10.16.2024

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75º | 20% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:31 a.m. | Sunset 6:59 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 3:16 p.m. | Low: 8:42 a.m. + 8:58 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 11:42 a.m. + 11:23 p.m. | Low: 5:36 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

A message from our team

Ahh, the smell of fresh paint. Today we’re excited to share some updates to our newsletter design. We hope these changes will help us deliver an even better reader experience — but as with most remodels, we may experience a few hiccups along the way. If your email doesn’t look quite right or if you have feedback on ways we can continue to improve, please drop us a line.

💛 Neighbors helping neighbors

Feeding Tampa Bay volunteers load food and supplies into cars from a massive truck.

Volunteers have been handing out donations to make sure TBAY is taken care of. | Photo via @feedingtampabay

Some of us are dealing with post-storm(s) realities, or just need an escape from dealing with insurance issues and debris clearing. And we have a just what the doctor ordered kinda antidote.

Mental health experts recommend giving back as one key way to heal from the trauma of the past few weeks. Luckily, we’re all about that in Champa Bay. Here’s just a smattering of ways to give back to our neighbors right now:

Feeding Tampa Bay has served thousands of meals in the aftermath of both storms, plus given residents other essentials to move forward. The nonprofit is looking for volunteers to keep up these efforts everyday. Sign up for a shift, or drop off donations.
Our beaches took a hard hit. Head to Pass-A-Grille or Treasure Island to help restore the beaches to their former beauty.

Many folks lost all of their clothes in the floodwaters. Do you have pieces collecting dust since you started working from home? Consider donating those threads and other pieces to Reach St. Pete for women and girls in need.
Women with St. Pete Girls Who Walk are looking for more volunteers to help families rip out soaked flooring, pile debris, and take on other essential tasks.
Bolts fans headed to this Thursday’s game can drop off donations in Thunder Alley before heading inside. The team is collecting donations like non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, manual can openers, diapers, and baby formula.
And of course, time is just one way to help. GoFundMe rounded up tons of verified fundraisers you can donate to in support of local businesses, families, and other local institutions trying to rebuild.

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of outlets to give back right now. Please share any other opportunities with us, and we might put them in the newsletter.

Events

Wednesday, Oct. 16

“The Blackening” | Wednesday, Oct. 16 | 10 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | $10 | This “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” selection is set on Juneteenth and centers around a group of Black friends trapped in a remote cabin with a killer.

Thursday, Oct. 17

Ybor Arts Tour | Thursday, Oct. 17 | 5-9 p.m. | Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Tampa | Free | Take a peek at the magic behind 20+ art venues in the historic neighborhood through exhibitions and experiences.

Company’s Coming with Chef Katie Cox | Thursday, Oct. 17 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Thrive DTSP, St. Petersburg | $60 | Wow your next dinner party after learning how to make four amuse-bouches, two desserts, and what libation to serve with each.

Barre with The Bar Method | Thursday, Oct. 17 | 6:30 p.m. | Armature Works | Free | Take in the cooler temps with a guided high intensity, low impact full body workout — bring your own mat and water.

Friday, Oct. 18

Eerie Evening at the Tampa Bay Hotel | Friday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 27 | 6-9 p.m. | Henry B. Plant Museum | $25 | Take in the riverfront landmark awash in period lighting, candles, and artifacts, and meet its friendly ghost.

Rob Schneider Live | Friday, Oct. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg | $39+ | The “SNL,” “50 First Dates,” and “The Benchwarmers” alum takes the stage for a little stand-up.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Open

💸 Bank of Central Florida celebrates new TBAY office

Presented by Bank of Central Florida

A large group of Bank of Central Florida employees stand in front of the new office, holding a red ribbon and scissors.

The local bank has been a community fixture since 2007. | Photo provided by Bank of Central Florida

In case you missed it, Bank of Central Florida just celebrated the grand opening of its newest office in South Tampa Bay.

The modern space will act as a community hub in the SoHo district, offering convenient access to customized banking solutions for local biz owners and customers.

This sixth location also represents a major milestone in the Bank’s Vision 2025 strategy, which aims to expand its presence along the key I-4 corridor from Orlando to Tampa.

Connect with the TBAY team

News Notes

Community

The state just announced new gas distribution centers due to the ongoing fuel shortage. Residents can get up to 10 free gallons at East Bay Raceway, Plant City Stadium, Central Lot – Tropicana Field, St. Pete College Tarpon Springs, and Wiregrass Mall. (That’s So Tampa)

Civic

Two Hillsborough County debris sites will now be open 24 hours a day. Residents can bring yard and demolition debris to Hillsborough Heights Solid Waste Facility in Seffner or to Hillsborough County’s Resource Recovery Facility in Tampa. In case you missed it, we shared a primer on the debris collection process.

Announced

Calling all St. Pete residents: The city opened up mobile permitting sites to make the home repair process a tad smoother. Azalea Recreation Center, Enoch D. Davis Center, and Roberts Recreation Center will all be open through Friday, Oct. 18 for permitting help and charging access. (WUSF News)

Plan Ahead

Don’t worry, it’s still on. Organizers pushed this year’s SHINE Mural Festival back. It will now start on Friday, Nov. 8 as the Burg works to clean up and recover. We’re looking forward to this year’s array of mural projects and celebrating the arts. (I Love the Burg)

Opening

Finally, some hole in one news. Heights Country Club is now open, featuring a state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator, putting green, billiards area, and a lounge. The Seminole Heights spot offers membership options aplenty. (That’s So Tampa)

Seasonal

Reach’s Fall Festival is coming up this weekend. Head to 3 Daughters Brewing this Saturday, Oct. 19 from 12 to 5 p.m. for a market, live music, pumpkin painting, and food trucks all in support of hurricane relief. (I Love the Burg)

Show

We could use a night at the theater. The Straz just announced new additions to its 2024-2025 lineup, including: “Dry Bar Comedy Live,” “Heather Land,” Alton Brown: “The Last Bite,” “Bailaora,” and “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live!” Tickets are on sale now.

Feel Good

Where the rays at? The Florida Aquarium successfully moved its seven cownose rays back to their home tanks after they were moved to the Trop to weather Milton. Don’t worry, all are faring well. (Tampa Bay Times)

Shop

For a meager $2,500 you could own a slice of the Trop’s shredded roof. No, we aren’t kidding. Some of the folks who picked up the remnants have put their pieces of history for sale on Facebook Marketplace. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Number

$125. That’s how much you can save on the HP Smart Tank 6001 printer for a limited time. Bonus: A two-year supply of ink is included with your purchase.*

Answered

We recently asked “When you’re going to a concert, which genres of music interest you most?”

A helicopter flies over Raymond James Stadium before Super Bowl LV. Tampa's skyline is visible in the background. — We can’t wait to see what artists are coming to Ray Jay.

About a month ago (though it feels like decades) we shared the news that Tampa’s getting a major country music festival. Which sparked a little discussion over which genres TBAY likes most.

Here’s the breakdown — since we know you’re wondering too.

🎸 The bulk, ~46%, of our readers are staunch rock fans.
🎵 A solid 25% of our audience live and die by singer-songwriters (City Editor Bailey is in this camp).
🤠 Fittingly, ~21% of folks like to bump the country tunes.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by: Bailey

Hey, TBAY. Even though some of our fave local coffee shops, bars, and stores didn’t have tons of damage, they’re still struggling from being closed for weeks + a slow summer season.

While you’re out volunteering, taking your lunch break, or dropping off your debris, join me in picking up a treat. We’ll enjoy our well-deserved lattes and glasses of wine while supporting the very places that make TBAY feel like home.

If you need some inspo, I’ll be stopping by Book + Bottle for a matcha and maybe a new novel. Don’t judge.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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