02.20.2024

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

🌪️ Prepare to prepare

Prepare for hurricane season with the Pinellas County Special Needs Evacuation Assistance Program

Flooding in the Coffee Pot Bayou area. There is standing water in the road with trees above and houses lining the street.

Parts of Pinellas County are especially flood-prone. | Photo by TBAYtoday

It’s never too early to start preparing for hurricane season. Although the season doesn’t officially begin until June 1 in the Tampa Bay area, officials in Pinellas County are doing the rounds + making important phone calls in the coming weeks to those on their Special Needs Evacuation Assistance Program.

Here’s a quick heads up before we get started: a similar program exists in Hillsborough County, too.

Here is the need-to-know info:

How it works

Pinellas County’s program is activated during times of emergency evacuation, including hurricanes. In those instances, people who are a part of the initiative will receive a phone call to confirm their transportation needs + will then be taken to shelters.

A list of public shelters is also posted online + released to local media during emergencies.

Officials advise bringing necessities + comforts with you, including nonperishable food items for those with dietary restrictions, medications, bedding and blankets, clothing, and personal hygiene items. Caregivers are also welcome + encouraged to join.

A flooded street with clouds above. Rain is falling and there are houses on both sides of the street under white cloudy skies. — Hurricane Idalia caused parts of TBAY to flood.
|
Photo by TBAYtoday

Who is eligible?

The program currently has ~4,500 people on its registry with special needs. Make sure to apply if you think you meet eligibility requirements, which include:

Needing oxygen
Dependent on electricity, such as CPAP users
Needing help with routine care + medications
Mobility + transportation assistance

Can my dog come?

While pets are not allowed in special needs shelters, they can attend pet-friendly public shelters.

Trained service animals are permitted at any shelter. For those without emergency evacuation options for pets, make sure to phone + register with Pinellas County Animal Services who can help out.

What’s happening now?

If you’re already part of the program, you can expect a call Tuesday, Feb. 20 to Friday, Feb. 23 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26 to Wednesday, Feb. 28. This call is a check-in to make sure your contact information is up to date.

Officials will try to call twice. If you miss both calls, you will be sent a new registration form which must be completed to stay on the registry.

Events

Tuesday, Feb. 20

Open Mic Night | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 8 p.m.-1 a.m. | Shuffle, 2612 N. Tampa St., Tampa | Free entry | Perform, watch along, or play a game of shuffleboard with beers + bites.

Wednesday, Feb. 21

AARP Day | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St., Tampa | Free | AARP members can register at no cost to visit the museum on the third Wednesday of every month.
Balcony to Backstage Tour | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 11:30 a.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $8-$10 | Hear secrets and storied tales about the historic venue’s past, including a demonstration of its legendary organ.
A Tribute to Sarah Brightman | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 7 p.m. | Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $35+ | Elona Krasavtseva pays homage to the English soprano, delving into her repertoire of tunes.

Thursday, Feb. 22

Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 6:30 p.m. | Centro Asturiano de Tampa, 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa | $59+ | From the cornfields of “Interstellar” to Gotham City’s streets, revel in Zimmer’s storied catalog of movie tunes under the glow of candlelight.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $46+ | Head into downtown Tampa to watch the Bolts face off against the Caps.

Friday, Feb. 23

Black History Month Reception | Friday, Feb. 23 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St., Tampa | $75 | The third annual event will celebrate, recognize, educate, and inspire.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

Skincare essentials that turn up the heat

Say bye-bye to dry skin with our list of skincare products. | Photo provided by Six & Main

Is dry skin making you feel frustrated during these winter months? Don’t worry, our online shop (Six & Main) features hydrating skincare products essential for weathering cold temperatures.

Step into a world of self-care as you explore a curated selection of winter skincare essentials, leaving your skin refreshed and revitalized.

Clean your face with the Purifying Face Wash by Roosevelt Supply Co. With added organic fruit extracts and activated charcoal, you’re sure to clean off the toughest dirt and grime without being harsh on your skin.

