Simplify and Downsize for a Stress-Free Future
Living well after 50 Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, February 25, 2024 Decluttering with Intention
and 5
Pages 4
ACROSS
1 Fast food chain, ___’s
5 Switch partner?
9 Zeus’s blood
4 Bumpkin
18 Stable female
19 Light wood
20 Bond portrayer
21 Citrus hybrid
22 (n.) an opinion piece about horses
24 (adj.) able to play multiple opponents at the same time
26 Fanatic
27 (n.) a middle speed in horseback riding
29 Some marbles
30 The ___ of possibility
32 Jetliner watcher: abbr.
33 Phone 7
34 Singer Campbell
35 French phone greeting
36 Cyber loc.
37 People dig it
38 One who’s owed
42 (n.) salesgirl, in Italian
45 Abyss
46 She’s Inga in Young Frankenstein
47 Warning
50 (n.) the tendency of nonnative speakers to omit articles from sentences
52 The alimentary, e.g.
53 Swiss canton
54 Toho pterodactyl
57 Angler’s aid
58 Team spirit
59 Discoveries
61 Newsman Charles
64 ___ cable
65 Become vague
66 (n.) one who keeps his gun near his shirt pocket
69 Affectations
If I Wrote the Dictionary (4) by Merl Reagle
72 Intro to “Ike”
74 Tristan’s love
75 Pry
76 Wisconsin city
78 Max’s Emigrants co-star
80 Put out
82 She’s Mia in Pulp Fiction
83 Mecca folks
84 (n.) Indonesian island known for its movie-star tourists
87 Taco toppers
89 Actress Winslet
90 Fail utterly
91 (v.) remove from boxes, as bananas
94 Ralph Waldo et al.
96 Mrs. Andy Capp
97 Bumbler
98 “Guess again”
102 Handouts
103 Actress Ruby
104 Seattle-area airport, Sea-___
105 Truly intro
106 Like vinegar
109 (n.) gas for people who want to drive wherever the road takes them
112 Little one
113 (adj.) tending to stammer in front of dignitaries
115 (adj.) to get a word in edgewise
117 Popular cookie
118 Namely
119 Tanzanian border lake
120 The Firebird guy
121 Bald, as tires
122 Dispatches
123 Sharp-tasting
124 Authors
DOWN
1 Supreme Egyptian god
2 Myra in Myra Breckinridge
3 Tough
4 One way to vote
5 N.Y. women’s college
6 Somewhat
7 Hayes of music
8 Like redwoods
9 Adulterated
10 Henhouses
11 Place for an ace
12 Fact finisher
13 Entertained
14 (n.) a cannibal
15 “___ Rhythm”
16 Solver’s help
17 Peck, perhaps
19 Big snake
23 Film fan’s channel, briefly
25 Made better, as cheddar
28 O founder
31 Zip, to Federer
34 Pessimistic
36 A law ___ itself
37 Slugger Mel
38 Set one back
39 (adj.) having a sexy physique (said of Bo Derek)
40 Spoken
41 Irritate
43 “I’m all ___”
44 Sexy dance
45 Go head to head
47 Immobilize, as a perp
48 Met tune
49 (v.) to show where the wines are
51 Put an ___ (halt)
52 Trig abbr.
55 Slangy drugs
56 Eruption stuff
58 Damage
60 (n.) imprisonment
62 Green shade
63 1940s spy org.
64 Flower visitors
66 Mandolin kin, briefly
67 Beethoven’s Für ___
68 Trav. paths
70 Actress Downey
71 Pool parlors?
73 Break-___
75 House opening
76 Do an autumn chore
77 Composer Khachaturian
78 Camera part
79 Type
81 Jet letters
84 Shelf sights
The
85 Brazilian port
86 Outer: prefix
88 Ex-late night name
90 F-14 fighters
92 Aspirin source
93 Most risqué
95 Faux pas
96 Eats heartily
99 Power trouble
100 Atomic particle
101 Fruit-aroma sources
103 Celtic priest
104 Skater Harding
105 Proposition response
106 Admit frankly
107 Star hangout of 1950s Hollywood, ___’s
108 At any time
109 Boys, Boom, or Bean
110 Ale amount
111 New Deal agcy.
114 Fish eggs
116 Helpful hint
LifeTimes is produced and designed by the marketing department of the Tampa Bay Times.
EDITOR: Andrea Daly, adaly@tampabay.com
ATTENTION BUSINESSES:
Reach more than 429,100 LifeTimes readers*.
To advertise, call 1-800-333-7505, ext. 8725 or email sales@tampabay.com
To submit story ideas, email lifetimes@tampabay.com
*Source: 2023 Nielsen Scarborough Report (r1)
2 | Sunday, February 25, 2024 | Tampa Bay Times SSP
on Page 6
crossword puzzle solution is
1234 5678 91011121314151617 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124
CROSSWORD
America’s veterans need to enroll in Medicare the right way
BY TONI KING tonisays.com
Dear Toni,
My husband, Jason, is a Vietnam veteran and never enrolled in Medicare Part B because he uses the VA for his medical care. He is 77 years old and retired when he turned 65 about 12 years ago.
Because he is having heart issues, he wants to go to a local cardiologist that his best friend uses, and he must now enroll in Medicare for that to happen. Social Security advised Jason that he must pay more to enroll in Medicare Part B because he never enrolled when he turned 65 in 2011.
After reading your Medicare articles in our local newspaper, we need your guidance. Is there a way that he can take Part B without having to pay the extra penalty? Thank you, Toni.
Christina from Tampa, FL
Hello Christina:
Since Jason did not enroll in Medicare when he first turned 65 and was no longer working with “true” employer benefits (the key words are “is still working”), Jason will get the famous Part B “late enrollment” penalty when he enrolls in during Medicare’s general enrollment period from Jan. 1 to March 31
Now is the time for Jason to enroll in both parts of Medicare, Part A and Part B. He did not enroll in Part B when he was first eligible in 2011 and his “late enrollment” penalty is 10% for each full 12-month period that he could have had Part B but did not
sign up for it. His penalty will be for the 12 full years (12-month periods), an extra 120% each month for the rest of his Medicare life.
For 2024, Jason’s Medicare Part B penalty will be 120% times $174.70 or an extra $209.60.
Adding the penalty amount to the Part B premium of $174.70 equals $384. 30 per month.
No one ever knows when they will need to receive health care outside of a VA center. Christina, now you understand the value of enrolling in Medicare when one is turning 65, whether he/she is a veteran who uses the VA or someone who only has Medicare and will need Medicare insurance. (Chapter 1 of the ”Medicare Sur vival Guide Advanced” edition explains the rules of enrolling in Medicare the right way, especially for those with veteran benefits.)
Since Jason will be enrolled in Medicare parts A and B for the first time, the Medicare enrollment options and rules apply:
-- A Medicare supplement has a six-month open enrollment period that begins the first month enrolled in Part B, and the Medicare enrollee will not have to answer health questions for under writing After six months, complete under writing will happen.
A Medicare Advantage plan (with or without Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage), according to page 71 of the “Medicare & You 2024” handbook “starts the first day of the month after you sign up.” You must have both Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage plan. Some MA plans have “extra benefits” for America’s veterans.
But there is some good news for Jason, Christina. Not enrolling in Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug plan) is a different stor y. Medicare considers the VA to be “creditable” coverage and when veterans with VA benefits enroll in Part D later, they do not get the Medicare Part D late enrollment penalty. There is NO Part D doughnut hole when you
are receiving prescriptions from the VA and are not enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan.
And there is more good news: If the premium is too expensive, Jason can remain with the VA and explore his options for non-VA medical care by contacting his VA center and asking for referrals outside his local VA .
Special note to veterans: Scott DeLuzio’s “Drive On” podcast, at driveonpodcast.com, is a resource for veterans. His podcast with Toni will be available in March.
Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare and health insurance issues. She has spent nearly 30 years as a top sales leader in the field. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call 832-519-8664. Toni’s books
and her newsletter are available at www.tonisays.com . Toni’s “Medicare Survival Guide Advanced”
edition, a simple guide that puts Medicare in “people” terms, is on sale at www.tonisays.com
SSP Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, February 25, 2024 | 3 LIFETIMES Toni Says
Reflect, prioritize, declutter, repeat
How Swedish death cleaning can make your life easier.
BY SALLY MOE Times Total Media Correspondent
Do you have multiples of certain basics like scissors or reading glasses, but can’t find one pair when you need them? Are there items in your kitchen pantry that date back to the Bush administration? Do you have a room in your house that nobody’s allowed to see because it’s just too much of a chaotic, embarrassing mess?
All of that extra unused stuff is taking up space in your home and in your mind. Yes, it’s overwhelming. But if you don’t deal with it now, at some point in the future, a loved one
who’s sorting through your effects after you pass will have to deal with it and will feel even more overwhelmed at the prospect than you ever did!
Enter the practice of Swedish death cleaning. At first, it sounds a tiny bit morbid, but it’s actually focused on making life easier and celebrating a life well lived. First introduced in a book by Margareta Magnusson called “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter,” Swedish death cleaning is a floorto-ceiling decluttering approach designed to simplify your life and after you pass make it easier for loved ones to take care of what you leave behind (including your home, debts, assets, pets and memorabilia) The process encourages reflection on the events of your life and focusing on what really matters to you. At the same time, you decide what to sell, recycle, throw out or give away
and how and where the stuff you keep should be stored, from financial records and computer passwords to beloved mementos. When to start? Magnusson suggests around age 65, because you want to still be physically able to do it, as well as have the time to invest
For pack rats and procrastinators in particular, this process can be a bear. But it’s less daunting (and less likely to be put off) when you have professionals guiding you through the steps, such as Pathfinders Downsizing Solutions. Renée Brunelle Matthews, co-founder of Pathfinders with Janeen Salzgeber, has been doing this kind of work for years, and says that while every situation is unique, the first question is often the same: “Where do I begin??”
Her advice: “Start with the unemotional stuff.” Matthews explains that what stymies people
so often in this process is emotional attachment to certain things (“My oldest made me this vase in fifthgrade art class” ... “This china was passed down from my greatgrandmother”). Start with the things that aren’t emotionally weighted: financial papers, canceled checks, old textbooks and magazines, expired medications, etc. Go room by room, space by space. When it comes time to deal with the things you feel attached to, enlist the help of a family member if you can They might want one of those special family heirlooms. But if they don’t, items like dated furniture or clothes, china, or pots and pans you no longer use can go to a deserving nonprofit, where they will enjoy a new life of usefulness and be much appreciated. More valuable items can be sold by auction or consignment, or set aside for an estate sale
Take before and af ter photos of each room. The before picture will help you see the room’s problem area s in a more detached light, giving the clutter less emot ional pull and mak ing it ea sier to pare down. The af ter picture will reinforce what you’ve accomplished.
If you’re downsizing to move into a smaller home, a tiny house or a retirement community, there is experienced local help available for you as well. As a member of the Seniors Real Estate Specialist group along with many local senior affiliations, White Glove House, led by Rande Friedman a Realtor with Future Home Realty and a certified probate/estate and senior real estate specialist has focused on this niche area for the last 15 years and finds it important and deeply rewarding. Every project has taught him something new about the process and the people he assists. He agrees with Matthews that downsizing can be very emotional, so he recommends including family members sooner rather than later. When you’re planning to downsize, Friedman says, “Prepare yourself for the emotional aspect.”
Remember the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure?” It goes both ways What is valuable to you for sentimental reasons doesn’t necessarily translate to financial value, or even to sentimental value among other family members With that said, during the later stages of downsizing, Friedman reaches out to appraisers or evaluators who will rate the more valuable items that remain to determine which avenue is preferable for getting the best possible price (i.e. auction, estate sale or consignment) For whatever is left that can’t be sold or donated, he will arrange for trash removal. Martha Stewart would surely agree: Fewer headaches during an already stressful time = a very good thing
4 | Sunday, February 25, 2024 | Tampa Bay Times SSP
“A loved one wishes to inher it nice things from you, not all things from you.”
she also recommends clients have a “document custodian.” This person could be an attorney or a trusted friend or relative who would keep copies of important documents in case of emergency.
If you see yourself as proactive, consider one of the following books to get you moving in the right direction.
“When I’m Gone: Death Planner Organizer” and “I’m Dead, Now What?: Important Information About My Belongings, Business Affairs, and Wishes” are planners to record all the details contacts; legal matters; health info; property info; financial affairs; what to pay, close and cancel; etc. that your survivors will need to know in the event of your passing. Such books can be helpful while you’re still kicking as well. They can help you decide whether to organize your thoughts and address gaps in preparation or to inform loved ones of your wishes if you are ever incapacitated by a stroke or other illness. And finally, for eight hours’ worth of inspiration, check out the eight-episode show inspired by Magnusson’s book: “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning,” narrated by Amy Poehler, is available on Peacock or Apple TV.
~ The Gentle Art of Swedish Death
Cleaning
Do you have stacks of unsorted documents, junk mail, letters and other papers in random piles throughout your home? While they might not be emotionally weighted, you still could find it difficult to know which of these to shred, which to keep and the best way to store what remains so they’ll always be easy to find This aspect of decluttering is an area of focus for Ann-Eliza Musoke Taylor, a probate estate attorney with Older, Lundy, Koch & Martino. Taylor has been helping people organize and prioritize their papers and deeds for 15 years and has one bit of advice: Start small and start early, when you’re not pressured by a deadline Give yourself plenty of time to take this on and do it right.
Starting small helps build momentum without triggering that deer-in-theheadlights feeling. (She suggests assigning at least a month for the project.) Remember that not every treasured drawing has to be saved; you can scan or photograph them and store them in your computer or display the files in a digital picture frame and you’ ll probably see them more often that way! Taylor includes a document retention “cheat sheet” for her clients, to help them know which papers are important to keep;
Times Total Media is the sales and marketing division of the Tampa Bay Times. Contact ti me st ot al med ia@ ta mp abay .c om with questions.
Downsizing,
rightsizing, decluttering – whatever you call it, it’s a daunting process.
Thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone! There are people in our area who are experienced in this process and will share the burden with you, saving you time, stress and uncertainty. Renée Brunelle Matthews of Pathfinders Downsizing Solutions suggests the following steps to get started:
1. Determine what you are downsizing to. That can inform choices for the new space plan (i.e., what larger furnishings won’t fit)
2. How big is the new closet/storage space?
3. What items will you really use in your new “rightsized” lifestyle? This is very important with respect to kitchens and closets.
4. Take a critical look at what you REALLY use in your bathrooms.
5. Pare down bedding and towels for what you will need in your new smaller space.
6. Digitize family photos and gift them so all can be shared. Photo frames are also great gifts!
Remember: If you throw something away, and then need it later, simply buy a new one Don’t hold onto items for “just in case.”
Renee Brunelle Matthews, Co-owner
Janeen Salzgeber, Co-owner
Pathfinders Downsizing Solutions pathfindersdownsizing.com | 813-220-9580 | 850-445-4447
Rande Friedman
Certified probate/estate and senior realtor specialist whiteglovehouse.com | futurehomerealty.com | 813-943-2677
Ann-Eliza Musoke Taylor, Attorney
Older, Lundy, Koch & Martino olderlundylaw.com | 813-254-8998
Sources: aarp.org, smartliving365.com, whereyoulivematters.org, nasmm.org, pathfindersdownsizing.com, whiteglovehouse.com
SSP Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, February 25, 2024 | 5
……………………………………..…………………………….
Lifetimes Diversions
Feb. 22 – Mar. 24 • Cirque
du Soleil’s BAZZAR
Cirque du Soleil’s debut of BAZZAR, a high-energy spectacle of intrepid acrobatics, dynamic stunts and exhilarating performances pays homage to the entertainment company’s legacy. The fourth stop on its North American tour, the show will be presented at the Tropicana Field stadium under the iconic Big Top, Feb. 22 to March 24, 2024. $42-$119.
7-10 p.m. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. (727) 825-3137. cirquedusoleil.com.
Feb. 27 • Ronnie Dee & Helios Jazz Orchestra
Fifth-generation vocalist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Ronnie Dee is a consummate entertainer who puts his body, heart and soul into every performance. This concert features several selections from the legendary recording “Sinatra at the Sands” as
well as other Rat Pack, blues and jump songs. In its 15th season, the 18-member Helios Jazz Orchestra, directed by Dr. David Manson, has been featured on the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, and Ybor Jazz Festival. $25-$35. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 8223590. mypalladium.org.
Feb. 28 • PlaceMattersSP:
Underground History Documentary Screening & Panel Discussion.
Underground History explores the stories of erased communities in St. Petersburg, revealing layers of history under the city. After the screening, join in a community conversation with the filmmakers Polita Glynn and Devin Rice, and participants, moderated by Ms. Gwendolyn Reese, President of the African American Heritage Association of St. Petersburg. 5:30 doors; 6 p.m. screening. Nelson
Poynter Memorial Library, located on the USFSP campus. $10. 5:307:30 p.m. Wednesday. St. Petersburg. ptb.wildapricot.org.
Feb. 28 • Rodney Crowell Band
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member & two-time GRAMMY® Award winner Rodney Crowell returns to the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre with his band! With more than 40 years of American roots music under his belt, Rodney Crowell has released twenty albums in four decades, with five consecutive number-one hits (I Couldn’t Leave You If I Tried, It’s a Small World, After All This Time, She’s Crazy For Leaving, Above and Beyond), and has also worked widely as a songwriter and a producer. Rodney Crowell is the songwriter’s songwriter and an icon among giants. $55$75. 8 p.m. Wednesday. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. (727) 712-2717.
rutheckerdhall.com.
Feb. 29 • 12th Annual Buildings Alive! Architecture Hop
This architecture hop brings awareness to the historical preservation and cultural heritage of Ybor City. Jump on a TMZ Jolley Trolley and visit 6 of Ybor City’s historic buildings. Receive a behind-the-scenes tour while enjoying light bites at each location. Presented by J.C. Newman Cigar Company. Starts at $65. 5-9 pm. J.C. Newman Cigar Company, 2701 N. 16th St., Tampa. www.ybormuseum.org.
Feb. 29 – Mar. 10 • Florida Strawberry Festival
Guests come from near and far to enjoy exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, fine arts, horticulture, and crafts. The fabric of American life is woven into the festival through social events, contests, youth developmental programs, top-name
entertainment, and parades with glorious floats and highstepping marching bands. Florida Strawberry Festival, 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City. flstrawberryfestival.com.
Feb. 29 • ONES The Beatles #1 Hits
ONES – The Beatles #1 Hits performs their special presentation of the Beatles’ 27 number-one hit songs. On the big screen, you’ll experience brilliant narrations that tell the stories behind the songs, captivating backdrops, and a collection of stunning photos and videos. On the big stage, you’ll experience a 14-piece performance of top musicians who faithfully re-create the sound of the original hit records with orchestra, period-correct instruments, and exceptional vocalists. $43.25-$83.25. 8 p.m. Thursday. Ruth Eckerd Hall 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. (727) 791-7400. rutheckerdhall.com.
6 | Sunday, February 25, 2024 | Tampa Bay Times SSP
ARB YB AI TI C HOR HIC K M ARE B ALS AM OO RE UG LI EQ UA TO RI AL PO L YGA MO US NU T CAN TA LO UP E AG ATE S RE AL MA TC PRS GL EN AL LO UR LO RE C RED IT OR VE ND ET TA VO ID TE RI C AVEA TA TH EIS M CANA L UR I RO DAN NE TM OR ALE FI ND S OS GOO D BAS IC F ADE UPH OL ST ERER AI RS ILI KE IS OL DE SN OO P RA CIN EL IV IS SUE UM A AR ABS C EL EBES S AL SAS K ATE T ANK EXE CR ATE EM ERS ON SF LO OA FN OP E AL MS DE ET AC YO UR S ACE TI CT R AMP OL IN E TOT VIVIP A ROU SI NT ER STATE OR EO TO WI TN YASA IG OR WO RN SE ND ST AR TP ENS CROSSWORD ANSWERS puzzle page 2
more diversions page 8
1960 Chevy Corvair
This was my very first car, a 1960 Chevy Corvair. I graduated from Jackson Memorial High School, Massillon, Ohio in 1959. I was working at Timkin Roller Bearing Company in Canton, Ohio. Along with my salary and the hundred dollars my father gave me as a graduation gift, I was able to purchase my dream car. I was so proud of my first car. It was the topof-the-line engine in the rear and of course three-speed stick shift. It had an aqua vinyl interior with blue carpet. At least three times a week I washed my car and once a month I would wax the entire car no matter the weather.
CALL
What’s the stor y behind your favorite or first car? We’d like to share it. Please send:
• Your name, city where you live and your age (with your date of bir th).
• The year, make and model of the car, with a description of the
My then boyfriend (now husband of 61 years) was drafted into the army and when he came home on leave from Fort Bragg, NC, we would cruise to the drive-ins and drive-in movies. After he was discharged in January 1964 and we were both working, we decided after much soul searching to purchase a larger vehicle. By the time we sold the Corvair, it was discharging a great amount of oil as we drove down the road and the rust had started to creep in.
But to this day, whenever I see an antique Corvair on the road I reminisce over all the wonderful times I enjoyed with my first car.
car and why you love it.
• A high-resolution photo or a scanned image. (Must be of the actual car.)
• Send to drive@tampabay.com and type My Favorite Car or My First Car in the subject line.
SSP Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, February 25, 2024 | 7 MY FIRST CAR Margaret (Peg) Ater, 82 St. Petersburg, FL
y
TO READERS Tell us your love stor
Lifetimes Diversions
Feb. 29 • Art on the House
Tampa Museum of Art offers Art on the House, where admission prices change to pay-as-you-will, and visitors choose whatever admission price they want to pay. Bring the family and celebrate 100 years of art in Tampa with exhibitions that emphasize ancient, modern, and contemporary art. Free+ 4-8 p.m. Thursday. Tampa Museum of Art, 120 Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. (813) 274-8130. tampamuseum.org.
Mar. 1 • Listening Room
Festival 2024: 13th Annual Showcase
Spencer LaJoye, Daniel Neihoff, Grace Morrison, and Jenna Nicholls. It’s a truly amazing collection of singer-songwriters to delight you once again. $35-$100. 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 822-3590. mypalladium.org.
Mar. 1 • 1st Friday Flicks
Bring your blankets or lawn chairs! Live entertainment and seating 1 hour prior to the movie. Concessions available. 8-10 p.m. Friday. Veterans Memorial Marina Park, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane, Safety Harbor. cityofsafetyharbor.com.
Mar. 1 • Lauren Daigle
The two-time GRAMMY®
Award-winning singer-songwriter brings us her Kaleidoscope Tour.
$25.75-$125.75. 7 p.m. Friday. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 301-6500.
Mar. 1 • Raymond James
Pops Twist & Shout: The Music of The Beatles
A tribute to 60 years of The Beatles’ journey into the hearts of Americans everywhere. The concert follows the early years of Beatlemania and the British invasion. Chelsea Gallo conducts. Tickets start at $25.75. Fri., March 1, 8 pm. floridaorchestra.org.
Mar. 1 • Stars Of The Sixties
Performances by Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone, Lovin’ Spoonful, the Happenings and Chris Ruggiero. $46-$86. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 300-2000.
Mar. 2 • Celtic Woman
Celtic Woman features four young Irish women whose performing skills bring centuries of musical and cultural tradition to life. The 20th Anniversary Tour includes a blend of traditional and contemporary Irish music that echoes Ireland’s musical and cultural heritage, while reflecting on the spirit of modern Ireland. $63-$127. 8 p.m. Saturday. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 300-2000.
Mar. 2 – Mar. 23 • Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
One of the top outdoor, juried fine arts shows in the United States,
showcasing a wide variety of art media and price points. Artists vie for nearly $100,000 in awards, including the $15,000 Raymond James Best-of-Show award. Also includes live music, culinary attractions and areas designed for children and families. Free. 9 a.m.
-6 p.m. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N. Boulevard, Tampa. (813) 991-2334. gasparillaarts.com.
Mar. 2 • 30th Annual Bravura Brunch
The Florida Orchestra’s internationally acclaimed Music Director, Michael Francis, will be the featured guest at the 30th Annual Bravura Brunch benefiting The Florida Orchestra’s music, education and community programs across Tampa Bay. The Bravura Brunch offers a gourmet brunch, silent and live auctions, great music and fun surprises. Tickets start at $95. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort’s
continued from page 6
Edinburgh Hall, 36750 U.S. 19
N, Palm Harbor. (727) 517-6663. tfonsa.org.
Mar. 3 • Picnic in the Park
Roll back the clock a century and join us for an old-fashioned picnic in Plant Park. Bring your blanket, pack a picnic basket and invite family and friends to experience the pleasures of a simpler time. Relax in the shade and enjoy continuous entertainment on Center Stage. Community partners will be in the park, including Tampa Regional Artists, The Humane Society of Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, Arts4All Florida, The Wheelmen, and more. A limited number of picnic tables are available to reserve. To make your table reservation, contact Museum Relations Manager, Daniel Carpenter at (813) 258-7302 or dcarpenter@ut.edu. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. www.plantmuseum.com.
8 | Sunday, February 25, 2024 | Tampa Bay Times SSP