Urban Charrette – Effective Advocacy Open Mic Night on Tampa’s Sustainable Future!
March 18, 7:30 – 9:30PM
Please come join us for our Monthly Open Mic Night. This month’s topic is Effective Advocacy. Come and share your experiences and learn more about how to advocate for your cause. Location: Tre Amici at the Bunker – 1907 19th Street North Ybor City How can one bring about change in the community? Is there an issue that is important to you, but you are unsure as to the most effective way to advocate for it? Come join the Urban Charrette for its monthly Open Mic, where we will discuss strategies on how to be an effective advocate in the community.

Ten Steps to Starting Your Own Business
March 17, 7 – 9PM
The Pinellas County Chapter of SCORE (The Service Corps of Retired Executives) will host a free seminar on the Ten Steps to Starting a Small Business at the Tarpon Springs Library at 138 East Lemon Street, Tarpon Springs.  Registrations are requested.  Materials and handouts are provided.  Please stop by or call the Library at (727) 943-4922 to sign up.

Tampa Downtown Partnerships Downtown Debriefing Series presents on IKEA
March 17, Registration – 7:30 AM. Breakfast & Program – 8:00 AM – 9AM
Joseph Roth ,US Public Affairs Ikea Property, Inc.. IKEA Tampa Opens May 6th – Come be among the first to hear about it! The Tampa Club,101 East Kennedy Blvd., Suite 4200, Downtown, Tampa. The most significant retail development ever to hit Tampa will open May 6th on the boundary of downtown.  The 353,000 square-foot IKEA Tampa will feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items home related items.  This international retailer, opening just off Adamo Drive east of the Channel District, will be a major destination and significant economic catalyst. Come hear what IKEA means to Downtown Tampa and what Tampa means to IKEA.  To continue reading, Click Here

Will Gay, Creative Director at Disney’s Yellow Shoes Creative Group
March 19, 11:30 Am – 1:30 PM
Take a walk into the world of Disney advertising with Will Gay, Creative Director at Disney’s Yellow Shoes Creative Group. Disney has always been the master of creating great experiences, even in their advertising. Gay will give us an inside look at the history of this powerful in-house agency, some of the award-winning work and talk about the importance of storytelling to Disney advertising. Will Gay co-leads the creative concept team made up of artist, designers, and writers. Doubletree Tampa Airport, 4500 W Cypress St.Cost: $25 for Active Members; $0 for Corporate Members; $35 for Non-Members
To register, click here or call 813-879-8223.

Pure & Shameless Technology Social. 10th year anniversary!!
March 19, 5:30 to 8 PM
Blue Martini, International Plaza Mall. To Register & more details visit www.HotSpaces.Net/register..asp. Come network with the local tech community. This social is usually attended by all levels of IT – Developers, QA, managers, CIOs, etc. It is an interesting cycle, again, for the local tech community so what better time to get together. Dress is casual, bring cards, ideas, co-workers and be ready to mingle. The HotSpaces.Net site has just been updated with my current local job openings in IT, Marketing, Sales and finance.  Call me if you want to talk in detail on the local job market.

Tampa Live After Five – Downtown
5:30 pm – 8:00PM, Monthly, Every Third Friday through June 18

This popular outdoor concert is the place to be with your friends and coworkers. Enjoy libations, live music, and much more. Click for more information.

Open Wall Night at the Studio @ 620
March 19
Open Wall Night is less than two weeks away! Please mark your calendars and try to make it out. The event is a great way to show support for local artists and help a great charity. Live music, free appetizers, cash bar and more! There’s still a few more spots available if you want to show your work! 6:00 – 9:00pm, Thursday March 19 at the Studio@620, 620 First Ave S, St Pete
See full details and RSVP

My Bust Book at Blue Acier
March 20, 6 – 10PM Opening Reception:
Artist talk with Steve McClure at 7:30 PM
Steve McClure appropriates for this work historic photographic portraits of women in this unique showing.
Exhibition continues through May 2. Gallery Hours: Saturdays 1 – 5 PM and by appointment. For further information contact Erika Schneider; erika@bleuacier.com. 109 West Columbus Drive, Tampa, Tel/Fax: 813-272-9746 www.Bleuacier.Com

Healthy Together UPCOMING EVENTS
• Chalk Walk & Hyde Park Art Show – 3/20
• Healthy Together Wellness Festival – 3/21
• Bike Month & Log Miles for DTLM
• Bayshore Walk – 3/28
For additional information click here

Self Employment in the Arts Conference
March 21, 9 AM –5:30 PM, 8:15 AM Registration

Artists who are working hard to make a living out of their talents should attend the upcoming conference called “Self Employment in the Arts Conference.”  The conference is being held on March 21st at the University of Tampa.  Details about the conference are found by clicking here. http://www.ut.edu/detail.aspx?id=10862, Registration (PDF)

USF LGBT Gala
March 24, 5:45 – 8PM
First LGBT scholarship will be awarded; Betty Castor to deliver keynote address. Growing by leaps and bounds, the annual USF LGBT Community Gala is now in its fifth year and will take place Mar. 24, at Traditions Hall in the Gibbons Alumni Center from 5:45 to 8 p.m.  The event’s theme, “Global Diversity in Action,” is the topic Betty Castor, executive director of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions, will take up in her keynote address.  Castor, former USF president, from 1986 to 1993, now oversees all aspects of the center’s solutions-oriented research projects, and will discuss the importance of inclusionary practices and USF’s role in a global environment.

4th Annual Smart Sustainable 2009
April 2 & 3
To register either or both days click below HILTON CARILLON (Feather Sound) – 950 Lake Carillon Drive, Saint Petersburg. Join key government and business leaders at the 4th annual Smart Sustainable Tampa Bay symposium, as we welcome expert speakers that will give us the big picture on why sustainable building practices are so important to all of us, from corporate and government boardrooms to individuals.
For more information visit  Smart Sustainable Tampa Bay or email Colleenm@tampabay.rr.com

Symbolic Expressions…a One-woman Exhibition of Paintings by Janet Aponte
April 3 – 25
April 5, 2 – 4 pm OPENING RECEPTION – FREE

Artists’ Way Cooperative Gallery
1403 Cleveland St.
Clearwater, FL 33755
Phone: 727-446-1708
Gallery Hours: Wed-Fri 10am–2pm, Saturday 12noon-4pm, or by appt.

Opportunities for Volunteering in Tarpon Springs
The City of Tarpon Springs Department of Cultural and Civic Services is seeking volunteers to assist at its Cultural Treasures sites including; Performing Arts Center, Cultural Center, Safford House Museum, Depot Museum, and Heritage Museum. For those with an interest in the theater, the Performing Arts Center offers professional full-scale productions of dance, theatre, opera, and orchestral works. Ushers are needed throughout the year. Call 727-942-5605.