Tampa Bay Parent

It is time to party and ring in the New Year.

Aqua-Eve New Year’s Eve Bash

Celebrate New Year at the Tampa’s Florida Aquarium. This is for adults 21 and older
Time: 9p.m.-1a.m.
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TBPAC’s New Year’s Eve Party

Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center New Year’s Eve Celebration features dinner and an after Party

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Noon Year’s Eve at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo

Wednesday, December 31 from 9:30-1:00 p.m.
Countdown to noon with Radio Disney AM 1380 in celebration of the new year!

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New Year’s Eve at The St. Petersburg Pier

Several Events for kids and some just for adults are happening at the St. Petersburg Pier. It will be day of many different events.

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Sky Dive on New Year’s Eve at Skydive City in Zephyrhills

MIDNIGHT Night Jumps, organized by TK & Marius

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If you have an event you will like posted about 2008 New Year’s Eve, please let us know in a comment.

This is not the first year that Brett Favre knows if he wants to come back to football. He has been doing it for years. Last year he actually did retire-for a few months. He came back to the New York Jets instead of the Green Bay Packers because the Packers have had enough.

When he wanted to come out of retirement and go back to the Packers I didn’t understand why the Packers would not take him back. He was great quarterback that still had some mileage left in him. But now I know that Packers were just tired of the old “I don’t know if I will be coming back to the NFL next year” song and dance.

The Jets now have to go through that whole song and dance with Favre. They not only don’t know who their starting quarter back will be next year but they also are going to be without a head coach. Brett Favre should swallow his pride or whatever is making him so indecisive and go back to the Jets next year. The other players and fans deserve at least that much after sacrificing so much to bring him to New York.

Who would have thought that the Dolphins would be where they are today. Well I did. You can only be down so long before you get yourself back up. Like Deshawn Snow from the Real Housewives of Atlanta, the Miami Dolphins are destined for greatness. I am not just saying that because they are my hometown team. Yeah, I grew in Miami singing “Miami Dolphins! Miami Dolphins! Miami Dolphins Number One.” But they just had so much unearthed potential that Bill Parcells was able to dug up.

On the Parcells note, you can never discount the man. He seems to have NFL fairy dust that he sprinkles on every team he coaches or manages.

It will be great if the Dolphins could make it to the Super Bowl, but I think making it to the playoffs after being shutout for almost a decade is almost enough We do know that Parcells and the Dolphins will not settle for the playoff-they have their eyes set on a Super Bowl ring. If they do make it to the Super Bowl, this will be a team that will be talked about for years to come.

City of Tampa is holding true to the “Recycle, Reuse and Reduce” Beginning January 5^th, Trees placed curbside will be picked up by the City’s Solid waste department.

Trees must be bare (no ornaments, lights or tree stands), and should be placed curbside for removal beginning January 5, 2009. Residents currently receiving yard waste recycling service will have their trees removed in conjunction with their regularly-scheduled yard waste collection. Areas not receiving yard waste recycling service will have their trees picked up on Thursday, January 8 and Friday, January 9, 2009. Residents also have the option of disposing of their trees at the Manhattan Brush site, or at the McKay Bay Waste-to-Energy Facility. Trees will be ground up and the resulting chips used as mulch.

Source: City of Tampa Solid Waste

The Sarasota County Health Department’s 40 foot mobile medical unit, Health In Motion’s will visit 15 locations throughout north Sarasota, Laurel, Nokomis, Venice, Englewood and North Port during December.

The sites that Health In Motion staff visit each month were selected in an effort to bring basic health services to more residents with Medicaid, without health insurance or who do not have transportation,” said the program’s coordinator Tim Thompson, RN. The services offered include blood pressure, and diabetes education and screening, HIV testing, pregnancy testing, tuberculosis skin testing, adult immunizations, health education, and eligibility screening as part of assisting people in locating a permanent health care provider. Senior Friendship Center volunteer physicians provide basic medical care when the mobile unit visits the Salvation Army. No appointment is needed. A registered nurse is available at all other Health In Motion locations.

Some services are free including the rapid OraQuick HIV testing method which provides preliminary test results in 20 minutes. Other services will be offered on a sliding fee scale based on income. Community AIDS Network (CAN) and Coastal Behavioral Healthcare also provide specialized services.

