PJ Tampa Bay Story Winner of the Week
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St. Pete revs up once again
Here's what's going on this weekend in the Tampa area: ST. PETERSBURG - A full weekend of racing is already in gear in St. Petersburg. The festivities officially started with a Thursday night parade down Central Avenue. It featured last year's champ, Will Power, and this year, Budweiser added a float and its world-renowned Clydesdale horses. A big party followed at North Straub Park where fans got the opportunity to meet the drivers. "Anytime we bring in the Honda Grand Prix, it brings 150,000 people to a downtown spot. So the hotels are filled, restaurants will be packed, there's a lot of economic impact with this event," Mayor Bill Foster offered. "And then, of course, you've got the impact of a three-hour commercial on national television." The weekend of racing wraps up with the main event, Sunday's Honda Grand Prix. There are several closures in the downtown area. Through race weekend, the following roads will be closed or have limited access: For more traffic and parking information, click on over to the city's website.
Coach Joe Gibbs Presents the “Game Plan for Life” in Tampa
Harlem Globetrotters at St.Pete Times Forum
March 12 : 7 p.m.
Watch these guys, dribble, pass and dunk like never before. The legendary Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 85th consecutive season of tearing up the court with their magical 2011 "4 Times the Fun" World Tour that stops in Tampa at the St. Pete Times Forum on March 12, 2011. Don't miss your chance to watch two of their performaces that day. The first is at 2 p.m and the second is 7 p.m. More information can be found atwww.harlemglobetrotters.com.
March Teacher Month
Here's an interesting event for Tampa Bay for the month of March:
- March 01, 2011 - March 31, 2011
- Address: 5145 Harvey Tew Rd., Plant City, FL 33565
- Times: 9am to 5pm
- Admission: free teachers
- Contact: Nicole Randall
- Phone: 813-717-9865
- Email: dinosaurworld@scrtc.com
Free teacher with a guest every day in March to Dinosaur World. Valid teacher ID required.
Click here to visit their website
Recycling fishing line for marine life
Here's an interesting article about our marine life here in Florida: TAMPA - Many people consider Florida to be the fishing capital of the world. But with so many anglers comes a lot of fishing line. Images of dolphins and turtles tangled in fishing line or nets are disturbing and unforgivable. "As an environmental scientist, as a person who loves the outdoors, I like wildlife and I feel bad when I see them suffering in a way like that," said Kevin Misiewicz, an environmental scientist with Tampa Bay Watch. Fishing line causes needless suffering, due to some anglers' improper disposal of it. Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's produced a video on fishing line recycling to put stop the suffering. A popular reminder of this is Winter the dolphin. Her tale was amputated after it became entangled in fishing line. Most animals aren't as lucky -- especially birds. Misiewicz explained, "The hooks will get lodged under the wing, the wing gets pinned down, and then they can't fly. If they can't fly, they can't catch food, if they can't catch food they can't feed their young, and often times the whole nest can parish." There is a way to prevent these disasters: monofilament fishing line recycling bins posted at many major fishing areas. Misiewicz helps clean the bins. While cleaning, he notes items of garbage that are not supposed to be in it. Click here to learn more.
PJ Tampa Bay Story Winner of the Week
From: Ruth Doroslovac
BALLROOM DANCERS GO TOE-TO-TOE IN TAMPA BAY DANCE-OFF
TAMPA, FL - Ballroom and Latin dancers from around the country are gathering for the 10th Annual Florida Superstars Dancesport Championships, being held in Tampa next week. Wearing their most enchanting outfits, dancers hope to dazzle the judges as they compete for $85,000 in cash and prizes at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Downtown Tampa, where the ballroom will be decked out in a Venetian Masquerade theme. "This is an exciting and glamorous spectator sport where cheering for your favorite couples is all part of the fun," said Michael Chapman, event organizer. "You'll see amazing dancers of every age and skill level, from talented professionals and youths to dedicated students dancing with their teachers, just like on Dancing with the Stars. See them perform the Cha Cha, Rumba, Waltz, Quickstep, Jive and more. The competition runs morning to night, so you can come for a session or stay for the entire day." Click here to continue reading.
Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour
See this hot, controversial, meat-wearing pop sensation live at the Forum on April 16, 2011 at 8 p.m. Lady Gaga has captivated audiences around the globe with her stunning international smash, The Monster Ball tour, presented by Virgin Mobile. In 2010 the tour has taken her throughout Europe and North American, where she received rave reviews everywhere she stopped. With the majority of North American dates already sold out, Lady Gaga has announced she will be extending her North American 2011 tour, now including a stop at Tampa's St. Pete Times Forum on Saturday, April 16. The 2011 North American Monster Ball Tour, produced globally by Live Nation and presented by Virgin Mobile, will begin on February 19th, 2011 at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall, taking her spectacular show to top arenas and a host of new cities. Click here to continue reading.
Valentine's Day Events
Here's a great website to see what you and your love one can do for Valentine's Day in Tampa:
Ah, it's that time of year again - drugstore aisles are exploding with red confetti and singing teddy bears to let you know it's time to pay a little extra attention to your sweetie this Valentine's Day. Fear not, young lovers, you don't have to rely soley on cheesy gifts to show your heart's desire that you care. We've searched out the best romantic dinners, heart-filled events and just plain fun couple activities to make sure you're feeling the love this Valentine's Day! Click here to go to the website to see the events.All the best cupid-inspired events for you lovebirds out there this Valentine's Day
From: Robyn Huber
TAMPA, FL – The 1Voice Foundation, a non-profit charity dedicated to supporting children with cancer and their families, is working with the Hillsborough County School District to open the 1Voice Academy, the first school in the United State for children with cancer.
The Foundation is kicking off its $5 million capital funding campaign with an open house at the Home Theater Gallery, 3300 S. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, on Thursday, March 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. “Children on treatment who miss school fall behind academically and resent their disease and the alienation it causes even more,” said Mary Ann Massolio, the Executive Director of 1Voice Foundation whose own son passed away from cancer. “Plus, many parents have to miss work to stay home with them. This can lead to financial devastation and add to the 80% divorce rate that parents of chronically-ill children face. The 1Voice Academy will provide children with a safe learning environment while their immune systems are compromised, such as in the 7 to 10 days following chemotherapy.”
“I always have to be vigilant about whether there is a flu or strep going around school,” said Natalie Willis, whose daughter, Mandy, was diagnosed with cancer when she was 7. “Mandy had to miss a lot of days even though she felt well, but she couldn’t risk coming into contact with a sick child. The truth is some parents send their kids to school even with a low fever or other signs of infection.”
“One of the greatest challenges we faced with Daniel were his counts were horrible, but otherwise he felt good,” said Holly Wade, whose 9-year-old son passed away from cancer. “My choice was to have him homebound, and he missed being around people his own age and his own friends. With this Academy, kids can be around classmates who aren’t going to look at you funny because you’re bald, or because you have to get up and throw up, or have an IV bag hanging off of you or a shunt. It’s an opportunity to make these kids feel as normal as possible in the most abnormal conditions you can imagine.”
Holly and her husband, Capt. Bill Wade with Tampa Fire Rescue, will be among the families on hand at the open house.
In addition to offering classes, the 1Voice Academy will offer after-school programs for tutoring, art and music, and will provide support groups and programs for parents and siblings.
About 1Voice Foundation
The 1Voice Foundation began in 2008 when six members of the Tampa Bay community – each having prior experience with pediatric cancer programs – realized organizations focused on research and organizations focused on assisting families were competing for dollars instead of working together. The 1Voice Foundation’s Executive Director is MaryAnn Massolio, who was the executive director of the Children’s Cancer Center for 10 years and who knows firsthand what it’s like when your child is diagnosed with cancer. In addition to researching cures for cancer, The 1Voice Foundation provides resources and support groups for patients and their families, outings for children with cancer, scholarships, and funeral assistance. The non-profit organization currently does not receive any state or federal funding and is dependent on corporate and private donations.