Tampa Bay

The week of May 14, 2012 there are two awesome events to consider if you are a small business owner, a marketing professional or the decision maker in your company.

Tuesday May, 15, 2012 is the Chocolate Blues and Business Networking Festival at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club.

Thursday May, 17, 2012 is the Tampa Bay Business Journal Business Growth Expo at the Raymond James Stadium West Club. Read more

Can you believe how fast this year is flying by? Tomorrow is May 1 already!!! Then, the next month school is out for the summer. What is everyone doing this summer? What events are coming up that people need to know about? (Chime in with a comment below!)

For the month of May I've only just begun adding events to the calendar. As for June and beyond I'm not even sure I'm ready to think that far ahead.

If you know of an event in the Tampa Bay area that you believe the readers of Tampa.About.com need to know about, send me an email! Please include the what, when and where along with a website where folks can go with more information.

Check out our events calendars and then let me know what events are going on that need to be added:

May events in Tampa

June events in Tampa

I told you the calendars were sparse! Help me fill them up.

Well, it's that time of year again where almost every bar and restaurant dons some form of Mexican culture to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Most folks probably don't even know why Cinco de Mayo is actually significant, but hey, there are drink specials right?  Here are 10 places in Tampa Bay celebrating the holiday May 5, 2012!

For the curious...here is Wikipedia's description of what Cinco De Mayo actually is:  "Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a celebration held on May 5. It is celebrated nationwide in the United States and regionally in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla, where the holiday is called El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla (English: The Day of the Battle of Puebla).  The date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, and to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War.  In the state of Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. Contrary to widespread popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day--the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico--which is actually celebrated on September 16." Read more of Wikipedia's Page on Cinco De Mayo.

During the summer there is nothing quite like going to camp for a kid. Learning new things, exploring new ideas and seeing extraordinary things create memories that not only can last a lifetime but that can also inspire what a child wants to be when they grow up. The day camps offered at Busch Gardens give kids a rare glimpse into the animal world. Read more...

Check out our Facebook page to see more images of the Summer Day Camps. While you are there, be sure to "Like" us too!

Thanks to Busch Gardens of Tampa Bay for the behind the scenes tour of the Summer Day Camps!

When it comes to finding things to do on the weekends, crowds of all ages flock to the mall. Some come to window shop, others are hunting for the perfect gift for a special occasion and some are just there to grab a bite to eat or catch a movie. Looking for a place to shop until you drop? Here is a list of the malls in Tampa Bay. Did I miss one? Let me know by chiming in on the comments below.

With 25 different sandwiches to choose from, deciding what you want to eat at Mazzaro's Italian Market. The good news is you will most likely have plenty of time to decide while waiting in line. During the lunch hours the line gets crazy long. You will have to pull a service number and wait for it to be called just to order while waiting in small cramped space filled with dozens of items you will probably want to buy.

Every where you turn in Mazzaro's Italian Market is another item that will probably tickle your taste buds. Focus on the goal though; you came for lunch and lunch you will order! Read the full story: Tampa Guide's Review of Mazzaro's Italian Market

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Downtown Dunedin? I know I mentioned that you should stop by Casa Tina for a great margarita in my story about the Top 10 Spots to Get a Margarita and I told ya'll about the hidden treasure I found in Sea Sea Riders, but there are four other spots that make me love visiting Downtown Dunedin. Check out my latest Spotlight on Downtown Dunedin and let me know where your favorite places in the area are. Never been to Downtown Dunedin or like somewhere else better? Where is your favorite neighborhood in Tampa Bay?

Paw Wash Plus is hosting a Yappy Hour at Brick Oven Pizzeria & Ristorante on Tuesday, April, 24 to raise money for the SPCA Suncoast. The event will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Guests are invited to bring their pups. The restaurant will donate 10% of your bill to the SPCA Suncoast chapter. There will also be a raffle for prizes held to raise even more money for this charity.

Brick Oven Pizzeria & Ristorante is located at 9945 Trinity Blvd in Trinity, Fla. For more information, visit the event's website.

The annual 98ROCKFEST is scheduled for Saturday, April, 28, 2012 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Admission is $59.99 for floor tickets and level one, $39.99 for the second level and $29.99 for the third level. VIP tickets are already sold out. Tickets are still available and you can purchase them here.

Click here for the show's lineup of artists.

The 2012 Man & Woman of the Year for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Suncoast Chapter will be announced Saturday, April, 28, 2012. According to representatives for the LLS Suncoast Chapter, "2012 Man & Woman of the Year will be crowned based on their success in generating funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during a ten-week campaign which began at the Kickoff Party on February, 16, and will culminate at the Grand Finale Celebration on April, 28, at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Tampa."

Tickets for the Grand Finale are $150 each. Ticket admission includes a cocktail reception,  dinner and silent as well as live auctions. The event will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. "Tickets and auction proceeds can be allocated to your favorite candidate's fundraising campaign!"

For more information visit the event's website.