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The Best Tampa News This Week (December 18th)

The Best Tampa News This Week (December 18th)

The latest news & upcoming events in Tampa.

Matthew Larsen
December 18, 2023

Welcome to The Tampa Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

The Bolts are back in town
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra comes to Amalie Arena
Sports betting is rolled out at the Hard Rock Casino
And more…

Quote of the Week

"The secret to success is good leadership, and good leadership is all about making the lives of your team members or workers better" - Tony Dungy (Former NFL Coach, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1996-2001)

Photo of the Week

Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which Tampa native became a well-known professional wrestler?

A) Hulk Hogan
B) John Cena
C) Randy Savage
D) The Rock

Last week’s answer: The Gasparilla Pirate Festival, a unique Tampa tradition, is inspired by the legend of a mythical pirate. What is the name of this pirate?

Answer: José Gaspar

(Side note, I can’t believe we’re just over a month out from Gasparilla again)

News

💼 Business

The Tampa Hard Rock Casino has recently introduced in-person sports betting, along with the “Hard Rock Bet” mobile app. This debut marks a significant expansion in the casino's gaming repertoire, offering a more diverse and engaging experience for visitors and sports fans. (link)

With Christmas falling on a Monday this year, you won't get overnight delivery from FedEx on Christmas Eve. Instead, you'll have to ship FedEx SameDay on Friday, Dec. 22, to get your package delivered before Christmas. Be sure to get your gifts shipped out this week! (link)

🏒 Sports

Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue their playoff push: Baker Mayfield and company come away with a big win in Lambeau Field as they top the Green Bay Packers, and remain atop the NFC South. (link)

NCAA women’s volleyball tournament breaks records: The national semifinals between Nebraska-Pitt and Wisconsin-Texas at Amalie Arena broke the indoor attendance record at 19,598. The record then fell again during the national championship on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, with 19,727 in attendance to watch Texas sweep Nebraska. (link)

🏦 Finance

St. Pete's Directed Capital, a well-established investment firm, is setting its sights high with a goal to raise $100 million for its 11th investment fund. This ambitious target reflects the firm's continued confidence in the market and its commitment to delivering robust investment opportunities to its clients. (link)

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and its foundation announced the renaming of their children's hospital to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, in honor of Pam and Les Muma's significant donation. This philanthropic gesture by the Mumas, known for their long-standing support and advocacy for children's healthcare in the region, represents the largest contribution to TGH and a record-setting gift for children's hospitals in the area. (link)

📰 News

A Redfin report indicates a slight decrease in home prices coming in 2024, with the median sale price around $400K. Local real estate experts highlight a significant drop in interest rates, potentially revitalizing the buyer's market and increasing competition in 2024 due to more buyers entering the market. (link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports Events

🏒 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. St. Louis Blues - Dec 19, 2023

The Bolts are back on home ice this week as they take on the Blues on Tuesday night at Amalie. Nikita Kucherov still leads the league in points with 50!

🏒 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Vegas Golden Knights - Dec 21, 2023

Can’t make Tuesday’s game? No sweat! The Bolts are right back in action on Thursday night against the defending champs, Las Vegas Golden Knights.

🏈 Gasparilla Bowl: UCF Knights vs. Georgia Tech - Dec 22, 2023

Bowl Season is here! Catch UCF and Georgia Tech Friday Night in the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.

🏈 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars - Dec 24, 2023

Don’t have Christmas Eve plans? The Bucs have you covered! They’ll take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Raymond James Stadium in an in-state showdown with the NFC South Division on the line.

Music & Concerts

🎵 Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Amalie Arena - Dec 23, 2023

Experience the legendary Trans-Siberian Orchestra's spectacular holiday show at Amalie Arena this Saturday!

Family

🌟 Busch Gardens® Christmas Town - Dec 18-25, 2023

Visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay during Christmas Town for a magical holiday experience. Bring the whole family out to enjoy millions of twinkling lights, festive live entertainment, and thrilling rides in a wintery wonderland!

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Tampa in a winter wonderland” and this is what I got.

Pretty cool considering we’ll never get to see real snowfall here!

Reply with any ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos!

Tampa Historical Events

Tampa International Airport Opening (1971):

The opening of the new Tampa International Airport in 1971 marked a significant milestone in the city's development. Its revolutionary design, featuring a central terminal connected by people movers to satellite airside gates, was innovative and ahead of its time.

I would still argue that Tampa International is the best airport in the country thanks to this!

I’ve never spent more than 10 minutes in the TSA line - and I’ve never heard any nightmare airport stories there. If you have had a bad experience at TPA I’d love to hear it.

Famous People in Tampa History

Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (1930–2004): A Musical Genius

Introduction: Ray Charles - A Synthesis of Sound and Soul Ray Charles, born on September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia, and passing away on June 10, 2004, was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Known as "The Genius," Charles was instrumental in pioneering the soul music genre by blending elements of blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel. His influence on the music industry is immeasurable, and his legacy endures through his timeless music.

Early Years: The Making of a Maestro (1930–1945) Ray Charles's early life was marked by hardship and tragedy. His interest in music was sparked at a young age in Greenville, Florida, where he was informally adopted by a family friend following his mother's difficulties. Tragically, Charles began losing his sight at age four or five due to glaucoma and was completely blind by seven. Despite these challenges, his musical talents flourished, particularly during his time at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.

Initial Strides: Journey into Music (1945–1952) Post-school, Charles ventured into music professionally, moving to Jacksonville and later Tampa. His early career was characterized by struggle, but his determination led to his first recording sessions. His style initially mirrored Nat King Cole, and he slowly built a reputation for his unique musical approach.

Breakthrough: Atlantic Records Era (1952–1959) Ray Charles's signing with Atlantic Records in 1952 marked a significant turning point. Here, he crafted hits like "I've Got a Woman," fusing gospel with rhythm and blues. This period saw him lay the foundations of soul music, a genre that would define his career.

Crossover Success: Melding Genres (1959–1971) The late 1950s and 1960s were a period of crossover success for Charles. His album "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" broke racial and musical barriers, showcasing his ability to transcend genres. Hits like "Georgia on My Mind" topped charts, further cementing his status as a musical innovator.

Challenges and Resilience: Personal Struggles (1971–1983) Despite his professional successes, Charles faced personal challenges, including struggles with drug addiction. This period marked a slight decline in his commercial success, but his influence and musical prowess remained strong.

Revival and Recognition: Later Years (1983–2004) In his later years, Charles experienced a revival in popularity. He continued to perform and record music, receiving numerous awards and honors, reflecting his enduring impact on music and culture.

Legacy: An Enduring Influence (Post-2004) Ray Charles's legacy is profound and lasting. He is remembered for his innovative fusion of musical styles and for breaking down racial barriers in the music industry. His influence is evident across multiple genres and generations of musicians.

Personal Life: Beyond the Stage Charles's personal life was as rich and complex as his music. He was married twice and fathered twelve children. His life offstage was marked by both challenges and triumphs, mirroring the soulful and authentic nature of his music.

Passing: The End of an Era (2004) Ray Charles passed away on June 10, 2004, leaving behind a musical legacy that transcends time. His death marked the end of an era, but his music continues to inspire and influence.

Major Achievements:

Pioneer of the soul music genre.
Won 18 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986).
His album "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" broke musical barriers.
"Georgia on My Mind" and other hits topped the Billboard charts.

The life of Ray Charles is a story of resilience, innovation, and musical genius. His journey from a challenging childhood to becoming one of the most influential musicians of all time is a testament to the enduring power of talent and perseverance

Dog of The Week

Tampa is the most dog-friendly city I know, and is a major part of the city’s culture.

If you have a dog, reply to this email with a photo and short bio about your dog to be featured.