10.05.2023

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Today’s Forecast

3 Tampa Bay area civic updates

Three Tampa Bay area civic updates

A photograph of Old City Hall in Downtown Tampa. There is a US flag flying overhead and a modern skyscraper in the background.

Old City Hall was built in 1915. | Photo by TBAYtoday

We know it can be hard to keep up with all the developments in our area. To help you stay in the loop, here’s a few need-to-know Tampa Bay happenings:

St. Pete budget

The City of St. Pete has agreed on a final budget for the fiscal year 2024. The $823 million budget includes $241 million for wages + benefits, and $192 million for public safety expenses.

Here are some of the things that will impact us:

Property tax rates are decreasing slightly. St. Pete residents will see a millage rate reduction from 6.535 to 6.4675.
Approximately $62 million is being used for community enrichment services like the arts, museums + nonprofits.
$17.9 million will go toward improving water distribution systems.

A photo of St. Pete's waterfront. There are palm trees lining the water and Al Lang Stadium is in the background, surrounded by high rises. — A fragment of St. Pete’s glorious waterfront.
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Photo by TBAYtoday

Federal aid for Idalia victims

Hillsborough County residents impacted by Hurricane Idalia can now apply for federal aid. FEMA has announced Individual Assistance is available for those eligible in the county.

Both property owners and renters can receive money for things like basic repairs or temporary housing. You can apply using the FEMA app or call them directly at (800) 621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Pinellas residents can also apply online.

Make your voice heard

The Tampa City Council meets today to discuss several important issues. There will be an update on transportation projects in the city, as well as information about budget changes — including $5 million for Hurricane Idalia relief, and around $4.5 million for wastewater services.

It’s taking place at 9 a.m. at Old City Hall, 314 E. Kennedy Blvd. where in-person attendees can speak during the public comment section. If you can’t make it there, you can livestream the meeting.

Events

Thursday, Oct. 5

Hocus Focus: Halloween Experience | Thursday, Oct. 5-Monday, Nov. 6 | Times vary | Fairgrounds St. Pete, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S., St. Petersburg | $32-$37 | Come and enjoy some family-friendly creative Halloween fun with this scavenger hunt.
“America’s New Map” — Thomas Barnett Talk | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $5-$32 | Listen to this author and acclaimed geo-strategist talk about his new book which discusses the future of the US amid its climate anxiety and changing demographics.

Friday, Oct. 6

Leading Ladies Network | Friday, Oct. 6 | 9-10:30 a.m. | Saddlebrook Resort, 5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel | $10 | Connect with other women plus enjoy a presentation by a personal stylist.
Oktoberfest at German American Society | Friday, Oct. 6-Saturday, Oct. 7 | Times vary | German American Society of Pinellas County, 8098 66th St. N., Pinellas Park | $10 | Enjoy traditional and authentic German food + drink at this Oktoberfest celebration.
October Vintage Market | Friday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 8 | Times vary | Vintage Marche, 2906 34th St. S., St. Petersburg | $0-$5 | Browse threads, glassware, and furniture from more than 40 vendors at this monthly market.

Saturday, Oct. 7

GET FIT: Yoga in the Park | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 9 a.m. | Crescent Lake Park, 1320 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg | Free | The Body Electric Yoga Company leads a flow in the scenic lakefront park — make sure to register for a free Get Fit Membership.

Events calendar here

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Try This

Explore Longview Carolina

Try This: Explore Longview Carolina

Presented by a TBAYtoday Partner

Hello mountains. | Photo by Roy Costner IV with Take Part, LLC.

Looking to relocate or invest in a summer home? Enter: The Carolinas, a highly sought after region currently ranked third most popular place for moving within the United States. We took a tour of Longview Carolina, a new community development nestled in the heart of foothills of SC — halfway between Clemson + Greenville — and just a stone’s throw from Easley.

Longview Carolina is more than just picturesque views; it’s about cultivating a life close to nature. With community gardens, fresh eggs, hiking and biking trails, a community pool, and pickle ball courts, residents get a taste of sustainable living with all the amenities of modern life.

What we tried:

We started with a scenic golf cart ride through the property. While cruising around with the proverbial top down, we visited several of the property’s spacious lots, saw the future home of some soon-to-be very happy chickens, and enjoyed a family-style picnic near the top of the mountain.

What not to miss

News Notes

Open

Start spreading the news. There’s a new bagel shop in town. Sesame is now open in Hyde Park Village at 1500 W. Swann Ave. The best part? Their bagels are sourced directly from Long Island. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. as the business gets its seeds in the ground.(That’s So Tampa)

Development

We now know more about where the $1.3 billion is coming from to build the new Rays stadium. The City of St. Pete will contribute $287.5 million + Pinellas County is giving $312.5 million. The Rays will cover the remaining cost for the 30,000-seat arena which is expected to open for the 2028 season. (WFLA)

Sports

The Rays’ dreams of a first World Series title are over for another season. Tampa Bay lost the best-of-three Wild Card Series to the Texas Rangers after two straight defeats. The season was full of promise for the Rays, who won the first 13 games of the 2023 season — tying the modern era record.

Concert

Tyler Childers is coming to Tampa. The country sensation will be stopping at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre on Wednesday, June 5 next year as part of his Mule Pull ’24 tour. He’ll be joined by Valerie June and Willi Carlisle. Presale ticket registration is open.

Coming Soon

A St. Pete fave is coming back. Mezzo Market returns Saturday, Oct. 14 for the fall season, taking over Baum Avenue for four of 2023’s remaining Saturdays. The market features more than 125 local vendors. It will also be held on Oct. 28, Nov. 18 + Dec. 16. (I Love The Burg)

Announced

Mel’s Hot Dogs has new owners. The iconic Tampa staple opened back in 1973 + was run by Mel Lohn until earlier this year. HD Holding Company LLC bought it for $435,000. But don’t worry, Mel’s fans — the company is run by three brothers from Temple Terrace. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Real Estate

A Utah-based company just bought a mobile home park in St. Pete for $9.9 million. The Isle of Palms Mobile Home Park features 161 units at 7400 46th Ave. N.. The 55+ community is around five miles from Madeira Beach. Plans for the property have not been announced. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Edu

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Outdoors

We’re going to need a bigger head of lettuce

Manatees on camera and in care

A manatee is just underneath the surface of some blue-green water. The animal is sticking its nose out from under the water which has a shiny reflection from lights above.

Got any veggies? | Photo by @bishopsciencefl

Manatees have been surfacing on our local news feeds lately, so we thought we’d give a couple of updates on our favorite whiskered sea mammal.

Not so gentle giants

Filming starts soon in Tampa for “No Wake Zone” — a movie about a killer manatee. The horror/comedy will film for 13 days in early 2024, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Sarasota-based production company Toxic Pictures is expected to spend around $800,000 dollars in Hillsborough County during filming.

ZooTampa rehabbing trio

In the world of nonfiction, ZooTampa is rehabilitating three manatees before they are released back into the wild in the coming months, as first reported by That’s So Tampa.

Piccolina, Soleil, and Calliope were previously treated at ZooTampa’s David A. Straz, Jr. Critical Care Center before spending around a year at the Cincinnati Zoo. The trio were three of the smallest manatee calves to ever arrive at the center when they first got there, but now weigh over 2,500 lbs combined.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Patrick

From the editor

Did you know Christopher Columbus thought manatees were mermaids? He described them as “not half as beautiful as they are painted” when he saw some off the coast of Hispaniola. I recommend heading to the Manatee Viewing Center down in Apollo Beach to see them for yourself — it’s free + opens for the colder weather next month.

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