Hello everyone! We wanted to drop by and tell you all about a recent group outing to one of Florida's newest attractions!

LEGOLAND® Florida is a 150-acre interactive theme park dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. With more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, LEGOLAND is geared towards family fun.

Located in Winter Haven, FL and just 45 minutes from the Orlando theme parks and downtown Tampa. LEGOLAND is a brand of interactive theme parks dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12.

Each Park features more than 50 rides, shows and attractions geared towards interactive family fun. There are four other LEGOLAND Parks in the world – LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London, LEGOLAND California in the U.S. and LEGOLAND Deutschland near Günzburg, Bavaria Germany.

Legoland Florida provides education, adventure and in this second park of its kind in the United States. Kim Iseman, Director of Sales & Marketing and Todd Andrus, Sales Manager with Legoland gave us a in-depth tour of the park’s newest addition opening in late May.  It is Legoland Water Park.  It will be a waterpark for both children and adults to enjoy.

There will be an additional $15 added to the admission price of the Theme Park to be able to enter this section of Legoland.  People can stroll through the exhibits and hands on experiences of Legoland and walk to the water park to cool off and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.  They will have cabanas to rent, beach chairs, restaurant on site, lockers all with the Legoland theme.

Legoland is a fun place to spend the entire day.  The activities are limitless and it is a place where children can have their imaginations soar. That's all for now folks, but stay tuned in for more updates on things to do in Tampa Bay!
 

Hi everyone! Team YKPF (Ye Krewe of Palos de Fuego) headed out to Pinellas County and more specifically Clearwater Beach to visit StarLite Cruises. 

Laura Lothridge, the Director of Sales, was kind enough to meet us out there (and to be our photographer) to show us their Majesty, Calypso Queen and Nature Cruise boats.    

The Majesty is a modern style ship with a contemporary flair featuring brass and mirrored interior design. 

The vessel holds 180 guests for sit down meals and up to 400 for cocktail style events.  The Majesty serves up lunch with sightseeing starting at $34.95 for adults and also has dinner and dancing cruises starting at $53.25 for adults.  

The Calypso Queen is StarLite’s colorful Caribbean themed ship which is more in tuned with a laid back atmosphere for those beach goers.  The vessel holds up to 149 passengers for its afternoon lunch and dolphin viewing excursion or its sunset dinner and tropical cruise party; prices start at just $24.90 for the lunch and $34.90 for the dinner.

Take advantage of these great Clearwater Beach experiences “for a dazzling night out”.  That's it for now folks, but be sure to check out Starlite Dining Cruises and check back here for more updates and outings on things to do in Tampa Bay!

Hello there folks! Jerm here with an update for you on an awesome festival coming this month!

Saturday March 10 and Sunday March 11, Join the Ruskin Southshore chamber of Commerce as they promote the awareness and preservation of the West Indian Manatee at the Manatee Festival of the Arts! The festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary with visual, performing, and even culinary arts!

The Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts is an innovative showcase of fine arts and fine crafts which draws talent from all across the country. The exhibitor's area offers visitors an opportunity to meet and interact with artists - to view their works and purchase art from the individual who created it.

There is also a Children's Creativity Center, live musical performances, special environmental exhibits, a Culinary Arts program and a free shuttle to the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center to view the gentle manatee in their winter habitat and a variety of foods to tempt any palette. This is an excellent venue to display and sell art in a relaxed and comfortable setting.

Here are some of the details of the event below!

Dates: Saturday, March 10, 2012, 10 AM - 5 PM; Sunday, March 11, 2012, 10 AM - 5 PM

Location: Tampa Electric Company South Shore Community EventsCenter,
Dickman & Noonan Branch Roads,
Apollo Beach, FL 33572

Admission: $5 Adults; Children 10 and under free - Includes free parking and free shuttle to Manatee Center & Overflow parking lot. Park at the Elementary School at the corner of Dickman & Apollo Beach. Take the shuttle. Avoid the traffic.

