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Archive for the ‘Entertainment’ Category

When Tennis Meets a Budge

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Now that it’s really coming down to the wire, and the ones who have acted like pros all along reveal their true personalities, the world is observing that they are still absolute pros. There’s something about the game that brings out the best in people. Certainly, everyone has bad moments, and there have been players in history who have more bad moments than others, but the majority of players demonstrate a coolness. At least at times there’s a coolness, and a composure that’s hard to observe in other sports. That makes it tough to call which matches will be the most emotional, even when the French Open schedule is announced.

It seems to be in the history of the game. Players today have a reputation to live up to, and it has nothing to do with them at all, but with the long lineage that is part of the package. Even those who manage to have scored a Grand Slam often demonstrate a grace under pressure that is pretty extraordinary. It could be well argued that it all comes from the first person to ever accomplish that feat, a boy from Oakland, California named Don Budge .

He’s well-remembered, and well-regarded everywhere as one of the great tennis players of all time, if not the greatest. His backhand was a work of sublime grace, and the serve was something else. Coming from a 6 foot 1 inch frame, and one that had been training for baseball and basketball, it had a power that was very difficult to contend with. John “Donald” Budge was offered the chance to go pro, and decided to wait, which was the smartest move perhaps anyone ever made, because the next year, 1938, was the one where all the magic came together and he won the big prizes at all four games.

He suffered a shoulder wound as a soldier in WWII, which cost dearly, but he still played for years after that. When he retired, he also did that as a gentleman, and lead programs that taught tennis to kids. In 1964, the world recongnized his achievements and he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. They don’t make them like that anymore, or perhaps they do.

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The Tampa Theatre

Monday, March 8th, 2010

The Tampa Theatre is one of its historic buildings that is also extremely relevant to the contemporary culture. In fact, it is such a dynamic part of the contemporary society that it was one of the focal points for last night’s Oscar Celebrations. This isn’t the only time of year though that this theatre has anything going on. It is incredibly active and not only shows films but has various programs and presentations and remains a strong aspect of contemporary society while also standing out as one of the city’s historic landmarks. These elements combine to make it one of the more appealing attractions to tourists and the numerous guests who are enjoying comfortable stays in the area hotels.

The theatre dates back to the 1920s when cinemas were being built all across the country and a few of those were designed and constructed in such an elaborate fashion that they were recognized as the grand movie palaces. The Tampa Theatre, designed by the famous theatre architect John Eberson , was one such place and its great dynamic beauty and sophisticated atmosphere linger in its isles, the theatre and front lobby today.

In addition to some of the film presentations and special engagements, tours of this historic theatre are also offered and are extremely popular with the tourists. The tours are incredibly detailed and introduce the participants to the theatre’s history and some of the stories from its early glory days. Meanwhile, up to date events and performances are also discussed as the patrons are guided from the balcony to the backstage area, as the tour title indicates. The theatre can also be rented out, which is a common occurrence and it is frequently the preferred location for special celebrations such as wedding dinners, birthdays and anniversaries. Other companies also rent it to host special presentations and performances.

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Monkeys in Miami

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

It’s hard not to love a monkey.  In the United States, at least, we’ve been enjoying monkeys since childhood, with such kid’s books as Curious George and a whole host of monkey movies — from Tarzan films, to  2001: A Space Odyssey, to Clint Eastwood’s 1978 Every Which Way But Loose — monkeys abound.  We may not know them all by name — Beppo the Super Monkey, Bonzo, Gleek, General Urko, Zira and Cornelius, even the Evil Monkey from Family Guy — but we know they have saturated the popular mass consciousness and most of us love them.  This all points to the good time you can have by actually going to Monkey Jungle in Miami, Florida.

Children at Monkey Jungle gift shop have been known to simply cry out, “Monkeys!” because they can’t stand the fact that they’re this happy.  Inside, you’ll find an interesting twist on the usual zoo-like enclosure.  At Monkey Jungle, you’re the one in a cage, and the monkeys run free to their heart’s content.  This arrangement began back in 1933, when an enterprising man named Joseph DuMond built a ten acre hammock and released six Macaques or Java monkeys from Southeast Asia.  He wanted to build a colony of monkeys, but these first monkeys tended to attack the visitors.  He built a tunnels of wire cages through the hammock  to protect guests, creating one of the few places in the world where monkeys can run wild and the patrons are in the cage.  Those first monkeys grew into a colony numbering well over  a hundred, and there’s dozens of other primate species here, too: orangutans, howlers, spider monkeys, gibbons, even squirrel monkeys.

There is a sign that reminds people that “All Monkeys Bite,” so it’s for the best that the humans are in the cage.  You may find this little monkey haven at 14805 Southwest 216th St, in Miami.  It’s open daily from about nine thirty in the morning to five in the afternoon, but you may want to call first from your hotel, and you can do that here: 305-235-1611.  If you don’t yet have a hotel, find one here at a great price.

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Miami Scene

Friday, February 12th, 2010

When you think of American city scenes with unique flair one of the first to come to mind is Miami. Miami is such a scene. The mix of people in Miami is incredible. It is filled with creativity and life. The music and the party is over the top. This is a place that attracts the rich and famous from all over the world. There is always a good reason to get a great room at one of the incredible hotels around Miami Florida click here.

Some of the people that were born in Miami include actor Sidney Poitier. When he was working the scene he was a true activist for civil rights. The roles he played in movies broke the stereotype of black characters and added much needed credibility to black actors. He was the first black person to take home a Academy Award for Best Actor for the character he played in the movie Lilies of the Field. He went on to star in other popular films like To Sir,with Love, In the Heat of the Night and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. He is considered one of the best male actors of our time.

Eva Mendes is also a native to Miami Florida. She as had a great career as an actor in movies like 2 Fast 2 Furious, Hitch, We Own the Night, The Spirit and the crazy Training Day. Then you have some actors who were born else were and ended up making Miami their home. Don Johnson who is most known for his role in Miami Vice. Andy Garcia moved to Miami with his family from Cuba when he was five. Then there is the entertaining Dwayne Johnson who started as a UM Linebacker and then wrestler, were he got his name The Rock, and now movie star.

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