Welcome to The Tampa Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Happy New Year!🥂

• Florida gas prices hit 2-year low

• The Bolts are back in action for a 3-game homestand

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

The Top Tampa News from 2023:

💼 Business

Tesla's Low-Cost Rideshare Service Launches in Downtown Tampa: Tesla introduced its affordable rideshare service, DASH, in downtown Tampa, offering rides from various locations for only $2 per journey, accessible via mobile app. If you ever see the yellow Teslas around Downtown Tampa, that’s Dash! (link)

🏒 Sports

Professional Women's Soccer Comes to Tampa: The Tampa Bay area welcomed its first professional women’s soccer team. The Tampa Bay Sun Football Club will begin playing in the USL Super League in August 2024, with home games at Howard W. Blake High School by the Hillsborough Riv​​er. (link)

Tampa Bay Rays Plan New Stadium: The Tampa Bay Rays announced plans for a new $1.3 billion stadium in St. Pete’s Historic Gas Plant District, featuring a 30,000-seat arena and additional amenities. (link)

Tom Brady Announces His Retirement from Football: It was the second year in a row Brady said he was leaving the NFL, but he made it clear this time was “for good.” Brady led the Bucs to victory in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in 2021. (link)

🏦 Finance

Watering Restrictions Imposed in Hillsborough and Pinellas: Due to the driest rainy season in 26 years, Hillsborough and Pinellas residents faced new watering restrictions to conserve water, limiting watering to one day per w​​eek. (link)

📰 General News

Another Successful Gasparilla Pirate Fest: The 106th Gasparilla Festival attracted over 300,000 visitors to Tampa, followed by a massive cleanup effort… It’s truly remarkable how quickly the city cleans up from the parade. We’re only a few weeks out from Gasparilla 2024! (link)

Tampa Bay Braces for Hurricane Idalia: The Tampa Bay area braced for Hurricane Idalia, a Category Four storm, in late August. With flooding around Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa missed the brunt of the storm as it shifted north. (link)

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Hits Tampa: Taylor Swift performed three straight sold-out shows at Raymond James Stadium during her "Eras Tour," one of many stops she made on her tour that grossed more than $1 billion (!!!) (link)

Phoebe the Flamingo Wins CODAawards: We all know and love the 21-foot structure at Tampa International… About time she got proper recognition! (link)

These were some of the biggest news stories from 2023 around the Tampa Bay area - what a year it was!

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

Reliaquest Bowl - January 1, 2024: Watch the Wisconsin Badgers take on the LSU Tigers on New Year’s Day at Raymond James Stadium! Kickoff is set for 12 PM EST. Grab tickets (here)

Music & Concerts

 Gianmarco Soresi at Side Splitters Comedy Club - January 5, 2024: Gianmarco Soresi returns for a second night at Side Splitters Comedy Club. His comedic style, which often involves storytelling and observational humor, is sure to have you belly laughing! Grab tickets (here)

Jay Phillips at Funny Bone Comedy Club - January 6, 2024: If you can’t make Gianmarco’s show, check out a night of comedy with Jay Phillips at the Funny Bone Comedy Club! Phillips is known for his engaging and dynamic stand-up routines, making this event a great option for those looking to start the new year with some hum​​or. Grab tickets (here)

Family

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Amalie Arena - January 5-7, 2024: The reimagined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is set to be fun for the whole family at Amalie Arena! Bring the kids and reminisce on the original Ringling Bros shows - grab tickets (here)

St. Pete Comic Con at Coliseum – Downtown St. Pete - January 6-7, 2024: St. Pete Comic Con offers a two-day convention featuring comics, anime, pop culture, and more. Held at the Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg, this event is ideal for families and fans interested in comic arts, cosplay, and anime.

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!

What was Babe Ruth's achievement in an exhibition game in Tampa? 

A. Pitching a no-hitter

B. Hitting his longest home run - 587 feet

C. Stealing home base

D. Hitting four home runs in a single game

Last week’s answer:

What is the name of the historic hotel in Tampa that was instrumental in the development of the city's cigar industry?

Answer: The Tampa Bay Hotel

AI Image of the Week

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

This week, with it being New Year’s Day, I thought I’d do a visual of Tampa in 500 years from now…

“Tampa Utopia”

Tampa Historical Events

The Battle of Tampa (1862) and Battle of Fort Brooke (1863):

The Battle of Tampa (June 30-July 1, 1862): This minor engagement of the American Civil War, also known as the "Yankee Outrage at Tampa," occurred between the United States Navy and a Confederate artillery company. Tampa's port, although small, was a key hub for Central Florida's trade, with several blockade runners regularly evading the Union naval blockade. On June 30, 1862, the Union gunboat USS Sagamore entered Tampa Bay, demanding the surrender of the Confederate garrison at Fort Brooke. Captain John William Pearson refused this demand, leading to the Sagamore opening fire that evening, which was returned by the fort's canons. However, neither side inflicted significant damage or suffered casualties, and the Sagamore retreated the next morning.

The Battle of Fort Brooke (October 16–18, 1863): This battle was a strategic effort by the Union to disrupt Confederate blockade running activities in Tampa. In October 1863, Union gunships USS Tahoma and USS Adela bombarded Fort Brooke while staying out of range of its batteries. A Union raiding party then secretly disembarked at Ballast Point and marched to the Jean Street Shipyard on the Hillsborough River, where they seized and burned several ships, including the blockade runners Scottish Chief and Kate Dale. These ships and the shipyard were owned by James McKay, a future mayor of Tampa. The 2nd Florida Infantry Battalion and other Confederate forces engaged the Union troops near their landing point in a brief skirmish known as the Battle of Ballast Point, resulting in 16 Union casualties. Following this, the Union forces withdrew from Tampa Bay.

Impact on Tampa: These battles, particularly the Battle of Fort Brooke, had a significant impact on Tampa. The successful Union raid essentially halted shipping from Tampa for the duration of the Civil War, damaging the Confederate war effort and crippling the local economy. By May 1864, Fort Brooke was unoccupied, and Tampa had been almost abandoned. The remaining cannon and supplies at the fort were destroyed by Union forces, who then left the area

Famous People in Tampa History

George F. Baughman (1915–2004): A Pioneer in Education and Naval Service

Introduction: George F. Baughman - Academic Leader and Naval Officer George F. Baughman, born on July 15, 1915, in Tampa, Florida, and passing on December 24, 2004, was a notable figure in both academia and the U.S. Naval Reserve. As the first president of New College of Florida and a vice president at the University of Florida and New York University, Baughman's influence in higher education was profound. Additionally, his service as a Rear Admiral in the Naval Reserve showcased his commitment to his country.

Early Years and Education: Building a Foundation (1915–1939) Baughman's journey began in Tampa, where he was born and raised. He pursued higher education vigorously, earning a BS and an LLB from the University of Florida, followed by an MA from George Washington University. His college years were marked by fraternity membership and the beginnings of a promising career.

World War II Service: Duty and Honor (1940s) During the tumultuous times of World War II, Baughman served as a naval officer, playing a crucial role in the Navy Lend Lease Supply operations. His dedication continued post-war, leading to his retirement as a Rear Admiral.

Academic Administration: Rising Through the Ranks (1946–1955) After the war, Baughman's focus shifted back to academia, taking up a key administrative role at the University of Florida. His expertise and leadership then led him to New York University, where he contributed significantly as vice president and treasurer.

Visionary Leadership: New College of Florida (1960–1965) Baughman's most notable contribution to education was as the founding president of New College of Florida. He was instrumental in the college's development, from its inception to its opening, shaping its innovative curriculum and overseeing its establishment as a center of academic excellence.

Personal Life: Family and Relationships (1939–2004) Baughman's personal life was marked by a strong family foundation. He was married to Hazel Zoerner for 64 years, and they had two daughters. His family life was a testament to his character and values.

Retirement and Legacy: A Lasting Impact (1965–2004) In his retirement, Baughman continued to contribute to education, particularly through the New College Foundation. He left a legacy that continues to inspire in both the naval and academic fields.

Major Achievements:

• First president of New College of Florida, shaping its early years.

• Vice president of the University of Florida and New York University.

• Served as a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

• Led the creation and development of New College of Florida.

• Left a lasting legacy in both academia and military service.

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen