will raise money to add more potential marrow donors to the Be The Match Registry and fund ongoing research so a marrow transplant can help even more patients with blood diseases live a long, healthy life. Be The Match recruits and matches volunteer marrow donors with patients who need transplants to help cure their blood cancers. Because the event includes a 5K, 1K and even a Tot Trot, people of all ages and abilities are expected to participate in the Be The Match Walk+Run event. It’s part of a nationwide, 17-city series. Those who wish to register, contribute, volunteer or support a runner or walker can visit BeTheMatchWalkRun.org

ular Thomas & Friends series. In addition, children will meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas-themed activities including arts & crafts, storytelling and more. This year, Thomas & Friends celebrates 70 years of friendship. Florida Railroad Museum grounds will be open from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. 12210 83rd St East, Parrish, FL 34219. SESAME STREET SAFARI OF FUN AT BUSCH GARDENS - March 27 - 29 www.buschgardens.com

Day Out With Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2015 - March 14-15, March 21-22 www.thomasandfriends.com

Little engineers everywhere are invited to join Thomas when the #1 Engine pulls into Flordia Railroad Museum for Day Out with Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2015. This fun-filled event offers little engineers and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the pop12

Busch Gardens Tampa invites guests to take the kids and celebrate the fifth birthday of Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Join Elmo, Big Bird and other Sesame Street characters for a sidewalk parade while dancing along to a kid-friendly DJ. Guests can meet some of their favorite animal ambassadors, enjoy a cake cutting and have fun with other special surprises at this family-friendly party. Plus, Sesame Street Safari of Fun’s hit show A is for Africa, along with Big Bird’s 123-Smile with Me portrait studio appearances, will be scheduled throughout the day. The festivities will take place Friday, March 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and then on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area, which features kid-friendly rides, cool water fun and plenty of memorable adventures.

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The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day community event celebrating the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County. Each year, over 500,000 visitors enjoy the Festival’s headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, exhibits of commerce and, of course, its world-famous strawberry shortcake. The 2015 Florida Strawberry Festival, inviting patrons to “Come Join The Party!” will be held Feb. 26 through March 8, 2015 in Plant City, Fla. \ There is a wider variety of entertainment this year than ever before, with classic country, today’s country, Christian, 60s, R&B, rock, pop and an Academy Award winner. Tckets for admission and for headline entertainment shows can be purchased online. Free seating for each concert is also available in the Morrow Steel Free Grandstand located at the back of the Wish Farms Soundstage and is available on a first come, first seated basis. Headline entertainment lineup is as follows: Thurs, Feb. 26

Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra

Tues, March 3

Ronnie Milsap, Sara Evans

Bobby Vinton, Alabama

Wed, March 4

Ricky Skaggs, Craig Morgan

Fri, Feb. 27

Mel Tillis, Scotty McCreery

Thurs, March 5

Tommy Dorsey Orchestra

Sat, Feb. 28

MercyMe

Oak Ridge Boys, Newsboys

Kevin Costner & Modern West

Fri, March 6

Loretta Lynn, Boyz II Men

Sun, March 1

Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes

Sat, March 7

Dan + Shay, John Legend

Mon, March 2

Sawyer Brown

Sun, March 8

Parmalee, REBA

Happy Together Tour

www.flstrawberryfestival.com www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

SPRING PET FEST - Sat, April 11 www.humanesocietyofpinellas.org The Humane Society of Pinellas announces Spring Pet Fest, to be held April 11th, 9am-1pm, 300 Carillon Parkway in St Pete. This interactive event features fun for the whole family. Adopt your next best friend at Spring Pet Fest, where adoptable pets will be available from HSP, Pinellas County Animal Services, SPCA Tampa Bay, and many other area rescues. HSP’s Mobile Medical Center will be on hand, offering affordable vaccines & microchips, so bring your pet. Patches’ Family Pledge Walk starts at 10 am. Walkers form teams or walk individually to collect pledges to raise money for HSP. The first 100 registered walker receive an event t-shirt, wag bag, and entry into the Dunkin Donuts VIP Tent. The Dunkin Donuts VIP Tent will feature meet & greets with St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman, Mrs. Tampa Bay International Tiffany Ubele, and Chase from Hot 101.5 and his dog Cally, adopted from HSP, as well as food & drinks from Dunkin Donuts. There will be lots more to do in the Expo area, including Ghira’s Goodies, an interactive kids zone; lure coursing demonstrations; retail & shopping; and concessions.

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GreenFest 2015 at PLANT PARK - March 28-29 www.friendsofplantpark.com/greenfest/

the cultivation of loquat trees, how to eat its fruit, canning, and recipes using loquats. Also featured will be tasting samples, and a talk on the cultural context of this often overlooked Florida fruit-bearing tree. Trees will be available for sale from licensed Florida nurseries along with fruit, jellies jams, and homemade pies.

23rd ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT EASTER SUNDAY - Sun, April 5 www.clearwatercommunityvolunteers.org/ Join in for a fun afternoon with the 22nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Clearwater’s Coachman Park on April 5, Easter Sunday from 11:00 noon to 2:00pm. The Hunt happens at 12:30 sharp and is over in minutes. Organizers urge: “Be there on time because when thousands of kids race across the grass to gather up over 25,000 candy-filled eggs, the whole thing GreenFest is an educational nature festival designed to give the Tampa Bay community an opportunity to learn more about the care and cultivation of indigenous plants and flowers. This annual event is held at Plant Park on the campus of the University of Tampa. There will be Plant Vendors, Children’s Activities, Orchids, Roses, Food, Yard Art, Master Gardeners, Rain Or Shine. Henry B. Plant Park at The University Of Tampa, 401 Kennedy Blvd. (813) 251-4655. THE SECOND ANNUAL FLORIDA LOQUAT FESTIVAL - Sat, April 4 www.ecologyflorida.org/

Ecology Florida, Friendship Farms & Fare, and the Market Off Main will host the second annual Florida Loquat Festival on Sat, April 4 from 9 to 2 pm at the Market Off Main (6241 Lincoln St., 34652) in New Port Richey. The festival will be a learning and sharing event to expand knowledge and appreciation of the loquat tree and its fruit. There will be presentations on

is over within a matter of minutes.” The event starts with the race to find the most Easter eggs, candy, and of course, 250 of those famous Golden Eggs. Each child who finds a Golden Egg will receive a stuffed bunny. In addition to the main event, there are pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, rides on the “Bunny Express”, special entertainment, a giant inflatable slide and a bouncy house. The Easter Bunny and his Mrs. will wander around for pictures with the kids. This event is free and everyone is welcome, don’t forget to bring your Easter basket. There are small fees for food, bouncies, train, gyroscope, face painting and pony rides. The hunt is for kids 16 and under only. Free Parking in the parking lot to the South of Coachman Park.

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Gasparilla International Film Festival March 24 - 29 www.gasparillafilmfestival.com

The ninth annual Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF) will open on March 24 at Channelside Cinemas in Channelside Bay Plaza. The opening night show will be â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Surface,â&#x20AC;? starring Mimi Rogers and Sean Astin. The GIFF Festival will continue through March 29, with red carpet events, immersive experiences and celebrity sightings. The Festival selects 100 outstanding films selected by a panel of judges from submissions selected from films from around the world.

Grand Prix Indy Car Series - March 27 - 29 www.gpstpete.com St. Petersburg will host the 2015 Firestone Grand Prix on March 27-29. More than 100,000 spectators are expected for three days of fast cars and worldclass drivers. Cars will run over a 1.8 mile, 14-turn waterfront circuit. Taking place on the waterfront street course in downtown St. Petersburg, The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is among the most respected motorsports events in North America and features a week-long festival-like atmosphere that includes the fastest racing series on the planet, celebrity athletes, live entertainment and interactive activities. Events: Bright House Speed Zone, Verizon IndyCar Series Fan Village, Beer Gardens, Driver Autograph Sessions, Interactive games & exhibits, Music.

GAVIN DEGRAW and FIFTH HARMONY Kick Off BUSCH GARDENS FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL March 7 - April 26

usch Gardens Tampa is introducing some flavor to its event lineup this spring with the inaugural Food & Wine Festival. In addition to taking taste buds on a culinary adventure, guests can enjoy live concerts throughout the event. The Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival takes place on Saturdays and Sundays from March 7 through April 26 and is included with any Pass, Fun Card or daily admission. Food and beverage is not included with park admission and is available for an extra fee. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Scheduled music acts for the festival:

March 7 - Gavin DeGraw, March 8 - Fifth Harmony, March 14 - Kool & The Gang, March 15 - BOYS LIKE GIRLS, March 21 - KENNY ROGERS, March 22 - PENTATONIX, March 28 STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, March 29 - EL GRAN COMBO, April 4 - Collective Soul, April 5 - Echosmith, April 11 - KC and the Sunshine Band, April 12 - Josh Turner, April 18 - Austin Mahone, April 19 - Daddy Yankee, April 25 - Daughtry, April 26 - Aloe Blacc

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Celebrate Me Home to benefit The Heart Gallery of Pinellas-Pasco countieS - Wed, April 15 www.heartgallerykids.org

The Tampa Bay Rays will open the gates to Tropicana Field for a fun-filled evening of food, entertainment and fabulous auction items to benefit the Heart Gallery of Pinellas-Pasco Counties, April 15th, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On any given day, more than 3100 children are in foster care in Pinellas and Pasco counties, including 120 available for adoption. This event raises funds and awareness so the Heart Gallery of Pinellas-Pasco counties can help those children find loving families. The mission of the Heart Gallery is to increase the number of successful adoptions. The Heart Gallery recruits and supports loving families interested in adopting local foster children. St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society (SPIFFS) International Ball - Sat, April 18 www.spiffs.org

On Saturday, April 18, St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society (SPIFFS) will hold its Annual International Ball to honor individual group members as “SPIFFS Persons of The Year”. This event will be held at The Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Boulevard South, Gulfport, FL 33707. SPIFFS is Tampa Bay’s own United Nations and the only independent nonprofit, multi-cultural folk fair organization in the country. In November each year its forty plus member groups get together to put on an International Folk Fair for a trip around the world in St. Petersburg. International entertainment and dancing to The Dazzlers Duo. 6 pm, Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Boulevard South, Gulfport, FL 33707. (727) 552-1896. THE FESTIVAL OF CHOCOLATE - April 18 - 19 www.tampa.festivalofchocolate.com/

Demonstrations: Award Winning Pastry Chefs and Chocolatiers will share tips and tricks of the trade as they create breathtaking decadent chocolate creations right before your eyes. Live Professional Competitions: Top Chocolate and Pastry Experts compete Live at The Festival of Chocolate in a high level chocolate competitions with specific time constraints and rules. Chocolate Classes: Learn hands-on from Chocolate Masters in a small class setting. Wine & Chocolate Pairings: Hosted by a professional Sommelier and a Chocolate Expert, this interactive class breaks down the flavor profiles to help you make matches that work perfectly for your palate. Chocolate Vendor Showcase: Local and Regional Chocolate and Confection Companies will showcase and sell a variety of decadent chocolate treats. Guests Competitions: Guests of all ages enjoy getting chocolate crazy in fun chocolatey contests. Chocolate Game Show Stage: Test your chocolate knowledge as you go head-to-head in the infamous Wheel of Chocolate. Show off your Chocoology in some Tasty Trivia. Watch Grandpa and Grandma conjure up favorite Chocolate Memories

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in our Grandpa Grab Bag Challenge. Take part in a conga line of armpit fudge makers....and, you can eat the fudge. Chocolate Activities: Whip up a batch of Chocolate Lip Balm. Make some chocolate playdough. Show off your Pudding Picasso. Or just grab a chocolate apron and get behind the counter like a true Kid In A Candy Store. 10th ANNUAL ALCHEMY FEST - Sun, April 19 http://bit.ly/alchemyfest10 The 10th annual Alchemy Fest is a family-friendly event featuring live music, interactive arts and crafts, food, an organic vendor marketplace, kids games and activities, dance performances, yoga, meditation, workshops, magic and more! Bring the whole family and enjoy a beautiful day packed with music, art, education and fun. This year’s event will feature: Zulu Wave, UNRB, Ronnie Dee and The Superstars, Rebecca Zapen, Camille Dupree and Broken Fetters, Kirtan with Shankh and Friends, Rampello Pirates

Steel Drum Band. Opening ceremony featuring Inward Spiral. Dance performances by Marlowe Fairbanks, Caroline Hetake and Hoola Monsters. Live art by Marcile Powers. There will be seven “Transformation Stations” set up throughout the event. To be entered to win the grand prize, containing donations from our sponsors and vendors, attendees must visit all stations and submit their completed “Green Cards” before the end of the day. Noon – 6 p.m. Unity Campus, 460 46th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 33703.

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Citrus County is for the Birds! www.citrusbirdingtrail.com

irding is one of the world’s fastest-growing sources of outdoor recreation, and birding in Citrus County is always a rich experience. It is home to one of the largest concentrations of Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers in peninsular Florida. Citrus County is also the site for the reintroduction of a migratory flock of Whooping Cranes.Other popular birds found in the area include: Bachman’s Sparrow, American White Pelican, Scrub Jay, Burrowing Owl, and Short Tail Hawk. Many county public parks and preserves have huge avian populations. A constant stream of waterfowl can be found in salt marshes, and five of the seven designated Florida Scenic Rivers are in the coastal section of the birding trail system. Citrus County has a rich selection of more than 250 species of birds that have been extensively catalogued and listed in several authoritative publications. Some of these species that you can expect to spot are listed at www.citrusbirdingtrail.com/ Citrus County’s 19 birding trails are part of the West Section of the Great Florida Birding Trail. To learn more about the area, special offers, events and accommodations, go to VisitCitrus.com, or call the Citrus County Visitors & Convention Bureau toll-free at 1-800-587-6667.

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moi The Great Escape Room moi Story by Marty Peters, Photos by Melissa Wolcott Martino A new unique adventure has come to Tampa in the form of a “real-life room escape game.” It is based on online escape games. You are locked in a room with a series of clues and puzzles that must be solved in order to exit the room. It is part scavenger hunt and part puzzle game. Teams of up to 12 can work together to solve the puzzles and escape within a 60-minute time limit. Originated in Orlando, Florida, The brain building, mind twisting game is full of fun and adventure, but only 22% of those with creative skills are able to meet the challenge and escape within the 60 minutes. It is perfect for a friends night, family night, couples night, corporate team building event, birthday party, youth group event, ect. Enjoy the game through writer Marty Peters and his group’s experience...

o what is the Great Escape Room. My first thought harkened back to grade school and being grounded, and the great escape was trying to get out of my bedroom and sneak downstairs to watch Scooby Doo on TV. And I would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for those meddling kids.

You do actually have one hour to find clues to help solve several logic problems that ultimately help you escape the room.

But I digress…the Great Escape Room is titled appropriately. A guide leads you into a room with NO WALLS and NO WINDOWS. Wait, that’s the Haunted Mansion at Disney (favorite line on that tour: 999 ghosts, but we have room for 1,000…any volunteers <<insert scary Vincent Price laugh>>). The Great Escape guide actually leads you to a fairly nondescript room….a few bookshelves full of knickknacks, toys, and, ironically, books. There are also desks, posters and other items. The guide then turns on a prerecorded message from Sherlock Holmes greeting you to the challenge and setting the parameters…you have one hour. In that hour, you have to eat bugs and vote each other off the island… wait, that’s Survivor. 22

ur hearty crew had three generations of our family represented…baby boomer, Gen X, and rugrats (or whatever that generation is). The kids actually came in handy….they were the only ones that could bend down far enough to look for clues any lower than knee level. I know if I have to bend down that far, I look to multitask (let’s see, while I’m down here tying my shoe, I could pet that cat and pick up that random Cheerio from last Thursday). While the curtain climbers ran around all sugared up, the adults went through the rest of the room fairly methodically looking for the remaining clues.

This is a good point to bring up our strategy, which was, well, none. We basically were one of the crab races that you find at tourist traps, where you dump a bunch of numbered crustaceans in the middle of a ring and wait to see which one races out of the circle first. Except, we had no escape—which is much akin to the rest of our family vacations (car trips, cruises, etc.). Maybe Great Escape Room could allow us to vote someone off the island.

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Speaking of Sherlock, he will let you know every 15 minutes that you are running out of time. No, um, kidding, Sherlock…there’s a clock in the room as well that shows the countdown. Eventually, we figured out everything and were able to escape the room with a little over 7 minutes to spare. Yay! It was truly a team effort.

espite our lack of direction or any semblance of organization, we eventually found enough clues to start working on the logic problems, which was a challenge, since there were no directions It was up to us to figure out what the clues were trying to tell us. One nice thing is that you can get up to three hints from the guide in case you get stuck. Of course, one of the hints is not “how do we escape the room” (tried it… I’m the same person that asks the genie for a million more wishes). They also don’t accept bribes for hints (at least, in my case…the George Washington wasn’t enough. Well, at least I’m still up a quarter.) Even without hints, we found that once you solved one, you start to get the gist of how the game is played. Or, as Sherlock says, the game is afoot (which, actually, sounds like he’s talking about Twister).

Great Escape recommends groups of between 6-10… we had 10, which definitely aided in searching for clues while solving multiple problems simultaneously. You could have a few more, but be forewarned…depending on your types of friends, you may end up in a mosh pit. You could also go less, but to finish, you might need to be jacked up on cotton candy and Red Bull (not recommended). All in all, an enjoyable experience well worth your time. Good Luck! The Great Escape is located at 300 Madison Street, Suite 301, Tampa, Fl 33602. By reservation only. To purchase tickets or find additional information, please call 202-780-8437 or visit the Great Escape website website, www.TheGreatEscapeRoom.com

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COOLSTUFF! SNAP REMOTE

Strike a Pose and Snap www.urbanoutfitters.com/

This is a smart little device for the perfect selfie. Get in the picture and snap sweet shots from your phone courtesy of this little remote control. The tiny, two-button device is super simple to use.Just download the free app so you can activate your smartphone shutter. The remote comes complete with a removable stand so you can prop up your phone and get the precise pic you want. It works with distances up to 3 feet.

BEARDSKI

GOLF GIFTS

Unique Gifts For The Golfer www.inthesandgolf.com

In The Sand Golf was created by Mary Whitworth, a pilot and golf lover. After flying over Florida golfcourses, she noticed some of the golf course sand traps were shaped liked letters of the alphabet. She has now captured the entire alphabet with photos of the sand traps. Some of the traps have rakes, golfcarts and golfers in and around them. Spelling golfers names, words and sayings, she has launched a business creating mugs, totes, prints, poker chips (ball markers), coasters and a future of endless items to place these letters onto. Have your name, your club or golf references printed on any of these products. Great gift for the golfer!

Fun Yet Practical Ski Mask

www.beardski.com

Now you can look extra-cool while keeping warm on the slopes or riding your Harley. Beardski is a onesize-fits-all insulated ski mask with comfortabel lined neoprene, woven thermal fleece and a 12â&#x20AC;? synthetic beard. The easy to wear mask holds securely in place, but is easy to remove. The design covers the ears, face and neck from the harshest of cold-weather conditions. Get a couple of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;em for your different moods.

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Cartoloji Prints and Throw Pillows Artful and Colorful Global Designs www.cartoloji.com/

Cartoloji combines a passion for art with a love for the world creating iconic abstract maps that are stylish and fun. Cartoloji has a collection of artful & colorful pillows and prints made in the USA and eco-friendly. Each piece is a sophisticated abstract design from artist/cartographer Bhaval Shah Bell, whose works are inspired by her life long journey from Asia to Africa and now, the US. The pillows celebrate the cities, states and regions of the globe. Pillows are available in two sizes and three colorways — all made of certified organic cotton printed with eco-friendly ink. Prints are produced on acid-free paper (matting/framing optional). If after browsing through their website you have not found what you were looking for, Cartoloji will create the iconic map-art prints or pillows you’d like.

RENNY

Smartphone Hub & Ringer

www.olenstechnology.com/product/renny-home/ An important cell call at home goes unanswered because a phone ringtone is too low, the phone is out of reach, or it is muffled in a pocket, briefcase, drawer or car. Sound familiar? No worries. Olens Technology has the Renny HOME and Renny JR. products designed with technologies to help make sure cell phone rings get heard and answered. The Renny models offer a range of up to 200 feet, always on auto-connect, built-in selectable ringtones for loud and clear call notification, and more. Renny JR. connects one phone within 150 feet, forever auto connects and has multiple loud selectable ringtones. The Renny JR. also notifies users of text and email notifications, and streams music from any smartphone with its powerful and clear loudspeaker. Renny HOME is a stand-alone base station & smartphone ringer that automatically connects up to two mobile phones wirelessly when within 200 feet - without using a landline or home phone system and there are no monthly fees or service charges. Renny HOME announces the name of the caller, allows users to handle incoming calls handsfree by speaking “answer” or “ignore” out loud, select loud built-in ringtones, and stream music from a smartphone with its quality speaker. Renny Ringer smartphone hub and ringer works anywhere in a home or office by automatically connecting wirelessly to any mobile phone within a 200 foot line of site range. The rechargeable Renny is always on and ready and works unnoticeably in the background until it is needed. Many Blue tooth speakers answer a phone. Unfortunately most require the user to manually connect every time they use it. Worse yet, when connected to the speaker the phone doesn’t work, because the speaker “steals” the call. Renny eliminates these problems, and packs many phonefriendly features into a little package. www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

OUTDOOR MARKETS & EVENTS

ST. PETERSBURG SATURDAY MORNING MARKET - Oct - May www.saturdaymorningmarket.com Located in Al Lang Stadium parking lot, Hours: 9 am - 2 pm. A wide variety fresh food, plants and crafts including: locally grown fresh produce and herbs. Wide selection of regular & organic fruits and vegetables; Prepared Foods such as BBQ Turkey, smoked seafood, pickled vegetables, gourmet cheeses, fruit smoothies; Plants, Flowers, Fresh Herbs; Hand-crafted House wares & Gifts.

GET DOWNTOWN FIRST FRIDAY ST. PETE www.firstfridaystpete.com At the heart of downtown St. Petersburg between 2nd and 3rd Street South, every First Friday of the month, Central Avenue is transformed into a Block Party between 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Meet up with old and new friends and enjoy some of the best Jazz and oldies in the Tampa Bay area. There’s plenty of great food and fine dining in the area. Enjoy the free live music in a unique, convenient, and safe environment.

Fresh Market at Wiregrass - 1st & 3rd Sat of each month, year round (except Nov, Dec & Jan only on 1st Sat) www.TampaBayMarkets.com Held at the Shops at Wiregrass, open-air retail and entertainment destination located on the corner of State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Blvd in Wesley Chapel, FL. 80-100 vendors. Local food, crafts, live music. 10am - 3pm.

Corey AVE SunDay Market - Suns, Oct - May www.CoreyAve.com Corey Ave between Boca Ciega Ave and Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach. Local vendors sell a variety of locally produced and homemade produce, plants, take home foods, ready to eat lunch bites, hand crafts, eco-friendly and fair trade products and more. Enjoy a morning of live music, shopping, and breakfast, brunch or lunch at an area restaurants– 10am - 3pm.

Fresh Market at Hyde Park Village - 1st Sunday Of The Month Year Round www.hydeparkvillage.net/ Hours: 10am - 3pm. Vendors selling fresh, local, homemade, handcrafted and eco-friendly products. Conventional and hydroponic produce, homemade take home foods such as breads, pastries, gluten free items, pies, prepared entrees, sandwiches, ethnic specialties; handcrafts, eco friendly products & fair trade items. 742 South Village Circle, Tampa, FL 33604.

GULFPORT TUESDAY FRESH MARKET - All Year www.gulfportma.com Vendors offer a variety of fresh produce, baked goods, cheese, seafood, Florida beef, and desserts. Also hand-made items, jewelry, art work and more. Live music. 9am - 3pm, Oct - May; 9am - 2pm, June Sept.

NORTH TAMPA MARKET 2nd Saturday, Year Round www.tampabaymarkets.com Hours: 10am - 2pm. 100 vendors located at Carrollwood Cultural Center. Local, organic, hydroponic and conventional produce, florida plants, herbs, flowers, organic food/supplies, locally made jams, jellies, salsa, dips, seasonings, sauces and oils, hand crafts, live Music, bungee jumping bounce pad.

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Dunedin Downtown Market - Nov - June www.TampaBayMarkets.com Fri and Sat of each week during the months of Nov thru June, rain or shine, 9 AM to 2 PM. The market features vendors with an emphasis on local goods. Gourmet take-home foods, ready to eat lunch bites, produce - local and organic, plants, cheese, hand crafts, jewelry, artwork and live music. Pioneer Park in downtown Dunedin.

GANDY’S SAT MORNING Market - Nov - May info@gandymarket. com Mixed Farmers Market atmosphere with handcrafters, local farm produce, baked artisan breads, plants and more. No GMO’s. Market is mixed with arts, crafts, jewelry, home décor and more. live music. 4411 West Gandy Blvd., Tampa (between Westshore and Manhattan). 10am - 3pm.

YBOR CITY SATURDAY MARKET - Year Round www.TampaBayMarkets. com Oct-April, 9am - 3pm; May-Sept, 9am - 1pm. gourmet foods & sauces, fresh baked breads, prepared foods, herbs & plants, pet treats, honey, fine cigars, unique gifts, photography, artwork, jewelry, woodworking, bath & body products, candles & more. Free Parking, Free Admission, Pets Welcome.

SWEETWATER SUNDAY Market - Oct - May www.sweetwater-organic.org/ Sweetwater Farm Stand sells fruits and vegetables from organic farms. Vendors have environmentally-friendly and handcrafted products, farm-fresh eggs, raw milk, artisan breads, organic coffee, Florida-native plants, organic clothing, handmade arts and crafts, gardening books, body care products and more. Workshop Series, Live Music Series, Sunday Yoga. Off of Hanley Road and Comanche Avenue.

Madeira Beach WED Morning Market Weds, Oct thru July www.thebeachmarkets. com/ The Mid-Week Madeira Beach Morning Market is open Weds from 10am - 3pm. 60-80 vendors including growers, gourmet foodies, artists and crafters. Live music. Free, family and pet friendly. On Madeira Way between Gulf Boulevard and the Tom Stuart Causeway.

INDIAN SHORES SUNDAY MORN MKT - Weds, Oct thru July www.thebeachmarkets.com/ Vendors are local, h andson owners and operators. Organic produce, gourmet foods, artists and crafters. Open from 9am-1pm. 19305 Gulf Blvd by Indian Shores Town Hall Municipal center. Leashed pets welcome.

Downtown Clearwater Farmers Market - Weds, Year Round w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / CWFarmersMarket Farm fresh produce, delicious cheeses, fresh baked goods, beautiful cut flowers, plants, a variety of crafters and much more. Stay for lunch from one of the al a cart vendors. 9:00am – 02:00pm. Live music starting at 1 am. 500-600 blocks of Cleveland St, Clearwater. 727-461-7674 www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

BROADWAY SERIES Motown The Musical - March 17-22. Motown The Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Featuring classic songs such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” experience the story behind the music. Pippin - April 14-19. Pippin is back on Broadway for the first time since it thrilled audiences 40 years ago and it won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival. Pippin tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. It features sizzling choreography in the style of Bob Fosse and breathtaking acrobatics by Les 7 doigts de la main.

The Illusionists - May 26-31. This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the jaw-dropping talents of seven of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusionists dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. NETworks presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast May 5-10. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song.

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

For more information, visitwww.AccentOnTampaBay.com Straz Center, 813-229-7827. www.strazcenter.org

First Date - Broadway’s Musical Comedy at the Jaeb thru April 19

When blind date newbie Aaron is set up with serial-dater Casey, a casual drink at a busy New York restaurant turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner. As the date unfolds in real time, the couple quickly finds that they are not alone on this unpredictable evening. In a delightful and unexpected twist, Casey and Aaron’s inner critics take on a life of their own when other restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines. Can this couple turn what could be a dating disaster into something special before the check arrives? Warning: this show is intended for mature audiences.

Potted Potter - The Unauthorized Harry Experience at Ferguson Hall - March 13 - 15

Written by former BBC Television hosts Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, the play takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing, or “potting”, all seven Harry Potter books into 70 madcap minutes, aided only by multiple costume changes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic. The show also invites audiences to engage with a real life game of Quidditch, but according to Clarkson and Turner’s unique set of rules. Perfect for the entire family.

Jay Leno at Carol Morsani - March 29

Heir of Late Night and one of the most recognizable faces in comedy throughout the world, comedian and talk show host Jay Leno bombards audiences with his wild zingers and hilarious observations about the world in which we live and work.

MythBusters - Jamie & Adam Unleashed! at Carol Morsani - April 23

The all-new, live stage show “MythBusters Jamie & Adam Unleashed,” starring Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, co-hosts of the Discovery series MythBusters, promises to be an unexpected evening of on-stage experiments, audience participation, rocking video and behind-the-scenes stories. Fans will join Jamie and Adam onstage and assist in their mind-twisting and not always orthodox approach to science.”MythBusters Jamie & Adam Unleashed”

brings you face to face with the curious world of Jamie and Adam as the duo matches wits on stage with each other and members of the audience.

Lewis Black at Carol Morsani - March 14

performances provide a cathartic release of anger and disillusionment for his audience. He is a passionate performer who is a more pissed-off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon.

Lewis Black returns with an all New 2015 the Rant is Due Part Deux. Lewis Black executes a brilliant trifecta as stand-up comedian, actor and author. His live

David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. 813.229.STAR. www.jobsitetheater.org

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Gutenberg! The Musical

March 13 - April 15

www.americanstage.org

Gutenberg! The Musical is a two-man musical spoof, a pair of aspiring playwrights perform a backers’ audition for their new project - a big, splashy musical about printing press inventor Johann Gutenberg. With an unending supply of enthusiasm, Bud and Doug sing all the songs and play all the parts in their crass historical epic, with the hope that one of the producers in attendance will give them a Broadway contract – fulfilling their ill-advised dreams.

American Stage Theatre Company’s “After Hours” Series continues with three events in March called Hawk and Wayne’s This is a Comedy Show, Paul Wilborn and The Blue Roses presents: Red, Hot and Blue – A Cole Porter Party and The Vagina Monologues. American Stage 163 3rd Street North , St. Petersburg, FL 33701. 727823-7529.

JAZZ WITH JIM - Fri, March 27

SOUNDS OF SWING - Sat, March 14

The Carrollwood Cultural Center’s Sounds of Swing performs under the direction of Jim Burge, host of Jazz with Jim and a founding member of the Bay Area Saxophone Quartet. Swing Time will hold a free dance lesson for ticketholders at 6:30 pm. No partner is needed.

TOM CHAPIN - Fri, March 21

Tom Chapin, of the Chapin Brothers, is a Grammy Awardwinning American m u s i c i a n , entertainer, singer-songwriter and storyteller. Tom tours nationwide as a solo artist and with his daughters and brother, Steve, in The Chapin Family.

SONGS OF PASSION AND LOVE Sun, March 22

An afternoon of vocal music presented by the young singers from Dr. Kyoung Cho’s Voice Studio at USF’s School of Music.

Jazz with Jim is a monthly concert hosted by Jim Burge and The Jazz Directions. The concert is best known for fusing personal stories by the musicians with popular jazz tunes suited for that month’s theme. This month, the Jazz Directions will welcome special guest vocalist Erin Ruska.

PLAN 9 from OUTER SPACE April 17 - 26

This is it! The stage adaptation of Ed Wood’s Plan 9 From Outer Space, considered by many to be “the worst movie ever made.” Packing B-Movie thrills into 70 actionpacked minutes, the story goes something like this: visiting space soldiers use a magic-electrospace-ray-gun to resurrect a recently deceased (and perfectly ghoulish) human couple, putting “Plan 9” into action. The aliens must stop mankind from developing “Solaramite,” a substance that could set off a chain reaction of cosmic explosions that would destroy the entire universe. With “Plan 9” activated, the space aliens step up the action: Flying saucers invade! Hollywood reacts! The Pentagon responds!

4537 Lowell Rd, Tampa, FL. (813) 269-1310. www.carrollwoodcenter.org/ 30

www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

www.spcitytheatre.org www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

STUDIO@620

www.thestudioat620.org

The Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde - March 11 - 12 Set in late Victo-

rian London, the play’s major themes are the triviality with which it treats institutions as serious as marriage, and the resulting satire of Victorian ways. Contemporary reviews all praised the play’s humour and foresaw it as the culmination of Wilde’s artistic career. Its high farce and witty dialogue have helped make The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde’s most enduringly popular play.

When You Wish Upon A Star: Interpretations From The Disney Songbook - Sun, March 15 The [neu] Sonics Orchestra will present a night’s performance of, ‘When You Wish Upon a Star: Interpretations from the Disney Songbook’. The [neu] Sonics Orchestra is a free-conducted super-ensemble with a cast of participating characters dense with per-

sonality, talent, and endless variety. They will be performing and recreating the greatest classics found in the historic Disney Songbook.

An Excruciatingly Ordinary Toy Theater Show - April 25 Zach Dorn brings a solo proj-

ect which weaves lost journal entries into peculiar tales by manipulating digital cameras through toy-sized streets filled with paper puppets. A lonely puppeteer stalks the child of two notorious celebrities, a three-foot ghost plagues an eight-year-old boy’s fragile psyche, and an opera-singing landlord refuses to return a security deposit. These stories and more explode onto the stage in this modern exploration into Toy Theater. 620 First Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. 727-895-6620.

Mary Lynn Rajskub March 26 - 29

Mary Lynn Rajskub is an actress, writer, and performer. She is best known for her iconic performance as “Chloe” on FOX’s 24, which she reprised on 24: Live Another Day, the number-one rated show of 2014. She has also appeared in recurring arcs on 2 Broke Girls and Californication, and can be seen as a regular panelist on Chelsea Lately. On the big screen, Mary Lynn was recently seen in theaters in Safety Not Guaranteed (Duplass Bros.), and also starred in The Kings Of Summer with Alison Brie, Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally. Other credits include Arrested Development, Little Miss Sunshine, Mr. Show, Larry Sanders, Julie And Julia, Punch Drunk Love and Sunshine Cleaning. SideSplitters is located at 12938 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. www.sidesplitterscomedy.com 32

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americanstage.org www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

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UPCOMING EVENTS www.largo.com/ Contemporary Folk Group The Jammin’ Divas - Thurs, March 26

Hear stunning voices of The Jammin’ Divas as they perform traditional and contemporary original music from their respective cultures at the Largo Cultural Center on Saturday, March 28 at 8pm. The “divas” hail from four different countries - Grammy-nominated Aoife Clancy from Ireland, who is the daughter of

STAGEWORKS www.stageworkstheatre.org/

The Last of the Red Hot Lovers - March

12 - 29 Greg Thomp-

son plays Barney Cashman, owner of a fish restaurant and married family man, who’s been thinking a little too much about mortality. We get a close-up view of Barney and the three strong-willed women he tries (unsuccessfully) to seduce, in a panicked attempt to spice up his responsible life. 1120 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, Florida, 33602, (813) 374-2416.

Bobby Clancy of the Clancy Brotheres, Kath Buckell from Australia, Hadar Noiberg flutist from Israel and Nicole Zuraitis and Craig Akin on Bass from the United States. Through stunning three part harmonies, The Jammin’ Divas will draw the audience into an experience that transcends three continents history by sharing songs and stories of how each country culturally influence one another. The Suncoast Singers Celebrate 35th

Season - Fri, March 27 The Largo Cultural Center is proud to be part of The Suncoast Singers’ 35th Season celebration in Pinellas County by hosting a Spring performance, named A Century of Music Part 2, on Friday, March 27 at 8pm. The chorus will celebrate music from the 1900s to present while continuing the tradition of providing uplifting and entertaining music. Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Dr, Largo, FL 33771.

The Early Bird Dinner Theatre Hotbed Hotel - March 7 - April 26

www.earlybirddinnertheatre.com Terri and Brian Cody are hoping to sell their “One Star Hotel” in the Florida Keys, to the only man who has expressed any interest in buying it, a Mr. Sam Lewis from New York. In order to bolster Mr. Lewis’s interest, Terri and Brian devise a plan to make the hotel appear busier and more prosperous than it actually is. Their staff will masquerade as paying guests, thereby, giving Mr. Lewis the impression that the hotel is overflowing with loyal customers and vacationers. But their plan has one hitch, as their entire staff consists of a maintenance man named Hopkins and a sexy housemaid named Maureen. (727) 446 5898. 13355 49th Street N., Clearwater, Florida 33762.

www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

THE ADDAMS FAMILY MARCH 5 - 26

Featuring an original story, and it’s every father’s nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. A man her parents have never met. And if that weren’t upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. The weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life in The Addams Family. This macabre musical comedy is “a visually satisfying, rib-tickling, lunatic musical that will entertain you to death!” says Toronto Post City.

THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST March 6 - 22

Directed by David Middleton, THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST is set in Brookhaven, Mississippi a few days before the Fourth of July. Carnelle Scott (known locally as “Miss Hot Tamale”) is furiously rehearsing for the Miss Firecracker Contest, hoping to repeat a victory her cousin Elain enjoyed years. This warm, irreverent comedy focuses on six eccentric characters as each goes all out to secure a better and brighter future. SP City Theatre, 4025 31st St So, St. Petersburg FL 33712; 727-866-1973. www.spcitytheatre.org

HOLY CANNOLI - Thru March 15

What do you do to prepare for a visit from your parents? Plenty, when you’re the daughter of strict Italian Catholic parents who expect to meet your female roommate, who is actually a guy. Add to this a cranky father, an overbearing mother, a wild younger sister and other troublesome childhood friends, and you’ve got laughs on top of laughs.

727-409-0293. 5732 Main Street, New Port Richey, Fl. www.ferrarostudiotheatre.com/ 36

www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

www.sidesplitterscomedy.com www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

TRAVELOGUE

St. Francis Inn Bed & Breakfast Inn with a Long History in St. Augustine, FL Story and photos by Melissa Wolcott Martino and Al Martino

S t. Augustine, America’s oldest city, also has the richest and most fascinating history, with the flags of five countries

having flown over it since 1513 starting with Spain. The French came next (1564), then Great Britain (1763), Spain again (1784), The United States (1821) the Confederacy, briefly (1861), and back to the United States in 1865. (Hopefully to remain for the rest of time.)

S t. Augustine should be on everyone’s bucket list for a visit, as it is unlike any other city in the USA. To experience

the old world charm of the city, we highly recommend a stay at the city’s oldest inn — the St. Francis Inn — which is located in the heart of the historic district. Built in 1791, it has seen a lot of changes in it’s city and weathered many storms to remain the wonderful inn it is today.

www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

St. Francis Innâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charming Courtyard www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

St. Francis Inn Foyer

St. Francis Inn owner Joe Finnegan

The historic St. Francis Inn 40

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f course, through the years the inn has gone through a lot of changes itself. Originally built by the Gaspar Garcia family, the home is constructed of 18” thick “coquina” limestone walls (compacted particles of seashells) which was easily found in the area, and was very prevalent in the day. It is still found today in most of the period structures throughout St. Augustine. The old fort, Castillo de San Marcos (1672), is made of coquina which was a good foundation for it as it is soft, so a shot cannonball would just sink into the walls rather than shattering them.

Francis Inn’s most famous ghost (whose room you can stay in on the third floor.) We stayed in the Garcia Suite, directly across from Lily’s, which also has it own ghost story. Quite a number of ghost hunters have visited the inn through the years, and have witnessed activity for themselves first hand. All experienced paranormal activity has been described as friendly or mischievous rather than frightening. The owners themselves have never seen Lily in their 30 years at the inn. Our visit concluded with nary a ghostly apparition. I don’t know if that makes me feel relieved or deprived!

t. Francis Inn’s original house was laid out according to orders by the King of Spain to the citizens of St. Augustine. Homes were constructed directly on the street with front entrances shielded to provide a defense from invasion. At the St. Francis, you step into a delightful side courtyard to enter the inn. There is a recorded history of the different owners through the years to the present day. An inn since 1845, it has always maintained the reputation as being one of the best in the area. A third floor was added in 1888 as well as some property across the street, which is also part of the inn today. It also had different names through the years, settling on the St. Francis Inn in 1948.

he current owners are Margaret and Joe Finnegan, who are very hands on, and have lovingly preserved the inn’s old world ambiance while adding modern touches and comfort. They are very welcoming and will regale you with tales from the inn’s history — including, of course, ghosts! Ask about Miss Lily, the St.

ach of the St. Francis Inn’s 11 guest rooms and suites are unique and all are very homey. Some of the guest rooms have such amenities as private balconies, rockers, and whirlpool tubs. After visiting the check in desk in the foyer, the first time we walked up the stairs to our suite, we reflected on all the folks who had passed this way over the 200 plus years of the house — such a sense of history! It’s a bit thrilling walk the same halls as Mr. Garcia did all those many years ago. I must stress that although the inn is very old, the amenities are not. Beds are very comfortable, bathrooms have new fixtures that fit in with the old world feel, plush robes are in every guest room, high-speed internet is found throughout the inn, there’s a solarheated swimming pool, complimentary guest bicycles to tool around old town on, a lovely courtyard to relax or enjoy a beverage. An unexpected touch was the fresh flowers and sherry we found in our guest room upon arrival.

A comfy bed at the St. Francis Inn

Stay in Miss Lily’s Room...if you dare.

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Old world charming decor in a guest bathroom

hich now brings us to the breakfast part of “Bed and Breakfast”. The St. Francis serves up a delightful homemade breakfast buffet which is different every day, and includes at least two hot entrees, fruit, freshly baked breads, coffee and assorted teas. You can enjoy your breakfast in your room, on a balcony, in the courtyard or in the dining room (oldest part of the inn dating to 1791) where you can meet other guests. Weekend days have special brunches, as do holidays. There are complimentary specialty coffees all day long in the front room of the inn, and from 5-6 pm, guests can partake of a social hour in the courtyard with different appetizers daily. From 8-9:30 pm you won’t want to miss the evening homemade desserts with beverages.

A delicious hot breakfast entree at the St. Francis Inn 42

Goodies on an antique bureau in the dining room

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The staff at the inn are very accommodating, and can assist and provide guests with any special event needs, such as gift baskets, picnic baskets, massage arrangements, etc. Wouldn’t you and your significant other love to be picked up at the inn by horse-drawn carriage and take a tour of the old city? It can be arranged! nother great plus of the inn is its location in the old city. Some of the best St. Augustine sight-seeing is walkable from the St. Francis, which is situated on the corner of St. George and St. Francis Streets. Across the street from the inn is the oldest house in St. Augustine, the González-Alvarez House. The site is from the 1600s and the present house is from the early 1700s. Here you can see the furnishings of the different occupations (Spanish, British, and American) and how the residents lived. Besides the many historical homes, are the unique shops, restaurants and museums in the old city. We really enjoyed the Pirate & Treasure Museum which is cleverly laid out and teeming with fascinating objects and terrible tales of life on the high seas. Looking out in the harbor when we came out of the museum, we were amazed to see a Spanish Galleon (The El Galeón, a 175foot replica) sailing into the harbor. Great timing! We spent quite a bit of time in the fascinating Colonial Quarter, a 2-acre living history experience covering the 16th to 18th centuries of St. Augustine. The best way to familiarize yourself with St. Augustine’s history and attractions is to take the Old Town Trolley, which gives you an overview of points of interest, and lets you hop on and off at your leisure.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not on the Old Town Trolley route

The beautiful Memorial Presbyterian Church on the Old Town Trolley route

The historic Oldest House is across the street from the St. Francis Inn.

The Old Town Trolley is the way to see St. Augustine.

Shopping and sight-seeing in Old Town www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

Bistro de Leon Chef Jean Poinard

The very French Bistro de Leon

Flounder with Hollandaise Lemon Sauce at Bistro de Leon

Taberna Del Caballo’s Marinated Beer Steamed Shrimp

Taberna Del Caballo’s wait staff in period costume

Meehan’s Irish Pub with excellent location and food 44

Taberna Del Caballo’s tasty concoction

Meehan’s Irish Pub’s Saffron Steeped Shellfish

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Take a ride around town on a horse & carriage right from the St. Francis Inn.

You never know when a Spanish Galleon may come sailing into the harbor.

here are a lot of really good — and non-chain! — restaurants in Old Town and we visited several of them during our stay. All were quite enjoyable and will be revisited on our next trip to St. Augustine. The Bistro de Leon brings a touch of France to St. Augustine, under the expert helm of Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard. His Flounder with Hollandaise Lemon Sauce and Asparagus was exceptional. In the Colonial Quarter we found the Taberna Del Caballo, which maintains the theme of the Spanish and British occupations. Wait staff is in period costume, and the kitchen is old style with no fryers and no grill. Food is Florida sourced and fresh baked. We sampled the delectable Marinated Beer Steamed Shrimp, and Crostini with Smoked Cheddar Cheese and Caramelized Onions. Meehan’s Irish Pub is one of St. Augustine’s most popular restaurants, not only for the food, but also for its location on Charlotte St. overlooking the Matanzas River. We had a 5-course dinner with Duck Confit, Saffron Steeped Shellfish, Park Shank Lollipops, Slow Braised Ox Tail, topped off by a Double Chocolate Baileys Bread Pudding. Yes, it was delicious!

he Finnegans also have beach cottages on Anastasia Island, a condo on Camachee Island, and an oceanfront townhouse on

The 1672 Castillo de San Marcos is made of coquina

The Pirate & Treasure Museum is chock full of interesting “stuff”. www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

Crescent Beach — all part of the St. Francis group. There are even some accommodations for guests with pets. Guests at any of the accommodations are free to use the amenities of the other properties, which makes for a complete rounded out vacation. t. Augustine has so much to offer with many fun and interesting events occurring throughout the year. Get thee to a travel agent or go online and book a stay at the St. Francis soon!

If You Go... St. Francis Inn: stfrancisinn.com Visit St. Augustine: staugustinegovernment.com Castillo de San Marcos: nps.gov/casa/index.htm González-Alvarez House: staugustinehistoricalsociety.org Pirate & Treasure Museum: piratesoul.com Colonial Quarter: colonialquarter.com Old Town Trolley: trolleytours.com/st-augustine Bistro de Leon: bistrodeleon.com Taberna Del Caballo: colonialquarter.com Meehan’s Irish Pub: meehansirishpub.com 45

s t r e c n o ot C

AMALIE ARENA www.amaliearena.com

Sat, March 28

ashville recording artist Eric Church will bring “The Outsiders World Tour” to Amalie Arena on March 28 at 7:30 PM. Special guest on this show will be The Cadillac Three. Church’s current album, The Outsiders, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Albums Chart and the Billboard Country Albums Chart, featuring his No. 1 hit “Give Me Back My Hometown” and his single “Talladega.” The Outsiders is the follow-up to Church’s album Chief, which featured five Top 20 singles: “Homeboy”, “Like Jesus Does” and “Creepin’”; and two No. 1 hits “Drink in My Hand” and “Springsteen”.

Fri, April 24

ampa’s 98 ROCKFEST will return to AMALIE Arena on Friday, April 24, at 6:00 PM. 98ROCKFEST will kick-off with a free pre-show on Ford Thunder Alley (West Plaza) at Amalie Arena. The pre-show event will include performances by 98ROCK’s Skratch n Sniff, Sleepwave, Beartooth and Young Guns. 98ROCKFEST Pre-Show will also feature interactive contests and ticket upgrades from participating sponsors. The event will welcome fans of all ages at 2:00 PM. For up-to-the-minute information on 98ROCKFEST log onto 98ROCK.com keyword: ROCKFEST or listen to 98ROCK on-air or online via the station’s website, as well as on iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s all-in-one digital radio service.

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Featuring Five Finger Death Punch, Rise Against, Breaking Benjamin, The Pretty Reckless and Nothing More

Wed, April 15

HE WHO, one of rock’s most legendary and defining bands, will celebrate their 50year legacy with their “THE WHO HITS 50!” kicking off its spring run April 15, 2015 at 7:30 PM at Amalie Arena. Set lists on these shows will take their audience on an “Amazing Journey” through THE WHO’s entire career, from the band’s early days to classic albums including WHO’S NEXT, TOMMY, QUADROPHENIA, MY GENERATION and LIVE AT LEEDS, through the present day. The classic songs fans can expect to hear on “THE WHO HITS 50!” tour appear on the band’s WHO HITS 50! collection. This definitive collection of THE WHO’s greatest tracks--from their very first recordings as The High Numbers right up to the present day with the brand new track “Be Lucky”--was released to coincide with the band’s 50th anniversary tour. The show--described by PETE TOWNSHEND as--“Hits, Picks, Mixes and Misses” will see the band play all their classic anthems as well as tackling deeper cuts from their catalog. “This is the beginning of the long goodbye,” says ROGER DALTREY of the upcoming tour. PETE TOWNSHEND commented, “Trying to stay young. Not wearing socks. Growing a great big Woodcutter’s beard. Might even wear a check shirt on stage and get a tattoo of a Union Jack. Always a fashion victim. But under no illusions. We are what we are, and extremely good at it, but we’re lucky to be alive and still touring.” THE WHO have sold over 100 million records since forming in 1964; they brought together four different personalities and in effect produced a musical hurricane. The tour will include special guests: 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. Joan Jett is an originator, an innovator, and a visionary. As the leader of the hard-rocking Blackhearts, she’s had eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, including the classics “Bad Reputation,” “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll,” “I Hate Myself For Loving You,” and “Crimson and Clover.” www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

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MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

Sat, March 14

he tour brings two of the iconic groups that helped define the “San Francisco Sound” - Journey and Steve Miller Band - to the Mid Florida Credit Union. “We are all so looking forward to playing again with the great company of the Steve Miller Band and Tower of Power,” said the members of JOURNEY. “It’s going to be a San Francisco musical delight from the past and present, moving full speed ahead into the future!” “I can’t think of a better way for the JOKER to celebrate his 40th and the Steve Miller Band to enjoy next summer than playing all our hits for all of our fans as we tour the entire USA with our brother San Francisco bands, Journey and the Tower Of Power,” says Steve Miller. “This is going to be a NOT TO BE MISSED TRIFECTA OF THE BEST OF SOUL, GREATEST HITS AND ARENA ROCK by three of the greatest bands to come out of San Francisco, clearly a once in a life time event.”

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his year’s Jimmy Buffett trek is called the Workin’ N’ Playin’ Tour. Buffett has been one of rock’s great success stories on the touring circuit. At 68, Jimmy still sells out almost every show, a total of 32 in 2014, even though it has been almost forty years since his one and only top ten hit. He has found an audience in country in recent years, scoring number ones with Alan Jackson on It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere (2003) and the Zac Brown Band on Knee Deep (2011). Buffett’s last album, released in 2013, is “Songs From St. Nowhere.”

Sat, April 18

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www.floridaorchestra.org 50

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March Concerts Offer Opera, Star Wars, Russian Favorites and More

i t The Florida Orchestra’s (TFO) next morning Coffee Concert, enjoy complimentary coffee and doughnuts prior to this program of best-loved opera themes by Verdi, Wagner, Gershwin and others. Soprano Ying Fang will sing arias by Mozart, Massenet and Donizetti, and the orchestra’s Assistant Principal Second Violin Lucas Guideri will perform “Meditation” from Massenet’s Thais. Taking place in a relaxed setting with a casual format, Principal Guest Conductor Stuart Malina talks to the audience about the music and the composers during the performance, which is Thursday, March 5, at 11 a.m., at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. At the next Raymond James Pops concert, “Star Wars & More!,” it’s a celebration of John Williams’ extraordinary film music from Superman, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Hook, E.T. and Schindler’s List, along with a cosmic hit parade of themes from Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, A New Hope and The Phantom Menace. Bob Bernhardt conducts an 8 p.m. concert on March 6 in Tampa and both a 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. concert on March 7 in St. Petersburg. At the upcoming Tampa Bay Times Masterworks, TFOs’ new Music Director Designate Michael Francis leads the orchestra in an all-Russian program. The concert opens with the tragic tale of puppets endowed with human vulnerabilities in Stravinsky’s Petrushka. This is followed by Rachmaninoff’s mysterious and dramatic Isle of the Dead, a musical depiction of Romantic painter Arnold Bocklin’s painting of the same name. The evening closes with Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous yet tragic tale of love in his symphonic poem Francesca da Rimini. These concerts are March 14 and 15 in St. Petersburg and Clearwater, respectively. At the following Tampa Bay Times Masterworks concert, the night begins with Strauss’ wonderfully intimate interplay of 13 wind instruments in Serenade for Winds, prior to Barber’s nostalgic Knoxville: Summer of 1915, with it recollections of idyllic childhood memories of simpler times in rural America. Closing the concert, Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 is brimming with joyous and lovely melodies as it leads up to the gorgeous vocal solo by soprano Talise Trevigne in the radiant finale. Associate Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra Cristian Macelaru conducts TFO for these concerts on March 20, 21 and 22 in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

Tickets are on sale at 800-662-7286 and online. Please visit TFO website for show times and venues at www.floridaorchestra.org www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

Tasty Food and Drinks! “Brews & Bites” Brings Food Trucks and Live Music to THE Sail - 2nd Fri of the Month www.tampaconventioncenter.com

On the second Friday of every month, the Sail Pavilion hosts a Brews & Bites Food Truck Rally. A rolling celebration of food and fun, Brews & Bites will feature a fleet of area food trucks, and live entertainment from local musicians at the venue’s unique 360-degree waterfront bar, from 6 to 11 pm. Sail Pavilion is located on Tampa’s busy RiverWalk,

Eve’s Family Restaurant

adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St, Tampa. 813-373-1193.

an Evening Celebrating Handcrafted Cigars, Cocktails and Delectable Dishes - Wed, March 11 www.pelagiatrattoria.com

Fine cigars, premium spirits and delectable dining selections created by Executive Chef Brett Gardiner of Pelagia Trattoria highlight the March 11 “History in the Making” cigar event to be held on the restaurant’s outdoor patio. Live music, a cigar roller demonstrating the art of handcrafting cigars and dominos are all part of the evening’s festivities from 5 - 8 p.m. Premium bourbons and scotches will be featured plus there will be a signature cocktail offered that evening. The event is free and open to the public but a VIP “Enhanced Cigar Experience” package is available for a fee. 813-3133235. 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33607.

Safety Harbor Special Events March 14 - 15 www.cityofsafetyharbor.com

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Beer & Wine • Homemade Soups DAILY SPECIALS • BANQUETS • CATERING 28 Years In The Same Oldsmar Location!

DINNER FOR 2... $18.99 Includes entree, soup or salad and dessert* Cannot be combined with other offers, coupons or specials

*ice cream, pudding or jello Choose from the following:

Oven Roasted Turkey Smothered Chicken Breast Smothered Chop Steak Spaghetti & Meatballs

Meatloaf Fried Shrimp Liver n’ Onions Chicken Livers

Woodland Square 3150 Tampa Road, Oldsmar • 787- 6886 6:00 A.M -8:00 P.M. TUES - SAT., 6:00 A.M. - 2:30 P.M. SUN. & MON. 52

This year’s Safety Harbor Seafood Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15 at the Marina in Safety Harbor. The event will include two days of music and entertainment, arts and crafts, and plenty of seafood. This event is free and open to the public. 727-724-1572.

1st Annual FHM Passover Cook-off - Sun, March 15

www.flholocaustmuseum.org/event/pass-theplate-fhm-passover-cook-off/ Author Joanne Caras will help kick off the competition, and share her experiences compiling The Holocaust Survivor Cookbook, which is filled with Survivors’ recipes and stories to pass down to future

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generations. Free to all. Recipes help keep links to the past alive. The public will have a chance to taste the dishes and vote on their favorites, and local celebrity judges will present a Judgesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Choice Award. 2:00 pm 4:00 pm. Florida Holocaust Museum, 55 5th Street S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Wine Festival of Central Florida March 20 www.winefestivalofcentralflorida.com On March 20, Alliance for Independence will present

the 8th Annual Wine Festival of Central Florida. Enjoy an evening under the stars on the Lake Mirror Promenade. With over 125 wines, spirits and craft beers and samplings from some of Polk Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best chefs, caterers and restaurants, this is a premier event. Returning to the Festival this year is the Wall of Wine Drawing. A suggested donation of $20 enters you to win a significant collection of wines donated by the wine festival vendors. Information at the website. All net proceeds from this event will benefit Alliance for Independence, a community organization serving adults with developmental disabilities. 6:30 -10 p.m. The Lake Mirror Promenade, 121 S Lake Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801.

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Tasty Food and Drinks! 25th Annual Florida Winefest & Auction: Bayfront Showcase Lunch Tasting - Fri, March 20 www.floridawinefest.org/ The Grand Tasting will feature wines from more than 50 wineries. Rub elbows with host vintners and knowledgeable winery representatives as they pour their best vintages and most sought-after wines. Select appetizer portions of signature dishes from favorite local restaurants during brunch from 11am 1:15 pm. Following brunch, the afternoon continues with the charity auction. Bid on wines, lavish dinners, adventure travel, jewelry and more. 11 am - 2 pm. Bayfront grounds of Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL 34236.

Brewz Crewz Craft Beer Festival Sat, March 21 www.brewzcrewz.com/ This year’s event will feature a VIP level that gives ticket holders the chance to have an exclusive preview hour with the brewmeisters, allowing them to enjoy the beer, food, and music at a more leisurely pace. General admission will get fans unlimited beer tastings, food samples, and music. This is a 21+ only event - ID at the door. 2 - 6 pm. 402 S. Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801.

4th Annual Cuban Sandwich Festival - Sun, March 22 www.thecubansandwichfestival.com/

The Tampa Bay Olive Festival Sat, March 21 www.tampabayolivefestival.com The festival will feature olive based culinary delights from cultures that are known for their prolific use of olive based products and oil, such as Italian, Greek, Spanish and Middle Eastern as well as other standard culinary fare. The Olive Festival is scheduled for 11 AM to 8 PM. Stage performances will feature live musical entertainment. Patrons may enjoy Chef’s demos, product sampling, food and beverages for onsite sale and consumption. Some of the vendors include The Olive Garden, Tiffany’s Restaurant, Mama Lolita’s, Maggio’s Bistro, Mason’s Smoked Fish, 1st Quality Sausage House, Joey’s Italian Ice, Lonnie’s and Lat 23, to name a few. Over 50 exhibitors will offer a variety of products and services. The Conmy Center in Dunedin, is located at 750 San Salvador Dr. next to Our Lady of Lourdes. 54

The Cuban Sandwich Festival is an exciting festival and contest to find The Best Cuban Sandwiches in the Nation. Enjoy live cultural music on stage featuring live music and dance performances, plus dance and live musical performances. The festival features over 100 booths with food vendors, art, cultural exhibitors and much more. Check out the weekend schedule online. 10:30 am-6:30 pm. 813-407-6866. Ybor City Centennial Park, 1800 East 8th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605.

THE 2nd ANNUAL FLORIDA LOQUAT FESTIVAL - Sat, April 4 www.ecologyflorida.org/ Ecology Florida, Friendship Farms & Fare,and the Market Off Main will host the second annual Florida Loquat Festival on Saturday, Apr. 4 from 9:00 to 2:00 p.m. The

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festival will be a learning and sharing event to expand knowledge and appreciation of the loquat tree and its fruit. There will be presentations on the cultivation of loquat trees, how to eat its fruit, canning, and recipes using loquats. Also featured will be tasting samples, and a talk on the cultural context of this often overlooked Florida fruit-bearing tree. The festival includes an open mic literary session, featuring short creative literary works on and about loquats. Trees will be available for sale from licensed Florida nurseries along with fruit, jellies jams, and homemade pies. At the Market Off Main, 6241 Lincoln St., New Port Richey 34652.

The Dalí 4th Annual Wine & Food Event - Sun, April 12 www.TheDali.org/vinos The Dalí hosts its 4th Annual Wine and Food tasting, Los Vinos de Dalí, on Sunday April 12th from 3-6 pm. Guests enjoy boutique vintners pouring their finest, mixed with an array of tapas tastings from the area’s top restaurants, all against the backdrop of The Dalí’s beautiful Avant-garden. Tickets also include access to the Museum’s galleries including the special exhibition Dalí and da Vinci: Minds, Machines and Masterpieces. Los Vinos de Dalí specializes in featuring boutique and undiscovered vintners sourced directly from California’s wine country and other regions. This year’s Los Vinos de Dalí welcomes the Laird Family Estate, a custom crush winery in Napa Valley, who has been growing premium grapes in the Napa Valley since 1970. Some of the other unique wineries at this year’s event include the Masciarelli Wine Company, Uptick Wines, 2880 Napa Valley Wines, and returning this year, guest favorite – Robinson Family Vineyards, known especially for their Cabernet and Merlot, but even more so for their winemaking traditions. Making a debut at this year’s Los Vinos is Locale Gourmet Market, the brainchild of celebrity chefs Michael Mina and Don Pintabona. Fan favorites returning include Parkshore Grill, The Birchwood’s Birch & Vine and Il Ritorno amongst many others.

48th Omelette Party for The Arc Tampa Bay - Fri, April 17 www.thearctbfoundation.org The 48th annual Omelette Party, a signature event

for The Arc Tampa Bay, will be held Friday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Belleair home of Barbara and Michael Galinski. The Omelette Party has grown to more than 400 guests who continue to enjoy the traditional omelets and champagne prepared by Chefs from Carlouel Yacht Club. After cocktails and an opportunity to view the home and purchase fine art, guests enjoy a live band, dinner, and libations as part of the evening’s festivities. Chef Don Pintabona will serve as this year’s Chef d’Eeuf. Formerly the executive chef of Tribeca Grill, Chef Pintabona is half of the duo behind the Locale Market. Guests of the party will enjoy Chef Pinatbona’s signature omelette. Other delicious fare will be prepared by Carlouel Yacht Club 7:30 p.m. 727797-8712.

Tending Your Family’s Recipes - Sat, March 28 info@floridacraftart Why are some recipes adopted as family recipes and passed down generation to generation? Which ones has your family adopted? Janet K. Keeler will lead this fun interaction. She is a food columnist at the Tampa Bay Times and the founder of #CookClub, an online cooking community. Janet is a also a visiting professor in the Journalism and Media Studies Department of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and the coordinator of its Culinary Communications programs. Keeler is the author of Cookielicious:150 Fabulous Recipes to Bake and Share. As a special surprise, Chef Don Pintabona of Locale Market will share one of his family’s recipes with the group. Bring a copy of your favorites to share with the group and maybe it will be the start of some new family recipe traditions. Free and open to the public. RSVP by emailing info@floridacraftart or by calling 727-821-7391 so there is a seat for you. All Saturday programs will be held in the Florida CraftArt Gallery at 501 Central Ave. in downtown St. Petersburg. For more information or questions, call 727-821-7391. Area parking meters are free on Saturdays.

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Chef-inspired Culinary Market Opens in Downtown St. Petersburg Story by Joyce LaFray, photos by Melissa Wolcott Martino he once somnolent City of St. Petersburg, known worldwide as “The Sunshine City,” now offers residents and visitors alike everything under the sun. In addition boasting an amazing waterfront of 244 miles along the water, one of the largest marinas in the southeast, and Ft. Desoto, a nationally top ranked beach, now there’s an outstanding culinary marketplace in the picturesque downtown. Thanks to James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina and esteemed partner Chef Don Pintabona, St. Petersburg has suddenly awakened to a most unique experience, the birth of an outstanding market named simply “Locale.” I’ve live in this remarkable city for 36 years and enjoyed every moment, though often disappointed in the restaurants and markets. Yet, the last several years have fortuitously transformed this city into a treasure trove of exciting gastronomic adventures. I was greatly anticipating the December opening of this much-touted market to the Sundial complex. Once known as “Baywalk,” before recent renovations by the ingenious Bill Edwards, CEO of the Edwards Group, this “shopping mall” is now attracting record-breaking crowds. Edwards says, “St. Petersburg is ready to embrace Locale Market. We’re proud to offer a world-class culinary marketplace to our world-class city and those who discover it.” CONTINUED

CHEF MICHAEL MINA, co-owner along with Don Pintabona.

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Photo by Joyce Lafray

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Locale Market cont’ And a world-class market it is. This Chef MinaPintabona brainchild contains something for every finicky taste, like the enormous Tomahawk prime beef, the creamiest gelato I have tasted since I lived in Italy, fresh home-style pasta with a choice of truffle butter, ragu, or simple but luscious pomodoro, fresh fish that runs the gamut from cobia and red snapper to the freshest oysters and plumpest shrimp money can buy. Savor the prize Bibb lettuce, rosy red plum tomatoes, organic fruits, veggies and herbs, fresh cut flowers, and a bevy of gourmet delights, including a lovely selection of EVOO’s and balsamic. What’s truly unique is the market design. There are a variety of kitchens, each with their own sous chefs offering monthly seasonal menus. Guests can choose to take-out, or eat in at a scattering of tables downstairs, at the cozy wine-beer bar upstairs, or alfresco at a comfy patio overlooking Sundial. Kitchens carry about five dinning selections including sides, most under $15. My favorites are the ribs with guava barbecue sauce, grilled finfish, and the potpourri of specially seasoned veggies. There’s sushi, tempura

shrimp, and a luscious St.Petersburger containing aged beef that’s worth the $14 tab. A charcuterie area contains a unique variety of cheeses and meats, including some triple creams and salumi. William Dean, the famous Clearwater chocolatier, is often on premise whipping up his colorful confections, including a good version of our beloved Key Lime pie. And there’s more. Take an afternoon to explore. Local ingredients from farm- to-table are a highlight, and you can even arrange a special dinner in a private dining room upstairs, with a flight of wine or beer to suit your fancy. No doubt, Locale and these culinary wizards are here to stay. Locale Market is located at 179 2nd Ave North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701. 727-523-6300. For more information, visit www.localegourmetmarket.com/

Joyce LaFray, known as “The Florida Gourmet” is the author of 15 cookbooks and guides to Florida and Caribbean restaurants, and recipient of many awards for her contributions to the Florida/ Caribbean dining scene.

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COOLSTUFF!

! n e h c t i K e In Th

magic opener Open Any Beverage www.MagicOpener.com

With magic Opener, struggling to open stubborn caps is a thing of the past. Combining the three most common types of beverage openers into one easyto-use product, magic Opener is the only tool you’ll need to tackle those bottle tops, aluminum pull tabs and metal caps; making it the perfect companion for camping, boating, beach barbeques and more. Ergonomically shaped and designed to firmly grab caps for even more leverage, magic Opener provides relief from painful straining and joint pain for those suffering from limited hand strength or arthritis. Featuring a magnetic top just under the smooth plastic grip, it’s also easy to find when stuck on a refrigerator door, tail gate, grill cart and more. The new magic Opener Extreme has an added pet food opening function for struggle-free chow time in a 4-in-1 tool.

NAKED TURTLE RUM www.nakedturtle.com/

Earth Cafe

Impossibly Delicious Vegan Cheesecakes To Go www.EarthCafeToGo.com

If you’re like me, and you hear “vegan, wheat/ gluten free, dairy free, cholesterol free and refined sugar free” you’re going to figure it’s good for you, but gonna taste awful. Earth Cafe has created forreal delicious 8-slice cheesecakes that can tout the above description! Flavor choices make them even more tantalizing: Pumpkin Spice, Who’s Your Daddy? (Rich creamy Carob Mousse), Rockin’ Raspberry, Cherry Dream, Strawberry Fields Forever, Blueberry Thrill — to name a few. A Sampler pie is comprised of 8 slices of your favorite flavors. Slices of their gourmet desserts are sold in health food stores nationwide, but if you can’t find them near you, you can have them shipped frozen right to your doorstep. They will keep for months in the freezer. Just thaw out a few hours before serving. Enjoy!

Don’t Worry. Drink Naked.

Naked Turtle takes it’s rum seriously. Produced on the island of St. Croix the rum is crafted with fine sugar cane molasses and distilled five times with the pristine waters of the Virgin Islands. The Naked Turtle never touches the inside of oak barrels, and is bottled “naked” allowing the naturally delicious rum character to shine through, producing crisp, great tasting rum that goes down smooth. It looks clear and crisp, and smells like rum with subtle hints of vanilla. The Naked Turtle mixes well with everything. Signature cocktails include the Naked Cola, the Naked Daiquiri, the Naked Colada as well as a host of other delicious drinks made naked. Not surprisingly, The Naked Turtle is a big fan of sea turtles, and they have partnered with the Sea Turtle Conservancy to raise awareness and protect them.

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BOXXLE WINE DISPENSER Enjoy Boxed Wine www.boxxle.com

n the past, boxed wines were not held in the highest regard. Not anymore. Boxxle is a new 3-liter premium box wine dispenser for home, bar or restaurant. It gives wine lovers an easy, convenient and attractive way to dispense and enjoy boxed wine … elevating it above the rim of the glass for easy dispensing, right down to the last drop. The Boxxle is a handsome stainless steel dispenser designed to rest on a countertop, bar or table. Boxed wine stays fresh up to six weeks; it’s shatter-proof, portable, will never have cork taint, and is environmentally conscious. The variety of boxed wines is impressive, with producers offering everything from Moscato to Monastrell and many smaller, family-owned wineries selling boxed versions of their premium wines including Cabernet Sauvignons, Chardonnays, Pinot Grigios and organics. With Boxxle, wine lovers can use the entire bag without having to tip or drag the container to the edge of the countertop. Boxxle automatically compresses the bag and keeps wine fresh up to six weeks. With its contemporary design, the Boxxle is sturdy, built to last, and complements any kitchen, bar or dining room décor.

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The Newest Addition to Walt Disney World’s Boardwalk Resort is an Italian Cuisine Lover’s Delight! Story and Photos by Melissa Wolcott Martino and Al Martino

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Step into the new Trattoria al Forno located right on the boardwalk at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and you enter a time gone by in Italy. The décor is modernized old world comfort with cozy tables overlooking the boardwalk, or front row seating to observe cooking from scratch like your mama used to make—that’s if your mama was a darn good Italian cook.

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As is with all things Disney, great attention to detail has been made in the look of the restaurant as well as the cuisine. A select list of 65 Italian wines is attractively on display as you enter the restaurant lobby area. A back-story of the trattoria makes the dining experience even more fun. The Trattoria al Forno is supposed to be a family-owned turn-of-the-20th-century boarding house that, because of it’s popularity, has become a restaurant with four different dining areas – la cucina (the kitchen), sala da pranzo (the formal dining room with a beautiful display of the family’s china and silverware, and crystal chandeliers overhead), salotto (the living room with comfortable booths and old family photos on the wall), and la taverna (the “original” family tavern, now a private dining room for groups.) On our dinner visit we experienced 4 courses, beginning with a terrific Antipasti of very thin-sliced Italian Cured Meats with House-Pickled Peppers, Olives and Caponata (made with eggplant and veggies), and a Caprese Salad with house-made Mozzarella, all served on a polished wooden pizza board. The Trattoria has a special meat slicer that can slice their meats to an impossible thinness. Chef said “If you hold it up to the light and don’t see your finger’s shadow through it, it’s not thin enough.” The achieved thinness actually seems to enhance the meat’s flavor. Our next course was pizza, and we picked two out of the menu of six different styles — a Truffle Cream with Asiago, Pecorino, and Fontina Cheeses, and a Fennel Sausage, Salame Picante with House-Pickled Peppers. They were both exceptional, with that wonderful crust that can only come from a brick oven (the al forno, which can get up to 800° and cook a pizza in 90 seconds!) For our main course, our group ordered 3 different dishes and shared tastings. Tables are cleverly set up with a stack of small plates just for that purpose. Braised Beef Bolognese came with house-made Cavatelli, with very tender beef and a delightful red sauce made with a touch of wine. The Semolina Tagliatelle alla Carbonara with Guanciale (Pork Jowls) was delectable. Due to the process of preparing Guanciale, the meat takes on a fuller flavor, which works very well in this dish. And the Shrimp with Garlic, Caper, and Anchovy Butter served with Polenta was a garlic lover’s delight.

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Hardly room for dessert, but always a must, so we carried on. More group tastings with the order of a Cannoli “Pizzelle” filled with Chocolate and Pistachio Cream, and a Lemon Panna Cotta with Almond Crunch and Macerated Berries. Both sublime! Fortunately, the restaurant is located right on the boardwalk, so a pleasant walk around it finishes off a lovely evening, and maybe loses a few worth-it calories!

The Trattoria is also open for breakfast, and has a wonderful sounding menu, which we will definitely try on a return visit. Poached Eggs with Fennel Sausage, Parmesan and Tomato Gravy served over soft Polenta sounds too good to pass up! Trattoria al Forno is open 7:30 – 11:00 a.m. for breakfast, 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. for dinner. For more information or reservations, visit www.disneyworld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE.

