By WAVENEY ANN MOORE, The St. Pete Times
Published May 23, 2007

For the first time since its founding, an international organization that promotes the use of health expectancy research for public policy and planning brought its annual meeting to Florida.
About 45 members of Reseau Esperance de Vie en Sante, or REVES, gathered for three days last week at the TradeWinds Resort on St. Pete Beach. Last year members of the international network met in the Netherlands. Next year’s conference will take place in either Singapore or the Philippines.
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 Florida has many fine places to spend a restful retirement. But if you don’t define retirement as golf, white belts and canasta, then Tampa Bay is the place to go to kick-start a second (or third) act. Read the rest of the story here.
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The F Word & What to do about it!

I am not talking about the 4 letter F word but the 7 letter one.

The short vulgarism has become so commonplace in American daily life that it doesn’t even raise an eyebrow in most social situations, radio shows, or Hollywood movies. But the other F word can still make the most sophisticated and streetwise person blush, squirm, and sob behind locked doors.

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Appearing on Tampa Bay’s Media Talk
May 31, 2007

Media Talk co-hosts Janet Sherer and Rob Tiisler chat with Chief Creative Officer and Executive Editor Kate Sullivan of Word Smitten Media, which provides some snappy patter and exclusive interviews for the book publishing industry. Also meet Marcus Koch and Joe Davison, the producers of the soon-to-be-released horror film "100 Tears," which premieres at Channelside Cinemas and will make its way to the Cannes Film Fest. Media Talk is a live, weekly, global webcast at www.tampabaysmediatalk.com between 6PM and 7PM each Thursday. Segments are available at Google, YouTube, AOL, Yahoo, iTunes and gcast; search word: Media Talk Tampa.

Pinellas Living Green Expo
June 16-17

The second annual Pinellas Living Green Expo provides information, ideas, resources, products and motivation to live more sustainably. Admission is free for attendees. The Pinellas Living Green Expo provides real solutions for people to live better, healthier lives with less impact on the environment. The Expo connects people who are interested in making a positive difference in both their lives and in their communities. Saturday, June 16, 2007, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, June 17, 2007 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Coliseum/Sunshine Center Downtown St. Petersburg. for more info visit http://pinellaslivinggreenexpo.org/ .

YWCA  of Tampa Bay event Combines Purses, Passion 7 Photography
June 9-10

Some women are passionate about their purses; some women will open their purses to give to their passion. The inaugural "Purses & Passion" weekend scheduled for June 9-10, 2007 will combine these motivations to benefit those who need it most - the thousands of women, children and families served by the YWCA of Tampa Bay. "Purses & Passion" will feature an evening Photo Exhibit of 100 women from all walks of life and their purses at TheStudio@620 (620 1st Avenue South, St. Petersburg) on Saturday, June 9 from 6-9 PM and an afternoon Bruncheon at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club on Sunday, June 10 from 1-3 PM. The Saturday Photo Exhibit is the same evening as the downtown St. Petersburg Second Saturday Gallery Walk. Admission is free to both events. Reservations are required for the Sunday bruncheon by contacting 727-896-4629, ext. 31.For more information, visit the "Purses & Passion" website at www.pursesandpassion.org.

 Inkwood Books Celebrates Cancer Survivors
June 3, 1-5 PM

Inkwood Books is thrilled to celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day. On Sunday, June 3rd, from 1-5, they will honor cancer survivors - or anyone wearing yellow, in a wristband or elsewhere - with a 15% discount on their purchase. Contact: Carla Jimenez or Leslie Reiner at 813-253-2638 or email: inkwoodbks@aol.com or visit the Inkwood Books website: www.inkwoodbooks.com.

Les Fauves: Through the Looking Glass
June 15, 7-10 PM
 
The artistry of Marlene Rose beckons you to unlock your own imagination at the Gulf Coast Museum of Art Galleries Les Fauves Members FREE, Non-Les Fauves Members $10. $15 Materials Fee to participate in optional Glass Project. Enjoy networking cocktails featuring the GCM-artini, gelato station, live entertainment, exhibition by glass sculptor Marlene Rose, on view through July 15. RSVP to psriram@gulfcoastmuseum.org or call 727-518-6833 ext. 207.

Advances in Robot Design and Applications Explored at USF Robotics Conference
May 31-June 1

A group of dancers using robotic devices, including people with disabilities, will perform in a showcase at the 20th annual Florida Conference on Recent Advances in Robotics, May 31-June 1 at the University of South Florida. The showcase, also to include various robotics projects, videos and poster (research) sessions, is free and open to the public and slated for May 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the lobby of the USF College of Education. Mobile and humanoid robots, biomedical and assistive robots, robot design and modeling, and robotic applications and software development are among the focus areas at the conference. Conference sessions are restricted to registered conference participants. Regular registration is $80; student registration is $30; and registration is free for high-school teachers of robotics. On-site registration is slightly higher. For more information on the conference, go to http://fcrar2007.eng.usf.edu/ or contact conference organizers by writing to fcrar2007@gmail.com

Art Institute of Tampa: First Student Portfolio Review
June 15, 9 AM-7 PM

Looking for creative talent? The Art Institute of Tampa is hosting its first ever Student Portfolio Review on Friday, June 15th from 9am-7pm — and you’re invited! Come over and enjoy the fun as they celebrate the success of our Spring graduates. Lunch and dinner buffets will be available at Noon and 5pm. Work will be displayed from our Graphic Design, Interior Design, Game Art & Design and Media Arts & Animation programs. No cost to attend. Call 813-393-5368 for additional details. The Art Institute of Tampa, one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with 35 educational institutions located throughout North America, provides an important source of design, media arts, and culinary arts professionals. The Art Institute of Tampa now offers a Bachelor of Arts degree program in culinary management and a Diploma program in Baking & Pastry.  