Featuring:

• Approximately 90 juried fine artists and craftsmen from across the country
• Patrons Program for the art enthusiast, which includes a preview party
• Children's Creativity Center with hands-on arts and crafts
• Free Shuttle Service to the Manatee Viewing Center from the Festival and parking sites
• Wide variety of food and beverage vendors.
• Non-profit organizations on hand to educate and show ways to protect wildlife, boating, environment and other causes
• Entertainment

This is gonna be a great event for families and all so be sure to come out and enjoy! That's all for now, but stay tuned in for more updates on things to do in Tampa Bay!

Hi Tampa Bay, Alex here to let you know that the Mummies of the World exhibition will be making its Florida premiere at MOSI on Friday, April 27, 2012. 

The presentation in Tampa will mark the fifth stop of the exhibition’s exclusive seven-city tour. This astonishing collection of mummies and related artifacts includes a 6,420-year-old child mummy from Peru, dating 3,000 years before King Tut. 

Mummies of the World is the first exhibition of its kind to be showcased at MOSI. The exhibition presents a never before seen collection of rare mummies from across the world including South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Egypt that spans eons of time and transcends history.

With its collection of 150 specimens and objects, Mummies of the World is the largest exhibition of real human and animal mummies and related artifacts ever assembled. The exhibition reveals how the scientific study of mummies provides a window into the lives of ancient people, offering unprecedented insights into past cultures and civilizations. It also demonstrates that mummification – both through natural processes and intentional practices – has taken place all over the globe, from the hot desert sands of South America to remote European bogs.

Mummies of the World will be on exhibition from April 27, 2012 through September 3, 2012.  Tickets are on sale now and reservations are highly recommended.

Mummies of the World is a timed-entry exhibition, so before making a purchase, visitors will be asked to select the date and time of their visit.

Don’t miss out on a chance to see rare collections of mummies from across the world. Buy your tickets today by calling (813) 987-6000. MOSI will be offering special packages that include regular admission plus Mummies of the World, as well as a Mummies of the World only ticket. 

Check back with us often for more information on Things To Do In Tampa Bay!

Hi Tampa Bay, Alex here with some great news for local business owners.

With 52,062 small businesses in the area, Tampa Bay was named one of the 10 Great Cities for Starting a Business by Kiplinger.com.

Who wouldn’t want to start a business in a location filled with wonderful attractions, arts & culture, sports, parks, beaches and so much more? It’s like working in paradise!

The local government is business-friendly, promising tax credits to businesses that locate in certain areas or work in one of a number of high-demand industries, including life sciences and sustainable energy.
 
Tampa’s small-business owners also benefit from the state’s lack of personal income tax and 5.5% corporate income tax. The city is a key player in the Startup America Partnership, a national initiative that has funneled more than $730 million to new businesses in Florida and six other states.

To check out this article for yourself go to, http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/10-great-cities-for-starting-a-business/11.html.

Have a wonderful evening! Check back with us throughout the week for more information on things to do in Tampa Bay!

Hi Tampa Bay, Alex here to let you know that Music on the Bay is taking place at Whisky Joes in March.

Music on the Bay (MOTB) is a three day Parrot Head Trop-Rock Event that is taking place at Whisky Joes Barefoot Beach Bar in March.

In conjunction with The Tampa Bay Parrot Head Club, other Parrot Head clubs from all
over the state of Florida and Whiskey Joe's new Barefoot Beach Bar are coming together to make this event a fantastic Trop-Rock vacation event on the waters of beautiful Tampa Bay.

MOTB 2012 will feature some of America’s best Trop-Rock Bands from all over the
nation. Beginning Friday, March 2 at 1pm, 17 artists will take over the outdoor
waterside beach stage through Sunday, March 4, 2012.

