Look who's turning 65 years old in 2013

From left, 2012 Kennedy Center Honorees and members of Led Zeppelin Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant arrive at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors Gala Dinner on Dec. 1, 2012 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/12/03/4302095/kennedy-center-honors-2012.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

Rock 'n' roll officially became the domain of senior citizens several years ago when the likes of Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Tina Turner reached retirement age.

Now it's time for heavy metal to get elderly.

Black Sabbath original members Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar) and Bill Ward (drums) turn 65 in 2013.

Alice Cooper does, too.

Same for Robert Plant.

It must be surreal for people like my parents, who as a teenage couple in the early 1970s, were gleefully terrified at concerts by the scary young men of Sabbath and the Alice Cooper group.

For me, it's more sad than strange that my all-time favorite rock music still predates my birth.

I would love for a new rock band to come along and blow my mind the way Led Zeppelin did when my 12-year-old self discovered the group's second album among Dad's collection of vinyl.

But it just isn't happening.

My favorite new rock song of 2012?

A single called "Doom and Gloom" by a bunch of geriatrics calling themselves The Rolling Stones.

Anyway, here are some of the rockers turning 65 in 2013.

Read more.

Best of Bradenton area entertainment 2012

Steve Carrera, a sous chef with Ocean Harvest Market, fries up some squid fries during the 2012 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. BRADENTON HERALD FILE PHOTO

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/02/18/3884914/photo-gallery-2012-cortez-commercial.html#http://media.bradenton.com/smedia/2012/02/18/16/52/Fk167.St.69.jpg#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

Sure, Manatee County continued to make headlines for such Florida weirdness as human flesh eating and school teacher Facebook gaffes.

But the Bradenton area also managed to bring plenty of attention to its vibrant arts and entertainment scene.

Not a week or so went by this year without a winning show, major festival or $6.2 million project opening.

There was always something to get excited about; something that made me happy, and, yes, proud, to be a resident of Bradenton.

Another perk?

Many of these great events were free.

To celebrate, here's a month-by-month look back at the biggest and best Manatee County entertainment events of 2012.

The forever fun Manatee County Fair (Jan. 12-22): The 96th edition of the Manatee County Fair proved to be another fun affair filled with everything from live country music to livestock to midway madness. My favorite part? Enjoying the various sights, sounds and smells with the amazing woman who recently became my wife.

Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival turns 30 (Feb. 18-19): The 30th anniversary of the Cortezians' signature event was another sunny celebration along Sarasota Bay featuring an abundance of fresh seafood by our favorite restaurants like Ocean Harvest (see photo) plus homegrown music and clog dancing.

'Voice' finalist at Village of the Arts (March 2): The Village of the Arts' monthly ArtWalk enjoyed an extra boost when blues artist Beverly McClellan, who finished in the top four as part of Christina Aguilera's team during the first season of NBC's "The Voice," played a free show at the Blues Revue office on 11th Avenue.

Tyrese headlines Rib Fest in Palmetto (April 15): He played Sgt. Robert Epps in the "Transformers" franchise and returned as Roman Pearce in "Fast Five" after originating the role in "2 Fast 2 Furious." First-name-only star Tyrese then returned to music and released "Open Invitation," which shot to the top 10 on the Billboard 200 not too long before he closed the Gulfcoast Rhythm & Ribfest at the Manatee County Fairgrounds.

Read more.

Bradenton area would be so much better if I had won the $588,000,000 jackpot

I didn't wake up last Thursday a multimillionaire after the largest Powerball jackpot drawing ever. But I did spend some quality time the night before thinking about what I would do if I did win the $587.5 million. Bet you did, too.

For starters, the fiancée would get anything and everything she desires. Luckily, that would mean still living in Manatee County. She loves it here. I do, too.

We'd probably buy up property on the northern tip of Anna Maria Island. Create a cozy complex of cottages. I like the sound of "Tatangelo Town." There would be everything from a water park to houses with personal caretakers for all three of our dogs.

Then we would get down to the business of really making things right.

