Accent On Tampa Bay #178, August 2012 by Accent On Tampa Bay Magazine

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Accent On Tampa Bay

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Vol. 23, Issue 178 August, 2012 Publisher Albert F. Martino, Jr. Senior Editor Melissa Wolcott Martino Sales Barbara McGovern Senior Sports Editor Peter Martino Graphic Designer Julie Johnston Contributors Sylvie Damien Marty Peters Deborah Quigley Roland Stone Photographers Melissa Wolcott Martino Proofreader Charlie deCatta Cover Photo: Kiss by Glenn La Ferman PUBLISHED ON LINE BY

AM PUBLICATIONS P.O. Box 20044 St. Petersburg, FL 33742 (727) 577-5500

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LOCAL FOCUS FLORIDA BOTANICAL GARDENS Aug 16, 30 - Herb and Tropical Fruit Garden Tours Explore Florida-friendly groundcovers, vegetable gardening in raised beds, and the herb and tropical fruit gardens. The herb garden delights visitors with the scents, colors and historical uses of medicinal, culinary and ceremonial plants. Get tips on what crops can be raised locally with success. Tours are recommended for adults and limited to groups of four to 10 people. 9 to 11 a.m. Free. Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Registration required at www.pce-lawnandgarden.eventbrite.com/ Aug 21 - Garden Tours Enjoy a stroll through the Florida Botanical Gardens and discover how to incorporate some of Florida native and Florida-friendly plants in home landscapes. Observe how the same plants can survive under different light and water conditions. Tours, recommended for adults, are limited to groups of four to 10 people. 9 to 11 a.m. Free. Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Registration required at www.pce-lawnandgarden.eventbrite.com.

THE STUDIO@620 SUMMER FUN NIGHTS The Studio@620 Summer Fun Nights series kicks off with Swing Dance Night on Friday June 15th and then continues through August with such events as a Ugly Sweater Party, Drive In Movie, and ends with the tackiest Prom Night in town. Events start at 7:30 PM, Suggested Donation $5 at the door. Friday August 10: St. Pete Got Comedy Night Friday August 31: Tacky Prom Night Summer Fun Finale The Studio@620 is a non profit arts venue located at 620 1st Ave. South, St. Petersburg FL 33701; 727-895-6620; www.studio620.org/

BREAKFAST WITH THE MAYOR & MAYOR’S NIGHT OUT Join Mayor Bill Foster for breakfast and informal conversation during “Breakfast With the Mayor,” at 7 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday each month. Bring your thoughts and ideas and support the host restaurants with a breakfast purchase. Aug 22, Sept 26, Oct24, Nov 28, Dec 26. Mayor Foster and City Council also invite everyone to “Mayor’s Night Out,” as the city brings its full array of services to the neighborhoods. Speak one-onone with the mayor and other public officials, and get the services you need from City Hall. Mayor’s Night Out is held once in each of the eight City Council Districts. You are invited to attend one or all of the Night Out events starting at 6:00 pm. Aug 9, Sept 13, Oct 11, Nov 1. www.stpete.org/mayor/index.asp

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GUIDED HIKES Brooker Creek Guided Hike - Aug 18, 25 See how the land has changed over time and the ecological footprints left by those changes. Closed-toe shoes, water and hat recommended. Best for ages 6 and older. 9 to 10:30 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. (727) 453-6800; www.brookercreekpreserve.org/ Weedon Island Guided Hike - Aug 11, 18, 25 Learn about the ecosystems and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while hiking the coastal uplands and the boardwalks through mangrove forests. Best for ages 6 and older. 9 to 11 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg. (727) 453-6500; www.weedonislandpreserve.org/ Owl and Bat Prowl - Aug. 11 A Sensing Nature guide will help the group learn about creatures of the night before going out for an evening prowl. Investigate screech owl coos, bat clicks and other eerie evening sounds. Enjoy prowling the night with these winged warriors and even eavesdrop on bat conversations through technology. A not-to-be-missed experience. 7:45 to 9:30 p.m. Free; advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. (727) 453-6800; www. brookercreekpreserve.org. Birds of Brooker Hike - Aug. 11 Learn how to identify the birds seen and heard at this special hike identifying common birds of Brooker Creek Preserve. Meander along the one-mile trail gathering information on the birds seen and heard. Binoculars will be helpful. Bring water. 8 to 10:30 a.m. Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. (727) 453-6800; www.brookercreekpreserve.org. Weedon Island Photography Hike - Aug 18 This hike is a perfect opportunity for adult photographers to hone their skills. After a classroom session highlighting specific wildlife behaviors and camera tips, guides will assist participants in capturing the natural beauty outdoors. 8 to 10 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg. (727) 453-6500; www.weedonislandpreserve.org/ Backyard Aliens - Aug. 18 A Sensing Nature guide will help participants learn about some of the unwelcome, non-native invasive species that inhabit backyards. Learn which are here to stay and what we can do to help our true Florida natives. After the indoor presentation the group will enjoy a nature walk differentiating natives and exotics while discussing the importance of helping Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural ecosystem. 10 a.m. to noon. Free; advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. (727) 453-6800; www.brookercreekpreserve.org. 6

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11th ANNUAL GECKO FEST - Sept 1 This whimsical send off to summer is like Mardi Gras meets the Renaissance, and brings together strolling street performers, main stage performers, performing artists and vendors with all types of weird and wonderful wares up and down Beach Blvd. Audience participation, especially parade (6pm… join in anywhere on the route!) Adult & children’s costume contests and a hat contest at end of parade. Live entertainment will be provided on two main stages from noon till 10 pm, with a street dance at 8:00 pm. Bring your dancing shoes! No fee for Admission or Parking. 3129 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL 33707. www.geckofest.com/

INDIE FILMS COMING TO TAMPA BAY Sept 6-8 The Tampa Bay Arts & Education Network’s 19th Annual Independents’ Film Festival Is coming September 6, 7 & 8 to the Tampa Wyndham Westshore and will feature the best new independent films including Christopher Mihm’s spooky new love letter to William Castle, House of Ghosts, funny and incredibly well-made animations from Ringling, a fairy tale animation that took 15 years to make, and the sweet life in a small Italian town. 12 screenings, 7 workshops, 2 parties, a trade show, location tours of Tampa Bay for filmmakers, 20 + local, national and international filmmakers and hundred’s of filmcrazed fans…..that’s the 2012 IFF. www.tbae.net

HISTORICAL WRITING WORKSHOPS AT HERITAGE VILLAGE - Sept 7 Award-winning author Angela T. Pisaturo returns to Heritage Village to host workshops on July 6 and Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each three-hour workshop will be unique and will cover aspects of writing historical novels, from research to setting the scene. Cost for each workshop is $15/historical society members $13; extensive handouts provided. Advance registration recommended. Heritage Village, 11909 125th St., N. Largo. (727) 582-2233 or visit www.pinellascounty.org/heritage/

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STEPPING WITH THE STARS - August 10 On Friday, August 10, from 6:30 to 10 pm the Stars will align at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa when the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce presents its premiere fundraiser gala, “Stepping with the Stars.” Held in the elegant Baranoff Ballroom, this exciting evening of dinner and dancing will showcase local business leaders and notables as they swing, salsa, and tango in a friendly competition. The occasion pairs contestants with professional dancers from Safety Harbor’s Dance Tonight Studio. The evening includes a three-course dinner, silent and live auctions. Dancers win with the help of your vote donations; vote for your favorite dancer through PayPal at Safety Harbor Chamber.com or call The Safety Harbor Chamber at (727) 726-2890. www.safetyharborchamber.com/

HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY SPEAKEASY & CASINO NIGHT - Aug 18 Enjoy a fun and exciting night of casino’s, speakeasy and Jazz. Event fruns from 7 -10 PM.Enjoy live big band entertainment by Helios Swingtet. Black tie optional. Ticket price includes food, drinks and play money for the games. 300 Cleveland Street, Clearwater 33755 at Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure - Harborview Center. 727-4610011. www.clearwaterflorida.org

GECKO BALL “HOORAY FOR GECKOWOOD” - Aug 25 The 4th annual soiree leading up to the Gecko Fest street festival one week later is “Hooray for Geckowood”, August 25th, 7-11 PM. The theme this year evokes the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood. Costumes encouraged (not required). Glam it up for the red carpet in lush evening wear; or dress as your favorite movie star or movie character. Cocktail hour appetizers, full dinner buffet, cash bar and cocktail specials, live music by Kevin Wilder and his band, dancing, silent auctions, live auctions of artist-created geckos, costume contest, over the top decor, frivolity galore - all the fabulous things you’ve come to expect from the annual Gecko Ball. As always, a portion of funds raised will benefit a local cause. Funds from last year’s Gecko Ball and Gecko Fest paid for the creation and installation of 2 public art pieces on Beach Blvd. Auctions of the artist-created geckos have raised over $6000 in the past two years. Event location: Peninsula Inn, 2937 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL 33707; Cost: $25. www.geckofest.com/ 10

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TRADEWINDS CASINO CRUISE There’s a new game in town!

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Accent on Tampa Bay attended the ribbon-cutting and preview of the new casino cruise out of John’s Pass recently. The 200 ft. ship will carry up to 425 passengers, five days a week beginning Aug 24. On board are 200 slot machines, plus table games (roulette, craps, blackjack) and sports book — and a buffet! For more information, please visit the Tradewinds Cruise Lines at www.twcls.com/

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ST. PETERSBURG SATURDAY MORNING MARKET St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market is located in Al Lang Stadium parking lot (Progress energy Park), hours from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The parking lot is at the SE corner of First Avenue South and First Street. The Market is located on the western portion of the parking lot. For a GPS location, use 101 1st St SE. (zip - 33701). The market features a wide variety fresh food, plants and crafts including: Farmers providing locally grown fresh produce and herbs. Meet who grows your food; Fresh Produce with a wide selection of regular & organic fruits and vegetables; Prepared Foods such as BBQ Turkey, smoked seafood, pickled vegetables, gourmet cheeses, fruit smoothies and much more; Gourmet Baked Goods including crusty bread, muffins, pies, and delectable desserts; Greenery - Plants, Flowers, Orchids, and Fresh Herbs; and Hand-crafted House wares & Gifts. www.saturdaymorningmarket.com

GET DOWNTOWN FIRST FRIDAY ST. PETE 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. www.firstfridaystpete.com

LIVE ARTS ON THE 600 BLOCK! - Every Third Saturday Of The Month Hosted by the diverse and creative venues on the Block, LIVE Arts on the 600 Block! is a multi-arts sidewalk fest featuring artists and artisans in downtown St. Petersburg. Stop by the block every third Saturday of the month, to listen to live music, enjoy the shops, and watch artists of all kinds at work. In addition, many of the shops and galleries will be showcasing their offerings with enticing specials throughout the day. 10am-6pm. For more information visit www.sixhundredblock.com

COREY SUNSET CELEBRATION - Second And Fourth Friday Of Every Month, Year Round The Corey Avenue Sunset Celebration takes place from 6-10 pm. Each bi-monthly event feature a variety of unique live entertainment, as well as local artists and crafters and a variety of snack food vendors. Buskers and street performers are always welcome at Corey Sunset Celebration, and may work for hat, at no charge to set up. Corey Avenue is the Heart of Downtown St. Pete Beach, the Sunset Capital of Florida. Discover the unique stores, specialty shops, the theater, restaurants, art galleries, clothing stores, imaginative gift shops, craft and hobby shopping, beachwear shops, and more. Visit by car or trolley. Free Parking and admission. www.CoreyAve.com.

HYDE PARK VILLAGE “LOCAL FOOD, HAND CRAFTS & LIVE MUSIC” - 1st Sunday of the month The Fresh Market at Hyde Park Village operates year round at 10am - 3pm. This Market and supports 100+ vendors selling fresh, local, homemade, handcrafted and eco-friendly products. A taste of what you will find is: conventional and hydroponic produce, homemade take home foods such as breads, pastries, gluten free goodies, pies, prepared entrees, sandwiches, tacos, italian delights, german bratwurst, mexican specialties; handcrafts, eco friendly products & fair trade items. 1621 West Snow Circle, Tampa, FL 33606; www.hydeparkvillage.net/ 12

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JULY EVENTS BOOK NOOK - Aug 4 THE LIFE OF AN AQUARIST - Book Nook Scheduled 10:30am-noon. Discover the secrets of being an aquarist with a book reading and talk with Deborah Barkley, one of The Pier Aquarium’s marine educators. Barkley will read the book, Abby the Aquarist written by Australian Heidi de Maine, part of the Abby’s Aquarium Adventures series. Visitors will accompany Abby on an underwater adventure as she describes exotic marine creatures and her job. With vivid, animated illustrations by Keli Hazelton and language that is easy to understand, learning becomes a fun, exciting experience for all ages. Barkley will then talk about her daily experiences at the aquarium, her favorite animals and why she enjoys her job. This month, the featured creature is the Zebra Moray Eel. Fresh Fish Theater holds craft time for kids to make popsicle stick eel puppets before the reading. After this fun event, kids are bound to ask fishy questions all day long. It doesn’t matter what age you are; all are welcome. The Book Nook by the Bay is free for children 6 and under or with the purchase of aquarium admission.

JEFF RED AND HIS BAND PERFORMS - Aug 05 Jeff Red returns with a band in the Courtyard by the Bay with some soulful R&B and smooth jazz sounds.

Jeff Red

MONTHLY GALLERY WALK AT CRYSTAL MIRAGE GALLERY Aug 11 Each month, the Downtown Arts Association in Saint Petersburg, have 25 galleries which are open to the public on the second Saturday of every month from 5:30-9:00 p.m. Crystal Mirage Gallery at The Pier is one of these galleries.

“SOUND PARLOR” AND “ELLA JET” Aug 12 “Sound Parlor “ will be a part of your Sunday afternoon from 1:00-4:00 p.m. as these young people blow you away with their talent! Courtyard by the Bay “FLASHBACK” PERFORMS CLASSIC ROCK - Aug 19 “Flashback”, a favorite classic rock band in the Tampa Bay area, will return to The Pier for a performance on Sunday, August 19th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. for your listening and/or dancing pleasure in the Courtyard by the Bay.

Pier - 800 2nd Avenue NE, 33701; www.stpetepier.com www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

FREE And Discount Passes for Military And First Responders For Entry To Hillsborough County Parks Hillsborough County is offering members of the military and first responders FREE and discounted annual Regional Park passes to all Hillsborough County Regional Parks. Passes can be obtained at the Branchton Regional Parks Office, 15502 Morris Bridge Road in Thonotosassa. The County is considering additional pass purchase locations in the future. The FREE lifetime family entrance pass is for Hillsborough County residents who are: Honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities; Surviving spouse and parents of deceased members of the US Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserves who have fallen in combat; Surviving dependents of deceased First Responders killed in the line of duty who reside in Hillsborough County. There is a 25 percent annual regional park pass discount for: Active duty members and honorably discharged veterans of the US Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserves who live in Hillsborough County; Active duty members of First Responders who live or work in Hillsborough County; Hillsborough County employees. Those wishing to obtain free or discounted passes, must provide proper documentation as outlined in the policies. The free and discounted passes do not include the boat launching pass, which is $100. Regular cost for an annual regional parks pass is $50 for an individual, and $100 for a family. View a list of regional parks online at http://bit.ly/HCParks. 813-987-6240.

NATURE WALKS ALONG THE TRAILS AT FORT DE SOTO PARK - Sat & Sun all year Free one-hour guided nature walks are offered along six different trails each Saturday and Sunday, except holidays. Visitors at the park will be absorbed in the abundance of history, natural beauty and the complexity of

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the ecology not immediately apparent to the occasional beachgoer. Emerging from the wealth of bird life, sea life, wild life and plant life is Fort De Soto Park. The largest park within the Pinellas County park system, the park consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands (keys). These keys are home to beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods and scores of native plants. The park is also home to beaches that provide refuge to the loggerhead sea turtles and more than 290 species of birds. 10 to 11 a.m. Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde. For more information, call (727) 552-1862; www.pinellascounty.org/park. www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

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STRAZ PERFORMANCES THE NEW STRAZ SEASON offers the singing and dancing nuns of Sister Act, Cole Porter’s classic Anything Goes, feel-good romps with ’80s hits like Priscilla Queen of the Desert’s “I Will Survive” and Flashdance’s “Flashdance – What A Feeling,” the chilling return of Jekyll & Hyde, the poignant and spectacular drama War Horse, the exhilarating and evocative Traces and the all-singing, all-dancing celebration of the Gershwins in ’S Wonderful. In addition to the eight-show series, the Straz Center will also present Green Day’s American Idiot and, based on the hugely popular movie, Elf The Musical, the “endearingly goofy” (USA Today) story of a man raised as an elf at the North Pole who goes in search of his human family. Plus, The Straz presents the triumphant return of Broadway’s biggest blockbuster, Wicked, the story of what happened before Dorothy dropped

in on Oz. Season ticket holders will be able to add any or all of these three shows to their package. “Our Broadway season will offer theater audiences in the Tampa Bay area the opportunity to experience a vast array of top-notch theatrical productions. This entertaining and rewarding series has something for everyone and showcases the best that theater has to offer.” – Judith Lisi, president and CEO of the Straz Center. At a glance: Jekyll and Hyde - Oct. 23 - 28; Elf - Nov. 20 - 25; Sister Act - Dec. 11 - 16; Wicked - Jan. 9 - 27, 2013; Traces - Jan. 29 - Feb. 3; Flashdance - Feb. 19 - 24; Anything Goes - March 12 - 17; Priscilla Queen of the Desert April 9 - 14; War Horse - April 30 - May 5; American Idiot - May 17 - 19. For more information, visit Straz Center, 813-2297827, www.strazcenter.org.

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THE FOREIGNER - thru HYSTERIA: OR FRAGMENTS OF AN ANALAug 19 YSIS OF AN OBSESSIONAL NEUROSIS The Foreigner demonstrates Sept 14 - Oct 21 what can happen when a group of devious characters deal with a stranger whom they think knows no English. The scene is a fishing lodge in rural Georgia often visited by Froggy LeSeuer, a British demolition expert. This time Froggy has brought along a friend, a pathologically shy young man named Charlie who is overcome with fear at the thought of making conversation with strangers. So Froggy tells all assembled that Charlie is from an exotic foreign country and speaks no English. Once alone the fun really begins as Charlie overhears more than he should. What Charlie does fuels the nonstop hilarity and sets up the breathtaking climax.

by Terry Johnson, previews September 12 and 13. Winner of Olivier Award for “Best New Comedy”, Hysteria is based on a stunning, historical meeting between two of the world’s greatest and most eccentric men - Sigmund Freud and Salvador Dalí. Set in London in 1938, Hysteria springs from Freud’s fanciful mind as he juggles unexpected visits to his home by the famous surrealist painter Dalí and a mysterious young woman named Jessica who can’t seem to keep her clothes on. Full of mistaken identities, dazzling surprises, and sheer Freudian slips, the tables are turned as Freud soon finds himself the subject of Jessica’s own bizarre form of psychoanalysis while Dalí’s surreal imagery creeps into his dreams and consciousness. American Stage is located at 163 Third Street North, St. Petersburg. 727-823-PLAY; www.americanstage.org/

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88th SEASON 2012-13 RUMORS - Comedy by Neil Simon - Sept 14 - 30, 2012 THE SENSUOUS SENATOR Comedy by Michael Parker Nov 2 - 18, 2012 BONUS SHOW: Cool Yule At The City – Holiday Musical - Dec 7 - 16, 2012 9 to 5, THE MUSICAL by Dolly Parton and Patricia Resnick - Jan 18 - Feb 3, 2013 TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD Drama by Christopher Sergel from the novel by Harper Lee - March 1 – 17, 2013 THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB – Comedy by Jones Hope Wooten - April 19 - May 5, 2013 DOUBT - Drama by John Patrick Shanley - May 31 - June 17, 2013 4025 31st Street South, St. Petersburg FL 33712; 727-866-1973. www.splt.org/

Andy Hendrickson Aug 30 - Sept 2 Andy Hendrickson is a NY City based comedian and writer. He has performed at well over 100 colleges and is a favorite headliner at comedy clubs across the country. Andy has had multiple appearances on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom radio and TV show and his CD, It’s Ready, airs regularly on SiriusXM Radio. There is no “fluff” in Andy’s act. His material is concise and efficient. He has a sarcastic and conversational style that is engaging and fun to watch. Andy’s material is uniquely original and based on real-life experiences and observations. As a comedy veteran of over 10 years, he has the ability to entertain in just about any environment and for any audience. SideSplitters is located at 12938 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. www.sidesplitterscomedy.com 18

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THE “ALL NEW” FABULOUS 50’S AND 60’S REVUE - Aug 24 - Sept 23 Audiences young and old have loved our classic revues and the most popular of all those shows have been our spectacular jukebox shows. This season not only do we revisit the great music and dancing of the 1950’s but we continue our musical journey into perhaps the most creative period in our Nation’s history – the sizzling 60’s! This is an unforgettable bonanza of music, dancing, and laughter – jam-packed with the 50’s sounds of such greats as Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Dave Brubeck, Ritchie Valens, Connie Francis, as well as the 60’s sounds of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Patsy Cline, Simon and Garfunkel, The Mamas and the Papas, Bob Dylan and much, much, much more. This revised and expanded version is a Show Palace premiere and is not to be missed.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC - Sept 28 - Nov 17 The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become one of the world’s most beloved musicals. When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain Von Trapp. The motion picture starring Julie Andrews remains the most popular movie musical of all time. The Show Palace is excited to present one of its most requested shows. Classic songs include The Sound of Music, Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things, Maria, Climb Ev’ry Mountain and the beautiful Edelweiss. Show Palace, 16128 U.S. 19 N., Hudson. 1-888-655-7469. www.showpalace.net

The Importance of Being Earnest - Aug 17 - Sept 2 A comedy by Oscar Wilde. Two gentlemen

living in 1890’s England use the same pseudonym, “Ernest”. All is fine until they both fall in love with women using that name, leading to a comedy of mistaken identities. A trivial comedy for serious people.

