What's Hot Tampa Bay (April Issue 2010) by What's Hot Tampa Bay

Publisher Ian Beckles

Editors Dave Norrie, Audrey Woods Art Director/Lead Designer Ruben Joseph Carbonell iadt interns Alex Yparraguirre, Ilka Figueroa staff Photographer Jim Burkett Publicist Brandi Kamenar Sales & Marketing David May, Billy Castro Controller Dayle Urquhart Webmaster Bert Price contributors Ten Minute, Jason Johnson printer Done Right Documents Cover Artist Ruben Joseph Carbonell rucarbo@hotmail.com

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What’s HOT Tampa Bay.com

Lifestyle • Health • Art • Fashion • Sports • Entertainment

Earth Day

What’s HOT Tampa Bay.com

April 22

The Dish A guide to organic shopping by Eddie Shumard

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino The Hard Rock pitches in on saving the planet

Be Green! 68 Learn everything you need to know about helping the planet stay alive by Sundae Marie Ford

Contents Spring Fashion Guide Formal Wear Spring elegance captured at the Garden Room

FUN! 42 Have Fun in the Sun during Spring in Tampa Bay

pg.

Go Green Items 70 Essential items to have for keeping a green lifestyle by Sundae Marie Ford Hidden Star Ian and crew head to Grass Root for a vegan experience by Ian Beckles

The A List Done the B Way 16 Adam vs Eve 74 50 Tampa Sports Knucklehead The ladies from Icon B give us the Basil lays down the groundwork for A hot debate over the perception inside scoop on the latest in trends getting the Bucs back on their feet of Danica Patrick by Brandi Kamenar by Basil Spyridakos For Christ’s Sake! 52 The Hotlist 20 76 Four people from different We cover the 5 hottest beaches to We Review the hottest in game backgrounds & religions talk about spend your Spring Break slaying action this Spring the meaning of Easter and more by Tammy Levent by Alex Yparraguirre by Dave Norrie by Billy Castro Hot Wine 22 Millionaire’s Minute 80 58 Rising Star Sometimes smaller is better...at least Daris Mitchell aka ‘LD’ Springtime Opportunities for when it comes to wine by Billy Castro Commodities Investors by Dave Madera by James Cordier

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shots 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

Ian Beckles & Will Castro Maurice Stovall Carson Kressley Michael Clayton Brooke Bennett Shelton Quarles Jennifer Holloway Dave Moore Niko Koutouvides Mercedes Benz

What’s HOT Tampa Bay.com

Our relentless conquest continues to uncover the unique, outrageous, extreme, amazing and intriguing to satisfy your appetite! Tampa’s hearty, clever and always entertaining “It” list brings you the hottest trends in our wonderfully hip backyard and around this extraordinary world of ours. So sit back, grab a latte, a brewski, a dirty-tini or whatever floats your incredibly vogue boat and take pleasure in the most tantalizing and thought-provoking list in town…It’s another edition of ...

THE “A” LIST DONE THE

WAY by Brandi Kamenar

YOUR RESUME ON A ROLL Looking for a job in this economy requires boldness, creativity and assertiveness. If you want your resume to make a “statement” and stand out from the gazillion resumes that are received by hundreds of companies every day, I have found a guaranteed method of getting your work history right into the palm of their hand. Trust me, they will never FORGET your CV. If you are daring enough, Creative Director of Burak Kaynak (his name and the company name) has created the WC/ CV toilet paper. Don’t scoff…desperate times call for desperate measures. Considering how necessary it is for corporate honchos to use the little boys’ and girls’ room, you have a captive audience. WC/CV’s special roll looks just like regular toilet paper; you can even write on it. Each CV has 3 sheets with titles to fill in the blanks such as Contact Information, Education and Employment History. All that’s left is to find the company you want to work for and put that roll in their restrooms. If no one calls security and if no threat of a restraining order is made, I’d say wait by the phone for that call! So put pen to paper (well, toilet paper, but same difference) and don’t take it personally if your resume ends up in the can. www.burakkaynak.com THE ULTIMATE THRILL Pondering what to get someone who has everything? Boy do I have a gift suggestion for you. Remember the 1997 gripping thriller The Game where Michael Douglas is given the ultimate birthday present by his considerate brother, Sean Penn? Penn’s gift to Douglas took him on a live exhilarating action game that made Michael go a little berserko. There is a French company, Ultime Réalité that provides three mind-blowing services: ‘Kidnapping,’ ‘Manhunt’ and ‘Go-Fast Adventure”. This adrenaline rush sports-quest offers a kidnapping without warning and worthy of a film; a manhunt to last one to two days where you have the option to either be the hunter or the hunted, and a Go-Fast adventure that takes participants on a joyride by playing the role of a drug dealer smuggling cargo on the high seas. If that’s not EXTREME enough for you, a newly added package allows clients to wake up on an autopsy table in a morgue, surrounded by corpses and body bags. Note to those in search of my next B-day gift…bring it on! www.ultimerealite.fr

GOING TO THE CHAPEL AND WE’RE GOING TO GET…. INFLATED!

THE ART OF HAIR You see Heidi Klum and Karolina Kurkova on TV and in Victoria’s Secret ads and think, “If I see one more European blonde bombshell I am gonna lose it!” “Why can’t I look like that?” you ask as you brush your brittle, 2 inch-root-showing hair. No need to travel across the globe to look like a million bucks! Local salon owner and hair stylist, Roy Naccour, brings European style and flair to the Tampa Bay area at J. Joseph Salon. He can transform your locks and looks from Ugly Betty to Jennifer Aniston; bland to beautiful or traditional to trendy. Roy practiced the art of styling hair all throughout Europe before coming to the United States and landing at his Land O’ Lakes salon. Roy is soooo hot and very mobile, that he’s constantly booked for fashion shows, charity events and invited by notable women to their homes to glamorize them! Roy Naccour and J. Joseph Salon will bring out your inner beauty to help you look and feel as you should…like a model. www.jjosephsalon.com 3D RUNWAY

Getting married this summer and not sure how to make that special day memorable? Let us plan your wedding right now! Treat yourself, your wedding party and your guests to an all “inflatable” ceremony. I’m sure that’s what all little girls dream of growing up. A company in Europe, and registered in the Guinness World Records, offers the whole package with stellar mobility. You can place the inflatable church anywhere from a beach on Sardinia to the Bucs stadium. The churches are fully equipped with bell tower, stained-glass windows, pulpit, pews, alter and even nifty inflatable crosses. The wedding won’t be complete without the bride arriving in her picturesque and cascading inflatable wedding gown by Daisy, an exceptional balloon artist (she must be) with her inflatable breasts standing alongside her bridesmaids in their snazzy dresses made entirely of twisted balloons. Following the ceremony, everyone can mosey down to the inflatable pub for a few pints. These air-filled units will get you bouncing before the beer will. For the honeymoon, you can cruise in any body of water just by whipping out from your travel bag a mini inflatable catamaran by iwantoneofthose. Don’t forget to pack your sexy Gizmodo inflatable bikini (that is also handy if you are in need of a floating device in case of a drowning incident). May your wedding day be full of hot air and no pins or a lit cigarette in sight! www.inflatablechurch.com www.iwantoneofthose.com

And you thought you needed those goofy little 3D glasses for watching funny looking, blue characters flying through uncharted and illustrated territory. Japanese fashion magazine Non-no (ah, No, what?) is teaming up with satellite broadcaster BS-TBS and consumer electronics Panasonic Corp to stream its “Spring Collection” show live in 3D at three cinemas this month in colorful and trend-setting Tokyo, Japan. This 3D trend on catwalks is coming on strong after Burberry streamlined a live event in 3D from London Fashion Week and was inspired by none other than the top grossing film of all time, Avatar. The 3D experience will get you on the runway seeing all sorts of things up-close and personal. Men will be lining up around the block if Victoria takes her Secrets to 3D. WALK, RUN, HOP, SKIP…JUST FIND A CURE I don’t know about you, but I want to make a difference. For many of us who live in South Tampa, camping usually isn’t on the top of our list of fun things to do…not even close. But camping on a high school football field with 500 of your closest friends and neighbors to find a cure for cancer? Well, now we’re talking! The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life South Tampa is an annual life-changing event that gives everyone in Tampa Bay the opportunity to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At this year’s Relay on April 23, teams will camp out at Plant High School and take turns walking or running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. And because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events and 18 hours in length. Access Gayle host and former NBC News Channel 8 anchor, Gayle Guyardo, will serve as emcee and kick off the festivities for the evening. Don’t be cheap…you can help sponsor someone in Relay for a mere $10, or if you are the big spender that I know you are, you can donate even more to find a cure that affects EVERYONE! For more information, on how you can participate or donate, please visit www.relayforlife.org/southtampafl.

TRASH AND FLASH Spotted…infamous club-kid, Page Six tabloid king and Heatherette designer Richie Rich hits stores with his new line, Tabloid Hero. If Kim Kardashian, Fergie and Pam Anderson are all in, then so am I! These celebs and fashionistas are about to make headlines themselves just to get a piece of Richie’s funky-fresh line that is sure to appall, enthrall and make a certifiable star out of you. Tap into your inner celebrity and join me in making our own saucy tabloid gossip when this line hits stores in the upcoming months. FINE DINING TO YOUR DOOR As I scour my fridge, famished after a long and very busy day, I see a carton of milk—a blue thing with some hair growing on it—and the last thing I want to do is beautify myself for dinner out with my honey. But I found a delivery service that doesn’t require me getting all gussied-up for a swell dining experience in my comfy abode. Tampa Bay Delivered offers delivery from any restaurant in the Tampa area, and when I say any, I mean ANY. From Bin 27 to Bonefish Grill, Rigatoni to TC Choys, Tampa Bay Delivered combines efficient delivery service with mouthwatering, fine-dining selections. Even ordering is easy...you can do it online or over the phone, which means it’s literally possible to order your favorite foods while being one yourself…a complete “couch potato.” www.tampabaydelivered.com FLY ME TO THE MOON Please, because private jets are SO last year! Virgin Galactic unveiled the first of the SpaceShipTwo planes, the V.S.S. Enterprise. These spaceships, which could be mistaken for an airplane at first glance, are expected to launch anyone who can spare a mere $200,000 into ACTUAL space. Far out, quite literally! By 2011, Virgin Galactic plans to start making trips with six passengers per vessel and giving them the most intergalactically righteous journey of their lives. And to think, watching clouds roll on by during commercial flights had been amusing us all these years…imagine flying by Uranus! www.virgingalactic.com THE “i” IN YOUR LIFE The line between modern and space age has officially been crossed. In a tech savvy world with lots of competition, the Apple iPad is at the top of my “I MUST HAVE” list. It is truly the leader of its class with a fabulous streamlined touch screen design, sure to make other tech companies envious and soon follow in its touch screen steps. iPad combines all the elements of a computer, cell phone, mp3 player, document creator, iBook (this list just doesn’t stop) into one small maneuverable pad. This pad is for MAC and PC lovers alike and comes with a price tag that just about everyone can afford. The iPad will definitely take some weight off that briefcase or shoulder bag you’ve been lugging to work and around town. So ditch the nerdy case and upgrade with an iPad to download your life! www.apple.com/ipad

The H tlist Spring Break Destinations for 2010 As the CEO and owner of Elite Travel, it’s my job to know which destinations are heating up, which are cooling down, and which are burning hot. I take that job seriously, especially when it requires first-hand experience of the sexiest parties around. Some places are perennially toasty – Cancun has outlasted the swine flu, border violence, and hurricane reconstruction to reclaim its crown as the hottest Spring Break scene. But other places have fallen to the wayside, like Key West and Fort Lauderdale. This year the hot Spring Break destinations for the beautiful, the rich and the young are Cancun, Panama City, South Beach, the Bahamas and Acapulco.

Panama City Beach, Florida

Budget is a factor for all of us in this economy, which is why a lot of the hot destinations this year are in the continental U.S. Last year Panama City Beach in Florida was home to the MTV Spring Break party, and while this year MTV has moved its festivities to Acapulco, Panama City Beach remains one of the hottest places for Spring Break revelers. Panama City has 27 miles of beach, but you can find that on any coastline. What Panama City has are “Super Clubs,” read: massive nightclubs. Club La Vela claims to be the largest nightclub in America with a capacity of 6,000, and has multiple pools, dance floors and bars. Live music, Wet T-shirt Contests and Bikini Contests are some of the main events during the day, and Thursday evenings are reserved for Foam Parties on the pool deck. Next door is Spinnaker Beach Club, another Super Club, featuring an outdoor concert stage and an open-air deck with a giant waterfall. Parties start February 27th and stop the first week of April.

South Beach, Florida

South Beach is expensive, the clubs are difficult to get into, people come at you with flyers for lunch and dinner specials, and one Trip Advisor review I read declared it to be “Sodom and Gomorrah.” And none of this has any effect on South Beach’s popularity as a Spring Break party destination. Despite its faults, or perhaps because of them, South Beach is sexy, and sexy people are drawn to the city. Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, the Estefans and P. Diddy all have homes there. The variety of cultures, the beaches, clubs, celebrities, pool parties at pricey hotels, and the anything-goes atmosphere make everyone want to get wild. At Mango’s Tropical Café, expect to see a lot of skin – many of the bartenders are professional dancers and models, and the ladies wear low cut body suits while the men dress to show off their muscles. Both take part in sexy Latin dance shows on the bar-top (where they wear even less). VIP parties are everywhere, like the pool parties at the Hotel Victor and the Versace house, but South Beach has more to offer than exciting nightlife: There are streets of preserved Art Deco architecture, miles of warm beaches, and vintage clothing stores. Española Way is an architecturally rich street of bohemian boutiques, European cafes, and shops. The street itself is packed with history, centered around the Clay Hotel. Al Capone used the Hotel for his gambling ring in the 1930s, and then Desi Arnaz introduced Rumba rhythms that got everybody dancing.

Cancun, Mexico

Spring Break in Cancun is an unstoppable force. The thin sandy strip of hotels and night clubs is the perpetual hangout of the beautiful, the tan, and the buff. And the drunk: the legal drinking age in Mexico is 18. Between the club cover charges, cab fare, drink prices and hotel prices, it’s not a budget-friendly destination by any means. But it is where as many as 120,000 students are going this spring, according to the conservative estimates of the U.S. Department of State. So why has Cancun been the “It” destination for years? Because nightclubs pound music seven nights a week, there are pyrotechnic shows, all-you-can-drink specials and, of course, the beaches. The action is spread along the Hotel Zone, a line of all-inclusive resorts and hotels that stretches 16 miles down the beachfront of Isla Cancun. Beach parties are centered in the middle of the strip, and the clubs are mostly in the Northwest corner. It’s a long strip, so budget for cab fare to get around. For the full Cancun experience, two clubs you shouldn’t miss are Carlos n’ Charlies and Senor Frog’s. The waiters at these places are trained to make parties happen. One of the more extreme club scenes is at the CoCo Bongo where there is live rock and salsa music nightly, acrobats, bar-top conga lines, bubbles and balloons among other attractions. It’s like Cirque-du-Soleil with booze and a dance floor – you even have to buy tickets to get in. Most of the more popular clubs have cover charges of $10 to $40, but tickets to the CoCo Bongo are around $60. Cancun isn’t all about beer and bikinis though – the Mayan ruin of Chichen Itza is 2 hours away, and the Tulum ruins are only an hour and a half trip away by shuttle or bus. Day trips are around $65, but that’s a small price to pay for some culture.

The Bahamas

You only need to be over 18 to enjoy the adult entertainment the Bahamas has to offer: casinos, night clubs, and beach bars. There are 23 inhabited islands in the Bahamas, but Nassau, the capital (once ruled by pirates) is probably where you’ll want to stay. Pirates created the original Caribbean party scene, so spending an hour at the Pirates of Nassau Museum is a fitting start to a vacation. After walking through a model pirate ship at the museum, Spring Breakers should head over to Fort Charlotte, built in 1789, to explore underground tunnels and dungeons. When night falls, don’t miss one of the best rated clubs in Nassau: Cocktails and Dreams. It’s the only nightclub actually on the beach in Nassau, and with themes like “Old School Reggae Night,” frequent drink specials, and activities like playing pool or darts, all types of Spring Breakers can have a good time.

Acapulco, Mexico

Tammy Levent

CEO, Elite Travel Tammy@elitetravelgroup.net www.elitetravelgroup.net

Every year, MTV brings camera crews to an exotic location to film the wild Spring Break scene – which they also create. This year, Acapulco paid the network $200,000 to make it the Spring Break hotspot for the week of March 13th 2010. MTV imported top bands and singers for concerts on beaches and pool islands, and an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 bikini-clad undergrads flocked to the party. Even if you aren’t part of the MTV scene, Acapulco is still a fun destination. The city is experiencing a hard-earned renaissance after a billion-dollar makeover. There are a lot of new places opening, but there is one party that hasn’t stopped in over 30 years: Baby’O. The club is still among the most difficult to get into, but the jungle cave atmosphere with savvy DJs pumping 80s and local Mexican music might just be worth the effort. Many of the larger hotels have beachside bars with DJs or live music at night, so laid-back evenings are easy to find. Remember, it’s Spring Break not Spring Marathon Dance Party. Laid-back evenings are allowed.

What’s HOT Tampa Bay.com

Believe it or Not, Sometimes Smaller can be Better

I’m into trying new things all the time, especially when it comes to wine. Sometimes I find myself wanting to try a couple of different wines at a restaurant or a wine shop but I don’t want to commit to a whole bottle. The last time that I wanted to try two different wines at a restaurant, I polished off two full bottles and, well, let’s just say that I can never go back to that restaurant—and my girlfriend is still considering getting rid of me. So what are the options if you want to try 2-3 wines but you don’t want to pull a ‘Frank the Tank’ at your favorite restaurant? The solution to this dilemma is: half bottles. No, I am not talking about the 6 packs of Sutter Home White Zinfandels you see on the 7-11 shelves that you bought for your prom date back in 1986. I am actually referring to half bottles of some of your favorite wines. A perfect 2.5 glasses of wine that is great for splitting and trying different varietals. You can find half bottles in restaurants and also in your local wine shop. They can be useful for many occasions. Just for instance, this past year, I planned a birthday picnic at the beach for my girlfriend, with oysters, stone crabs, and some amazing cheeses in a small cooler. Instead of bringing another full size cooler just for a full size bottle of wine, I brought half bottles of Champagne, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which fit perfectly. (Yeah I know, sounds like a romantic day, but it actually ended up being overcast with sand all in our faces because it was windy as hell. And surprisingly, shellfish and seagulls don’t mix very well. Needless to say, it’s the thought that counts, right?) Anyways, back to the wine. A vast majority of wineries are now producing half bottles in order to fill consumers’ desire to enjoy many varietals without the full bottle commitment. Half bottles work perfect for me, especially when I go out to eat by myself. For instance, a restaurant’s by the glass list may not be that interesting, so I will try a half bottle instead. Sometimes you just want 1 or 2 glasses of wine to unwind after a hard day’s work. If you open a full bottle and have 2 glasses, it’s pretty well known that it is never as good a couple days from now. I think most people would be surprised at how many half bottles there are to choose from; everything from 1st growth Bordeaux to Oregon Pinot Noirs, there is a plethora of great choices. Here are a few examples of some of my favorites which are easy to find and priced extraordinarily well. Maybe you can even plan your very own picnic at the beach, just make sure you check the weather first.

Dave Madera General Manager/Wine Director Mise en Place Restaurant 442 W. Kennedy Blvd. Suite 110 Tampa, FL 33606 813-254-5373

What’s HOT Tampa Bay.com

Gruet Brut, NV, Methode Champenoise, Albuquerque, New Mexico…$12 I have already mentioned this wine before in a past article, but in case you haven’t noticed, I like it a lot. Made in New Mexico, this sparkling is turning heads in all the right directions. Crisp, refreshing with hints of citrus fruits, this sparkling is very easy to find and it’s a great way to start your day.

Lucien Crochet, 2006, Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, France…$19 There is nothing like a Sauvignon Blanc from France to make anybody’s day better. Leading with slight notes of lemon and limestone and finishing with a certain tingle that it almost feels like your tongue is being tickled.

Calera, 2007, Chardonnay, Central Coast, California…$12 Josh Jensen has been in the wine game a very long time and you can tell with his wines. This Chardonnay has amazing structure and has hints of tropical fruit and minerals that make Josh’s chards unlike most California Chards.

