Dishing with Mark & Carrie 3-20-13

 
The Must Do Event this Weekend.
Hamburger Mary’s GaYBOR Turn-a-bout
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Out & About, Downtown Tampa
    The fun starts in seeing the changing downtown Tampa skyline. Changes from a just few years ago. Now there is ice downtown Tampa? We don’t mean at the St Pete Times Forum either. The “ Downtown on Ice” rink set up for holiday skating is open week days every night and weekends opening at noon. It is a party and challenging feat for the newcomers on the ice rinks. It feels like you are really up north and not in 80 degree weather we are presently having.
    December is a very busy time and a great time to show off our great city to visiting relatives and friends during the holiday season.
    Coming up this weekend is the lighting in the Annual Tampa Christmas Tree Ceremony with Mayor Bob Buckhorn doing the honors of flicking the magical switch! This free event is set for Friday night at 6pm in the Curtis Hixon Water Front Park. Bonuses include entertainment, Magic 94.9 radio personalities, the Downtown Farmers Market being open and the Downtown on Ice rink open for novice and professional skaters. The crazy zany holiday classic movie, ” Christmas Vacation” will be shown outside!
 
 I-4 To Selmon Connector to Open… YES!
    The long last changing truck route that has run through Ybor City is finally opening the beginning of January. The new Toll Road is going to be taking thousands of the truck traffic from I-4 to the Port of Tampa on a new roadway. More than 10 years in the planning the final work and touches are presently going on.
     It is about 1 year over the scheduled opening because of tricky maneuvering around CSX tracks and unexpected bad ground occurrences for the cement pillars.
    FDOT will be re-landscaping the trees, scrubs and bushes. A total reconfigure of traffic, parking, walk crossings and bicycle traffic on the old beaten up  21st & 22nd roads in Ybor City. The major changes are from Adamo Drive up to MLK Blvd. and all from the FDOT budget, Local Community leaders, YCDC Board Members and FDOT directors had work shops and worked on the planning of the new road improvements.
    What a great promising change in Historic Ybor City. Less noise, less dirt, less big tractors and trailers and hopefully smoother roads with less pot holes.
    From the ground view above, it looks gorgeous and a compliment to our area in road construction.
    SPECIAL NOTE: Do you want to run on the new connector Toll road before it opens to traffic?
    A 5K Connector Race is being sponsored by the Port of Tampa and the FDOT at 9:30 am, Dec 28th. Runner registration and info is at www.RunTheConnector5K.com
 
The Perfect Holiday Gift
Help local LGBT Youth as they turn a historic house into an LGBT Welcome center and Coffee House. This will be a safe place for LGBT youth. Located on Central Ave in St. Petersburg, FL.
Click here to take a look at the plans for the Welcome center & Coffee House.
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Metro Wellness & Community Centers
Wreaths for Wellness Project.
Now selling 12 Wreaths. Today thru Dec 12th. These festive wreaths were designed by local artists, florists and organizations. Check them out today on line at http://www.metrotampabay.org/wreaths-wellness/ All proceeds benefit Metro.
 
MC FILM’s Arrival of New SF Music Boxes
    This year more new music boxes arrived from San Francisco Music Box Company. The hundred year old company are one of America’s Best selling and made music boxes for all holiday occasions. It is a gift that doesn’t disappoint!
    5 New limited edition  “Wizard of Oz” themed snow globes, music boxes and wood jewelry boxes for your precious valuables. Also a variety of Horse Carousels, “Phantom of the Opera” and Winter Glittering Snow Globes.
    MC FILM is Open noon everyday and open late Thurs, Fri & Sat until 11 PM!