God of Carnage - Sept 28 - Oct 14 A drama by Yasmina Reza. A playground altercation between eleven-year-old boys brings together two sets of Brooklyn parents for a meeting to resolve the matter. At first, diplomatic niceties are observed, but as the meeting progresses, and the rum flows, tensions emerge and the gloves come off, leaving the couples with more than just their liberal principles in tatters. West Coast Players is located at 21905 US 19 N., Clearwater, FL 33765; 727 437-2363; www.wcplayers.org/

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types and takes a closer look at what it means SHOWS IN to be Black in America. THE CHANNEL Holiday Cabaret - Nov 29 - Dec 23 DISTRICT

The Colored Museum Oct 4-21 A satirical exhibit of stories illuminates race relations in America. A vaudevillian mosaic that spans over 200 years of the African American experience and celebrates African American culture, mocks stereo-

Celebrate the joy of the holiday season with an eclectic mix of songs that honor our diversity. Sing along with the songs you know and be surprised with some new ones. A high voltage, intimate evening of pure inspiration mixed with infectious humor. Take the family, and go early for latkes. Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa FL 33602; 813-251-8984. www.stageworkstheatre.org.

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THE FULL MONTY - Sept 14-23 Seeing how much their wives enjoy watching male strippers during their “Girls’ Night Out,” unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo come up with a bold way to make some quick cash. They decide to present a strip act at a local club and make their

show better than the Chippendales dancers because they’ll go “the full monty” — strip all the way. As the guys work through their fears, self-consciousness, feelings of worthlessness and anxieties, they come to discover that not only are they stronger as a group, but that the strength they find in each other gives them the individual courage to face their demons and overcome them. Eight O’Clock Theatre at Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Dr, Largo, FL. www.eightoclocktheatre.com/

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MANUSCRIPT Aug 9-12

Manuscript follows three college freshmen, on their winter break, to a New York apartment where reunions, revelations, and revenge take place. In the midst of this gathering the students make a discovery and are forced to choose between their moral beliefs and

their potential futures.

CONGRATULATIONS, JOE - Aug 16-19

In Congratulations, Joe, slacker Joe lands a coveted job at the local prison and his working class parents are overjoyed; but pressures start to mount as Joe quickly gets promoted through the bureaucratic system, and he starts to crack. Add to the mix Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no nonsense girlfriend, his neurotic aunt, and her get-rich-quick scheming boyfriend, and you have the recipe for a hilarious new world premiere comedy. The Studio@620 is at 620 1st Ave. South, St. Petersburg FL 33701; 727-895-6620. www.studio620.org/

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September 6, 7 & 8

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2010 N. Avenida Republica de Cuba Tampa, Fl 33605

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n this Americanized musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives’ enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. One of them, Jerry, declares that their show will be better than the Chippendales dancers because they’ll go “the full monty” — strip all the way. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie. This production is directed by Kathy Buck.

To purchase tickets go to: www.spanishlyrictheatre.tix.com or call 813-884-5154 Ticket Price: $22 adults $18 Students (with ID) /seniors For information about Spanish Lyric Theatre www.facebook.com/SpanishLyricTheatre www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

S T R E C N HOT CO 1-800-Ask Gary Ampitheatre JASON MRAZ - Aug 14 Jason Mraz brings his ‘Tour is a Four Letter Word’ tour to the 1-800-Ask Gary Ampitheatre on August 14 in support of his album, “Love Is A Four Letter Word.” One of the modern era’s most gifted pop troubadours, Jason Mraz’s extraordinary musical journey has taken him from coffee houses to stadiums all over the world, with two Grammy Awards and six nominations already to his credit. His 2008 third album, “We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.” was an indelible global blockbuster, earning gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications in 21 countries around the world. The album’s lead single, “I’m Yours” was ASCAP’s 2010 “Song of the Year” and also holds the record for being the longest-running song in the history of the Billboard “Hot 100” chart. A prolific songwriter, Mraz has been feted with a number of honors.

BIG TIME RUSH (BTR) - Aug 25 Big Time Rush takes their “Big Time Summer Tour,” on the road, stopping at the ampitheatre on Aug. 25. The Nickelodeon stars and Columbia Recording artists will perform songs off their latest album Elevate including “Music Sounds Better With U,” “All Over Again” and “Elevate.” Big Time Rush (abbreviated BTR) is an American television series about the Hollywood misadventures of four hockey players from Minnesota—Kendall, James, Carlos, and Logan, after they are selected to form a boy band. “We can’t wait to hit the road again!” said Big Time Rush. “The Better With U tour was amazing and we’re incredibly grateful to our fans who have supported us and made our first headlining tour a success.”

SANTANA - Aug 26 Carlos Santana and the Santana Band bring the Shape Shifter Tour to Tampa. The tour follows the release of Shape Shifter, the latest album from Santana. Comprising mostly original compositions that Carlos has been setting aside for such an instrumental project, Shape Shifter’s specially chosen tracks flow together as the magical sustain of his guitar and the spirit behind every note creates music that defies all cultural and language barriers. Carlos dedicated the album to Native Americans, acknowledging Australia’s 2008 apology to the Aborigines, and President Obama’s signing of the 2009 Native American Apology Resolution. On the tour, Santana will perform selections from the new album, as well as classics from the group’s more than four-decades-long career. www.livenation.com 24

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MAHAFFEY THEATER DAVID SANBORN AND BRIAN CULBERTSON: THE DREAM TOUR - Jazz and Funk Masters Sync-up Aug 16 The Dream Tour featuring jazz saxophonist David Sanborn and funk-based instrumentalist Brian Culbertson brings the ‘noise’ to The Mahaffey on Thursday, August 16 at 7:30 p.m.

One of the most commercially successful American saxophonists, David Sanborn has released 24 albums, won six Grammy Awards, and has received eight Gold albums and one Platinum album. Born in Tampa, Sanborn has inspired countless other musicians and has worked in many genres which typically blend instrumental pop, R&B and lately, more and more traditional jazz. Having contracted polio at the age of three, David was introduced to the saxophone as part of his treatment therapy, before studying music at Northwestern University and the University of Iowa, where he played and studied with the great saxophonist JR Monterose. Sanborn has performed on both radio and television broadcasts, having been a regular guest member of Paul Shaffer’s band on Late Night with David Letterman since the late 1980s. For more information, visit: www.davidsanborn.com

Brian Culbertson has a wide spectrum of musical styles, but much of his music is funk based. Culbertson has released twelve albums so far. The first,”Long Night Out” 1994 was self-produced at age 20. Brian began his quest in music at the age of 8 on piano, adding drums at 9, trombone at 10 then bass at 12. Brian flourished in high school bands with his father, Jim Culbertson, as the school’s award-winning jazz band director, moved to Chicago to complete his studies at private DePaul University, then went on to compose jingles for clients such as United Airlines, Oldsmobile, Sears and McDonald’s in the bustling city’s highly competitive advertising community. For more information ,visit: www.brianculbertson.com

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MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS SUMMER JAZZ SERIES Jazz: the Art of Music at the MFA features some of the best jazz in the area on Fridays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. through August 31. This is an ideal way to celebrate the beginning of the weekend in one of the area’s most spectacular settings, surrounded by the beauty of art and nature. The talented musicians will perform in the glass Conservatory, and listeners can also mingle on the terrace overlooking the bay. The MFA Café will be open for dinner and a “beer and wine” cash bar will be available. Table reservations are strongly recommended. Please contact the Café at 727.822.1032 or 727.896.2667, ext. 258. Upcoming performances: August 10: IMPROMPTU (pic upper right) August 17: George W. Carroll Quartet August 24: New York Guitar Cats (pic left) August 31: Stolen Idols

PULSE CHAMBER MUSIC - August 19 This exceptional trio, combining traditional and contemporary music, has drawn enthusiastic audiences and outstanding reviews at New York’s Carnegie Hall; the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; Boston Symphony Hall; and Harvard University. The musicians-pianist Marina Radiushina, clarinetist Margaret Donaghue Flavin, and violinist Scott Flavin-have pursued solo careers, as well. Pulse Chamber Music will present an inventive, challenging program: Telemann’s Gulliver Suite for Recorder and Baroque Violin; Jean-Philippe Rameau’s Nouvelle suite de pieces de clavecin; Khachaturian’s Trio; four of Bruch’s Eight Pieces, Op. 83; Jean Françaix’s Trio; Gershwin’s Second Prelude (arranged by Mr. Flavin); and Victoria Bond’s Bridges (2010). Ms. Bond’s composition was inspired by four actual bridges: the Golden Gate Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge [“I Got Rhythm Bridge”], Stone Bridge Over a Reflecting Pool in Souzhou, and Railroad Trestle Bridge in Galax, Virginia. For more information, please call 727.896.2667 or visit the website at www.fine-arts.org/ 26

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SUMMER CONCERT SERIES The 2012 Rays Summer Concert Series begin shortly after select homes games conclude and are free with the purchase of that game’s ticket. Enjoy the sounds of the game and music with friends and family. tampabay.rays.mlb.com/ TTHE WIGGLES - August 5, Baltimore Orioles at 1:40 p.m. Known as “Your Child’s First Rock Band,” The Wiggles have achieved worldwide success with their children’s albums, videos, television series and concert appearances. Formed in Sydney, Australia in 1991, The Wiggles are known around the world for combining music and theories of child development in their videos, television programs and live shows. They have earned 17 gold, 12 platinum, three double-platinum and 10 multi-platinum awards for sales of over 17 million DVDs and four million CDs. The Wiggles were named Business Review Weekly’s top-earning Australian entertainers for four straight years and in 2002 became the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) most successful pre-school television program of all time. The Wiggles have won two Australian Performing Right Association (APRA) songwriting awards and multiple Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) awards for Best Children’s Release in 1995, ‘96 and ‘98. O.A.R. - August 24, Oakland Athletics at 7:10 p.m. O.A.R. released their seventh studio album, King, in August 2011. It debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard charts, making it their highest debut to date. Since forming the band in 1996, O.A.R. has remained true to the basic principles of song writing and performing live for masses of faithful fans dating back to their start at Ohio State University. They’ve produced several studio hits including “That Was A Crazy Game of Poker,” “Night Shift” and “Love and Memories,” which was performed at the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby in 2006. King has a strong act to follow as 2008’s All Sides produced the band’s first ever certified platinum single “Shattered” and earned them a spot on performing songwriter’s list of the 100 Most Influential Independent Artists of the Past 15 Years. CALVIN HARRIS - September 7, Rangers at 7:10 p.m. Calvin Harris was the most successful songwriter in the U.K. last year, according to trade magazine Music Week from a recent post on BBC’s news site. Leading the charge were his major smashes “We Found Love” for Rihanna and his own productions “Bounce” with Kelis and “Feel So Close,” which has now gone Platinum. Harris’ newest track “Let’s Go” featuring Ne-Yo—propelled by Harris’ synths paired with Ne-Yo’s vocals—is a high-energy electro-house track destined to become a summer anthem. Live, Harris is a major festival act having dazzled audiences at Coachella and Electric Daisy Carnival NYC with his stellar DJ sets. 28

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MUSIC TRAX

Jazz FAB TRIO - History of Jazz in Reverse www.turnrecords.com FAB Trio’s album History of Jazz in Reverse marks another historic meeting of three improvisers and legends of the New York jazz scene, bassist Joe Fonda, drummer Barry Altschul and violinist Billy Bang, who have for decades been known the world over as masters of their craft. With the FAB Trio, they forged a unique common language that reached its peak on this recording. CURTIS FULLER - The Story of Cathy & Me www.challengerecords. com Curtis Fuller played with the likes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Jimmy Smith, Wayne Shorter, and in Art

Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and Dizzy Gillespie’s band. He toured with Count Basie. This CD is a reflection of how Curtis is going on without his dear wife of so many years. It emotionally reaches into your hearts core. OSCAR PEREZ - Afropean Affair www.oscarperezmusic.com Featuring Perez’s stellar young band Nuevo Comienzo, Afropean Affair focuses on the pianist’s original music, which he designed to showcase his group’s improvisational prowess and conservatory-honed facility for interpreting extended compositions. Balancing poise and power, the combo features some of the most prodigious young players on the scene today.

ESPERANZA SPALDING Radio Music Society

t has not taken Esperanza Spalding long to emerge as one of the brightest lights in the musical world.The young bassist, vocalist and composer from Portland, Oregon is the real deal, with a unique and style-spanning presence, deeply rooted in jazz yet destined to make her mark far beyond the jazz realm. Her latest release, Radio Music Society, is her most diverse, ambitious and masterful recital yet. Eleven songs are accompanied by conceptual short films, which further express Esperanza’s inspiration and story behind each track. Shot in various locations including New York City; Barcelona, Spain; and Portland, Oregon; all videos are be available to purchasers of Radio Music Society as a digital download or a DVD on the deluxe version. In addition to longtime partners Lovano, keyboard player Leo Genovese and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, her musicians include jazz legends Jack DeJohnette and Billy Hart; guitar heroes Jef Lee Johnson and Lionel Loueke; an array of master vocalists including Algebra Blessett, Lalah Hathaway, Gretchen Parlato, Leni Stern and Becca Stevens; hip-hop giant Q-Tip and two Portland-based musicians, Janice Scroggins and Dr. Thara Memory. www.esperanzaspalding.com

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JACQUES LOUSSIER TRIO Schumann: Kinderszenen

or more than five decades, pianist Jacques Loussier has explored and meshed the traditions of classical music with the spontaneous nature of jazz. In the early years of his career, his Play Bach Trio focused on developing improvisatory compositions around the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. In later years Loussier expanded his repertoire by taking a similar approach to composers like Debussy, Ravel, Vivaldi, Beethoven and others. The Jacques Loussier Trio - including Loussier, bassist Benoit Dunoyer de Segonzac and drummer André Arpino - brings its jazz sensibility to the work of Robert Schumann with the release of Schumann: Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood). The Loussier Trio recording puts its unique improvisational spin on the 13-song opus that Schumann composed in 1838 as a fond tribute to his childhood. www.telarc.com/

DEVIN GRAY - Dirigo Rataplan www.devingraymusic.com Drummer/Composer Devin Gray has made his first outing as a leader on his new CD, Dirigo Rataplan. An artist who strives for quality and sincerity in his work, Gray’s exciting energy has compelled him towards many different musical directions. Dirigo Rataplan consists of compositions that range from New Orleans jazz to funk. The sound is completed by the talents of his quartet Ellery Eskelin, Dave Ballou and Michael Formanek. Devin currently lives, performs and composes in Brooklyn, NY.

THE JENS WENDELBOE BIG BAND - Fresh Heat www.crazyenergy.com Jens Wendelboe is an award-winning arrangercomposer (as well as a member of the brass section of Blood, Sweat & Tears), and his newest album features his contemporary treatments of jazz classics by Clifford Brown and Joe Henderson, alongside his own energized originals. Alternately brassy and lyrical, the album also features Wendelboe’s rare big-band transformation of Steve Swallow’s small-combo gem “Falling Grace,” as well as vocals by Deb Lyons on Brown’s “Joy Spring” and “My Funny Valentine.”

JEFF HAMILTON - Red Sparkle www.caprirecords.com The 10 year collaboration of the Jeff Hamilton Trio continues with the latest CD, Red Sparkle. The recording showcases Laura and A Sleepin’ Bee as well as the hit On and On, Monk’s Bye Ya and Too Marvelous for Words. I Know You Oh So Well features beautiful bowing by bassist Luty. The four original compositions by members of the Trio include an upbeat opener by Hamilton, a rhythmic collaboration of Hamilton’s drums and Hendleman’s piano, and the title tune, Red Sparkle, Hamilton’s up-tempo showcase for the trio named for the look of his first drum set.

CINQUE - Catch A Corner www.almarecords.com The band Cinque includes musical greats Joey DeFrancesco (the fine B3 organist), drummer Steve Gadd (with James Taylor, Eric Clapton, and Chick Corea) along with three of Canada’s most respected jazz players, pianist Robi Botos (recorded and performed with Chaka Khan and James Blood Ulmer), saxophonist John Johnson (accompanied Aretha Franklin, and Diana Krall) and bassist Peter Cardinali (Oscar Peterson, Rick James, and Michael Bublé.) The CD has a free-flowing, spontaneous and warm vibe.

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ROCK

sets the tone of the album with it’s stinging guitar lines and driving drums.

CLARK COLBORN Again www.clarkplaysguitar.com/ Again is Clark Colborn’s second album (the first was “Clark Plays Guitar).” The sound encompasses hard rock, experimental, full throttle prometal, and even guiet, introspective pieces. Although he feels he played it safe on his first album, he goes full-bore out on this one. Colborn has been compared to Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.

JOHN NORUM Play Yard Blues www.mascotlabelgroup.com/ John Norum is best known for his work in the band Europe. To this day, ‘Final Countdown’ remains one of the most recognizable songs from that genre and time period. John’s solo album ‘Play Yard Blues,’ is a fantastic collection of originals, as well as a couple of covers.

ERIC HISAW Ghost Stories www.erichisaw.com Roots rocking songwriter Eric Hisaw released his new album, Ghost Stories. A mix of Rolling Stones inspired rock’n’roll and the storytelling lyricism of Texas outlaw country, the journeyman songwriter, guitarist and singer delivers a strong and honest album. The opening track

MXPX Plans Within Plans www.mxpx.com/ Plans Within Plans is MxPx’s first original album since 2007’s Secret Weapon. The album was written, recorded, and produced by the band, who are celebrating their twentieth anniversary. While the band has undergone changes in recent times, they’re still plowing ahead with the same ferocity as their young punk selves.

17 PINE AVENUE www.thenewriders.com 17 PINE AVENUE is the follow-up to Where I Come From which was released by the New Riders of the Purple Sage in 2009. It features 12 new songs, 7 of which were written by David Nelson and Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. Also included are Just The Way It Goes

and Truth Is Dead, written by Michael Falzarano (formerly of Hot Tuna), a live show favorite Down For The Ride, penned by Johnny Markowski, and Shake That Thing by Ronnie Penque. This legendary band’s renaissance began seven years ago and continues to grow today with over 100 shows annually to audiences throughout the United States and Canada.

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WAYLON JENNINGS Goin’ Down Rockin’ - The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings www.saguaroroad.com/ A new album from outlaw country legend Waylon Jennings will be released this September, filled with recordings the icon made during the last few years before his death in 2002. Jennings spent hours in a recording studio with his longtime accompanist, Robby Turner and together they laid down twelve tracks using just Waylon’s guitar and vocals and Turner’s bass. All songs were personally selected by the country star, ones that resonated in a deeply personal way and reflected his state of mind, his passions, and important statements he wanted to make about his life. The duo planned out the future instrumentation that would be added to the tracks, but Jennings was never able to complete them. Ten years after his passing, Turner returned to the recordings, finishing each song to honor Waylon’s vision of what would turn out to be his very last album. Bringing in musicians who had long worked with Waylon, such as Reggie Young, Richie Albright and tour mate Tony Joe White, Turner painstakingly created the album that Waylon set out to make. No one has ever heard these performances before; they are Waylon’s last gift to his fans.

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COUNTRY JANIE FRICKE Country Side Of Bluegrass www.newmusicdeals.com One of the premier female vocalists in country music in the early 1980’s, Janie Fricke becomes the most recent country performer to enter the bluegrass field. To that end, she has recast in a bluegrass setting her country hits from that period, such as, “Don’t Worry ’Bout Me Baby,” “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ E a s y, ” “He’s A Heartache,” and “Tell Me A Lie,” as well as her first big hit “Please Help Me I’m Falling.” CHRIS CAGLE Back In The Saddle www.chriscagle.com/ Chris Cagle’s release from Bigger Picture, Back In The Saddle is his homecoming, a rekindling of his creative flame and a reminder of his rock-infused country roots. It s something he originated and what he does best: relatable, backroads and familiar while also being a striking form of country music worth getting excited about. Cagle sees his new persona as a better version of himself. “I want my music to be an environment, to strike chords, passions, memories, faults, loves, angers and redemptions,” Chris says. 33

Tasty Food and Drinks! Olives and Olive Oil Add Life to Casual Parties

ow is the perfect time to relax and invite friends for an evening of good food and great company. Entertaining can be as easy as preparing a few simple, yet impressive appetizers - and olives and olive oil are a great way to add life and flavor

to any menu. Olives and olive oil are incredibly versatile. They’re bursting with flavor and health benefits, making them essential ingredients in every cook’s kitchen. And with a few flavorful recipes in your back pocket,

you’ll always be ready to impress. Try this delicious, easy-to-prepare recipe created by the International Olive Council to make your casual evening one to remember. Visit www.addsomelife.org for more inspiration.

CRISPY GARLIC SHRIMP SKEWERS

1/3 cup finely shredded pecorino or Parmesan cheese 16 pitted large green olives 16 pitted large ripe olives 32 grape tomatoes 1/2 medium cucumber, sliced lengthwise and cut into 32 pieces 32 (4 to 6-inch) appetizer skewers

bowl. Set aside.

Total Time: 30 minutes Makes: 32 appetizers 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided 1 egg white 2 large cloves garlic, minced 32 raw medium shrimp, shelled and deveined (about 1 1/4 pounds) 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill or parsley 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel Dash salt, optional 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs 34

Heat oven to 475° F. Blend 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, egg white and garlic in small bowl. Add shrimp; toss to coat; set aside. Blend remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, dill, lemon peel and salt in small www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

Mix bread crumbs and cheese on waxed paper; dredge shrimp to coat evenly. Place in single layer on baking sheet. Bake 8 to 12 minutes or until light golden and thoroughly cooked. Gently loosen shrimp from baking sheet; cool 1 to 2 minutes. Thread a single shrimp, olive, tomato and cucumber piece on each skewer. Serve immediately drizzled with olive oil mixture. TIP: Rub bread crumbs and cheese between your palms to create a uniform, consistent mixture. The mixture will adhere more evenly to the shrimp.

The

freshest thing to hit

Clearwater! Sweet Tomatoes Express is a little restaurant with big taste. While not a buffet, we feature custom, made-to-order salads and our famous house-made soups.

NOW OPEN! CLEARWATER EXPRESS 2689 Gulf to Bay Blvd. (727) 796-0404

Why wait in line? Order online! www.sweettomatoesexpress.com www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

A Ta s t e of Africa Story ad Photos by Melissa Wolcott and Al Martino

Berkshire Pork Tenderloin

ne of the wonderful things about Walt Disney World is the amazing dining opportunities it affords a true food afficianado — and any who just enjoys a really fabulous meal! There are so many authentic domestic and international cuisines represented throughout the property it is mind-boggling. Every time we visit “the world” we try to sample a different country’s food fare. Our most recent foray was into Africa, at Jiko “The Cooking Place” located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Here the flavors of Africa reign supreme with a fusion of some Indian and Mediterranean.

Chef Jonathan O’Brien

When we stepped through the doors at Animal Kingdom Lodge and into the majestic lobby we were already transported to Africa. Entrance into Jiko continued the immersion with warm colored decor and abstract African touches. The menu offerings at Jiko are so unique, we knew we were in for an exciting dining experience, especially under the expert helm of executive Chef Jonathan O’Brien.

Our evening began with one of their creative woodfired flatbreads — a tasty Pickled Artichoke, with Sundried Tomatoes, Piquillo Peppers, Goat Cheese, Ricotta and Parmesan Cheese. Salad or soup? We picked one of each since they both sounded so intriguing. Jiko Salad was made with Forelle Pear “Carpaccio”, Golden Raisin-Icewine Vinaigrette, Pistachios, and Pecorino Toscano Cheese, which looked and tasted devine. The Warm Avocado Soup was topped with Poached Egg, Smoked Bacon, and Tika Marsala. Definitely an exotic new taste for our palates. With this course we enjoyed a refreshing, crisp Cederberg Bukettraube wine. African wines, by the way, are some of the most enjoyable we’ve ever tasted.

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Jiko Salad

Two appetizers we found to be a treat were the Grilled Wild Boar Tenderloin with Mealie Pap (a grain), Chakalaka (like spicy stewed tomatoes), White Truffle Oil and Micro Cilantro, and the Tuna “Biltong” (So. African version of jerky) with Air-cured Tuna, Pickled Hearts of Palm, Smoked Mackerel Aioli, and Chili Oil. The suggested wine complement was a full-bodied Rudera Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, made from 30 years old bush vines. For entrees we chose a meat and a fish. The MaizeCrusted Corvina came in a Tomato-Butter Sauce with

ander Cake (a So. African version of an English Sticky Toffee Pudding), and a yummy Coconut Milk Pana Cotta (which was Vegan, made with soy milk) with

Tuna Biltong and Wild Boar Tenderloin

Vegetables “of the moment”, and was as tender and flaky as can be. The also very tender Berkshire Pork Tenderloin was cooked over an oakwood fired grill, and was served with Tandoori Squash Puree, Black Eyed Peas, Piquillo Pepper Relish, and a Cilantrobased Zough Oil Sauce. The exotic menu continues with the dessert choices. We ordered the “Tipsy Tart”, a Wine-soaked Cori-

“Tispy Tart” and Coconut Milk Pana Cotta

a Blackberry Sauce. While savoring the sweet ending to our most enjoyable evening repast, we sipped a lovely Kanu Kia-Oro Noble Late Harvest Stellenbosch Reisling.

Maize-Crusted Corvina

If you want to get away from the same-old sameold and take your palate to a new level, you must make a date with Jiko for an unforgettable dining experience. For more information, please visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/jiko-the-cooking-place/

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Oyster Bay Wine Dinner at Vincenzo’s Grill To Benefit Abilities Foundation Exclusive Tasting to Benefit Job Placement Service for Returning Veterans

ine wines from Oyster Bay New Zealand will be featured in an exclusive wine dinner Friday, July 20, at Vincenzo’s Grill at the St. Pete/Clearwater Marriott, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL benefiting job placement services for disabled veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. “Italy meets New Zealand when

executive chef Vincenzo Longo pairs his culinary creations with Oyster Bay’s Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir, and Hawke’s Bay Merlot,” said Frank DeLucia, president and CEO of the Abilities Foundation. “What a perfect match for a summer night in July.” More for information on Oyster Bay Wines visit http://www.oys-

terbaywines.com. Serving as wine dinner ambassadors will be Foundation benefactors Tom and Roslyn Puderbaugh, who have taken an active role in supporting returning disabled military veterans. RSVP to Lisa Johnson at 727538-7370x234 or ejohnson@abilities.org.

Numi Organic Tea

New Decaf Blend

umi Organic Tea has introduced new decaffeinated blends to their line of teas: Decaf Green, prized for its superior health benefits, and Decaf Aged Earl Grey, one of the world’s most popular blends. The new additions are premium, organic, full leaf teas made with 100% real ingredients. Perfumes and flavorings are never used. Numi is dedicated to providing exceptional, pure-tasting teas. For their new decaf teas, the company uses the chemical-free, CO2 process to retain more flavor and health properties, providing consumers with the besttasting teas possible. The CO2 extraction process is sometimes referred to as “effervescence.” It entails placing the tea in a pressurized chamber. Carbon dioxide is pumped in and locks on the caffeine in the tea leaves, extracting it. Antioxidant levels and the flavor quality of Numi’s organic teas remains the same, so the result is both great tasting and good for the body. For more information, www.numitea.com

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by Photos

Melissa

THE KITCHEN at Jannus Landing had itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grand opening recently, with food and drink tastings. Now lively downtown St. Pete is even livelier. Great food, friendly staff, and a fun crowd makes for a good time! Try their Braised Short Ribs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Mmmmm! 200 1st Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Fl. 33701 727.505.0540. www.kitchenstpete.com

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Seasons 52

Enjoy a Divine Summer Menu

“To every thing there is a season....” but for Seasons 52 restaurant, that is all year long, as their food is always fresh as can be. They present a change of seasons menu that reflects whatever produce is best at the moment. We had the good fortune to sample the summer menu recently and can highly recommend it.

Seasons 52 is a fresh grill and wine bar located in 13 states, with 9 restaurants in Florida, and found locally in Tampa and Orlando. The restaurant’s friendly vibe hits you as soon as you enter the establishment with it’s warm colors of wood and stone, soft lighting, contemporary decor and engaging staff. An open kitchen is always a comfort to diners, and Seasons 52 is a bustling one. Chef Clifford Pleau is the man behind the menu planning, and he is inspired by what’s best at the farmer’s market. Every week of the year he includes the freshest ingredients at their peak of ripeness. Master Sommelier George Miliotes conjures up a selection of 100 award

Story by Melissa Wolcott Martino and Al Martino

winning and ever-changing seasonal wines (over 52 of them by the glass) always coming up with the perfect pairing for every course. Seasons 52 uses wood-fire grilling and brick-oven cooking, which actually produces food which is lower in calories. The restaurant states that nothing on its menu is over 475 calories. Flatbreads have become very popular of late, and Seasons 52 serves up some creative and tasty ones. We sampled some of their Summer Menu choices: the BBQ Chicken (glazed chicken, balsamic onions, sliced scallions, melted Parmesan), and the Artichoke & Goat Cheese (spinach, balsamic onion and roasted peppers.) The suggested wine was an Aveleda Vinho Verde, which went perfectly with the flatbreads. We also sampled an appetizer of Chilled Lobster and Shrimp Spring Roll, which was light and fresh. The trio of sauces that came with it were very flavorful, which a choice of salsa verde, aromatic lemongrass, and sweet-hot red chili. The wine paired was a Hirsch

Chilled Lobster and Shrimp Spring Roll 40

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BBQ Chicken Flatbread

#1 Gruner Veltliner, Kamptal, which was crisp and clean, with a white pepper aroma and a hint of spice. Some real culinary creativity went into our second course with an organic Arugula Salad with watermelon, grilled golden beets, goat cheese, jicama and toasted pistachios, and a Summer Vegetarian Tasting with “grains of life”, soft taco, chili relleno, vegetables, cedar roasted tofu rubbed with mustard, and mango chutney. Both offerings were a unique taste treat that we will definitely order again. The wine tasting for this course was a Honig,

grass fed with an all-natural diet. This delicious beef is actually recommended by the American heart Association as a heart-healthy food. It is low in saturated fats, has half the cholesterol of regular beef, and less fat than a skinless chicken breast, salmon or swordfish fillet. Seasons 52 prepares their beef with a red wine reduction, served with cremini mushrooms, grilled asparagus and fingerling potatoes. As of this writing, Seasons 52 is the only restaurant in the area serving the Piedmontese. Mini Indulgence Desserts

Wild Alaskan Copper River Salmon

The wine for the salmon was a Chehalem INOX, Williamette Chardonnay, which played off the Omega 3 richness of the salmon with the fruity flavors of orange, pear and apple. The wine for the beef was a Markham Cellar 1879, Napa

with rich plump tannins. By the time one gets to dessert, one usually has indulged a bit too much with all their courses, but Seasons 52 understands that, and has created “Mini Indulgence” Desserts. There are nine choices of little heavenly concoctions, just enough to satisfy that end-of-meal sweet desire. Top it off with a sweet, juicy Jam Jar Moscato, Western Cape wine and you have just had the perfect dining experience. What will fall bring at Seasons 52? Seasons 52 is located at the West Shore Plaza, 204 North Westshore Blvd. Tampa, 33609. For more information visit www.seasons52.com/

Summer Vegetarian Tasting

Napa — a Sauvignon blanc with mango and papaya flavors. Our third course choices were a wonderfully fresh Wild Alaskan Copper River Salmon served with corn risotto, asparagus, roasted pepper and dill sauce, and an AllNatural Bone-in Strip Steak from a new breed of cattle — the Piedmontese. The Piedmontese beef cattle are range raised in Nebraska and

All-Natural Bon-in Piedmontese Strip Steak www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

Voli

Delicious Low Calorie Vodka

f the model with the Voli Vodka bottle here looks an awful lot like Fergie of the superstar group Black Eyed Peas, that’s because it is Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas. Fergie is not a hired spokesperson, however, she is part owner of Voli Light vodkas. She got involved becasue Voli vodkas are the first low-calorie vodkas on the market, which are perfect for health-conscious consumers. Voli is named after the meshing of Vodka and Light and is available in five flavors - Raspberry Cocoa, Espresso Vanilla, Orange Vanilla, Lemon and Lyte (original). Voli Light Vodkas are hand crafted by master distillers in Cognac, France and feature a delicate blend of the finest multi-distilled wheat vodka, pure spring water, natural flavor and electrolytes. Voli Light Vodkas are on average between 25 and 40 percent lower in calories than the leading brands and are available in all major markets. For more information please visit www.volispirits.com

727.821.4061

Serving Authentic New Orleans Cuisine Oysters and Cocktails. Featuring Live Music Friday and Saturday Nights, Sunday Jazz Brunch

Dang! That‛s Good! 1113 Central Avenue • St. Petersburg, FL 33705 Just before Ferg’s!

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T-fal’s

ActiFry

Fry Healthy!

ow can you cook all of your favorite meals using just one kitchen appliance. T-fal’s ActiFry is quite a revolutionary appliance that will change the way you cook and eat, since you can create delicious and healthier versions of everyday meals. This versatile appliance cooks a broad range of meals in one machine, cooking vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, grains, desserts and fruits. It can achieve results similar to a roaster, stir fry pan, healthy fryer or speedy slow cooker, and it’s odorless. It’s easy. You simply place food in the pan, close the lid, set the timer, and turn it on — no preheating required. With ActiFry you can enjoy crispy, great tasting fries that are low in fat. One tablespoon of oil makes two pounds of fresh French fries. That one spoonful is over 200 times less than a traditional 3 liter deep fat fryer. ActiFry automatically cooks a variety of dishes with a patented heat pulsing action that evenly cooks the food at a constant temperature of 338° F, while a stirring paddle gently stirs the food. The ActiFry’s transparent lid is steam-free. You can use your favorite recipes but may need to adjust cooking time and amount of oil. Poultry take about 15 minutes, beef about 20, and vegetables between 10 and 20 minutes. ActiFry comes with recipes and more can be found on their website. The closed cooking vessel provides safe splatter-free cooking. it was even awarded the Parent Tested- Parent Approved seal. The T-fal ceramic non-stick pan, stirring paddle, filter and lid are all easy to remove and are dishwasher safe for quick and easy clean up. For more information and a demo of the product, visit www.t-falusa.com/

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Graeter’s Ice Cream is Truly Great! by Melissa W. Martino

I www.accentontampabay.com

f a product has been around for 142 years, it has to be good to have that staying power — especially in today’s highly competitive ice cream market. Louis Graeter began making his popular hand-made French Pot Ice Cream in 1870, and now 4 generations later, it is still a Graeter family-owned business serving up the same recipes Louis conjured up back in the day. (Why mess with a good thing?) Only two gallons are created at a time, which is why Graeters is so very creamy. Fresh cream and egg custard is swirled along the chilled sides of a spinning French Pot Freezer. As the blend thickens, a blade scrapes the sides of the pot, folding the ice cream into itself. The gentle folding process prevents air from whipping into the ice cream which accounts for the dense and creamy consistency. Where a typical pint of ice cream can weigh as little as 8 ounces, a Graeter’s pint weighs nearly a full pound. Then the fresh ingredients are added. Greaters ice cream consists of the finest ingredients, with fresh cream from farms that don’t use artificial growth hormones, no hydrogenated oils, hand selected berries, etc. Right now there are 21 ice cream flavors to choose from, and 3 sorbets. I sampled several flavors and am hard-pressed to say which one is best. I may be partial to the Black Raspberry Chip with absolutely HUGE pieces of chocolate buried in it. In fact, all their flavors with chips are generously loaded — they should be called chunks instead of chips. If you don’t want to listen to me, how about a word from some famous folk? Bobby Flay also loves the Black Raspberry Chip, and Oprah Winfrey stated “You haven’t had ice cream till you’ve had Graeter’s. The Butter Pecan is Stedman’s favorite, and mine, too.” There are many more glowing endorsements as well. Right now Graeters stores are only located in Ohio and Kentucky, but no worries - you can have them shipped right to your home, as I did. They arrive in perfect frozen condition packed in an insulated cooler with dry ice. Graeters ice cream is a bit more expensive than most, but so much more worth it. If you are an ice cream lover, you will find your ultimate treat with Graeters. For more information, visit www.graeters.com

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RISE, the newest restaurant at Seminole Hard Rock Casino, Tampa, has some

by Photos

Melissa

rockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; good food! The restaurant, located in the new expansion part of the casino, is open, airy and has a friendly vibe. The menu is chock full of comfort food, such as my favorites â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Chicken Pot Pie, Baked Macaroni & Cheese, Grilled Reuben with Corned Beef and/or Pastrami, and a delicious Pear Salad with Gongonzola Cheese and Pecans. Also at Rise you will find fresh baked goods and items available for take-out. Check it out at www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/tampa-restaurants/rise-kitchen-bakery/

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Fall 2012 Brings a Pirate’s Life for You, New Downtown Disney Entertainment Complex, Test Track 2.0 and More Treats to Walt Disney World Resort

NIGHT OF JOY - Sept 7-8 Now in its 30th year, Night of Joy returns to Magic Kingdom Park with a contemporary Christian music festival. Headlining this after-hours event will be Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, NEEDTOBREATHE, MercyMe, Third Day and Kutless along with 10 other inspiring singers in a variety of genres. While artists perform at several stages, many popular attractions also are available for guests. Event hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. each evening and require a special ticket. Additional information is available at www.nightofjoy.com. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Sept 11 - Nov 2 A family-friendly fright-fest in Magic Kingdom featuring a children’s parade, trick-or-treating throughout the

park, face painting, and more, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a Halloween-themed special event held on 23 select evenings Sept. 11-Nov. 2. Purchase of an additional admission ticket is required to attend. More information:Disneyworld.com/Halloween

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SPLITSVILLE: BOWLING RE-IMAGINED The age-old image of bowling is about to change with the opening of Splitsville, America’s Bowling Alley, at Downtown Disney West Side this fall. Splitsville’s 50,000 square feet, two-story location will be unlike traditional bowling alleys — with 30 lanes separated into several clusters to create a one-of-akind perspective immersed in hip and retro elements. The Downtown Disney location also will boast billiard tables, live entertainment, a dramatic balcony and ample outdoor seating. Placing a whole new spin on the bowling experience with its emphasis on unique design, Splitsville will greet guests with upscale sushi bars, plush booths and dynamic decor overlooking the bowling lanes. Between strikes and spares, guests can feast on menu items including hand-tossed pizza, fresh-rolled sushi, grilled mahi-mahi with “Voodoo” shrimp and hand-cut filets alongside alley-classics such as cheeseburgers and crinkle-cut fries served right at the lane. For more information, visit www.splitsvillelanes.com. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival - Sept 28 - Nov 12 New vegan and fresh-from-Florida dishes will debut along with international bites and sips at the 17th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 28 - Nov. 12. Festival goers are treated to top music acts during daily Eat to the Beat! pop concerts, where four new Eat to the Beat! acts -Smash Mouth, “The Voice” winner Javier Colon, Blues Traveler and Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX — and 14 returning bands will take their turn on the America Gardens Theatre stage. Authentic Taste seminars, HGTV home-entertaining presentations and most event experiences are included with regular Epcot admission. To book special festival programs like the Party for the Senses grand tasting events, guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378). www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine. Design, then test drive The new Test Track Presented by Chevrolet A re-imagined, design-centric Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will debut in fall with a new “Chevrolet Design Center.” Amid upbeat music, engaging media, dramatic lighting and a collection of Chevrolet concept cars and model vehicles, guests themselves will become automotive designers and create their own custom concept vehicles. Then guests will buckle into their 6-person “SimCar” ride vehicle and put their design through its paces on the exhilarating hills, switchbacks and straight-aways of the Test Track circuit. Their performance testing complete, guests will move into a post-show area filled with special effects and be scored on how well their custom concept vehicle did.

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow debuts this fall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, giving Walt Disney World Resort guests a chance to become immersed in the world of the four “Pirates of the Caribbean” films. Aspiring pirates will experience the story of Jack Sparrow like never before to discover if they have what it takes to join Captain Jack’s crew. Kilimanjaro Safaris: From A to Zebra Zebra at Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcome guests on Kilimanjaro Safaris to their new home in fall 2012. A reconstructed savannah space featuring a new watering hole for live animals will offer an additional viewing opportunity at the end of guests’ expedition through Africa. For more information on Walt Disney World, call 407/824-4321 or visit disneyworld.com.

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ORLANDO HAPPENINGS Mad Cow Theatre: Twelve Angry Men and Billy Bishop Goes to War - Aug 3-26 Mad Cow Theatre is closing the Magnolia Avenue location this September and opening a new two-theatre complex on Church Street in October 2012. Twelve Angry Men and Billy Bishop Goes to War are the last two productions to be featured at the current theaters and will run from August 3 – 26. Performances run Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m. 407-297-8788, ext. 1. www.madcowtheatre.com/ FREE POPCORN FLICKS IN THE PARK - August 9 Winter Park and Enzian Theater hosts free Popcorn Flicks in the Park on the second Thursday of each month from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., in central park of downtown Winter Park. August 9: Babe. 407-629-0054. www.enzian.org/film

THE ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) is debuting a new season celebrating graphic art, photography and glass art as well as the OMA’s permanent collections. These exhibitions are all accompanied by special events and educational programming for all ages. August 4 - October 28: Southernmost Art and Literary Portraits: Photographs of Fifty Internationally Noted Artists and Writers in Florida by Jimm Roberts August - October: Modern American Artists from Florida: Paintings, Sculptures and Prints from the OMA Collection. omart.org/ Star Wars Celebration VI - Aug 23–26 The Force stays strong in Orlando with this four-day 50

event, held at the Orange County Convention Center. This fan festival commemorates the magic of the entire Star Wars saga and is a great option for Jedi’s big or small. The convention includes celebrity guests, Star Wars experts, workshops, fan costumes, exhibits and more. 888-334-8719. www.starwarscelebration.com Red Chair Affair at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre - Aug 25 Held at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, the 8th Annual Red Chair Affair kicks off the Orlando cultural season. The event features performances and entertainment by Central Florida’s cultural community. 407872-2382. www.redchairproject.com ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL HISTORY CENTER FLORIDASCAPES: I-4 — THE EXITS LESS TRAVELED - thru September 9 The Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando, Fla., invites visitors to rediscover I-4 and the cities and towns that surround it in the exhibition, FloridaScapes: I-4—The Exits Less Traveled, on display through September 9. Sherri Bunye, Crealdé Studio Artist, hopes her images inspire others to take an exit less traveled and discover the unexpected beauty and charm she captures. The exhibition focuses on the Orlando/Sanford stretch of I-4, and showcases her newest work, including 10 never-before-seen photos. www.thehistorycenter.org/ CSI: The Experience - thru the end of 2012 CSI: The Experience is a traveling exhibition combining the entertainment of the hit show with real-life scientific and investigative techniques. Guests will be able to play the role of crime scene investigators and solve multiple mysteries at the hands-on exhibit featuring handmade props, special effects, meticulous crimescene re-creations and two state-of-the-art crime labs. 407-226-7220. www.csiexhibit.com

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Orlando Happenings con’t on next page

The American Princess Arabian Nights Presented By...

6 Delicious Meals. 50 Spectacular Horses. 20 Incredible Performers.

Winner! 2011 Expedia Dinner Show of The Year!

800-553-6116 or 407-239-9223 www.arabannights.com Arabian-Nights.com

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ORLANDO HAPPENINGS Freshwater Oasis at Discovery Cove Discovery Cove recently opened Freshwater Oasis, an all-new attraction featuring multi-entry waterways, in-water sunken chairs and

The KSC Up-Close: Launch Control Center Tour Thru the end of 2012

he KSC Up-Close: Launch Control Center (LCC) Tour, the second in Kennedy Space Center’s special 50th anniversary series of rareaccess tours, takes visitors inside Firing Room 4, the one from which all 21 space shuttle launches since 2006 were controlled. Inside Firing Room 4, visitors will pass by the computer consoles at which engineers monitored the computerized launch control system’s thousands of system checks every minute leading up to launch. They’ll see the main launch countdown clock and many large video monitors on the walls, and enter the “bubble room,” with its wall of interior windows through which the Kennedy Space Center management team viewed all of the proceedings below. The LCC Tour has a limited number of daily tours. NASA and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has another behind-the-scenes tour through the end of the year. That tour takes visitors inside the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where the Apollo Saturn V rockets and space shuttles were assembled. For more information, visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com/

face-to-face encounters with otters and marmosets. Included with general admission. 877-434-7268. www.discoverycove.com ARABIAN NIGHTS SHOW The current featured production at Arabian Nights is a lighthearted tale of adventure and romance. On her 21st birthday, all-American girl and champion rider Sherry Smith discovers that she is actually the Princess Scheherazade. Along with her genie Abracadabra, Princess Scheherazade takes the audience on a magical journey around the world to find her prince – who must love horses as much as she does. Along the way, Abracadabra must protect Princess Scheherazade from the evil Prince Vaneer, and help her find her true love, Prince Khalid. The show includes dinner. 3081 Arabian Nights Blvd., Kissimmee; 407-239-9223; www. Arabiannights.com 52

et ‘n Wild Orlando’s new family water playground, Blastaway Beach, covers an acre and features a new sandcastle-themed water playground. Built around a sandcastle rising 60-feet high, the new attraction features 15 slides, expand across two pools and have over 160 soakers, jets, waterfalls and water cannons. Designed especially for families, Blast-

away Beach features a single entrance/exit, creating a secluded environment that is family-friendly and familysafe. Wet ‘n Wild Orlando, the world’s first waterpark as recognized by the World Waterpark Association, introduced the world to the waterpark concept in 1977. Today, over 15 themed rides and attractions comprise an arsenal of thrills that provide guests an exciting variety of ways to “share the rush” with family and friends.

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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS

niversal Orlando Resort’s brand new ride, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem brings minions, mayhem and tons of laughter to Universal Studios Florida. The brand-new ride combines the outrageous humor and memorable characters from the hit Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s blockbuster film, Despicable Me, with an all-new storyline, incredible new animation and the latest 3-D technology to create a wildly-hysterical and unforgettable experience. Rock the Universe takes place on September 7 & 8, where big names in Christian rock take the stage at Universal Studios. Enjoy this Christian music festival spread out over 2 nights and featuring 16 amazing bands. Feel the power of one soul-stirring song after

another from award-winning artists including Skillet, Switchfoot, Newsboys, Relient K, Jeremy Camp, tobyMac and many more. This year, experience an even bigger FanZone where you can sing along with your favorite Christian rock songs at Coca-Cola® Karaoke. Saturday night, don’t miss the Candlelighting Ceremony including music by Tenth Avenue North. Listen to inspirational guest speakers throughout the weekend, plus much more. For more information, www.universalorlando.com

SUMMER NIGHTS - thru Aug 12 Summer Nights at SeaWorld is a nighttime spectacular and the best place to be when the sun sets. Celebrate summer with exciting, nighttime shows, including a high-energy, rock ‘n roll Shamu Rocks, the hysterical duo of Clyde and Seamore in Sea Lions Tonite, and Reflections, a spectacular fireworks and fountains finale. TURTLE TREK No animal’s life journey is more incredible than that of the sea turtle. From hatching on a beach and making the mad dash to open waters to the dangers and hazards they face as they mature and return to the very same beach to lay their own eggs, their tales of life underwater have in the past been impossible to show. Now is your chance to find out what it’s like to “be a turtle” and learn about the incredible journey these amazing animals face throughout their lives. From a turtle’s point of view, go on the epic journey to see the challenges and hardships faced to survive and make it back to the beach where you were hatched. For more info, visit www.seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/ www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

Weedon Island Preserve Weedon Island Preserve is an ecologically important reserve with a highly informative and beautifully designed interpretive Cultural and Natural History Center. Their musuem exhibit focuses on Florida Native American history and artifacts. In the preserve visitors can enjoy 4.54 miles of hiking and nature trails that meander through mangrove forest and seagrass flats,

where one can spot wading birds, manatee and various fish species. Almost two miles of the trails are handicap accessible

with boardwalk or concrete. Every Saturday guided Hikes of Weedon Island are conducted by volunteers. (Pre-registration is required at (727) 453-6506.) Guided canoe trips are also offered

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through the Cultural Center. The Weedon Island Preserve Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information on Weedon Island, visit www.weewww.weedonislandcenter.org donislandcenter.org For more Weedon Island photos, visit AccentOnTampaBay.com, click on Event Photo Gallery, click on Tampa Bay Attractions.

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DVD VIEW S COMEDY I DON’TKNOW HOW SHE DOES IT Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan; Director: Douglas McGrath www.anchorbayent.com I Don’t Know How She Does It, is a comedy based on the bestseller by Allison Pearson. It follows a Boston-based working mother trying desperately to juggle marriage, children, and a high-stress job. Complicating matters further is Kate’s charming new business associate Jack, who begins to prove an unexpected source of temptation. BUCKY LARSON: BORN TO BE A STAR Starring: Nick Swardson, Don Johnson, Christina Ricci; Director: Tom Brady www.sonypictures.com Bucky [Nick Swarsdon] is a small town grocery bag-

ger, going nowhere in life until he discovers that his conservative parents were once adult film stars. With the belief that he has found his destiny, Bucky heads out to LA, hoping to follow in his parents footsteps. CASA DE MI PADRE Starring: Will Ferrell, Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna; Director: Matt Piedmont www.lionsgate.com Armando Alvarez has worked on his father’s ranch in Mexico his entire life. When the ranch faces financial strains, Armando’s younger brother Raul shows up with his new fiance, Sonia and pledges to settle all his father’s debts. But when Raul’s business dealings turn out to be less than legit, the Alvarez family finds themselves in a full-out war with Mexico’s most feared drug lord.

THE THREE STOOGES: The Ultimate Collection

(20 Disc Set including 190 Shorts, 2 Feature Films, 28 Never-Before-Released Shorts, 3 Columbia Cartoons; Starring: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard www.sonypictures.com/DVD ans will enjoy more than 60 hours of fun and laughter for the whole family from the masters of merriment and mayhem with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment release of THE THREE STOOGES ULTIMATE COLLECTION on DVD. The entire Three Stooges Columbia shorts catalog spans three decades of slapstick silliness, featuring 190 shorts, plus three discs of rare and unreleased content. Fans will revel in this chance to see several of the Stooges work separately in solo shorts, developing the comic skills that would lead them to their roles as successors to Curly in the comedy trio. The collection includes 28 never-before-released short films starring Stooges actors Shemp Howard, Joe Besser, and Joe DeRita, as well as the feature length films Have Rocket, Will Travel and Rockin’ in the Rockies available for the first time on DVD. From the classic teaming of Moe, Larry and Curly to later cast members Shemp, Joe and Curly Joe, this 20-disc set is a must-own collection for any Stooges fan.

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DRAMA THE ARTIST (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + UltraViolet Digital Copy) Starring: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo; Director: Michel Hazanavicius www.sonypictures.com/ bluray Winner of 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Hollywood 1927. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a silent movie superstar. The advent of the talkies will sound the death knell for his career and see him fall into oblivion. For young extra Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), it seems the sky’s the limit - major movie stardom awaits. The Artist tells the story of their interlinked destinies. TANNER HALL Starring: Rooney Mara, Brie Larson, Georgia King; Director: Tatiana von Furstenberg www.anchorbayent.com As Fernanda (Rooney Mara) enters her senior year at Tanner Hall--a sheltered boarding school in New England--she’s faced with unexpected changes in her group of friends when a childhood acquaintance appears. Fernanda is usually the voice of reason among

her friends, but when she begins a complicated friendship with Gio (Tom Everett Scott), she decides it’s finally time to take some risks. Victoria begins to sabotage Fernanda’s plans and plots to publicly humiliate her. As the girls flirt with adulthood, they realize they still need each other. FIREFLIES IN THE GARDEN Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Willem DaFoe, Julia Roberts; Director: Dennis Lee www.sonypictures.com Dad Charles (Willem Dafoe) is a tenured professor, son Michael (Ryan Reynolds) is a well-known romance novelist, daughter Ryne (Shannon Lucio) is poised to enter law school, and on the day we are introduced to them, matriarch Lisa (Julia Roberts) will graduate from college—decades after leaving to raise her children. But when a serious accident interrupts the celebration, the far more nuanced reality of this Midwestern family’s history and relationships come to light.

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Action

SPIDERMAN

DAWN RIDER Starring: Christian Slater, Jill Hennessy, Donald Sutherland; Director: Terry Miles www.vivendient.com/ This is a gripping story of vengeance and passion set in the American West. When the father of gunslinger John Mason is shot to death by masked bandits, Mason sets out with guns blazing to track down the bandits who killed him. During his quest, he finds himself involved in a grim love triangle when he falls for Alice, also adored by John’s best friend. THE AGRESSION SCALE Starring: Ray Wise, Dana Ashbrook, Derek Mears; Director: Steven C. Miller www.anchorbayent.com When out-on-bail mob boss Bellavance discovers that $500,000 of his money is missing, he sends four hardcore hit men to send a message to the suspected thieves’ families. But when the killers invade the Rutledge home, they meet the household’s emotionally disturbed young son Owen. Owen has a history of violent behavior, and is about to teach these thugs some deadly lessons in extreme vengeance.

(Blu-ray + UltraViolet Digital Copy) www.sonypictures.com/bluray Just in time for this summer’s “The Amazing Spider-Man,” Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released “Spider-Man,” “Spider-Man 2” and “Spider-Man 3” on Blu-ray with UltraViolet. Each edition includes new, collectable O-Ring packaging, as well as a code for owners to enter at a movie ticket redemption site (www.sonymoviecash.com/ASM), where they can see a sneak peek of “The Amazing Spider-Man” and print their free movie ticket offer (good until 8/13/12). The “Spider-Man” Blu-ray includes two neverbefore-seen bonus features “Spider Sense Over Movie Trivia Game” and “The Spider-Man Cutting Room.” The “Spider-Man 2” Blu-ray includes both previously released theatrical and extended versions of the film, with additional footage and fight sequences not seen in theaters. The critically-acclaimed trilogy based on the Marvel Comics characters stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker (alias Spider-Man), Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, and James Franco as Harry Osborn. All three releases are directed by Sam Rami. The series also features spectacular villains, with Willem Dafoe as Green Goblin/ Norman Osborn in “Spider-Man,” Alfred Molina as Doc Ock/Dr. Otto Octavius in “Spider-

JULES VERNE’S MYSTERIOUS ISLAND Starring: Werner Herzog, Franc G. Fallico; Director: Werner Herzog; www.lionsgate.com In this adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic, American history meets fantasy. As famine and death ravage Richmond, VA, five northern Civil War POWs plan a daring escape by hijacking a hot air balloon. Drifting through the night, they wake to find themselves marooned on a desert island - but they’re not alone. The island is home to a cast of survivors who have been lost in space and time, including two young women from modern times who become stranded while flying over the Bermuda Triangle. Forced to defend themselves against vicious pirates, terrifying creatures and a volcano that’s ready to blow, they must find a way to survive. 58

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Man 2,” and Thomas Haden Church as Sandman/Flint Marko and Topher Grace as Venom / Eddie Brock in “SpiderMan 3.”

TV Shows DROP DEAD DIVA: The Complete Third Season Starring: Brooke Elliott, Margaret Cho www.sonypictures.com/ DVD Acclaimed by critics and adored by viewers, the third season of Drop Dead Diva is the most delightful and deliriously funny yet. Whether forced to play wedding planner for her former fiancé’s nuptials, fighting courtroom cases from breast implant surgery gone wrong to a Death Row inmate finally trying to do right, or facing down her own love life issues with suitors both past and present, Jane is living the adventure of two lifetimes, and then some. PRIVATE PRACTICE: The Complete Fifth Season Starring: Kate Walsh, Tim Daly, Taye Diggs www.privatepractice-DVD.com From the creators of Grey’s Anatomy, comes the fifth season of ABC’s intriguing medical drama, Private Practice. Addison and her Oceanside Wellness family are faced with new challenges as unexpected people enter and complicate their lives. From a sexy new

doctor to an illegitimate son, the lives and loves of these doctors are put to the test. Relive every memorable moment plus never-before-seen bonus features. EPISODES: The First Season Starring: Matt LeBlanc, John Pankow, Stephen Mangan www.paramount.com Husband and wife writing team Sean and Beverly can’t wait to bring their successful British television series across the pond to make it big in America. But in true Hollywood fashion, it quickly becomes a cliched sitcom - starring none other than Matt LeBlanc. Matt not only messes with their beloved show, he rocks the foundation of their relationship. So now, even if they survive the absurdity of show business, will their marriage survive Matt LeBlanc?

DYNASTY THE SIXTH SEASON - Volume One & Two Starring: John Forsythe, Linda Evans, Jack Coleman, Heather Locklear, Catherine Oxenberg, Joan Collins, George Hamilton, Diahann Carroll, Michael Nader, Maxwell Caulfield www.cbsstore.com/ Dynasty fans! It’s true! Dynasty is coming to the big screen! Since it’s a way off, in the meantime you can get your dynasty jolllies with the release of the sixth season with a double set (Season One and Two) with each season containing 4 discs each. The volumes are also sold separately. For the uninitiated, Dynasty, was created by Richard & Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling. It revolved around the Carringtons, a wealthy oil family living in Denver, Colorado. Starring John Forsythe and Linda Evans as oil magnate Blake Carrington and his new wife Krystle, with Joan Collins playing Blake’s ex-wife, Alexis. This was IT for over-the-top glamour and drama. Relive (or live for the first time) the conflicts, passions, drives and tensions of the Carringtons as they struggle to maintain their status of wealth and influence. www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

HORROR

DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK Starring: Guy Pearce, Katie Holmes; producer: Guillermo del Toro www.sonypictures.com While architect Alex Hurst (Guy Pearce) and his new girlfriend Kim (Katie Holmes) restore their Gothic mansion’s period interiors, Alex’s young daughter Sally (Bailee Madison) can investigate the macabre history and dark corners of the estate. Spurring Sally’s investigation are the voices-rasping whispers who call out to her from the basement, who promise her understanding and friendship, who are so very hungry and would like to be set free. When Sally gives in to her curiosity, she opens a gateway into a hellish underworld from which an army of beady-eyed, sharp-clawed monsters emerge, small in size but endless in number. Confronted with the horror that now threatens to taker her life and destroy her family, Sally desperately tries to warn the whole house, but there’s just one problem: no one believes her.

THE SKIN I LIVE IN: (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) Starring: Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet; Director: Pedro Almodóvar; www.sonyclassics.com Dr. Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas) is a driven plastic surgeon haunted by personal tragedies. After many years of trial and error, he finally perfects a new skin – a shield which could have prevented the death of his wife in an accident years earlier. His latest “guinea pig” is a mysterious captive whose true identity masks a shocking mystery. The Skin I Live In is a masterful tale of secrets, obsession and revenge. THE WICKER TREE Starring: Brittania Nicol, Henry Garrett, Christopher Lee; Director: Robin Hardy; www.anchorbayent.com When two young missionaries (Brittania Nicol, Henry Garrett) head to Scotland, they are initially charmed by the locals in the town of Tressock, and agree to become the local Queen of the May and Laddie for the annual town festival. But the couple is not prepared for the frightening consequences of their decision, and the very disturbing secrets they are about to discover about Tressock’s seemingly friendly

townspeople. Written and Directed by Robin Hardy, The Wicker Tree also features Graham McTavish, Jacqueline Leonard, Honeysuckle Weeks, Clive Russell with Christopher Lee, star of the original The Wicker Man. MONSTER BRAWL Starring: Dave Foley, Art Hindle, Robert Maillet; Director: Jesse Thomas Cook; www.watchimage.com Prepare yourself for monster wrestling mayhem. In the tradition of a PayPer-View event and set in a cursed and abandoned graveyard, comes a fight to the death that’s as hilarious as it is grotesque. Eight classic horror monsters – supported by their colorful and eccentric managers – compete in visceral bloody combat to determine who will be the most feared and powerful fiend of all time. Monster Brawl is your ringside ticket to a fight of the living dead. Narrated by Lance Henriksen (Aliens, Terminator) and featuring an eclectic cast, including Art Hindle (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Brood), and famous mixed martial arts referee Herb Dean, Monster Brawl is sure to quench any fans thirst for violence, horror and humor.

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Music JOHNNY WINTER: LIVE AT ROCKPALAST 1979 Starring: Johnny Winter; www.mvdvisual.com Live Rockpalast 1979 features Johnny and his three piece band live on Germany’s famous Rockpalast TV show in 1979. Straight up blues like only Johnny can deliver, lean and mean. Johnny and the band also blaze through some killer covers like the Rolling Stones’ “Jumping Jack Flash” and “Suzie Q.” “Hideaway,” the guitar workout made famous by Freddie King, kicks things off. CACTUS: LIVE, LOUD & PROUD Starring: Carmine Appice, Tim Bogert, Jim McCarty, Jimmy Kunes; www.mvdvisual.com This DVD features killer Cac-

Instruction

tus performance footage recorded in various cities throughout the band’s 2006/07 tour. This incarnation of the band sees original members Carmine Appice, Tim Bogert and Jim McCarty reunited and joined by former Savoy Brown frontman Jimmy Kunes on vocals. The DVD also contains bonus interviews with the band, testimonials, and more. FROM STRAIGHT TO BIZARRE: Zappa, Beefheart, Alice Cooper and LA’s Lunatic Fringe www.mvdvisual.com In 1968 Frank Zappa set up the Bizarre and Straight labels and began a string of releases which remain extraordinary in the extreme. Releases by Wild Man Fischer, the all female GTOs, The Persuasions, Alice Cooper, Starsailor, Lenny Bruce, Lord Buckley, Captain Beefheart, and a range of other musical oddities. This film revisits and reviews the astonishing music that came out and reveals the background, operations the lives of the performers, with rare footage, archive interviews, location shoots and extras.

DOCUMENTARY

FLOWER ARRANGING: CREATE A GORGEOUS BOUQUET/THE FLOWER DUET WAY: How To Create A European Wrap Bouquet www.flowerduet.com/ This easy-to-follow instructional series is perfect for beginners and will give you the confidence to be creative with flowers available daily at your local grocery or farmers’ market. It’s a ife-saver for brides on a budget who want to create their own wedding flowers. This flower arranging how-to DVD includes: The sister team of Flower Duet, Casey and Kit, take you on location to their favorite wholesale flower vendor and show you how to choose only the freshest flowers – just like they do for all their clients in person. Then, it’s back to the design studio where you will see how professional florists prepare flowers to optimize their vase life. In addition to tips on color and flower choice, you learn the easiest and most adaptable way to create a hand-tied European wrap bouquet using three different sets of flowers.

TITANIC’S FINAL MYSTERY: Smithsonian Channel www.smithsonianchannel.com On April 15, 1912, the frigid North Atlantic Ocean played host to the biggest maritime catastrophe in history. For the last 100 years, the sinking of the RMS Titanic has grown so large that legend has replaced the truth. However, recent findings and modern technology have raised new questions about what really happened that fateful night. Follow Titanic detective Tim Maltin from the icy Labrador current of the Atlantic to the blistering deserts of the Mojave as he shatters old myths and sheds new light on the disaster that sent over 1,500 passengers and crew to a watery grave.

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FAMILY THE GARFIELD SHOW: SUMMER ADVENTURES www.thegarfieldshow.com It’s one adventure after another as Garfield and his pals look for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, try to save their favorite pizza place and morph into superheroes! Then hold on and get ready for one wild ride as they visit Cheese World, a cheese-lover’s theme park! But will Jon rain on the summer fun when he enrolls Garfield in an extreme education program to become a “normal” cat? Not if Garfield can help it. THE TEAM UNITES: VOL 1 A NEW ENEMY: VOL 2 www.lionsgate.com

PHINEAS AND FERB: THE PERRY FILES (Two-Disc Combo: DVD + Digital Copy + In-pack Perry Activity Kit; www.disneychannelDVD.com While Phineas and Ferb do it all to make every day the best day ever, evil lurks just around the corner. But there is hope for the unsuspecting citizens of Danville. Now, we crack open the top-secret archives of O.W.C.A. (Organization Without a Cool Acronym) to expose... The Perry Files. Join Perry the Platypus–a.k.a. Agent P.–on his most exciting adventures as he thwarts his nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, at every turn.

The Power Rangers have returned to save the world with Power Rangers Samurai: The Team Unites (Vol. 1) and Power Rangers Samurai: A New Enemy (Vol. 2). Join the team of Samurai Rangers as they battle Master Xandred and his evil Nighlok monsters to defend mankind. Power Rangers, a fan favorite, combines action-filled story lines with humor and heart while promoting strong values including teamwork, friendship, honor, fitness and loyalty. The DVDs each contain four episodes of the show and are loaded with special features.

THE MIGHTY MACS Starring: Carla Gugino, David Boreanaz, Ellen Burstyn; Director: Tim Chambers; www.sonypictures. com From the inspiring true story comes the tale of one woman who just wanted to make a difference and wound up making history. When Coach Cathy Rush arrives at Immaculata College, the women’s basketball team has no budget. Cathy finds help from a young nun named Sister Sunday. As financial troubles rock Immaculata, the Macs charge into the championships against all odds. You’ll stand up and cheer for the incredible season that made the real Cathy Rush a Basketball Hall of Fame legend. 62

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Star Spangled City

ities’ visitors bureaus like to tout that they have “everything” for the resident and tourist, which is not always the case. Baltimore, however, does have everything. Maryland’s amazing city located on Chesapeake Bay has much to offer. I spent three days of intense sightseeing there and realize I barely scratched the surface.

Story and photos by Melissa Wolcott Martino

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OT say can you see b early light, What we hailed at the t gleaming, Whose b and bright stars perilous fight, O’er we watched, were streaming? And red glare, the bom he Fairfield Inn & Suites in Baltimore’s Downtown Inner Harbor is the ideal place to call home while visiting the city. The 3-year old eco-friendly hotel is centrally located on the route of the Baltimore Heritage Walk which connects four neighborhoods and four centuries’ worth of historic sites and museums that includes the Inner Harbor, Little Italy, Historic Jonestown, and City Center. Although the red brick hotel is new, it was created to fit in with it’s historic location. Brick walls with indirect lighting and comfy chairs adorn the inviting lobby, and iconic Baltimore photos line the walls leading to elevators and guest rooms. The hotel has all the ameni-

ties one could wish for, with a complimentary breakfast, fitness room, restaurant, and all the modern touches in the guest rooms.

always start my trip at a city’s visitor’s center, where you can find out all about the area and what it has to offer. Baltimore’s Visitor Center is conveniently located right in the Inner Harbor which is the most visited section of the city.

altimore’s Inner Harbor is famous for “getting it right” on how best to utilize a city’s waterfront. History and hip blend together to make it attractive to everyone, with shops, restaurants, museums and boat cruises. A major seaport since the 1700s, you will find the Baltimore Maritime Museum here with four historic ships, including the USS Constellation — the only Civil War ship still floating today; the USCGC Taney, the last surviving warship of Pearl Harbor; USS Torsk submarine, completing over 10,000 dives; and the Lightship Chesapeake. It is fascinating to be able to climb aboard these ships and explore. Children are equally enthralled. The nearby Maryland Science Center features a planetarium, an IMAX theater and hands-on exhibits. Baltimore’s National Aquarium houses more than 16,000 creatures in their naturalistic habitats. You will see sharks, sea turtles, and dolphins as well as monkeys, sloths and puffins among all the species. Don’t miss the amazing Jelly fish exhibit — I guarantee you’ll see creatures you didn’t know existed. www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

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learned what the city had at the Visitor’s Center, and now to see it, I chose the Baltimore Sightseeing Trolley 90 minute Tour for a good overview. Our affable guide, Bob Oliver, pointed out many different interesting spots and gave us some history about them. I made note of what I wanted to go back and explore in more depth later on.

&O Railroad may be known as a spot on the Monopoly game board, but it was a very important railroad in real life, and played a crucial part in the Civil War. I’m not going to go into a history lesson here (not that I am well versed enough to anyway) but if you visit Baltimore’s fascinating B&O (Baltimore & Ohio) Museum, you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about trains and the railroad’s history. The current exhibit is “The War Came By Train” and it continues through 2015. Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, the exhibit points out that between April 19, 1861 (The Baltimore Riot of 1861) and April 21, 1865 (Lincoln’s funeral train leaving Baltimore for Illinois), the B&O was a big part of the conflict. The B&O Roundhouse has the largest collection of railroad equipment in the world including eight locomotives and cars that served during the war, interpretive signage, video presentations, and life-size historic dioramas. On October 13-14, 2012, the B&O Railroad Museum will hold their annual Steam Days, this year focusing on Civil War period steam power and including a Civil War encampment. Passengers will be able to ride west to the Whistle Stop Gateway located near the Museum’s Restoration Facility where they will be able to leave the train and visit a Civil War camp and see the “William Mason” under steam. Built in 1856, the Mason is the only operating Civil War steam engine in the USA, and pulled President Lincoln’s inaugural train. In camp, members of the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry, Company E and the 1st Maryland Volunteer Infantry will be on hand to talk about the life of Union soldiers during the war and will conduct demonstrations and military drills. Blacksmiths will also demonstrate their craftsmanship.

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hen one visits Baltimore, one MUST visit Camden Yards, home to the Baltimore Orioles and some notable moments in baseball history. It was here, after all, that Cal Ripkin, Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s record of 2,130 consecutive games played, and hit a home run. In the walking zone behind the bullpens you can find sculptures of retired jersey numbers and players—the most famous of which has to the “The Babe”, Babe Ruth, a native Baltimorean. If you are a diehard Ruth fan, just follow the 60 painted baseballs from his statue, and it will take you to the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum. A few blocks from the stadium is the Sports Legends Museum where you can review the careers of Maryland sports figures from yesterday’s Johnny Unitas up to today’s Michael Phelps.

“H

oly heart failure, Batman!” One of my favorite Baltimore stops was Geppi’s Entertainment Museum, a really fun, cool assemblage of pop culture, adjacent to Camden Yards. This is a “must see” for the comic book/action hero fan, as well as nostalgia for games and artifacts from the past (starting from the 17th century to today.) It includes such items as comic books, movie posters, toys, buttons, badges, cereal boxes, trading cards, dolls, figurines, video games and on and on, filling up 16,000 square feet. What makes this astonishing assemblage even more amazing is that it is the collection of one man — Stephen A. Geppi, President and CEO of Diamond Comics Distributors. He started collecting comic books in 1972, and never looked back. Considering the current value of some of these old comics, his collection is priceless. On display is the 1938 Action comic where Superman makes his first appearance (worth at least $1M), and the Detective comic where Batman first appears, among many, many more. I learned that when Superman first “arrived” he didn’t fly, he leapt — as in “...able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.” He didn’t fly until Superman became a radio show in 1940. AND, our favorite couple Blondie and Dagwood had an interesting start. Seems that Blondie Boopadoop was a flapper, and Dagwood was the heir to the Bumstead fortune. Dagwood’s parents forbid him to marry her, so he gave up his inheritance for love, marrying Blondie in 1933. Their marriage has lasted for 79 years. Who knew?! For a diehard comic book fan, Geppi’s alone is reason enough to visit Baltimore. (They also have a pretty good gift shop!)

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O say can you se light, What so pr twilight’s last gle stripes and brigh perilous fight, O’e watched, were so And the rockets’ bursting in air, G the night that ou BALTIMORE

or history buffs, there are wonderful free guided and self-guided walking and driving tours of historic areas, that can be picked up at the visitor’s center. Baltimore played an important role in American history, and much of it has been preserved for future generations.

At the Civil War Museum where you can learn about Baltimore’s pivotal involvement in the war, from the first bloodshed to the bloodiest single day battle at Antietam to the story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.

The Heritage Walk takes you through Little Italy to the the East Coast’s largest museum of AfricanAmerican heritage, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, which strives to collect, preserve, document and exhibit the contributions of African-American Marylanders from the state’s earliest history to the present and the future. The museum’s permanent exhibition includes three beautifully displayed galleries: Things Hold Lines Connect, Building Maryland, Building America and The Strength of the Mind.

Next door is the house where the Star-Spangled Banner was sewn. There is dispute about whether Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag, but none about whether Mary Pickersgill sewed the Star Spangled Banner that flew over Ft. McHenry and inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the National Anthem. The original flag (now in the Smithsonian as one of it’s most treasured artifacts) originally measured 30 X 42 feet, and it’s current size is 30 X 34 feet. She was assisted in her task by four other people. Her home (now called the Star Spangled Banner Flag House) is set as it was in 1812, and affords a glimpse into the life of the early 19th century Baltimore resident.

t’s only a few miles to Ft. McHenry to see where the Star Spangled Banner flew during the 1814 Battle of Baltimore. Built around 1798, the fort has played part in all wars up to WWII in some capacity. Today it looks as it did during the Civil War. Cannons (and there are a lot of them) are all original. A self-guided tour of the fort takes one to two hours, and you will see how the soldiers lived and worked during the different eras. On certain days you can catch the Fort McHenry Guard performing drill, musket and artillery demonstrations.

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ee by the dawn’s roudly we hailed a eaming, Whose br ht stars through th er the ramparts w o gallantly stream red glare, the bo Gave proof throug ur flag was still th A replica of the original 15star, 13-stripe flag flies over Ft. McHenry 24 hours a day, and can actually be seen from 9 miles away in Chesapeake. I was privileged to be part of the folding of a 17 X 25 ft. flag during my visit to the fascinating fort.

altimore dining proved to be a treat as well. There are so many diverse restaurants, but when in Maryland you have to sample what it is most famous for - crab cakes. Woodberry Kitchen was recommended, and it didn’t disappoint. The Tilghman Island Crab Cake was heavenly. Woodberry has an open kitchen and a woodburning oven, and they use local organic produce, sustainable fish & shellfish.

Located in the historic Federal Hill area, Spoons Cafe is the popular place to go for breakfast, with a full menu of benedicts, omlettes, frittatas — eggs prepared every which way, and served by a friendly staff. They are also open for lunch and dinner.

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O say can you see by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars BALTIMORE

B&O Brasserie is located in the old B&O Railway Headquarters, and the restaurant utilized the building’s original Beaux-Arts architecture, cleverly incorporating touches from old RR dining cars into chairs and table lamps. The menu is modern American cuisine, and the fare delicious. My Adobo Braised Pork Shank with smoked black bean risotto and pickled pear-arugula was succulent and tender.

The Lebanese Taverna is a bright Morocco/modern restaurant that has been family owned for 33 years, and is within walking distance from the Inner Harbor. I sampled some new tastes here, and all were successful. Hummus and unique flatbreads started the meal, and my entree was a savory mixed dish of kafta, lamb and chicken with grilled vegetables. There were a lot of vegetarian choices as well as a gluten-free menu.

In the historic Fells Point district, is Alexander’s Tavern, a lively place with some unique tavern fare. Macaroni and cheese pizza? Or how about for breakfast French Toast stuffed with cookie dough? I know you’re saying “Oh no you dit’n” but I did. And it was delicious. And I am not sorry. I was on vacation. It doesn’t count.

As I said earlier, I merely scratched the surface of what there is to see and do in Baltimore, which begs for a return visit. I will definitely return, and I might even have some more cookie dough French toast. Really.

If You Go...

Alexander’s Tavern - www.alexanderstavern.com/ Baltimore Sightseeing Trolly Tour www.baltimoretrolley.com/ B&O Railroad Museum - www.borail.org/ B&O Brasserie - www.bandorestaurant.com/ Civil War Museum - www.civilwarbaltimore.com/ Fairfield Marriott Inn & Suites www.greenfairfieldinn.com/ Fort McHenry - www.nps.gov/fomc/index.htm Geppi’s Entertainment Museum www.geppismuseum.com/

Inner Harbor www.baltimore.org/about-baltimore/inner-harbor/ Lebanese Taverna - www.lebanesetaverna.com/ Maritime Museum - www.historicships.org/ Reginald F. Lewis Museum www.africanamericanculture.org/ Spoons - www.spoonsbaltimore.com/ Sports Legends & Babe Ruth Museums www.baberuthmuseum.com/ Star Spangled Banner Flag House www.flaghouse.org/ Visit Baltimore - www.baltimore.org/ Woodberry Kitchen - www.woodberrykitchen.com/

Southwest Airlines has many daily 2 1/2 hour non-stop flights from Tampa to Baltimore, with some very attractive fares (check out the web only fares!) www.southwest.com/ Please visit our photo gallery for many more photos of this trip:

www.ampubs.smugmug.com/ACCENT-ON-TAMPA-BAY-MAGAZINE/USA-TRAVEL/ 70

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u s t e e t e s s

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6/13/12 4:29 PM

Art Lines CONTEMPORARY ART GLASS Through October 14

ith its intense sunlight and coastal views, Florida is the ideal home for contemporary glass. The region and the entire state have particularly strong examples of studio and contemporary glass in both private and public collections. Global + Local: Studio and Contemporary Glass on Florida’s West Coast features more than 100 works from approximately 17 collections, including the Museum’s own. This exhibition continues through Sunday, October 14 Recent MFA acquisitions of major works by Therman Statom and Michael Glancy are high points, as well as objects by internationally renowned artists Harvey Littleton, Lino Tagliapietra, Dale Chihuly, Richard Ritter, William Morris, Sonja Blomdahl, Dante Marioni, Toots Zinsky, and Yoichi Ohira. Exceptional works by area artists Duncan McClellan, Owen Pach, and Chuck Boux also enhance the exhibition. Mr. McClellan’s new studio/gallery in downtown St. Petersburg is attracting artists from around the globe. The Chihuly Collection and the Hot Shop at The Morean Arts Center and the Zen Glass Studio likewise reflect the city’s emergence as a center for the display and creation of glass art. The MFA, The Chihuly Collection presented by The Morean Arts Center, and The

Morean Glass Studio and Hot Shop will offer one free child six to 18 years old with each paid adult through August 31, 2012. These art attractions are close to each other in downtown St. Petersburg. The MFA is open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, with admission reduced to $10 from 5-8. One collection includes several works by Australian glass artists, rarely found in this area. Another has objects by gifted Venetian artist Archimede Seguso. A third contains two works by Swedish artist Bertil Vallien, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Glass Art Society at its June conference at the Toledo Museum of Art. 255 Beach Dr. N.E., St. Petersburg, 727-896-2667; www.fine-arts.org