Bethel Heights, 2006, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon…$19 This is where I start to drool. Having been to Oregon, I will always remember tasting one exquisite Pinot Noir after another, and Bethel Heights was one that really captured what Oregon was all about. Bright cherry and raspberry fruit notes rounded off with a silky layer that just rolls off your tongue. Remember fruit roll-ups as a kid? Put that in a glass and you have this Pinot.

Cafaro, 2000, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California…$22 Joe Cafaro makes some amazing wines, and the 2000 vintage is no different. This Cabernet contains chocolate undertones and hints of blackberry and plum fruit that gives this wine a multitude of layers. This is a classic Napa Cabernet that is a winner in my books.

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe, 2006, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone…$27 Ahhhh Rhone! I can’t wait until the day I get to visit this amazing region. Until that day comes though, I guess I am going to have to drink their wines and paint a mental picture. Vieux Telegraphe is one of the leading producers in Chateauneuf-du-Pape; year in and year out they make amazing wine. Smoked meats and toffee are in the nose and black pepper and raisins are on the palate. Who in their right mind would’ve ever thought that if you made a Prosciutto, raisin and toffee sauce smoothie then topped it with black pepper that it would ever taste good? Guess what folks...it does!!!!

So that is just a small list of some of the half bottles that I would choose when going out. There are so many others to choose from, but that’s what makes drinking so much fun. Whether you find yourself in a restaurant or at the wine shop, look to see if they have a selection of half bottles. Buy a few different ones and try something new. I think you will find a fun and educational way of wine tasting—without drinking too many full bottles that may cause a “Man, what did I do last night?” episode. I think we can all relate to this. Cheers!!

Formal Wear

Photos shot on location at:

816 Alternate 19 Palm Harbor, FL 34683-4335 (727) 786-4859

Model - Jordan Wilkerson Dress - Designs to Shine & Entrada Couture Jewelry - SuzzzyGal Treasures

Model - Olga Konstantinova Dress - Designs to Shine & Entrada Couture Jewelry - Gold & Diamond Source

Photos by Ross Krison and assistants

www.earthscapesgardenroom.com

What’s HOT Tampa Bay spring fashion guide

Formal Wear

spring fashion guide Formal Wear What’s HOT Tampa Bay

Model - Jermaine Thomas Suit - Wee Bit Tux Shop

Model - Natalie Lanni Dress - Designs to Shine & Entrada Couture

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HOT Tampa Bay spring fashion guide

Model - Kely Rota Dress - Clique DaCour Jewelry - SuzzzyGal Treasures

Formal Wear

What’s HOT Tampa Bay spring fashion guide

Formal Wear

spring fashion guide Formal Wear What’s HOT Tampa Bay

Model - Tangela Ewin Dress - Designs to Shine & Entrada Couture Jewelry - SuzzzyGal Treasures

Model - Katy Fernandez Dress - Designs to Shine & Entrada Couture Male model - Cameron Anderson Tux - Wee Bit Tux Shop

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HOT Tampa Bay spring fashion guide

Model - Jordan Wilkerson Dress - Designs to Shine & Entrada Couture Jewelry - SuzzzyGal Treasures

Formal Wear

What’s HOT Tampa Bay spring fashion guide

spring fashion guide Formal Wear What’s HOT Tampa Bay

Formal Wear

EARTHSCAPES GARDEN ROOM SHOOT CONTRIBUTORS: Michael VanCoulter www.earthscapesgardenroom.com FASHION SHOO T PRODUCTION AND CREATIVE DIRECTION: Modeling - Beginning to Booking www.modeling-beginningtobooking.com Ro Martinez Photographers: Ross Krison and assistants www.itsross.com Ro’s Models: Jordan Wilkerson Olga Konstantinova Natalie Lannie Tangela Ewin Kely Rota Michaela White Katy Fernandez Jermaine Thomas Cameron Anderson Boutiques/Retailers: Designs to Shine & Entrada Couture - Maria McGill and Julie Weintraub www.entradacouture.com Clique Da Cour - Tiffiany Gilstrap-Scott www.cliquedacour.etsy.com Wee Bit Tux Shop - Judy McNeil Make-Up: Marcy Millett

Model - Jordan Wilkerson Dress - Clique DaCour

Jewelry: Gold & Diamond Source - Julie Weintraub www.goldanddiamondsource.com

Model - Kely Rota Dress - Designs to Shine & Entrada Couture Model - Michaela White Dress - Designs to Shine & Entrada Couture Jewelry - SuzzzyGal Treasures

SuzzzyGal Treasures - Susan Endriss www.suzzzygal.com

What’s HOT Tampa Bay spring fashion guide Fun!

spring fashion guide Fun! What’s HOT Tampa Bay

FASHION SHOOT PRODUCTION & CREATIVE DIRECTION: Coordinator: Ilka Figueroa Photographer: K&K Photography www.kandkphotography.com Jeff Kathrein 866-571-1744

Models Provided by: TRIG Modeling Agency Darlene James www.trigmodels.com Models: Marie Frederick Joan Pulido Angee Huntley Monique La’Chielle Leebo Freeman

Hair & Make Up: Yara Ocasio aray@luckymail.com

Boutiques: Love That Boutique Angela Llewllyn www.lovethatonline.com Urban Body Clothing Stores Scott Moore www.urbanbody.com Talk of the Town Boutique Amanda Roll Roeserht www.talkofthetownboutique.com

Jewelry: Love That Boutique Loree Rodkin www.loreerodkin.com

Dress:

Orange Medallion Multi Print Triangle Top Dress by Tricia Fix

$158

Necklace:

18K Gold Pendant by Loree Rodkin

$17,500

Dress:

Green & Blue One Shoulder Print Dress by S Twelve

$25

spring fashion guide Fun! What’s HOT Tampa Bay

What’s HOT Tampa Bay spring fashion guide Fun!

Bracelets:

Gold Bangles by Andrew Hamilton Crawford set of 2

$95

Dress:

Fuscia & Brown Embroidered Maxi Dress by Soul Revival

$182

White Long Sleeve Hoodie Tee by Division E

Earrings:

Dress:

$10, 275

$49

Turquoise Maxi Halter Dress by Tricia Fix

$265

18K Gold Triple Dangle Earinngs by Loree Rodkin

Bracelets:

Gold & Clear Bangles by Lalo Set of 3

$63

spring fashion guide Fun! What’s HOT Tampa Bay

What’s HOT Tampa Bay spring fashion guide Fun!

Sexy

Top:

White T- Back Top by Desigual

$99

Skirt:

Denim Mini Skirt by Kensie

$65

Ento

Capris:

Classic Wash Denim Capri by Crystal Candy

$35

Necklace:

Long Matte Circular Golden Necklace by Lordaine Jewelry

$137

$16,500

Jeans:

Straight Leg Dark Rinse Denim M69

by 1921 Jeans

$139 Top:

Rizen Burnout V Neck Tee

2010

$17.50

32 inch 18k YG Swirl Ring by Loree Rodkin

urag

k Brea g n i r Sp

Dress:

Green & White Print Tank Top Multi Color Print Maxi Dress with Ribbed Back by Desigual by Le Shop $144

Ring:

ate 1st D

Top:

by Pistol Pete

$49

Top:

Dress:

$79

$148

Orange Long Sleeve Raw Blaze Voil by Krush Clothing

White Tube Dress with Floral Embroidery by VaVa

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HOT Tampa Bay spring fashion guide Fun!

Earrings:

Large Silver Hoop Earings by Cinta

$15

Ring:

18k WG, Black Rhodium with a natural crystal, 2 embedded Celtic Diamond Crosses by Loree Rodkin

$18,500

Ring:

Necklace:

White & Gold Rose Ring

Multi Color Acrylic Neckace

by Andrew Hamilton Crawford

by Cinta

$70

$84

Bracelets:

Gold & Coral Bangles

$38

Set of 3

Necklace:

Gold & Turquoise Long Necklace by Cinta

$42

Bracelets:

White & Gold Bangles by Andrew Hamilton Crawford, Set of 2

$122.50

Earrings:

Gold Mesh Hoop Earrings by Cinta

$40

What’s HOT Tampa Bay.com

SE EX SEX SEX EX SEX X EX X DR RIVE DRIVE DRIVE RIVE VE E VE DRIVE EVE

Adam Picture this, it’s hours before the Daytona 500 and Dale Earnhardt Jr. walks by Danica Patrick in pit row and makes an obscene gesture in a sexual manner. My guess is that she would be outraged. Perhaps blow a gasket? But could you blame Little E? After all, Patrick seems to be OK with being portrayed as a salacious sex symbol. Certainly, by looking at her performance in Godaddy. com’s Super Bowl commercial, you couldn’t be faulted for making the presumption that Patrick is very comfortable exploiting her sexuality.

a racecar, she’s definitely the most recognizable one. Ever! And if she’s not a “pioneer” for women in racing, unquestionably she is an ambassador.

The best parallel I can draw would be to ask you to imagine the late Arthur Ashe doing an over-the-top commercial for Schlitz Malt Liquor Bull back in the late 1970s. Because Now if you’re from the Charles before Serena and Venus, it was Barkley school of thought in which Ashe who blazed a trail for African you believe athletes aren’t role Americans in the sport of tennis. models and shouldn’t be judged by Those familiar with him know he felt

In the early 1970s, Billie Jean King was mocked by tennis star Bobby Riggs, who boasted she would be no match for him, by mere virtue of his manhood. She went on to embarrass him, winning three straight sets on national television in front of 50 million viewers. King, Time Magazine’s Woman on the Year in 1976, in an interview 30 years later, said that she still has “men coming up to me today telling me how much that match changed their life and how they’ve raised their daughters.”

Eve, I like women just as much as the next guy, however I have a problem with Patrick trying to be taken seriously in her sport while choosing the endorsements she does. Her little tantrums, such as the one she had in Milwaukee with Dan Wheldon, tell us she wants respect. But either you’re serious about being a real driver or you’re gonna be the Ana Kornikova of racing. You need only Google Patrick’s name to know how the majority of people will view her, because the first thing that appears is a series of racy photos in various forms of lingerie or bikinis, typically bent over the hood of a car. The photo shoot she did for FHM Magazine, in which she’s posed sitting halfway off the front seat of a old muscle car, her black leather jacket completely unbuttoned, wearing tiny hot pants with her legs spread wide open, takes the women’s movement back 20 years, where the backseat of a car was where a woman was supposed to be, not the front.

because, “she went against all odds… they (men) didn’t want her to race.”

I’m not sure we can say the same about Patrick’s legacy in 30 years. Look, I get it. She’s marketable. She can drive with the men. And it’s good for the sport (in some ways). But if she wants respect, she should be more concerned with efficiency of her pits and not the placement of her…well, you know. anything except their performance on the court, or in this case, behind the wheel, than you may scoff at my point. But picture a young lady, maybe not as physically attractive as Patrick, who really wants to become an Indy or NASCAR driver and wants to be taken seriously. Patrick is no doubt blazing a trail that’s not only stereotypical of women and hot rods (a la Hot Rod Magazine) but one that is detrimental to any young lady who should follow in her footsteps.

And ironically, out of all sports for women to break into, auto racing may be the worst in terms of good ole boys who have been raised on pinups of women hunched all over And while she may not be the first cars. woman to sit behind the wheel of

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a certain responsibility to conduct himself as a role model in order to break stereotypes and further social issues.

Selling out your race or gender is up to the individual, and sure, many people will probably say, “who is Patrick hurting by doing these ads?” I say ask Shirley Muldowney or Billie Jean King. A 25-year-old Muldowney obtained her National Hot Rod Association license in 1965 and went on to win an unprecedented three NHRA Top Fuel world championships. Racing legend Don Garlits said he had more respect for Muldowney than anyone

To me, she’s just another example of a woman who had an opportunity to make a statement and didn’t, but rather took the easy money. Any talent she does have is being made a mockery out of. And if it is all about money and taking care of herself, surely she could have told GoDaddy she wasn’t comfortable with the material and ideology of the spot and they would’ve accommodated her. And if not, there would’ve been another sponsor lined up to write a fat check. So don’t give me that excuse.

Ok Father Adam. Since when did you become ordained? If I remember correctly, I believe it was Danica Patrick who gave you whiplash back in the day and it certainly wasn’t because of her driving.

are threatened and/or turned off. I have a male friend who appreciates a strong, physically fit woman; but agrees that the majority of men are intimidated and confused by athletic women who challenge their own physical abilities. Those should be attributes, not hindrances.

The bottom line is that men are attracted to women and advertising the sexuality of female athletes will But in reality, the market dictates draw the attention of male viewers. how we see women in sports. So in the world of NASCAR, Danica In other words: sex sells. Patrick is not shown as a racer, but The other day I was talking to our as a pin up girl…a scantily clad UPS guy at work and asked him if hood ornament. And in the world he ever watched women’s basketball. of Mixed Martial Arts Gina Carano His answer: “yeah, sometimes… is also pinned up. However not some of those WNBA women are as an MMA fighter….wait for it… hot”. And in the words of Sir Charles but as ring girl. A few years ago a group of female curlers stripped Barkley, “that’s just terrible.” down for a provocative calendar. Women like Danica Patrick who are The idea was to “change the image posing in magazines such as Hot Rod of curling and give the sport more are doing it for men’s approval. They exposure”. might not think they are, but they are. This is the culture in which we live. Yes, DP chose those types of Why do you think female volleyball endorsements. Maybe it was the players dress in bikinis while their easiest way for her to get some male counterparts dress in board cheap attention. Or maybe she was shorts? You guessed it: Sex. Admit compensating for the masculine it, watching female players in bikinis aspects of the race track. But as giving hand signals on their booties women we are judged by our looks. to their teammates gives you guys the It seems unfair to limit a female warm and fuzzies. And if two of them athlete to a box pre-determined by happen to hug, well let’s just say it’s her sport. If it’s wrong to see her as the kind of action that I’m sure has mere sex symbol then isn’t it just as wrong to see her only as an athlete? sparked a few frat parties. Society looks at women with men in mind. At the original Olympic games, the Greek athletes competed naked for the main purpose of exciting the horny Greek men. DP’s GoDaddy. com commercial suggesting some “will they or won’t they” girl-on-girl action is meant to appeal to the same consumer. Whether in ruffled bikinis, boy shorts (how ironic!), or sports bras, women are expected to look the part of women. Many men who see muscular, athletic, aggressive women

Women have the ability to be multidimensional and we want people to see that we are not afraid to embrace all angles, if you will. And what about Helio Castroneves…no one questioned his “sexy” moves on the dance floor! What gives??

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For

squabbles, the majority of which occur around the holy land of his Jewish ancestors.

Christ’s

“In World War II Hitler killed Jews because he felt Anglos were superior under the guise of his God,” Zach said. “And just look at where we are now, fighting over spiritual land supposedly promised by God.”

Sake

They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus. Does Kanye West make a valid point? His song “Jesus Walks” accomplished exactly what he said it wouldn’t do: receive heavy airplay, even winning a Grammy for Best Rap Song. Yet the risk of crucifixion in the court of public opinion when singing Christ’s praises anywhere other than church remains high, just ask Tim Tebow. The Florida Gators’ quarterback was heavily chastised for inscribing a Bible reference to John 3:16 on his eye black for the 2009 BCS Title Game. But can you recall a Super Bowl or a Grammy ceremony in which you didn’t hear somebody giving thanks to Jesus? West and Tebow aren’t alone in their beliefs, more than two billion inhabitants of this planet stake claim to Christianity, the world’s most popular religion. And while any discussion of faith is so often taboo, a recent study by the Knights of Columbus in partnership with the Marist Institute on Public Opinion, cites nearly 8 in 10 Americans claim religion to be an important aspect of their lives. On Easter, the oldest Christian holiday, followers celebrate the signature event of Jesus Christ’s life, his death and resurrection. Skeptics may say it’s silly to worship a man whose face nobody can describe and whose miraculous acts seem so far-fetched. On the other hand, devout followers often dedicate their entire lives to his service. Believer or agnostic, this man who lived more than 2,000 years ago still has a profound effect on each of our daily lives whether we like it or not, be it holidays such as Easter, laws and policies which govern us or wars being waged between countries. Jesus Christ is a historical figure, widely recognized by most religions, not just Christianity. But what does he mean to the people in our community? Four different people with four different opinions of him weigh in.

While in Israel, he got a taste of the tension first hand. NAME: Vince Chillura, 27 RELIGIOUS IDENTIFICATION: Born and raised Catholic OCCUPATION: Banker Of the two-plus billion Christians on this planet, the greatest percentage fall under the category of Roman Catholic (roughly 1.1 billion). Vince Chillura, the youngest of five children born into a strong Italian Catholic family, was raised accordingly, going to mass every Sunday followed by additional instruction at Sunday School. Although his parents stopped requiring him to attend mass at the age of 16, he remained a devoted follower of the faith and a strong believer in Jesus Christ. Even while attending the University of Florida, Vince found time for church, although he admits it was tough to break away from the frat house or football on Sundays. Despite being a very busy young man these days, he continues to make mass a weekly ritual. “It’s tough getting to church when you’re young,” Vince said. “But my mom always said it was only one hour a week, it’s not that big a sacrifice.” The church has changed in some ways since his mom was his age. Mass was a highly ceremonial event in which the priest spoke in Latin, often with his back to the congregation. Catholics were expected to live by strict principles. You couldn’t eat meat on Fridays. Women’s heads had to be covered in church. Parishioners were discouraged from seeing any movies other than those with a “G” rating.

Today’s Catholics adhere to a more relaxed set of rules and mass in now in English with the Priest facing the congregation. Still, in 2010, living a life of elevated moral integrity is indeed a challenge. And while a full time job, a steady girlfriend and an active lifestyle take up a lot of his time, Vince says he “just feels better about life” after going to church. He even belongs to a weekly Bible study in which a group of twentysomethings meet every Wednesday morning to discuss scripture.

NAME: Zach Shindelman, 17 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Jewish OCCUPATION: Plant High School Student

Zach Shindelman is one of the most well-spoken, analytical teenagers you’ll ever encounter. Raised in a zealous Jewish household, as a child he was enrolled in Jewish grammar school and went to Synagogue twice a week. That, he says, kind of turned him off to the concept of organized “I grew up in a very fortunate home, religion, claiming the only time he so for me there is a lot to be thankful felt a real connection to his faith was for. I appreciate my parents making during a trip to Israel for his sister’s me go to church when I was young Bat Mitzvah. because it set a precedent for me on “There was a brief moment when how to live my life,” he said. I really felt a sense of history and Some wonder if Catholicism is spirituality,” Zach said. “It was fading in popularity, however extremely powerful. Much different the Marist Poll found that an than having religion shoved down overwhelming majority of Catholics your throat in school.” described religion as a “vital aspect of their day-to-day lives”. More surprising was that 3 in 10 millennials (Americans between 18-29 like Vince) define their primary, long-term life goal in religious terms, more than any other age group in the poll. Vince’s thoughts reflect that as well. “My faith is a huge part of my life,” he said. “I think it’s pretty tough to get up in the morning and live in the world we live in with the absence of God. That’s why Easter and the season of Lent (40 days leading up to Easter) is good for me, because I make a conscious effort to reconnect with my values and evaluate my life. To me, belief in Jesus helps me deal with the day to day struggles.”

When it comes to God and Jesus, he takes a very pragmatic point of view. “I can’t see God as this man with a beard who sits up in the clouds,” he said. “And Jesus, I can’t tell if he was a real person. For all I know, he may have been. I just find somebody walking on water hard to believe.” Christianity arouse out of Judaism with the death of Jesus Christ and the beginning of the New Testament. Jews acknowledge Jesus as a great prophet but do not believe him to be the Son of God. It seems hard to believe, but Judaism ranks just 12th among world religions in terms of size, with 14 million practitioners. And while Zach is proud of his faith, his disenchantment with organized religion is understandable. He’s seen countless images of wars and terrorism stemming from religious

“When I was there, I saw this kid my age in the Arab quarter. He could tell we were American Jews and he just flipped me the bird,” Zach said. “So I flipped it back.” Believing organized religion can exploit people’s insecurities and prey on their fears, Zach points out the many instances in which it appears to be fostering hate and violence instead of condemning it, adding that these days it “just seems impossible for everybody to get along.” That begs the question, have generations proceeding his turned young people away from religion? Or, vice versa? Do older generations, like those of his parents and grandparents, feel the younger generation needs more religion and to adhere to a stricter set of ethics? According to the Marist Poll, more than two-thirds of Americans feel the nation’s values are headed down the wrong path, and while Zach’s generation appears slightly more optimistic (60% among millennials), he feels there is much room for improvement. “I’m not the rest of the world, I can only speak for myself, but in terms of my generation, we could definitely use some sort of moral code,” he said. “These days with teens, it’s all about personal needs and what they want. It’s Generation Me. We seem to have this sense of entitlement coupled with a lack of gratitude. It’s important for us to focus on ourselves, but we also need to step back and take responsibility, because if you don’t, you’ll be a threat to everyone around you. I not sure we grasp that mindset yet.”

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For Christ’s Sake

“I was deathly afraid of commitment at that point and I didn’t want to go through it again,” he said. However one night, out on the town with friends, he asked himself why? “It just hit me,” he said. “What am I doing here? I’m 36 years old and I’m a family guy who likes to stay home.” NAME: Dan Long, 37 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Born Methodist, converting to Greek Orthodox OCCUPATION: Personal Trainer The oldest of three brothers, Dan Long went to Bible school every Sunday and was raised to believe Jesus died on the cross for his sins. But a bitter divorce between his parents when he was 12 devastated his world and caused cracks in his faith. Despite the divorce, his view of marriage as a holy union meant to last until ‘death do us part’ remained intact. That was until two difficult divorces of his own and a long custody battle over his two children. “I was always the guy who found the positive in everything,” he said. “Every day I’d get up and give 100 percent to my family, my job and my goals. But then I had these major blows and no matter how hard I tried to not let it get me down, there’s no doubt I questioned God and asked ‘if I am this good guy, why Jesus, is this happening to me?” It’s the quintessential question surrounding faith. Why is there so much suffering in life and why do bad things happen to good people? Here is a person who was by no means a quitter, as evidenced by a victory not many men in his situation earn, custody of his children. But in his case, like so many others, the pain of failed relationships was so intense that he swore off marriage all together. It was a vow he took into his third relationship with a woman he met named Nicole, one that would eventually lead to problems and another break up two years down the road.

So he called Nicole and told her to pick a church, any church, and he’d meet her there to see if they could get somebody to help fix their relationship.

(continued)

“I’m not the easiest guy to persuade, but I was completely floored,” Dan said. “To the point my respect level went from a 6 to a 10 instantaneously. And I believed him 100 percent as to why he was chosen by God to be his helper and to get people to believe in Jesus and how they can make their lives better.” Three and a half months after that first meeting with Father Stavros, Dan proposed to Nicole. Their wedding is in June.

The next day they went to St. John’s Greek Orthodox Chruch in South Tampa to meet with Father Stavros Akrotirianakis. It was a two-hour conversation Dan says “changed my life forever.” “I hadn’t stepped foot in a church, literally, in 20 years,” he said. “I truly believe in my heart that this was a man of God and he was able to understand me more than anybody I’ve spoken to in my life. He just nailed me!” From that point, Dan proceeded to see Father Stavros once a week for six weeks in addition to attending church every Sunday with Nicole. “I needed to learn how to love again because I’d shut it out of my life,” he said. “I felt like that six weeks added up to ten years worth of healing.” During his time Dan also became curious about something else. “I wanted to understand this priest,” he said. “Because all your life you grow up thinking you’ll be a doctor, lawyer or firefighter, but never a priest. I needed to know how someone like him knew that this was going to be his life’s work, making a commitment to Jesus and helping people.” It wasn’t an inquiry everybody has the courage to ask. “That’s just me,” Dan explains. And Father Stavros shared his story. One, according to Dan, he’s only told a handful of people. One which solidified Dan’s belief in Jesus Christ.

“Our door would always be open,” Sheila said. “We had an area in our house to pray and in that area there would be a Christian Bible, a statue of a Hindu God, a Jain God and if a Jehovah’s Witness came to door, their stuff would go there to.” The Sanghvi family assimilated into America’s heartland preaching acceptance even when their new neighbors found the same concept to be foreign. “When I was six, my sister and I went to vacation Bible school with my neighbors,” Sheila said. “On the way there, my friend’s mother told us if we didn’t believe in Jesus Christ then that meant we believed in Satan and would go to hell.” That’s pretty heavy stuff to lay on a six-year-old. And when she was old enough to question the concept of Jesus and God on her own terms, it was her own mother who laid the foundation she still carries with her today.

NAME: Sheila Sanghvi, 28 RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Hindu/Jain OCCUPATION: Lawyer Imagine being the first Indian family to move into a rural suburb in Iowa. Not the easiest thing to do. As a child, Shelia Sanghvi remembers her doorbell rang nonstop with Christians of all kinds proselytizing their beliefs and praising the name of Jesus Christ. But Sheila’s parents were all too familiar with religion being pushed on them. Her mother was Hindu and her father Jain, a religion which arose as a protest against the ritualism of Hinduism. It was those differences in beliefs which led them to America, eloping to the States because their parents forbid them to marry outside of their religion in India. It was also the reason Sheila’s parents were extremely liberal when it came to matters of faith, raising her and her younger sister Tina to explore and be tolerant of all types.

“My mom just said ‘look around you, a person didn’t create this, something greater than us did. Whatever you want to call it doesn’t matter, but recognize it.’ And to this day my spirituality is a fundamental part of me. It’s always at my core.” Being a lawyer means that Sheila was taught to take an analytical approach to everything, which is why she is somewhat divided on her opinion of the man who’s death we honor at Easter. Like Zach stated earlier, Sheila is disturbed with the fact that people can be so malevolent in the name of Jesus, citing some highly publicized instances of violence in which fanatical Christians have murdered abortion doctors or protested at military funerals with signs that read “Thank God for dead soldiers”. Somewhat surprisingly though, hot button political topics like same sex marriage, abortion and stem cell research show very little difference in opinion in terms of age. According to the Marist Poll, there was only a difference of 7% when it came to the views on same sex marriage, with 47% of millennials (18- 29-year-

olds) saying it was morally wrong compared to the rest of America’s 54%. There was only a 1% difference in opinion on stem cell research (33% to 32% saying it was morally wrong) and young Americans were actually less tolerant of abortion by a margin of 58 to 57%. Sheila’s view of Jesus and religion in general may reflect where America is headed. The rules, rituals and rumblings of a country which grows more and more diverse every day appear to be weighing on what some of us know as our “parent’s religion”. That’s not to say young people, or Americans in general, are abandoning organized religion, they just seem to be adapting it to their own tastes. “I think religion is a lot like politics,” Sheila said. “People are a lot less inclined to identify themselves with a particular party. Instead younger people are more likely to simply say ‘I’m spiritual’. “We should spend less time fighting and disagreeing about details of Jesus and more time following his universal message, ‘treat others as they treat you’. People would get a lot further in terms of judging themselves as to whether or not they are a good person then to keep on worrying about others.” While this may seem like a judicious statement, Father Stavros makes a valid analogy in disagreeing with those who say there is no need for religion. “Saying that you are simply spiritual and do not want religion is the equivalent to stating that you want to be healthy yet don’t see a need to go to the doctor,” he said. Sadly, fighting and killing in the name of God is nothing new. It was going on long before Jesus. As individuals, all we know comes from that which we are taught and raised to believe in. Collectively, as human beings, one would hope that we all share an equal compassion for others beliefs and the right to express them. It’s a concept this country was founded on and the reason why the ground we stand on is flooded with the blood of those who were willing to die for it. That fact should make even the most committed skeptic question why. Why would so many be willing to give their life for a belief if all there was to believe in were this one life? Christians often use the term “The Mystery of Faith” in their Sunday masses. They believe that the Father (God), the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit are one in the same. One definition of Faith reads; “a belief that is not based on proof” while another says “confidence or trust in a person or thing.” According to the New Testament, Jesus was fully aware of the difficultly humans would have with the concept of faith; John 20:29, “Jesus said unto Thomas,‘You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have believed.” Whether you believe or not, the Bible remains the No. 1 bestselling book in the world and has been translated into 1,200 different languages. And speaking of bestsellers, imagine this; take the best storyteller of our time, be it Stephen Spielberg, Tom Clancy or J.K. Rowling. And then imagine their greatest masterpiece and their most endearing protagonist; Indiana Jones, Jack Ryan or Harry Potter. Now fast forward 2,000 years into the future and ponder the possibilities of those characters longevity. But do so without the aid of modern technology such as film, audio or DVD equipment. Through narrative and written word alone could those characters endure the test of time? Jesus Christ. There is no other story which compares.

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Springtime Can Bring Opportunities for Commodities Investors By: James Cordier, OptionSellers.com

The commodities markets possess the unique characteristic of annual cycles that can have an impact on price direction. Knowing these cycles can give you an edge when you begin allocating capital to this type of investment. Knowing when a certain harvest begins, what time of year demand ebbs and flows or when inventories are replenished can serve a commodity futures investor well. Of course there are other factors that influence the price of gasoline. However, during the first half of the year, they are set against the backdrop of this rising Northern Hemisphere demand. This seasonal demand alone can often be enough to underpin gasoline prices through the springtime months. Investors willing to give up the “home run” may consider the high probability income strategy of put selling on unleaded gasoline (RBOB) contracts. This strategy can be particularly effective in the futures markets given a fundamentally supported commodity.

his month we present two commodities worth consideration in regard to these cyclical occurrences. If you have not yet taken the “commodities plunge”, these are two markets that may work well as starter investments. More information on the strategy we advise in this piece can be had at our website listed at the end of the article. Happy profit hunting. Reformulated Gasoline: Prelude to “Driving Season” often spells opportunity for Put Sellers One of the more enticing factors of investing in commodities is the seasonal nature of supply/demand cycles in certain markets. Nowhere is this demand cycle more pronounced than in unleaded gasoline.

can temporarily reduce production and crimp short term supplies. Yet, it is the seasonal wholesale demand (and the anticipation of it) that tends to carry uptrends in RBOB gasoline prices through springtime. Thus, in the past, prices on the wholesale level have tended to rise in accordance with this increase in commercial demand (caveat: Past performance is not indicative of future results.) Bears pointing out that crude and unleaded are currently “oversupplied,” take note: Supplies are often at their highest points of the year right now as demand is at a low point. In addition, cyclical tendencies tend to occur regardless of the outright supply of gasoline.

Investing in a warm weather play may seem counterintuitive as you watch the snow pile up outside your window. In addition, seasonal price movements are in no way guaranteed and can be inexact in their timing when they do occur. However, one may be wise to bank on the fact that Americans will once again take to the highways when milder weather inevitably arrives and that gasoline distributors will begin preparing for the surge in demand now. While our macro-economic view is weighted towards call selling in commodities at this time, gasoline is one market where put sales could be the highest probability play. We would see weakness over the next two weeks as opportunities for adding to short put positions.

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you may have noticed that you often pay more for unleaded gas during the summer months. This is not due to coincidence nor is it due to any magical formula set forth by oil companies. It is basic supply/demand economics. The northern hemisphere summer brings with it what has come to be known as “driving season” in the US and Europe. With warmer weather and kids out of school, the public is more apt to travel. This typically creates a surge in gasoline consumption at the retail level, which in turn, has tended to drive up prices at the pump beginning in May and peaking during the July/August time period.

Wheat: Burdensome Supply Makes Fertile Ground for Call Sellers It’s one of the most difficult concepts that traditional investors have to grapple with when first discovering the strategy of selling options: When selling puts, the market doesn’t necessarily have to go up – it just has to NOT go way down.

Yet a cornerstone principle of seasonal analysis is that price tends to precede consumption. Thus, while prices at the pump will tend to rise during the summer months, demand at the wholesale level tends to begin rising early in the year as distributors begin to build gasoline inventories in order to have enough supply on hand to meet summer driving needs. As wholesale prices are what is reflected on the NYMEX futures contract for unleaded gasoline (RBOB), this is where you as an investor should place your focus. Sometime in the late February/March time period, refineries begin to shut down for maintenance as they switch over from distillate (read heating oil) production to focus on unleaded gasoline production. This in and of itself

A strengthening dollar or a darkening US economic tone would be bearish factors to consider for gasoline investors while the reverse would strengthen the bullish argument. However, energy prices firming over the past few weeks in the face of a rising US dollar may be an early indication that cyclical demand is already being anticipated. Dollar weakness late this week helped put an exclamation point on a strong month for energies.

Consequently, when selling calls, the market does not necessarily have to move lower. It only has to NOT move quickly and substantially higher. Thus, as a call seller, you are not necessarily seeking markets that are going to move lower. You are only seeking markets that don’t have a good reason to move substantially higher. US Gasoline stocks tend to fall off in February and March as refineries shut down for maintenance and then slowly build into June when retail demand season begins in earnest. Prices tend to rise throughout springtime months as wholesale demand surges. Chart courtesy of Hightower Research

It’s a subtle but important difference. In searching for such a market, one may want to consider the current plight of Wheat.

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(continued)

March 10th’s USDA Supply/Demand report for wheat revealed what was a surprise to few: The world is awash in wheat stocks and they’re not going away anytime soon. US 2009/10 Ending stocks were raised again to 1.001 Billion bushels (that’s with a “B”), their highest levels in more than 20 years. This is an astounding number, considering ending stocks stood at just 306 million bushels only 2 years ago. World wheat ending stocks bumped up as well to 196.77 million tones. Global stocks to usage surged by over 50% of 2007/08 levels.

Global Ending stocks for 2009/10 are at levels not seen since 2001.

Wheat production suffered during the 07/08 crop year due to weather problems in several key producing countries. The shortages carried over into 08/09 which helped support prices. However, 2009 saw European, Australian and North American production all come back online in force – producing the overstock we now have. While wheat is not as vulnerable to recession-led demand destruction as more industrial based commodities, the supply overhang should keep pressure on wheat prices through the US summer months. Wheat prices can still rally as the Northern hemisphere Spring can bring weather concerns in both Europe and North America. In addition, wheat is bumping along what looks to be a bottoming range on both daily and weekly charts. However, bull markets need fundamental fuel to sustain them. The burdensome supply in this market should make any sudden price rallies short lived as they will almost certainly be technical or speculative in nature. We would look to sell another round of deep out-of-the-money wheat calls on a 20-30 cent rally over the next 30-45 days. Fundamentally weak markets don’t always have to move down in price. However, they face a lot of headwind if they try to move higher. These kinds of markets are your candidates if you want to be a call seller. To learn more about selling options in the commodities markets, feel free to visit us on the web at www.OptionSellers.com. A complimentary Option Seller Information Pack is available to qualified investors.

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Earth Day

April 22

Organic Living by Eddie Shumard

Having just recently returned from a trip to San Francisco, I was reminded of the countless and bountiful ways sweet Mother Nature provides for us humans. How simple, everyday routines can make a difference in our personal wellbeing and the happiness and longevity of the earth and its inhabitants. You can feel the little things people are doing every day. The return on these small investments in time and energy can easily be seen throughout the city. You can smell it in the air, see it in the shops, and for myself and other gourmands, taste it on the plate. It is the abundance of fresh farm-raised and local seasonal ingredients, brought to life by a common vision. I know it can sometimes be a broken record after the ad agencies get ahold of words like sustainability and locavore, and green. Look past all the hype around you at life and consider what makes the most sense. Local, fresh, beautiful produce is a better choice. It is higher in essential vitamins and minerals, directly stimulates your local economy, and most often uses less oil to get from the farm to your table.

With that in mind, and in the spirit of spring, here are my favorite local farmers’ markets. There is the Friday morning market in Downtown Tampa, in Lykes Gaslight Square Park, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., October-May. The new Seminole Heights Farmers’ Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Hillsborough High School, 5000 N. Central Ave. Finally there is SweetWater Organic Community Farm, which has a farmers’ market open to the public every Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. It is located at 6942 West Comanche Ave., Tampa, 33634 off the corner of Hillsborough Ave and Hanley Rd near the Tampa Airport, in the Town and Country area. Sweetwater also has a working CSA program (community supported agriculture), as well as a multitude of clinics and farm-to-fork events. These are just three markets in Tampa, and I didn’t even mention all the hardworking folks in St. Pete. There is an abundance of dedicated individuals in the Tampa Bay area doing what they can to invigorate the community and change small habits that can result in substantial gains. Get out and support them. So while you are at the market, find something you know you will eat, of course, but be sure you don’t buy more than you will eat. One, it is a waste of money and two; well, there are way too many hungry people to just let food go to waste. Next,

pick something you may be unfamiliar with. This maybe something you have seen on TV and have always been curious about, or it is the one thing you have no idea what you’re looking at, let alone that it’s edible and delicious. Then, ask the person at the table, most likely the person who nurtured that product from seed all the way to your reusable canvas bag, and ask them; what is this, how do you prepare it, and how do I make it last the longest? Finally go home and cook, experiment, go online, ask friends, co-workers (the best ones probably being the ones you never talk to), or email me at edshumard@gmail.com, or find me on Facebook. Good food should not be a privilege; everyone should have the freedom to enjoy the freshest food, grown with care and consideration for the future wellbeing of the environment and our children. Don’t get turned off by the hype, or dismayed by the fear of change. Instead embark on a culinary adventure, at the local Farmer’s Market, in your kitchen, and the kitchens of friends. This spring sprout your own new leaves and branch out a little. Take small steps at first to find your way, and soon enough you too can enjoy the satisfaction and nutrition of great food. Remember kids, you are what you eat.

Seminole Heights Market: For information, go to www. sundaymorningmarket.com or e-mail SundayMorning Market@tampabay.rr.com. For vendor information, contact market manager Tiffany Ferrecchia at (813) 649-8747 or eternalbalanceliving@yahoo.com. http://www.tampadowntownmarket.com/about_friday. shtml http://www.sweetwater-organic.org/programs/market Eddie Shumard can be found at

The Refinery

in Seminole Heights. Seminole Heights 5137 N. Florida Ave. Tampa, FL 33603 www.thetamparefinery.com, become a fan on Facebook. Think Global, Eat Local.

What’s Hot tampa bay

Earth Day

April 22

The world-wide effort to Save Our Planet and help clean up our environment is an initiative that Seminole Hard Rock is proud to be a part of. Seminole Hard Rock Tampa has implemented a back-of-house recycling program of all glass, tin, aluminum, plastic and paper. Recycling bins are placed in various locations from the kitchens to the offices. Seminole Hard Rock has asked that all employees do the right thing and dispose of items in the appropriate recycling receptacles. A list of items we already recycle here at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa: Old computers, monitors and components, cell phones, toner cartridges, printer cartridges, cardboard, pallets, cooking oil, light bulbs, batteries, tires, and old paint. Also, to take it a step further, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood has now implemented a new water program. Instead of buying bottled water, Seminole Hard Rock purchased a water filtration system that has the same technology that other big bottling companies use. Along with the filtration system, glass water bottles have been purchased that can be re-used after cleaning. So next time you visit Council Oak, please enjoy a glass of our own filtered water and enjoy the clean, crisp, fresh taste. Stay tuned for more recycling and “green” efforts from Seminole Hard Rock benefiting each and every one of us on Planet Earth!

What’s Hot tampa bay

Earth Day

April 22

Get It Right ... Be Green! By: Sundae Marie Ford

he green movement has made great strides in leaps and bounds during the past couple of years. People are becoming more aware of how their lifestyles and many unsound business practices do affect the resources we depend on to survive. Our water, air, soil, and food are constantly under fire from pesticides, chemicals, car exhaust fumes, factory waste, air pollution, and improperly disposed chemical garbage, among many other toxic offenders, and it’s up to us to do something. This is a call to action, people. I know it can be pretty depressing to ponder all the environmental problems we are currently trying to tackle, I know this, and I usually hear people mention how overwhelming it feels to try to make such big changes. But I choose to turn it around and find the good. You just HAVE to. Whatever your preconceived notions may be of going ‘green,’ please listen up, put your busy schedule aside, and actually DO something. Whether you participate because you are genuinely concerned or whether you are just trying to impress someone I don’t really care, just do it. You may even end up liking the way you feel knowing you are making a difference.

