A slice of history

Classic bites

Award winners

• Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros | Monday, Aug. 12-Wednesday, Aug. 14 | Times vary | Tropicana Field | $8+ | The Rays are in the Burg this week for a three-game homestand against the 2022 champs.
• “S.T.A.L.K.E.R.” Movie Early Screening | Monday, Aug. 12 | 8 p.m. | Palladium Theater | $40+ | Catch an early screening of “S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of the Zone,” a sci-fi tale about a paranormal radio signal.

• Paws for Literacy | Tuesday, Aug. 13 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Humane Society of Tampa Bay | Free | Bring the kiddo down to spend time with adoptable animals while improving their reading skills.
• Listening Party: Kacey Musgraves’ “Deeper Well” | Tuesday, Aug. 13 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The James Museum | $10+ | Don’t be “Jade Green” with envy — the country-pop artist’s album is making waves ahead of her TBAY show.

• Creamsicle Day with The Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Wednesday, Aug. 14 | 6-9 p.m. | Armature Works | Free | The Bucs are throwing it back to the 70s with roller-skating, new creamsicle merch, and a fireworks show to cap off the night.
• Zach Bryan | Wednesday, Aug. 14 | 7 p.m. | Raymond James Stadium | $151+ | The country sensation is in TBAY as “The Quittin’ Time Tour” hits Ray Jay.

• The good news? The supremely popular Texas-based chain Whataburger is finally coming to Tampa Bay. The bad news? We have to wait until 2026 for its opening, and won’t know its location until next year. Patience is a virtue. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• No. 2 + No. 7. That’s where Tampa and St. Pete ranked respectively on WalletHub’s list of most pet-friendly cities in the United States. Factors like ownership cost, animal health, and outdoor activities were used to compile the list. It’s hardly a surprise: TBAY boasts dozens of pet-friendly businesses.

• Football is back. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers played their first of three preseason games this weekend against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bucs won 17-14 as backup quarterbacks Kyle Trask and John Wolford led the offense. Our team has another chance to practice this weekend vs. the Jaguars. (WFLA)

• Do you know an out-of-towner who loves Bern’s Steak House? They’re in luck. The legendary restaurant is now shipping its delectable range of steaks, slides, and desserts across the country via Goldbelly, a food-delivery platform. (That’s So Tampa)

• Safety Harbor resident Suzanne Flament-Smith stumbled upon some remarkable history last week. She was picking up shoreline trash after Tropical Storm Debby, and found a glass bottle containing a WWII sailor’s letter. Dated March 4, 1945, the letter is branded with the Navy’s Amphibious Training Base in Norfolk, Virginia. (WFLA)

• The annual Florida Python Challenge is underway in the Everglades. Hunters have until Sunday, Aug. 18 to capture as many invasive Burmese pythons as possible to win their share of $30,000 in prizes. Over 600 people signed up this year. (ABC Action News)

• How can the Lightning improve the roster? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
  

• Both counties are welcoming new schools. In South Tampa, Kenneth E. Adum Pre K-8 Magnet School is HCPS’ latest addition, and Mangrove Bay Middle School is bringing its first batch of students through its doors in St. Pete.
• Across TBAY, students face new cell phone policies for the 2024-25 school year. Elementary and middle school students must have their phones turned off and out of sight. High schoolers can use them outside of classes.
• HCPS is also working to protect kids as they travel to and from school. The district has introduced stop sign cameras for its almost 1,000 buses. The fine for ignoring protruding stop signs? Up to $225.