Stories

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Masthead Gallery: Shorebird conservation

A photo gallery from Audubon shorebird conservation work

Feature Story  Launched in 2023, Tampa Pickleball Crew is a hive of activiity. Who knew that whacking plastic balls back and forth across a net, under 40-foot ceilings with exposed, oxidized beams, would feel so cool and urban and of-the-moment? 

Tampa Pickleball Crew takes the court for Ybor revival

Breathing new life into a former industrial building on Adamo Drive, Tampa Pickleball Crew is part of a re-energized Ybor City's revitalization

Feature Story Improv trio Wisenheimer performs in the Mainstage Theatre during the 2023 Countdown Improv Festival. The Countdown is back August 6th through 10th.

August arts: Countdown Improv, "Sacred Pilgrimage," much more

Our August - and august - arts roundup has the Countdown Improv Festival in Ybor, "Sacred Pilgrimage: Gaudí and Galban” at The Portico in downtown Tampa, "In a New Light" at the Tampa Museum of Art, and more.

Development News A rendering of the Tampa Arts Alliance's planned downtown arts center.

Tampa Arts Alliance plans arts center in heart of downtown

The Tampa Arts Alliance plans to transform 5,000 square feet of donated ground-floor office space in a prime downtown location into an arts center. The arts nonprofit is working to raise $1.2 million for design and buildout and open the center next March.

For Good United Food Bank and Services of Plant City's innovative F.E.E.D. program educates parents on the connection between nutrition and early learning

Plant City nonprofit's innovative F.E.E.D. program connects nutrition, early learning

United Food Bank and Services of Plant City's innovative F.E.E.D. program educates parents on the connection between nutrition and early learning.

Feature Story University Area CDC CEO and Executive Director Sarah Combs and board member Ross Fabian look on during the ribbon-cutting celebration for the Harvest Hope Park splash pad in April 2024

Reflecting on a decade creating change in North Tampa's University Area community

University Area Community Development Corporation CEO and Executive Director Sarah Combs and longtime board members reflect on a decade of creating community change under Combs' leadership.

Feature Story Fourth-generation J.C. Newman Cigar Co. owner Drew Newman leads a tour of the 115-year-old Sanchez y Haya building in Ybor City during Tampa Archives Awareness Week

Restoring Ybor City history at Sanchez y Haya, Centro Asturiano

Two fixtures of Ybor City history -- the 1910 Sanchez y Haya building and the statue of Queen Isabella of Spain commissioned by Vicente Martinez-Ybor in the late 19th century -- are returning to their former glory.

Feature Story University Area CDC Executive Director and CEO Sarah Combs and the community nonprofit's Board of Directors take part in art therapy during a team retreat at the Oxford Exchange in Tampa

University Area CDC board members reflect on Combs' impact, look ahead to leadership transition

As long-time University Area Community Development Corporation Executive Director and CEO Sarah Combs departs for Metropolitan Ministries, board members reflect on her impact and discuss the nonprofit's upcoming leadership transition.

Feature Story Tampa fine dining institution Mise en Place joins real estate developer Darryl Shaw's Ybor revitalization with its upcoming move to Casa Gomez, shown here in 2024.

Tampa fine dining legend Mise en Place gets in on Ybor with move to Casa Gomez

In 39 years of business, Tampa fine dining institution Mise en Place has been a pioneer business on Platt Street and then Kennedy Boulevard. Now, the iconic restaurant joins Darryl Shaw's Ybor revitalization with a move to Casa Gomez.    

For Good The welcoming, calming environment at Clearwater nonprofit A Mother's Arms includes a painting by local artist James Kitchens (aka Freeman)

A Mother's Arms' "Purses for Purpose" supports mission to uplift vulnerable mothers, children

A Mother's Arms' inaugural fundraiser, "Purses for Purpose," raises money for the grassroots Clearwater nonprofit's mission to support vulnerable mothers and prevent child abuse.

For Good Divine AF perform at WMNF's 2024 Tropical Heatwave at the Cuban Club in Ybor City. WMNF has launched an emergency fundraising appeal following the elimination of a combined $230,000 in state and federal funding.

WMNF "Protect Public Radio" on-air fundraising drive this Saturday

Tampa community radio station WMNF 88.5 FM  has a one-day, on-air fundraising drive Saturday, July 19th, following the loss of a combined $230,000 in state and federal funding.

Feature Story When it comes to setting up sandbags for flood defense, the first step is determining if you really need them.

Hillsborough County experts share tips for hurricane preparation, clean up

As we approach the point in hurricane season when hotter ocean temperatures fuel more powerful storms, experts from Hillsborough County government and the UF/IFAS Extension in Hillsborough share tips on preparedness and clean up.

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Masthead gallery: Gasworx district construction

A photo gallery of construction at Gasworx, the 50-acre mixed-use district between Ybor City and downtown Tampa.

Innovation News Safe and Sound Hillsborough Executive Freddy Barton, "Connecting with Kim” host Kim Droege, and the TBAE team.

TBAE takes two Tellys for impactful community programming

Tampa Bay Arts & Education Network (TBAE) recently earned two prestigious Telly Awards, national recognition for the nonprofit television station's meaningful, community-centered programming.

Feature Story The exhibit “Dressed for Success: Fashioning Manhood at the Tampa Bay Hotel" at the Henry B. Plant Museum is part of Tampa's Archives Awareness Week

Get immersed in Tampa history with Archives Awareness Week

Archives Awareness Week, the annual deep dive into Tampa history, returns July 13th through 19th with a slew of events around town. 

For Good Nonprofit Tampa Bay Exceptional Women's Pop-Up & Power Up event in August showcases women-powered businesses and offers opportunities to connect and network.

Tampa Bay Exceptional Women launches "Pop-Up & Power Up"

Nonprofit Tampa Bay Exceptional Women's Pop-Up & Power Up event in August showcases women-powered businesses and offers opportunities to connect and network.

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Masthead gallery: Architecture of Lakeland


Feature Story Artwork by Prodigy participants on display during a March 2024 showcase event at the University Area CDC Community Center

Arts at heart of University Area revitalization

The University Area Community Development Corporation is transforming a North Tampa neighborhood through creativity, community-building, and youth empowerment.

Feature Story Best in Competition winner in FMoPA's 2025 International Photography Competition, “pray Eid al-Fitr,” by Iranian photographer “Maho."

July arts: FMoPA International Photography Competition, Powerstories Theatre 25th season, much more

Our July arts roundup has the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts' 2025 International Photography Competition exhibition, Powerstories Theatre's "Witch Hunt," St. Pete's Second Saturday ArtWalk, and more. 

For Good Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center in Odessa is a library, performing arts space, school facility, events venue, and a community hub where people connect

Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center: Pasco’s hidden gem

Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center is many things -- library, theater, events venue, school media center, and community hub where people come to connect.