Seize the Day

By Compiled by KATHLEEN LANG

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 1, 2000

THINGS TO DO

• Batter up for the hit show when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays take on the New York Yankees at 4:15 today at Tropicana Field, downtown St. Petersburg. Special events today include Devil Rays canvas caps going to the first 15,000 fans; Silent Auction Saturdays (which begin today) at Gate 1, featuring four different items each week; Hooter's Beach Party ($12); and a blood drive at the first and third base food courts. Gates open two hours before first pitch. Call (727) 825-3137.

• Take advantage of the long holiday weekend to clean off your bookshelves and help a worthy cause when participating area Barnes & Noble Booksellers invite you to be a "best friend" to the Pinellas and Hillsborough County library systems. Drop off those old books in special bins at the stores today and Sunday. For information, call your local Barnes & Noble.

• Bring the kids along for some fun and soccer when Radio Disney-AM 1380 makes a special appearance at the Tampa Bay Mutiny game against the Metro Stars today. The Funsquad and Fan Zone arrive at 6 p.m.; the game starts at 7. Many soccer-themed interactive games, such as spinning the prize wheel, a bounce house and kicking a soccer ball into an inflatable goalie, will be available. Call (813) 289-6811.

• A unique concert experience is planned for the University of South Florida today when Venezuelan cuatro player Hernan Gamboa performs at 7:30 p.m. at 4202 E Fowler Ave., Cooper Hall, Tampa. Gamboa, a biology and chemistry professor, will sing, play and discuss the cuatro, a four-stringed guitar-like instrument. The program includes the merengue, cancion, calypso and the Venezuelan joropo. Tickets are $10. Call (813) 876-1658 or (813) 884-9394.

THINGS TO VIEW

• The U.S. Senior Open moves to NBC for third-round coverage today. See some of the golfers who paved the way for young pros such as Tiger Woods as they stroke their way to the 18th hole at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa. Coverage of the final round continues Sunday at the same time. 3 p.m.

• The History Channel devotes itself to the dark side today when it launches a 12-hour Evil Ways Marathon. The mayhem begins with Exorcising the Devil followed by The Strange Case of Lizzie Borden and The Most Ancient Taboo: Cannibalism. Starts at 8 a.m.

Compiled by Times staff writer Kathleen Lang. She can be reached at lang@sptimes.com.