The Downtown Partnership’s 21st Annual Meeting and Luncheon
June 12, 11:30 AM – 1 PM

The event will take place at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina starting at 11:30 a.m.  The keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Stanley Saitowitz, the architect for the new Tampa Museum of Art.  Mr. Saitowitz will share his vision for the new museum as well as his impressions about downtown Tampa.  Additionally, Chairman Fred Dobbins of SunTrust Bank will pass the gavel to Mr. Bob Glaser of Smith & Associates.  This event is highly attended and is sure to be a hot ticket this year.  Don’t wait until the last minute.  Reservations can be made by clicking here.

Mad Theater Presents Totally Electric!
June 8-24
                       
The 80’s high school show choir musical takes a comical ride back to senior year at Westlake High, circa 1989, as seen through the eyes of the school’s show choir, “The Syncopated Sensations.”  The M.A.D. Theatre of Tampa production runs June 8 – June 24 (Fri.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m.) at The Ritz Theatre, 1503 E. 7th Avenue (formerly the Masquerade), Ybor City, Tampa.

Westshore Alliance to Host Art Reception
June 7, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

On Thursday, June 7, the Westshore Alliance Public Art Committee will host a “meet the artist” reception with the participating artists in the 2nd Annual Expose-Art of Westshore Banner Program.  The reception will be held in the Lobby of the Corporate Center 3 Building, 4221 Boy Scout Boulevard, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Over 100 banners featuring 20 works of art by local artists are on display now along Boy Scout and Kennedy Boulevards, George Bean Parkway at Tampa International Airport and at WestShore Plaza.  Meet the talented artists whose work is featured on the banners, network with other art lovers and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.   Admission is $15 for Westshore Alliance members, $20 for non-members.  Proceeds benefit future public art initiatives in the Westshore district. Call 813-289-5488 or email events@westshorealliance.org for reservations or click here for more information about the event.

Tampa Downtown Partnership to Host Annual Community Forum
May 30, 5 -7 PM

On Wednesday, May 30, the Tampa Downtown Partnership will hold the second annual Community Forum to update the Downtown Vision & Action Plan completed in 2005.  The meeting will be held at the Sam Rampello Downtown Partnership School, at 802 E. Washington Street, across from the school district offices, from 5 PM to 7 PM.  Refreshments will be served. A joint effort of the Partnership and the City of Tampa, the Downtown Vision and Action Plan was a 9 month study of existing conditions and opportunities in downtown, resulting in a set of recommendations for private and public development, and included the charge that the plan should be revisited, adjusted and updated annually.  The original Plan process included input from more than 500 citizens.  As Downtown Tampa grows and continues to change, public input is vital to its success.  All are urged to be involved.

Obesity Summit, Florida Roadmap to Wellness
June 8, 7:30 AM – 3 PM

As part of the Healthy Together wellness initiative, USF will host a regional summit on obesity featuring former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee.  There will be expert reports and community dialogue. Free and open to everyone concerned about mobilizing to end this epidemic.  For more info: www.healthy-together.org/calendar.html. To register: ttorrell@health.usf.edu.THe summit will take place at the Gibbons Alumni Center, USF

TMA’s Pride & Passion 2007: A celebration of Identity
June 8

The Tampa Museum of Artwill kick off Tampa Bay’s Gay Pride Month festivities on Friday, June 8 with Pride & Passion 2007: A Celebration of Identity, an event designed to engage current museum members and broader segments of the community with an evening of art and diverse entertainment.
Russell Rhodes, Anchor, Fox 13, will emcee the evening. Catering provided by SideBern’s,and music provided byDJ JayT  with live performances from two of Tampa Bay’s hottest bands. The museum will present several special exhibitions during the event. Admission is $45 for single tickets, $65 for couples/households and $20 for current museum members. Admission includes a one-year membership to the TMA. Reservations can be made by calling 813/274-7365 or e-mailing TMA-RSVP@tampagov.net. Advance tickets can be purchased online at TampaMuseum.tix.com.

You may subscribe/unsubscribe to this newsletter by clicking here. If you have a story idea, information on an upcoming event or wish to submit a by-lined article, please email Donna Manion .  Please submit events in paragraph form like the formatting in this newsletter. You may include graphics which will be used at the editor’s discretion. If you are having problems receiving this newsletter, contact the CTB webmaster.

Special thanks to this week’s BUZZ volunteers:
Donna Manion, Editor
Deanne Roberts, Creative Contributor
Bob Barancik, Columnist
Sean Kelly, Design and Distribution