STING 3.0 Tour

📅 Monday | November 10, 2025 | 8:00 PM
📍Location: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino — 5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33610

🎶 The Icon Returns — Intimate, Electric, and Unplugged in Spirit

The legend himself, Sting, brings his acclaimed STING 3.0 Tour to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for one unforgettable night of music and mastery. This stripped-down, high-voltage trio experience redefines what a Sting concert feels like — raw, dynamic, and refreshingly intimate.

Joined by virtuoso guitarist Dominic Miller, his longtime collaborator, and drummer Chris Maas (of Mumford & Sons and Maggie Rogers fame), Sting reinvents his timeless catalog with a new sense of urgency and freedom. Expect reimagined arrangements of classics like “Roxanne,” “Fields of Gold,” and “Every Breath You Take” — all performed with the tight energy of a power trio, pulsing with improvisation and soul.

The STING 3.0 Tour has sold out rapidly across North America, earning rave reviews for its fearless musicianship and the chemistry between these three artists. Tampa’s stop is one of only four Florida performances, making it a must-see for longtime fans and music lovers alike. Each setlist has featured both the hits that defined generations and deep cuts that remind audiences why Sting remains one of the most versatile and revered songwriters of our time.

Lainey Wilson – Whirlwind 2025 World Tour

📅 Friday | November 7, 2025 | 7:00 PM
📍Location: Benchmark International Arena, 401 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

🌪️ Country’s Reigning Force Blows into Tampa

Country powerhouse Lainey Wilson brings her Whirlwind 2025 World Tour to Tampa for one unforgettable night at the Benchmark International Arena. Fresh off award-season buzz and chart-topping success, Lainey takes the stage with her signature blend of Southern soul, fiery storytelling, and undeniable star power. Tampa fans can expect a performance that feels raw, electric, and deeply personal — the kind that turns a concert into a memory you carry long after the lights fade.

Opening the night are rising stars ERNEST and Drake Milligan, adding even more momentum to this already stacked lineup. From smoky heartbreak ballads to anthems built for stompin’ boots and belting along, this show brings the future of country music under one roof — and Tampa gets to witness it live.

Whether you’ve been following Lainey’s journey from her Louisiana roots to superstar status or you just love live country energy done right, this is one of fall’s most anticipated concerts. Expect twang, swagger, grit, and lots of heart — the kind of set that swings from soulful crescendos to rowdy sing-alongs. With arena acoustics, a high-production stage experience, and a crowd ready to raise a glass, this stop on the Whirlwind Tour promises to blow the roof off.

Bojangles Returns to Tampa Bay

Opens: November 4, 2025

📍 Location: 7930 U.S. 19, Pinellas Park, FL 33781

🥞 A Southern Classic Lands in Tampa Bay

Get ready, Tampa Bay — Bojangles is officially back! The beloved Southern chain, known for its flaky buttermilk biscuits, crispy fried chicken, and sweet tea, opens its first Tampa Bay location in Pinellas Park on November 4. Doors open bright and early at 5:30 a.m., and the buzz is already building.

This marks Bojangles’ long-awaited return to the region and part of a major expansion wave across Florida, with five new Sunshine State restaurants and 18 more nationwide slated to open by the end of 2025.

Ahead of the public launch, Pinellas Park will host a “biscuit cutting” ceremony on November 3, welcoming Bojangles’ leadership and city officials for a media-only tasting event. Expect a celebration of Southern flavor and hometown pride as Bojangles plants its flag in one of Tampa Bay’s fastest-growing business corridors.

City Manager Bart Diebold praised the opening as “a major win for the community,” emphasizing that Pinellas Park continues to build momentum as a hub for local entrepreneurship and national investment.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals

📅 Saturday | November 8, 2025 | 7:00 PM

📍 Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

⚡ Rivalry on Ice Returns to Tampa

Get ready for an electric night at Benchmark International Arena as the Tampa Bay Lightning face off against the Washington Capitals in a matchup that promises speed, skill, and serious playoff energy. This game brings two powerhouse teams together — both loaded with star talent and high expectations heading into the season. With the Bolts’ relentless attack and the Caps’ veteran firepower, fans can expect every shift to count.

The atmosphere will be nothing short of electric as fans fill the stands in a sea of blue and white, rallying behind their team in one of the NHL’s most thrilling venues. Whether you’re a die-hard season ticket holder or a first-time visitor, there’s nothing quite like hockey under the lights in Tampa Bay.

From the high-energy intro show to the roar of the crowd after every goal, Lightning home games are known for delivering an unforgettable experience. Grab your gear, wave your flags, and join Thunder Alley before puck drop for live entertainment, local food trucks, and giveaways.

As always, seats sell fast for marquee matchups like this — so secure your tickets early and be part of the energy when the Lightning strike the Capitals on home ice.

Hillsborough County Fair 2025

📅 Sunday | November 9, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Location: Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Rd, Dover, FL 33527

🎠 A Beloved County Tradition Returns

Step right up — the Hillsborough County Fair is back for another season of family fun, timeless traditions, and small-town charm! Running from October 30 through November 9, this annual celebration brings together locals from across the county for ten unforgettable days of midway thrills, live entertainment, and community pride. It’s a slice of classic Americana right in the heart of Dover — where the smell of kettle corn fills the air and the sound of laughter echoes from every ride.

Each night, the fairgrounds transform into a hub of excitement featuring thrill circuses, dazzling magic shows, and nightly concerts. The midway bursts with color and motion — packed with rides for both adrenaline seekers and little ones — while the exhibition halls showcase livestock competitions, crafts, art displays, and local talent contests. Whether you’re watching the barrel racers, cheering at the livestock ring, or sampling the latest fair food creation, there’s something for every generation to enjoy.

Classic fair fare like funnel cakes, roasted corn, and deep-fried everything await, alongside live music from regional acts and family-friendly shows that keep the energy high from open to close.

Sew Chill: Stitch, Relax & Create

📅 Tuesday | November 4, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 AM
📍 Location: AMRoC Fab Lab, 2154 University Square Mall, Tampa, FL 33612

✂️ Where Creativity Meets Calm

Every week at AMRoC Fab Lab, the hum of sewing machines blends with laughter and conversation during Sew Chill, a recurring workshop designed to help makers unwind while learning or perfecting their craft. Whether you’re new to sewing or already working on your own projects, this cozy meetup invites you to escape the hustle and find peace in the rhythm of the stitch.

Led by Sewing Specialist Liz Kirby, participants are welcomed into a colorful space filled with fabrics, threads, and friendly faces. Beginners can join the Tuesday sessions to learn foundational skills like threading, hemming, and machine basics, while those ready for more advanced projects meet on Wednesdays to tackle collaborative creations or bring their own ideas to life.

Each Sew Chill night is designed to nurture both creativity and community. You’ll find tables filled with bright textiles, patterns, and materials for all kinds of projects—from tote bags and quilts to clothing alterations and upcycled designs. Liz’s approachable teaching style and the welcoming atmosphere make it easy to dive in, no matter your experience level.

The sessions emphasize mindful making—allowing guests to decompress, express themselves through craft, and connect with others who share a love for handmade artistry. It’s part social club, part creative therapy, and entirely Tampa.

Dunedin Saturday Market

📅 Saturday | November 8, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Dunedin History Museum, 349 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698

🛍️ Local Treasures in the Heart of Dunedin

Every Saturday morning, Downtown Dunedin comes alive as the Saturday Market transforms Main Street into a bustling hub of local farmers, artisans, and food vendors. Against the backdrop of the historic Dunedin History Museum, this market is the perfect way to start your weekend with community, culture, and fresh finds.

With more than 40 vendors, visitors can browse everything from seasonal produce, baked goods, and artisan foods to plants, bath & body products, and handcrafted items. Hungry? Grab a bite from one of the ready-to-eat lunch vendors and enjoy a relaxed meal while exploring.

Adding to the charm, the market features live local music to set the vibe and is proudly dog-friendly, making it the perfect outing for both families and pet owners. Convenient free parking nearby ensures your visit is as easy as it is enjoyable.

Seminole Heights Sunday Market – Autumn Edition

📅 Sunday | November 9 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: American Legion Post 111, 6918 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33604

🍂 A Neighborhood Tradition with a Seasonal Twist

As the air cools and fall colors start to hint across Tampa, the Seminole Heights Sunday Market returns with a cozy seasonal flair. Held on the second Sunday of each month, this beloved neighborhood market blends community spirit with local creativity — featuring 70+ vendors offering everything from freshly harvested produce to handcrafted home goods and artisanal foods.

The November edition brings a festive energy to the historic American Legion Post 111, where the smell of roasted nuts and baked treats fills the air, and friendly local farmers greet you by name. It’s the perfect Sunday plan for families, foodies, and anyone who loves supporting small businesses while soaking in the vibrant character of Seminole Heights.

This market is more than just a place to shop — it’s a community gathering that feels like a monthly reunion. Wander through stalls brimming with farm-fresh produce, plants, baked goods, and handmade crafts, or stop by one of the food trucks serving up everything from breakfast sandwiches to gourmet lunch bites.

The atmosphere hums with live music starting at 10 AM, setting the tone for a relaxed, feel-good morning. Bring your pup along — it’s dog-friendly — and take your time exploring the shaded grounds and artisan booths filled with seasonal gifts and local flair.

🏗️ Rebuilding the Blueprint: How East Tampa’s $80M “Live-Learn” Project Could Redefine Opportunity

For decades, East Tampa has been defined more by what it lost than by what it built. But that may soon change.

A new $80 million redevelopment proposal is bringing long-overdue investment into one of Tampa’s most historically overlooked neighborhoods — promising affordable housing, job training, small-business space, and upgraded infrastructure by 2027.

If completed as planned, it won’t just reshape East Tampa’s skyline — it could reset the city’s definition of inclusive growth.

What’s Happening

The Project at a Glance

• Developer/Lead: Tampa Bay Economic Development Council (in partnership with the City of Tampa and community organizations)

• Budget: Approximately $80 million

• Completion Target: 2027

• Location: Industrial district north of I-4 near Ybor City, encompassing College Hill, Jackson Heights, Highland Pines, and Grant Park

• Core Features:

  • New affordable housing units

  • A vocational training center focused on skilled trades

  • Business incubation and flex-space for local entrepreneurs

  • Infrastructure upgrades — sidewalks, lighting, drainage, and street connectivity

Vision: “A Live-Learn Community”

The project is designed as a self-sustaining ecosystem — where residents can live affordably, gain workforce skills, and build small businesses without leaving their neighborhood.
City leaders are calling it a new model for how Tampa can revitalize historically redlined districts without displacing the people who call them home.

Market Implications: What This Means for East Tampa

This isn’t just another mixed-use project — it’s a social infrastructure investment that touches nearly every lever of neighborhood value.

• Housing Affordability as Stability:
  Affordable units stabilize rent growth and reduce volatility for long-term residents. That foundation encourages both existing homeowners and new buyers to invest in property upkeep.

• Workforce Pipeline Effect:
  By integrating vocational training directly into the community, the project helps close the labor gap in construction, logistics, and advanced manufacturing — all growth sectors in Hillsborough County.

• Business Revitalization:
  The inclusion of retail and flex commercial space reintroduces local enterprise to corridors like 22nd and 29th Streets, once thriving hubs of Black-owned businesses.

• Infrastructure Equals Equity:
  Improved streetscapes, bike lanes, and public lighting translate into better safety metrics, higher walk scores, and — historically — 3–7% higher property valuations once stabilization occurs.

Market Metrics: East Tampa at a Turning Point

(Updated 2025 Data)

How to Read These Metrics (Explainer)

Median Home Price - This is the midpoint of all home sales — meaning half of the homes sold for more, and half sold for less.
It’s not the most expensive listing or the cheapest one; it’s the clearest way to measure how affordable or valuable an area feels to the typical buyer.
When median prices rise steadily, it usually means confidence and demand are growing — not just luxury listings driving averages up.

• Average Rent (All Property Types) - This reflects what people are actually paying across apartments, townhomes, and single-family rentals — not just one housing type.
  In East Tampa, this number captures the mix between long-term renters and new residents moving into improved corridors.
  A gradual increase (10–15%) signals a neighborhood becoming more desirable while still accessible for working families.

• Vacant or Underused Lots (a.k.a. Parcels) - A parcel simply means a piece of land or lot — any individually owned section recorded by the city’s property database.
  When we say that about 20% of parcels in East Tampa are vacant or underused, it means roughly one out of every five properties is either empty or not being used to its full potential.
  Redevelopment turning those parcels into homes, businesses, or parks is a visible sign of renewal — it fills in gaps, improves safety, and gives the neighborhood a stronger sense of place.

• Local Unemployment Rate - This measures how many residents are out of work and actively looking for jobs.
  In East Tampa, a rate near 7% is almost double the metro average — but that gap is where the opportunity lies.
  If local job training and small-business programs succeed, more residents will find steady work within their own community — which means more people can buy, rent, and reinvest locally.

Together, these metrics tell a simple story:
East Tampa’s change isn’t about shiny towers or quick flips — it’s about rebuilding stability from the ground up.
When jobs, homes, and active land all move in the same direction, property values don’t just rise — they start to mean something for the people already living there.

My Take: Where the Smart Money Moves

East Tampa is stepping into a new chapter — not through speculation or skyline headlines, but through infrastructure, inclusion, and investment with intent.
The smart money here isn’t chasing glamour — it’s positioning early, holding with patience, and building with purpose.

🏠 For Buyers: “Position Before the Pivot”

Prices under $300K in a redeveloping corridor won’t last long. Public investment and infrastructure upgrades historically create double-digit appreciation once construction nears completion.

Actionable Steps:

1. Buy before 2026 — ideally within a one-mile radius of planned mixed-use sites north of I-4.

2. Prioritize updated homes or lots with expansion potential (ADU zoning, duplex conversions).

3. Lock your rate early — affordability pressure will rise once new builds hit the market and perception shifts.

Mindset Shift: Don’t wait for visual progress — by the time you see it, the value gap will have closed.

🏡 For Sellers: “Leverage the Lift, Don’t Rush It”

Homeowners in 33605 and 33610 are sitting on undervalued equity. The worst move now is to sell prematurely before neighborhood comps catch up to downtown and Seminole Heights pricing.

Actionable Steps:

1. Hold until at least late 2027 when visible public improvements drive appraisal adjustments.

2. Invest modestly in curb appeal upgrades (paint, landscaping, lighting) — low-cost changes that multiply resale potential as demand rises.

3. List strategically — work with agents who can market your property as part of East Tampa’s growth story, not just its square footage.

Mindset Shift: Don’t view this as an exit — view it as a reintroduction of your property to a stronger market.

💼 For Investors: “Long Game, Local Focus”

Forget quick flips — East Tampa is a cash-flow corridor where the returns are quiet but consistent. The mix of workforce housing, new small-business space, and improving streetscape makes it perfect for patient, yield-driven investors.

Actionable Steps:

1. Target duplexes, triplexes, or small multifamily units near 22nd St, 29th St, and Lake Ave.

2. Use creative financing (DSCR or portfolio loans) to secure multiple doors under $600K while prices are still soft.

3. Hold for 5–7 years — cash flow will remain stable while equity appreciates alongside infrastructure.

Mindset Shift: You’re not speculating — you’re compounding. This neighborhood rewards time, not timing.

🌎 For Everyone: “Grow with the Neighborhood”

This project isn’t just about property — it’s about participation.
The revitalization only works if locals, entrepreneurs, and small landlords stay engaged and reinvest back into the community fabric.

Actionable Steps:

1. Support the small-business ecosystem forming along MLK Blvd and 29th St — retail activity boosts walkability and safety.

2. Attend redevelopment and zoning meetings to influence how affordable units and mixed-use zoning are rolled out.

3. Encourage vocational enrollment — every skilled local worker strengthens the homeownership base and economic stability.

Mindset Shift: Neighborhood value doesn’t rise because investors arrive — it rises when residents stay and participate.

Final Thoughts: The Blueprint for Balanced Growth

East Tampa’s “live-learn” redevelopment is more than an $80 million investment — it’s a case study in how equity can be built, not displaced.
The numbers may look modest compared to Tampa’s luxury markets, but their impact is exponential when measured by ownership, opportunity, and local prosperity.

The smartest players — whether buyers, sellers, or investors — will move with the community, not ahead of it.
Because the real win here isn’t just rising property values — it’s watching a neighborhood finally rise with them.

Smart money doesn’t just follow progress — it funds it.