Hello Tampa Bay! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A permanent ferry fleet, a Summerween drive-in, and Heroes vs Villians Pride Skate + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Downtown amenities keep growing: Solidcore will open its third Tampa Bay studio at Water Street Tampa this fall, bringing the national fitness brand with more than 175 locations to the growing downtown district -- see what’s coming next.
Helping seniors stay ready: Meals on Wheels of Tampa distributed nearly 1,000 hurricane prep kits on June 20 to homebound seniors across the city, with meals, water, a flashlight, and shelter and evacuation details -- read how they prepared.
Permanent ferry fleet forms: The Tampa Bay Ferry purchased the Bay Breeze and the Clipper after inspections and sea trials, a major step toward permanent year‑round service linking downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa -- see the ferry fleet take shape.
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.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
South Tampa Sanity Saver: Ballast Point Park still nails the downtown views, shady picnic spots, and a kid-magnet playground with a splash pad, even while the pier is under repair. Sneak in a breezy reset, let the littles soak the splash flowers, and maybe treat yourself at the on-site Leons Lobstah Shack.
Rain-proof fun idea: Laser Ops Xtreme Fun Center packs laser tag that actually gets your heart up, VR that tricks your brain, 70+ arcade games, and a Nerf arena... plus a bar and grille for refuels. When the Florida humidity wins, call an audible and let your inner kid run Tampa.
Grow like a local: If your tomatoes wilt at the first heat wave, Whitwam Organics has Tampa-tested seedlings, Florida natives and edibles, smart irrigation bits, and real advice that matches our seasons and soil. Give your yard a plan and come home feeling like the neighbor with the greenest thumb.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🍿 Summerween Movie Drive-In: Monsters Inc. @ Armature Works | Wednesday (6/24) at 8:30 PM – Load up the car for a Summerween drive-in screening of Monsters, Inc., the rare monster you actually want your kids to meet. Pop-up snacks mean popcorn, hot dogs, candy, and sodas. Parking is first come, and admission is per vehicle under the stars.
🎱 Bingo Night @ Village Inn (Brandon) | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – Round up the usual suspects for Thursday bingo at Village Inn Brandon, where comfort food meets competitive streaks. Buy dinner, play along, and maybe score prizes you’ll pretend you don’t care about, plus pancakes for dinner, familiar faces, and plenty of laughs.
🦸 Heroes Vs Villians Pride Skate @ United Skates | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Heroes vs Villains Pride Skate is rolling in with all-ages antics, costumes that actually earn prizes, and the kind of throwback fun your knees can still handle. It’s $15 with rentals included, and yes, advance purchase knocks off two bucks, because superheroes budget.
🎭 Annie @ New Tampa Performing Arts Center | Thursday (6/25) at 8:00 PM – Think you still know all the words to Tomorrow? New Tampa Players deliver Annie with It’s the Hard-Knock Life, bright choreography, and enough optimism to outshine a July afternoon. It runs about three hours, so pace your concessions, and revel in the nostalgia.
🚗 Rev Up and Roll Out @ Rome Avenue | Saturday (6/27) at 11:30 AM – This community fundraiser is mixing motorcycle clubs, bounce houses, petting zoo, food trucks, and chair massages, because we multitask around here. While the kids craft and pet goats, you can enter raffles, send a candy-gram, get the scoop, and support local foster families.
👗 The Fourth Annual Beauty of Inclusion Fashion Show @ The Portico | Saturday (6/27) at 6:00 PM – Skip the same-old dinner debate and head to Portico Café for the Fourth Annual Beauty of Inclusion Fashion Show. It blends runway, storytelling, and live performances, featuring models and designers with and without disabilities. Less catwalk attitude, more community pride, and zero velvet rope.
🎤 Summer Sing-Along: High School Musical (2006) @ Sparkman Wharf | Sunday (6/28) at 6:30 PM – Whether you knew every word in 2006 or you are introducing the kids, Tampa Theatre brings High School Musical to Sparkman Wharf for a free outdoor sing-along while the palace gets a facelift. First 100 get an LED fan and popcorn, precious in this humidity.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. 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 Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Tampa Bay report Weather forecastToday — High: 94°F — Low: 78°F — Precip: 33%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 104. West wind 3 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. Heat index values as high as 101. West northwest wind 1 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 95°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 25%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 1 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 79. South southwest wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. This house is wildResidence 1504 claims the southeast corner of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Tampa, with 3,370 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and a flexible den. Ten-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows showcase Hillsborough Bay, downtown Tampa, and glowing western sunsets. A private elevator, ItalKraft cabinetry, Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, and hotel-style service complete the polished, high-rise package.
Take a peek inside → |
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