Trop- Rock is a Island/Tropical inspired genre that blends Rock, Reggae, Caribbean and Latin music with Island/Tropical instrument arrangements and song themes. Its roots are based upon the beach music scene from the 60’s.

 Registration ends on February 6th, so don’t delay and register today! Each registered attendee will be given a goodie bag. In addition, there will be vendors with “parrotphanlia” for sale on site.  *The proceeds from MOTB raffles benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children.*

Discount hotel accommodations are still available as well as vendor spaces. Visit the MOTB website at www.musiconthebay.org to register and to get more detailed information on this event.

Enjoy the Party! Check back with us often for updates on Things To Do In Tampa Bay!

Hi everyone.  Travis back with some great information about MOSI's Festival of Chocolate, taking place next week from January 14-16.  We're giving a list of the who's who in the confectionary world, and they'll all be at MOSI for the Festival. 

MOSI will host Tampa’s second annual Festival of Chocolate, which is Florida’s largest all-chocolate themed event!  The event features the area's best chocolate and confection companies selling treats of everything chocolate from truffles, cakes and cupcakes to cookies, brownies and ice creams. 

Vendors confirmed for the Festival of Chocolate include:
Boola Creamery (KISSIMMEE)
Candy Cottage (Ft. LAUDERDALE)
Candy Clouds Cotton Candy Co. (ORLANDO)
Chateau Confections (WINTER PARK)
Chocolais Wine (TAMPA)
Choffy (TAMPA)
Dove Chocolate Discoveries (TAMPA)
Frostings etc. (SOUTH TAMPA)
Frost the Cake (NEW TAMPA)
Galleria of Chocolate (ORLANDO)
Joey Biscotti (LARGO)
Kookie Krums (DUNEDIN)
La Creperia Cafe (YBOR CITY)
Mikey’s Café & Bakery Co. (HISTORIC SEMINOLE HEIGHTS)
Notter School of Pastry Arts (ORLANDO)
The Olive Tap (WEST PALM BEACH)
The Original Leena's Chocolates (VALRICO)
Picture This Candy Company (ORLANDO)
Planet Smoothie (TEMPLE TERRACE)
PRP Wine International (TAMPA)
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (ORLANDO)
Just Because Treats (TAMPA BAY/CLEARWATER)
Schakolad Chocolate Factory (SOUTH TAMPA)
Stefano's Gelato (LUTZ)
Sweet Tweets Cakery (CARROLLWOOD)
William Dean Chocolates (BELLAIR BLUFFS)

Here's the best part!!!!!  Entrance into The Festival of Chocolate is complementary with your MOSI admission, which means you get everything MOSI has to offer!!!  PLus, each adult advance purchase ticket will receive two dollars in chocolate coins to spend in The Festival of Chocolate. If you are a MOSI Member, you receive discounted entry pricing at only $10 a ticket and member children can attend for FREE. 

Just visit mosi.org to get more details.  And don't forget, it all happens from Jan. 14-16 at MOSI.  Have fun and get stuffed!  And we'll see you back here for more Tampa Bay Entertainment options for the entire family, plus more great things to do in Tampa Bay. 

Hello there folks and Happy New Year to you all! Hope you all had a safe and productive New Year's holiday and you are ready for more great news on things to do in Tampa Bay!

Speaking of fun things to do, I wanted to drop by and give you some New Year's insight on some ideas for family fun and adventure!

Adventure Family Motorsports has you covered for that family adventure, corporate event/outing, or whatever your adventurous heart desires! It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or an expert the gang over at Adventure family Motor sports has the right tour for the right occasion.

Whether it is motocross or wave-runners or Harley Davidson motorcycles, they know the best places to go for adventure tours and can match your skill level to the location. 

Here are just some of the awesome experiences they offer:

• Waverunners - Fun excursions including snorkeling, tubing, and shelling.
• Dirtbikes: Riding adventures ages 8 and up - they provide the equipment and training.
• Harley Bike Rentals: Local tours in the Tampa area and custom tours that extend as far as Key West!

