03.21.2025

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Today’s Forecast

70º | 0% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:32 a.m. | Sunset 7:42 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 6:47 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 6:07 a.m. + 3:39 p.m. | Low: 8:25 p.m. | Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

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Swing for the fences

The Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor. The golf course has green grass, and the word "Innisbrook" cut into a neat hedge on a sloping lawn. There is a lake in the foreground and a golf hole with a bunker visible in the background.

The tournament was first called the Tampa Bay Classic, founded in 2000. | Photo via Wiki Commons

Some of the world’s best golfers are descending upon Tampa Bay once more, and no, we aren’t talking about the snowbirds.

The 2025 Valspar Championship starts today at Palm Harbor’s Copperhead Course. Considered the No. 7 most difficult course on the PGA Tour circuit, the pros have their work cut out for them.

A trio of men’s golfers ranked inside the world’s top 10 are all taking part: Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood, and Justin Thomas. One of them could take home the $1.56 million prize on Sunday, March 23.

Tickets start around $50, and kids 15 and under get in for free with a paying adult. Pro tip: Carpooling could save you some cash, as a parking pass will set you back at least $14.

Here’s a fun fact: Copperhead’s final three holes (16, 17, and 18) are commonly referred to as the snake pit due to their challenging nature.

Asked

Which part of the latest Gasworx development project are you most excited for?

Pssst: here’s the info, if you need a reminder.

A. Stores
B. Greenspace
C. Housing
D. Other amenities

What's worx-ing for you?

Events

Friday, March 21
St. Petersburg St. Patrick’s Day Escape: The Golden Shamrock | Friday, March 21-Sunday, March 23 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Hatchet Hangout: Axe Throwing St. Pete | $10+ | It’s the last weekend to quest across St. Petersburg to retrieve all the seven pieces of luck on your way to finding the golden ticket.

Hot Air Balloon & Kite Festival | Friday, March 21-Saturday, March 22 | 5-11 p.m. | Florida State Fairgrounds | $14+ | Fly into the sky on a hot air balloon overlooking Tampa Bay — plus enjoy live music, kites, and tunes.

Luenell | Friday, March 21-Saturday, March 22 | Times vary | Funny Bone Comedy Club, Tampa | $42+ | The “The Original Bad Girl of Comedy” brings some of her LA stand-up to the Gulf Coast.

Saturday, March 22
Butterfly Gardening Seminar | 10-11 a.m. | Kerby’s Nursery, Seffner | Free | Learn more about a butterfly’s life journey at this seminar, featuring tips on making your own garden a hangout spot for the winged beauties.

Tampa Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Festival | 12-7 p.m. | Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park | Free | Head to the riverfront for cultural performances from various Asian and Pacific Islander communities, with tons of food options on offer.

Composition in the Field: Photography Workshop | 3:30-8 p.m. | Picnic Island Park, Tampa | $174 | Master camera controls, then roam the waterfront park snapping pictures.

Sunday, March 23
New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays | 1:05 p.m. | George M. Steinbrenner Field | $100+ | We’re not sure who thinks they’re the home team, but it should be a great game as spring training continues in the Cigar City.

2025 New York Dog Film Festival | Sunday, March 23-Monday, March 24 | Times vary | Tampa Theatre | $10+ | Celebrate our four-legged best friends with this two-hour medley of films focused on our canine companions.

There's plenty more to do

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Eat

Tampa is one of four US cities chosen to test out Chick-fil-A’s new desserts. The Icedream Spin combines ice cream and soda, and the Icedream Float is a float with a choice of soda and a swirl of Icedream dessert. Heads up: Call ahead to make sure your neighborhood’s location is involved. (WFLA)

Number

47%. That’s the percentage of US adults who say that people are behaving more rudely now than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps that’s a sign to make someone’s day with one of these random acts of kindness. (Pew Research Center)

Sports

Did you know that the NCAA women’s final had a record-breaking 18.9 million viewers last year? Let’s see if that many eyes will watch the USF Bulls in the playoffs. Here are the details on the upcoming game schedule. (The State)

Tech

TikTok is introducing new ways to encourage kids to log off, like a meditation feature if users under 16 are using the app after 10 p.m. If it works it works, but have you tried touching grass?

Edu

84%. That’s how many more students from the North are headed to public schools in the South compared to one decade ago. The University of Florida saw over 106% more Northern students in 2023, compared to 2014. (Axios)

Listen

The postseason is approaching — how are the Bolts shaping up? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Seasonal

Nordstrom’s Spring Sale has up to 50% off all your favorite brands, from Tory Burch to Beyond Yoga. Our favorite finds are this tiered gingham dress and this cowl neck blouse.*

City Guide

It’s a bird, no it’s a plane

The airport commissioned the sculpture for $520,000. | Photo by @iamkhiemtang

Traveling via plane is fun — jet-setting over beautiful blue waters or rolling hills, taking in cloud formations, and landing in a completely different location in a matter of hours is unlike anything else.

The whole navigating the airport part? Less exciting, and sometimes pretty stressful. To help make your time at Tampa International as smooth as possible, we’ve created a guide that covers everything from gates and parking to details on the airport’s 90+ nonstop flights.

What to know

TSA | According to Tampa International’s website, it takes ~20 minutes to get through during off-peak hours and ~45 minutes during peak hours (6-9 a.m.).
Food and drink | You arguably could get a good taste of Tampa just from eating at the airport. The famous Columbia Restaurant has an output that offers both grab an go options and seated tables, so you can try the legendary Cuban sandwich for yourself.
Reminder | By May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID or other forms of ID to board commercial flights in the US.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

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The Buy

A breathable long-sleeve tee, great to pair with jeans and jackets on cool spring days.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

From editor Patrick

A small dog sits on a sidewalk. The sun is behind him, and is casting his shadow toward the camera. He is on a leash, and grassy banks surround him at a park.

I took this majestic photo of my sweet boy Walter this week doing a little training in Rowlett Park. Remember: it’s your dog’s first time living life as well, so why not bring them to one of TBAY’s dog-friendly spots this weekend?

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