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Hi Tampa Bay, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Breeze expansion, the river turning bright green, and a sci-fi short at Gasparilla + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Bridging readers and reporting: The Tampa Bay Times is hosting a monthly news book club at Book and Bottle, offering neighbors a behind the scenes look at reporting and conversations about Tampa Bay issues — read the full story.
A220s unlock new options: Breeze announced new flights from Tampa International to Atlantic City, Columbus, and Fort Lauderdale, and will double its Nassau service to four days weekly as part of a broader expansion — see new routes and perks.
Fresh destination for dog lovers: Sarasota-based DOGPerfect has opened a fifth store in Parrish, owned by Linda and Rob Emery, offering premium food, enrichment toys, grooming, and self-wash as the local brand expands through franchising — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Burgers worth a detour: Tampa staple Thee Burger Spot makes simple craveable with juicy patties, playful specials (yes, peanut butter works), and those crispy, addictive onion thangs. Perfect for a midweek slump, it resets your mood, and napkins are a must… you’ll need them.
Roll into the week: United Skates of America Tampa spins up throwback jams, family sessions, and adults-only nights, with an arcade and lessons if your ankles need a refresher. Laps with a friend end with lighter moods and buzzing legs.
Art break on the Riverwalk: Need a quick culture reset between errands? At Tampa Museum of Art, explore newly renovated galleries and the bright Vinik Family Education Center, with exhibitions spanning ancient to contemporary. Ideal for a midweek wander that sparks curiosity and clears the cobwebs.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Tampa Bay for grown ups
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
👩 International Women’s Day Brunch @ Embarc Collective | Thursday (3/5) at 9:00 AM – Join Working Women of Tampa Bay for a thoughtful International Women’s Day brunch at Embarc Collective. Expect Dolce Dawn Grazing Co fare, a keynote from Kandy Windom, and real talk on Give to Gain, plus connections you’ll actually keep. Register at workingwomenoftampabay.com/events.
🚮 Beach Clean Up @ Davis Islands Seaplane Basin Park | Saturday (3/7) at 8:30 AM – Trade yardwork for sunshine and help tidy up Davis Island Beach with the West Central District of FPTA. Bring friends, family, and that coworker who needs fresh air, then feel smug about doing good. RSVP to Erica Disbrow at [email protected].
🎣 Youth Fishing Lessons @ Harvest Hope Center Kitchen & Community Garden | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Free youth fishing lessons are reeling into Harvest Hope Pond, perfect for getting the kids outside and proving patience beats Wi-Fi. Only 15 spots and actual fish, not the app, so snag a place at uacdc.org/getmoving, or ring Zakeia at 610-453-4017.
🌱 Vegetable Gardening for Central Florida @ Seminole Heights Branch Library | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – If your tomatoes tap out by June, this Central Florida gardening talk shows you how to prep a site, fix our sandy soil, pick Florida-friendly varieties, water and fertilize smart, and outwit the usual suspects, from whiteflies to wilt. Real tips, fewer tragedies, better harvests.
🎬 Abducted and Alone @ AMC Westshore 14 | Saturday (3/7) at 2:45 PM – Catch Abducted and Alone at Gasparilla, in Shorts Program 7, with director Tivoli Silas attending. A sly sci-fi short where a newlywed NASA scientist outlives her abductors, cons their ship’s AI into heading home, and yes, parking exists.
🐭 Disney On Ice: Mickey’s Search Party @ Benchmark International Arena | Sunday (3/8) at 11:00 AM – Disney On Ice brings Mickey’s Search Party, basically the greatest hits of your kids’ streaming history, but on blades. Tinker Bell’s gone rogue, expect Coco, Moana, and Elsa moments, plus Aladdin, Toy Story, and Little Mermaid cameos, aerial stunts, Stitch chaos, and guilt-free nostalgia.
🍽 Taste of South Tampa @ Tampa Garden Club | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Bayshore breezes call for wandering the Tampa Garden Club lawn with a tasting plate in one hand, and a beer in the other. The 20th annual Taste of South Tampa brings local bites, live tunes, a beer garden, and raffle-worthy prizes, no kitchen cleanup required.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Tampa Bay report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 86°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 51%
A chance of rain showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. East southeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
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Tomorrow – High: 87°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 50%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East southeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
On coveted Davis Islands, this modern residence by Forge Building Company features 5 beds, 4 full and 3 half baths, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic water and airport views. Highlights include a floating wood staircase, three-sided linear fireplace, Calacatta Michelangelo kitchen with Wolf and Sub-Zero, a game room with built-in bar, lanai with pool and spa, and an elevator.
Take a peek inside →
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