And off they go, all fancied up, their bikes decorated with feathered boas and flowers. This global event has evolved into a big movement promoting women’s visibility and personality. Photos by Carole Devillers

Presented by TT Art Collective at Curtis Hixon Park for Fourth Friday, muralist artist and former NFL player Aaron Evans works on a painting representing his brand “King-Frog” to be on display in IKE Smart City kiosks in Tampa. Photos by Carole Devillers

Friends enjoy the casual and relaxed atmosphere of Sparkman Wharf on the Fourth Friday of August. Photos by Carole Devillers

A spiffy couple makes their way to one of the Fourth Friday cultural venues. Photos by Carole Devillers

Walking the Tampa Riverwalk is a great choice to connect to the participating venues while enjoying the colorful lighting display on the architecture. Photos by Carole Devillers

Fourth Friday, the monthly arts & culture crawl in Tampa’s downtown, resumed on Aug. 27th, attracting visitors with free live music and food and drink specials. Photos by Carole Devillers

Singer artist and emcee/producer Jinx, a Tampa native, performs with his wife Shelby Sol and their band, on the Straz Center’s Riverwalk stage during a free outdoor concert for Fourth Friday. Photos by Carole Devillers

Artist Crystaline Rojas of A Splash Of Passion Art contributes to the event at Curtis Hixon Park by creating a new artwork. Photos by Carole Devillers

As a "Sip & Stroll" Fourth Friday venue, Sparkman Wharf is a popular destination. Alcoholic consumption is allowed when purchased from participating vendors. Photos by Carole Devillers

A beautifully detailed mural depicting Tampa’s past and present maritime history adorns one side of Maven Designs building in the Channel District. Photos by Carole Devillers

Tampa

Tampa is on the verge of achieving many long-planned ambitions. Downtown and waterfront developments, the expansion of the city's port and airport, a planned and a substantial increase in research and academic activities at the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa and Hillsborough Community College fuel its progress.

For Good

Sickles High student Sophie Farnan launched launched Sophie's Closet to help underprivileged students go to memory-making special events like prom and homecoming

Sophie's Closet makes prom dreams come true for underprivileged teens

Deborah Bostock-KelleyWednesday, December 11, 2024

For Good

Focus Forward's popular holiday cards are designed and created by adults with disabilities who are part of the Temple Terrace nonprofit's adult day training program.

Focus Forward holiday cards showcase, benefit adults with disabilities

Kiran Malik-KhanWednesday, December 11, 2024

For Good

Holiday revelry at the City of Tampa's Santa Fest and Tree Lighting lasts all afternoon and stretches into the night

Photo story: City of Tampa Santa Fest & Tree Lighting

Kimberly DeFalcoWednesday, December 11, 2024

Innovation News

Tampa MOSI's iconic blue dome will house a state-of-the-art digital theater and the country's second-largest digital dome planetarium.

Tampa's MOSI transforming former IMAX theater into country's second largest digital dome planetarium

Christopher CurryWednesday, December 11, 2024

Partner Content

The Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women Waves of Change luncheon in January brings together the Tampa Bay region's women leaders and features actress, model, author, and mental health advocate Brooke Shields as the headlining speaker.

Brooke Shields brings star power to Centre for Women Waves of Change luncheon

Pamela VarkonyWednesday, December 11, 2024

For Good

The Jingle Bell Bazaar at Ybor has a full day of live music and performances to go along with a holiday market, food trucks, and kids' activities.

Ybor's Jingle Bell Bazaar, downtown Tampa's Winter Village are merry season mainstays

Christopher CurryWednesday, December 4, 2024

Feature Story

Creative Pinellas' Arts Annual Hurricane Relief Fundraiser and "Still Shining" exhibit are December 7th.

December arts: Creative Pinellas hurricane relief fundraiser, holiday performances around Tampa Bay

Christopher CurryWednesday, December 4, 2024

For Good

Community Foundation Tampa Bay Director of Donor Relations and Associate Counsel Nicolette Rea

Cryptocurrency and the future of philanthropy

Tashie TierneyWednesday, November 27, 2024

Partner Content

Midtown Tampa, a walkable mini-downtown at the intersection of Dale Mabry and Cypress, is a prime example of the Westshore District's transformation to a mixed-use hub.

The transformation of Tampa's Westshore District

Philip MorganWednesday, November 27, 2024

Feature Story

Michael Ortoll dances with his daughter Christine Ortoll.

One Second at a Time: Tampa father honors daughter, helps others struggling with addiction

Deborah Bostock-KelleyWednesday, November 27, 2024

Feature Story

Masthead gallery: 3rd annual Ybor Arts Tour

Carole DevillersWednesday, November 27, 2024

For Good

Grayson ven den Berg, on left, with his longtime scouting friend, Mario Gil

Clearwater Boy Scout is prolific popcorn salesperson

Philip MorganWednesday, November 20, 2024

Feature Story

The Tampa City Council will invest $6 million from the city's Downtown Community Redevelopment Area in the Tampa Downtown Partnership's plans to revitalize the Franklin Street corridor.

Tampa City Council invests $6 million in Downtown Partnership Franklin Street revitalization plan

Christopher CurryWednesday, November 20, 2024

Feature Story

Masthead gallery: Yoga Collaboration on the Lawn at Armature Works

Carole DevillersWednesday, November 20, 2024

Feature Story

Odeta Xheka's OXH Gallery is a treasure trove of creativity and female empowerment located in the Ybor City arts hub the Kress Contemporary.

Odeta Xheka and OXH Gallery: Blazing a trail for women artists in Ybor City and beyond

Deborah Bostock-KelleyTuesday, November 19, 2024

For Good

Through programs like its community garden in Ybor City, WellFed Community works to fill the gap in food education and create food sovereignty.

WellFed Community grows food sovereignty, education in Tampa

Tashie TierneyWednesday, November 13, 2024

For Good

Through October, Laundry Project volunteers had worked 22 hurricane relief free-laundry events at 17 Tampa Bay area laundromats helping nearly 3,000 people wash almost 80,000 pounds of clothes.

Rock bands join together to support Tampa nonprofit Laundry Project's hurricane relief work

Tashie TierneyWednesday, November 13, 2024

Development News

Entrepreneurs David Bailey and Stephanie Harrison-Bailey tested out their micro-retail prototype with the Merry Little Market holiday season pop-up shop in Ybor City last year

Nimble Retail: Ybor company has big ideas for building small

Christopher CurryWednesday, November 13, 2024

Innovation News

Tampa's new MacDill 48 Park features a trail system around a 10-acre, 25-million-gallon stormwater pond designed to ease flooding in South Tampa and improve water quality in Hillsborough Bay.

Tampa’s newest park doubles as flood protection

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Source: City of Tampa

Feature Story

Masthead gallery: Tampa Oratorio Singers perform Mozart's Great Mass in C minor

Carole DevillersWednesday, November 13, 2024

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Tampa Highlights

Downtown Dwellers: Raising urban kids in Tampa Read Article

For Downtown Tampa families with young children, the neighborhood isn’t an urban jungle. It’s an urban jungle gym.

Photo: Lauren, Hudson, and Bryan Durkin pick up a popsicle at Duckweed Urban Market in downtown Tampa. by Amber Sigman

1 Million Cups: Meet local doers tackling opportunities in the global marketplace Read Article

Pitch your business concept and get constructive criticism among friends and neighbors at 1 Million Cups Tampa.

Photo: (L-R) Maria Gibbs, Scott Hutterman, Dr., Loren Murfield, and Jared Kohn at 1 Million Cups in Tampa. by Amber Sigman

Q&A: Ashly Anderson and Shaun Drinkard, Tampa Downtown Partnership Read Article

When President and CEO Christine Burdick retires from her post at the Tampa Downtown Partnership, she will leave behind a team of creative thought leaders working to enhance the city's urban scene. Meet two key team members.

Photo: Ashly Anderson, senior design manager for Downtown Tampa Partnership by Amber Sigman

Transformational change underway in North Hyde Park, West Tampa Read Article

The diversity of apartments, restaurants and shops in North Hyde Park is particularly attractive to young professionals and college students looking for an affordable neighborhood near downtown.

Photo: (L-R) James Rue and Gian Carlos Birriel co-own Raw Smoothie Co. Photo by Julie Branaman

Channel District grows along waterfront in Tampa Read Article

Looking across the horizon of downtown Tampa, what do you see? Construction cranes hovering over the Channel District as apartments, hotels and new shops emerge to create a walkable urban community.

Photo by Julie Branaman

Tampa Hackerspace provides a place to tinker Read Article

Tampa Hackerspace is helping to fuel Tampa Bay’s creative instincts, facilitating experimentation and collaboration with shared tools and space.

Photo: Mabel the T-Rex sculpted by J. Kent at Tampa Hackerspace. by Amber Sigman

Moving to downtown Tampa: Smart Lab brings innovative view Read Article

Suffolk’s Smart Lab featuring 3D virtual reality opens in the Channel District near Tampa Bay WaVE and Water Street Tampa, joining the Tampa Bay Area's growing innovation ecosystem.

Photo: USF’s new building rises a short distance from Channelside. Cheryl Rogers

Urban Stimuli: Meet CW a.k.a. Carolyn Wilson Read Article

Beyond her eponymous Gin Joint in downtown Tampa, Developer Carolyn Wilson is doing (and will continue to do) what she does best: Flex eternal good taste.

Photo: Carolyn Wilson or CW, owner and designer at CW's Gin Joint in downtown Tampa, wins the 2018 Private Sector Award. Amber Sigman

Commuter Challenge: Going carless in Tampa Read Article

Getting to work isn't easy for most of us using Tampa streets and Hillsborough County roads. So spend a week using alternative transportation and see what happens.

Photo: Tampa bicycle commuters Karen Kress, Alana Brasier, and Justin Willits. Photo provided by Karen Kress

Tampa Bay WaVE: Diversity highlights latest tech cohort Read Article

A diverse group of entrepreneurs completes its formal program with Demo Day at Tampa Bay WaVE, a nonprofit tech accelerator in downtown Tampa.

Photo: Jonathan Truong, co-founder of Verapy, a start-up at Tampa Bay Wave's Accelerator Build program. by Amber Sigman

Urban Stimuli: Armature Works, Tampa Heights Read Article

This is really Tampa: Armature Works will evolve how you think about Tampa Heights and the urban core.

Photo: A duo studies and reads at Union Coffee and Tea in Armature Works. Amber Sigman

What's next for Florida: Sam Gibbons, Tampa Read Article

When it comes to transportation, the goal must to be find equilibrium between what is socially, economically, and environmentally just for all people.

Photo: The Smart Mobility Division, created in early 2018, will oversee Tampa's $40 million transit system upgrade. Diane Egner

Tampa Bay Area thought leaders share what they anticipate most in 2018 Read Article

Find out what's on the minds of local thought leaders at the start of the new year, and what it could mean for you.

Photo: Tampa thought leaders

A typical day along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. Diane Egner

The new smart car pilot program launched by Florida DOT, HART, and BEEP of Orlando gives driverless rides along the Tampa Riverwalk and in Tampa Heights. Courtesy of HART

The Tampa Museum of Art is celebrating its centennial year with special exhibits and events. Photos by Kimberly DeFalco

Alexsandra Wolfe runs Pure-Sipity, a company combatting date rape. Courtesy of Alexsandra Wolfe

Zarra Elias and her family enjoying The Tampa Riverwalk.

A still clip from the documentary Tampa Beer: Crafting the Bay. Courtesy of Tampa Theatre

Elementary school kids color during the after-school program. Amber Sigman

Approximately the size of a shipping container, WaterCube TM is portable and can provide up to 10 million gallons of water daily without access to any water supply. Courtesy of Genesis Systems, LLC