Plus, a winning start for the Bucs.
 
09.09.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE

Today’s Forecast

88º | 50% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 7:41 p.m.
Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 8:52 p.m. | Low: 1:27 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 4:40 p.m. | Low: 10:08 a.m. + 8:59 p.m. | Full Weather Report | Traffic Report
 

🎉 Party like it’s our birthday (it is)

Happy birthday to TBAYtoday
A white TBAYtoday logo sits on a bright blue background. A gift box is on the right of the photo with a number 2 balloon and confetti coming out of it.
Here’s to many more. | Graphic via Canva
And just like that, we’ve reached the terrible twos. TBAYtoday’s first daily newsletter send was two years ago this past weekend, on Sept. 8, 2022, and we’re still bringing the biggest + best news stories, and events to your inbox every morning.

We’re not going to celebrate our second birthday by throwing a tantrum and destroying the wallpaper with crayons but instead, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect.

First, the numbers:
  • TBAYtoday has sent 517 daily newsletters, and there’s plenty more where that came from.
  • Those newsletters have contained 900+ articles covering all manner of local goodness, from our buzzy events calendar to glamorous local restaurant openings, plus community activation, historical research, and a whole load of city guides.
  • We’ve posted 1,200+ times on Instagram, amassing ~12,000 followers in the process.
But what are our personal favorite stories so far?

City Editor Bailey is our resident Rays fanatic, and has loved covering the team’s journey to its new stadium and its approval. She also loved covering this Sarasota vintage store which sold numerous items to the costume team behind one of her favorite shows, “The Marvelous Ms. Maisel,” which tells the story of a 1950s housewife turned stand-up comic.

City editors Bailey and Patrick stand on the field at Riverfront Stadium while the Tampa Bay Sun players warm up behind. The sun is shining and the turf is a bright green color. The stands are filling with fans in the background.

The faces behind the words.

|

Photo by TBAYtoday

As for City Editor Patrick, connecting with readers has been a highlight, like when we received stories of Tampa’s last significant snowfall in 1977. He’s also loved diving into Tampa Bay history with decade-focused pieces like this one on the 1930s.

And of course we have some Instagram faves:
As always, thank you for your continued readership and support. Without our readers, we wouldn’t be able to share our love for the Tampa Bay area and do our part to keep our little slice of paradise in-the-know. We appreciate you.
Asked

How long have you been subscribed to the TBAYtoday newsletter?
A. I’ve been here since the start (or near the start, at least)
B. Around a year or so
C. It’s been months
D. I’m a newbie
We'd like to know
 
Events
Monday, Sept. 9
  • OE Book Club: “House on Mango Street” | Monday, Sept. 9 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Oxford Exchange | $30 | Discuss Sandra Cisneros’ bestseller about a young girl growing up in Chicago over light bites and vino.
  • Mug Handbuilding Class | Monday, Sept. 9 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Practically Pikasso, St. Petersburg | $38 | Learn to mold a mug from clay just in time to fill it with steaming hot fall drinks.
Tuesday, Sept. 10
  • James Playdate: Color Safari | Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 7:30-8:30 a.m. | The James Museum | $5 per child, $15+ per adult | Bring the little one down for a creative morning full of artsy fun.
  • 4th Annual On To Victory | Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Yacht StarShip, Tampa | $200+ | The annual fundraiser honors the American Victory Ship of WWII notoriety.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
  • Vegetable Gardening | Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, St. Petersburg | Free with reservation | Join a master gardener to learn gardening techniques, pest control skills, and how to grow your own produce.
  • Great American Coin and Collectibles Show | Wednesday, Sept. 11-Saturday, Sept. 14 | Times vary | Tampa Convention Center | $15, free on Saturday | Explore hundreds of treasures, including a world-famous nickel worth $6.25 million, and get free evaluations of your collection.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Seasonal

Which unhinged Lowe’s Halloween decoration are you?

