On the radar

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 3, 2008

Tampa

Filmmaker Spike Lee to speak at USF

Filmmaker Spike Lee wraps up Black Emphasis Month at the University of South Florida's Tampa campus Tuesday, with his talk, "Celebrating Black History Doesn't End in February," beginning at 7 p.m. at the USF Sun Dome Corral. Tickets are $8 for the public, $3 for USF faculty, staff and alumni and free for students with valid USF identification.

LARGO

Hands-on activities mark Quilting Day

Celebrate National Quilting Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N. The event will feature hands-on activities for adults and children, along with demonstrations of the historic American craft. There will be a history of patterns lecture at 11:30 a.m. and a trunk show of quilts at 1:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (727) 582-2123.

DADE CITY

Steeplechase tickets on sale

Pack up the mint juleps and the fine china: The Little Everglades Steeplechase is Sunday, with $100,000 in purse money at stake. The day also features Jack Russell terrier races, hat contests and elegant tailgating parties. Advance tickets are $15 per person or $45 per carload; at the gate, $20 per person or $60 per carload. Gates open at 9 a.m. at the Little Everglades Ranch off U.S. 301 north of Dade City. For tickets and other information visit http://littleevergladessteeplechase.org.

ST. PETERSBURG

Vinoy Park gets Cajun flavor

The eighth annual Cajun Zydeco Crawfish Festival comes to Vinoy Park this weekend. The event, which starts Friday, features local and national music groups, dancing and lots of crawfish. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at the park, which is at Bayshore Drive and Seventh Avenue NE. For more information, visit www.cajunconnection.org or call (727) 892-5706.

Tampabay.com

People are talking about . . .

Reader reactions from blogs.tampabay.com.

Bucs sign free-agent lineman

(Bucs Report, Feb. 29)

New Orleans center Jeff Faine has agreed to a multi-year contract that will make him the league's highest-paid player at the position.

mkurbo wrote: "Congrats to Allen/Gruden for nailing one of the better centers, while hurting a division rival."

Crist's VP buzz

(The Buzz, Feb. 27)

"Possible McCain running mate," read a banner at the bottom of the screen as CNN interviewed Gov. Charlie Crist.

Anonymous comment: "Charlie would deliver Florida. Say what you want about him, but he is a very skilled politician."

All-weather friend

(This Just In, Feb. 26)

Dick Fletcher, the dean of Tampa Bay TV weather forecasters, died Tuesday. He was 65.

William Berry wrote: "Wherever you are, Dick, the forecast will always be 'sunshine with a warm breeze.' "

[Last modified March 2, 2008, 23:26:42]