Take our recommendations

• Try a new-to-you coffee shop, and then submit your favorite spot to our coffee shop bracket.
• Up your “me time” by doing more of what you love — reading, working out, or volunteering in the community.
• Spend a few more precious hours with your life partner. Book a dinner resy or inventive date night using our list of faves.
• Explore Tampa + the Burg with a new lens, using our roundup of local murals. Pro tip: Post them to Instagram and tag us and we might just share your creation.

A few local event options

• Leap Year Run presented by On Running | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6:30-8 p.m. | St. Pete Running Company, 6986 22nd Ave. N., St. Pete | Free | Join fellow TBAY track stars for a trek around the Burg + and complete the Leap Year Streak Challenge (any kind of exercise for 29 minutes every day in February).
• Florida Strawberry Festival 2024 | Thursday, Feb. 29-Sunday, March 10 | Times vary | 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City | $4-$15 | Spend the day with a very TBAY celebration full of fair rides, performances by artists like Jordan Davis + the Black Eyed Peas, and plenty of berry-themed food + drinks.
• Leap Day Leap of Faith | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Empower Adventures Tampa Bay, 423 Lafayette Blvd., Oldsmar | $74 | Zip Line Adventure participants can take on the additional climbing challenge completely free.

• Cirque du Soleil’s BAZZAR | Thursday, Feb. 29-Sunday, March 24 | Times vary | Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg | $42-$119 | Experience the magic of the Cirque du Soleil experience in the Burg — complete with acrobatics, dynamic stunts ,and exhilarating performances.

• Pre-Party Social at Barriehaus | Friday, March 1 | 4-6 p.m. | Barriehaus, 1403 E. 5th Ave., Tampa | Free | Come talk to the board and other Florida breweries, hang out, drink some crisp beer, and enjoy light snacks.
• Listening Room Festival 2024: 13th Annual Showcase | Friday, March 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $35+ | Take in tunes by singer-songwriters Spencer LaJoye, Daniel Neihoff, Grace Morrison, and Jenna Nicholls — VIP tickets include apps, lounge access, and after-party attendance.

• Building a Boss Summit | Saturday, March 2 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | Embarc Collective, 802 E. Whiting St., Tampa | $197+ | Join fellow female entrepreneurs for panels, workshops, and keynote speakers on succeeding in the business world — get 15% off tickets with the code BOSS.
• Gasparilla Festival of the Arts | Saturday, March 2-Sunday, March 3 | Times vary | Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N. Blvd., Tampa | Free | 30,000+ folks flock to the renowned festival to check out all kinds of art, live music, eats, and kids’ activities.
• Orchid Elegance: Show and Sale | Saturday, March 2-Sunday, March 3 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Sons of Italy Hall, 3315 W. Lemon St., Tampa | $5 | Feast your eyes on artistic orchid displays, pick up supplies for growing your own orchids, enter the raffle contest, and watch the award ceremony.

• Something new is on the way to historic Ybor City. Ten Rooms Ybor City (1536 E. 7th Ave.) will host food and drink spots, plus offer art, shopping, and event spaces. The hub is projected to open this winter. (That’s So Tampa)

• The redevelopment of St. Petersburg’s former police headquarters kicked off yesterday. Once completed, the project will house Orange Station — an Autograph Collection boutique hotel, office space, a parking garage, retail space, and The Wye — a 42-unit apartment building for workforce housing. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• We’re welcoming Bon to the Burg. Jon Bon Jovi is set to make an appearance at this year’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The rocker will help kick off the festivities on Sunday, March 10, riding in a two-seater car. (Tampa Bay Times)

• $37.5 million. That’s how much a 42-acre estate right next to Caladesi Island State Park will cost you. Other than the supreme waterfront views, the home features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a heated lap pool, dockage on Dunedin Pass, and its own slice of beach. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

• Alessi Bakery is on the move. The longtime Tampa Bay bakery will reopen at 3003 W. Cypress St. — a mere 500 ft from its current residence. The move will allow Alessi to expand its offerings to include wood-fired pizzas, cocktails, and coffee. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

• Soon, you’ll be able to grab your hot pretzel knots right in the heart of West St. Pete. Mama G’s German Bakery and Coffeehouse is opening a new location at 7219 Central Ave. S. The bakery will serve a traditional German breakfast, croissants, strudels, drinks, and other treats. (I Love the Burg)

• Eckerd College’s annual Marine Yard Sale is coming up. The sale is booked for Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. + will feature sailboats, powerboats, kayaks, and other marine equipment. (I Love the Burg)

• Meet the “Blanket Guy.” TBAY resident Jon Pessano delivers blankets, bedding, shoes, snacks, and other necessities to folks in need across our area. Check out this profile. (Tampa Bay Times)

• Where can we find the very best coffee shop in the Tampa Bay area? In case you missed it, we’re starting a bracket challenge in which the top eight coffee contenders — nominated by you — will go head-to-head here in our newsletter and on socials. Make sure your favorite spot is one of those eight.

• Is Jeff Blashill being scapegoated? The Bolts go for three in a row in Philly. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
  

• The secret to spotless furniture: ChomChom’s reusable lint roller, which picks up pet hair and lint like nobody’s business. Get it on sale for a few more hours.*