A series of images highlighting outdoor Halloween decorations including life size skeletons
If you’re as obsessed with Halloween decor as these locals are, you’re going to love Lowe’s new collection. | Photos provided by COLAtoday + GVLtoday.
Every year the life-size animatronic Halloween decorations get bigger, spookier, and well — more chaotic. This year is no exception, so we want to know:

Which life-sized Halloween decoration best matches your personality?
  1. The 8-ft skeleton: You have classic taste. You don’t believe in following the trends. You know what you like and you stick to it.
  2. The Haunted Harbor Sea Captain: You’re a natural-born leader. You love to plan a night out and always know the best new spots in town (thanks to TBAYtoday).
  3. The Dancing Wednesday Addams: You’re sarcastic and have a dark sense of humor, but you’re a loyal friend and an accidental trendsetter.
  4. The Haunted Mansion Musical Headless Knight: You’re kind + lovable but often forgetful. Your friends are used to helping you search for your phone.
Bone-us: Lowe’s has even more creepy characters to help you become your neighborhood’s chaos agent this Halloween season.^

^This content is created by our Client Success Team. Let’s work together.
Happy haunting
News Notes
Sports
  • Fire the cannons. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to a winning start after yesterday’s 37-20 victory vs. the Washington Commanders thanks to four Baker Mayfield touchdowns. That means the Bucs have won each of their past four opening games. (ESPN)
Community
  • Duke Energy’s Pinellas County customers could see cheaper bills next year. The company has asked the Florida Public Service Commission for permission to lower bills by around 6% starting in January. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Coming Soon
  • North Florida coffee chain Ellianos Coffee is set to open four Tampa Bay area locations. The Lake City-based company didn’t specify where they’ll open in TBAY, or when we’ll get to sip on its high-quality Italian coffee. When there’s an update, we’ll let you know. (Business Observer)
Active
  • The popular Pickleball Pop-Up Summer Series returns to Sparkman Wharf and Water Street Tampa today. Players of all abilities are welcome to grab a paddle at no cost through this Thursday, Sept. 12.
Watch
  • After writing about local running clubs last week, we wanted to see what all the fuss is about. Last week, we checked out Pinellas Run Club and asked joggers what they love about the community.
Listen
  • What do the Magic need to prove next season? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Orlando Magic with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
    Giveaway
    • If you didn’t win our recently-closed Lakeland Summer Road Trip Giveaway, don’t worry. Welcome Canary loves meeting new Floridians and will gladly show you around their brand new wellness-focused luxury living community. Book your tour.*
    Job
    • We’re looking for a Sales Executive in our sister market, SEAtoday, to identify and secure new advertising partnerships and grow existing client relationships on the SEAtoday team. Apply to join.
     
    Cause

    Charity never tasted so good

    Eat for a cause during the 1905 Family Of Restaurants’ Community Harvest
    Snapinsta.app_400002659_18394925851006122_4344851038483043971_n_1080.jpg
    The adjacent Ulele Spring brings a taste of nature and vibrant wetland wildlife to your experience. | Photo via @uleletampa
    If you’re looking for an excuse to eat at one of Tampa Bay’s most popular restaurants, listen up. The 1905 Family of Restaurants owns several coveted restaurants in our area, including The Columbia, Ulele, and Casa Santo Stefano.

    For the past 27 years, the group has hosted its Community Harvest program throughout September, during which diners can opt to put 5% of their check toward local nonprofits.

    How does it work? Choose a charity from a list provided with your check and the restaurant will send the money in the form of gift cards. There’s no additional cost.

    Chow down on these lesser-known menu items to do your part:
    • The Columbia’s Steak Salteado melds tenderloin tips with chorizo, onions, peppers, and mushrooms on a bed of yellow rice.
    • And do not sleep on Ulele’s dessert game. The Bourbon Butter Cake is oh so good.
    The Buy

    The Buy 9.09.24 (Affiliate)
    A wireless travel charger compatible with practically any device. It’s capable of charging your smartphone, smartwatch, or headphones — meaning no more dead devices on the go.
    More worth The Buy
     
    The Wrap
     
    Patrick Sidwell.jpeg

    Today’s edition by:
    Patrick
    From the editor
    Spooky season is already underway in Tampa Bay. At Busch Gardens, Howl-O-Scream is back, and we were there on the opening night to catch all the gore, scares, and things that go bump in the night.

    Tickets start at $50.
    Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
    Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
    Advertise with us to stand out.     ›
    Games | Crossword, Sudoku, and More     ›
     
     

    Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

    Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

    Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

    P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

    ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY