Lightning to hold big sale to clear out before RNC

Before the Tampa Bay Times Forum gets taken over by the Republican National Convention, the Tampa Bay Lightning will hold a special merchandise sale on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the venue's store and they promise "steep discounts." Lightning season ticket members will get the highest discounts, getting an additional 15 percent on top of the 35 percent they already get knocked off merchandise purchases. The rest of the public will receive 20 percent off (in honor of the franchise's 20th season). Free parking, and ThunderBug and the Lightning girls will be on hand to greet fans. — Sharon Kennedy Wynne