Tampa Bay Parent

Hillsborough County Schools will be giving most of their teachers a 2% pay increase. Those teachers that receive a salary at the top of the district’s pay scale will receive a $1,000 lump sum in place of the 2% pay increase. The pay increase was a part of contract approved by the Hillsborough County School Board. Several other items were approved of in the contract including changes to the school calendar. Students will have the whole week of Thanksgiving off and the last day of school has moved from June 10, 2011 to June 13, 2011.

The Thanksgiving week vacation is great for families that have to travel for Thanksgiving this year. I’m sure the teachers appreciate the pay increase and week vacation too.

This weekend Florida stores will be competing for parents’ business as they do their back to school shopping. Tax Free Holiday begins today, and it has been the tradition of parents to go out in full force as they take advantage of back to school shopping with the tax discounts. Although it was once a whole week of tax free shopping years ago, a tax free weekend is better than no tax free days at all. Florida’s 2010 Tax Free Holiday runs August 13^th through August 15^th.

The sales tax exemption applies to each eligible book or item of clothing selling for $50 or less and to each eligible school supply item selling for $10 or less. The exemption will still apply no matter how many items are sold on the same invoice to a customer.

Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith headlined the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2010 that also included John Randle, Dick LeBeau, Rickey Jackson, Russ Grimm, and Floyd Little. Each player gave moving speeches on Saturday, August 7 in Canton, Ohio and the evening ended with an emotional speech from former Cowboy star Emmitt Smith.

Smith immediately praised Walter Payton, the man he surpassed as rushing king, and recognized the two other Pro Football Hall of Fame members of the Cowboys’ Triplets, Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin. He began to cry when recognizing his former fullback, Daryl Johnston. “You took care of me as if you were taking care of your little brother,” Smith said through tears. Smith rushed for 18, 355 yards, with 164 touchdowns, 11 seasons with 1,000 or more yards on the ground, and 78 games with 100 yards rushing.

Jerry Rice proved to be as classy off the field as he had been on the field for 20 seasons. “This is finally it,” he said, ” There are no more routes to run, no more touchdowns to score, no more records to set. That young boy from Mississippi has finally stopped running. “Let me stand here and catch my breath.” Earlier in his speech he thanked coaches and teammates including Hall of Fame quarterbacks Steve Young and Joe Montana. He also paid homage to Bill Walsh, the 49er coach who drafted Rice from Mississippi Valley State in 1985. Rice caught 1,549 passes, gained 22, 895 yards, and scored 208 touchdowns in his career.

Floyd Little was sandwiched between Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith but he held his own with a wonderful speech of his own. Little was a star running back for the Denver Broncos from 1967-1975 and waited nearly 3 decades after becoming eligible to get elected. He thanked Jim Gray, sportscaster, for his help in getting Little elected into the Hall of Fame. He also personally thanked several members of his family giving specific examples on how they have helped him over the years. Little was sincere as he recognized the important people in his life and went on to give advice to young players playing the game that he loves. The main idea of his speech is that football is important but family is more important.

Dick LeBeau and John Randle were the first two players inducted on Saturday night. LeBeau was inducted after a 32 year wait. He played 14 years for the Lions but is best known as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has been defensive coordinator with the Steelers for several years and is the author of the zone blitz. Randle made six straight All-Pro teams (1993-1998) and was chosen for seven Pro Bowls during his career. He is well known for talking constantly during games but his Hall of Fame speech lasted only six minutes.

Russ Grimm and Rickey Jackson played together at the University of Pittsburgh and are now teammates in the Hall of Fame. From 1981-1991, Grimm led the Redskins’ “Hogs” offensive line and won three super bowls. He is the first member of that offensive line to make the hall. Jackson was a talented linebacker and is the first Saints player to be enshrined. Jackson made six Pro Bowls and had 128 sacks.

Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg during a Tampa Bay Rays baseball game

The Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. If you only watched the first seven and a half innings of the game, you should not have been surprised by the fact the Rays lost the game. As we all know, baseball is a nine inning game and anything can happen on any given day. Thursday’s game was a perfect example of just that.

Those of you that watched the entire game know the last inning and a half of the game provided the most excitement. The Rays scored the first run of the day off a homerun by B.J. Upton in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Rays then loaded the bases when the second run was walked home. With the score now 6-2, Rays manager Joe Maddon sends Jason Bartlett to pinch hit for Matt Joyce. Maddon appeared to be a genius when Bartlett hit a grand slam off Twins reliever Ron Mahay to tie the game at 6-6.

The ninth inning proved to be just as exciting for all the wrong reasons. Jason Repko of the Twins hit a pop up that hit the “A” ring on the catwalk and the ball dropped onto the infield for a single which scored Jason Kubel of the Twins to make it 7-6. Cuddyer singled to left off Rays reliever Benoit to make the score 8-6. The Twins won the game when the Rays failed to score in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Rays manager Joe Maddon was visibly upset after the game. His comments after the game showed his frustration. “That was probably the perfect commercial advertisement, reason to have a new ballpark. There’s no better reason than that. I know it works both ways, but to lose a game in a pennant situation like that because of the roof totally indicates why there’s a crying need for a new ballpark in this area, regardless of where they put it. It just needs to be a real baseball field, where if you were to lose the pennant by one game and look back on a game like that because the roof got in the way, you’d be very upset. There’s not better reason than that.”

The bottom line is that the Rays may need a new stadium but will not get one this season. Hopefully, this amazing team will put the last two heartbreaking losses behind them and play well down the stretch. They still have the second best record in baseball and played the team with the best record in baseball, Yankees, very well last weekend. The Rays might be the only team in baseball capable of hanging with the Yankees so it is essential for them to focus on finishing strong this season and not looking ahead to the possibilities that await them in the future.

Being able to communicate with others is important for anyone. If there is an emergency and you are stranded on the side of the road, having a cell phone becomes more of a need than a want. When you are barely making enough money, a cell phone or any other phone service becomes something that many have learned to live without. Fortunately, there are a few cell phones available to low income residents of the State of Florida. These cell phone services do not offer a lot of minutes, but it is most likely enough for taking care of the necessities.

Safelink Wireless offers 150 minutes a month and free cell phone. You can sign up and find out about their income restrictions on their web site. Safelink Wireless is operated by TracFone Wireless.

Assurance Wireless offer 200 minutes a month and a free cell phone. You can call 1-888-898-4888 to begin their application process. Assurance Wireless also provides details about their free cell phone program on their web site. Assurance Wireless is operated by Virgin Mobile.

Both of these programs are provided through Lifeline.

The “Lifeline” and “Link Up” programs provide financial assistance to low-income consumers in connecting a residential phone line and paying their monthly bill. The programs have been active for years and are administered by the FCC and state public utility commissions, but at least half of eligible consumers nationwide do not take advantage of this assistance.

“Lifeline” involves discounts on monthly charges for a primary residential telephone line, including wireless service. “Link Up” involves a discount on the cost of initiating the primary telephone service for a residence, including the activation of a wireless phone that serves as the primary residential telephone. The discounts are available throughout the country, including an enhanced discount on Tribal lands. In general, consumers at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, or who participate in one or more of a number of other assistance programs, are eligible for Lifeline and Link Up.

Related Links:

Lifeline Information for Floridians

Neighborhoods in  Hillsborough can apply for a $2,500 to help strengthen their area.  

Mini-grants are available to fund community projects in neighborhoods located in unincorporated areas and cities (Plant City, Tampa, Temple Terrace) within Hillsborough County. In addition, grants are available to neighborhoods in unincorporated Hillsborough County for tree-planting, low-irrigation and clean-up. Previous grant-funded projects include shrub and flower planting, subdivision entrance signs, playground equipment, neighborhood festivals, crime watch programs, Web sites, newsletters, education activities and more.

Those that are interested in applying for the grant must attend one of the orientation classes offered throughout Hillsborough County.  

• Tuesday, July 6, 6:30 p.m. Brandon Regional Service Center, 311 Pauls Drive, Brandon, FL 33511
• Thursday, July 8, 6:30 p.m. Bruton Memorial Public Library, 302 McLendon St., Plant City, FL 33563
• Thursday, July 15, 6:30 p.m. Town N’ Country Commons Public Library, 7606 Paula Drive, Tampa, FL 33615
• Monday, July 19, 6:30 p.m. Lutz Branch Library, 101 Lutz-Lake Fern Road, Lutz, FL 33548
• Wednesday, July 21, 10 a.m. SouthShore Regional Service Center, 410 30th St. S.E., Ruskin, FL 33570
• Thursday, July 22, 6:30 p.m. County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd, First Floor, Office of Neighborhood Relations, Tampa, FL 33602

Mini-grant applications will be accepted through Friday, Aug. 13, 5 p.m. via drop-off, mail or fax:

• Drop off or mail (must be postmarked by Aug. 13) to: Office of Neighborhood Relations, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., First Floor, Tampa, FL 33602
• Fax: 813-276-2621

Additional information about the grants can be obtained from the Office of Neighborhood Relations at 813-272-5860 and at the website: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/onr.  The web site also has the application for the grant.

