12.10.2024

From our friends at

80º | 10% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:10 a.m. | Sunset 5:34 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 11 a.m. + 10:34 p.m. | Low: 4:17 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 7:24 a.m. + 7:12 p.m. | Low: 12:58 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

December is heating up

Raymond James Stadium is full of Bucs fans. There is sun shining on some of the stadium, with shadow creeping across from the near side to the far side. Floodlights are beginning to turn on as players warm up on the field, and the mostly blue sky sits ahead.

Are you going to a Bucs game this year? | Photo by TBAYtoday

Here in Champa Bay, we’re never wanting for sports news — at least our editors aren’t. And we have some trophy-sized updates to share:

The Rays’ 2026 season

Yes, we have another Rays stadium update. The Wall Street Journal reports that the team is considering a move to Omaha for the 2026 season. Rays leadership has yet to confirm the news.

The team could play at the home of the College World Series in Omaha, which seats 24,000 people and can expand to 35,000. For reference, Steinbrenner Field, where the Rays will play in 2025, seats a little over 11,000.

The Bucs lead the division

After this week’s sweet 28-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, it’s looking like we could — we’re part of the team, right — bring home another gleaming trophy come February. Right now, the Bucs lead the NFC South.

But a Super Bowl appearance is still a ways off. The Bucs need to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday, Dec. 15.

Who's playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl?

Asked

How far do you think the Bucs will make it?

A. They’re going all the way
B. At least one playoff win
C. Wild-card round playoff loss
D. They’ll miss out on the postseason

Make your guess

Events

Tuesday, Dec. 10

St. Pete Pitch Night Presented By Regions Bank | 4:30-8 p.m. | Coastal Creative | Free | Watch brand-new community-based businesses pitch themselves for a chance to winning $5,000.

Wattaka Presents: “Por los Caminos del Mundo” | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | New Tampa Performing Arts Center | $20 | Translated to “Across the Roads of the World,” the show shares the stories of people who search of a better life.

Wednesday, Dec. 11

Prime Rib Class 2024 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Heights Meat Market, Tampa | $60 | Learn how to cook a sensational bone-in prime rib roast while snacking on some apps.

Thursday, Dec. 12

St Pete Cellars Holiday Market - Sip & Shop | 1-6 p.m. | St. Pete Cellars | Donations accepted | Keep your holiday shopping local by picking out gifts from 15+ local vendors, and check out a food truck — a portion of proceeds going to John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

Water Street Holiday Promenade | 5-9 p.m. | Water Street Tampa | Free entry | Shop seasonal goods, grab a cup of Chill Bros hot cocoa, and take in the holiday magic of Water Street Tampa.

Friday, Dec. 13

S’mores with Santa | Friday, Dec. 13-Saturday, Dec. 14 | Times vary | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, St. Petersburg | $5 | Make delicious s’mores, crafts, and spend time with Santa Claus himself at the fireside.

Off Beat Booking presents: “A Nightmare Before Christmas” | 7 p.m. | Hooch and Hive | $12 | Head to the vibey indoor/outdoor bar for a “A Nightmare Before Christmas” themed Holiday Album release by Anxiety Attack with a Christmas-themed costume contest.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Outdoors

Officials found high levels of the organism that causes red tide around Pass-a-Grille Beach. Meanwhile, medium levels were detected at Eggmont Key, and low levels at Maximo Park. A reminder: You can check the water quality of your fave beach online. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Opening

Calling all downtown Tampa dwellers. First Watch is reopening at a new location very soon. Starting Monday, Dec. 23, you can get your Elevated Egg Sandwiches and cinnamon chip pancakes at the new 4,000-sqft space. Plus, there’s a new TBAY-themed mural. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Open

There’s a new spot to get French-Moroccan eats in TBAY. Cybel recently opened in Historic Kenwood, serving lemon chicken tagine, lamb chomps, falafel, and Moroccan Ratatouille. Take a peek at the menu. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Biz

Tampa Bay Wave is the newest member of The Ocean Enterprise Accelerators collaboration. The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration dedicated $13.9 million to The Continuum program. USF St. Pete and the St. Petersburg Innovation District researchers will work with entrepreneurs to bring ocean-based resilience solutions to the market. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Coming Soon

Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening a new finger lickin’ good spot in Pasco County. The popular hot chicken brand is opening another location in front of Starkey Ranch. It’s the latest for Dave’s, which is known for its massive tender sandwiches. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Number

$1.5+ million. That’s how much St. Pete’s “Hometown Haulers” made from storm debris cleanup. The informal crew of locall businesses and residents made 5,247 trips to collection sites. For $300 a load, haulers picked up tree limbs, soaked appliances, and construction material. (Tampa Bay Times)

Try This

Here’s a challenge for you: Can you visit all of Florida’s 11 state parks within the six free days next year? The parks offer free admission on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the first day of National Park Week, Juneteenth, Great American Outdoors Act Signing Day, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day. (That’s So Tampa)

Ranked

No. 51. That’s where Tampa ranked on WalletHub’s “Most Caring Cities in America” list. The Burg followed closely behind at No. 55. The rankings took factors like the city’s number of sheltered homeless people to number of donations. (WalletHub)

History

Talk about historical — check out the finalists for our Tampa Bay historical markers contest. Vote for your favorite historic location by Wednesday, Dec. 11 + be sure to read our newsletter on Friday, Dec. 13 to see which location you, our readers, determined should get the recognition it deserves.

Sports

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ win over the Las Vegas Raiders puts them back in first place of the NFC South. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Plan Ahead

There are only a few weeks left in 2024. Use the remainder of your end-of-year budget + get your business in front of thousands. For a limited time, take 25% off ads in our self-service ad portal when you use promo code “2025" at checkout.

Eat

Ever wanted to eat brunch with Santa Claus? Get the scoop on life in the North Pole at the Terrace Grille on Dec. 14 + 15. Plus, see three more opportunities to make holiday memories dining at the historic Terrace Hotel, including a five-course New Year’s Eve dinner.*

Finance

6AM City COO Ryan Heafy here — we’re referring friends to American Express’s The Business Platinum Card®. Join the AMEX family + receive up to 150,000 member points.*

The Buy

A meaningful gift that will surprise and delight: a hidden photo bracelet. Customize with the photo of your choice — the gift recipient can hold it up close to their eyes to see it, or project it on the wall with their phone’s flashlight.

Shop most-loved gifts

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:

I’m on the hunt for some additions to my holiday checklist. Right now, I have picking out a tree at Gallagher’s, sipping hot chocolate at Bandit, and a show at the Coliseum on my list. What should I add? Share the magic.

Answered

What’s your favorite kind of show?

Heather Krueger, Julia Rifino and Susan Haldeman hang out by the bar in the Stageworks Theatre’s hilarious production of “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical." — When can we move into Armadillo Acres?

About 67% of you said you prefer comedies. So you’re headed to the “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical,” right? Though we have some staunch drama fans too, making up ~22% of the vote.

Finally, a solid ~11% of you said you’ll take the romantic performances stat. Or should we say, on a silver platter?

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602