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Three Exhibitions Celebrate 2,000 Years of Sculpture MASTERWORKS OF 20TH CENTURY SCULPTURE - thru Sept 9 From the Martin Z. Margulies Collection. This exhibition chronicles important developments in sculpture in the 20th century, and includes twenty outstanding works by Joan Miro, Isamu Noguchi, Willem de Kooning, Louise Nevelson, Manuel Neri, George Segal, Deborah Butterfield, and John Chamberlain. OBJECT IMAGE \ ERIK LEVINE \ SCULPTURE AND VIDEO - thru Sept 23. In 2011, the Museum ac-

quired a large-scale sculpture by New York-based artist Erik Levine. Hand-Held (1997) is made of plywood and measures more than 14 feet in length. This exhibition marks the debut of the new acquisition and complements two video works by Levine, who rose to prominence with his use of humble plywood in massive installations. Since 2002, he has focused exclusively on video. A HUNDRED YEARS - A HUNDRED CHAIRS - thru Sept 16. Masterworks from the Vitra Design Museum. Design played an important role in cultural development at the beginning of the 19th century, and following the Second World War, American designers began to collaborate closely with industry, developing designs that would be used for mass production of furniture. This exhibit offers an intimate view of different periods of industrial furniture design throughout the century, showcasing chairs by designers such as Charles

Eames, Marcel Breuer, Eero Saarinen and Harry Bertoia alongside drawings, sketches, historical documents and information on production techniques relating to each chair. Pop Art inspired later designers such as Verner Panton to play on form and color, and the search for simple, innovative shapes and materials characterizes furniture by those such as Frank Gehry in the last of this century. The Vitra Design Museum maintains one of the most important collections of modern furniture design, and this exhibition provides an opportunity to contemplate some of their most significant and beautiful chairs. Art of the Poison Pens: A Century of American Political Cartoons - thru Sept 16. Just in time for the visiting Republican National Convention, the Tampa Museum of Art and the University of South Florida Libraries present the Art of the Poison Pens: A Century of American Political Cartoons. This thoughtprovoking exhibition presents 59 editorial cartoons lampooning more than 100 years of political discussion from both sides of the fence, drawn exclusively from The Mahan Collection of American Humor and Cartoon Art, Special & Digital Collections, University of South Florida Tampa Library. The cartoon collection â&#x20AC;&#x201C; dating from 1871 to the present day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has never before been publicly displayed. 120 Gasparilla Plaza (Polk Street) Tampa, FL 33602; www.tampamuseum.org

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DECO JAPAN: SHAPING MODERN CULTURE, 1920-1945 - thru Oct 28 Deco Japan not only provides dramatic examples of the spectacular craftsmanship and sophisticated design long associated with Japan, it conveys the complex social and cultural tensions in Japan during the Taishô and early Shôwa epochs (1912-1945). In these prewar and war eras, artists and patrons created a Japanese modernism that signaled simultaneously the nation’s unique history and its cosmopolitanism. The vitality of the era is further expressed through the theme of the modern girl, known in Japan as the modaan gaaru or

200 works highlight the Levenson collection -- the world’s premier collection of Japanese art in the Deco style. These pieces include spectacular examples of metalwork, ceramics, lacquer, glass, wood furniture, jewelry, textiles, graphic design on paper, painting and woodblock prints; they range from fine art objects made to impress the public at national art exhibitions to goods mass produced for the modern home. The exhibition is co-organized by The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and Art Services International. See this exhibition during regular Museum hours, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays until 8 p.m.

moga, for short – the emblem of contemporary urban chic that flowered along with the Art Deco style of the 1920s and 1930s. Selected by Dr.Kendall Brown, the nearly

Mythic Creatures of China - Aug 17 - July 28, 2013 Chinese artists have portrayed animals in ceramics across thousands of years of the country’s continuous history. These animals captured the imaginations of Chinese potters as they sought to portray animals they had seen, and others they could only imagine. Drawn from the Ringling’s collection of Chinese ceramics, these animals will tickle you fancy with their stories, legends and vibrancy. Almost one hundred objects will be presented, including dragons, butterflies, fish and phoenix. Ringling International Arts Festival - Oct 10-13 Artists from around the world are coming together under the artistic direction of the Baryshnikov Arts Center for the Ringling International Arts Festival. The rich diversity of ideas and forms at play in the world today will be celebrated with performances in dance, music, theater, and film – plus soul stirring music and sunsets in the James Turrell Skyspace and an unforgettable closing night in the Museum of Art Courtyard. For more information, 941.358.3180, or visit www.ringling.org

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m*ART (Artists Selling Art) August 18 - 19

n August 18th and 19th, 2012 the Dunedin Fine Art Center will host a new indoor summer art show titled The m*ART (Artists Selling Art). 44 artists are slated to offer their artwork inside DFAC in the manner of an outdoor art fair but all in air-conditioned comfort. This weekend event looks to put artists directly in contact buyers in a cool comfortable relaxed environment. The m*ART at DFAC - August 18 19 at 7:30 pm - 10am - 2pm, August 18th and 1 - 4pm, August 19th. Free Admission. The Dunedin Fine Art Center - 1143 Michigan Blvd. - Dunedin, FL 727.298.DFAC; www.dfac.org

FLORIDA MUSEUM of PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS BRASSAÏ: The Secret Paris of the 1930s: Vintage Photographs by Brassaï - thru Aug 19 Cosmopolitan by temperament and Parisian by choice, Brassai was known as “Gyula” by close friends, and “Brassaï” when he made photographs as well as penned plays and articles for off-beat audiences. Here was a gregarious man who mixed with the who’s who of Paris, from Picasso to writers Henry Miller, and Samuel Beckett, to sculptor Alberto Giacometti, to Surrealists Man Ray and Salvador Dali, and filmmaker Jean Renoir. His camera brought him closer to pulsating, uncontrollable living beings on the streets and in the dance halls and brothels. He turned his lens on the fleeting moments of life. America’s Civil War: Selections from the Drapkin Collection & Larry West - Aug 9 thru Oct 14 Visit a time where soldiers met their enemies on foot

and battles were fought in fields and forests. The collection includes high quality photographs and photography pieces from an era of bravery and honor. Take a glimpse into an important moment in the history of America. Portraits of Power: Photographs by Platon - Aug 23 - Nov 11 Individuals as diverse as Vladimir Putin and Tony Blair know that what they project with their image is as potent as any military arsenal. Therefore, when the world leaders at a 2009 United Nations General Assembly meeting were intercepted by an enterprising portrait photographer named Platon Antoniou, they must have worried. They could not control the results of his portrait session: in essence, they were at his mercy. “Every head of state has to address the General Assembly, and there’s a podium where they all stand to make their speeches,” said Platon, the British-Greek photographer who was working for The New Yorker magazine. “[For five days], I stood a few feet away from the podium backstage... and since everyone had to pass me on their way to and from the stage, I had two chances to secure a portrait session with each person.” The FLORIDA MUSEUM of PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS is located at 400 N. Ashley Drive, Cube 200, Tampa, FL 33602; 813.221.2222; www.fmopa.org

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Daniel Rodriguez: Colombian photojournalist - Aug 2-31 The Gallery at Carrollwood Cultural Center will present the first U.S. show of Colombian photojournalist Daniel Rodriguez’s work in an exhibit titled Colombia, Face of the Past (Un Rostro del Pasado) from August 2 - 31.

Rodriguez’s photographs arrived in Tampa six years ago, as black and white negatives. For years, the family has been working to restore these beautiful and historically significant photographs. Daniel Rodriguez was trained in the tradition of the great early Paris photographers. The exhibit gives a rare look into a golden age of Colombian and Latin American culture. Rodriguez worked for the Colombian daily newspaper El Espectador (The Spectator) from 1936-66. The oldest and largest newspaper in Colombia, El Espectador was a champion of the independent press. The newspaper sent Rodriguez all over Colombia and to many other countries in Latin America. Rodriguez had a journalist’s eye for storytelling. He photographed life in the cities and in the countryside, from the social elites to working classes and campesinos. Part of the collection has previously been shown in Germany and Colombia. The Gallery at Carrollwood Cultural center is open and free to the public most weekdays, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until Noon. For more information, call 813-2691310, 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa or visit www.carrollwoodcenter.org 76

Handmade in America - thru Sept 1 Singing Stone Gallery presents ‘Handmade in America’ a juried exhibition featuring handmade fine art and contemporary craft. This multi-media show exhibits a wide array of the handmade, which is rich in traditions and expressive of regional craft artisans, and their contributions to America’s cultural heritage. The juried exhibition will showcase contemporary jewelry, photography, paintings, glass, fiber, wood, ceramics, metals and mixed media handcrafted by American Artists. The exhibit runs through Saturday, September 1. Singing Stone is located in Ybor City at 1903 N. 19 St., Tampa, FL 33605. For more information, call (813) 247-2787 (ARTS), visit www.SingingStoneOnline.Com. A SALUTE TO THE ART OF GEORGE HANOVER thru - Aug 12 On exhibit is a retrospective of artwork by Ocala-based artist George Hanover. Showcased are a variety of paintings and sculptures in a variety of media. The Appleton Museum of Art presents a permanent collection of European, American and contemporary art, plus Asian, African, Islamic and pre-Columbian artifacts and antiquities. The Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala; 352-291-4455 or www.AppletonMuseum.org.

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22x30 inch poster of Girl With Wine printed on matte paper with archival inks, signed and dated 1968 on front, is $75, plus $15 S&H. Or pick up at Tampa studio, oďŹ&#x20AC; Kennedy Blvd. The poster is also available mounted at $125 and mounted/framed at $195. Contact Richard at 813-289-8149 or rstewart@galleryartphotos.com.

Richard Stewart Fine Art Photography

120 S. Lauber Way, Tampa FL 33609 www.galleryartphotos.com www.galleryartphotos.com www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

Olympics highlight a world of Collectibles W

h i l e the Olympic Games originated in the ancient world, they still stir great worldwide excitement today. I have appraised many collectibles associated with the Olympic Games over the years including pins, sponsor apparel, press tickets to individual events, stadium equipment (a field-used track hurdle and baton), and even a torch carried in the famous relay that transports the Olympic flame from ancient Greece to the host city. Recently, I appraised Olympic memorabilia during one of my many trips to Atlanta, where I tape Discovery’s Auction Kings tv show. Atlanta was the American host city for the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympics in 1996 and the city’s residents have some special Olympic collectibles. Recently, the NBC tv station there asked me to share some tips with viewers about Olympic collectibles. Some of the most popular Olympic collectibles are also the most accessible and easiest to obtain. Many people the world over assemble pin collections from the Olympic Games. There are numerous categories of Olympic pins and many collectors, known adoringly as pinheads, have extensive collections. Some pins reflect the Olympic spirit featuring the highly recognizable Olympic rings and attributes of host cities. Collecting the Sponsors Other pins focus on sponsors like IBM, Coca-Cola, or McDonalds. Sponsor pins are produced by corporations that either sponsor or supply products or services to an Olympic Games. The corporate logo is usually prominent in designing these pins and in certain cities, particular

Olympic pins

sponsor pins command high prices when traded such as Coca Cola pins in Atlanta or McDonald’s pins in Los Angeles. Mascot Memorabilia There are very desirable pins which highlight the adorable mascots

Izzy (Atlanta 1996) mascot pin

like Izzy from the 1996 Atlanta games or Wenlock and Mandeville from this year’s London games. Mascot pins have become very collectible with pinheads and others. Some of the most famous mascots like Misha the bear (Moscow 1980), Cobi the dog (Barcelona 1992), and Athena and Phevos whose figures were based on the form of ancient dolls found at Greek archaeological sites (Athens 2004) are the most expensive Olymwww.AccentOnTampaBay.com

pic collectibles. The mascot pins command the highest values on the collectibles market. Pins showing the mascots participating in a particular sporting event bring excitement and big bucks to collectors. Don’t overlook the pins which focus on an individual sport like swimming, gymnastics, and track and field. Commemorative pins are issued by an Olympic Committee to raise funds to support a nation’s athletes. The national flag, indigenous animals, or famous landmarks of a particular nation are the basis for these pin designs-and on these pins, the Olympic Rings are prominent. For instance, there were many commemorative and historical pins issued for the 1996 Atlanta Games making these pins some of the most expensive ranging in value from $50 to $250 each. For those of you, who want to cash in on the Olympic buzz, this is the time to sell. And for the rest of you who want to hold your pins and revel in the Olympic mania, you will have to wait to enjoy the market spite associated with the 2106 Olympics in Rio. If you are like me, you were more than ready to take in all of the excitement and fanfare of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. I lived and worked in London for some time so I was excited to relive memories of some of my favorite London sites, share in the thrill of competitive sports with a worldwide audience, and advise people about Olympic collectibles. So, get your 2012 Wenlock and Mandeville mascot pins and take a sip from your London Olympic water bottle. Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. Dr. Lori is the expert appraiser on Discovery channel’s Auction Kings airs Thursdays at 9 PM. Visit www.DrLoriV.com www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori or call (888) 431-1010.

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“iHangy”

Necklaces and Keychains for Your iPhone

product from the makers of OnTrion mobile phone batteries, the iHangy necklace and the iHangy music necklace drape around the neck, while the iHangy keychain clips to belt loops, backpacks and computer bags. All securely attach the iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS and 3 models to the body or carryall to keep the smartphone within easy reach. iPhone junkies can update their Facebook status, upload pictures and videos, and check up on their friends whenever the mood strikes with the iHangy necklace and iHangy keychain, keeping their iPhones handy at all times. The product’s attached touchpen simplifies their social networking habits. With iHangy, iPhone users are never at a loss as to where their

smartphone is. The iHangy also allows iPhone owners to remain hands-free when they’re not using their Apple device. A touchpen is included with iHangy products, which are also compatible with all iPod devices. The iHangy music necklace is so convenient to keep hands free and phone handy while listening to favorite tunes or talking to Siri. And the earbuds on the necklace are top quality, so sound is crisp and clean. For more information visit www.ihangy.com/

Put Yourself In the Picture With iPhone Accessories from XSHOT

ith the XShot iPhone 4 / 4S Case, you can easily attach your iPhone 4/4s to any tripod or the XShot extender, and be in front of the camera instead of behind it. This is a solid case that integrates the ability to mount it to a tripod and use it in both landscape and portrait modes. The new case was designed around three core concepts: full protection, versatility and functionality. It allows users to simply attach the XShot tripod adapter unlike other tripod adapters that require users to remove their iPhone case. It is ideal for use with the FaceTime feature and dual cameras, and excellent for iPhone 4 camera stabilization. Great for videos and self-portraits. It is simple to insert and lock the tripod adapter horizontally or vertically depending on the shot you want. The XShot tripod is very flexible, and can bend into any position you set up. It is also small enough to easily carry in your pocket, as is the XShot extender, which telescopes out to 30.5 inches, from a compact size of 6.5 inches. For more information, visit www.xshot.com/

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Audiofly Headphones

My Stubs

Clear, Natural Sound

Personalized Ticket Album

f you love music concerts, the theater or sporting events and like to keep your ticket stubs as momentos, what do you do with them? Perso n a liza tio n Mall.com has just the answer. Rather than shoving them in an old shoe box, get an attractive keepsake scrapbook for them. You can cherish your memories and share your stories with our My Stubs Personalized Ticket Album - the perfect personalized gift for music lovers, theater enthusiasts and sports fans alike. PersonalizationMall.com will custom personalize any 1-line at the bottom of their exclusive design, for a personal touch to call your own. The scrapbook holds up to 96 tickets in 32 archival quality pages. Custom designed ticket pockets measure 6 1/4” x 2 3/4”, and tickets slide in from the center of album so they won’t fall out. Check this and more gift ideas out at www.PersonalizatonMall.com/

ho better to design headphones than musicians? They know all about how sound should, well, sound. The fellows at Audiofly are just that. Musicians. They have created a product with an exceptionally clear, natural sound. Actually, there are four different models to choose from. The AF78 Series is Audiofly’s premium hybrid in-ear headphone featuring a balanced armature driver and a 9mm custom dynamic driver. The combination produces amazing separation across the dynamic range. The AF56 Series offers a large 13mm dynamic driver voiced for a punchy bass response that doesn’t overpower the subtle detail of the midtones or the smooth chimey highs. The AF45 features a powerful custom-voiced 10.7mm dynamic driver for inspired detail across the dynamic range. Delivering superb sound, the AF 33 offers an expertly tuned 9mm dynamic driver and many other features. Audiofly headphones are available with or without a microphone and feature a gold plated connection. For more information on AudioFly, visit www.audiofly.com/

Samsung Nexus S 4G Extended Battery Give Your Smartphone a Boost

he latest Samsung Nexus S-compatible extended battery lasts up to three times longer than traditional mobile phone batteries. It was even used by the Atlantis astronauts to access a broad range of capabilities and achieve better communication between land and sky. If a phone and battery can handle distances exceeding 200,000 miles, then earthbound Samsung Nexus S 4G users can certainly expect even greater airtime and output from an OnTrion extended battery. The battery is made from high quality Lithium Ion cells with PCM Technology, and comes with a replacement door. The batteries are designed to support Data Transfer, SMS, MMS Messaging, Social Network, Media, tethering, gps, apps and other applications. In order to obtain the full capacity of the OnTrion battery, it is recommend that you charge the battery for 3-4 hours. For more information on how to give a Samsung Nexus S smartphone a NASA-worthy boost, visit www.ontrion.com/

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TARPON SPRINGS SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS 2012 - thru August 24 The 4th Annual Tarpon Springs Summer Solstice Festival of the Performing Arts runs through August 24. Enjoy a sizzling summer of hot jazz, cool shows, and tropical concerts. NIGHT IN THE ISLANDS: LIVE GREEK MUSIC WITH ODYSSEY, DANCING, AND OUTDOOR DINING - Aug 4, Sept

8, Oct 6, Nov 3 On Saturday, from 6:00-11:00pm, the City of Tarpon Springs presents Night in the Islands – a free event on

the Sponge Docks. Enjoy Greek music, dancing, and dining. Night in the Islands features the music of Odyssey. Prior to the main event, there will be live Greek music by the Bouzouki Boys between 4 and 6pm on Dodecanese Blvd. at Riverwalk, west of Hope Street. Enjoy music by Florida’s best Greek bands: Ellada will play through October, Odyssey will play November. For more information visit www. tarponarts.org.

www.thespongeexchange.com 82

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www.candlelightkitchendesigns.com

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NIGHT in the ISLANDS

featuring live Greek music, dancing, and outdoor dining

on the world famous Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks.

