When I find myself in times of trouble, I take a solo drive over to Tarpon Springs — this “Gilmore Girls” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” devotee’s perfect cozy, community centered, quirky town.
The star of the Greek city — beyond the sponge docks — is the gorgeous bayou, framed by Victorian and folk homes, the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum, and a 6'4 mermaid statue.
I usually start out by picking up one of the monthly dessert offerings from Sweetwood Bakery. Then take my haul over to the Bayou for a long walk and then sink into a slice of cake, read, and people watch on one of the benches.
A. Largest Greek population in Florida B. Smallest city in TBAY C. Biggest natural sponge producer in the Southeast D. First incorporated city in Pinellas
We didn’t think we’d be back more Gas Plant District redevelopment news so quickly, but lucky you. Developer Casey Ellison + ARK Investment Management’s Cathie Wood are submitting a proposal to transform the land. But a baseball stadium isn’t part of the deal. (Tampa Bay Times)
Plan Ahead
Tickets to Whiskey Tampa Foxtrot are on sale now. The annual bougie Bern’s Steakhouse 5-day whiskey-heavy series is booked for Nov. 11-14, and these seats always go fast. (That’s So Tampa)
Ranked
No. 1. The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine was named the top medical school in the country by the Center for Accountability in Medicine. In addition, USF was the only institution to earn a perfect score on their Medical Excellence Index, which takes into account factors like curriculum difficulty and MCAT scores. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Mansion Monday
Hotel ORA is nearly finished, and you could live in the penthouse. Tour the 4-bed, 5-bath, 4,072-sqft unit — with Hillsborough River views that would make any Tampa celeb jealous.
Today Is
National Noodle Day, a chance to celebrate the strips of unleavened dough found in dishes the whole world around. It’s also the perfect excuse for a bowl of ramen at Ichiban Sushi Ramen, or one of the decadent dishes comprised of homemade pasta at Pia’s Trattoria.
Seasonal
Stocking up for trick-or-treaters? In Florida, you can’t go wrong with 3 Musketeers — it’s the most popular candy in the state, according to a new Instacart study. And let’s be honest: We’ll be sneaking sweets all month long — a little sugar rush pairs perfectly with October’s nonstop festivities.
Shop
Crafters, you need(le) to hear this. Shuttered retailer Joann is sort of back. Michael’s bought Joann and will launch The Knit & Sew Shop, a co-branded “shop-in-shop” across its 1,300+ stores. Cutting tables for fabric sales by the yard are planned for 650 stores by mid-October. Find your local Michael’s.
Sports
In case you missed it, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny is set to headline Super Bowl LX’s halftime show. The big game is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California — until then, we’ll keep cheering on the Bucs in hopes that they make it. (Variety)
Health
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign focused on education, early detection, and support. You can step up by registering to walk or run in the Making Strides of Tampa Bay on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Raymond James Stadium.
Sports
It’s time to unpack the updated Bolts’ roster. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Biz
Need to get your business’s message out ASAP? We created our advertiser dashboard just for you. It takes less than five minutes to browse our promo offerings, pick one that fits your goals, and checkout — no long-term contract required. It’s that easy. Try it now.
Finance
Have a variable monthly income? This freelancing couple found a creative way to pay down debt (and make the home improvements they’d been dreaming about). See how.*
Number
$0. That’s how much 94% of patients pay to see a licensed dietician with Nourish. Find a dietician covered by insurance and build a personalized nutrition plan.*
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City Guide
C’mon, give back to your neighborhood
You can keep our Tampa Bay area beautiful by signing up for local cleanup events. | Photo by Marta Ortigosa via Pexels
Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit. All we know is there are more than enough great causes in the Tampa Bay areato support with your time.
Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast — there’s a volunteer opportunity near you. Here are more than 25 ways to get involved around TBAY.
Dress for Success Tampa Bay | Empower local women by providing career coaching, helping create interview outfits, sorting inventory, or doing admin work.
Support the vulnerable
NAMI | Help individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness via a variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from administrative support to facilitating support groups.
Start speaking a new language in just weeks with Babbel’s expert-made lessons. For a limited time, get lifetime access for only $239 — their best deal of the year. Hurry — these savings end tonight.
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.
With fall weather slowly creeping into the Gulf Coast, golf clubs around the region are twitching in the garage.
Whether you’re looking to connect outdoors with friends or you’re honing in on that perfect shot, here are 20 golf courses to make a tee time in and around Tampa Bay.
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