December Schedule

North Sarasota

Monday, Dec. 1 and 29; 9:30 a.m. to Noon

McCown Center – Sarasota Housing Authority

1300 Boulevard of the Art, Sarasota 34236

Monday, Dec. 1, 15 and 29; 1 to 3 p.m.

La Canasta Market

2268 Fruitville Road, Sarasota 34237

Thursday, Dec. 4, 11 and 18; 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Salvation Army

1400 Tenth St., Sarasota 34236

Monday, Dec. 8 and 22; 9:30 a.m. to noon

Selby Goodwill Jobs Center

1781 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Sarasota 34234

Monday, Dec. 8 and 22; 1 to 3 p.m.

Newtown Estates Park

2800 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota 34234

Monday, Dec. 15; 9:30 a.m. to Noon

Orange Ave. Housing Authority Property

1912 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota 34234

Laurel

Saturday, Dec. 17; 1 to 5 p.m.

Laurel USDA Food Distribution

Sandra Sims Terry Community Center

509 Collins Road, Laurel 34272

Nokomis

Wednesday, Dec. 17; 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Community Pharmacy of Sarasota County

225 Tamiami Trail South Nokomis 34275

Venice

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 16 and 30; 9:30 a.m. to Noon

Goodwill Center – The Rialto

650 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice 34285

Tuesday, Dec, 2, 16 and 30; 1 to 3 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity Retail Store

1400 Ogden Road, Venice 34285

January Schedule

North Sarasota

Monday, Jan. 5; 9:30 a.m. to noon

Selby Goodwill Jobs Center

1781 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Sarasota 34234

Monday, Jan. 5; 1 to 3 p.m.

Newtown Estates Park

2800 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota 34234

Thursday, Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29; 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Salvation Army

1400 Tenth St., Sarasota 34236

Monday, Jan. 12; 9:30 a.m. to Noon

Orange Ave. Housing Authority Property

1912 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota 34234

Monday, Jan. 12 and 26; 1 to 3 p.m.

La Canasta Market

2268 Fruitville Road, Sarasota 34237

Monday, Jan. 26; 9:30 a.m. to Noon

McCown Center – Sarasota Housing Authority

1300 Boulevard of the Art, Sarasota 34236

Nokomis

Wednesday, Jan. 21; 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Community Pharmacy of Sarasota County

225 Tamiami Trail South Nokomis 34275

Laurel

Wednesday, Jan. 21; 1 to 5 p.m.

Laurel USDA Food Distribution

Sandra Sims Terry Community Center

509 Collins Road, Laurel 34272

Venice

Tuesday, Jan. 13 and 27; 9:30 a.m. to Noon

Goodwill Center – The Rialto

650 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice 34285

Tuesday, Jan. 13 and 27; 1 to 3 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity Retail Store

1400 Ogden Road, Venice 34285

Source:
Sarasota County Health Department

It is almost the New Year and there are going to be some old resolutions. Reducing some of the junk in the truck is the top of many people’s list. Losing weight is not that easy or there wouldn’t be so many companies and products dedicated to that one thing.

This year budgets are already thin so spending on weight loss products and gym memberships is going to be low.

You can get some great weight loss on a budget.

1. Take walks. You can walk around the mall, walk around the park. Just walk

Adding 15 minutes of moderate exercise, say walking one mile, to your daily schedule will use up 100 extra calories per day. (Your body uses approximately 100 calories of energy to walk one mile, depending on your body weight.) Maintaining this schedule would result in an extra 700 calories per week used up, or a loss of about 10 pounds in one year, assuming your food intake stays the same.

So you can see the more you walk to the more calories you burn. Park farther away from in the parking lots. Take the stair instead of the elevator. All these are common sense suggestions that you have heard before, but you just have to apply it.

2. Swim. There are some places that require you to use a membership to swim in their pools, but many pools run by local park and recreation all free access. You have to check with your local park and recreation department to get the specifics. If you have a pool in your home you know there is no excuse to not get moving.

3. Dance. Dancing is fun and your body is moving. Put on some music that gets you body pumping and start shaking your groove thang. You might rock out to “Elmo’s World” or the Rolling Stones, but just get going.

There are so many ways to burn calories. The point is to get moving and move as much as possible.

Source: fitness.gov

The playoffs are looming and the Buccaneers’ chances of making the playoffs are growing thin. A win on Sunday against the Raiders will not be enough to clinch a playoff spot. Buccaneers’ fans will be sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for the end of the Eagles vs. Cowboys game this Sunday. We need the Eagles to stomp the Cowboys and the Buccaneers to take care of business against the Raiders for the Buccaneers to get their playoff spot.

If the Buccaneers get into the playoffs they can be inspired by last year’s New York Giants team. The Giants won three road playoff games to make it to the Super Bowl. If the Buccaneers can accomplish the same feat this year, they will be in store for a home game for the Super Bowl. That would make history because no team has played a Super Bowl game in their home stadium and if any team should make history like that it should be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

So this Sunday I will rooting for the Buccaneers at 1 p.m. and then the Eagles at 4.

Disposing of your electronic in the regular trash can be dangerous for the environment. On February 17, 2009 we will switch to digital and many people will switch to a new television set and want to dispose of their old one. In anticipation of a high number of residents disposing of their electronic items, the city of Tampa is having an Electronics Collection Day on January 10, 2009.

The City’s Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management is coordinating an Electronics-Only Collection Day on Saturday, January 10, 2009 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 4010 W. Spruce Street. This collection day is in addition to the pre-existing biannual Household Chemical and Electronics Collections that are held on the last Saturday of April and October.

The following items should not be put in the trash:

 

NOTE: Before getting rid of any electronics, please consider fixing a broken item or donating a working item to family, friends, or charity.

The following electronics are generally NOT hazardous and may be disposed of in the regular trash.

 

Lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants are among the substances of concern in electronics. These substances are included in the products for important performance characteristics, but can cause problems if the products are not properly managed at end of life.

Lead is used in glass in TV and PC cathode ray tubes as well as solder and interconnects; older CRTs typically contain on average 4 lbs of lead (sometimes as much as 7 lbs in older CRTs), while newer CRTs contain closer to 2 lbs of lead.

Mercury is used in small amount in bulbs to light flat panel computer monitors and notebooks.

Brominated flame retardants are widely used in plastic cases and cables for fire retardancy; the more problematic ones have been phased out of newer products but remain in older products.

Cadmium was widely used in ni-cad rechargeable batteries for laptops and other portables. Newer batteries (nickel-metal hydride and lithium ion) do not contain cadmium.

Source: Tampagov.net, epa.gov

It is not the night before Christmas but time is winding down to the big day, but thankfully we still have gift cards. With the closure of so many companies you may be a little weary about giving out a gift card; however gift cards can still be great gift for those that you cannot find a gift for.

If you don’t want to give a specific gift card you may consider give a generic gift card to a mall. You can usually purchase a mall gift card at the customer service desk and those gift cards are generally good for all the stores in the mall. Check to find the official rules for using that gift card. Many years ago when the mall used to give gift certificates instead of gift cards I ran into a problem with a sales clerk saying my purchase was too small.

Another gift card could be from the grocery store. Everyone needs to eat and anyone you give it to is going to use it. I really like get grocery store gift cards because the holiday dinners are usually at my home and I have spend a little extra at the grocery store around this time of the year.

While we have grocery stores on the brain, grocery stores like Publix are stocked full of gift cars for different stores. This does point to the convenience of purchasing a gift card. You can get a gift card from grocery stores, and drug stores like CVS. If you are on the run and have no time to battle the crowds at the mall and big stores you can pick up a gift card while doing some grocery shopping or stopping by the corner drug store.

Yeah gift cards are convenient, but you are thinking about how impersonal they may be. Gift cards are better than you picking an item that you have no idea whether that person will like or not. Pick a gift card from a place that you know that person really likes and get that card. You have a whole year to think about a personal gift you can give next Christmas.

Despite the economy and the Nintendo Wii being out for some time now, the Wii is still a top seller for the holiday season. Some items just have that pull on people and the Wii is one of them. What has added to its pull is probably the fact that it has had so many more additions that are attractive to both children and their parent.

Wii Fit has taken on a popularity of its own. May it go to show that people don’t necessarily want to be couch potatoes? Our bodies were meant to move and move it does with the Wii. The Biggest Loser fitness guru, Jillian Anderson is a part of the Wii world also. She has the Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009 that is supposed to whip you into shape in the comfort of your own.

There are little spinoffs of the Wii Sport that are made by some off-brand manufacturers. They are usually less than $50 and I don’t know how they compare to the real Wii system. Of course when you find something that is grabbing the consumers by the wallet there has to be some imitation product chasing its skirt tail.

I am the first to tell you that you shouldn’t buy everything at Dollar Tree. But they do have some great deals on items that you can find elsewhere for more.

Dollar Tree has deals on books for adults and kids. Many of the children books feature some of the popular characters from television. I have been able to get books that feature Elmo and other Sesame Street characters, Disney Princesses, Tinker Bell, Toys Story, Alladin, and Winnie the Pooh.

Also, there are gifts bags that you have to purchase in other stores for much more that you can find for just a dollar. Along with the gifts you can include a great card because many Dollar Trees sell the cards for any occasion 2 for a $1.

No. I am not a Dollar Tree spokesperson, but I am a mom on a budget. I know that some budgets are different from others. On TV we see a lot of deals that mention gifts for kids that are under $50.00., but some people do not have $50.00 to spend on holiday gifts.

Dollar Tree is not the only place that families on a budget can find a deal. You can find great deals at thrift stores and flea markets.

You may not have the every item for Christmas, but I do hope you enjoy the season. If you are going through a rough time, remember that this too shall pass and God Bless you.

We all think of shiny new gifts for the holiday season, but there are some older items that may bring a gleam to your kids’ eyes. Finding a great gift at a consignment shop or thrift store may not be as easy as getting it at the department stores, but it is definitely possible.

I have been able to find some great buys while shopping at thrift stores. It is kinda fun and exciting to return from a thrift store and buy something “gently” used knowing it costs so much more at the department stores.

One time I purchased a little scooter for $5.00 at the thrift store. This was the manual scooters that the kids have to push off on the ground to move. Scooters are not ridiculous amounts of money but it was a great bargain at the time.

After another visit to the thrifts store we were able to purchase roller blades for $3.50. My little girl loved them and I like the deal we received.

Some items look the same no matter if they are used or new. Candles are very popular and you can find a lot of candle holders and decorative items at many of the local thrift stores and consignment shops. Thrift stores also have beautiful vases and figurines that no one will think you bought used.

Not all thrift stores are made the same. Some have better deals than others and there is also differences in how many of them organize their merchandise. I have seen places where the merchandise is thrown around haphazardly and then there are those that have their items neatly organized. No matter how they are organized there are bound to be a good find here and there.

Tampa Bay has many different consignment shops and thrift stores that there is bound to be one near you. So try some out to see you can find some low cost gifts for holiday gift giving.

Although we may have heard about the switch from analog television signals to digital television signals, some folks may not be ready for the change. Stations around Tampa Bay will be doing a DTV tests a few times until the switch to digital is made February 17, 2009. To be able to see most stations at that time, you must have a television that receives digital signals.

Local high powered television stations will be affected by the switch to digital signals. Some low powered television stations will still be available for viewing.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the Low Power Television (LPTV) service in 1982 to provide opportunities for locally-oriented television service in small communities. These communities may be in rural areas or may be individual communities within larger urban areas.

The major stations our area are all high-power and if you want to continue to view the programs on these stations you will need a television that receives digital signals. The first test for digital signal reception was conducted yesterday evening from 6:30 to 6:33 p.m.

By 8 p.m., NBC affiliate WFLA, Channel 8, reported receiving more than 600 calls. Officials at Fox-owned WTVT, Channel 13, logged 320.

It was quieter at CBS affiliate WTSP, Channel 10, which fielded only 30 calls; PBS outlet WEDU, Channel 3, took 32. ABC affiliate WFTS, Channel 28, didn’t have a tally but reported relatively few calls.

“We were surprised at how few calls we received; people apparently are prepared,” says ABC Action News director Doug Culver.

If you have not done so already you can apply for a digital converter box coupon. Make sure that you use your coupon in time before it expires. Each digital converter box coupon issued by the government expires after 90 days. The government will issue up to 2 coupons for $40 each to each household once. Even if you have an unused expired coupon, the government will not issue a new coupon to you. There are converter boxes for various prices. I have yet to see any below $40, but that is not to say that there are not any out there. The lowest I have seen is for $40 and some change, so you probably would have to at least spend a few dollars out of pocket even if you have a coupon.

Some people do not need to get a digital converter box. These are the options for receiving digital signals through your television.

1. Keeping your existing analog TV and purchasing a TV converter box. A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after Feb. 17, 2009. It usually costs between $40 and $70, or
2. Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
3. Purchase a television with a digital tuner.

 

Source: fcc.gov , TBOEXTRA, dtv2009.gov

Qubo will be featuring several animations made by children on its web site. One of those animations was made by a 9 year-old Tampa student that says that one day he would like to become an animator or a NASCAR driver. Well, part of his dreams will come true when his animation that is less than one minute long will premiere on the ion network this Thursday at 3:40 p.m. I am sure that all his fellow classmates will be glued to the television to see what he has created.

Visit http://www.zimmertwins.com/ to make your own online animation. Zimmer Twins is one of the shows broadcast through Qubo.

Source: tbo.com

Although he is serving jail time and suspended from the NFL, there is much talk about where Michael Vick will play if he is allowed to come back to the NFL. One thought is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers he may end up with Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We know that Jon Gruden loves his veteran quarterbacks with proven ability, but will he vie for Michael Vick to come to Tampa Bay. There are a lot of issues surrounding Vick concerning his public image, but not his on field ability. There is also the fact that Atlanta has said they do not want him back, but it is unlikely that they want that much talent going to their NFC south rival.

We may be seeing a situation similar to Brett Favre and his efforts to come back to the NFL. But unlike Vick, Brett Favre did not have to win over fans. Wherever Michael Vick may go he will have to work improve his public image and that will play a key role in who will pick him up as a player.

It seems that everything must go. Kid City is having a garage sale and is selling everything to the public. The facility has closed and the will be moving to the new Glazer’s Children Museum when it opens in 2009.

We have closed our doors after 40+ years and here is your chance to take home a piece of that history. We will have our doors open from 9am – 1pm for this first come, first serve, “Everything Must Go” garage sale. All proceeds will benefit the Glazer Children’s Museum. There will be everything from books to toys, office supplies to furniture for sale. So bring your truck (or borrow a friend’s) and come on down Sat. December 20th!!

7550 North Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602

Saturday, December 20, 2008. 9am – 1pm

Source: glazermuseum.org

Recently, the Falcons have not been able to take flight when playing the Buccaneers. Earlier in the season the Buccaneers beat the 24-9 in Raymond James stadium. This Sunday 9-5 Buccaneers will take on the 8-4 Falcons in Atlanta and the Falcons are looking to exact some revenge on the Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers did not hold up too well against the Panthers in last night’s game. Going into the game, the Bucs wanted to win to be first in the NFC South. The Panthers and the Buccaneers were head to head leading into the 4^th quarter. But in the fourth quarter the Panthers gave the Buccaneers a spanking that the Buccaneers will most likely not forget anytime soon. The Panthers scored 21 points that quarter and won the game 38-23.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What a quandary Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois has himself in now. He has been arrested for trying to sell the senate that was held by President-elect Barack Obama. The governor has the authority to appoint someone to the vacated senate seat and apparently he wanted to line his pockets as well.

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

The affidavit said Blagojevich discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions.

Ironically Blagojevich’s predecessor, former Governor George Ryan, is serving 6 years for federal charges of his own.

Source: tbo.com

Monday, January 12,2009 “NEW YEAR, NEW YOU” OPEN HOUSE –
With New Year’s here, chances are you or someone you know is resolving to lose weight or get in shape. Getting in shape and becoming healthier isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and eating the right foods are lifelong activities. Join us at your local StrollerFit location for a FREE stroller workout, healthy treats and great discounts on classes. Classes located in: Bradenton, Countryside, Downtown St Pete, Hyde Park, Southeast Tampa & Treasure Island. Click on www.strollerfit.com for additional details.