Forward thinking
An entirely subjective look at the week ahead
By COLETTE BANCROFT
Published August 8, 2005
STEP AWAY FROM THE TWINKIE, KID
When students in Citrus County public schools go back to class Wednesday, they will be participants in a bold experiment, whether they like it or not. In July, superintendent Sandra "Sam" Himmel told principals to stop ordering junk food for sale on campus. That means no chips, no candy, only fruit juice and water in vending machines instead of soda. Will the kids learn to eat more healthfully? Or will they learn to smuggle?
LOVE HIM TENDERIt has been 28 years since he left the building for good, but Elvis Presley's fans are more devoted than ever. Tens of thousands of them are expected in Memphis starting today for Elvis Week, a huge fan convention and commemoration of his death on Aug. 16, 1977. Events include tours, concerts, karaoke and trivia contests, wine dinners, scavenger hunts, a merchandise and memorabilia mart and, of course, Elvis impersonators . . . um, excuse us, Elvis tribute artists. For a hunk of burning info, go to www.elvis.com and click on Elvis Week.
TEAMWORKThe Dunedin Blue Jays host Pride in Our Diversity, a fundraiser for Equality Florida, Saturday at Knology Park. A silent auction and concert featuring the Fallopian Tubes start at 4:30 p.m.; the Jays play the Tampa Yankees at 7. Tickets are $6. Call 727 733-0429 or go to www.dunedinbluejays.com/tickets Proceeds benefit Equality Florida, a statewide organization that works to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms is not expected to throw out the first ball.
CELL CALLOn Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist will not be speaking at Justice Sunday II in Nashville. Frist was disinvited from the evangelical all-star rally after his change of heart about embryonic stem cell research ("Hey, wait, I'm a doctor"). Must be tough to pass up partying with Zell Miller, Phyllis Schlafly and Tom DeLay, but it has been interesting to see Frist stand up to President Bush's threat to veto any bill funding the research.
ACT HAPPYThree Oscar-winning actors celebrate birthdays this week. Today, Dustin Hoffman (Kramer vs. Kramer, Rain Man) turns 68. On Sunday, Marcia Gay Harden (Pollock) will be 46, and Halle Berry (Monster's Ball) turns 37.
- COLETTE BANCROFT, Times staff writer, 727 893-8435 or bancroft@sptimes.com