6AM City In-house

Culture

Meet the gurus behind TBAYtoday
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Bailey and Brad pose at Bottle + Bottle on Central Avenue in St. Pete | Photo by TBAYtoday
Hey Tampa Bay, Bailey + Brad here. Between the two of us, we get the privilege of sharing the news with thousands of readers in Tampa Bay, daily — both through our newsletter + social feeds.

We’ve got some new faces at TBAYtoday, so you can consider this our official meet-cute (no cinematic, albeit awkward, coffee spill bump-ins required). 😘

Meet Bailey 👋

Q: If you were taking someone on a tour around TBAY, where are the three places you’re going?

A: Obviously I’d begin the tour with a stop at whichever garden tour, arts fair, or historic home tour is happening, then grab sushi at Sakana, and round out the tour with a trip to Tombolo Books for a quick browse of the staff picks. Reader, it won’t be a quick browse.

Q: What were the last 3 things you did downtown?

A: I went to a St. Petersburg College student R&B performance at the Palladium, worked with the other half of TBAYtoday at Book + Bottle (my fave) + had the best trigger fish sandwich at Trophy Fish.

Q: In your opinion, what is TBAY’s unofficial mascot?

A: It changes, but right now it’s Tampa International’s pink lady.

Meet Brad 👋

Q: Describe your perfect day in Tampa Bay in the length of a Tweet.

A: First, my friends and I head to breakfast at 2nd on Second. Then, we stop at Spitfire Comedy Club for an open mic. As a reward, we all head to the Canopy for cheesy tots that overlook the water. Later, we throw a ball around North Shore Park as the sunsets over St. Pete.

Q: What were the last three things you did downtown?

A: My girlfriend surprised me with tickets to see Adam Sandler live at Amalie — and before that, we hung out at Sparkman Wharf for the Bucs game and a beer. I got some work done and enjoyed a waffle at Crislip Cafe. My latest stroll in DTSP landed me at the Imagine Museum for the first time.

Q: Hit us with your favorite piece of local trivia.

A: Not my favorite, but this one keeps me up at night. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is the world’s highest and longest cable-stay bridge. That might not mean anything to you now, but every time I drive over it, I think, “What if the engineers missed a screw?” It’s gorgeous, though.
GreenWise Market

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Wednesday, Nov. 30
  • ‘ENCHANT,’ The World’s Largest Christmas Light Spectacular | Wednesday, Nov. 30-Sunday, Jan. 1 | 5:30-10:30 p.m. | Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg | $20-$35 | The interactive light-maze adventure, “Santa’s Magic Timepiece” is made of four million sparkling lights.
  • Home For Thanksgiving (2022) | Wednesday, Nov. 30 | 7 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | Free | Written and directed by a local filmmaker, “Home for Thanksgiving” was filmed in Tampa and Lakeland and stars local actors.
  • Plaid Tidings | Wednesday, Nov. 30-Saturday, Dec. 24 | 7:30 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $20.50 | The musical comedy brings holiday favorites, including a three-minute version of “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
Thursday, Dec. 1
  • Victorian Christmas Stroll | Thursday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 3 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $12-$18 | The 41st Annual Stroll includes snow babies, vintage Santas, and antique goosefeather trees.
  • The Cultural History of Tampa Bay | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 7-8 p.m. | Hammock Hall Banquet Room, 3010 31st St. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Dive into our area’s hidden history, strange monuments, museums, oddities, antiques, and the very best Cuban sandwich.
  • Brett Young | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 8 p.m. | Seminole Hard Rock, 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa | $60 | The multi-platinum country crooner broadens his horizons and sings a new tune on his new album.
Friday, Dec. 2
  • Friday Art Market | Friday, Dec. 2 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Creative Clay, 1846 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Peruse holiday-themed gifts, including hand-painted wine gift bags, ceramics, paintings, and greeting cards.
  • Christmas with King State | Friday, Dec. 2 | 6 p.m. | The Brutalist, 1776 11th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $40 | Sip sweet brews while the band sings some Emery favorites and Christmas tunes.
  • Grammy-Winning Pianist/Composer Peter Kater in Concert! | Friday, Dec. 2 | 7-9 p.m. | Unity of Tampa, 2610 Silver Lake Ave., Tampa | $40 | Grammy-winning pianist and composer Peter Kater performs music from his new best-selling albums.
Saturday, Dec. 3
  • Old Hyde Park Garden Tour | Saturday, Dec. 3 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Ticket pick up location, corner of Willow and Morrison Ave.s, Tampa | $30-$35 |Stroll the tree-covered streets past beautiful homes and experience some of the community’s scenic gardens.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS
6AM City In-house

Weather
  • 83º | Partly cloudy | 15% chance of rain
Sunrise + sunset
  • Rise: 7:03 a.m.
  • Set: 5:33 p.m.
Tide
Old Tampa Bay
  • High: 7 a.m. + 10:42 p.m.
  • Low: 3:11 p.m.
Clearwater Beach
  • High: 3:33 a.m. + 6:37 p.m.
  • Low: 11:22 a.m. + 11:32 p.m.
Eat
  • On Swann and Olivia are getting a new sister. Ponte Tampa, a new buzzy restaurant from the brain behind the two popular spots, opened this week. The Midtown location serves up modern American dishes. 🍽️ (That’s So Tampa)
  • These claws are fresh out the harbor. Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, a popular seafood outpost with locations across the state, is opening a brick-and-mortar location in DTSP (501 1st Ave. N.) An opening date has not yet been announced. 🦞 (I Love the Burg)
Shop
  • The Estate Cigars and Social, a new cigar bar and lounge, is expected to open later this month in the 4th Street South Corridor (1201 4th St. S., St. Pete). The shop will also serve a rotating list of beer and wine options. (I Love the Burg)
Biz
Giveaway
  • Tampa International’s massive flocked flamingo has quickly become a local celeb. Now, the airport needs help naming the bird. The winner also scores free tickets from Silver Airways and VIP passes to Busch Gardens. Enter here. 🦩
Show
  • It’s sure to be a sensational weekend for the Florida Orchestra. This weekend’s performances at the Straz Center and the Mahaffey Theater will feature new music by Tampa-born composer Michael Ippolito. Buy tickets here. (WUSF News)
Ranked
  • No. 4. That’s Tampa’s ranking on RentCafe’s list of the top 50 cities for remote workers. The ranking considered 19 metrics in 150 cities, with Tampa winning out for our rental demand, share of remote workers, and share of apartments with access to sport amenities.
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6AM City In-house

It’s time to put on that Santa hat

Tampa Bay holiday donations
It’s been a hard year for many. And here at TBAYtoday, we believe in supporting our community, neighbors, and friends.

We’ve compiled a list of places you can donate to make sure every family has something special to look forward to.
  • Much of Southwest Florida is still reeling from Hurricane Ian. Metropolitan Ministries and partners are delivering turkey (or hams), non-perishable holiday treats, and giftcards to purchase presents. Donate online, or visit the site to purchase a turkey, ham, or a gift for a child.
  • United Way Suncoast is collecting toys for local children in need. Browse the Amazon wishlist here.
  • This Sunday, stop by the St. Pete Fools Bike & Toy Drive from 12-5 p.m.
  • For eight days, you can drop off toys in the WestShore Plaza parking lot for the Children’s Home Orlando’s 11th Annual Holiday Toy Drive
Did we miss any of your favorite charities? Let us know.
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Bailey.

Editor’s pick: Looking for non-monetary ways to support your neighbors in need? We put together a guide to local nonprofits and other community hubs to help out, here.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read up on where to take the in-laws or out-of-town pals, here.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke| Advertise with us.

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