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22nd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Now through May 17

Photos by Melissa Martino

pring blooms in a big way with bountiful blossoms, colorful Disney topiaries, gardening seminars and flavors of the season at the 22nd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival running through May 17 at Walt Disney World Resort. Dozens of Disney character topiaries, from Chip and Dale to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, rule the festival kingdom in the park’s

Future World and World Showcase. “Frozen” will melt hearts at the park’s World Showcase Plaza: Disney’s first Anna and Elsa topiaries will appear in a garden vignette from the Oscar-winning film’s finale. The garden will pop with color as the icy “Frozen” world, illustrated with white and silver blooms of delphinium, alyssum and other flowers, transforms to a brilliant spring palette featuring Gerbera daisies, petunias, Sweet William and other flora. Home and garden seminars, children’s play gardens and other festival features return for the event. At the Festival Center, interactive gardening workshops will

set the stage for outdoor do-it-yourself inspiration, and guest speakers will cover the latest in outdoor trends and home and garden topics. Fresh new menu items will debut at the festival’s 11 Outdoor Kitchens. The new Botanas Botánico Outdoor Kitchen between France and Morocco pavilions will showcase treats like Cachapas with Farmer’s Cheese, a sweet yellow corn pancake, and Seafood Ceviche with shrimp, scallops and grouper with mango and avocado. Guests can sip the new La Tizana, a non-alcoholic punch finished with fresh fruit that can become an adult beverage with a splash of Santa Teresa RHUM Orange Liqueur. Ten new gardens will surprise guests around every corner. Guests will discover a new healingand-health garden, a pepper garden, a dinosaur-plant garden and a Shakespeare garden, among others, each designed with a storytelling element. Hundreds of butterflies of several species dazzle guests at the festival’s screened butterfly house. As the sun begins to set, illu-

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minated gardens brighten the evening and cast a magical glow across the park. The Garden Rocks Concert Series will keep crowds rockin’ every Friday, Sat-

urday and Sunday on the park’s America Gardens Theatre stage. Little River Band, Pablo Cruise, and Village People join the lineup of top bands representing four decades of pop music. The Gin Blossoms opened the concert

series. Guests can enjoy free cooking demonstrations at 3 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through May 17 at Port of Entry at the entrance to World Showcase. For each 15-minute

demo, a Disney chef will prepare a dish that’s featured at one of the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens. Disney gardeners will lead weekend how-to Gardening Seminars and workshops at the Festival Center, where guests also can pick up signature festival merchandise. Children can clamber around play gardens featuring state-of-the-art climbing equipment and hands-on activities in Mike & Sulley’s Monstrous Garden and Cactus Road Rally Garden with Mater and Lightning McQueen topiaries. A Healing & Health Garden near The Land pavilion in Future World will display ancient medicinal plants including garlic, aloe, chamomile, fennel, mint and others. Plants used to develop modern prescriptions will be papaya, periwinkle, turmeric, yew, thyme and valerian. For more information, call 407/W-DISNEY (9347639). Visit EpcotInSpring.com. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.

For more information, call 407-934-7639. Check online at www.DisneyWorld.com www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

ORLANDO HAPPENINGS www.visitOrlando.com

Coming up in Orlando Art of the Highwaymen at The Orange County Regional History Center - thru March 22

www.thehistorycenter.org In 1950s and 1960s, a group of self-taught African American artists known as the Highwaymen worked against segregation and oppressive Jim Crow laws to sell their Florida landscape paintings. Driving from town

to town and offering their work from the trunks of their cars, the Highwaymen sold to a diverse audience of doctors, shop owners, and housewives. In the 1990s, articles about their success in Folk Art, People Magazine, and the New York Times brought the Highwaymen new acclaim, and suddenly the public clamored for their paintings. Original works by the Highwaymen became extremely collectible. Surviving artists found themselves staging painting demonstrations and even contributing designs to ornaments for the White House Christmas tree. The Orange County Regional History Center is showcasing fourteen paintings from its’ collection created by twelve of the original Highwaymen artists, including Mary Ann Carroll, the only female artist in the collective. In addition, on February 18, 2015 there will be five Highwaymen artists: Curtis Arnett, Mary Ann Carroll, James Gibson, Robert Lewis, and Roy McLendon onsite at the History Center sharing stories and bringing more artwork exclusively for the event. Art of the Highwaymen is currently open and runs through March 22, 2015. Visit our website at www.thehistorycenter.org for more information and programs in conjunction with the exhibit.

WILD DAYS Weekends thru Feb 8 www.seaworldparks.com/

oin in March 14-15, 21-22 and 28-29 when SeaWorld’s BBQ festival returns for four weekends. With a special salute to America’s Heroes, there are special ticket offers for all enlisted men and women and retirees from the military. Also, show your military ID in the park to receive 10% off a Craft Brew Sampler, 15% off an All-Day Dining Deal and 10% off merchandise.

ands, Brew & BBQ features live concerts from top classic rock and country bands and artists, tasty BBQ from Central Florida’s top local smokehouses, plus SeaWorld’s own Sweet & Smokin’ Barbecue. Bands, Brew & BBQ performances are at 4:00pm at Bayside Stadium. Rodney Atkins - Saturday March 14 Kool & the Gang - Sunday March 15 Travis Tritt - Saturday, March 21 Larry the Cable Guy - Sunday, March 22

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UNIVERSAL ORLANDO

www.universalorlando.com

ith concerts lighting up the stage; 1.8 million beads flying through the air; a wild and wonderful parade led by amazing, outrageous performers and great food—Mardi Gras is like no other. Each night a different big-name headliner gets the party started—playing their biggest hits and favorite tunes live on stage. Remaining Scheduled Performances: Mar 14 - STYX, Mar 15 - AMERICAN AUTHORS, Mar 20 - BECKY G, Mar 21 - YANDEL, Mar 22 - B-52’s, Mar 28 - PHILLIP PHILLIPS, Apr 4 - THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, Apr 11 - THE BAND PERRY, Apr 18 - TREY SONGZ.

The Amazing Acro-cats thru March 15

www.circuscats.com/ The Venue Orlando welcomes Samantha Martin and her Amazing Acro-Cats as they purrform their feats of agility. The one-hour show features over a dozen fabulous felines (all former orphans, rescues, and strays) walking tightropes, pushing carts, skateboarding, jumping through hoops, ringing bells, balancing on balls and turning on lights. A portion of every shows’ ticket sales go toward cat and kitten rescue. Over the past four years, Martin has found homes for over 151 cats and kittens and continues to take cats in need and help them find forever homes. The Venue, 511 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL.

A Bridal Show to Remember Sun, March 22

www.centralfloridabridal.net/bridalshows.php See fabulous Bridal Fashions, taste food & cake samples. Win Wedding Day Vendor Services Package

from the Central Florida Bridal Association. Win other numerous door prizes from all the vendors present. Meet with Orlando’s talented, reputable, and friendly wedding professionals.

Brick Dash 5K Run and Fun Walk at LEGOLAND - Sat, April 11

www.active.com The event that combines family, fitness and fun, while supporting Winter Haven Hospital Foundation’s Fund for Women and Children, returns to Legoland on April 11. The Brick Dash 5K Run and Fun Walk invites runners and walkers of all ages to wind their way through the family theme park that’s built for kids. The Kids Half Mile is specially designed for participants 12 and under. Specially designed LEGO trophies will be given to 1st, 2nd and 3d place runners of each age category, as well as to 1st place finishers for overall male and female, and for masters male and female. Every participant will receive a race finisher prize, finisher medal and a tshirt. Registration is available at www.active.com or by calling the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation at (863) 292-4138.

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Looking Good FUSION WRAP Wearable Pocket

www.fusion-wrap.com

nstead of stashing a credit card and ID inside a bra for girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s night out, Fusion Wrap is a wearable pocket that zips around the hips to create a stylish storage solution for any outfit. Designed to look like a layered t-shirt under clothes, Fusion Wrap is a discreet way to store and wear small personal items in a functional fashion accessory. The Fusion Wrap is ideal for working out, running errands, traveling, sporting or concert events where a purse or backpack are no longer allowed and many other uses. It is made with Micropoly and Spandex making the it soft, stretchy and comfortable for any body type and shape to wear. Designed with a zip-on, zip-off closure system, the Fusion Wrap can be relied on to securely store valuables without fear that it could fall off during use. The Fusion Wrap is available in styles for men, women and children and is made in America. It features two 7-inch pockets for carrying small personal belongings. Fusion Wrap also provides a fashionable way for those with asthma, diabetes or allergies to carry their lifesaving medications at all times. The fabric used to make the Fusion Wrap is moisture wicking and antimicrobial. Currently available in black, camouflage, neon pink, pink camouflage, royal blue, tie-dye and zebra print, it is available in small, medium/large and extra-large. The Fusion Wrap retails for $34.95.

SHAVETECH Sleek, Lightweight Shaver Design for Travel www.shavetech.com

ny man who has ever tried to get a good, close shave while traveling knows just how frustrating the endeavor can be. The way the on-the-go guy thinks about shaving will forever change for the better ShaveTech. This new standard in shaving offers a sleek, lightweight design that gives users a convenient USB charging option that will save them not only space but also the aggravation of finding a free electrical outlet. ShaveTech retails for $29.99 and is available for purchase online and at select retailers in the U.S. and Canada. A wall adaptor is available for purchase.

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NERIUM

For Perfect Skin

www.mynerium.com

erium is a one-of-a-kind, science-based line of skincare products that produce real results. The secret in their Day Cream, Night Cream and Body Contouring Cream is the exclusive combination of antioxidants that have anti-aging properties and aloe, which hydrates, firms and soothes skin tissue. NeriumADâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Age-Defying night and day creams address multiple skincare concerns at once, including the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, enlarged pores and uneven skin texture. NeriumFirm Body Contouring Cream is formulated to help improve the appearance of cellulite and dimpling on common problem-areas, such as love handles, thighs, waist, upper arms and more.

Prep Sportswear Vintage Team Fan Gear www.prepsportswear.com/vintageteams_directory.aspx

o you still hold allegiance to a sports team that is no longer around? If you long for the good old days when your favorite team was still taking the field, then Prep Sportwear has you covered. For the nostalgic sports fan, this classic Vintage line features some of the greatest teams of all time.Â&#x2026;Prep Sportswear offers the largest array of custom fan apparel for football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey and more. Once you find your team - choose from endless logo possibilities of t-shirts, hoodies, tech device skins - to backpacks, blankets, scarves, towels and beyond. Then choose your logo, pick a color, size and personalize.

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ArtLines PHOTOGRAPHS OF AND ABOUT AFRICAN AMERCIANS - thru May 3

www.fine-arts.org All exhibitions during the MFA’s 50th anniversary year are inspired by and revolve around the collection. African American Life and Family draws on the Museum’s impressive collection of photography, as well as key loans, and primarily reveals how blacks viewed and presented themselves through images. In 1900, sociologist and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois created an exhibition of photographs titled The American Negro for that year’s World’s Fair in Paris. He selected images that showed refined, educated, and prosperous African Americans, challenging prevalent views

ily, including many portraits that would have been displayed in the home, provided a way to resist misrepresentation. Snapshots, postcards, portraits, and other typically private photographs became “galleries” of black America— the world hidden from public view or forced into oblivion by the constant flood of stereotypes. In addition to vernacular photography, the exhibition will feature two works by the gifted photographer James Van Der Zee, who captured the growing black middle-class in Harlem through the mid-1940s. Addison Scurlock was a respected portraitist in Washington D. C.; his portrait of Booker T. Washington is a highlight of the exhibition. Charles “Teenie” Harris’s picture conveys the energy of a Pittsburgh jazz club from 1945, and Marion Post Wolcott’s photograph of a juke joint in Mississippi also projects a celebratory mood. They both point to the central role music has played in African American life and survival. African Americans have created much of our country’s most inventive and singular music. MFA, 255 Beach Dr. N.E., St. Petersburg, 727-8962667;

and expectations of the time. Exhibiting photographs of and by African Americans introduced visual complexity to counteract deliberate distortion. Negative imagery could be thwarted by pictures of dignity, pride, success, and beauty. Throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, depictions of African Americans in theater, art, and the media often took the form of caricature, which exaggerated and simplified its subjects. Because of photography’s empirical nature, representing a “truthful” image of what was before the camera, photographs can define reality. They also have the power to contest dominant modes of representation when people have control over their own image. The photographs in African American Life and Fam76

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TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART

American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell - March 7 - May 31 www.tampamuseum.org

laire on his friend, the painter Edouard Manet). Early on in his artistic life, Esser had decided on landscape photography. The settings for his photography are located primarily in France, a country that became his adopted home of sorts. Producing photography created in accordance with classical compositional principles, Esser has been working for 15 years on the illustrated atlas of a country that seems unaffected by the technological changes that the 19th century brought with it. FMOPA is located at 400 N. Ashley Drive, Cube 200, Tampa, FL 33602; 813.221.2222.

One of the most popular American artists of the past century, Norman Rockwell (1894–1978) was a keen observer of human nature and a gifted storyteller. For nearly seven decades, while history was in the making all around him, Rockwell chronicled our changing society in the small details and nuanced scenes of ordinary people in everyday life, providing a personalized interpretation—albeit often an idealized one—of American identity. His depictions offered a reassuring visual haven during a time of momentous transformation as our country evolved into a complex, modern society. Rockwell’s contributions to our visual legacy, many of them now icons of American culture, have found a permanent place in our national psyche. TMA - 120 Gasparilla Plaza (Polk Street) Tampa, FL 33602.

FLORIDA MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS www.fmopa.org Elger Esser: Combray - thru March 29

In contrast to most other contemporary art photographers, Elger Esser is no “painter of modern life” (Baude-

St. Petersburg’s 2nd Saturday Artwalk www.stpeteartsalliance.org

Over 40 galleries and studios in the Waterfront Arts District, Central Arts District, Edge District, Grand Central District, and the Warehouse Arts District come together as one arts destination. ArtWalk is Opening Night where many galleries and studios premiere new works. Some are only open on ArtWalk, and many offer demonstrations and refreshments. Plan to drive, walk or take the trolleys to visit the districts of your choice. Free ArtWalk trolleys will encompass Warehouse Arts District and the Grand Central District, The Central Avenue trolley serves the Waterfront, Central, EDGE, and Grand Central Districts. Free parking can be found on 1st Ave N and 1st Ave S from 15th St. to 30th St. and at the Florida Holocaust Museum.

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ArtLines cont

Art of Piracy AT henry plant museum - thru April 26

BANK OF AMERICA’S MUSEUMS ON US - The First Full Weekend Of Each Month - April 4 - 5 www.museums.bankofamerica.com

Bank of America’s Museums on Us offers free weekend access to Bank of America and Merrill Lynch credit and debit cardholders in Tampa and St. Petersburg. The program’s mobile site gives customers access to the full list of markets and museums on-the-go. Participating Tampa Bay area museums are: Florida Holocaust Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, and the Tampa Museum of Art. Present your B of A or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card along with a photo ID for free general admission the first full weekend (Sat and Sun) of each month. Cardholders only; guests are not eligible.

www.plantmuseum.com/

Since the late 1600s, when Spanish galleons laden with gold sailed the Florida straits, tales of pirates and shipwrecks have floated through the history of Tampa Bay. An exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center explores the art behind the legends. The Art of Piracy: Pirates in Modern Culture examines the role of art in shaping the popular and iconic images associated with 17th and 18th century pirates in and around the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic seaboard. The exhibition features original paintings from current, award-winning artists such as Don Maitz, Rick Reeves and Alberto DeLama. Plus original and reproduction works from famed 19th and early 20th century artists Howard Pyle, N. C. and Andrew Wyeth, Frank Earle Schoonover.

Safety Harbor Bloom N Art Chalk Fest - March 21 - 22 www.cityofsafetyharbor.com

March 21 - 22 will mark the Bloom N Art Chalk Fest, with artists decorating the sidewalks along Main Street in Downtown Safety Harbor to complete their chalk masterpieces as they compete for prizes. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.cityofsafetyharbor.com or call 727-724-1572 for complete event details.

2nd Annual Lakeland Craft Festival - March 28 - 29 www.ArtFestival.com

Lakeside Village welcomes back the Lakeland Craft Festival and 150 of the finest crafters in the country March 28 - 29. This outdoor craft showcase will feature a full spectrum of craft media including photography, pottery, leather items, functional art, stained glass and much more. Craft enthusiasts will have the opportunity to explore the eclectic exhibits and many affordable gift items. The prices will be set to suit all budgets and will range from as little as $3 to $3,000. Admission is free and open to the public. 1479 Town Center, Lakeland, FL 33803. 561-746-6615 78

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www.fine-arts.org

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Dali & da Vinci: Minds, Machines & Masterpieces at the Dali Museum thru July 26 TheDali.org/davinci

The new exhibit features works and reproductions, including reproductions of da Vinci diagrams, Dali manuscripts and paintings from the permanent collection, and reproductions of the invented objects both da Vinci and Dalí proposed in advance of their times. The exhibit shows how these two great artists shared an ambition to use the tools of art to explore the whole of the human experience, including math, anatomy, motion devices, religion, and visual perspective. They both imagined fantastical devices and inventions, some of which became reality, while others remained sealed in sketches and manuscripts. Visitors explore thematic groupings that demonstrate the range of shared themes, interests, and ongoing dialogue between the two across the centuries.

Photo

Leonardo and Salvador attended the opening of the exhibit. Designs from the minds of the two geniuses are brought to life in this exhibit.

Director of Education Peter Tush.

“Dalivinci”

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Dali’s take on DaVinci’s iconic Mona Lisa.

Dali had an idea for mirrored fingernails.

Opening exhibit goers dining in front of DaVinci’s Last Supper. www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

by Dr. Lori Verderame

Making the Old Stuff New Again T

here are many DIY projects and repurposing options when it comes to antiques, but right off the bat, I want to warn you know the value of your keepsakes, heirlooms, and treasures before your start repurposing. Get a quick and easy online appraisal from me so you know if your piece is too valuable to repurpose. Once you know the true value of your antique and you are comfortable with your plan to repurpose it, consider these tips to make something old feel and look new again. Tip 1: Repurpose something that is a multiple for greater impact. If you have many dissimilar items, you

glass, porcelain, or metal doorknobs and install them in your guest bathroom to create useful, vintage towel hooks. Arrange the group of doorknobs on a wall near the tub or shower as handy hooks. Tip 2: Go all the way! Don’t be afraid to really change an antique. For instance, if you love your grandmother’s high chair but you would really like to put it to good use in your home instead of just having it sit in a corner as a display piece, remove the arms and tray and re-purpose the high chair as a child’s chair. It will look cute in a corner of a kitchen, a child’s playroom, a grandparent’s den, or a dining room. Be sure you know what you are doing when repairing and refinishing wooden pieces and search online for helpful hints. Tip 3: Re-think the scraps. Do you have a cedar chest filled with old textile pieces like parts of crocheted afghans? Needlepoint pictures that will never see the light of day? Quilted squares that were never made into a full quilt? If you know that you will never complete these projects, don’t despair. Frame them up and enjoy a great graphic picture of your crochet, quilt square of needlepoint picture. Remember to use acid free materials whenever you frame textiles or any antique piece. Install the framed textiles on an interior wall away from direct sunlight to prevent the item from fading and sun damage. Repurposing is a fun way to integrate antique pieces into a contemporary home and to enjoy the process of sprucing up something old.

can always make them seem like a group by uniting them with a uniform paint color. You can also unite related objects by putting them together in a re-purposing project. For instance, if you have a bunch of old doorknobs or door handles, repurpose this group of similar objects. For instance, take the group of mix-matched 82

Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. Dr. Lori is the expert appraiser on the international hit TV show, Auction Kings on the Discovery channel. Visit www.DrLoriV.com , www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, or call (888) 431-1010.

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DVD VIEWS

All DVDs listed are available at AMAZON.COM

DRAMA MILLION DOLLAR ARM

COPENHAGEN

Actors: Jon Hamm, Aasif Mandvi, Alan Arkin Director: Craig Gillespie In a last-ditch effort to save his career, sports agent JB Bernstein dreams up a wild game plan to find Major League Baseball’s next great pitcher from a pool of cricket players in India. He soon discovers two young men who can throw a fastball but know nothing about the game of baseball. It’s a touching journey that will change them all.

DAMAGE

Actors: Steve Austin, Walton Goggin Director: Jeff King An ex-con battles it out in the cage to pay for the operation that would save the daughter of his victim. Along the way he finds fatherly love, and friendship, in the most unlikely of places.

Actors: Gethin Anthony, Frederikke Dahl Hansen, Tamzin Merchant Director: Mark Raso After weeks of traveling through Europe, William finds himself at a crossroads in Copenhagen. Copenhagen is the birthplace of his father. When William meets a local girl they set off on an adventure to find his grandfather.

ACTION LAST SUPPER

Actors: Ye Liu and Daniel Wu Director: Chuan Lu During the tumultuous last days of the Qin dynasty, the Commander of the era most powerful army recognizes great potential in an inexperienced laborer named Liu. When he gives Liu command of thousands of officers, he unwittingly sets in motion a chain of events that will put his own life in peril and determine the fate of a nation. Praised by audiences and critics alike, The Last Supper chronicles the brutality of war and the devastation of betrayal.

THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY Actors: Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal Director: Lasse Hallström

This uplifting story bursts with flavor, passion and heart. When the chilly chef proprietress of a Michelin-starred French restaurant in southern France gets wind of a culinary immigrant opening an Indian restaurant just 100 feet from her own, her icy protests escalate to all-out war between the two establishments. It’s a celebration of triumph over exile as these two worlds collide and one young man tries to find the comfort of home in every pot — wherever he may be.

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NOW & AGAIN

Actors: Dennis Haysbert, Charles Durning Michael Wiseman is killed in a subway accident. The US government with the help of Dr. Theo Morris have preserved his brain and inserted a new genetically bio-engineered body to use as a secret weapon. The new and improved Michael takes on deadly terrorists, corrupt agents, killer bugs and an extremely dangerous international criminal known as the “Egg Man.” Michael can never let his family know his true identity and is forced to watch from the shadows as they grieve for him.

SECTOR 4: EXTRACTION

Actors: Eric Roberts and Olivier Gruner When an elite band of mercenaries is caught behind enemy lines in the hellish combat zone Sector 4 their only hope of survival is the one who got away. After escaping the clutches of Al Qaeda, the mission commander returns home, but on finding out that his men are still alive, he pledges to return leaving “No One left Behind.”

THE RECKONING

Actors Luke Hemsworth, Viva Bianca and Jonathan laPaglia Troubled detective Robbie Green discovers a mysterious video while investigating the roadside execution-style murder of his partner, Jason. The footage, shot by two teenagers, reveals murky details behind the death of a sibling in an unsolved hit and run case. The teens have since gone missing, and as the detective retraces their journey to find them, he quickly uncovers a bloody trail of murder...that leads all the way back to him.

www.Netflix.com

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DVD VIEWS

brotherly love, sibling rivalry and being moms favorite. Includes 9 Episodes on 2 DVDs. Deleted Scenes, Bonus Episode: “4th of July Special”.

HOME OF THE BRAVE

Actors: James Edwards, Frank Lovejoy, Lloyd Bridges, Director: Mark Robson The story of a young black soldier who has suffered a nervous breakdown and developed psychosomatic paralysis. Crippled by rage and trauma, his condition was caused by experiences encountered during a reconnaissance mission combined with a lifetime of racial discrimination. He may be able to walk again if he can overcome his anger and frustrations.

TV Shows

HAWAII FIVE-O: Season 4

Actors: Scott Caan, Alex O’Loughlin, Masi Oka The Hawaii Five-O team faces some of their biggest challenges yet as they fight to keep paradise safe from the most dangerous criminals on the islands.

NCIS: Season 11

Actors: David McCallum, Mark Harmon, Sean Murray Special Agent Jethro Gibbs continues to guide the elite unit from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The team is tested when one of their own is taken hostage by a terrorist and the mysterious er-emergence of the infamous “Privileged Killer.”

THE WAHLBURGERS: Season 2

Starring: Donnie Wahlberg, Mark Wahlberg, Paul Wahlberg Brothers Mark, Donnie & Paul Wahlberg are back with a whole new season of grilling up burgers, Wahlburgers style!. This tight-knit family is all about

THE WALKING DEAD: Season 4 Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal, Sarah Wayne Callies

In this new season, Rick and the group of survivors foster a thriving community in the safe haven of the prison. In this brutal world, happiness is short-lived and walkers and outside threats are no match for danger brewing inside the fences. The group’s home and new way of life will be thoroughly tested, and their struggle to survive has never been so perilous. 86

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THE GOOD WIFE: Season 5

Actors: Josh Charles, Matt Czuchry Alicia and Gary join forces to form their own law firm. As they sever ties with Lockhart/Gardner tensions escalate and explode as the new rivals go into attack mode.

CHILDREN PLANES: FIRE AND RESCUE

Actors: Dane Cook, Ed Harris, Julie Bowen; Director: Roberts Gannaway Planes: Fire and Rescue follows the hero of Planes, Dusty Crophopper. Dusty has now become a world famous celebrity and made a very successful career out of racing. A personal “medical” tragedy as well as an economic crisis forces Dusty to re-evaluate his life.

DENVER THE LAST DINOSAUR: Complete Series

MALEFICENT

Actor: Pat Fraley Denver The Last Dinosaur revolves around the adventures of a funloving dinosaur and his young friends: Jeremy, Mario, Wally, Heather, Casey and Shades. They are pursued by fortune hunters and Denver always finds himself in the middle of unexpected adventures.

BARNEY: Happy Birthday Barney

Actors: Carey Stinson and Dean Wendt; Directors: Fred Holmes, Jim Rowley When Barney’s birthday arrives the kids throw him a special party with an extra special surprise: all of the people he loves. Riff worries that his homemade present isn’t good enough – until Barney explains that sharing a gift from the heart is the best gift of all. When it’s Layla’s birthday, Barney and Layla use their imaginations to explore more about her family heritage.

Actors: Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley and Elle Fanning Director: Robert Stromberg A pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. Maleficent rises to be the land’s protector, but she suffers a ruthless betrayal - an act that begins to turn her heart to stone. Bent on revenge, she faces a battle with the invading king’s successor and places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom.

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DVD VIEWS PEPPA PIG: The Balloon Ride

Various actors Peppa Pig follows the hilarious adventures of Peppa, a loveable little piggy, her family, and all of her animal friends, including Suzy Sheep, Pedro Pony, Danny Dog and more. Peppa loves playing games and making new friends, but her absolute favorite thing is jumping up and down in muddy puddles. Includes 10 fun packed peppasodes.

Sci-Fi SONS OF LIBERTY

Actors: Keith David, Mark Sheppard, Tamer Hassan Directors: Drew Hall A special operations unit comprised of elite soldiers known as the Sons of Liberty is charged with tracking and preventing a radical group of mercenaries from constructing a devastating doomsday device. The SOL must race to develop a strategy to locate incoming stolen nuclear materials without alerting the enemy.

SHARKNADO 2: The Second One

Actors: Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, Mark McGrath

Directors: Anthony C. Ferrante When a Category 7 hurricane pummels New York, the surging flood waters bring thousands of sharks. To make matters worse, tornadoes soon dot the horizon. As Sharknadoes tear through the city, no vehicle, building, or national monument is safe.

DELIVERY: The Beast Within Actors: Danny Barclay, Rob Cobuzio Directors: Brian Netto A young couple agree to document their first pregnancy for a popular realty show. The family begins to unravel when the cameras capture a series of unexplained events. Rachael begins to believe that a powerful force of evil has possessed their child.

NIGHT MOVES

Actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning, Peter Sarsgaard Directors: Kelly Reichardt Night moves follows three radical environmentalists who ban together to execute the most epic protest of their lives. Their object is to blow up the regions most oppressive dam which is the source an symbol of the industrial culture they despise.

ZODIAC: SIGNS OF THE APOCALYPSE

Actors: Christopher Lloyd, Joel Gretsch, Reilly Dolman Director: W.D. Hogan

When a primitive astrology carving is unearthed in Peru, it triggers explosive meteor storms around the world. But this is only the beginning: Tsunamis, lightning storms, lava geysers and giant waterspouts erupt globally, each disaster corresponding to a specific sign of the zodiac. Will a mysterious government agency now kill to hide a shocking planetary secret, or can a group of rogue scientists race against time and carnage to activate an ancient civilizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Armageddon machine?

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COMEDY

Music

WET BEHIND THE EARS

Solitude Standing

Actors: Margaret Keane Williams, Jessica Piervicent Director: Sloan Copeland When Samantha plans to live in the city with her best friend, Victoria, she can’t find employment due to lack of experience. She has to move back home and take a job at an ice cream parlor. Meanwhile,Victoria struggles to find a suitable roommate. But when Samantha convinces Victoria to use her corporate position as part of a shady business opportunity to solve their problems, the strain on their friendship comes to a head. Now, Samantha must figure out how to get her friend back, while still searching for a way to get her life on track.

THE DOUBLE

Actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska Director: Richard Ayoade Simon is a timid man, scratching out an isolated existence in an indifferent world. He is overlooked at work, scorned by his mother, and ignored by the woman of his dreams. He feels powerless to change any of these things. The arrival of a new co-worker, James, serves to upset the balance. James is both Simon’s exact physical double and his opposite - confident, charismatic and good with women. To Simon’s horror, James slowly starts taking over his life.

BEHAVING BADLY

Actors: Nat Wolff, Selena Gomez, Heather Graham Director: Tim Garrick Socially awkward high schooler Rick Stevens is willing to do anything to win the heart of the girl of his dreams. His sights are set on the most beautiful and popular girl at school. But, first he must contend with her psycho ex, his suicidal mother, his philandering father, his best friends mother and a manic strip club owner.

