Tampa Today News: Thanksgiving Giveaway + Pendry Clears $230 million
Everything you need to know happening in Tampa.
Welcome back to Tampa Today News. I’m Carlos Hernandez, your host explaining everything you need to know about what’s happening in Tampa including local news, events, and more. Let’s get started!
The weather: The high today is 83 and the low is 74. Mostly sunny skies.
A word from our sponsors: Due Amici & Geo’s Fine Wine & Champagne
Due Amici is a family-run pizza and pasta bar restaurant located in Ybor City at 1724 E 7th Ave. The restaurant takes pride in their gourmet food, handcrafting sauces to compliment the flavors in each dish. Pizza dough is made in-house, hand-spun, topped with the freshest ingredients, and carried to the oven with love.
Geo’s Fine Wine & Champagne Bar is the latest hotspot in Ybor City right next door to Due Amici. The bar has a selection of fine wines and champagnes to choose from as well as charcuterie boards and live music and events regularly.
Are you interested in sponsoring Tampa Today News and promoting your business, events, or products? Reach out at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com and I will be happy to discuss rates.
Top stories in Tampa today:
Free Thanksgiving food for those in need: Winters & Yonker, a local personal injury law firm, is giving away 1,000 bags of food for the community today, Nov. 20, and tomorrow Nov. 21 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Participants can use the drive-through pickup at 601 W Swann Ave., Tampa, FL, 33606. No registration is required. Anyone with questions can call Winters & Yonker at 813-223-6200. (digitaljournal.com)
Flight routes added to St. Pete-Clearwater International: Discount carrier, Allegiant Airlines, will be offering flights to Bismarck, North Dakota from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport beginning May 15. One way flights will begin at $79, according to the airline. Tampa residents are invited to explore the Missouri River in North Dakota and vice-versa. Allegiant is also adding more routes around the Sunshine State as well. (wfla.com)
Teachers unions facing expulsion throughout Florida: Several teachers unions in Florida are under threat of being closed by the state including The Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association after a new law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis changed how membership works. The news comes amid statewide teacher shortages and a rising population putting pressure on the school systems statewide. Teachers unions have fought for more pay and benefits as the cost of living rises throughout the area. (tampabay.com)
Pendry announces over $200 million in sales in downtown Tampa: Pendry Hotels & Resorts, a new luxury development coming to the Tampa Riverwalk, is celebrating $230 million in sales, including dozens of residences. The property features 220 guestrooms and 207 Pendry residences, which start at $1 million. The groundbreaking for the hotel and residences happened recently after some delays. (thatssotampa.com)
Large amount of Tampa office space leases expiring soon: A new report from Avison Young found that 7.4 million square feet of leases are expiring over the next two years in Tampa, according to Business Observer. The expirations come as remote work increases and more people are working from home, creating pressure on office buildings. However - important office sectors, such as law firms, are increasing their leasing activity at the same time. The expiration will boost negotiating power for businesses looking to renew leases or move to a new office space. (businessoberverfl.com)
Top events in Tampa today:
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park. (4 p.m.)
60th Anniversary of the JFK assassination - a discussion at Dunedin Public Library. (5:30 p.m.)
Movie on the Lawn: Rudy at Armature Works. (6:30 p.m.)
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins at Amalie Arena. (7 p.m.)
Free Weekly Sip & Paint at Kava Culture Kava Bar. (8 p.m.)
An update on Cranksgiving this past weekend:
The annual charity bike riding event organized by Cranksgiving Tampa raised 2,231 pounds of food for Metropolitan Ministries and donated 84 turkeys at 1,270 pounds for those in need. The event also fundraised using a raffle and other cash donations to donate $1,400 for Reach Services - Reach St. Pete.
Cranksgiving Organizer Allison Avoy posted on Facebook, “Every year, you all never cease to amaze us with your generosity and the kindness your show to your communities who are in need of help. Thank you to every single person who showed up today to ride bikes, volunteer their time, and support Cranksgiving. We also can't say thank you enough to all of the businesses who make such incredible donations to sponsor our event. Without ALL of you, we could never put on an event like this. We can't wait to see you out there again next year and try to beat this year's insane total of food and donations!”




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Notes:
Florida has ordered Holmes Beach, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach to participate in a consolidation study that could merge all 3 cities into one. Residents are divided on the issue and the mayor of Holmes Beach says it would detract from the area. (baynews9.com)
The Bucs fell to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in a 14-27 loss. The Bucs are now 4-6 for the season. (sports.yahoo.com)
St. Petersburg, FL: "BREAKING: Starting Dec. 14, the City will re-open the application period for the South St. Pete CRA Microfund Program. This support allows businesses within the CRA to make targeted improvements without having to provide upfront capital." (stpete.org)
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa: “Just Announced: Country music star Thomas Rhett will take the stage at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa on Friday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 10 a.m.” (x.com)
Hillsborough Schools: "Woohoo—Fall break is here! Enjoy your time off with family and friends. Relax, recharge, have fun and we will see everyone on Monday, Nov. 27." (x.com)
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That’s all I have for today. See you tomorrow.
-Carlos Hernandez