For the Week Beginning Monday, March 06, 2006
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The keynote speaker for this year’s forum, sponsored by the Tampa Downtown Partnership, is a man who has witnessed first hand the power proper planning can bring to an urban core. Thomas J. Murphy served as Mayor of Pittsburgh from Jan. 1994 through Jan. 2006. When he assumed the position, Pittsburgh was suffering from a severe economic downturn and a deteriorating physical environment. Over the years, he led an astounding transformation into vibrant residential neighborhoods, miles of riverfront public space, jogging and biking trails, new office towers, world-class professional sports facilities and expansion of the city’s convention center. This year the forum also features breakout sessions which will allow participants to gain insight from experts in retail development, livable streets and commuting, attainable housing, arts and cultural development, parks and green spaces, and office and business development. The event will be held this Fri., Mar. 10 from 7:30 AM to noon. For more information and to register, go to http://www.tampasdowntown.com/.

Unrestricted, an exhibition showcasing some of the nation’s finest women craft artists, is planned for the Klein Gallery at Florida Craftsmen in April. These artists are unrestricted by society’s expectations of women, by the art world’s expectations of fine art, by the material definitions of craft. Their work pushes boundaries, questions, confronts and challenges. It is a showcase of female artists both emerging and established whose works are without constraints of function or medium and step outside the mainstream. Instead of the traditional sponsorship opportunities, the gallery is inviting 30 successful business women to sponsor a single artist with a gift of $250. The idea is to hold an exhibition of women supported by other women. The deadline for contributions is this Fri., Mar. 10. Email your questions and intentions to maria.emilia@floridacraftsmen.net.

Every Sunday, the community is invited to a book give-away behind the Four Winds Cafe at New College in Sarasota from 10 AM to 3 PM. All books are completely free and are stamped, “Not for Resale. This is a free book." You do not need to bring books to take books and there is no limit to the number of books you can take. It is first come, first serve. For more information, go to www.studentweb.ncf.edu/freebooks, e-mail brooke.denmark@ncf.edu or call 941-360-5476.

Last week, when the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching released its new classifications for U.S. colleges and universities, the University of South Florida attained the status of Research University, the highest level of classification. Out of 4,321 schools, USF is one of only 95 universities at the highest level of research universities. Of those, 62 universities are public and 33 are private. “This classification puts us in the same company as the top research universities in the nation,” said USF President Judy Genshaft. Other Florida institutions classified as Research Universities are the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of Miami. Details are available at http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/classifications/.

Last week, the Tampa Tribune featured three stories worth noting for all “creatives.”  First, Dr. Stephen Klasko, VP of health sciences for USF, has big plans for developing the region’s biosciences sector. Read “Bioscience Panel Is His New Baby” at http://www.tbo.com/news/money/MGBNGZRVBKE.html. Next, amidst the controversy of preserving Tampa’s remaining cigar factories, the Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research Inc. proves that these historic buildings can even house scientific labs while protecting their architectural integrity. Read about it: http://southtampa.tbo.com/southtampa/MGBG15XZCKE.html. And finally, we in CreativeTampaBay always preach the power of design in differentiating products and brands. Wine columnist Kurt Loft writes that wineries are pouring plenty of innovative ideas into what’s outside the bottle – the design of the label. Read “Wine Design” at http://www.tbo.com/life/food/MGBCVCVT8KE.html.

Pier Giorgio di Cicco, celebrated Poet Laureate of the City of Toronto, will be in Tampa to speak on the topic of arts and culture’s role in defining the soul of a city.  CreativeTampaBay is collaborating with the Tampa Bay Business C

ommittee for the Arts and the Tampa Downtown Partnership to host this very special event, which is graciously underwritten by the law firm of Schumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLC. 

Please join us for a very memorable morning on Friday, March 17, from 7:30 – 9 AM at the University Club on the 38th Floor of One Tampa City Center in downtown Tampa.  The fee is $15 and includes breakfast. Cash or checks made payable to CreativeTampaBay, Inc. should be brought to the door. Registration is required and seats are going fast – please RSVP to Michelle Bauer at mbauer@smgflorida.com.

In today’s world of increasingly busy work schedules, countless after-school activities and a myriad of other daily responsibilities, it has become harder than ever for citizens to enjoy life’s simpler pleasures: a leisurely evening stroll, a pick-up basketball game or even a wave between neighbors. But, organizers of this year’s annual Hillsborough County Neighborhoods Conference on Mar. 11 plan on showing citizens how to rebuild that sense of community by providing tips on making neighborhoods safer, more attractive and ultimately friendlier.

Citizens realize that a strong neighborhood can only exist through a strong and effective organization. Today neighborhood associations are working to combat blight which is common in older neighborhoods, fight drugs which affect all communities, and provide activities for networking among neighbors usually too busy to get to know one another. Beyond simply helping neighborhood leaders find new ways to increase social capital within their neighborhood, the annual conference aims to build social networks between neighborhoods in various parts of Hillsborough County. [read more]

Tunes in the Park
Mar. 6 to 10, 11:30 AM

The St. Petersburg Times tbt* hosts a mid-day gathering of free tunes, free lunch, free kettle corn, contests and giveaways in Lykes Gaslight Park, downtown Tampa. Bands include Jimmy Griswold (blues), Grupo Caribe (Latin), Impulse (reggae), De Lei’ed Parrots (Buffett tribute), Stacey Knights (jazz). For more information, call 813-226-3351.

Music from the Inside Out
Mar. 8, 7:30 PM

Filmed over a period of five years on three continents, this film showing for one night only at the Tampa Theatre is the result of a unique collaboration between the filmmaker and the 105 musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra. The film breaks down the barriers that have separated orchestra musicians and their audiences, and gets to the essence of the magic and the mystery of music itself. Incorporating a blend of well-loved musical works – including classical, jazz, bluegrass, salsa, and world music – the film features one of the most eclectic soundtracks of any recent documentary. For more information, visit http://www.tampatheatre.org/.

The Untold Story of the 1919 World Series
Mar. 9, 7 PM

Susan Dellinger will read and sign her new book at Inkwood Books about the infamous world series between the Cincinnati Reds and the notoriously shamed Chicago White Sox. As granddaughter of the Hall of Fame Reds outfielder and a member of the Society for American Baseball Research, Dellinger brings special insight to the story involving fixes on both teams and corruption in the leagues. Visit http://www.inkwoodbooks.com/ for more information.

Kaleidoscope Festival
Mar. 11, 10 AM to 4 PM

The historic Ballast Point Elementary School will again be the location of this children’s arts and cultural experience. This year there will be two stages, a puppet theatre, a drumming circle, watercolor, clay and hands-on activities. The highlights on the stages include taiko drummers, Philippine Bamboo Instruments, storytellers, puppet theatre, Aboriginal instruments, singers from the Patel Conservatory, African drummers and dancers, a combined choir from five elementary schools, and a special ending with famed folksinger John McCutcheon. For more information, go to www.kaleidoscopefestival.com or contact Robert Rowen at 813-546-9819.

Bad Girls of Bad Art 
Mar. 11, 7 PM

After a one-year hiatus, Bad Art for Bad People will be holding an all girls group show at Kama Gallery in Ybor Heights. For more information and a detailed list of participating artists, visit http://www.badartforbadpeople.com/.

Abilities Wine & Food Festival
Mar. 11, 7 PM

This annual festival features winemakers from Sonoma County, Napa Valley, Italy, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa and other wine regions, with taste treats from area restaurants and auction items. Buy tickets online at www.abilitiesfoundation.com or contact Sandy Liberatore at 727-538-7370, ext. 349.

Sunday in the Arts
Mar. 12, 5 PM

Las Damas de Arte will hold its 20th annual art exhibition featuring female Tampa Bay artists, both amateur and professional. This year’s event includes work in the areas of painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, fiber, sculpture, jewelry and mixed media. Guests will enjoy gourmet delectables, wine tasting, smooth jazz and a silent auction. It will be held at the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery, 310 N. Blvd. in Tampa. Advance admission is $30. Contact Nancy Calfee at 813-258-4241or visit http://www.orgsites.com/fl/lasdamasdearte/ for more information.

Anna Quindlen Speaks
Mar. 13, 5:30 PM

Over the last 30 years, Anna Quindlen’s work has appeared in some of America’s most influential newspapers, many
of its best-known magazines, and on both fiction and non-fiction bestseller lists. She is the guest speaker at Planned Parenthood’s 40th Anniversary Annual Dinner Celebration that is being held at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail. Reservations can be made by calling 941-365-3913.

Use a Car Without the Costs of Owning One
Mar. 15, 12 PM

Carsharing provides an alternate to car ownership for people and businesses. Vehicles are parked in reserved parking spaces throughout downtown. The Tampa Downtown Partnership will hold a session on carsharing to create interest among downtown companies, residents, developers, city staff, transportation planners, neighborhood groups and individuals. This session will be held at the USF Downtown Center located at the Tampa Port Authority building, 1101 Channelside Dr., Room 114. There is free parking at the location and participants are encouraged to travel the TECO Line Streetcar to the Port Authority Station. RSVPs can be made to Karen Kress at 813-221-3686 or send an e-mail to kkress@tpadowntown.com.

Blackout
Through Mar. 26

Produced by Gypsy Productions, this play explores what happens in the psyche of a man who blacks out after drinking too much at a college party, a party where he has been voted Teacher of the Year. Professor Zack Davis teaches creative writing at a community college where he is admired and respected by faculty and students alike. But he has a secret. He has a habit of going online when he’s been drinking and cruising chat rooms looking for male companionship. All performances take place at the Suncoast Theatre, located at the Suncoast Resort, 3000 34th St. S., St. Petersburg. Tickets may be purchased by calling 727-456-0500.

Steel Crazy After All These Years
Through Mar. 30

Hillsborough Community College’s Ybor School of Visual and Performing Arts Gallery presents the work of Plant City contemporary metal artist Monica Naugle. Call Carolyn Kossar at 813-253-7674 for more information.

Opening Reception: Vanishing Heritage
Mar. 10, 6 PM

Florida is changing. One thousand new residents move here each day, 200,000 acres of natural land are being converted to development each year, and Florida’s original character is quietly disappearing. Vanishing Heritage shares glimpses of the real Florida. Beautiful landscape photography is accompanied by visual exploration of Florida’s enduring ranchlands and gulf coast fishing communities, the focus of Carlton Ward’s current projects. Meet the artist at the opening reception taking place at Hoffman Porges Gallery, 1907 E. 7th Ave, Ybor City. RSVP by calling 813-247-2000.

Gallery Walk Features Youth Art
Mar. 11, 1 to 9 PM

The St. Pete Downtown Arts Association will feature the artwork of Pinellas County school children in several of the galleries during the Second Saturday Gallery Walk. A special feature will be the presence of artist and illustrator of children’s books, Bill Farnsworth, at Alla Prima Fine Art, 695 Central Ave. Farnsworth has illustrated the popular American Girl series of young people’s books and will be autographing copies of the books. Gallery guides and listings of special events at each participating gallery will be available on the day of event at all locations. For further information, contact Mary Klein at 727-418-8887 or visit http://www.artspaceartists.com/.

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