Enjoy Music

by Florida’s Best Greek Bands: Odyssey will play April, May & November Ellada will play June-October

www.gettheitchforwellness.md

2012 Saturdays

April 7 • May 5 • June 2 • July 7 August 4 • September 8 October 6 • November 3

6 to 11 pm

FREE ADMISSION Presented by the City of Tarpon Springs Kalymnian Society Levendia Dance Troupe Prometheas Pan-Helllenic Cultural Center

For more information, call 727-942-5605 or 727-937-1130 The event is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Looking Good... Unique Parasols Necklace ali & bird from Gaiam Handcrafted Unique Jewelry

Bybird, Melissa Wolcott Martino ake flight in the summer heat with ali & a cool, handcrafted he coolest piece I have in my jewelry box and unique jewelry line. ali & bird features semi-precious stones has to be my new Parasols Necklace, and other natural materials. which was hand by female Peruvian arali & bird jewelry was founded bymade Ali Howell, Atlanta resident tisans. Whenever I wear it, it never fails to get and Memphis native. For over 10 years, Ali was the creative demultipleUSA’s compliments andUS queries as to where sign force behind Herend marketing, showrooms and I got visual campaigns. Ali is it. passionate about great design, and her Is principle it jewelry of or creating is it art? affordable I think both. Since company is built on the jewelry they are hand made, the parasol necklaces that follows current fashion and color trends while remaining all original pieces.are Made reclaimed timeless for years toare come. No two pieces everfrom the same and including fabric scraps and multicolall materials are real,materials unique, and sometimes unbelievably rare. ored yarn, features they are the alsosterling eco-friendly. Genuine ali & bird jewelry silver kissing This piece is available thorugh birds, symbolizing the care and creativity that goes intoGaiam, every a company that presents fair trade handmade jewelry design. They welcome customproducts orders, from around the webwhether you’re interested in aworld. piecePlease you seevisit on their their site; site to see all the different interesting products you need special, unique jewelry for a wedding or other they have offer. You will find homejewelry decor, special occasion; or to you have a piece in your spa items, clothing, bags & totes, accessories box that you would like to update. and Jewelry more. www.gaiam.com/ ali & bird is available locally at Being in St. I would like to say that is me wearing the Petersburg. www.shopbeing.com/ necklace in this photo, alas, it is a beautiful To view different jewelry frombut their line, please visit Gaiam model. www.aliandbird.com/

Kiss Your Way to the Florida Keys

KISS MY FACE Key Lime Moisture Shave

ey West, Florida, is famous for its fabulous key lime pie, an indigenous regional dish. Give your shaving routine a sweet boost with the Kiss My Face Key Lime Moisture Shave. Take smooth legs to Florida and back with this all natural formula that contains highly effective natural essential oils, extracts and vitamins. Kiss My Face Key Lime Moisture Shaves are ideal for the face and body. Lime is a natural, cooling antiseptic that also acts as an astringent. The moisturizing formula contains highly effective natural essential oils, extracts and vitamins. Soothing aloe, olive oil and lemongrass and orange flower botanicals combine to give the best shave. Lady’s Mantle acts as an astringent and has styptic properties. Vitamins A and E are infused to provide nutrients to maintain healthy skin. For more information, visit KissMyFace.com/

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Organic, Vegan and Eco-Friendly Makeup

veryday Minerals products contain only the finest essential ingredients. Sustainability is their priority, as they are committed to protecting and nurturing our natural resources. Everyday Minerals source the finest natural ingredients from local farms while dreaming up ultra-feminine shades. Each product is hand crafted, using the natural plants that grow within the Texas Hill Country, which is where the company is based. Everyday Minerals is organic, vegan and eco-friendly, and specializes in an innovative collection of products with a spectrum of over 300 vibrant colors and shades that flatter virtually every skin tone. Innovation is an important ingredient in their recipe for success. Founder Carina Menzies believes that all-natural makeup products should not cost a fortune. Her goal is to empower every womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inner beauty to shine by focusing on what women love most about

makeup: effortless application, long lasting qualities, versatile shades, and most importantly, fun. With Everyday Minerals, women all around the world can access premium quality mineral makeup at an affordable price. Carina draws inspiration from nature, art and fashion. www.everydayminerals.com/

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essence

Low Cost, High Quality Makeup

ince its launch in Germany in 2002, essence cosmetics has spread to 30 countries, and most recently introduced into the USA. essence has trendy and high quality cosmetics at a low price, which is very appealing to the consumer. essence attaches great importance to quality standards and manufacturing directives — they even list the ingredients of all their products online on the essence web site. They comply with the provisions of the European cosmetics directive, which includes all regulations for the manufacturing process, shelf life and safety assessment of products. Absolutely no testing on animals is conducted for the cosmetic products by essence. This applies to the final products as well as any ingredients. In addition to the permanent product line, Essence releases limited edition collections several times a year. Look out for “miami roller girl” - bright colors like orange, pink and yellow, with intensive, shining shades and soft textures perfect for tanned skin. For more essence information, visit www.essence.eu/ Right now, you can find essence products at Ulta stores and Ulta.com/

Wear A Book

ut of Print celebrates the world’s great stories through fashion. Their products feature iconic and often out of print book covers. Some are classics, some are just curious enough to make great t-shirts, but all are striking works of art. Out of Print works closely with artists, authors and publishers to license the content that ends up in their collections. Each product is treated to feel soft and worn like a well-read book. In addition to spreading the joy of reading through tees and accessories, they are working to change the fact that many parts of the world don’t have access to books at all. For each product sold, one book is donated to a community in need through Books For Africa. Out Of Print’s first collaboration with award-winning designer Mikey Burton produced this fabulous looking T-Shirt, featuring wwThe Great Gatsby. Out Of Print’s poly/cotton T-shirts are soft, distressed style, slim fit (read: smaller than you think! so pick a size larger.) For more information on their t-shirts and to view Out of Print’s other products, visit www.outofprintclothing.com/

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Clever Travel Companion 100% Pick Pocket Proof Underwear

oney belts, neck pouches, wallets and purses are no match for seasoned thieves. Travelers accidentally misplace their belongings, finding themselves stranded and scared in a foreign country without money or passport. With the Clever Travel Companion’s 100 % pick pocket proof travel garments with secret built in pockets, travelers can finally keep their valuables safe. The Clever Travel Companion’s product line includes underwear in the shape of a boy short for women and a boxer brief for men, both with two pockets with secure zippers on the front, T-shirts and tank tops with a with a secret pocket on the stomach, and for the winter season, Long Johns with pockets. All products come in multiple colors and sizes in either soft cotton or lightweight, breathable modal. The garments are all very comfortable. The wearer won’t feel the pockets at all. The secret pockets are made to fit passports, travel documents, cash and credit cards perfectly. If a traveler needs to spend the night in a misty train station, or wait for a delayed flight, he or she can rest assured knowing that the valuables are hidden away and zipped. www.clevertravelcompanion.com.

It’s You Babe

Support Garments for Pregnant Women

must have for travel for the pregnant woman is It’s You Babe’s Mini Cradle. It’s a maternity band designed to support tummy and back pain, and the perfect solution for pregnant women who want to be out and about through all stages of their pregnancy. Simple to use and seamless under clothing, the Mini Cradle can provide an expecting mom with that little extra lift that will help her stay comfortable, especially while traveling. Designed to be worn with maternity fashions, this pregnancy support belly band discretely fits under most maternity clothes. The Mini Cradle is a 3” adjustable orthotic support for the abdomen and lower back and helps to promote increased circulation from lower extremities. It has hook and eye closures to reduce snagging of expensive lingerie. It’s You Babe has a 20 year history of creating support garments for pregnant women to ease abdominal and back pain during pregnancy. Prenatal Cradle, Mini Cradle and the newest award-winning Best Cradle are favorites of doctors and other medical professionals as well as expecting mothers. Their product line also includes other types of support to address hip stabilization, vulvar varicosities, and a prolapsed uterus. The Mini Cardle is available in sizes from Petite to Large for $25 on It’s You Babe’s website and at retail locations throughout the country. There are six locations currently in the Tampa Bay area. You can find out more information, and locations at www.itsyoubabe.com

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Gaming Scene Las Vegas JABBAWOCKEEZ AT MONTE CARLO RESORT AND CASINO - thru Sept

Oct 15 Da Vinci - The Genius, is the most comprehensive exploration of Leonardo da Vinci’s work ever created, for a limited engagement at The Venetian. The interactive experience immerses guests in da Vinci’s timeless brilliance through full-scale interpretations of the mastermind’s inventions and unparalleled exhibits of his iconic art. Da Vinci - The Genius demonstrates the full scope of Leonardo Da Vinci’s remarkable genius as an inventor, artist, anatomist, sculptor, engineer, musician and architect. Guests will enjoy more than 200 unique pieces including 75 life-size machine inventions, threedimensional renderings of da Vinci’s most notable Re-

World-famous dance crew Jabbawockeez perform its celebrated show “MÜS.I.C.” in an 800-seat tent adjacent to the resort’s porte cochère through September. In spring 2013, the Jabbawockeez make a permanent move to Luxor Hotel and Casino. www.montecarlo.com/ ‘SURF THE MUSICAL’ AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD - thru Nov 4 Surf The Musical, inspired by the songs of the Beach Boys, is on center stage at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Tony Awardnominated Rock of Ages director Kristin Hanggi and an all-star Broadway team present a musical extravaganza introducing Surf Vision technology. Surf The Musical will take you on a magical and nostalgic trip back to the 60’s, where all roads lead to the coast and the sounds of surf in the warm California sun. www.planethollywoodresort.com/ Leonardo Da Vinci Comes to Life at Venetian Las Vegas - thru 90

naissance works and an eye-opening, in-depth analysis of his most famous piece, “Mona Lisa.” www.venetian.com/ Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children PGA Open - Sept. 30 Las Vegas’ official PGA TOUR event, Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is a weeklong charitable tournament that kicks off on Sept. 30 at the TPC Summerlin, where guests escape into an oasis situated within the natural desert and surrounded by the Las Vegas skyline and Red Rock mountains. www.jtshrinersopen.com/ CARLOS SANTANA at the House of Blues, Mandalay Bay - through Nov 18 On select dates, the House of Blues Las Vegas features a two-year Engagement with Carlos Santana of unique performances - “An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow” — in the specially re-configured House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. www.mandalaybay.com/

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Biloxi What’s happening at the Beau Rivage 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 elevation changes and beautiful magnolia

Fallen Oak

trees, ponds, streams and wetlands. GOLF Magazine rated it one of the “Top 100 Courses You Can Play.” 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 seafood restaurant), and every thing in between. Guests have eleven restaurants to choose from, as well as several bars. entertainment: The Beau Rivage presents a brand-new Cirque-

style extravaganza, Fata Morgana. Experience all the thrills and comedy of the very best international acrobats, aerialists and artists in a show produced exclusively for Beau Rivage, through August 19. Fata Morgana Dining Offers: Guests must present their show ticket stub and M life card to redeem restaurant discount offers. Food & beverage offers are valid only on day of show dated on ticket. Offers valid during the duration of the show, any day of the week. Legendary Bluesman B.B. King will perform on August 24. On September 7, the Four Tops and Temptations bring their many top hits to the stage. TV’s Tonight Show king, JAY LENO will keep you in stitches on October 6. CASINO PROMOTIONS: Treasures of the Caribbean is continuing through August 31. Win a Caribbean vacation and thousands in FREEPLAY during the Treasures of the Caribbean Giveaway and Gift Shoppe. Drawings held every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Play your favorite machine to earn virtual

entries into drawings and Treasure Shopping Points. Grand prize drawing day is August 31. Up to 50 winners will share more than $136,000 in FREEPLAY and prizes on this day. Gulf Coast Poker Championship – August 23 – September 3; $500,000 Guaranteed Main Event; $2,500 + $100 No-Limit Hold’Em Championship. $250,000 Guaranteed $300 + $40 No-Limit Hold’Em Event #1 August 24-26. Reservations for air-inclusive travel packages may be made by calling 877-462-2328. Visit www.beaurivage.com for more information.

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LAST CHANCE FOR YAPPY HOUR - Aug 8 “We need blankees – Let’s beat the Yankees!” The Final Yappy Hour of 2012 will be held Wednesday, August 8th, starting at 5 pm at Frenchy’s Tiki Bar at Bright House Field. Yappy Hour is a cocktail hour supporting the Humane Society of Pinellas. Dress your dog for the Best Pet Beachwear contest and bring a donation for the blanket drive. Every blanket, towel, or sheet you donate gives you another entry in the prize drawing. Go at 5 pm for the Yappy Hour fun then root for the Clearwater Threshers as they take on the Tampa Yankees at 7 pm. The Yappy Hour event is free with your admission to the game. Ticket information is available at

(727) 467-4457. www.HumanePinellas.org. HUMANE SOCIETY CABOODLE RANCH RESCUE EFFORTS - Aug 10 Join the Humane Society of Pinellas for a party to share, celebrate and help to support their efforts in participating with the Caboodle Ranch rescue efforts that are saving over 700 cats. HSP presents a private concert by soul singer ALEX as he kicks off his national tour August 10th, at 8 pm. In addition to the private concert, this evening will include; free open bar, food, karaoke, dancing, contests and prizes throughout the evening, billiards, live arcade games, shuffle board, foosball, dart tournaments and more. This exclusive event will take place in the private home of one of HSP’s supporters in the exclusive community of Presidents Landing at Lansbrook. 727-3307294. Coexisting With Coyotes - Aug 25 Join this workshop led by a Sensing Nature guide to learn the latest information about these intelligent and adaptive nomads. How these wild animals, respectful and beneficial in their natural role, coexist with their neighbors will be a point of discussion. Discover what has and has not worked in other states and how to avoid creating backyard predator problems. 10 a.m. to noon. Free; advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. (727) 453-6800; www.brookercreekpreserve.org. CALLING ALL PETS FOR 2013 CALENDAR CONTEST Is your pet a star? The Humane Society of Pinellas wants contestants for their 2013 Celebration of Companionship Calendar. Enter the contest for $10 and your pet’s photo is guaranteed to appear in the calendar. Vote for your favorites for just $1 per vote. The top 13 vote-getters by September 17th will receive a

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professional photo session by Rebecca Brittain and be featured for a whole month or on the cover. Enter the contest or vote for your favorites at mulabula.com/HumanePinellas Dogs are Barking for Bikini Ready Bodies Barbeques, beach parties and bathing suits. That’s what summer is about. While we can maintain our bodies by frequenting our favorite air conditioned gym, it’s not so easy for our pets. Rocketing temperatures and heavy humidity tend to slow-our-pets-down. The result: our pets packing on the pounds from June-September. Keeping your pet’s figure streamlined vs. blimp like is easier than you might think. Pet wellness and lifestyle expert Jenn Fadal says, “When activity levels have to decrease, try switching your favorite canine to a lower calorie food or at least mixing it 50/50 with his current food. My dogs will finish their summer on a diet containing a moderate amount of calories and only 8.5% fat per serving.” Jenn recommends monitoring how much, how often and who is treating your pets. This simple task will go far towards weight management. She explains that using carrots or other low fat treat options will make your dog still feel indulged without the extra calories attached. Of course, exercise is extremely important to main-

tain a healthy weight. During this time of the year, walks should be done in the early morning or later in the evening. Even though temperatures are cooler then, water is always a must have. Jenn’s Tip: A fun way for Fido to burn more calories on a shorter walk is to have him carry his gear (water bottle, waste bags, etc.) in a doggy backpack. Yep. Right on his back. Jenn Fadal is a national Pet Wellness & Lifestyle contributor. In addition to being the founder of her own holistic pet boutique, Wag, this Tampa native can be seen frequently on Media General’s Daytime Television across the country, as well as on FOX, NBC and ABC. Learn more about Jenn at www.jennfadal.com

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Smart Pet Tags!

et tags are now smart. You can now easily scan pet/owner info using your Smartphone to help locate the owner of a lost pet. PetHub tags helps owners digitize their pet’s important records and make them accessible via Smartphones and the Web. PetHub provides pet owners with the fastest and safest way to get lost pets home. Going beyond standard ID tags, the PetHub ID tag provides immediate, one-scan access to critical information such as emergency contacts, necessary medication, allergies, immunizations, vet and insurance providers, dietary needs, and much more. Unlike microchips, anyone with a Smartphone can easily scan the PetHub ID tag or use the Web address on the front of the tag to access a pet’s critical information and immediately take proper action. www.PetHub.com

Manatee Manners “What’s wrong with feeding manatees or giving them water? Feeding manatees or giving them water can result in behavior modification. Because they have approached humans expecting food or water, some manatees have been harassed or fed dangerous non-food items. Manatees’ natural feeding patterns may be altered by encouraging them to “hang around,” waiting for food or water. When hand-fed lettuce or water from a hose is no longer available, manatees may not know where to find or identify natural, reliable sources of food. In addition, feeding and watering can “tame” manatees, causing them to lose their fear of humans. Not everyone loves manatees, and feeding them or giving them water could encourage them to swim up to people who might harm them. People have been known to sit on manatees, ride them, and shoot them with guns and bows. Manatees can also be hooked by fishermen if they venture too close to their boat.” Manatees in salt water can go for long periods without actively drinking fresh water. There are many natural sources of fresh water to which they have access. For their own protection, wild animals need to stay wild to survive. www.savethemanatee.org

Every Pet Deserves a Cold One

Revolutionary new pet bowl keeps water cold and fresh without batteries or electricity It’s well known that humans prefer refreshing cold water to stagnant room temperature water. But what do our pets prefer? If our pets could talk, they would choose cold refreshing water over warm stale water any day. The FroBo is a revolutionary new pet bowl that lowers the temperature of your pets’ water, keeping it chilled. With its non-electric and easy-to-use freeze core, the FroBo is simple to use and provides loving pet owners with a hassle and worry-free way to keep pets happily hydrated. When frozen overnight, the FroBo will keep water cool for several hours - even when placed outdoors on a hot summer day. Frobo can be used as an outdoor or travel bowl or as your pets’ regular daily water bowl.The FroBo holds 24 ounces of water and measures 10.5 inches in diameter. The FroBo cools water using a removable bowl insert lined with non-toxic gel. After as little as two hours in the freezer, the gel will change color when it’s ready to use. Once filled, FroBo can keep water chilled below room temperature for up to eight hours. The longer you freeze it, the longer it lasts. FroBo is easy to clean and has a rubber base that prevents sliding. For more information, visit www.myfrobo.com.

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BROOKER CREEK PRESERVE - AUGUST BOOK TIME AT BROOKER: Aug 23-30. Children ages 3 to 5 connect to the wonders of the natural world through a story and a craft, game or other hands-on activity. 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. (727) 453-6800. www.brookercreekpreserve.org. __________________________________________

WEEDON ISLAND EVENTS - AUGUST Discover Culture and Nature With Your Child - Aug 11. Stop by the Weedon Island open classroom anytime between 1 and 3 p.m. to participate in a variety of self-guided archaeological activities. Sifting through the past will teach how early people made their living from our bay and waterways. No registration required. Recommended for families with children of all ages. Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg. (727) 453-6500; www.weedonislandpreserve.org. WEE TIME AT WEEDON: Aug 23. Children ages 3 to 5 are treated to a variety of stories, crafts, games and hands-on activities that connect them to their environment. This week’s story, Harry Horseshoe Crab: A Tale of Crawly Creatures by Suzanne Tate, teaches about living fossils dating back nearly 200 million years. 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. (727) 453-6500; www.weedonislandpreserve.org/ ___________________________________________

Themes: August 12 – Raising Chickens In Your Back Yard August 18, 19 – Planting A Vegetable Garden – Get It Ready Now. August 25, 26 – Coffee Plants, Roasting Beans And Saving The Birds September 1,2, 3 (Labor Day) – Survival Skills And Camping In Florida September 9 – Beginners Orienteering: Having Fun With A Compass September 15, 16 – Turtles Of Florida: What You Can Do To Help September 22, 23 – Florida’s Pine Trees, Logging And Turpentining September 29, 30 – Indians In Florida 813-987-6204. Lettuce Lake Park, 6920 E. Fletcher Ave. in Tampa. ___________________________________________

Kids Visit Free at the Museum of Fine Arts This summer children will be able to visit The Museum of Fine Arts for free during a special promotion called Kids Visit Free through August 31. All guests from six to eighteen years old will be admitted free with each paying adult at the cultural attraction in downtown St. Petersburg and just minutes from the Gulf of Mexico beach cities of St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island. The Museum of Fine Arts is presenting a special exhibition throughout the summer entitled Global + Local: Studio & Contemporary Glass on Florida’s West Coast. St. Petersburg is home to numerous art galleries and museums with an abundance of sidewalk cafes and boutiques that line the main avenues of the city. Beach Drive is home to the Museum of Fine Arts, Salvador Dali Museum and the Mahaffey Theater. For more information on the Museum of Fine Arts visit www.fine-arts.org/ ___________________________________________

LETTUCE LAKE PARK EVENTS - AUGUST PARK RANGER NATURE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. Most weekends at 10 a.m. and at Noon, for Children ages 9-15. Lettuce Lake Park’s new Park Ranger Nature Educational Programs provide a variety of fun and informative guided activities for children ages 9-15. Participation is $5 per child, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults without children may join for $5. 96

FLORIDA CRAFTSMEN EVENTS - AUGUST CROCHET CORAL REEF FAMILY ACTIVITY DAYS - Aug 14. Fun for the whole family at the Crochet Coral Reef. Drop in between 10am and 12pm to enjoy a scavenger hunt, a live coral tank from the Pier Aquarium, a contest to guess how many starfish are on the reef, coloring, fun games, and a crochet touch tank. Please RSVP by the Monday preceding each Activ-

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ity Day (Mon. 8/13) by calling (727) 821-7391. Parents must accompany their children. ___________________________________________