Exfoliate your skin using the Las Flores | Mini Hydrate + Brighten Duo, which is a powerful formula by Esteli that gently exfoliates and nourishes, leaving your skin looking and feeling refreshed.

Visibly improve texture, tone, and the look of fine lines and wrinkles with the Repair Hemp & Retinol Face Cream by She Biology, a hemp-strain skincare collection.

Shop all skincare

News Notes

Number

10,659. That’s how many people packed into the Yuengling Center on Sunday, Feb. 18 to watch the USF Bulls men’s basketball team notch an 11th straight conference game win. The number represents the highest attendance in program history, with the masses witnessing a 90-86 victory over FAU.

Coming Soon

Dueling pianos will soon take over Lykes Gaslight Park in downtown Tampa. “Keys in the Park” will pit local musicians head-to-head on a quarterly basis. It’s free to attend and the first installment is on Friday, March 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (That’s So Tampa)

Traffic

Preparations are under way for the 20th Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The weekend of racing is coming up March 8-10, and crews have already started getting the track ready. The street course passes by iconic parts of St. Pete’s waterfront, including The Dalí Museum + Alfred Whitted Airport. (Bay News 9)

Development

Changes are coming to Sundial St. Pete. Construction at the shopping complex will turn its open-air courtyard into a communal green space, featuring an outdoor bar. Half a dozen dolphin sculptures are also in the works. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Ranked

No. 29. That’s where Tampa ranked on WalletHub’s list of hardest-working cities in the US. Metrics like working hours and number of workers with multiple jobs were used to reach the findings across 116 cities. St. Pete ranked No. 38.

Kids

Children ages 12 and under can ride the Cross Bay Ferry for free throughout March and April. The offer is unlocked with any adult ticket purchase and applies for every day except for those with home Lightning games. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Sports

Mock drafts are in full flow ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Art

Collected over four decades throughout Papua New Guinea and Africa, these ritual + ceremonial African and Oceanic objects are now on permanent display at the Polk Museum of Art thanks to the work of Dr. Alan and Linda Rich. Plan your visit + learn about their history.*

Travel

A friendly reminder to book spring + summer vacations (they’re just around the corner). Looking for privacy? This beachfront Bahamas cottage is perfect for two. Prefer the mountains? Book this newly built Gatlinburg, TN cabin. Want beach time? Walk to St. Simons, GA’s shore from this Vrbo that’s also a treehouse.*

City

🚒 Wee-oo wee-oo

Tampa Fire Rescue unveils new fleet

Three fire trucks sit under blue skies and a bright sun. They are labeled "Tampa Fire Rescue" and have red + yellow stripes.

TFR was foundedin 1895. | Photo via City of Tampa

The Tampa Fire Rescue Department has been saving lives in our area since its inception ~130 years ago. As the Big Guava continues to grow, so does the department, which unveiled eight new vehicles on Monday, Feb. 19.

The state-of-the-art emergency response vehicles feature three new rescue cars, three fire engines, and two AmbuBuses, according to a release.

Mayor Jane Castor called the new fleet “the best tools possible” and said the move will ensure “that Tampa stays at the forefront of safety and efficiency, ready to respond at a moment’s notice.”

The unveiling comes alongside a host of recent upgrades to the city’s fire stations, as well as employment growth under Fire Chief Barbara Tripp.

For those who want to learn more about the department + its history, check out the Tampa Firefighters Museum.

The Buy

The Buy 2.20.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Top-rated microfiber pillowcases, because you deserve new, soft pillowcases to sleep on at night. We like how these are wrinkle free (no ironing needed) and are super soft to the touch.

Share TBAYtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_2}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Patrick

From the editor

I’m still trying to decide where to spend the day within two hours from Tampa Bay. From Cedar Key to Crystal River and the Kennedy Space Center, let me know where you want me to go. I’ll write about it and post it on our Instagram.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY