How will this help?

• Moving the lines underground ensures that winds, falling palm trees, or blowing debris won’t pull down power lines — making outages during storms less likely. However, lines can be preemptively shut down before flooding and saltwater damage can occur during high tides and storm surges, so power can get back up and running more quickly after storms.
• In addition to keeping the lights on during a disaster, taking out power lines + poles would give the city more room to plant trees, which would help its journey to plant 30,000 trees by 2030 to restore our beloved tree canopy.

Where is TECO in the process?

• Right now, about 50% of the utility’s power lines are underground, primarily in areas of new construction, according to TECO. The company aims to move 75 to 100 overhead lines underground every year.

While we have you here, here’s a few tips for this hurricane season:

• TECO offers resources like an outage map, outage notifications, and information on how to report an outage.
• Duke Energy customers can also access an outage map + other resources online.
• The year’s second Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is approaching. Bookmark your calendar for Aug. 24 to Sept. 6 to pick up any last-minute items like batteries, flashlights, and supplies still left on your list.
• Speaking of lists, now’s a great time to double check your hurricane kit + locate items within the house so you aren’t scrambling when a storm arrives.
• Sign up for Alert Tampa or Alert Pinellas for storm updates and notifications.
• Make sure to check out our hurricane guide for tips like emergency phone numbers and this season’s predictions.

• Sunset Market | Thursday, Aug. 1 | 6-10 p.m. | Midtown Tampa, 3659 Midtown Dr., Tampa | Price of purchase | Roam wares from 40+ local vendors, plus enjoy live music + drinks.
• Tâm Tâm Takeover | Thursday, Aug. 1 | 6-11 p.m. | The Tampa EDITION, 500 Channelside Dr., Tampa | Price of purchase | There’s still spots available for this exclusive Arts Club takeover by Tâm Tâm, Miami’s Vietnamese dining powerhouse.
• “Sister Act” | Thursday, Aug. 1-Saturday, Aug. 3 | Times vary | Murray Theatre, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater | $5-$10 | This comedy based on the hit film follows women in a convent as they find their voices.

• Emilie-Claire Barlow | Friday, Aug. 2 | 8 p.m. | Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $30+ | Ready your ears for bossa novas, elegant ballads, and French chansons from the Canadian jazz singer.
• 2024 USA Wheelchair Football League Tournament | Friday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 4 | Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa | Free | Take in the high-energy competition from the Wheelchair Football League athletes — with no fear of rain delays.

• Tampa Bay Home & Design Show | Saturday, Aug. 3-Sunday, Aug. 4 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US Hwy. 301 N., Tampa | Free | Check out a wide array of home improvement vendors to help bring your dream house to life — parking is $10 for cars and $16 for oversized vehicles.

• There’s an ongoing dispute between a Hillsborough County Circuit Court judge and Tampa City Council. Judge Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe is challenging the council’s authority to make land use decisions, stemming from its denial of a new AC Hotel by Marriott on Harbour Island. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• Herban Flow is now serving up non-alcoholic drinks in downtown St. Pete. The popular canned drink shop just opened its second shop today at near the intersection of MLK and 5th Avenue. (I Love the Burg)

• Introducing your new trail head treat. Nippy Iced Coffee is pouring java dreams along the Pinellas Trail. The coffee cart is parked outside Foodie Labs all week long. Stop by for an iced matcha latte, tropical refresher, or cup of joe on your morning bike ride. (I Love the Burg)

• Calling all Crystal Palace supporters. The team is practicing at Al Lang Stadium tomorrow, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ahead of their upcoming Stateside Cup face-off. And it’s free to attend — reserve your spot. (I Love the Burg)

• The USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy is now up and running in downtown Tampa. The new ~30,000-sqft facility features hologram technology, and a maker space with 3D printing and virtual reality technology for students. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• The Burg’s Danielle Collins’ Olympics run is over. The tennis star had to withdraw from her match against Poland’s Iga Swiatek yesterday after experiencing dehydration and exhaustion in the 97° weather. Stay up to date with all things Olympics with our friends at 10 Tampa Bay.

• Now’s your chance for a behind-the-scenes peek at Tampa’s Hotel Flor. is hosting “Secret Spaces,” a new immersive event series, Aug. 22-Sept. 22. Guest will see one of the storied hotel’s owner’s residences for a night of music and storytelling. Buy tickets. (That’s So Tampa)

• Here’s your update on Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Tristan Wirfs’ contract negotiations. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
  

• Get more from your Costco membership — this week only, get a $40 digital Costco shop card and $60 off an order of $200+ on Costco.com when you buy an Executive Membership on our deals site.*

• Appetizers are a must for this outing. We’ll be sampling the blistered cauliflower and the grilled octopus. Note: We are not factoring in a budget.
• Next up, we’re ordering the salt crust branzino (yum) and Australian wagyu — a little DIY surf ‘n’ turf action if you will.
• We’ll top off the night with a shared dessert. We’re eyeing the phyllo crunch, made with hazelnut, honey, caramel, and pine nut.