ABCNews.com reports that there is a new at home fertility test that lets men know there sperm count. I first read about it on abcnews.com. The product SpermCheck, was approved by the FDA and will be available online starting this July and then available in local pharmacies later. According to the articles there was another sperm check on the market, but is was less accurate because it measure protein in the semen, instead of the amount of cells found in the semen. It is promoted as a way to get men that are hesitant about going to the doctor a little insight in their fertility. Doctors do say that the sperm count is not the only thing to consider when diagnosing male fertility. There are other issues that may need to be evaluated by a doctor.

Hopefully this will be a benefit to the many people that would make wonderful parents. Beyond the fertility issue, it is amazing how far technology has come that there is now a home sperm count kit. This makes me hopeful for the scientific breakthroughs that will be coming in the near future

One thing you have to say about Oprah is that when she gives she gives big. As a gift to commemorate 10 years of O Magazine, Oprah gave the magazine staffer $10,000 and an IPAD. She is a super generous employer; sometimes it is even hard to get your own sick days from your employer. Years ago she gave away new cars to her entire audience and had everyone wishing they were there that day to get the free keys. Oprah’s Christmas special where she showcases her favorite things and gives away tons of free gifts have people salivating to get tickets to that show.

She has been successful in her magazine and her talk show; it will not be a surprise to see her new network succeed. It is like she has the Midas touch. Everything she puts her hands on seems to turn to gold.

The City of Lakeland is offering swim lesson for kids 6 months and older. City residents can get a 2 week session of swim lessons for $40. The swim lessons will be offered at Gandy Pool and Simpson Pool.

For additional information call the Gandy Pool at 863-834-3157.

For those that do not live in Lakeland, other local city and county recreational departments are offering swimming lessons this summer. You can also check with your local YMCA for group and individual swimming lessons for children and adults.

Friday, June 18^th ,is National Flip Flop Day and visitors to Tropical Smoothies can receive a free smoothie. Wear flip flops into Tropical Smoothie and you can get a free 24 oz. Jetty Punch Smoothie. There are several Tropical Smoothie locations throughout Tampa Bay.

Source: National Flip Flop Day Free Smoothie

We recently posted about Parents magazines’ cute kid cover contest, but kids are not the cute one running around the house. AAA wants to see pictures of you cute pet on vacation for their PetBook photo contest.  

This vacation, be sure your plans also include capturing some photos of your pet enjoying safe travel. Each year, two entries from the AAA PetBook Photo Contest are selected to appear on a cover of the next edition of The AAA PetBook. The “Best in Travel” winner will also receive $300, pet treats, five copies of the book and a $150 Best Western Travel Card usable worldwide. The second-place winner will receive $150, pet treats and two copies of the book. Photos and completed forms must be received by Nov. 30, 2010. Check The AAA PetBook for details, or access official contest rules, an entry form and the contest photo gallery at AAA.com/PetBook.

Parents Magazine is holding a cover contest online.   The child does not have to be a baby, like many other cover contests.  It is open to kids that are ages 3 months to 6 years.  You can submit six of your child’s photos online. Official judges for the contest will select 9 semifinalists.   A 10^th semifinalist will be chosen from Parents magazine web site visitors.  In August all 10 semifinalists will fly to New York for a professional photo shoot.  Judges will select the finalist to be on November’s cover of Parents magazine.

You have until June 19^th to enter the contest at Parents magazine website.

Many children go without meals during the summer months, and during the school year the only guaranteed meals are the ones that they receive at school.   Hillsborough County Schools will be offering free breakfast and lunch at school sites where at least half the children in the surrounding areas get free or reduced meals during the school year.   The “Summer Food Service Program for Children” will be Monday through Thursday from June 14^th to August 6^th. 

The program is similar to the National School Lunch Program. It provides nutritionally balanced meals to children regardless of race, color, sex, disability, age, or national origin during the summer vacation when school breakfast and lunch are not available. All children 18 years old and younger are eligible for a breakfast and lunch at no charge, regardless of whether they are enrolled in summer school.

Hillsborough County Schools has provided a list of the schools and times for the free lunch and breakfast program.  There are many different locations throughout Hillsborough County.

Ace Hardware stores and INK-O-DEM are teaming up to provide free inkjet refills at select Ace Hardware stores throughout Tampa Bay. Each customer can go into a designated ACE Hardware store during regular business hours and receive one free inkjet refill on a color or black inkjet cartridge.

Date and Locations of Free Ink Cartridge Refills:

• June 2 – 8 at Bloomingdale ACE Hardware in Brandon
• June 5 – 12 at Vision ACE Hardware in Dunedin
• June 9 – 15 at Gavins ACE Hardware in Fort Meyers
• June 18 – 24 at Temple Terrace ACE Hardware in Temple Terrace

Other states that will be or already participating in the Free Ink Day are: Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, and Nevada.

You can contact the participating ACE Hardware for specifics about this special. Refilling cartridges is a smart way to cut down on waste. The fact that you can do it for free during this promotion makes it even smarter.

Free Ink Day from INK-O-DEM and ACE Hardware stores

Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg during a Tampa Bay Rays baseball game

Family Fun Days are on Sundays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. During these days there are special activities for the children and giveaways for the first 10,000 children 14 and under. Children also get to run the bases after the game.

The Tampa Bay Rays are giving away family 4 packs of tickets to baseball games during Family Fun Days. Details of the entry dates and sweepstakes deadline are available on the Tampa Bay Rays website. There are separate sweepstakes and entry periods for each of the Family Fun Days baseball games. Each Family Fun Day sweepstakes has multiple possible winners and the amount of prize giveaways varies with each sweepstakes. The first sweepstakes was from March 29, 2010 to April 2, 2010 for the April 5^th game the Rays had against the New York Yankees. The last sweepstakes is September 13, 2010 to September 17, 2010 for the September 20, 2010 game against the Seattle Mariners. There are several Family Fun Days sweepstakes between those times. So, you have multiple opportunities to win a 4-pack of tickets to see the Tampa Bay Rays on Family Fun Days.

Regal Entertainment Group is returning with their free summer movies.  On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10 am select Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theatres will be offering the free movies during the summer months.  These are all previously in theater titles that are rated PG or G.  The movies that will be shown vary by theater.  You can visit the Regal Entertainment Group web site to view participating theaters and their Free Family Film Festival schedule of movies.  AMC theaters is also offering a summer movie special with $1 movies at participating AMC theaters.

Once again you will be able to watch movie for $1 at AMC theaters.  During Tuesday mornings this summer movie goers can purchase $1 tickets for select children movies.  Like other summers these are movies that were previously in theaters and now are available on DVD.  But $1 is great movie price and it does give the kids something to do. 

Participating Theaters in the Tampa Bay Area

• Tampa
• Regency Square 20
• Sarasota 12
• Veterans Expressway 24
• Woodlands 20

Movies for AMC Summer Moviecamp:

• June 15, 2010      “Shrek The Third” (PG)
• June 22, 2010      “Imagine That” (PG)
• June 29, 2010      “Monsters vs. Aliens” (PG)
• July 6, 2010         “Madagascar” (PG)
• July 13, 2010       “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” (PG)
• July 20, 2010       “Hotel for Dogs” (PG)
• July 27, 2010       “Kung Fu Panda” (PG)
• August 3, 2010    “The Spiderwick Chronicles” (PG)
• August 10, 2010    Surprise Mystery Title

AMC Summer Moviecamp

Ernest Coe Visitor Center in the Florida Everglades

National Parks are offering free admission this weekend and several other days throughout the rest of this year.    If you cannot make it this weekend then you can get free admission August 14^th and 15^th, September 25^th, and November 11^th.  According to the National Park Service’s web site 245 national parks have free admissions throughout the year.  The other 147 national parks charge fees that range from $3 to $25.  

You can visit the National Park Service’s web site for a list of the national parks having the fee free day. 

 National Park in Florida participating are:

• Canaveral National Seashore
• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Everglades National Park
• Gulf Islands National Seashore

For only $35, kids ages 18 and younger get unlimited transportation on PSTA all summer long. (Excludes the 100X and 300X routes to Tampa.) That comes out to less than $2.40 a week for unlimited rides!

This is a great deal for teens that do not have a car or license. They can travel to friends, the mall, and beaches without worrying about the cost. Even those teens with a car can park it for a while and take the bus to save on gas.

For a list of outlets or to purchase Haul Passes online, go to http://www.PSTA.net. Kids will need a school or government-issued ID (showing age) to use the Haul Pass or they can get a PSTA Youth ID with proof of age at any PSTA terminal. Haul Passes are valid from May 15 through August 31.

You can try a free Chik-fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich.  You can go online to http://www.getspicychicken.com/ to make your reservation. You will be able to pick the available date, time and location for picking-up your free sandwich. The promotion runs from May 31^st to June 5^th. Each location has a set amount of sandwiches available. Some Chik-fil-A locations have already filled all their reservations, so if you want one you should make your reservations now.

Chick-fil-A® Spicy Chicken Sandwich is hand-breaded, seasoned with a fiery blend of several peppers, pressure-cooked in 100 percent refined peanut oil and served on a toasted buttered bun with dill pickle chips. The Spicy Chicken Sandwich starts at $2.99 and is also offered in a “deluxe” version that includes lettuce, tomato and Pepper Jack cheese for $3.59.