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It’s Friday, Tampa Bay! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Manatees find refuge in cold snaps, Harry Potter in concert with live orchestra, and strawberry u-pick adventure + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Tampa Bay protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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đź“° In the news
Food as medicine in action: A Tampa veteran shares how the VA’s Food Rx Program helps him eat healthier and manage chronic conditions, offering weekly groceries and support through partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay — learn how the program works.
Upgrades boost regional resilience: Ahead of storm season, Tree Care Inc has expanded emergency tree services in Tampa with certified arborists, training, and equipment for quicker response to high winds and saturated soil risks — get all the details.
How manatees find refuge: During cold snaps, manatees seek warm water, often at the TECO plant in Apollo Beach, while Mote Marine and partners help rescue, rehabilitate, and track them across Florida — learn about Florida’s rescue network.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
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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đź’Ž Local business spotlight
Refill your creative stash: Bottom of the Bin turns leftover paints, yarn, paper, and beads, basically your craft drawer chaos, into store credit. Their ever-changing shelves make the hunt half the fun, ideal for snagging project fill-ins without overspending or buying a giant bottle you’ll never finish.
Build your hangout: Need a sturdy spot for morning coffee or a place to corral the kids’ pool splashes? Hecker Construction designs and builds custom decks, docks, and gazebos, handling permits and using materials that stand up to Tampa Bay weather. Spend weekends grilling, not fixing boards.
Sunset seafood reset: Salt Shack on the Bay brings gulf-to-table plates, wild-caught shrimp, and toes-in-the-sand vibes to South Tampa. With fresh-catch tacos, day-boat fish sandwiches, cold sips, and gulf sunsets to linger over, right here… weekly reset achieved.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →
Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →
Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →
Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →
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📆 Around town this weekend
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.
🍓 Strawberry U-Pick Experience @ DGPS Farming (Thonotosassa) | Friday (3/13) at 9:00 AM – Strawberry season alert, local edition: DGPS Farming on Rockhill Rd in Thonotosassa has u-pick berries for $4 a pound, plus farm animals, shortcake, and those beloved shakes. Show up early, claim a shady table, and pretend this totally counts as cardio and produce shopping.
🚤 Urban Architecture Riverboat Tour @ Tampa Convention Center Marina | Friday (3/13) at 5:00 PM – Hop on the Pirate Taxi with urban designer Josh Frank and architect Ross Tisdale for a waterfront tour of downtown Tampa’s past, present, and future. Cruise the Hillsborough for smart, breezy chat about urban evolution, waterfront revitalization, and stories behind landmarks, no PowerPoint, just perspective.
⚡ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in Concert @ Straz Center for the Performing Arts | Friday (3/13) at 7:30 PM – Think you remember every wand flick? Relive the final Hogwarts battle as Deathly Hallows Part 2 plays on a giant screen with a live symphony conjuring Desplat’s score. It’s high drama, real musicians, and zero Quidditch small talk, so treat yourself, and bring tissues.
🏆 Pelicon 2026 Model Show & Contest @ Higgins Hall on the Grounds of Sir Lawrence Catholic Church, Tampa, Fl | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Early spring in Tampa calls for geeking out over tiny tanks and perfect panel lines at Pelicon 2026 Model Show and Contest. Gold, Silver, Bronze judging, vendors, a model raffle, display tables, and the Bacon Boss truck. Low stress, high craftsmanship, zero yardwork.
🎂 Spring Flowers Cake Decorating Class @ Brandon Junior Woman’s Club | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Trade weekend chores for buttercream therapy at Brandon Junior Women’s Club, where Sweet Bites teaches you to fill, stack, and frost. Nail smooth finishes, pipe daisies and cabbage roses, then leave with a cake you actually want to show off. Tools, equipment, and ingredients provided.
🌸 Spring Community Day @ St. Peter Claver Catholic School | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Head to historic St. Peter Claver Catholic School for Spring Community Day, open to all. Live music, games, a gaming truck, and giveaways, plus the kind of neighborly chatter you pretend you don’t miss. Bring the kids, ask about 2026 to 2027 enrollment.
🛍 The Market @ Water Street | Sunday (3/15) at 10:00 AM – Skip the big-box run and come graze your way through The Market at Water Street, where 60+ local vendors are slinging peak produce, tasty bites, and handmade finds. It’s Tampa people-watching, snack sampling, and guilt-free cardio, all in one pleasantly strollable loop.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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đź“» Tampa Bay report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 84°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 10%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. East northeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 56%
A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
This house is wild
This 3,871-square-foot coastal contemporary in Bayshore Beautiful sits 300 feet from iconic Bayshore Boulevard, fully reimagined in 2016 by Lloyd Craftsmen. A metal roof, impact windows, and hardwoods set a refined tone. The chef’s kitchen boasts Wolf and Sub-Zero. A heated saltwater pool and spa sit amid travertine and turf. Upstairs, en-suite bedrooms and a balcony frame waterfront views.
Take a peek inside →
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