Page 7 - Florida Sentinel 7-3-18

Local
Red, White And
Shuffleboard Team Hosts Monthly Championship Tournament
Blue Festival
On July 4th
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Where on the Fourth of July in Tampa can you enjoy magic shows, see the world’s tallest hat, and eat barbecue all while enjoying jazz in the park?
All of the above will be on display Wednesday beginning at 3 p. m. at the third annual Red, White and Blue Festival at Cotanchobee Park.
More than 5,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event, which also marks the sixth year of ‘Jazz in July,’ said festival director, Tash Johnson.
‘Jazz in July’ was expanded into the larger ‘Red, White, and Blue Festival’ some years ago to offer an event that would appeal to families. The jazz concert will feature jazz fusion band Ari and the Ali- bis, Americana act F & R Music Project, and local R&B favorite, The Beat- down Band.
Illusionist and “Hook” actor, Raushan Hammond and Guinness World Record Holder of the World’s Tallest Hat, Olidon Ozare round out the slate of entertainers.
The festival is especially popular with children and families, and there will be many activities for them, in- cluding Most Patriotic- Dressed Kid, Dog, and Adult contests, a laser tag battlefield, and a Family Foodie contest.
The festival offers visitors a chance to observe the holiday while appreciating “everything America has contributed to
TASH JOHNSON ...Director, Red, White And Blue Festival
the world,” Johnson said. “It’s about celebrating the culture and people and how we’ve been able to contribute to the beauty of this country,” she said. “We want to cele- brate the diversity that exists
among us.”
It’s also an opportunity to
celebrate youth entrepreneur- ship as one of four young busi- ness finalists will be crowned “Kid CEO of the Year.”
Organizers added the con- test to this year’s festival to shine a spotlight on kid entre- preneurs and encourage oth- ers to develop their businesses, Johnson said.
“We want to encourage them at a young age,” she said.
If You Go
The Red, White, and Blue Festival will begin at 3 p.m. at Cotanchobee Park, 601 Old Water St., Tampa. Entry is free with advanced RSVP at www.cityfestivals.org. Adults who have not RSVPed are asked to donate $5. Visit the website for more information.
Members of the participants in this month’s Shuffleboard Tournament are from left to right: Steve Scott, Katherine Palmer, Linda Cotney, First Place Winner, Audrey Acosta, First Place Winner, Vonnie Scott, Second Place Winner, Quincy Jefferson, Second Place Winner, Sponsor Debra Jacks, of Dedicated Medical Center, and Sponsor Micah Miller, of Health Matters Pharmacy. Shown standing from left to right are: Carolyn Russ, Frances Williams, Verdell Vickers, Vivian James, Willie Mae Gardner, Sandra Flowers, Carolyn Williams, Ruby Epps, Percy Everett, and Carrie Rhanes.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last Friday, the local Shuffleboard Team held their monthly tournament. The event took place at Ragan Park Community Center, 1200 E. Lake Av- enue.
This month, the Jazzy Seniors maintained their number one spot in the shuf- fleboard tournament. Ms. Linda Cotney and Ms. Au- drey Acosta captured the First Place Prizes. Ms. Quincy Jefferson and Ms. Vonnie Scott captured the Second Place Prizes.
This month, the prizes for the tournament were spon- sored by Ms. Debra Jacks, of Dedicated Medical Center, and Micah Miller, of
Health Matters Pharmacy. Steve Scott, Director and Trainer said, “I am so glad to have our young peo- ple come and sponsor us for our senior activities. God bless Ms. Jacks and Mr. Miller for sponsoring our
Shuffleboard games.”
Scott is responsible for
providing the monthly Shuf- fleboard competition for the senior citizens. He is assisted with training by Ms. Katherine Palmer.
The shuffleboard team members represent the Spring Hill Community Cen- ter, the Fair Oaks Commu- nity Center, and the Ragan Park Community Center.
The teams currently use temporary or portable shuf- fleboards to play during the month. However, Scott has
been campaigning to obtain a permanent shuffleboard court in the East Tampa community.
Anyone interested in learning to play shuffleboard can visit Ragan Park Com- munity Center, 1200 E. Lake Avenue. Scott teaches Shuf- fleboard on Mondays and Fridays from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. He also teaches the game at Cyrus Greene Com- munity Center on Thursday, from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Scott said he uses portable shuffleboards to train seniors at Williams Park and Fair Oaks Commu- nity Centers.
Anyone wishing to learn more about shuffleboard matches or other senior ac- tivities at Ragan Park can call (813) 242-5316.
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 7