Welcome to The Tampa Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Rays lay out Tropicana Field redevelopment plan

• Tampa reports record visitor numbers in 2023

• Valentine’s Day date ideas

• And more…

Fun Fact of the Week

Tampa Bay is Florida's largest open-water estuary, spanning around 400 square miles.

The Top Tampa News

💼 Business:

DeSantis Visits Tampa: Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the Florida State Fair, engaging with attendees and ensuring his children enjoyed the rides, promising to bring a special treat home for his youngest. His visit highlighted family engagement and community interaction at the state event.

Kangaroo loose in Tampa apartment complex: A kangaroo was caught hopping around a Tampa, Fla. apartment complex on Thursday morning, per a news release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO).

Early that morning, a confused resident called the authorities about the animal jumping around the complex’s pool area. After the 7-year-old kangaroo — aptly named Hopper — was removed from the premises, the authorities released the audio of the emergency call.

🏈 Sports:

Lightning Defender Out Indefinitely: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev will be sidelined indefinitely after undergoing surgery Thursday to stabilize fractures in both the tibia and fibula in his left leg.

Rays Stadium Team lays out redevelopment plan: The Tampa Bay Rays and its development partner, are full steam ahead in anticipation of a City Council vote sometime this Spring on the Tropicana Field site redevelopment project and another also expected this Spring from the Pinellas County Commission.

🏦 Finance:

Tampa reports record visitor numbers in 2023: Growth in the Tampa area has included not just population, but also tourism, with Tampa reporting record visitor numbers in 2023.

Upcoming Events

Sports Events:

🏀 South Florida Bulls Women's Basketball vs. Wichita State Shockers

• Date: February 13, 2024, 7:00 PM

• Location: The Yuengling Center, Tampa, FL

• Details: An exciting college basketball game featuring the South Florida Bulls!

• Tickets: Starting from $6 (link)

🏒 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Colorado Avalanche

• Date: February 15, 2024, 7:00 PM

• Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL

• Details: Watch the thrill of NHL hockey as the Lightning take on the Avalanche

• Tickets: Starting from $54 (link)

Concerts & Shows:

🎤 Gladys Knight

• Date: February 14, 2024, 8:00 PM

• Location: Mahaffey Theater At The Duke Energy Center for the Arts, St. Petersburg, FL

• Details: Spend Valentine's Day with the "Empress of Soul."

• Tickets: Starting from $68 (link)

🎤 Boyz II Men

• Date: February 14, 2024, 8:00 PM

• Location: Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center, Tampa, FL

• Details: Enjoy classic hits from the legendary R&B group

• Tickets: Starting from $224 (link)

Family Friendly:

🎪 Florida State Fair

• Date: February 8-19

• Location: Florida State Fairgrounds

• Details: A night of family fun with rides, carnival games and food!

• Tickets: $16 at the gate (link)

Valentine’s Day Date Idea:

❤️ Valentine's Day Dinner at TradeWinds Resort

• Date: February 14

• Location: Tradewinds Island Resort

• Details: A romantic dinner for two!

• Tickets: $16 at the gate (link)

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!

In what year did Tampa host its first Super Bowl? 

A) 1978

B) 1984

C) 1991

D) 2001

Last week’s answer:

What significant event took place at Fort Brooke, located in modern-day Tampa, during the Seminole Wars? 

Answer: The capture of the Seminole leader, Osceola

AI Image of the Week

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

This week, Tampa is hosting a Gasparilla-themed Super Bowl…

Tampa Historical Events

The Tampa Bay Hotel and the Transformation of Tampa:

In 1891, a monumental event reshaped the landscape of Tampa with the completion of the Tampa Bay Hotel. This grand resort, built by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant, signified a new era of prosperity and growth for the city. Plant's vision was to create a luxury destination that would attract tourists and investors from around the country, leveraging the new railroad connections he had established to Tampa.

The Impact of the Tampa Bay Hotel on the City's Development:

The Tampa Bay Hotel, with its Moorish revival architecture, sprawling gardens, and modern amenities, was unlike anything Tampa had seen before. It served as a beacon of luxury and a symbol of Tampa's potential as a tourist destination. The hotel's presence helped stimulate the local economy, encouraging further development and establishing Tampa as a viable place for business and leisure. Its success attracted a wave of new residents and businesses, contributing to Tampa's growth and diversification.

Legacy and Cultural Heritage:

Over time, the Tampa Bay Hotel became a landmark of historical and cultural significance. Though it ceased operating as a hotel, the building was repurposed and now houses the University of Tampa and the Henry B. Plant Museum. The museum serves as a tribute to Tampa's Gilded Age and the transformative impact of the Tampa Bay Hotel on the city's trajectory. This iconic structure stands as a testament to Tampa's rich history, its capacity for transformation, and its enduring allure as a destination. The Tampa Bay Hotel's completion remains a pivotal chapter in Tampa's history, symbolizing the city's evolution from a quiet town to a bustling urban center.

Famous People in Tampa History

Tony Jannus (1889–1916): Pioneer of Commercial Aviation and Tampa's Legacy

Introduction: Tony Jannus - An Aviation Innovator and Tampa's Pride

Tony Jannus, born in Washington, D.C., on July 22, 1889, was a pioneering aviator who left an indelible mark on commercial aviation and the city of Tampa. Known for his daring flights and innovative spirit, Jannus became a symbol of the early 20th century's aviation breakthroughs. His most notable achievement was piloting the first scheduled commercial airline flight from St. Petersburg to Tampa on January 1, 1914, forever linking his legacy with Tampa's history.

Early Life and Path to Aviation (1889–1910)

Jannus's early fascination with aviation led him to become one of the first test pilots in the United States. His career in aviation began with designing and testing aircraft, and he quickly gained recognition for his skill as a pilot and his contributions to early airplane designs. His adventurous spirit and passion for flying propelled him into the forefront of the burgeoning field of aviation.

The First Commercial Airline Flight (1914)

On January 1, 1914, Jannus piloted a Benoist XIV airboat across Tampa Bay, connecting St. Petersburg and Tampa in a flight that lasted 23 minutes. This historic flight marked the birth of commercial aviation, with the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line becoming the world's first scheduled airline using winged aircraft. Jannus's flight demonstrated the feasibility of air travel and laid the groundwork for the future of commercial aviation.

Impact on Tampa and Aviation

Jannus's pioneering flight had a profound impact on Tampa, highlighting the city's role in the early days of aviation and setting the stage for its growth as a transportation hub. His achievements helped to popularize air travel and proved that airplanes could be a viable means of commercial transportation.

Legacy and Honors

Tony Jannus's contributions to aviation are commemorated in Tampa and beyond. The Tony Jannus Award, established in 1964, honors individuals who have made significant contributions to commercial aviation. Jannus's pioneering spirit lives on through this award and through the continued growth and innovation in the aviation industry.

Jannus's untimely death in 1916 during a flight mission in Russia ended a brilliant career but not his legacy. Tampa, the city that was part of his historic flight, remembers him as a visionary who opened the skies to the possibilities of commercial aviation.

Major Achievements:

• Piloted the first scheduled commercial airline flight in history.

• Key figure in demonstrating the viability of commercial air travel.

• Namesake of the Tony Jannus Award for outstanding contributions to commercial aviation.

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-Matthew Larsen