FOOD Only 2% of leftover food is recycled, as compared to 50% of used paper, and 33% of used metal. “The largest segment of the waste stream still going into the garbage is food waste,” said Mindy S. Lubber, Regional Administrator for EPA New England. “Because food decomposes so fast, it can leach into groundwater and cause contamination.” Stop by your local soup kitchen and donate leftovers. Whatever leftovers you have will be appreciated. One year I collected hundreds of take-out sauces, ketchup, dips, that I found in my kitchen and took 2 huge bags of it down to the local food line. It was all I had, but I just couldn’t stand the thought of dumping it in the garbage when someone down on his/her luck may gain a little pleasure from a little tidbit that we all usually take for granted. One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.... Create a useful product from waste that would otherwise be landfilled, by composting your leftovers and food scraps. I recently set up my compost bin. Set up took about 10 minutes and was the best thing I ever did. No longer do I shake

my head with regret while condemning certain food items to the trash. Veggie scraps, squeezed lemons, tea bags, carrot tops, anything once living can go; these are considered ‘greens’ and are 1/2 of the composting equation. You can even compost oddball waste items such as pizza boxes, wine corks, and fur from the pet brush. Not only are you reducing waste, but you are also making nutrient-rich soil to use in your yard or garden. Find out more about it at www.composting101.com. Check out a new non-profit called www.replate. org. Their campaign focuses on leaving leftovers on top of public trash cans (in doggie bags) where they can be easily spotted by those living on the street in search of food. If this seems a bit unsavory just bag it up, it’s no biggie... it’s better than throwing it away to rot. Seek them out, you may be able to start a campaign where YOU live. Rockandwrapitup.org is another like-minded non-profit putting leftover food to good use. This non-profit organization collects leftovers on a bigger scale from sporting events, concerts, and political rallies. They have worked with over 500 bands to re-distribute nourishment and reduce needless food waste. If you are organizing an event, please give rockandwrapitup. org a shout.

SAVE A TREE, I DARE YOU According to the World Wildlife Fund, in 2008 each office worker living in our industrialized world will burn through more than 10k sheets of paper. This equates to 1.2 trees per person every year. Half of the Earth’s forests have been logged, and only 1/5 of old-growth forests remain intact. Forests are crucial to a healthy planet and help reduce CO2. Here’s what YOU can do to help shrink your paper footprint at home and work: -If each household replaced ONE roll of conventional toilet paper with a 100% recycled roll...this would save 423,900 trees.

-Purchase recycled paper. -Print ONLY when absolutely necessary, and keep records in your computer. -Narrow your margins. This is a tiny act that can actually save hundreds of pieces of paper every year. You can also sign the petition to encourage Microsoft to decrease standard margins in Word from 1.25 inches to .75 inches. www.changethemargins.com.

rinse. To whiten whites: soak your white cotton items in a gallon of warm water and two tabs to brighten. To freshen your fridge: dissolve a tab in a cup of water and let fizz inside fridge. Repeat for tougher odors. Lemon Juice- dissolves soap scum and hard water deposits. Grind up a peel in your garbage disposal to cleanse the drain. Add baking soda to half a

-Collect your extra scrap paper in a box under your desk, and shred important documents. Take these to your recycle center once or twice a month (or add to your compost bin!) -END JUNK MAIL by registering on www.greendimes.com OR www. catalogchoice.org

Ok, so that didn’t hurt did it? If you take the time and try to care more about the resources which we all often take for granted, and upon which we depend for life, you may find that you feel like a million bucks—even if you didn’t start out caring at all. You may just surprise yourself and find new inspiration to help carry you through this little journey called ‘life’. Now get going...

-Patronize only paper-product companies that use sustainable practices at www.nrdc.org/land/forests/ gtissue.asp

Learn more at:

www.environmentalpaper.org, www2. edf.org/papercalculator, and www. panda.org [type *paper toolbox* into the search box]

GREEN HABIT

Alka-Seltzer Tablets- talk about versatile. To clean your commode: Drop in 2 tabs, let sit/fizz and use toilet brush…works great. To clean glass baking dishes: drop 3 tabs in hot water and let sit,

Essential oils- pressed from flowers, herbs, grasses, and citrus fruits, these aromatic oils have antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-fungal properties. The germ-killing possibilities are endless: to freshen laundry, add 30 drops to wash cycle. To freshen your air add 1 tsp to 1 cup purified water (or go to www.naturalsundae.com), add to baking soda for naturally effective carpet cleaner, or add 2 drops to toilet water to freshen bathroom. Powdered Oxygen Bleach- this eco-friendly version of bleach releases oxygen to clean, and is made by treating soda ash or borax with hydrogen peroxide so it is non-toxic and effective.

-Go to www.forestethics. org to sign a petition to Congress to enact a Do Not Mail registry

Old habits die hard, especially when it comes to cleaning your abode. We learn how to clean from our mothers who only had chemically-laden toxic cleaners at their disposal. In this day and age we have countless natural cleaners available, but the most effective AND affordable choices are probably already in your kitchen cabinet. Why switch? Old containers of toxic cleaners can emit toxins into the air. Also, don’t forget that those chemicals get deposited into the environment when you flush them down your sink or toilet… Read on:

Distilled White Vinegar-get your streak-free shine naturally using 1part vinegar and 1 part warm water. Can use on some mirrors, glass (not marble) and some types of flooring. Can also be added to laundry to soften fabrics, but don’t fret, the odor fades as the liquid dries.

lemon (sans juice) and use it to scrub out your sink and tub...then take a bath to relax in your clean tub (100% pure and natural bath salts found locally through www.naturalsundae.com) Baking Soda- add to laundry to absorb nasty odors, create a paste of water/lemon juice to clean sinks, counters, and bathtubs. Borax- Mix 2 cups with 25 drops lavender essential oil and sprinkle on carpet (using an empty spice bottle) to absorb odors. Let sit 10 minutes and vacuum.

For more eco-friendly tips please check out: www.planetgreen.discovery.com www.thedailygreen.com www.greenlivingideas.com www.naturalsundae.com

What’s Hot tampa bay

Earth Day

April 22

re-chic [re-sheek]

By: Sundae Marie Ford

-adjective

1. to reuse…with style 2. enjoying the second life of an item, with style 3. what you wanna be Get ready for spring with a new look and a new attitude! If you want to be chic and buy smart, check out www.gogreenitems.com. GO GREEN ITEMS. This impressive and yes, green, webstore company offers a huge variety of recycled items made from re-purposed materials originating from around the world. Go Green Items makes it really easy to feel good about what you buy while making the conscious choice to cut your consumption levels. If you reduce, reuse, and recycle with style, you are rechic.

And they do just that. From the recycled handbags, I went straight for the recycled jewelry section and was pleased to discover those amazing vinyl wrist cuffs. These are so awesome I am buying one for myself; the only problem is that I can’t decide which one. Hand painted with simple designs, they are available in pewter, yellow, green, slate grey, orange, and more. These cuffs scream COOL. They are exactly the kind of accessory to ignite an interesting conversation. They are priced at $23.99, alongside a black vinyl roman cuff, no paint, for $14.99. Spiral cuffs, bracelets, & wooden cuffs round out the section ending with earrings made from sea glass, wood, and recycled glass. There are also recycled glass necklaces that are both hip and elegant. The glass beads are the perfect size and weight, and it comes in black, clear, & white. Cool, chunky, and very re-chic at $23.99

Log on to www.gogreenitems.com and check out the recycled handbags first. Cassette tape, juice boxes, newspaper, seatbelts, and phonebooks are just some of the unexpected materials used to create innovative, fashion-forward clothing and accessories, while being kinder to the earth’s resources. Hot purses to target are the bright red seatbelt small tote and the recycled rubber ‘cruiser’. I was surprised at how colorful the I asked Jen what her biggest goal is and how she recycled newspaper bag was, the shape lends to selects the right products for her website. ease of use and lends a cool beach-y style. “Our goal as an eco provider is to help our While browsing through the site I was pleased customers make the ‘eco-transition’ from tradito find a wide variety of items ranging from the tional items to earth-friendly alternatives. Making above mentioned recycled purses to wallets made the switch to sustainable products doesn’t mean from vinyl billboards, beautiful recycled glass giving up comfort, affordability, or even style. jewelry, pet accessories, unique painted vinyl We want the consumer to realize you don’t have bowls, and hand-painted wrist cuffs—made from to give up style to shop sustainably. You can still your friends and mine, good old LPs. Those old look great while keeping the environment in mind. records just give and give. We consider our products very carefully and select them for their unique appeal, sustainability, and Go Green Items LLC was founded in 2008 affordable pricing.” by Jennifer Meier, a visionary eco-entrepreneur who believes that small change can make a Next I hit the organic clothing. If you have big difference. “We’ve created an online retail never had the pleasure of wearing clothing made environment that offers unique products and also of bamboo fibers, you are definitely missing out. educates our customers in their efforts to live These shirts are the softest material you will ever a more environmentally conscious lifestyle.” put on your body. Light, super soft, and made Meier shares a passion for fun, trendy fashion with renewable fibers, these shirts are worth the and green gadgets, but at the heart of it all lies purchase hands-down every time. The shirts wield her commitment to environmental awareness. conscious statements like ‘practice happiness’ “We do extensive research into our green items to or ‘breathe deeply’, and are priced around ensure they are functional, eco-friendly, and help $27.99. Available in long and short sleeve, they maintain a lifestyle that is kind to our resources.” are an investment both in yourself and in your commitment to the environment.

If you have a furry friend, Go Green Items has the doggie toy for you! Check out the doggie toy section where you will find Eco-Friendly Dog Toys and accessories. Poop bags, bones for pups, hemp collars and harnesses, pet-oriented tees, and Orbee balls are just some of the items you can purchase here. What is an Orbee ball, you ask? Apparently the Orbee ball is a big deal. Made of materials tough enough to survive a fight with a lawn mower and recover without a scratch, these balls are durable, pliable, buoyant, and bouncy with the faint scent of mint to keep our four-legged friends breath smelling fresh. The folks at Orbee are so awesome, that they even take their leftover ‘Orbee-tuff’ 100% first quality material, and make it into a recycled, indestructible RecycleBONES. They are non-toxic, recyclable, and rinse clean, and come in regular and puppy strength/size. If you are looking for an alternative to the ‘Kong’, give Orbee a try, prices range from $6.49 to $19.49. To get a closer look for yourself, make your way over to the Saturday Morning Market in St. Pete every Saturday morning from 9-2pm, as well as the monthly Third Friday Music Series in Safety Harbor, where you’ll see the sweet deals in person, as well as meet Jen Meier, the mind behind the madness. GoGreenItems.com offers monthly discounts and newsletters, and has just introduced their GGI Elite Experience. This option gives you green updates and tips, VIP specials, and informative videos. Also offered are easy-access customer care, a hassle-free return policy and an awesome selection of payment options. Join Jen Meier and GO GREEN ITEMS in making our environment healthier, cleaner, and safer. All it takes is just saving the earth just one item at a time.

What’s HOT Tampa Bay.com

Tampa Bay’s 2010 NFL Draft A Plan to Repair the Future by Basil Spyridakos

The 2010 NFL Draft is swiftly approaching and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are working diligently, examining and scouting college prospects that may someday don the pewter and red. It’s no secret that the Bucs are heavily depending on this draft to rebuild a once proud and storied defense. Gone are the days of dominant players like Warren Sapp, John Lynch, and Derrick Brooks; all of who were drafted by the Buccaneers organization and were staples behind a terrifying defense. These players were tops in the league for nearly a decade and orchestrated a Super Bowl title during the 2002 season. Will the Buccaneers draft an overpowering defensive tackle with their first overall pick, or a ball-hawking safety? Will they take a chance on a potential game-breaking wide receiver, or an anchor on the offensive line? Will this team return to prominence and restore the fans’ faith in the organization in 2010? This draft will truly make or break the Buccaneers’ future. The Bucs have to address needs all across the board. Pick any position and I can

tell you there’s an insufficiency there, but the four positions that need the most attention are defensive tackle, wide receiver, defensive end, and cornerback. Is it a coincidence that three of the four positions mentioned are on the defensive side of the ball, and the Bucs were ranked 27th in total defense last season? Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy are two massive defensive tackles that are considered the most talented athletes in the year’s draft. Tampa would love to have one or the other, but chances are slim that either one of them will be there with the 3rd overall pick. Yeah, these guys are both that good that they’ll probably go one and two. Most scouts are in love with Suh due to his size and power, but I think McCoy has the better upside and fits the Tampa-2 scheme to the tee.

McCoy is explosive off of the ball and uses his hands extremely well. He brings violence and a killer instinct to a team that lacked a pass rusher and run stuffer last season. This young man does both quite well. I highly doubt the Bucs move up a spot to grab McCoy because they’d be giving up too much in return, but you never know with this organization. They moved up last season to grab Josh Freeman. Who knows? The “experts” consensus pick is Tennessee safety Eric Berry. I’m not a fan of this selection because it’s saying that starting strong safety Sabby Piscitelli isn’t getting it done, and for the most part isn’t. But how many great safeties excelled their first year starting, especially having to change defensive coordinators and philosophies in the same season? Can anyone remember John Lynch’s first couple of seasons wearing the creamsicle? It surely wasn’t Hall of Fame caliber play, but we remember Lynch for what he did years later, and all of that came because he got the experience necessary to grow and learn. It didn’t hurt that he had talent

What’s HOT Tampa Bay.com

Review

SONY’S FLAGSHIP ACTION TITLE PROMISES AN EPIC SENDOFF FOR KRATOS AND GREEK MYTHOLOGY ALIKE. DOES THE GAME DELIVER ON ITS MASSIVE MARKETING AND HYPE TO MEET FAN EXPECTATIONS?

GameStop stores all around Tampa Bay held Midnight Launch events in anticipation to the release. Even on a Monday night, armies of fans were eager to get their copy as soon as possible. These shots were taken at the store off the corner of Dale Mabry & Waters Ave. Below: In-game screenshots showing off the game’s massive scale during moments of Titan gameplay.

In short, it not only delivers, but blows a hole through your mind in the process. As skeptical as I was of this game being God of War 1 & 2 with a fresh coat of paint, my doubts were completely thrown out the window the very moment I popped the disc in. The game wastes no time throwing you in the midst of a crazy gaming experience that has never been done before on a scale so huge and attractive. Starting literally where part 2 left off, you control Kratos, bigger and more brutal than ever, as a flea-sized character running and fighting on the Titan Gaia as he fights enemies and huge bosses that break down Gaia at times. This “Titan Gameplay” (as Sony’s studio Santa Monica calls it) is one of the standouts of the game. Kratos, one of the most detailed character models ever to grace a game, magically maintains his polygon count throughout the whole experience, as the camera swoops in and out during battle showing the gigantic scale of things happening all around Kratos while you are still in control of him. It’s action experiences like this that will make gamers dismiss Hollywood blockbusters like the upcoming “Clash of the Titans” remake because they’ve already participated with action levels far exceeding the boundaries of action films. As far as the core gameplay goes, it’s the same as the previous entries only more refined and tweaked to near perfection, with additional weapons that you’ll actually want to use this time around—adding a lot more fun & replay value to the package. You can also switch weapons by using the D-pad as you mix and experiment with different combo combinations using multiple weapons, allowing you to switch tactics on the fly. If there’s one minor negative that I have to point out it would

be that the “Rage of Sparta” mode is not nearly as fun as it was in past games thanks to being limited to a few moves with the Blade of Olympus, but it’s just as effective as it ever was. No game is perfect, but the flaws are so minor in this one that they are so easy to overlook in the grand scheme of the game. The game’s graphic presentation is always consistent on a high level of what I call “gritty Pixar.” Much more so than last year’s Uncharted 2, this game will consistently blow you away with cinematic moments that keep you in control of the character. It’s still hard for me to believe that games have reached that level of in-game graphics that they start to rival pre-rendered movies themselves. The story, while many don’t even need one to play it, is ultimately very satisfying after taking into account how the second one set up the third. The story really couldn’t have played out in any better way, and the choices that Kratos makes suits his character and past experiences perfectly. There is a deep 3-dimensional character hidden beneath his 1-dimensional appearance and attitude, and this is the title to forever hold him up as a gaming icon. The final boss encounter has 3 phases, similar to Ares from the first, and we get to feel the internal conflict inside Kratos much more this time around, something that the second game was severely lacking. The hottest game in Tampa Bay and around North America right now exceeds expectations much more so than most hyped games. If you have a PS3, you have to get this game, even if you haven’t played any of the previous God of War games. If you don’t have a PS3 you still need to get this game, and a PS3 to play it on if you care at all about gaming greatness. While there would never be a game for everyone, this is definitely one for awesome people.

“Its action experiences like this that will make gamers dismiss Hollywood blockbusters”

5 out of 5

Reviewed by: Alex Yparraguirre

What’s HOT Tampa Bay.com

Daris Mitchell aka

BC: What artist(s) have you looked up to, that you would like to emulate their career?

Tampa is a fantastic town! I’ve been in the Tampa Bay area since 1993. I have met many wonderful people and it’s great to see a lot of my friends doing well in their respected professions. You never know who you are going to meet; but more importantly, it’s funny to know who you already know. This very talented 17year-old man is focused and excited about his future. My old friend, Anthony Curran, brought him by and we spent about an hour having some fun getting to know each other.

LD: Jay-Z, of-course, as a rapper and a business man. He has done it all and continues to be creative with his music and his businesses. Drake, also, as an independent artist created his own buzz and had record labels offering him deals. That’s how I’d like to come up. BC: I know it takes a lot to reach for your dreams. What is the biggest reason you keep pushing forward in the music business?

BC: How did you choose to become a professional musician/rapper? LD: I’ve been in music all my life. I sing, play the piano, the guitar, the drums. I have taken lessons all my life. I love creating good music. My mom and family are a huge support in my career. BC: What’s your favorite thing about being in the studio recording? LD: There is an incredible feeling when I’m creating music. My producer and I get our minds going and focus on getting the hottest song out. BC: How about performing on stage? LD: I love to see and interact with the crowd.

By Billy Castro

There is something special when you are able to connect with my fans. It gets me going wild and crazy. BC: When your fans are listening to your music, what do you want your fans to feel or think? LD: I rap from my emotions, from my life. It’s not all hood or gangster, that’s not me. I rap about having some fun, partying, and there will be some more serious music in my future. But for now, I want my fans to connect with the music I’m putting out. Let’s party and have fun.

LD: I know I can do whatever I set my mind to. Not many people do what they say. When I talk to my classmates and friends, I tell them I want to be a musician and performer. So I’m going to keep pushing forward in this Hip Hop World and that’s what I’m going to keep doing with the help of my family and friends. BC: Yes sir, LD is definitely an AS*I*BE rising star in the Tampa Bay Hip Hop Community. If you are into fun music and dancing with the ladies, check this young man out at his next event. Peace.

What’s Hot single of the month: Hello. www.ldmusiconline.com

What’s Hot tampa bay

Earth Day

April 22

kles’ Ian Bec

hidden star

v-BLT

Grass Root

www.thegrassrootlife.com.com

2702 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602, 813-221-ROOT

noodles, shitake mushrooms, bok choy, vegan “hamm” and their own amino miso broth was delicious and refreshing. I could have eaten the whole bowl. The Sprout Wrap with Yum Yum sauce was a great transition leading to the Peace Zah Pi, a meatless raw version of pizza, which was light and filling, possibly the best thing on the menu. I ended my meal with Grass Root’s Peanut Punch. It was the best smoothie I have ever put in my mouth. I don’t care if it was healthy or not, it was spectacular. Grass Root is environmentally friendly and has a great atmosphere. One has to love any restaurant that plays Bob Marley and the Jackson 5. Vegans will love this restaurant. But meat lovers have to give this restaurant a chance too. I am never going to give up meat, but I get the concept. Grass Root food is clean, delicious and makes you feel like you are putting great things in your body. Grass Root is a great change up.

staff PICKS

I’ve always been a big meat and potatoes kind of guy. So I took one for the team and went vegan for our green issue. I have never set foot in a vegan restaurant before; I really never even knew they existed. My first exposure to vegan dining fell into the hands of Grass Root Organic Restaurant on North Florida Avenue. No frying, no preservatives and no hydrogenated oils sounded like an equation for no taste. But I was thoroughly impressed with the tastes and textures of all of the Grass Root fare. Grass Root has some of the same foods that one would see on a menu at a regular restaurant like pizza, BLTs, sushi, wraps and ramen soup. The only difference is that they use raw and vegan products like soy protein, raw parmesan “sheeze” and raw cashew hummus, all 100% vegan. I started with the Grass Root version of sushi. It was crisp, fresh and tasted like it had been picked from the garden just prior to being served. I’ve always been a fan of ramen noodles. The Grass Root Everybody Loves Ramen with chuka soba

everybody loves ramen

Big boy BBQ Sandwich

Sushi

Ginger Chick-un