Life In A Day: Tampa Bay

The following is a great video that was filmed this past summer by multimedia journalist Ryan Bauer as a submission for YouTube's "Life In A Day" film that is set to be released this year. This may be old news, but I thought this was a beautiful and artistic way of showing what Tampa Bay has to offer.

Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest 2011

Hot off the recent signing of Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, the Tampa Bay Rays will hold their annual Fan Fest on February 19, 2011. The event will be held from 10am to 5pm at Tropicana Field. Parking and admission are both free!

Some highlights of the event will be:

• Free autographs from Rays players and coaches with donation to Rays Baseball Foundation.
• Free autographs from Rays TV announcers and more than two dozen former MLB players.
• Purchase game-used and autographed memorabilia at the Rays Yard Sale.
• Kids can have a story read to them by Rays players at the "Reading With the Rays" area.
• TV32 Kids Interactive Zone with wiffle ball home run derby, speed pitch booth and more.
• Discussion panels with Rays Broadcasters and special guests.
• MetroPCS Call-A-Friend Stage where you can get the chance to have a Rays players call one of your friends.

For more information, visit the Rays website.

Hot Date in the Hot Shop

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it is the perfect time to plan for the perfect date. After visiting the Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg, I found out about the glass studio & hot shop at the Morean Arts Center. At the hot shop, you can witness local glass artists demonstrate how to blow glass into original pieces of art.

If you are hands-on or artistic, then the Hot Date in the Hot Shop series by the Morean Arts Center would be a great date to try. This series gives you the opportunity to observe special demonstrations and participate in glass blowing activities. You also get the chance to create your own piece of glass art! If you are interested in making a reservation, do so quickly because there is only space for 5 couples per date and I hear the slots go quick.

Program Dates (Fridays)
Dates: January 28, February 11 (Perfect for Valentine's Day) & 25, March 11 & 25, April 8 & 29, May 6 & 27 (Use link below for future dates)
Time: 6-9 PM
Cost: $75 per Couple
Click here for more information or to book.

If you want to have this experience without the date, the Morean Arts Center Hot Shop also has a Personal Glass Experience.

See more date ideas.

My Rays, Your Rays

Although I am loving the success the Tampa Bay Lightning are having so far this season, I can't help but look forward to baseball season and supporting our Rays. I came across this video on The Rays Republic and thought I would share it with all of you. These young Rays fans were very creative with this song and makes me feel excited about the future support of the franchise. Great job Jonathan, Isabella & Nicolas!

Win Tampa Bay Lightning Tickets

Coming of an impressive 2011 season, the 2012 edition of the Tampa Bay Lightning look to push even further. Below is a list of various contests and sweepstakes that give you a chance at winning tickets to see the Bolts play in the revamped St. Pete Times Forum!

Mix 100.7 Contest
Win a Family 4 Pack to see the Lightning take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 22.
Drawing: Unknown
Enter Here

US 103.5 Contest
Win a Family 4 Pack to see the Lightning take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 22.
Drawing: Unknown
Enter Here

93.3 Contest
Win two tickets to see the Lightning play the Penguins on November 17.
Drawing: Unknown
Enter Here

Feel free to comment on any other Tampa Bay Lightning contests that you find below!

You may also enjoy: Tampa Bay Contests & Sweepstakes

Tampa Bay Bucket List

This is my Bucket List of things YOU HAVE to do in the Tampa, St, Petersburg, Clearwater area. If you think something is missing, comment below and I will add it.

Splitsville Tampa, FL

• Walk the world's longest sidewalk.
• Visit the world's largest bowling pin.
• Eat at Florida's oldest restaurant (also world's largest Spanish restaurant).
• Take in the Gasparilla invasion and parade.
• Win some money at the Hard Rock Casino.
• Watch a home game for all of Tampa Bay's major pro sports (Ray's, Bucs & Lightning).
• Watch a home game for all of Tampa Bay's minor pro sports (FC Tampa Bay, Storm, Breeze).
• Watch a minor league baseball game (Yankees, Threshers, Etc.).
• Watch a home game for all of Tampa Bay's College Sports (USF, UT)
• Eat at Bern's Steakhouse.
• Visit the new Dali Museum.
• Visit the world's largest shuffle board club.
• Visit the spots where movies were filmed in the Tampa Bay area.
• Visit the St. Pete Pier.
• Ride Sheikra at Busch Gardens.
• Learn something new at MOSI.
• Tour the Lowry Park Zoo.
• Shop the Saturday Morning Market in St. Pete.
• Get close to the sharks at the Florida Aquarium.
• Jump out of a plane.
• Fish off the world's largest fishing piers.
• Have a cigar in Ybor City.
• Visit the big white tower that you can see from I-275.
• Tour the Yuengling Brewery.
• Walk the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks.

Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks

• Bet on Dog Racing and Horse Racing.
• Visit Fort De Soto Park.
• Sun bathe on one of the area's many beaches.
• Bike the Pinellas Trail.
• Look at some fancy glass sculptures.
• Stroll the Sunken Gardens.
• Watch the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
• Watch the Outback Bowl and Beef O'Brady's Bowl.
• Take in the Plant City Strawberry Festival.
• Take a ride on a pirate ship.
• Dance to Thriller on the St Pete Pier (Annual Event).
• Visit the Manatee Viewing Center.
• Visit the world's smallest park.
• Eat at the Original Hooters Restaurant.

Tampa Bay's Ultimate Guys Night Out

Have a night planned out with the guys but don't know what to do? How about combining two of your favorite things; Football & Girls!

If this sounds good to you, then you have to go check out your Tampa Breeze of the Lingerie Football League. Lingerie Football is a 7-on-7 "arena football" style game where the players are wearing lingerie. Don't worry though because these players look nothing like your Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Tampa Breeze roster is full of modelesque ladies that really know how to play football. I have been surprised on several occasions with how hard they hit!

The games are held at the St Pete Times Forum, so you are not far from places like The Luxury Box or Channelside to have a few drinks before or after the game. The Breeze have their final regular season home game on Thursday, January 13th (9 PM) but with a 3-0 record you can probably expect a playoff home game soon after.

If you haven't decided to check out a Tampa Breeze game after reading this post, then maybe this will change your mind...

Win 2011 Super Bowl Tickets in Dallas

Even though the Bucs will not be in the playoffs it doesn't mean you can't enjoy the biggest game of the year! Click the link below to enter to win tickets to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas, Texas.

NOTE: These contests have ended but you can try your shot at winning Super Bowl XLVI Tickets in Indianapolis (2012)!

Good luck!