So what are you waiting for exactly! Give them a call and start planning your outing! If you act soon, you can take advantage of a special deal going on for a limited time for Florida residents!

Be sure to also check them out on YouTube and Facebook for insight on deals or to see some video on the awesome tours they offer!

Hi everyone!  Travis back with some more great things to do in Tampa Bay and at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo!  We got some really neat information from the Zoo that we just HAD to pass along....

On December 6, zookeepers welcomed the third successful hatching this year of an endangered African penguin chick!  Now is when you say, "awwwwwwwwwwww" as you're looking at the photo!  We'll give you a minute........

Now 10 days old, the downy grey chick is alert, warm and vocalizing (which we are told are three positive signs of health and strength). It is nesting inside the penguin building under the watchful care of first-time parents, Tinkerbell and Loki.

Here's some great news from the Zoo: To date, the parents are very attentive and sharing in the brooding responsibilities of the hatchling, whose gender has not yet been determined. The tiny chick weighed just 54 grams when hatched, and has grown to 272 grams as of Dec. 15.  The newest penguin chick will remain with the parents for a few weeks, then be transitioned to zookeeper care to facilitate independence and learning to swim, before ultimately joining the colony on exhibit in several months.

Once on exhibit, it will be easy to spot with its dark gray juvenile plumage for about a year, which will be replaced by the characteristic black and white feathers following its first molt.

Here's why all of this is important work: African penguins, endemic to mainly offshore islands on South Africa’s coast, were reclassified in 2010 from 'vulnerable' to 'endangered' on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List. The Zoo’s penguins are members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) African Penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP) program. 

There are 17 species of penguins in the world, each distinctive.  Not all species live in frigid climates, with some well suited for warm climates.  African penguins are also known “black-footed” penguins or “jackass” penguins for their donkey-like braying sounds. The wild population has declined drastically (estimated 80 percent) in the last 50 years due to loss of habitat and oil pollution.

This is some really cool stuff, so make sure you make plans to head to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo to see what it's all about!!!  And if you go, let us know how it was...but we'll be by also!!!  If you want more info about the zoo, head over to www.lowryparkzoo.com.  And keep checking back here for more great Tampa Bay area events, updates like this, and much more. 

Hey everyone.  Travis back with great gridiron things to do in Tampa Bay.  One of my favorite events of the year is the Outback Bowl!  Although our hometown USF Bulls can't play (it's a matchup between the SEC and Big Ten Conferences), we still have some of the country's best teams face off in Tampa Bay! 

This year, the Michigan State Spartans and Georgia Bulldogs will square-off in the Outback Bowl on January 2 in Tampa. That's right, the game is Jan. 2 this year!  It is a match-up of two 10-win Division Champions from two of the most prestigious conferences in college football. The Spartans are ranked 12th in the AP Poll while the Bulldogs are ranked 18th. It's hard to believe that we have two top 20 teams coming to Tampa Bay!

If you've ever been to an Outback Bowl in Tampa Bay, you know there are a lot of events to participate in surrounding the game, including parades, beach days, and much, much more.  You can find all of those events and information at www.OutbackBowl.com.  But we'll also be back with more updates about what's happening surrounding the game. 

But remember, the Outback Bowl will be played on January 2, kickoff at 1PM, at Raymond James Stadium. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster..just call (813) 287-8844 or 1-800-745-3000, or head over to www.ticketmaster.com. And if you just want your tickets in your hand, then tickets can also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet in the state of Florida.

And like I said, keep checking back here for more updates, or head over to www.OutbackBowl.com to get more details.  And we'll see you with more great Tampa Bay area events!

Hey everyone!  Here's some great Tampa Bay Entertainment for you, and you won't even have to leave your house to enjoy it! 