THE PIER AQUARIUM LEARNING KIOSK The Pier Aquarium installed an interactive learning kiosk, Too Rich for Gulf Waters, on loan for the summer from the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program in Alabama. This outreach education program teaches the importance of water to kids in grades K-12. The traveling kiosk exhibit has short informative lec-

tures, animated videos and entertaining games. Five different programs explain the water cycle and storm water runoff in both English and Spanish. Animated characters, redfish Jimbo and Thibodeaux, “the pair that cares,” guide students through some of the lessons. Viewers can select from a group of interactive media lessons: The Water Cycle, Streets to Streams, Watershed Address, The Journey of a Raindrop and also watch stewardship videos. A quiz, game or learning activity after each lesson tests the participant’s knowledge. Video clips of the movie, “A Redfish Tale,” (you can view by clicking on the Stewardship videos button) will help viewers of all ages understand the complex science of hypoxia (reduction in dissolved oxygen content in water), eutrophication (excess nutrients in bodies of water that stimulate excessive plant growth) and nonpoint source pollution (caused by runoff and human produced pollutants) by translating the big words into simple, everyday lingo. The boy in the video comes to understand how the everyday activities of humans impact our waters, estuaries, habitats, and eventually our own lives. He also learns how to make a difference in his daily behavior and gains a better appreciation of the world around him. The full 14-minute video of “A Redfish Tale” and the sequel, “FishSlap,” the Mobile Bay National Estuary’s newest video release, can be viewed online at http:// www.mobilebaynep.com/videos. For more information about the Pier Aquarium, visit www.pieraquarium.org/

cute, fun, soft decorations for stuff! akNaks are fun soft rubbery 3-D decorations for kids to personalize all of pitems, their stuff. Backpacks, lunchbags, headbands, computer bags, household the list is only limited by your imagination. PakNaks uses a super strong adhesive that sticks to all of the stuff in a kid’s life. Each PakNak comes with one of 40 plus designs and customized velcro that makes them interchangeable, weather resistant and quickly and easily adhered to your surface. Good news: It’s not a pin - no need to puncture your stuff; It’s not a sticker - it’s 3D and so much more than that; It’s not a patch - just stick and go; no sewing or ironing required. You can change your look by simply pulling off one design and sticking on a new one to create a whole new style. For more information visit www.paknak.com/ www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

nyone who has been to a beach knows what a hassle it can be to remove sand after an afternoon of fun in the sun. "Sand-Off" is an allnatural, powder-filled mitt that breaks the bond between skin and sand. It is a great way to eliminate unwanted sand without ever using an ounce of water to remove the substance from skin. This dry body wash and sand remover is a must-have accessory for the beach, or anywhere you travel since itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also great at removing dirt, and grass too. Each Sand-Off mitt has an allnatural, talcum-free patented powder formula infused, so you only use what you need. To use it, simply clap to release the powder and rub the soft terry cloth mitt over the skin to

easily wipe away the sand. It dispenses the powder formula evenly and gets excellent body coverage. It even works despite suntan lotion and perspiration. The kids can be cleaned with less fuss and less hassle in no time at all. The Sand-Off mitt is good for 30 to 40 uses and retails for just $7.99. www.sandoff.com/

Marshmallow Fun With A Rapid Fire Launcher he Marshmallow Fun Company is proving T that you can have fun with your food, especially when you can shoot marshmallows up

to 30 feet at unsuspecting targets. Scope out your target, and squeeze the trigger for a spread of mini marshmallow furry. The new futuristic Marshmallow Rapid Fire blasts multiple mini marshmallows up to 30 feet in one shot. Regulate the use of your marshmallow ammo by varying the amount of pumps that create air pressure. The more pumps to the rear handle, the more marshmallows will exit the barrel. When pumped to full capacity, The Marshmallow Rapid Fire sprays out the entire magazine of 25 mini marshmallows with one squeeze of the trigger. Ages 6 and up. $49.95

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Protect Your Baby with Guavamitts

Stephen Joseph Gifts

tephen Joseph Gifts is a line of celebrity loved, high quality, colorful, fun items for kids. One popular item from the line is the Personalized Quilted Ballet Duffle, which is perfect for the little dancer in your family. Stylish, sturdy and fun to use for dance class, an overnighter with friends or a weekend at Grandma’s. The generously sized bag measures approximately 9” x 15”, has durable quilted, padded construction, a 100% cotton twill cover, and is machine washable. Comfortable handles make it easy for small hands to carry and the full zippered top keeps everything safely tucked inside. There’s also a zippered inside pocket for additional storage and to help keep things organized. Check out the Stephen Joseph Gifts website for many really cute products for your little ones, and see what items the many celebrities listed have picked out for their kids! www.stephenjosephgifts.com/

Name Bubbles — Names That Stick!

ame Bubbles are the personalized and waterproof way to put your name and contact information on the items and all supplies your child takes to dance camp, daycare and school. They can take a beating in the washer, dryer, dishwasher and food fights in the lunch room or in the pool during a triathlon or on the hiking trail with bug spray and greasy sunscreen all over them. Superior vinyl stickers are water-proof and fade-resistant, and are designed to work on a litany of products. Created to be both functional and

fun, Name Bubbles are easy to apply; they stand out and stay put. Designed for kids of all ages, Name Bubbles are a must have for anything that leaves home. Durable property labels identify baby bottles, gym clothes, sports equipment, camping gear, and other items that can go missing between daycare, school, camp and vacation. With Name Bubbles, you’ll always know which item belongs to whom and help keep those items out of the lost and never-found box; plus, they’re fun to personalize online. They come in a large assortment of color and style options, and customers may choose a single style or a Value Pack that offers a number of different labels for different needs. All the labels are made with non-toxic, eco-friendly inks, and are tough enough to stick in extreme conditions — from the hottest clothes dryers and dishwashers (220 degrees Fahrenheit) to the frostiest freezers or winter conditions (minus-60 degrees Fahrenheit). For more information, visit www.namebubbles.com/

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ig Cat Rescue is the world’s largest sanctuary for big cats who have been abused, abandoned, retired from performing acts, or saved from being slaughtered for fur coats. The sanctuary houses tigers, lions, leopards, cougars, bobcats, lynx, ocelots, servals, caracals and others — a total of 16 of the 35 species of wild cat, many of whom are threatened, endangered, or now extinct in the wild. At this home for rare and exotic cats, The narrow mission of Big Cat Rescue is to provide the best permanent home they can for these cats. The broader mission of the sanctuary is to reduce the number of cats that suffer the fate of abandonment and/or abuse and to encourage preservation of habitat and wildlife. People are urged to behave in a way that will support these goals by teaching people about the plight of the cats, both in the wild and in captivity. This is accomplished through guided tours, educational programs for young people, and by maintaining a website that is a great resource for information about exotic cats. Big Cat Rescue has built enclosures in a very natural habitat with foliage and shelter on a 45 acre site, and provides the best nutritional and medical care possible. They have conditioning and enrichment programs to provide for the cats physical and psychological well being. The sanctuary is supported entirely by donation. Big Cat Rescue is located at 12802 Easy Street, Tampa. Call 813-920-4130 for more information, or visit BigCatRescue.org.

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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. Unwind as you stroll through meandering paths, lush with exotic plants from around the world. Explore cascading waterfalls, beautiful demonstration gardens, more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers. Sunken Gardens provides garden tours, horticultural programs, special events, field trips, weddings, private and corporate rentals. If you enjoy Yoga, Pilates, or want to try Hoop Dancing, why not go to Sunken Gardens and exercise in a botanical, tropical paradise. Mon - Thurs; 10:00am - 11:30am; $45/month or $12/class / Weekend classes $10 Sunken Gardens Members / $15 non-members Sat: 10am 11:15am / Sun: Noon - 1:15pm / Wed 6pm - 7:15pm $15 or $10 for Sunken Gardens Members / $59 for unlimited Daily, Weekend and Evening classes. HOOP DANCING - Tuesday 10am 11am, Wednesday 9am - 10am, $80/8 sessions or $15/class CHUTE CHI GONG Friday, 10am - Noon, $10/class. 825 4th Street N., St. Petersburg; 727-551-3100; 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 the walk through butterfly encounter. • Experience a guided tour, special event or workshop. $8 Adults; adults; $6 seniors 55 & up; $4 ages 2 3 to 11 $8 1825 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL • 727-551-3100

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Florida Authors Write DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF www.dondrunsbooks.com

Stumbling, bumbling James Lessor and Skip Moore are licensed private investigators. It could take time to get Moore or Less investigations off the ground, so James takes a job with a traveling carnival show. But this show has had a string of accidents and at least one death in the past year. When they’re hired to investigate what’s caused the carnival chaos, James and Skip set into motion a dizzying, roller coaster chain of events. They finally realize they’ll get anything but cooperation from this cast of carnies. But when a carnival worker is murdered, James and Skip find they might be next in line. Don Bruns is an award-winning novelist, songwriter, musician and ad executive, who lives in So. FL. He is also the author of Stuff to Spy For, Stuff Dreams Are Made Of, Stuff To Die For, Bahama Burnout, St. Barts Breakdown, South Beach Shakedown, BarbadosHeat and Jamaica Blue.

by Randy Rawls

www.randyrawls.com

A private investigator launches a vendetta to find and destroy the Thorns on Roses gang. Tom Jeffries, a PI in Broward County, Florida, is a man with a past-exSpecial Forces, ex-Dallas cop. But mostly, he’s a man driven by a thirst for justice. His brand of justice. When a seventeen-year-old girl, the stepdaughter of Tom’s best 102

by Wendy Wax www.penguin.com

by Don Bruns

THORNS ON ROSES

OCEAN BEACH

Friends Madeline, Avery and Nicole have hit some speed bumps in their lives, but when they arrive in Miami’s South Beach neighborhood, they are all hoping for a do-over. They’ve been hired to bring a once-grand historic house back to its former glory on a new television show called Do-Over. If they can get this show off the ground, Nikki would get back on her feet financially, Avery could restart her ruined career, and Maddie may be able to keep her family together. That’s the plan, but having their personal lives play out on TV is another thing entirely. Soon they are struggling to hold themselves, and the project, together. With a decadesold mystery—and the hurricane season—looming, the women are forced to figure out just how they’ll weather life’s storms. Wendy Wax is a St. Pete Beach native, a USF grad, and now an Atlanta resident. She is best known for her exploration of women’s bonds, and has written eight novels - the most recognizable being Ten Beach Road.

friend, Charlie Rogers, dies in the midst of a brutal gang rape, Tom vows to avenge her death. Following a well laid out plan, Jeffries methodically stalks the gang. As he eliminates them one by one, the police get closer to connecting him with the disappearances. Rushing will invite catastrophe, but Tom cannot wait. Randy Rawls is a retired US Army Officer and Dept of Defense civilian. Rawls is the author of the Ace Edwards, Dallas PI series and a number of short stories. He lives in South Florida. www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

ONE TANK TRIPS

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Tennis Legends John Mcenroe, Jimmy Connors, Jim Courier & Mats Wilander Compete In The Champions Challenge As Part of 2012 Powershares Series Tour at the Tampa Bay Times Forum Tennis legends John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Jim Courier and Mats Wilander will be competing in the Champions Challenge as part of the PowerShares Series Tour at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, FL on November 9th. Formerly known as the Champions Series, the PowerShares Series will visit a total of 12 U.S. cities during its seven-week season. In addition to McEnroe, Connors, Courier and Wilander, the tour, produced by impresario Larry Magid, will feature fellow Grand Slam champions Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Michael Chang and Pat Rafter as well as Davis Cup Champion Todd Martin. The athletes will be competing for a prize pool totaling $1 million to be shared by the top three finishers at the conclusion of the season. Each PowerShares Series tournament will showcase four of the legendary players competing for ranking points playing in two, 1-set semifinals followed by a 1-set championship match. “We are thrilled to be coming to Tampa with the

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PowerShares Series,” said Jim Courier. “The one-night shootout style format of these events makes for a big test for the players and big fun for the audience. As a Tampa area native I am ecstatic to get another chance to play at the Forum and try to lift the trophy for the home audience.” “The name change to PowerShares Series tennis reflects our ongoing support for this highly successful tour which has garnered valuable exposure for PowerShares QQQ,” said Jason Schoepke, Chief Marketing Officer at Invesco PowerShares. “We are confident the 2012 PowerShares Series tennis circuit will continue to advance the PowerShares brand with our core audiences and look forward to this year’s events.” Tickets and unique interactive VIP fan experiences for the 2012 PowerShares Series are on sale now. For complete tour and ticket information, visit www.PowerSharesSeries.com/

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Music & Film

Welles, Billy Wilder, Nicholas Ray, and Joseph Losey as well as lesser-known lights of noir. Each article will include a short biography of the director, a list of their major noir films, as well as a deep analysis of the films themselves. Lavishly illustrated, this book is a must for any aficionado of the American style of film noir.

MAKE YOUR MOVIE: What You Need To Know About the Business and Politics of Filmmaking by Barbara Freedman Doyle

PHOTOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING: A Deeper Look at Creating Stronger Images by David duChemin

www.focalpress.com

This book is about how to work with people in the film industry, about who they are, what they do, and what they need. Most importantly for you, it is also about how to become one of them. This is a straightforward and comprehensive must-read for any aspiring filmmaker. With a down-to-earth, tell it like it is approach, the author offers insight through relatable, real-world experience and one-on-one interviews with working professionals who are already at the top of their game. FILM NOIR: THE DIRECTORS Edited by Alain Silver and James Ursini www.limelighteditions.com

Noted film noir historians Alain Silver and James Ursini concentrate in this work on the thirty key directors of the classic noir period. These include well-known luminaries, such as Orson

www.newriders.com

Photographically Speaking is about learning photography’s visual language to better speak to why and how a photograph succeeds, and in turn to consciously use that visual language in the creation of our own photographs, making us stronger photographers who are able to fully express and communicate our vision. By breaking up the visual language into two main components–“elements” make up its vocabulary, and “decisions” are its grammar–David duChemin transforms what has traditionally been esoteric and difficult subject matter into an accessible and practical discussion that photographers can immediately use to improve their craft. Elements are the “words” of the image, what we place within the frame–lines, curves, light, color, contrast. Decisions are the choices we make in assembling those elements to best express and communicate our vision–the use of framing, perspective, point of view, balance, focus, exposure.

ROCKABILLY: The Twang Heard ‘Round the World - The Illustrated History Edited by Michael Dregni www.penguin.com

Born out of country, bluegrass, jazz, and the blues in the 1950s, the musical phenomenon known as rockabilly sprung from the instruments of some of the most exciting musicians in history and became what we know now as rock ’n’ roll. The story of rockabilly starts with Elvis Presley’s first Sun records that inspired all. It’s also a story rooted in the music of Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and many more rockabillies from the golden years of 1955–1959. And the story continues today, with a rockabilly revival that began with stars, such as the Stray Cats and Robert Gordon, spreading around the globe from Europe to Japan. Today, rockabilly is better than ever, with bands like Rev. Horton Heat and others playing the music and living the life from Memphis to Helsinki to Tokyo. There’s still good rockin’ tonight! The first illustrated history of the sound, style and attitude that changed music history forever, Rockabilly: The Twang Heard ’Round the World contains more than 600 rare photographs, concert posters, singles and LPs, memorabilia and collectibles—from Elvis to the Stray Cats to today—as well as interviews and reminiscences from an impressive cast of rockabilly stars.

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Non Fiction SON OF HARPO SPEAKS! by Bill Marx

a b c d

BEHIND THE MASK: The Mystique of Surgery and the Surgeons who Perform Them by David Gelber MD www.ruffianpress.com

www.applausebooks.com

In this warmhearted memoir, Bill Marx shares what it was like growing up as the son of a Marx brother. Harpo Marx, most famous as the silent jokester in the comedy team, was actually a very talented actor, artist and musician (a world-renowned harpist). Author Bill, under the influence of his father, became a consummate musician and composer as well. They collaborated as professional musicians. Bill documents both his working and creative relationsjip with Harpo, as well as their father-son bond. He describes growing up in an orbit of many talented creative forces, and their lasting impressions on his life. He covers his existence in two world — that of a normal boy at home with his family and that of a child exposed to extraordinary talent, culture and of course, the energy of his legendary father, Harpo.

A look at the world of surgery through the eyes of Dr.David Gelber, a surgeon with more than twenty years experience. Dr. Gelber gives the reader a glimpse into the mind and thought processes of surgeons; how they evaluate their patients, what happens during and after surgery, along with pitfalls and complications that can develop. Numerous anecdotes and actual cases carry the reader on a journey through the often unpredictable life of a busy surgeon.

e f g h i j k l BELOVED WARRIOR: The Rise and Fall of Alexis Arguello by Christian Giudice

www.potomacbooksinc.com

m n o Christian Giudice offers a balanced an critical look at great boxer Alexis Arguello’s life. His reporting discusses the contradiction between Alex’ triumphs in the ring and the emotional, psychological, and political turbulence beyond the ropes that eventually claimed his life.

p q r WALKABOUT DANCER by Eileen Kramer

www.dancereileen.com

Eileen Kramer spent her childhood listening to the kookaburras and sailing along the coast of Australia. A creative, magical spirit from the beginning, young Eileen left school at an early age, finding a course that enabled her to go her own way. Eileen’s life was changed in 1939 when she attended a performance of the Bodenwieser Dance Company, opening the door for her world travels and her remarkable journey through life. Through Bodenwieser, Eileen absorbed European culture – appreciation of music, art, architecture, and politics. This book chronicles Eileen’s life with tales of her travels, experiences, and escapades, as we watch her dancing lightly through the years.

s tuv w x yz www.AccentOnTampaBay.com

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Artificial Intelligence Outsmarts Summer Tarpon

hen summer finds tarpon returning from their offshore spawning journey, the fish will start heading back into Charlotte Harbor, Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay and Clearwater Harbor. Some will remain along the gulf beaches, but the inside waters will host the majority of fish until early fall. Tarpon will eat live or dead baits, but my favorite option for late summer is an artificial lure. The trouble with natural baits is that they attract the catfish and small sharks inhabiting the bays this time of year. Their aggressive behavior makes me believe that they see you cast your bait and then run for it like a wide receiver in football running after a pass and as soon as your bait hits the water they are on it. This is very frustrating because you spend all of your fishing time dehooking the cats and sharks. Artificials occasionally attract trash bites, but far less than bait. My favorite artificials are the MirrOlure 77, 72 and 65 twitchbaits and the DOA Bait Buster. The bigger and heavier MirrOlures are effective because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll often find summer tarpon in 10-20 feet and the extra weight lets you cover that water column more efficiently than with similar baits of smaller size. The same logic applies to the heavier Bait Busters designed for trolling - longer casts and faster fall through deeper water. Top colors: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to beat the old standby red and white and baitfish colors like green and silver and black and gold. Proper Tackle: I fish these summer tarpon baits on a 7-foot casting rod or a spinning rod and a 5000 series reel. The reason for the spinning rod and the casting rod duo is to minimize fatigue. After a lot of repetitions with a casting reel, my hands and arms get tired. Switching rod types uses a different type of cast and makes it easier to continue fishing. 108

Line It Up: My reels are loaded with 50-pound braid. I tie a 5-foot piece of 30-pound fluorocarbon to the braid and I connect 12 inches of 60-pound fluoro to the 30 as a bite tippet. I use a circle knot to tie on the lures. The reason for the 30-pound fluoro is to camouflage the braid. Also, the smaller diameter mono makes a smaller connection knot that will slide through the guides easier. Finding Fish: I prefer to fish with artificial on slick calm days because the high visibility makes it easier to see rolling tarpon. Another sign to look for is diving birds and bait schools. When I find areas of tarpon activity, I slowly drift or approach with the electric motor and look for the biggest concentrations. I try to cast about three to four feet in front of a rolling fish. Sometimes I cast right in the circle left by the tarpon roll. Best Presentation: I do best by letting the lure sink and then slowly retrieving it with a small twitches. Even though you see a fish on top, most of the bites come from below the surface, usually near the bottom. Continuous blind casting - similar to drifting a flat for trout - is the way to go when the tarpon are not rolling much. When tarpon hit an artificial, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually on the lure drop and the bite is very subtle. I pay close attention for a tick on the line; something like a small pinfish bite on bait. When I feel that, I reel like crazy to get a tight line. When I feel good pressure, I find that a strong hook set or two is necessary to drive the hooks home. Tip: Sharpening the hooks and pinching the barb closed slightly will help drive the hooks into the boney tarpon mouth. For fishing videos, catch photos and lots of angling resources, visit www.fishingwithbillmiller.com. For fishing charters in the Tampa Bay area, call (813) 3639927.

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