03.07.2025

Today’s Forecast

🚽 Here’s why you should test your poop

Presented by Labcorp

It’s time to get tested. | Photo via Getty Images

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Why do we bring this up? Because it’s the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. Just last year, ~152,810 Americans received a diagnosis of colon or rectal cancer.

The good news? ~90% of colon cancer deaths are preventable with early detection.

That’s why Labcorp OnDemand has made it easier than ever to test from the comfort of your own ~~home~~ toilet.

Why consider the ColoFIT Home Collection Test?

Taking proactive measures: Colorectal cancer is usually slow-growing in the early stages — that means if your test detects symptoms (like hidden blood in your stool), you can get ahead of the potential cancer while it’s still curable.
Looking for at-home options: We don’t want to poop anywhere but our own house, either. For those at average risk and not currently experiencing symptoms, this at-home test is an incredibly convenient first step (no prep work needed). See exactly how it works.
It may run in your family: Some individuals are at higher risk due to personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. If you already know you’re at higher risk, talk to your healthcare provider.
We’re giving you an exclusive discount: Use code 6AMCITY for 20% off your order.

Get your discounted ColoFIT Home Collection Test or shop all 70+ health tests by category.

Get tested for 20% off

Asked

Have you been screened for colon cancer in the last year?

A. Yes
B. No, but I plan to
C. No, but I’m not sure if I’m planning to or not
D. No, and I’m not planning to

Let us know

Events

Friday, March 7

Florida Strawberry Festival | Friday, March 7-Sunday, March 9 | Times vary | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds | $4+ | It’s the final weekend to enjoy all things strawberry with this annual festival full of food, concerts, and midway rides.

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival | Friday, March 7-Saturday, March 8 | 6 p.m. | Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park | $45+ | Head to the riverfront for some beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’, and barbecue eatin’.

“Don Pasquale” | Friday, March 7-Sunday, March 9 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts | $50+ | Opera Tampa performs the age old tale of the bachelor Don Pasquale, who wants to pawn his nephew off on a wealthy woman so he can leave him out of his will.

Saturday, March 8

Knowledge You Need | International Women’s Day Event | 12:30-6:30 p.m. | Kodawari Studios, Tampa | $125 | Celebrate International Women’s Day with sessions on finance and women’s hormones, a sauna sesh, and a cold plunge — plus, take home a goodie bag.

Underground Book Fair | 1-6 p.m. | Jack Kerouac House, St. Petersburg | Donations accepted | Head to the pioneer of the Beat Generation’s home to check out local authors, booksellers, pop-up shops, and artists — make sure to peek around the home.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins | 3 p.m. | Amalie Arena | $85+ | The road to the Stanley Cup continues against the storied Northeast team.

Safety Harbor Craft Beer Festival | 3-6 p.m. | Waterfront Park, Safety Harbor | $10+ | Sample brews from 35+ local breweries, jam out to live tunes, and snack right on the waterfront at the Tampa Bay Beer Week event.

Sunday, March 9

There's plenty more to do

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Hillsborough County is getting ready to dole out $17.3 million in All for Transportation funds. The money will fund 100 Plant City projects, 77 in Hillsborough County, 10 in Temple Terrace, nine for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, seven in Tampa, and one at ZooTampa. Take a peek at the breakdown. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Try This

Find a moment to Pause. The new recovery studio opens this weekend in Midtown Tampa. Customers can buy individual services or packages for float pod, infrared heat, and IV drip services. The brand is also offering discovery packages and discounts to experience the relaxation firsthand.

Opening

Florida summer starts now. Glamper just opened in downtown St. Pete, serving up all the outdoorsy vibes. What’s on the menu? Think backyard cookouts and all that those entail — spiked lemonade, dressed up hotdogs, and parmesan-crusted wings. (St. Pete Rising)

Coming Soon

Pickleball Kingdom is opening a new facility in Pinellas Park this summer. The indoor P-baller haven will feature 14 courts, hosting open play, tournaments, leagues, and training. Plus, the pro shop will offer paddles and apparel. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Health

Norovirus is on the rise across Florida. Medical professionals recommend protecting yourself by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, cleaning contaminated surfaces with disinfectant, and considering taking Pedialyte and antinausea medications if you do catch the virus. (Tampa Bay Times)

History

The next time you’re making your way down Seventh Avenue, you should know its history. The Ybor City Historical Society is offering a walking tour highlighting several key buildings like Centro Asturiano and the J.C. Newman Cigar Company. Tickets to the Thursday, March 14 tour start at $45. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Weather

Don’t forget to spring forward this Sunday, March 9 — daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m., so turn your clocks forward one hour. This means the sun will start setting ~7:35 p.m. in Tampa Bay next week, giving you more time to play across our area.

Biz

Have you seen the new Monopoly game? The updated version is a sign of the times — it replaces paper money with a mobile app. Of course, we’ve always preferred the Tampa edition of the game. (The Verge)

Wellness

Posture check — this is your weekly reminder to straighten your back. If that felt good, imagine how nice a stretch at Yoga Loft Tampa would feel. Find your flow at these Tampa Bay yoga studios.

Number

$507+. That’s how much we’ve raised in Tampa Bay to support our mission of positive, unbiased local reporting. Thank you.

Biz

Calling all business owners. For a limited time, we’re offering 15% off your first advertising purchase on our self-service ad portal. No long-term contract required — simply use the code NEW15 at checkout to redeem the discount.

Eat

Terrace Grille’s All Day Menu is here, meaning you can snag classic faves + new bites for lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday. Make a reservation to get a taste of what else is new.*

Sports

Can this week’s Lightning trade help the push the Lightning as they begin their playoff run? JGet game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Outdoors

Psst, gardeners — start this year’s garden off right with this seed starter tray, with built-in handles to transplant seedlings straight into the ground come planting time.*

City Guide

Let’s spring forward — into action

The neighborhood has already hosted a few similar events, like October’s Weekend in Water Street. | Photo via Water Street Tampa

Lucky you. You just found TBAYtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout the Tampa Bay area each month.

Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back. We update our guide monthly.

(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)

Shows

Dropkick Murphys: “St. Patrick’s Day 2025 Tour” | Saturday, March 8 | BayCare Sound | $43+ | Get in the St. Patrick’s Day mood a little early with Massachusetts’s beloved American Celtic punk band.

Seasonal

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

Even more events

The Buy

The right pet insurance to offset rising veterinary costs. Clinics are increasingly focused on revenue — and some vets are encouraged to squeeze in more appointments, recommend extra tests, and upsell services. The result? Higher vet bills for you. View Money’s top pet insurance picks to see plans starting at only $10 per month.

See pet insurance rankings

The Wrap

Today’s Edition by: Bailey

The light blue water laps underneath a light blue sky anchored by sailboats and white USF buildings in the distance. — Yes, this is the famed view from Poynter Park.

I highly recommend you check out the Embracing Our Differences art exhibit at St. Pete’s Poynter Park. The outdoor show features massive works by students and folks from across the US. And you can spend some time basking on the marina’s waterfront — one of my personal hobbies.

Answered

Yesterday, we asked “Would you consider owning chicken with the prices of eggs going up?”

Chickens in Ybor City. They are strutting through leaves at Centennial Park. — Tampa Bay locals know to leave the Ybor chickens alone.

It looks like most of you won’t be mucking out a coop anytime soon — with 64% of folks saying they’re not interested.

But, another ~22% of readers are amped to give it a try. And ~11% say they would after taking the UF/IFAS course. Let us know how it goes.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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