Tuesday, April 13, is “Opening Day” of SUN ‘n FUN’s 36th annual event. The 2010 SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo will attract an estimated 150,000 to 170,000 visitors from North America and more than 80 other countries, distinguishing it as the largest convention in the state of Florida and the first major international aviation event of the year in the Americas.

If you are heading to gathering on the 850-acre footprint of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport campus, follow this link for a map of the festivities:
http://www.sun-n-fun.org/_pdf/maps/SnF_DriveMap.pdf

SUN ‘n FUN runs April 13-18th.

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Rays fans… keep this link handy throughout the season for the scope on parking and a getting-there guide to Tropicana Field. Go Rays!

http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/tb/ballpark/parking_directions.jsp

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Traffic as you know it along I-275 is changing this weekend.  FDOT officials will be shifting SB I-275 traffic to the old NB lanes beginning tonight at 10pm.

By early Saturday morning, all but one of those lanes will be open to traffic between the Hillsborough River and Himes Avenue.  Drivers should anticipate delays in the region and plan for alternates including Hillsborough Avenue and Kennedy Blvd.

This is all part of a 4-5 year widening project that will eventually turn the 3 lane roadway into 4 as a way to improve congestion through this often bottlenecked region. 

Crews had hoped to have this shift complete back in February but weather delayed those plans. 

Officials say by 4am Sunday morning, the change to the old NB lanes should be complete.  Drivers exiting at Howard Armenia and Himes should also plan to stay in the right lane, as the new exit points will approach more quickly than the current pattern.

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Pasco drivers heads-up… traffic squeezed to one lane along SB I-75 approaching SR 54 due to a pothole.  Major, major bumper-to-bumper traffic extending back to SR-52.  Use alternates this morning including US-301 and US-41.

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EB Crosstown Expressway…. the left lane is blocked for emergency repairs of a sinkhole approaching 50th Street.  Officials estimate the repairs will be complete before the evening rush hour.  Westbound traffic is unaffected by this closure.

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Engines will be revved this weekend in St. Pete for the Honda Grand Prix.  The 1.8 mile, 14 turn race runs through the waterfront runways of Albert Whitted Airport and downtown along Bayshore Drive, 1st and 2nd Streets and Avenues, Central Avenue and Beach Drive.

Drivers are currently being detoured along all of those race roads and should plan for downtown alternates including 5th Avenue South and 4th Street. 

Fans can enter the race area through Gate 1 and on First Avenue South and Gate 5 on Fifth Avenue South.

Or they can park in a downtown lot and use the city’s Downtown Looper Trolley.

For more race information, click on this link: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/mar/26/st-pete-grand-prix-schedule/

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Airfest is this weekend at Macdill Air Force Base in South Tampa.  Drivers should expect heavy congestion all day Saturday and Sunday especially along Dale Mabry Highway, Gandy Boulevard, Macdill Avenue, Interbay Boulevard, and Westshore Boulevard.  The Crosstown Expressway will be a good alternate route for drivers trying to access the Gandy Bridge and downtown Tampa. 

FOR MORE MACDILL AIRFEST INFORMATION USE THE FOLLOWING LINK
http://www.macdill-airfest.com/

HART INFORMATION AND ADDITIONAL ROUTES
http://www.macdill-airfest.com/pdfs/airfestflyer310.pdf

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  It’s going to take months and years to pick up all the pieces in Haiti following January’s devastating earthquake.  This morning, I introduced you to local photographer Jessica Dana who organized “Crutches for Clicks”’ to raise awareness for the ongoing medical needs in that island nation.  It’s a cause close to home for Jessica as her husband is Haitian and her in-laws still live in Haiti. 

Jessica will trade a 45-minute photo session for a pair of new or used crutches… hopeful that these donations will be a step in the right direction for the people of Haiti.  Crutches for Clicks runs through the end of March and with this program Jessica will also donate 10% of total sales to purchase medical supplies for Haiti. 

  For more information visit http://www.jessicadanastudios.com or call 813-949-8652.

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Alicia Roberts Tours the Columbia as It Celebrates 105 Years

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The Strawberry Festival is now underway… I previewed the fair Wednesday… check it out!

Alicia Roberts Previews the Strawberry Festival

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Hans Giesler is trying to solve world hunger through aquaponics.  This technology allows the farmer to raise organic fish, produce and herbs with no waster.  What’s more, he’s teaching others in an effort to better sustain the millions of people who don’t have food each day.  To learn more about this educational program, log onto http://www.morningstarfishermen.com

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Goodbye and good luck to Gayle Guyardo… it has been a pleasure and privilege to work with you for the past four years.  All the best to you!  Miss you already!

Alicia Roberts, Gayle Guyardo, Jennifer Hill

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Tuesday on News Channel 8 Today… Northeast High School’s Academy of Finance is giving students real world business experience in the classroom - students form their own companies…I’ll have their story tomorrow!

Alicia Roberts at Northeast High School

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Best of Luck to all the athletes at the Winter Games… and here’s to the next round of Olympic hopefuls… like 11 year old Emma Oleck. 

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Listen up air travelers… more fees. Ugh!

Starting February 22nd, American Airlines passengers hoping to fly standby will have to shell out 50 bucks to the gate agent.  The policy will also apply to travelers who want ot switch their flights on the day of travel.

American also announced that on flights over two hours, you’ll have to pay eight dollars for a blanket, which comes with an inflatable pillow.

Have the airlines gone too far?

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