06.29.2023

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Today’s Forecast

Scrapbooking Tampa Bay

4 interesting photos from Tampa Bay’s past

Screen Shot 2023-06-28 at 2.51.49 PM.png

Meet Tony Valenti, TBAY’s youngest newspaper salesman. | Photo via Lewis Hine

Love a good scrapbook? Us too. It’s why we love exploring the Library of Congress photo archives so much.

While perusing, we stumbled upon several snapshots that left us absolutely puzzled. What were we looking at?

Here are four interesting photos that made us curious — and taught us something new about TBAY’s rich past.

🧸 Teddy in TBAY

Screen Shot 2023-06-28 at 11.11.21 AM.png — Stereograph showing Theodore Roosevelt standing in the shade of a tent with two men inside.
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Photo via the US Copyright Office

Hail to the chief. During the summer of 1898, the Rough Riders, led by Theodore Roosevelt, were stationed in Tampa.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, the military operation caused the city’s population to triple.

Soldiers pitched tents in the Tampa Heights area, and officers + press stayed at the luxurious Tampa Bay Hotel (now the Henry B. Plant Museum). However, Colonel Teddy chose to camp with his men at night.

📽 The Stereo Drive-In

Screen Shot 2023-06-28 at 11.13.09 AM.png — The drive-in closed in 2000 and is now a Wal-Mart.
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Photo via John Margolies

Tucked away on US 19, a few blocks north of Gandy Blvd. in Pinellas Park, once lived The Stereo Drive-In.

The outdoor theater opened back in 1959 + and usually played religious films.

Why does it wave a giant colonial flag? We aren’t sure — but maybe you have an idea.

⛑ Clara Barton + the American National Red Cross

Screen Shot 2023-06-28 at 11.41.26 AM.png — This might look like chicken scratch, but if you look closely, that’s the signature of an American hero.
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Photo via Library of Congress

We’ve all heard of the American Red Cross. But did you know it started here in TBAY? During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross + planted its headquarters right on Plant Avenue.

There, she taught nurses how to heal soldiers and civilians and then brought them with her to serve the front lines in Cuba.

Fun fact: December 15 is recognized as Clara Barton Day in the Big Guava.

Events

Friday, June 30

Summer Festival of Racing | Friday, June 30-Saturday, July 1 | 11 a.m. | Tampa Bay Downs, 11225 Race Track Rd., Tampa | $3 | Witness the beginning of the 2023-2024 season — post time is 12:25 p.m.
Colbie Caillat & Gavin DeGraw | Friday, June 30 | 7 p.m. | The Sound, 255 Drew St., Clearwater | $9-$99 | The singer-songwriter duo join forces for their debut at the brand-new venue.
VooDood 10th-Anniversary Party and Concert | Friday, June 30 | 7-11 p.m. | Hooch and Hive, 1001 W. Cass St., Tampa | $10 | Check out Theresa Crout’s one-of-a-kind voodoo dolls, enter to win your own, and vibe out to some music.
Coastal Comedy Night With AJ Wilkerson | Friday, June 30-Saturday, July 1 | Times vary | Coastal Creative, 2201 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg, Tampa | $25-$35 | Listen to the comedian’s appendix-bursting humor while sipping on seltzers from the side bar — get there early to hear the openers.

Saturday, July 1

Discover Your Zen | Saturday, July 1 | 9-10 a.m. | Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa | $10-$25 | Enjoy a yoga flow + a day of science and self-discovery — registration required.
Indie Pendence BBQ | Saturday, July 1-Sunday, July 2 | Times vary | Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 39, 2599 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $5-$35 | Rock out to the electrifying beats of Dj Soane while eating savory barbecue.

Sunday, July 2

Little Surrealist Tour | Sunday, July 2 | 11:15 a.m.-11:45 p.m. | The Dalí Museum, 1 Dalí Blvd., St. Petersburg | $0-$29 | Bring the kiddos (ages four to 11 years old) along for a tour of the museum’s permanent collection.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Travel

Breeze Airways just added three direct flights out of TPA: Columbus, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Charleston, West Virginia. One-way tickets start at $59. See you soon, CBUStoday. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Announced

Ice, ice, TBAY. Two new concerts are coming to the Trop: Country artist Lee Price on Friday, Aug. 11 + Vanilla Ice, Montell Jordan, Tone Loc, and Rob Base on Saturday, Sept. 16. The shows follow the regular season games + field access wristbands cost $30. (I Love the Burg)

Plan Ahead

Happy (almost) 136th birthday, Tampa. Water Works Park (1710 N. Highland Ave.) is hosting the city’s Birthday Bash on Saturday, July 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be food trucks + entertainment — plus, it’s a chance to meet local event planners. (That’s So Tampa)

Festival

Grab your binoculars and your field trip buddies. The seventh annual Florida Birding and Nature Festival is coming to TBAY this October. Outings include walks, boat trips, and bus tours through spots like Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve. The early bird discount saves you $25 off $100 through July. (83 Degrees Media)

Sports

Six local roller skaters and their coach have been invited to compete at the Junior Roller Derby World Cup. Here’s the kicker — it’s in Valence, France. So, to raise funds for their trip, they will collect donations at Seminole Heights’ Independent Bar & Cafe on Sunday, July 2. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Active

Can you keep up? Tampa’s annual nighttime bike and skate is back tomorrow, Friday, June 30 at 8 p.m. Critical Mass only has two rules: fill in the gaps and maintain 11 miles per hour. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Edu

There’s a reason Indiana University is constantly recognized as one of the nation’s most beautiful college campuses. A huge part of the beauty? IU’s welcoming and inclusive nature that defines “Hoosier hospitality” (yes, it’s a real thing). See for yourself.*

Drink

On a water bottle hunt? Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling insulated bottle is the Owala FreeSip — it’s thoughtfully designed, leak proof, and keeps drinks cold.*

Wellness

Meet the only probiotic Halle Berry will take. It’s created by scientists and optimizes metabolism to support a healthy weight. Use code 6AMCITY for 20% off your first month.*

Development

New affordable housing incoming

Tampa developers receive $3 million grant for Ybor City affordable housing

You can see each of the proposed 10 units here. | Rendering via The City of Tampa

In an effort to address Tampa’s affordable housing crisis, three developers (and childhood best friends) and The City of Tampa are planning to build to construct a new income-restricted complex in Ybor City.

Tampa officials awarded the Pittman Design Group (PDG) $3 million with hopes of increasing the supply of affordable options for families so they can stay in Tampa. The money comes from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership.

“We need every unit we can get to increase our affordable housing supply,” Mayor Jane Castor said in a release.

The 10-unit multi-family complex will live at 2108 E. Columbus Dr. + will cater to families with a total income of 80 percent or less than the Area Median Income. The move ensures that households with an income stream of $69,500 or less.

In simple terms: The units “won’t be $3,000 a month,” said PDG founder Dontavious Pittman.

The project is still in the permitting phase, which will be complete within 18 months, according to officials.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Brad

From the editor

7venth Sun Brewery in Tampa closes today. Every week, my college roommates and I would head to the Seminole Heights taproom to indulge in some craft drinks. I can’t wait to finally check out the Dunedin location.

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