On Wednesday, November 9, “Drinking Made Easy” airs an episode featuring Tampa area establishments.  The Columbia Restaurant of Ybor City welcomed Zane Lamprey and the show’s crew as fifth generation family member Andrea Gonzmart demonstrated how to make two of The Columbia’s signature drinks, “Bloody Gazpacho” and a “Café con Leche Martini.”

I don't know if I'd like either of them, but I would certainly give them a try!!!!  But back to the story...

The show also highlights Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing, stops by the first Hooters location for an “Orange Shorts Margarita,” and features a “Blue Blazer” at Mandarin Hide. “Drinking Made Easy” airs Wednesday nights at 8:00 p.m. ET on HDNet.

HDNet networks are available nationally via DIRECTV and Dish Network and locally in Tampa, Florida on Knology Holding Inc. and Verizon FiOS. Check your local listings for channels and more information.  Please see http://www.hd.net/programs/drinking-made-easy/  for more information.

Here's a little history on the Columbia Restaurant:
The Columbia is Florida’s oldest restaurant, founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant, Casimiro Hernandez Sr.  The Columbia Restaurant was founded in 1905 in Ybor City and is Florida’s Oldest Restaurant.  Additional locations include St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, the Historic District in St. Augustine, The Pier in Downtown St. Petersburg, Sand Key on Clearwater Beach, Central Florida's town of Celebration and the Columbia Café on the Riverwalk in Tampa. All Columbia Restaurants are owned and operated by 4th and 5th generation members of the founding family. Please see www.columbiarestaurant.com for more information.

Enjoy the show, and enjoy the drinks!  And keep checking back here for more great things to do in Tampa Bay!

Hello folks! Jerm here to tell you about an awesome family and fun adventure opportunity from our friends over at Adventure Family Motorsports!

Whether you and your family like to travel and do fun adventure filled activities around Florida, or if you already live here in the bay area and love to do those things with your loved ones, boy have have I got the place for you!

Adventure Family Motorsports is rental-tour company that will help you and your family turn a regular vacation into the adventure of a lifetime. Whether you are talking WaveRunner tours in the Gulf of Mexico, Harley Davidson tours around Tampa or dirt bike tours for both family and corporate fun, these guys know the best place for each of these fun-filled activities!

If you are looking for fun adventure type activities for you, your family, or even work related retreats, be sure to check out Adventure Family MotoSports by visiting www.adventurefamilymotorsports.com, and don't forget to check these guys out on Facebook as well!

That's all for now, but stay tuned in for more updates on things to do in Tampa Bay!

Hey Sports Fans, tickets are now on sale for the 2012 Under Armour All-America High School Football Game presented by American Family Insurance.  The fifth-annual event is slated for 8 p.m. ET Jan. 5, 2012, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.  The competition, which will be televised on ESPN, highlights the nation’s top high school seniors.

Tampa-area participants include: Nelson Agholor (Berkeley Prep High School), Dante Fowler Jr. (Lakewood Senior High School) and Brian Poole (Southeast High School).  Additionally, 10 of the Top 15 ESPNU 150 prospects are competing in the game, including three players who have committed to Florida State: No. 1 Mario Edwards (Billy Ryan High School/Denton, Texas), No. 10 Chris Casher (Davidson High School/Mobile, Ala.) and No. 11 Jameis Winston (Hueytown High School/Hueytown, Ala.).  No. 30 Jessamen Dunker (Boynton Beach High School/Boynton Beach, Fla.), who has committed to Florida, will also be a participant.

Don't miss your chance to catch these great high school All-Stars in action! Be sure to stay tuned for more Tampa Bay sports updates coming soon!

Hello everyone! Jerm here with an update on some great new additions to the Tampa Bay & Company Partnership family!

Throughout September, Tampa Bay & Company welcomed 13 organizations to the 700 Tampa Bay & Company partners.  New partners include:

Adventure Family Motorsports-II LLC – Adventure Family Motorsports is a motorsports rental-tour company that can turn a regular vacation into the adventure of a lifetime. www.adventurefamilymotorsports.com

AFR Event Furnishings – AFR Event Furnishings offers exquisite furniture and accessory rental for special events, corporate meetings, weddings, conferences and trade shows nationwide. www.afrevents.com

Bay Area Corporate Transportation – Bay Area Corporate Transportation is a full service Chauffeur/Limousine company providing many different types of vehicles from a Luxury Sedan, Party Bus, Stretch Limousine to 55-passenger coach buses. www.bayareacorporatetransportation.com

BNY Mellon Wealth Management – Supported by 225 years of experience, they deliver the world-class capabilities of a global leader with the tailored solutions, care and commitment of a small firm. www.BNYMellon.com

Fresh – Fresh is the hottest new restaurant to hit the Tampa Bay area bringing a unique, new dining experience to downtown Tampa. They have the largest variety of fresh ingredients served both hot and cold, with a diverse and creative menu, and the ability to customize any order. www.eatfreshdaily.com

IKEA Tampa – IKEA Tampa is filled with functional, affordable home furnishings, just minutes from downtown Tampa. Enjoy shopping, dining in their restaurant, and use their Community Room for your next meeting.  www.ikea-usa.com/tampa

Gulf Coast Destinations, Inc. – Gulf Coast Destinations is West Florida's Transportation and Destination Management Company.  Let their team of local experts propose and manage your finest Florida experience. www.gcdmc.com

First National Bank of the Gulf Coast – First National Bank of the Gulf Coast is a community bank focused on meeting the financial needs of businesses and consumers throughout the west coast of Florida. www.fnbofgc.com

Linkswalker Promotions – Linkswalker offers quick turn-arounds on unique promotional products including quality golf accessories, watches and clocks.  www.linkswalkerpromotions.com

Modern Day Events – Modern Day Events is a chiavari chair rental company in the Tampa/St. Petersburg metropolitan area. They specialize in weddings, social and corporate events. www.moderndayevents.com

Qachbal's Chocolatier – Handmade chocolates and confections, bakeries, gourmet coffee shop, Qachbal's is a family-owned business and a must for your visit to the downtown Tampa’s Channelside District.  www.qachbalschocolatier.com

The Drynk Soho – The Drynk Soho is the premier entertainment venue, which promises to redefine the nightlife and private event landscape in the greater Tampa Bay area. Based primarily around ultra-modern designs, entertainment, specialty cocktails and superior customer service, The Drynk Soho offers a level of style and class to those who demand only the best. www.thedrynksoho.com

World of Beer South Tampa – At World of Beer they are constantly trying new beers in a great atmosphere. Their extensive selection of over 500 beers from around the world ensures that customers will always find a beer that fits their tastes. www.wobusa.com/southtampa

That's all for now folks, be sure to check these wonderful places out and come back for more updates on things to do in Tampa Bay!

Hello All! Mary Lou Janson here dropping in to tell you about how one of Tampa's own is wowing the nation with their award winning toffee. It's a story about a sweet success for the locally-owned confectionery business known as Toffee to Go. Since 1998, the buttery, sweet, crumbly candies produced here, and distributed coast-to-coast, have been delighting a steadily growing fan base while building a national reputation for award-winning sweets.

Honors heaped upon this handmade toffee have earned it such designations as Best Chocolates, Best Candies, Best Desserts and even granted them favored status by the editors of Fancy Food Magazine and celebrity wedding and event planner Colin Cowie.

It was a family recipe for toffee that first inspired Lisa and Jim Schalk to try their hand at marketing small batches of homemade toffee, mainly to friends and business acquaintances. That initial success eventually prompted a move to a South Tampa commercial kitchen where they could better keep up with the product’s growing year-round demand.

