America's most famous crossword puzzle master appears every Sunday in 45 newspapers, including CL and the Washington Post, and having been in the film wordplay, on Oprah and The Simpsons— and he's based right here in Tampa Bay.
[jump]Local legend Merl Reagle takes some time from his word travels to celebrate the 100th birthday of the crossword puzzle (on Dec. 19) at the Oxford Exchange 2 p.m. today.
Reagle will be speaking and playing audience games, and will also be signing his new 100th Anniversary Crossword Book. Prizes will be given out at the end of the talk.
Beloved local writer and musician Gina Vivinetto is hosting what hopefully will be the first of a series at the Palladium's Side Door Lounge. Her showcase makes the most of her love of great American standards, and she's enlisted some of Tampa Bay best musicians to celebrate the Great American Songbook by performing their own renditions of tunes by Cole Porter, Ira and George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin and more. The performance begins at 7 p.m., and the night's line-up includes The Ditchflowers, Skully (featuring Natty Moss Bond), Bob Anthony, Dean Johanesen, Nathalia Estrada, No Milk and more. Cover is $10.
Oxford Exchange is 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. The Palladium is at 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg.