Seize the day

By SHARON KENNEDY WYNNE

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 8, 2000

Bargain hunters, gear up. The CASA Benefit Sale opens its doors from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the CASA Collection Thrift Shoppe, 612 Dr. M.L. King (Ninth St.) N, St. Petersburg. There will be a 75 percent storewide discount on new and used clothes, collectibles, household items and toys. Proceeds benefit survivors of domestic violence. (727) 823-2507.

A craft show in July? In Florida? Some wondered whether the timing of last year's Palm Harbor Craft Festival was such a hot idea. A strong turnout proved the doubters wrong, and now the show is back again even bigger this weekend with more than 70 exhibitors. There also will be a garden and gourmet market, and live entertainment. The festival is free today and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Florida Avenue in historic downtown Palm Harbor, just north of Tampa Road off Alt. U.S. 19.

Knights in white satin will be heading to Ruth Eckerd Hall tonight for the Moody Blues at 6 and 9 p.m. The 1960s classic rock band still tours and released a new album, Strange Times, in August 1999. Ruth Eckerd Hall is at 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. Tickets are $50. Call (727) 791-7400.

The Pasco Art Center today opens its most popular art show, Promising Picassos 2000, which continues through Aug. 21. This is the seventh year the center has invited budding and seasoned artists and sculptors to enter their creations in the show and vie for the prizes and ribbons. Most of the works are for sale, though buyers will have to agree to let them remain on display for the duration of the show. The center is at 5744 Moog Road in Holiday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call (727) 845-7322.

Things to view

Freaks and Geeks, the critically acclaimed high school drama that was hands-down the best new TV series of 1999, is getting a one-night reprieve on NBC starting tonight. Canceled earlier this year, the show is returning briefly for a mini-marathon of three unaired episodes. 8 p.m.

The Cartoon Network launches Blue Submarine No. 6. This new Japanese import is billed as featuring "innovative integration of 3-D animation and traditional cel animation." It's about a submarine that offers the only hope of defeating undersea creatures. 10 a.m.

- Compiled by Times staff writer Sharon Kennedy Wynne.