With peak sales for these sweets occurring around the Christmas holidays, the business has grown so much that it will soon relocate to a nearby street-front site that can better accommodate the thousands of orders filled from October through December and allow for more retail space to better showcase sweets to walk-in customers.

Later this fall, the business/store should be completely moved in at 3251 Bay-to-Bay Blvd. where the Schalks also plan to expand the brand.  They will keep a ready-to-eat, ready-to-go supply of Milk Chocolate Almond, Dark Chocolate Pecan and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut toffees available but customers can also expect to select from a toffee dessert sauce, a variety of brittles and possibly even pastries. Some sugar-free offerings may also be joining the mix in the months ahead.

Not sure where to start or what to buy? No problem. Free toffee samples are always available and if you find there is one flavor you just must enjoy on a regular basis, the toffees are free of preservatives but can be stored in a freezer for up to a year.

That's all for now, but be sure to stay tuned in for more updates on toffee related things to do in Tampa Bay!

Hello there everyone! Jerm back on yet another beautiful Tampa Bay morning to tell you about a new local dining spot I found yesterday!

Waterworks Bar & Grille is full-service restaurant located within the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in Downtown Tampa that serves breakfast lunch and dinner. 

I had a chance to stop by there after to work to grab a bite to eat on the word of a good friend of mine. It was also a good place to just sit and relax at the bar and watch the Rays game after a long days work. If you are located in downtown Tampa for work, play, or you live in downtown then WaterWorks should be on your list of places to grab a bite to eat and/or get a drink and catch the game or just wind down!

In addition to awesome bartenders, the food is tasty as well! I can personally recommend the All American Burger... pictured to the right. If that doesn't make your mouth water, then nothing will. You can also never go wrong with crinkle fries either. I had some friends join me at the bar and we all shared some quesadillas as well as the turkey club sandwich, both of which were great!

It's also the perfect place to grab a bite to eat before seeing a show at the Straz Center next door, loading up on the breakfast buffet before heading out on a tropical cruise or to wind down with a cocktail after a long day at the beach. Plenty of options as you can see!

Don't just take my word for it though, and be sure to check out the menu, and stop by for yourself. If you go on a Wednesday, be sure to tell the night bartender Debbie that Jerm said hello, and most other times Kelley will be taking care of you, but both are awesome and you are in great hands!

Be sure to check them out on Facebook for updates on happy hour and food specials! That's all for now, but be sure to check back with us son for more update son Tampa Bay dining and things to do in Tampa Bay!

Hi Everyone, Alex here to let you know that The 2011 Clearwater Film and Music Festival is going to be here on September 22-25, 2011.

The Clearwater Film and Music Festival will have 54 films from around the world and two full days of live music on three stages. There will also be opportunities to meet fine film makers, actors, animators, musicians and producers who will share their knowledge, so you can get an inside look at entertainment.

This year Academy Award Winner, Luke Matheny will be attending the festival. Luke is the actor, writer and director of God of Love which won the 2011 Oscar for Best Live-Action Short Film and will be awarded The Clearwater Film & Music Festival's own unique trophy, The Wavecrest Award for Triple Threat Film Making. He will also be with us for educational panels to convey his knowledge of navigating film school.

Dolphin Tale actor Jim Fitzpatrick will also be with us to talk about the acting business. With over 50 film roles to his credit including parts in All My Children and Star Trek: Enterprise, Jim will be sharing his insight on what it takes to make a career in acting.

Clearwater beach will be full of live music, featuring local bands and bands traveling from across the country. You won't want to miss out on this festival!

For a great weekend full of music and film, head on over to the Clearwater Film and Music Festival next weekend! Get your tickets today!

Single film tickets are good for any scheduled block on Friday, Saturday or Sunday September 23, 24 or 25. Badges are only for Opening Night.

**All films will be shown at Duval Center at Holiday Inn Clearwater Beach. Please arrive at the show you want to attend at least 30 minutes prior to show time. Seating is first come first serve.

Have a wonderful evening! Check back throughout the week for Tampa Bay Film updates!

Hello all! Jerm here with an update for you on not only a cool event, but one for a great cause!

Tae Bo® Creator, Billy Blanks® Will Lead Attempt to Break World Kickboxing Record
Tampa Event will be held on October 1st and benefit the National Autism Association
 
The National Autism Association (NAA) and fitness expert Billy Blanks® are putting out a call for people to gather in Tampa on October 1st, 2011 to be part of a history-making moment.   In a family-friendly event dubbed Autism Kick, participants will attempt to break the Guinness World Record™ for the largest kickboxing class ever assembled.  The current world record was set in Budapest, Hungary in 2009 where 2,336 participants kick-boxed for 11 minutes. 
 
The event will be held on Saturday, October 1st at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, home of the Tampa Yankees and New York Yankees Spring Training.  Along with being a part of history, participants will receive a commemorative Autism Kick T-shirt and sports water bottle.  

Opportunities to have an official event photo taken with Billy Blanks® or to join him at the   exclusive Steinbrenner Field DugOut Club Meet & Greet lunch and autograph signing are available for sign up to a limited number of people.  Those who cannot attend the Tampa event have the opportunity to participate online while raising autism awareness, funding and winning prizes.
 
NAA’s hotel partner and event sponsor, TradeWinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach is offering a special rate of $99 per night to attendees who would like to stay on the beach and make a weekend of this special event.
 
Autism is a national health crisis that now affects 1 in 110 children in the U.S.  Proceeds from Autism Kick will benefit NAA’s vital programs serving families affected by Autism.  For full details, or to register for Autism Kick, please visit http://www.autismkick.com.  For media inquiries and event sponsorship opportunities, email Event Coordinator, Aimee Allenback at aimee@nationalautism.org.

That's it for now, but stay tuned in for more updates on things to do in Tampa Bay!

Today is the last day to experience some of the area’s finest restaurants during the second annual Dine Tampa Bay Restaurant Week, which kicked off Aug. 19.  Participating locations are showcasing their dinner options by offering $25, $35, or $45 prix-fixe, three-course menus (appetizer, entrée and dessert).

Each of the more than 60 participating restaurants is providing a special Restaurant Week menu in addition to their standard menu, which will suggest three options for each course. 

Diners can choose from old favorites to the latest culinary hot spots, nationally known chain restaurants to local chef-owned bistros, Asian or Spanish fare to Italian, fondue, tapas and sushi, and from the award-winning restaurants of downtown Tampa to the gourmet gems on the beaches.

Prices are per person and exclude beverages, tax and gratuities.  For more information about Dine Tampa Bay Restaurant Week, including a list of restaurants, chef bios, and other event information, log on to www.DineTampaBay.com. 

Stay tuned in for more updates on Tampa Bay dining!

Happy Friday! Alex here with some great news for all of the students around Tampa Bay!

Busch Gardens’ water park, Adventure Island, is offering a special $24.99 single-day admission ticket to students of all ages every weekend from September 10 through Oct. 30, 2011. This special applies to all college students too, but don’t forget to bring your student ID or enter the promo code, COLLEGE online at AdventureIsland.com.
 
Adventure Island is open Labor Day, Sept. 3 to 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Then, the park is open weekends only Sept. 10 through Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Experience the 30 acres of water-drenched fun, filled with slides, corkscrews, waterfalls, a wave pool, a children’s water playground and other family attractions that makes up Adventure Island at an awesome price!

Tickets are available at any Adventure Island ticket window and online at AdventureIsland.com.

Single-day admission tickets for Adventure Island are regularly $42.99 for adults and $38.99 for children ages 3 to 9. Ages 2 and younger are free, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit www.adventureisland.com for more information.

Take advantage of this great deal while it lasts!

Have a wonderful weekend and check back with us next week for more information on Things To Do In Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay Theme Parks!