08.19.2025

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94º | 20% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:02 a.m. | Sunset 8:03 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 11:40 a.m. | Low: 8:22 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 8:34 a.m. | Low: 4:33 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

Bird nerd alert

A pelican flies over the water. The bird is a black silhouette against yellowish ripples,

One of the most iconic wildlife sights in TBAY. | Photo by Robert J. Banach via Wikimedia Commons

As I approach my thirties I find myself pausing (not unlike my chocolate lab) to stare down the Black Skimmers and gulls on our morning tromps down the beach. Though I suspect we’re doing it for different reasons.

Birdwatching is restorative to me. It forces you to really listen, squint, and be quiet.

One of the best parts about living on the Gulf Coast is the vibrant and constantly-changing environment. Salt marshes, urban forests, parks next to strip malls. We’ve got it all, baby. So start taking in all the creatures that call it home:

A little kid with brown hair and a woman kneeling beside him points to a bird on a poster board that reads "What's That Bird?" — Could you name all of these birds?

Get started

Join the St. Petersburg Audubon Society and Tampa Audubon Society for field trips to spots like Egmot Key + Sawgrass Lake, sessions on backyard birding, and more. Plus, a bunch of their offerings are free.
Set off from the St. Pete Pier on a 90-minute wildlife boat tour of Tampa Bay.

Bird watch from these perfect perches:

Fort De Soto Park: How lucky are we to live near one of the most popular birding spots in the US, with 330 species+ of birds?
Lettuce Lake Park: Bring that camera to snap pics of herons, egrets, limpkins, ospreys, woodpeckers, vireos, and too many other species to mention.

Perfect peeping perches + spot these birds

Asked

Which bird boasts a long, spoon-shaped bill, bright pink plumage, and a white neck and upper back?

A. American flamingo
B. Roseate spoonbill
C. Anna’s hummingbird
D. Pink-browed rosefinch

Name that bird

Events

Tuesday, Aug. 19

Florida Resident Rate Special | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Imagine Museum | $5+ | Use that Florida resident ID to roam the museum’s 21 breathtaking galleries and take on the marble scavenger hunt completely free.

Grand Cathedral Cigars Whiskey Dinner: Featuring Brown Forman Whiskies | 6-10 p.m. | Grand Cathedral Cigars, Tampa | $175 | Tuck into passed hors d’oeuvres, a three-course dinner from Rene’s Mexican Kitchen, then sip on stiff pours of Jack Daniels, Old Forester, and Woodford Reserve.

Figure Drawing Lab | 6:30-9 p.m. | ArtsXchange, St. Petersburg | $10 | Pull up to an easel, plop down on a bench, and try your hand at one of the oldest art forms: sketching a live model — BYO-supplies.

Wednesday, Aug. 20

PPR: Federal Tariffs and the Business Landscape | 7:30-9 a.m. | University Club | $75 | Sit back as local leaders explore the impacts of current federal tariff policies on business operations and housing affordability across TBAY.

Sip & Support: Women, Wine & Giving Back | 5-7 p.m. | Rock Solid Fitness, Dunedin | Free with donation | Donate toiletries to EmpowHERment, enjoy wine, music, and light bites, shop women-owned vendors, check out ear seeds + chair massages.

Thursday, Aug. 21

Inaugural Photo Club Meeting | 5-7 p.m. | Florida Museum of Photographic Arts | Free | Film, digital, and all kinds of photographers are welcome to mingle, share their work, and learn about plans for future photo walks, critiques, and meetings.

“MAYRA": An Evening with Nicky Gonzalez | 7-8 p.m. | Tombolo Books | Free | The Florida-born author shares from her “eerie, hypnotic debut about friendship, desire, and memory set against the sultry backdrop of Florida’s swamplands.”

Friday, Aug. 22

Secret Spaces | 6-10:30 p.m. | Greater New Salem Primitive Baptist Church, Tampa | $75 | Sneak into the historic hidden venue for a site-specific journey of live music, dance, immersive theater, and storytelling that reimagines the Cigar City’s past through a bold artistic lens.

The Spazmatics 80’s Retro Dance Party | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | Floridian Social Club | $14+ | Feather that hair, pull on a flashy jacket, and tow along those vintage friends to step to some 1980s hits.

Little Big Town: “Summer Tour 2025" | 7 p.m. | MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa | $27+ | No need to head to the “Boondocks,” the Alabama-based country group is rocking the Cigar City venue.

Secret, never-before-seen events

Click here to have your event featured.

Edu

🎓 3 ways anyone can earn a degree at SEU

Presented by Southeastern University

Photo 1: 4 college students sit at a table with laptops, two with their back to the camera and two facing the camera, one in a red tshirt that say "Southeastern University Fire" and one in a grey sweater. Photo 2: Two students walk down the sidewalk of a college campus in Florida, surrounded by palm trees and greenery. Both carry bags. Photo 3: A college student sits at a table looking at an open laptop, with books beside her on the table.

Southeastern University’s Lakeland campus is only the beginning what the school offers students. | Photos provided by Southeastern University

Thinking about getting your degree, but unsure if college fits into your life? Southeastern University (SEU) has flexible degree pathways that make education accessible to all, whether you’re starting out or starting over.

In addition to an on-campus format, SEU offers online + partner site programs, all with experienced professors, peer support, and opportunities to make an impact in your community throughout your education.

On campus

Apply to SEU in person for a traditional college experience. The main Lakeland campus has ~2,200 students and a robust student life with clubs, leadership opportunities, and nationally-ranked athletic programs.

Online

SEU offers 100% online graduate and undergraduate programs, making it easy to get a degree wherever and whenever.

Partner sites

The SEU Network has 200+ partner sites, including 30+ in Florida. Partner sites are great for anyone seeking in-person learning without leaving their hometown.

All programs have Foundational Core and Divine Design credits built in, where students can explore passions, potential career paths, and valuable life skills beyond the classroom.

Explore programs + apply

News Notes

Weather

Hurricane Erin isn’t projected to directly hit the West Coast of Florida, but forecasters warn another storm could follow in its path. The National Hurricane Center says the system has a medium chance of continuing to develop. (Tampa Bay Times)

Closed

Goodbye to a real one. Servers doled out Pancake Sandwiches at Pinky’s Eatery, a fan-favorite South Tampa breakfast joint, one last time over the weekend. The restaurant closed its doors after 20+ years of morning memories. (That’s So Tampa)

Outdoors

The Chassahowitzka River campground — located just north of Weeki Wachee — is set to close for damage assessments this fall. But the park could close indefinetly, as the South Florida Water Management District also broached selling the 40-acre camping spot popular for its access to sparking springs + manatees. (Tampa Bay Times)

Sports

The Rays sale isn’t a done deal — yet. But what are Patrick Zalupski and the investor group planning for the team’s next era? For one, Rays president Matt Silverman, might stay in on in another capacity. (Tampa Bay Times)

Legacy

Farewell to a Tampa Bay news titan. WMNF Cofounder + longtime Director of News and Public Affairs Rob Lorei died over the weekend. In addition, Lorei hosted and moderated programs like “Florida This Week,” “Perspectives,"and “Tampa Bay Week.” (St. Pete Catalyst)

Pets

Talk about a golden opportunity — auditions are now open for “Air Bud Returns,” the latest installment in the beloved movie series. If you want to sign up your golden retriever, you’ll need to submit a video of their best skills. For the camera-shy dogs, 30+ pet-friendly ideas await in Tampa Bay.

Listen

The Tampa Bay Rays blew their sweep of the San Francisco Giants. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Learn

AI won’t take over the world — people who know how to use AI will. Learn AI skills in three minutes a day with Superhuman AI newsletter. Subscribe for free.*

Wellness

Support your liver’s daily grind with Dose. This orange juice-flavored shot blends curcumin, milk thistle, ginger, and dandelion root into a vegan, sugar-free, and gluten-free formula. Try Dose for 30% off — your liver will thank you later.*

The Buy

The bra your wardrobe’s been asking for:

For the gym: Shop this strappy sports bra for a cute, ribbed look that’s non-padded and stretchy for extra comfort.
For v-necks: This best-selling deep v bra features no underwire, seamless edges, and a material that’s soft on skin.
For tees: Calvin Klein’s Invisibles comfort bralette is made from soft and smooth microfiber and is lightly lined for coverage.

More worth The Buy

Games

The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.

Let the games begin

The Wrap

Well, I successfully duped (most) readers.

Yesterday, I asked “What town in Spain did Dali move to after his father threw him out?” About 37% of folks guessed Marbella, but the answer was actually Portlligat. Congrats to the 11% of readers who guessed correctly.

Though does it really matter where he ended up along the coast? I mean, I would get chucked out to live alone in coastal Spain too.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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