Tampa Today News: Frontier Expands International TPA Service + J.C. Newman Founder's Day
Everything to know happening in town.
TGIF! Welcome to Tampa Today News! I’m Carlos Hernandez, your host explaining all things about what’s happening in the Tampa Bay area including local news and more.
Today’s weather: High 94 and low 77.
Top local stories:
Tampa residents continue to struggle with wages versus rent, according to new study: Wages in Florida are not matching the cost of living and across the nation, according to Zillow and StreetEasy. It is especially bad in Tampa. Rent in Tampa has grown over 34 percent higher than wages, leading to a loss in net worth for residents. On the bright side rent is finally falling in Tampa, with April rent falling 4.3 percent suggesting a potential market change. This news also comes as restaurants are rapidly closing across the Tampa Bay area. It would seem the party is over. (wfla.com, wtsp.com)
Parkesdale in Plant City growing more crops: Parkesdale in Plant City is experimenting with new crops beyond its iconic strawberries. The farm is planning to also grow beans and peppers as well as onions, blackberries, and more. Parkesdale owns about 430 acres of land. (fox13news.com)
Sulphur Springs pool closed until further notice: The Sulphur Springs pool in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood has shutdown, according to a report from the Tampa Bay Times. Sulphur Springs was once an important destination for Tampa residents and also supplied water to the north side of the city. Residents have worked over recent years to try and restore the water tower there through events. (subscription: tampabay.com)
Last Ybor City cigar factory hosting special Founder’s Day event: The last operating cigar factory in Ybor City, J.C. Newman Cigar Company, is hosting a Founder's Day event on Saturday, May 18. The cigar factory has operated since 1895 in Tampa’s historic Ybor City neighborhood. Guests can enjoy Cuban sandwiches, a food competition, cigars, and more. (baynews9.com)
Frontier Airlines expands international destinations to summer destinations: Discount carrier Frontier Airlines has resumed nonstop flights to Cancun, Mexico, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from Tampa International Airport. The return of service comes as summer travel is expected to spike and comes as Frontier makes a major expansion across the country. (thatssotampa.com)
Weekend Event Planner:
Friday, May 17
CL's Margarita Wars at James Museum. (6 p.m.)
Creative Meetup Open Studio at Creative Junk Therapy. (7 p.m.)
Mike Eshaq - Coastal Comedy Night at Coastal Creative. (8 p.m.)
DJ Fader at Alter Ego Tampa. (9 p.m.)
Vinyl + Friends at The Bricks. (9 p.m.)
Saturday, May 18
Namaste by the bay; Yoga at the Mahaffey at Mahaffey Theater. (10 a.m.)
Annual Brazilian Festival at Water Works Park. (noon)
Hotel Haya Swim Club Disco Pool Party at Hotel Haya. (1 p.m.)
Cupid's Arrow Speed Dating at Geo's Lounge. (6 p.m.)
Chateau Cellars Welcomes Guidobono, Piedmont, Italy at Chateau Cellars Ybor. (6 p.m.)
Sunday, May 19
Final Premier League Watch Party at MacDinton's. (10 a.m.)
Chocolate Bar Crafting at Creative Junk Therapy. (11 a.m.)
Vanessa Autrey | The Art of Balancing Burnout | Yoga & Author Talk at Oxford Exchange. (2 p.m.)
Cigar City Music Bash at 1920 Ybor. (2 p.m.)
Bollywood/Bhangra Dance Evening at Indian Cultural Center. (4 p.m.)
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That’s all I have for today. See you again tomorrow!
-Carlos Hernandez