Suzanne Vega Filmed at the Rome Auditorium, Suzanne Vega performs some of her greatest hits at this international concert, includingTom’s Diner, Luke and Marlene On The Wall and the songs are interspersed with poetry readings.

Documentary UNIVERSE: Season 7 - Ancient Mysteries Solved How were ancient builders, including those at Stonehedge, able to create structures around the world with one consistent unit of measurement- the “megalithic yard”-despite being oceans apart. This History miniseries event uses experts and CGI from The Universe to reveal the answer and demonstrate how are past is connected to the history of the universe.

CUBA: Worlds Together

Director: Elmer Hawkes Cuba provides a ground level look at Cuba, The Pearl of the Antilles. The documentary introduces the island by delving into its topography, history, health care, religious practices, cuisine and education. The Polynesialike eastern city of Baracoa and the nation’s capital, Havana are explored. The film concludes with an extensive look at the island’s unique musical performers and stylistic trends.

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Gaming Scene Las Vegas 6th Annual Downtown Hoopstown - thru April 6 www.vegasexperience.com/ Fremont Street Experience invites college basketball fans to dribble down to the 6th Annual Downtown Hoopstown taking place through April 6. The four blocks underneath the canopy will be lined with college banners and flags as Fremont Street Experience transforms into the ultimate college basketball destination with special events that are sure to be a slam dunk including: nightly entertainment from the stage production show Hardwood Hotties featuring American Idol Season 6 Finalist Haley Scarnato, an interactive High Hoops Zone, the world’s largest NCAA bracket and a special basketballthemed show displayed on the 1,500 ft. Viva Vision canopy. MICHAEL MINA’S BARDOT BRASSERIE BRUNCH EXPERIENCE AT ARIA www.aria.com/ Bardot Brasserie, Chef Michael Mina’s new French restaurant at ARIA Resort & Casino has debuted a délicieux brunch experience every Sat and Sun from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Guests can indulge in decadent dishes such as Lobster Croissant Benedict and Brioche French Toast with vanilla mascarpone while enjoying rosé wine and avant-garde brunch cocktails. 50 SHADES! THE PARODY at Bally’s: www.50ShadesVegas.com

Inspired by the best-selling trilogy, Fifty Shades of Grey, 50 Shades! The Parody begins performances on Feb. 3. Proclaimed “filthy and funny” by New York Daily News and “clever and wildly entertaining” by Variety, 50 90

Shades! The Parody is a hilariously naughty satire that explores the steamy relationship between Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, as seen through the eyes of a trio of girlfriends reading the novel at a book club meeting. As the women devour the novel, the character’s delicious affair comes to life before their eyes. This laugh-out-loud musical features a sassy original score, including such songs “Open Your Book,” “I Don’t Make Love,” and “There Is A Hole Inside Of Me.” Frank The Man. The Music at the Palazzo www.palazzo.com/

Frank The Man. The Music. is the quintessential salute to the greatest singer of the 20th century, Frank Sinatra. The theatrical production starring Bob Anderson, complete with a 32-piece orchestra, re-enacts a live Sinatra performance highlighting the music of The Great American Songbook, which Frank made so famous. Music lovers will get to travel back to a time circa 1975. Raiding the Rock Vault Celebrates Debut at The New Tropicana - Saturdays www.troplv.com/

“Raiding the Rock Vault” pays homage to rock’s greatest hits from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. The show’s all-star lineup includes Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Howard Leese [Guitar] (Heart), Robin McAuley [Lead Vocals] (Survivor), Doug Aldrich [Guitar] (Whitesnake), Paul Shortino [Lead Vocals] (Quiet Riot), Jay Schellen [Drums] (Badfinger), Andrew Freeman [Lead Vocals and Guitars] (The Offspring), Michael T. Ross [Keyboards] (Lita Ford), Hugh McDonald [Bass] (Bon Jovi), and outstanding female vocalists Carol-Lyn Liddle (Masters of Rock) and Stephanie Calvert (Starship).

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DEAL ME IN with Mark Pilarski www.markpilarski.com/

Husband Penalized for Canny Play Dear Mark: I play penny slots, and my husband plays $5 blackjack. If that is unavailable he will play on a one-dollar slot machine. We each use our own “Comp Cards.” What is interesting is that we do not equal out on comp points. I always get more points than my husband does. His complaint is that he always plays on a higher denomination machine or at a $5 blackjack game. Because he wins more often than I do, does this have anything to do with it? Cheryl C. Casino comps, Cheryl, are usually figured as a percentage of the casino’s theoretical win against the player, or, another way of looking at it, compensation for your losing play. You take the amount of action you are giving the casino, multiply that by the house edge, and the casino will take a certain percentage of that result to calculate you comp value to them. You, Cheryl, are playing on low payback slots, so you certainly could receive a greater amount of points than your husband if both of you are playing an equal amount. Since your husband mainly plays on dollar machines and $5 blackjack, the casino expects to win less from him, so, it rewards him less. Permit me, Cheryl, to break down your play versus your spouse’s to see what is happening here. We begin by multiplying each bet that you make by the

house edge; then multiply that result by the number of bets you will make in each playing session (figured per hour). Say, for example, that on a penny machine you are putting in $3 per spin, which isn’t too far fetched for penny players these days. Moreover, you could easily be on a machine that has a house edge of 15%. Your loss figures like this: $3 per pull X 15% house edge X 200 yanks per hour. This comes to mathematically a loss of $90 per hour. Does this sound about right, Cheryl? Now say that your husband is playing that same $3 per pull on a dollar slot machine, that has a house edge of 3%, and he, too, is hitting the spin button 200 times per hour. His loss is going to total about $18 per hour ($3 X .03% X 200 spins = $18). That same mathematical formula holds true for your husband while he’s playing blackjack. If his average bet is $5, and he plays a satisfactory game with the casino edge of, let’s say, 2%, and you multiply that by 60 hands per hour, his total losses will be $6 per hour ($5 X .02 X 60 = $6). Notice, Cheryl he is losing a whole lot less dough than you are. In the casino’s eyes, he deserves fewer goodies. By the way, players are NOT penalized for “winning” against the house. We instead could say that your husband is being penalized for playing smarter than you. One thing going in your husband’s favor is that when you couple proficient play with incentives like cash back and other comps, blackjack, mathematically at least, can become a winning proposition that can give him an overall return greater than 100%, in theory that is. Unfortunately, for you, Cheryl, you will never be in that category of play while playing on penny machines that typically have such low paybacks. Mark Pilarski has spent 36 years in the casino industry, 18 of those working on the inside at seven different Nevada casinos.

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Las Vegas cont The LINQ Hotel & Casino Welcomes First Hotel Guests - Saturdays www.caesars.com/linq

The LINQ Hotel & Casino has opened its doors to the first hotel guests. All hotel rooms and suites contain an interactive system on the TV which gives guests access to hotel amenities. With the click on the TV remote, guests can order room service, housekeeping

items, set up an alarm clock, as well as order one of the many popular board games available to be delivered to the room. Room service from multiple dining outlets at The LINQ Hotel & Casino and Promenade such as Brooklyn Bowl and Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar are also available. Guests can also access the interactive system from their personal smart phones and personalize their music experience with customized LINQ Hotel playlists on Spotify. In addition to the standard rooms that feature a fresh, modern design with floor to ceiling windows, boasting views of the iconic Las Vegas Strip or the High Roller – the world’s tallest observation wheel – five different suite models are available. BELLAGIO EVENTS: www.bellagio.com Fabergé Revealed thru May 25 - “Fabergé Revealed” showcases 238 rare Fabergé artifacts. A part of the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, these treasures are synonymous with exquisite craftsmanship, impeccable taste and the rich history of the Russian imperial family from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unique to this exhibition is a small collection of “Fauxbergé” objects – Fabergé look-alikes once believed to be originals. Steve Wynn’s ShowStoppers at the Encore Theater www.wynnlasvegas.com/ Steve Wynn’s ShowStoppers brings a vibrant and talented cast of 34 singers and dancers, backed by an on-stage 30-piece orchestra, to the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. A 90-minute production with dazzling scenery and costumes, ShowStoppers is composed of many quintessential musical numbers from some of the most celebrated composers and lyricists to ever grace Broadway. From Cole Porter and Rodgers & Hammerstein to Stephen Sondheim and Marvin Hamlisch and more, the geniuses behind the creative works presented in ShowStoppers set the standard to which all other theater composers and lyricists aspire. Batman Laser Challenge at Circus Circus www.mgmresorts.com/ The Batman Laser Challenge at The Adventuredome at Circus Circus Las Vegas invites guests to test their inner Super Hero with a fun, physical and mental workout. Using speed and strategy to beat the clock, would-be crime fighters can choose between two experiences, each brought to life with radiating wall-to-wall lasers, fog and themed audio tracks to guide or hinder the racer as they attempt to complete the mission.

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Gaming Scene cont Biloxi What’s happening at the Beau Rivage

seafood restaurant), and every thing in between. Guests have eleven restaurants to choose from, as well as several bars. The popular Terrace Cafe Terrace Café offers a delicious new twist on café dining. A new menu celebrates classic south-

www.beaurivage.com

ern favorites, fresh and healthy alternatives, and a number of savory specialties to satisfy every appetite. Reservations for air-inclusive travel packages may be made by calling 877-462-2328. www.beaurivage.com UPCOMING ENTERTAINMENT

Located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Beau Rivage is a beautiful resort destination — very convenient for Tampa Bay area folks looking for either an exciting time, or a relaxing time, or both — the Beau has it all. With a partnership with Vision Airlines, the resort has an exclusive package that includes a round trip non-stop jet flight, ground transfers, and two nights in a luxurious guestroom — starting at only $199 per person (double occupancy). The flight takes only an hour and fifteen minutes and leaves from the St. PetersburgClearwater Airport. Golfers will definitely want to experience Fallen Oak, Beau Rivage’s Tom Fazio-designed golf course, with it’s dramatic elevations and beautiful magnolia trees, ponds, streams and wetlands. The newly-remolded course is player-friendly and more strategic. With some bunkers removed, the remaining bunkers have been rebuilt creating a much more strategic course. In addition, 15 of the hallmark live oak trees were repositioned to add to the Fallen Oak experience. A visit to the Beau’s spa and salon will show Epicurean treatments unique to the Gulf Coast, and a perfect place for a Girlfriend Getaway with their special “Pamper Parties.” The dining opportunities at the Beau are wonderfully varied - from the simple Snacks Deli to the exceptional BR Prime (the Beau’s signature steak and 94

March 20 - ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK; March 27 MARTINA McBRIDE; April 10 - THE BAND PERRY, April 17 - BILLY CURRINGTON, April 26 - JACK HANNA’S INTO THE WILD, April 28 - MAC McANALLY, May 1 - JOSH TURNER, May 8 - SARA EVANS, May 29 - KENNY G, Aug 14 - PETER FRAMPTON & CHEAP TRICK, Sept 25 VINCE GILL

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Discover the Beauty

ig Cat Rescue is the largest accredited sanctuary in the world dedicated entirely to abused and abandoned big cats. It is home to over 100 lions, tigers, bobcats, cougars and other species most of whom have been abandoned, abused, orphaned, saved from being turned into fur coats, or retired from performing acts. The sanctuary began rescuing exotic cats in 1992. BCR has 14 species of cats, many of whom are threatened, endangered or extinct now in the wild. Their dual mission is to provide the best home they can for the cats in their care and educate the public about the plight of these majestic animals, both in captivity and in the wild, to end abuse and avoid extinction. BCR has built enclosures in a natural habitat with foliage and shelter on 55 acres in the Citrus Park area of north Tampa. They provide the best nutritional and medical care possible, and have conditioning and enrichment programs to provide the cats physical and psychological well being. The sanctuary is supported entirely by donation. BCR, 12802 Easy Street, Tampa. 813-920-4130; www.BigCatRescue.org

unken Gardens is a botanical paradise in the midst of a bustling city. As St. Petersburg’s oldest living museum, this 100 year old garden is home to some of the oldest tropical plants in the region. Family Day - The First Saturday of the Month thru June. Sunken Gardens has designated the first Saturday of each month through June 30 as Family Day in the Gardens. On those days, horticultural and other garden-related classes and hands-on activities will be provided for children and families. Activities will include hands-on gardening, such as creating butterfly and edible gardens in containers, starting plants from seeds and cuttings, and about attracting wildlife to the home garden. Children are likely to learn about butterflies, bees, worms, ladybugs, birds and tortoises! March Programs: Sat, March 7, 11:30 am - Botanical Sketching Workshop. Learn techniques in the classroom, and then move out into the garden to sketch. $10 fee. Bring a sketch pad and pencil. Sat, March 21, 11:30 am, Basics of Bamboo in FL Landscape, Karlyn Bradshaw Island Bamboo. Sat, March 28, 11:30 am, All About Gesneriads, Greg Stych. There will be Gesneriads for sale. Sunken Gardens is at 1825 4th Street N, St. Petersburg, 727-551-3102; www.stpete.org/sunken

A Botanical Experience Awaits You... • Discover the beauty of a 100 year old botanical paradise. • Explore cascading waterfalls, beautiful gardens, more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers, and walk through a butterfly encounter. • Experience a guided tour, special event or workshop. $8 Adults; $5 seniors 55 & up; $4 ages 2 - 11 1825 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL • 727-551-3100 96

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HISTORIC FISHING VILLAGE & BOARDWALK

ocated on the waterfront at Johns Pass, this quaint turn-of-the-century fishing village is Pinellas Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s #1 tourist attraction. Over one hundred merchants inhabit the Village with unique retail shopping, a variety of restaurants, the local fishing fleet, dolphin watching and shelling tours, boat rentals, parasailing and jet skiing. Plenty of parking: There is metered on-street parking located conveniently throughout the Village, as well as a new state-of-the-art multi-level parking garage adjacent to Bubba Gumps and Hubbards Marina. The beach is a short stroll away. Conveniently located near St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa, and just a short drive to the Orlando area. Open daily!

12901 Gulf Blvd, Madeira Beach, Florida Located on the Gulf-to-Intercoastal pass between Madeira Beach and Treasure Island

(727) 394-0756 â&#x20AC;˘ johnspassvillage.net

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The “I Wanna Go There!” Travel Page

Boca Raton Beach, Florida www.visitflorida.com/ Boca Raton, familiarly known to locals by its first name “Boca,” truly has it all. Beaches and golf courses; fine hotels and wondrous art museums (and the Festival of the Arts BOCA); jazz clubs and concerts at Mizner Park; the glittery Town Center at Boca Raton shopping mall, with 220 upscale and elite specialty shops; and, elsewhere around town, countless family-owned boutiques. And let’s not forget fine restaurants, some of the best in the south. After all, Boca is located in The Palm Beach and, more to the point, in the heart of Florida’s Atlantic Ocean Coast.