Six more months of free rides 🚎

The SunRunner extends complimentary rides through November

The SunRunner rides off into the sunset through midnight. | Photo by Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

Attention all city commuters and beach lovers: Due to its immense popularity, the SunRunner is keeping the complimentary cruises going.

Yup, that’s right. You can now soak up the sun and save your dough until this November, as stated in the PTSA’s release. Initially introduced in October, St. Pete’s newest mode of transportation connects the downtown to the sandy shores (and many stops in between).

The extension will help the St. Pete City Council gather an entire year’s worth of ridership data, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The SunRunner transported more than 260,000 passengers in its first three months, and ridership has risen every month.

Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA, explained the importance of the free trips saying, “Riders have been using the service to get to work, medical appointments, and to our award-winning beaches.”

At the end of fall, however, riders will likely pay $2.25 for a one-way trip or $5 for all-day riding (unless there’s another extension). But, fret not — you won’t have to touch a thing. We told you this week about the new contactless payment system on all the PTSA buses.

For now, you can hop aboard any bus at any station without dropping a dime.

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Today, Feb. 23

Self Defense Level 1 | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 6-8 p.m. | Fitlife Foods, 2454 N. McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater | $75 | Walk away with a complimentary take-home meal and new moves for your toolbox.
Drumline Live | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 7 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st St. S., St. Petersburg | $32.50-$52.50 | Watch the theater adaptation of the 2002 movie, “Drumline.”
Lightning vs. Sabres | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 7-10 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $40-$510 | Watch as the Lightning take on Buffalo.

Friday, Feb. 24

The Judds: The Final Tour | Friday, Feb. 24 | 7:30 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $25.75-$395.75 | Wynonna Judd (and special guest Brandi Carlile) performs some of the Judd’s signature hits.
DREAMLAND | Friday, Feb. 24-Saturday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $15-$40 | Watch a reimagination of Shakespeare’s Midsummer set during the 1950s declassification era of Area 51.
The Black Honkeys w/ The Tokes | Friday, Feb. 24 | 8 p.m. | Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Rd., Tampa | $12 | Have a brew and listen to TBAY’s groovy own funk band.

Saturday, Feb. 25

Repticon | Saturday, Feb. 25-Sunday, Feb. 26 | Times vary | Special Events Center, 4800 US Hwy. 301 N., Tampa | $0-$12 | See and purchase exotic animals from around the globe.
Florida Gun Show | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Florida State Fair, 4800 US Hwy. 301 N., Tampa | $13 | Browse thousands of guns.
Iconic: Portrait Edition | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 7-10 p.m. | The Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Pete | $150-$175 | Watch three local icons have their portrait painted + vote on your favorite.

Sunday, Feb. 26

New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves | Sunday, Feb. 26 | 1:05 p.m. | George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Dr., Tampa | $40-$120 | Watch New York play Atlanta in the team’s second home.

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

Weather

86º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Red tide is on the move along at Tampa Bay beaches. It’s due to agal booms, according to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. Officials say conditions may vary throughout Pinellas’ waters. 🏖 (Bay News 9)

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:40 a.m.
Set: 5:42 p.m.

Tides
Old Tampa Bay

High: 5:18 a.m. + 5:40 p.m.
Low: 11:38 a.m.

Clearwater Beach

High: 1:17 a.m. + 1:31 p.m.
Low: 7:30 a.m. + 7:59 p.m.

Development

Tradepoint Atlantic just signed a 40-year lease on 35 acres of land at Port Tampa Bay. The company plans to build a 500,000-sqft distribution facility for moving cargo between ships, trucks, and trains. The construction will take about two years. (Tampa Bay Times)

Eat

Ever eaten a sushi burrito? St. Pete’s fast-casual poke bowl restaurant Pacific Counter is expanding to Tampa in The Carriage Trade Plaza (1732 S. Dale Mabry Hwy.). Doors officially open in March. (Tampa Bay Times)
Speaking of sushi, Yaki-mono Kitchen (4599 Gulf Blvd.) is now open in St. Pete Beach. The menu features six different udon noodle dishes, large hibachi iortions, and steamin’ hot ramen bowls. If you’re on the move, grab a hot lunch box to go. 🍱 (I Love the Burg)

Ranked

34. That’s where Tampa’s Hole In One Donut (14406 N. Florida Ave.) ranked on Yelp’s Top 100 US Donut Shops list. The rankings are based on a number of factors, including the number of sales + reviews. Pro tip: Try the apple fritter + strawberry cake donut. 🍩

Sports

Also, on the topic of scoring a hole-in-one, Topgolf Live is coming to Raymond James Stadium this May. Swing from the hitting bays up in the stands + aim downfield over 150 yards away. Reservations go live tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 24. 🏟 (That’s So Tampa)

Film

The filmmakers behind National Geographic’s “Path of the Panther” doc are hosting two post-show Q&As at the Tampa Theatre this weekend. The 88-minute movie gives viewers an up-close-and-personal view of the endangered Florida Panther. Grab tix to the Friday, Feb. 24 + Sunday, Feb. 26 screenings before they sell out. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Plan Ahead

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor + a handful of TBAY’s leading businesswomen are hosting TogetHER, a discussion and reception for Women’s History Month. The panel is on Wednesday, March 22, in Hyde Park Village. The first 100 people to arrive get a free gift bag. 🎤

Listen

Calling all bibliophiles. Level up your reading routine with an Audible Membership. Why we love it: we can listen to our favorite books and discover new titles while doing everyday tasks like commuting, walking the dog, cooking, and cleaning. Sign up for your first 30 days free. 📚*

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Test your might

Self defense classes in Tampa Bay, FL

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Tampa Wing Chun Kung Fu offers classes for kids too. | Photo via @tampawingchunkungfu

Most of learning how to stay safe comes from the ability to be aware, confident + knowledgeable in any given situation. That’s where a self-defense class comes into play.

These classes are about more than just knowing how to stop someone from stealing your wallet or how to punch or kick.

Women’s Self-Defense | Hellman’s Mixed Martial Arts,12202 Race Track Rd., Tampa | Free | This beginner class for all fitness levels focuses on practical personal protection in real-world situations.

LGBTQ+ Self-Defense Course | Allendale United Methodist Church, 3803 Haines Rd. N., St. Petersburg | Saturday, March 18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Free | Learn various tactics and cues like distance management, defense, and abduction prevention.

4 MORE CLASSES

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brad.

Editor’s pick: I can’t wait to see the “Path of the Panther” on Sunday night. Watch the trailer here.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We broke down the changes coming to Ashley Drive.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith, Josh Kranzberg | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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