Plus, it was TBAY's hottest year on record.
 
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Today’s Forecast

74º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:49 p.m. | Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 11:16 a.m. + 10:01 p.m. | Low: 2:58 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 6:59 a.m. + 6:21 p.m. | Low: 12:16 p.m.
 

✏️ Get out a pencil, it’s pop quiz time

Test out your knowledge of 2023 in Tampa Bay
A sign sits outside the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. The sun is shining and Ybor's Seventh Avenue is visible in the background.
Here’s a hint for No. 6 across. | Photo by TBAYtoday
We know, 2023 was so last year.

The last 12 months were busy in the Tampa Bay area, with so many restaurant openings, superstar concerts, a hurricane, multiple stadium announcements, and a host of other happenings. See how much you can remember with this crossword puzzle.

Here’s a few of the clues:
  • Which part of town did The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts move to?
  • The last round of golf was played at this USF golf course — which opened to the public in 1967 — in September.
  • What was the name of the Category Four hurricane that impacted Tampa Bay at the end of August?
  • Carole Baskin, of “Tiger King” fame, announced she is selling this Citrus Park animal center.
Once you’ve recalled as much as possible, check out the answer key.
Test your knowledge
 
Events
Wednesday, Jan. 3
  • New & Noteworthy Book Club: “Shark Heart” | Wednesday, Jan. 3 | 6:30-7 p.m. | Virtual | Free with reservation | Log on for Oxford Exchange’s virtual book club to discuss this sweeping tale of love, life, and loss.
  • Sunset Yoga | Wednesday, Jan. 3 | 7-8 p.m. | Spa Beach Park, 600 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | Free | The Body Electric Yoga Company leads a practice for all skill levels.
Thursday, Jan. 4
  • City Council Meeting | Thursday, Jan. 4 | 9 a.m. | Second Floor Council Chamber, 175 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg | Free | Start off the new year by making your voice heard during the public input section of this weekly meeting.
  • “GASPAR! The Musical” | Thursday, Jan. 4-Sunday, Jan. 7 | Times vary | Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $10-$55 | Check out the songs + tunes of this show in which legendary pirate José Gaspar is transported to modern day Tampa Bay.
Friday, Jan. 5
  • Leading Ladies Network | Friday, Jan. 5 | Times vary | Saddlebrook Resort, 5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel | $10 | Connect with other women in an uplifting environment which features workshops, speakers, and presentations.
  • Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents “The Greatest Show On Earth” | Friday, Jan. 5-Sunday, Jan. 7 | Times vary | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $20-$75 | Marvel at acrobatic feats as the iconic circus show returns to the Big Guava featuring trapeze, stunt bikes, highwire, and other circus classics.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Environment
  • 2023 was the hottest year on record in Tampa and St. Pete, according to the National Weather Service. The agency reported a 76.6º average in Tampa and a 76.5º average in the Burg. (WTSP)
Edu
  • Florida’s first ever January tax-free shopping holiday has started. The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday runs through Sunday, Jan. 14 during which shoppers can get items like school supplies, clothes, and computers free of tax. Price limits apply. (WFLA)
Active
  • St. Pete’s seventh annual Glow in the Park 5K and one-mile walk returns on Saturday, Feb. 3. Racers + participants will make their way through North Straub Park starting at 6 p.m. in light-up garb. Register now. (I Love the Burg)
Shop
  • The Indie Flea returns to St. Pete this Sunday, Jan. 7. The market features 200+ vendors at The Factory (2606 Fairfield Ave.) where shoppers can browse vintage clothes, art, housewares, handmade goods + take in live performances from 12 to 4 p.m. (I Love the Burg)
Festival
  • The Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival is coming back next month. The event is booked for Saturday, Feb. 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Woodson African American Museum of Florida in St. Pete (2240 Ninth Ave. S.). The annual festival will have 200+ vendors, as well as a kids’ zone, and cooking demos. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Concert
  • Indie-rock band Alvvays are performing in Ybor City later this year. The group made waves with their 2022 album “Blue Rev” and will be playing at The Ritz on Wednesday, May 1. Tickets start at $57. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Learn
 
History

❄️ It’s snow joke

A final reader story from the 1977 snowfall in the Tampa Bay area
A picture from snowfall in 1977. The words "Florida," "77," and "Tampa" have all been written in snow on cars.
No prizes for guessing which city this photo was taken in. | Photo via @rubencapote49
Last month, we reminisced about the snowfall of 1977 when one to two inches of frosty flakes fell in the Tampa Bay area.

You (our wonderful readers) keep sharing stories and memories from that day, and we have just one more for you. Here’s Michael I.'s tale:

“I drove an old ’57 Chevy pickup at that time. After rehearsing with my band the night before, we walked out to see snowflakes falling, of course assuming it would only melt as it hit the ground. To my surprise, the following morning came with a surreal inch of snow on the lawn. There was about two inches of snow accumulated on the hood of my old truck!”

“My morning commute was a drudge of stop-and-go traffic on Highway 60 from Brandon to East Tampa. Fortunately, I only had one overpass to traverse as the old pickup began to freely slide.”

“The topic of the ‘Blizzard’ dominated water cooler chat for days!”
The Buy

The Buy 1.03.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A colorful planner or calendar to get you organized for the new year with intentionality, purpose, and plenty of inspiration.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Patrick
From the editor
It’s good to be back, folks. I hope you had a happy and healthy holiday season. The new year is always full of promise and excitement. I’m looking forward to the concerts we already have lined up in the Tampa Bay area.
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