I don't think $587.5 million would do much toward changing the world, especially after Uncle Sam took his cut. But that kind of money could do wonders for life in the Bradenton area.

Like extending Riverwalk all the way from downtown to the gates of our new home on AMI. Better yet, we'd pay for the newly named Bradenton Area City Walk to snake through the entire county.

Read more.

—Riverwalk was popular on a recent Saturday morning in downtown Bradenton.TIFFANY TOMPKINS-CONDIE/Bradenton Herald

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/12/02/4299742/if-i-had-won-the-588000000-jackpot.html#storylink=cpy

Bradenton area will be better when political signs are replaced by holiday decorations

Christmas stuff starts too early.

That's how I felt.

Hearing holiday songs in the first week of November?

Nauseating.

Not this year.

I'm already rocking Christmas on 92.1 FM.

And not just when the fiancée controls the radio.

Last week, I bought a fresh DVD of "A Christmas Story" and cooked us a ham dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce.

Yep, the holiday season has begun in our happy home.

After a terribly long and turbulent political season I want Christmas cheer for the rest of the year.

The sights, sounds, smells:

Everything.

Especially the sights.

Give me light displays that qualify as Griswoldian.

Read more of my Sunday column.

—Jay Sweeney's decorative holiday masterpiece on Bradenton's "Christmas Street." HERALD FILE PHOTO

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/11/11/4272600/bradenton-area-will-be-better.html#storylink=cpy

To the next Bradenton mayor: Five ways to improve the city's entertainment scene

As Election Day nears, I'm asking the fundamental questions.

What will make Bradenton a better place to live, work and play?

For me, "play" is particularly important.

And I'm not talking about video games or Words with Friends.

Regardless if Bradenton's next mayor is incumbent Mayor Wayne Poston, Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey or challenger Richard O'Brien, I want to see the win

Read more of my column that originally ran Sunday.

 —Bradenton mayoral candidates Marianne Barnebey and Richard O'Brien shake hands as incumbent Wayne Poston smiles after a candidate forum hosted by the Bradenton Herald at Manatee Educational Television. TIFFANY TOMPKINS-CONDIE/Bradenton TTOMPKINS@BRADENTON.COM

Tucker and Winston's big day at Bradenton Riverwalk

After all the articles I've already written about Bradenton Riverwalk, you would think I'd be tired of the place.

Nope.

Can't get enough.

We returned again for a long, wonderful afternoon Sunday that found us having a tasty lunch at Tarpon Pointe Grille & Tiki Bar before enjoying drinks at Pier 22.

And ice cream from the truck parked behind the Pavilion and Event Area.

In between, we strolled the Riverwalk with about a thousand (or more) other friendly people of all ages and plenty of pets.

Yes, our French bulldog Tucker and his new best friend Winston were there.

Thanks to my Sunday column and the picture that ran prominently on Bradenton.com, they were recognized everywhere we went.

I think all the attention might be going to Tucker's head.

Oh well.

Here's my Sunday column (with picture of Tucker smiling):

Bradenton Riverwalk is a great destination spot, especially for dog lovers

—Photo of Tucker (foreground) and Winston drinking from a doggy water fountain at Bradenton Riverwalk on Sunday.  

Bradenton area should benefit from 'blues festival season'

Ana Popovic at the 2012 Sarasota Blues and Music Festival. Photo by Wade Tatangelo.

Welcome to Blues Festival Season, the Bradenton area's fastest growing tourist attraction.

And my favorite way to spend a day outdoors with a large group of laid-back, like-minded people.

If you're a fan of American roost music, let me point out all the major blues festivals within a five- to 45-minute drive.

We just had a great one.

And three more, which should be equally exciting, are on the way.

Blues Festival Season started on the last Saturday in September with a most enjoyable 22nd annual edition of the Sarasota Blues and Music Festival.

Read more.

Bradenton, Sarasota on big, small screen with 'Spring Breakers,' ESPN2 and Comedy Central

Manatee rocked last Sunday afternoon on national TV.

The powerhouse high school football team opened the regular season with a 41-6 pummeling of Miramar live on ESPN2.

Not bad publicity for Bradenton, which got mentioned many times.

But would it kill the network to spend some down time, and there was plenty Sunday, showing off the Bradenton area beyond Hawkins Stadium?

How about mention our famous sugary sand beaches?

Or Riverwalk?

Or some of our famed, fresh seafood-serving restaurants?

Did ESPN even have access to such information?

If not, someone dropped the ball.

Meanwhile, film critics and such from around the world saw Sarasota.

And it caused a stir.

It seems Selena Gomez has gone from Disney darling to wild child thanks to her "shocking" new movie "Spring Breakers."

In March, scenes were filmed at the Ringling College of Art and Design and other parts of Sarasota as well as St. Pete Beach.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/09/09/4190054/bradenton-sarasota-on-big-small.html#storylink=cpy

Read more.

Actress Selena Gomez poses at the photo call for the film 'Spring Breakers' at the 69th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012.

Joel Ryan — AP Photo

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/09/05/4186278/selena-gomez-breaks-type-in-spring.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

The Fresh Market in Bradenton: Our new favorite food spot

Sure, the drive to University Parkway isn't bad.

But we wanted to frequent the new store in our neighborhood.

So for months we glanced over at the construction at the Northwest Promenade in the 6700 block of Manatee Avenue West.

And counted down the days.

On Wednesday morning, it finally happened.

We joined thousands of other foodies for the grand opening of The Fresh Market.

"It's like Christmas," my fiancee whispered to me moments after we entered.

And like wide-eyed children surveying a living room full of presents, we walked the aisles of the gourmet grocery store.

Read more of my Sunday column.

—Photo of the bakery a The Fresh Market, 6701 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton, by Wade Tatangelo.

Randy Travis: From country hero to worldwide joke to redemption?

Does the Grammy-winning country and gospel singer Randy Travis deserves better than to be a punch line or in some silly online poll with the likes of Paris Hilton?

Read about the disgraced Nashville star, and his chances of a comeback, in my Sunday column.

RNC performer Randy Travis arrested naked, charged with DWI  

—Randy Travis photo provided by the Grayson County, Texas — AP Photo

McKechnie Field: Live music venue in Bradenton

Bradenton, McKechnie Field and baseball have been a winning combination for nearly 90 years.

In the near future, the Friendly City's most famous destination could also be attracting fans of Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert (watch her perform in Estero below) or Elton John.

Just to name a few of the pop world possibilities.

The $7.5 million in upgrades for McKechnie Field, unanimously approved by city council last week, will surely enhance the baseball-watching experience when the Pittsburgh Pirates start spring training in February.

The improvements should also help put the ballpark on the live music map.

Read more of my Sunday column.



—Photo provided of an artist's rendering of the improvements approved for McKechnie Field.

Britney Spears bikini photo is 'news'?

Britney Spears bikini pic posted July 5 at twitter.com/britneyspears.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/07/08/4105959/britney-spears-makes-news-with.html#storylink=cpy

 
Britney Spears, or whoever handles her these days, shared a picture.

"Getting ready for some pool time!

Having a blast xxoo," she wrote.

The fuzzy photo of Spears, joined by her two sons, went out to the pop star's 18.3 million followers.

And anyone else clicking on twitter.com/britneyspears.

That was Thursday.

I saw it Friday around noon.

While looking for column fodder.

On Google News.

Scanned the Entertainment section:

Jennifer Garner.

Katie Holmes.

Kelly Ripa.

Britney Spears.

I've had success trying to make sense of the Femme Fatale's popularity in the past.

So I clicked.

"Britney's back! Spears tweets sizzling bikini photo while on vacation in Hawaii," read the headline from the New York Daily News.

"'The X Factor' judge celebrated the Fourth of July in the Aloha State with her two sons, Preston, 6, and Jayden, 5, and fiance Jason Trawick," the subhed informed.

"The sexy snap is proof that the pop princess is back on the right track."

What?

Read more from my Sunday column.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/07/08/4105959/britney-spears-makes-news-with.html#storylink=cpy