Plus, what's next for the Florida Aquarium?
 
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Today’s Forecast

87º | 60% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 6:37 a.m. | Sunset 8:14 p.m. | Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 1:28 p.m. | Low: 7:17 a.m. + 8:46 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 10:02 a.m. + 11:38 p.m. | Low: 5:07 p.m. | Full Weather Report | Traffic Report
 

🐶 Emptying shelters, filling frames

Meet the Tampa photographer helping rescue dogs find homes
Adam Goldberg takes a photo of a dog in a studio. There is photography equipment around, and someone is holding the dog — which looks like a German Shepherd — on a leash. The shepherd is looking at Adam who sits in front with his camera in hand.
America’s Next Top Doggo | Photo via AGoldPhoto Pet Photography
Among South Tampa’s coffee shops, independent boutiques, and global cuisine offerings, lies an inconspicuous storefront at 3105 W. Bay to Bay Blvd. That’s where AGoldPhoto Pet Photography changes lives.

Adam Goldberg runs the studio, a man who has helped 750+ rescue dogs find their forever homes. Today is National Rescue Dog Day, and in honor of the occasion, we wanted to tell his story + tell you how to help his mission.

Goldberg started off as the social media and website manager at the Humane Society, who is still readily involved in his work. There, he taught himself professional-level photography skills and techniques, and began using what he learned at the shelter for good.

“Getting a quality photo of a shelter pet when first arrive at the shelter is nearly impossible,” Goldberg said. So, he started doing photo shoots “to bring out the personality of each pet to help increase their adoption chances.”

TBAY_May_2024_Rescue_dog

An example of Goldberg’s photo vs. the same dog’s initial intake photo

|

Photo via AGoldPhoto Pet Photography

But altruism doesn’t grow on trees. Here’s how you can help:
  • Booking a private session for your pet is the easiest way to get involved. And the cost of your shoot will fund three sessions for rescue dogs. If that’s not enough, you’ll also find out when one gets adopted.
  • These shoots are called “Second Shot Adoption Photo Shoots,” done in collaboration with FairyTail Pet Care — a local company which specializes in wedding day dog preparations. Fun fact: you may recognize FairyTail from its recent Shark Tank appearance.
  • Adoption shoots can be sponsored, and cost $1,250.
  • Goldberg also has a Patreon page.
If you want to follow his journey and show your support, AGoldPhoto’s Instagram is full to the brim of cuteness. Heads up: We met this adorable pair of dumplings when we visited.
Asked

Do you own a dog?
A. Yes, I have one
B. There’s more than one pup in this house
C. I’m more of a cat person
D. No pets
Fill your (pup) cup
 
Events
Monday, May 20
  • “Tom Clancy Act of Defiance” | Monday, May 20 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $5+ | Authors Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson discuss their new novel as the decades-long Jack Ryan series continues.
Tuesday, May 21
  • Spotlight Tampa Bay: Community Conversation Series | Tuesday, May 21 | 5-8 p.m. | Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $10+ | Join local environmental experts to hear about our area’s ongoing climate change preparations.
  • “Tampa Bay: The Story of an Estuary and its People” | Tuesday, May 21 | 7-8 p.m. | Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free with reservation | Recount 2,000 years of local history, centered around the waterway which defines our home.
  • Bad Bunny | Tuesday, May 21 | 8 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $106+ | Groove in the Cigar City to the tunes of the Puerto Rican sensation’s “Most Wanted Tour.”
Wednesday, May 22
  • Through Their Lens: A Journey of Self Exploration On View | Wednesday, May 22 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 1630 E. 7th Ave., Tampa | $10+ | This Ybor City exhibit showcases students’ work on themes of well-being, personal discovery, travel, and mental health.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Announced
  • A new experience is on its way to the Florida Aquarium. The aquarium didn’t give much away in its Instagram announcement, but whatever’s coming will arrive this Friday, May 24, and it could be something to do with cockatoos.
Open
  • Residents have started moving into a new luxury apartment complex in St. Pete. The 17-story Park & Main building is part of the city’s mixed-use Echelon City Center development, located north of downtown. The complex has 176 units and is located at 221 Main St. N. (St. Pete Rising)
Giveaway
  • Free coffee alert. Make sure to head to the grand opening of Kahwa Coffee’s new St. Pete location tomorrow, May 21 for a free cup of joe. The store is located at 6601 4th St. N., where Mayor Ken Welch is set to make an appearance around 2:30 p.m.
Coming Soon
  • North Carolina-based fast-food chain Cook Out is on its way to Tampa Bay. The company just bought two pieces of local real estate, one in Carrollwood for $2.5 million, and the other near USF for $3.5 million. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Watch
  • Play ball. The Tampa Bay Rays’s nine-game homestand at the Trop starts today. The Red Sox, Royals, and Athletics will all be in the Burg over the next 11 days. Don’t miss out on the action.
Closed
  • The Sulphur Springs Pool needs “extensive repairs” according to City of Tampa officials. After its sudden closure last November because of ongoing underground concerns, the spot is set to remain closed indefinitely. Over 25,000 locals used the public pool last year. (Tampa Bay Times)
Try This
  • Happy birthday to Lowry Parcade. The Lowry Park craft beer + video game haven is celebrating its 8th birthday this weekend, with three days of drink deals, live music, and entertainment from Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Sports
  • Dig deeper into the Bucs 2024 schedule. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
    Home
    • You deserve beautiful, energy-efficient windows and doors. Renewal by Andersen® is offering buy one, get one 40% off + $200 off your order for a limited time.*
     
    Outdoor

    Become a boat GOAT

    Stay safe on the water ahead of Memorial Day weekend
    A photo of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge taken from the water. The bridge is in the distance, and on the right hand side there are luxurious waterfront homes lining the water.
    Stay safe out there, TBAY. | Photo by the City of St. Petersburg
    The Tampa Bay area is a great place to own a boat. Whether it’s Bay waters, sand keys, or the Intracoastal Waterway, thousands of TBAY locals will pile into boats during Memorial Day weekend.

    Sorry to be the adult in the room, but we’re here to give you some boating safety pointers:

    The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends:
    • Wear a life jacket. A reported 50% of boating deaths are the result of drowning.
    • Drive sober. Boating under the influence can lead to felony charges, and ~25% of boating accidents are alcohol- or drug-related.
    • Keep an eye on the forecast. That could really rain on your parade.
    Let’s keep wildlife in mind, too. Save the Manatee Club recently called for boaters to watch out for sea cows. They are often found in the shallowest parts the water. It might sound obvious, but obeying speed zone signs is a good idea.

    Oh, and wear sunscreen.
    The Buy

    Group A, The Buy 5.20.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
    An excellent summer hydration bottle: Hydro Flask’s 32-oz. stainless bottle with a flex straw lid. Color “Sugar Crush” is only available for a limited time, and it’s so cute and summery, we’ve got all the heart eyes for it.
     
    The Wrap
     
    Patrick Sidwell.jpeg

    Today’s edition by:
    Patrick
    From the editor
    Happy Monday, TBAY. I’m off on vacation for the next week or so, but my wonderful colleague Jessalin will be filling in during my absence.

    While I adore Tampa Bay, travel has always been something close to my heart. From planning to packing, and making the trip in style, the whole experience fills me with a sense of adventure + childlike excitement. Catch you soon.
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