08.21.2024

Today’s Forecast

Brick streets back (alright)

3 civic updates for Tampa Bay residents

Workers lay bricks down to form a roadway.

The bricklaying project wrapped up ahead of schedule. | Photo via City of Tampa

Summer is almost over, school is back in swing, and it’s time to get caught up on what’s going on civic-wise in Tampa Bay. Luckily, you have us to break it down for you:

Ybor 7th Avenue rebricking

Head to Ybor City’s 7th Avenue to take a journey back in time sans time machine. The city just wrapped up work to rebrick part of the bustling street, to restore it to how it looked 60 years ago.

Workers laid about 80,000 historic bricks from Tampa’s supply — which are stored and saved for important projects — between 15th and 17th streets.

The city hopes the project — which was funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency — will smooth out traffic and improve the area’s walkability.

Pinellas Stormwater funding

In the wake of Tropical Storm Debby’s wastewater spill straight into Tampa Bay’s waters, stormwater funding is top of mind for many in Pinellas County.

Officials recently agreed to spend almost $34 million to install public sewers in five Largo + Seminole housing developments, according to St. Pete Catalyst. This will help ensure that wastewater (which could include bacteria and chemicals) doesn’t overflow out of manholes during storms.

HART funding overhaul

Even more change could be in store for the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority. Leaders are looking at a potential $6.73 million upgrade of the agency’s GPS-based wireless data communications system, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

If approved by HART’s Finance and Audit Committee, Clever Devices Ltd. would create a new location + dispatch system for the agency’s fleet of buses and streetcars. Basically, the new system would allow HART to track its vehicles in real time and give riders quicker delay updates.

Asked

Have you taken the Streetcar?

A. Of course
B. Not yet, but I’m planning on it

Let us know

Events

Wednesday, Aug. 21

Free Yoga at Midtown Tampa | Wednesday, Aug. 21 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Midtown Tampa | Free | Flow among fellow Tampa Bay residents at this community class led by Namaste by the Bay — remember a mat and towel.
“Time’s Agent” | Wednesday, Aug. 21 | 7-8 p.m. | Tombolo Books | Free with reservation | Join the author of “The Rock Eaters,” to celebrate the release of her new sci-fi novel.

Thursday, Aug. 22

Food Truck Night | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 5-8 p.m. | 4801 37th St. S., St. Petersburg | Price of purchase | Head to the Skyway Marina District to sample treats from trucks like Happy Snapper and Boozie Pops at the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber event.
Line Dancing with Bre | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 7-9 p.m. | Keel Farms | Free | Pull on those boots and line dance the night away.

Friday, Aug. 23

Tampa Bay Comic Convention | Friday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Aug. 25 | Times vary | Tampa Convention Center | $35+ | The downtown venue is a comic lover’s paradise packed with an artist alley, celeb sightings, gaming setups, an anime screening room, performances, and workshops.
Tampa Bay Theatre Festival 2024 | Friday, Aug. 23 | 4-11:30 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts | $0-$40 | Join for a weekend full of shows, workshops, competitions, and networking.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Open

There’s a new spot to enjoy ice cream season. Bekdash Ice Cream, an Arabian creamery, just opened in Temple Terrace. The menu features items like, ice cream baklava, kunafa with ice cream, Arabian Nights Delight, and gelato. (That’s So Tampa)

Development

Meet I-Mix. Place Projects is working with St. Pete leaders + businesses like the Warehouse Arts District Association to beef up the offerings between 1st Avenue South and 6th Avenue South — starting with rezoning the area. The rezoning could be official by next month. (I Love the Burg)

Community

If you’re a teacher, it’s on the house. Educators can pick up free java at the Buddy Brew on Bay to Bay — paid for by the South Tampa Fellowship Church. Bring your school ID and get any drink for free through Friday, Aug. 23.

Biz

Solar streetlights dreamed up right here in Tampa are going national. Streetleaf, a local startup, is set to stock homebuilder D.R. Horton with streetlights for its projects in areas like southern California and Texas. (Tampa Bay Times)

Announced

Speaking of the Grand Central District, the Squeeze Juice Works location will become Rabbit Rabbit. One of the juice and smoothie spot’s employees will transform the cozy space + serve mocktails, adaptogenic smoothie bowls, and other plant-based delights. Follow Rabbit Rabbit on Instagram for updates. (I Love the Burg)

Plan Ahead

The world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees, the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall, is coming to the Burg. Roots & Shoots Alliance of Tampa Bay is hosting An Evening with Dr. Jane Goodall on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Tropicana Field. Tickets run $10-$20 and will likely sell out.

Ranked

Florida ranked No. 1 on WalletHub’s 2024 list of Most Fun States due to its number of restaurants, attractions, and festivals per capita. Looking for where to find some of that fun in Tampa Bay? We’ve got you covered.

Sports

Relive the Rays’ sweep of the red-hot Arizona Diamondbacks. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Finance

Finance experts call this card a cash rewards dream: unlimited cash rewards on purchases, $200 bonus after spending $500, long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers + more.*

Food

Steak house sandwiches and soccer, anyone?

Bern’s launches its own food truck at Tampa Bay Sun FC games

A red food truck with a sign that says Bern's Steak House with two windows is decorated with floral designs and a image of a stone statue of a woman sits on a gravel lot.

We’ll take one of each, please. | Photo by Pezz Photo

Bern’s is hitting the road with its tender beef eats. The award-winning steakhouse + its sister restaurant, Haven, is debuting its first-ever food truck at Tampa Bay Sun FC games.

Spoiler: Bern’s President David Laxer, is also co-owner of the area’s first women’s pro soccer team.

Here’s a peek at the menu, sports fans:

Gouda Fritters
Curry Chicken Salad
Steak House Sandwich made with blue cheese, beef fat aoili, and crispy onions
Harry Waugh Dessert Room’s Ice Cream Sandwiches (including macadamia nut or coconut dark chocolate options)

The only catch? You’ll have to create your own swanky, Bern’s-esque ambiance at the match. Don’t worry, it’s an attitude.

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Answered

Last week we asked you, “What was the average temperature in the Tampa area last August?”

A shot of buildings in downtown Tampa. The sun shines just above a high rise, and City Hall is just in front. The foreground has some greenery, with the buildings sat beneath clear blue skies. — The sun beams across downtown Tampa.
|
Photo by TBAYtoday

It might have felt like 91° to most of our readers, with a whopping ~51% of our readers voting for that option. But the actual average was actually 86.9°, guessed by just ~19% of readers.

The second highest group of folks, ~26%, were a bit closer, guessing a steamy 88°. And finally, ~4% of readers guessed 85° — which, we wish.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Bailey

From the editor

We’re gonna need a bigger boat. One local captain captured this incredible video of a shark attacking a tarpon. Have you spotted any sharks this summer? Let us know.

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