Wondering if Barranquilla, Colombia has a skyline this pretty. | Photo by Pexels user M-Designz
👋 Hey, TBAY. Or should we say Ciao? Shalom? Or hola?
Today we’re breaking down the region’s sister cities.
Wait, what’s a sister city? According to Sister Cities International, “A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. A relationship is officially recognized after both communities’ highest elected or appointed official sign off on an agreement to become sister cities.”
Why have sister cities? The idea is to cultivate international relationships while having the opportunity to explore different cultures and stimulate economic development.
Tampa
The City of Tampa has 12 formalized Sister Cities agreements with the following cities:
DYK, a coin toss led to the naming of the Burg after St. Petersburg, Russia?
The legend goes that at the turn of the 20th century, John Constantine Williams and Peter Demens — the two dudes who are widely considered the co-founders of St. Pete — flipped a coin to see who would name the city. Demens reportedly won the coin toss and named it after the town where he grew up.
St. Petersburg has 4 formalized Sister City agreements with these cities:
World Cup at Macs | Monday, Nov. 28 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa | Free admission | Watch Brazil take on Switzerland and Portugal play Uruguay.
Holiday Harbour Tree Lighting | Monday, Nov. 28 | 6-8 p.m. | Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa | Free | Help turn on the lights at this year’s 35 ft. tall tree ceremony.
MIRA: Young Talent Showcase | Monday, Nov. 28 | 7 p.m. | Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $5 | St. Petersburg College presents a brand new R&B and rock music showcase.
Tuesday, Nov. 29
USF Men’s Basketball vs. UMASS | Tuesday, Nov. 29 | 7 p.m. | Yuengling Center, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa | $36-$165 | The UMass Minutemen basketball team takes on our USF Bulls.
Wednesday, Nov. 30
Hit the Stage | Wednesday, Nov. 30 | 7 p.m. | Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill, 1320 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $20 | A DJ and videographers mix and mingle.
Thursday, Dec. 1
Graphic Novels Teen Workshop Day 1: Comics + Characters | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Tampa Museum of Art, 120 Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa | $45-$120 | This graphic novels series will cover everything from character development to visual layout.
Karaoke Night | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 9-11:59 p.m. | Shuffle, 2612 N. Tampa St., Tampa | Free | Eat, drink, Shuffleboard, and sing all night long.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Pinellas Trail’s unused I-275 underpass sections could transform into a must-visit pedestrian destination. A developer reimagined the corridor — calling it Trails Crossing. The new park would contain walking and bicycle paths, street vendors, and a green amphitheater. 🚲 (I Love The Burg)
Coming Soon
Let the cat out of the bag + let them scurry around Carrolwood’s future cat cafe, FELINE(12924 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.). But this ain’t yo momma’s cat cafe. Imagine assorted tapas, select wine, craft beer, brewed coffee, and vibes — with adoptable cats in a separate lounge space. It’s expected to open in 2023. 🐈 (That’s So Tampa)
Groundbreaking news out of The Florida Aquarium — literally. Crews just started construction on the Apollo Beach Coral Care Complex. It will focus on preserving, breeding, and rearing the declining corals along Florida’s Coral Reef. The 9,000 sqft research space opens in May. 🪸 (WTSP)
Traffic
Do you drive the section of I-275 between Bearss and S.R. 60 and like cash? Us too.Earn $190 through USF’s RideFlag app beta test. The app judges how many people are in your vehicle and can tell if you should be in an HOV lane or not along a highway. 💵 (Tampa Bay Times)
Health
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is here, which means it’s time to ask yourself a big question: keep your coverage, or change it? Fidelity Medicare Services can help. Fidelity’s licensed Medicare advisors provide customized advice based on your situation — and if you choose a new plan, they’ll help you enroll.*
Shop
Show your appreciation for your significant other, family members, or best buds with a floral arrangement. Pro tip: Bouquets are $9.99 at Publix GreenWise Market through Wednesday, Nov. 30. 💐 *
Get the outdoor enthusiast in your life a gift that delivers year-round. The Sportsman’s Box is a quarterly gear subscription of personalized boxes that match your loved ones’ customized profile of hunting and fishing interests. Bonus: Use code for 6AMCITY for 25% off your first shipment. 📦 *
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Editor’s pick: Did y’all hear about this? I just learned they’re 3D printing houses now in Tampa because of the housing shortage. The first one is up for sale at around $600,000. As a former architecture + design major who specialized in 3D printing — before pivoting to the bright and sunny world of journalism — I’m itching to tour one of these puppies so badly. 🏠
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