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Happy weekend, Tampa Bay!
In today’s happening-today edition: Florida’s first K-9 air transport program, up-close manatee encounters, and someone googled you this week + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor (Money.com) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.
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📰 In the news
New lifeline for K-9s: Tampa General Hospital Aeromed recently launched Florida’s first air medical transport program for injured police K-9s, sending dogs to a veterinary center outside Sarasota and training crews across multiple counties — read the full story.
Hospitality investment momentum builds: AAM 15 Management recently bought Brandon’s Home2 Suites by Hilton for $32.1 million, its third Florida deal and a sign of continued investor interest in Tampa Bay extended-stay hotels — get deal specifics and context.
Up-close wildlife encounters: Manatee season is here, perfect for a nearby date. Spot gentle giants at Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center, or plan a quick escape to Crystal River and Blue Spring — see where to spot them.
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.
Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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 all that up – learn more here.
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Neighborhood pride, supersized: The Tampa Heights Mural by Michelle Sawyer and Tony Krol turns local history into a bright, bike-by moment, with streetcars, industry, and community in full color. It’s an everyday landmark that quietly reminds Tampa Heights why it still feels like home.
A colorful yarn fix: Pop Yarn, on the second floor of Kress Contemporary in Ybor City, stocks wool, alpaca, cashmere, and cotton to keep WIPs fresh, and offers beginner-to-intermediate crochet classes when you want guidance. Treat your stash to something inspiring and your hands to happy stitching.
Pints with Tampa history: Coppertail Brewing Co.pours a rotating lineup in a character-rich tasting room with a reclaimed-wood bar, plus a kitchen built for pint pairing. It’s an easy midweek reset when you want big flavor without overthinking it.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town today & tomorrow
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.
🚮 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].
⚽ She Is Football Market & Festival @ AdventHealth Training Center | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Think the kids have energy to burn? This free, family-friendly market and festival brings Tampa Bay small businesses, food trucks, and tunes, plus a mini combine and cheer clinic to tire them out while you shop, snack, and feel smug about supporting local.
🌱 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.
🍺 Bonsai & Brews @ 82° West Distilling | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – Trade yardwork for tiny trees at Seminole Heights’ 82°West Distilling, where Thunderstruck Bonsai walks you through picking a pot, pruning a pre-bonsai, and sipping proper rum. No green thumb required, just steady hands, a sense of humor, and a ticket before they vanish.
🎼 Symphony Masterworks Concert @ David Falk Theater | Saturday (3/7) at 7:30 PM – UT’s Symphony Orchestra is taking the stage with a Masterworks program that swings from beloved classics to bold contemporary pieces. Expect goosebumps, not gimmicks, and the kind of sound that makes your inbox feel very far away for once.
🎉 Family Fun Factory: Opening Day @ Bay Life Church (Brandon) | Sunday (3/8) at 12:30 PM – Opening Day is your excuse to swap the sidelines for sneakers and actually play. Expect laughter, light trash talk, and friendly competition on the fields, memories included. Not a drop-off, bring the whole crew, cheer loud, and stretch first, your knees will thank you.
🍽 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: 88°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 16%
A slight chance of rain showers after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. East southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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Tomorrow – High: 86°F – Low: 66°F – Precip: 15%
A slight chance of rain showers after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 86. South southeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 66. North wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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