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.

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For Good

The Kennedy Bridge was one Tampa landmark illuminated blue and yellow for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st.

Tampa Bay landmarks light up blue and yellow for World Down Syndrome Day

Kimberly DeFalcoTuesday, March 26, 2024

Feature Story

Masthead gallery: Tampa Heights murals

Carole DevillersTuesday, March 26, 2024

Innovation News

Merary Simeon, vice president of diversity and engagement at PepsiCo, speaks during one of The Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women's leadership luncheons.The nonprofit is expanding its leadership training programs with a webinar series.

The Centre for Women enhances leadership training and development efforts with webinar series

Sunday, March 24, 2024

For Good

The Jacob Kamis Photography Contest honors the memory of a former Hillel Academy student who died in 2022.

Tampa Bay student photography competiton honors memory of former Hillel Academy student

Christopher CurryTuesday, March 19, 2024

Feature Story

After opening a station at Orlando International Airport, Brightline is eyeing an Orlando to Tampa route for the next expansion of its high speed rail service.

Local leaders look ahead at what Brightline expansion can mean for Tampa, Ybor

Philip MorganTuesday, March 19, 2024

Feature Story

This March 2024 Easter egg hunt is just one community-building event at the University Area Community Development Corporation's Harvest Hope Park.

University Area CDC strengthens North Tampa community through Harvest Hope Park, attainable housing

Joshua McMorrow-HernandezTuesday, March 19, 2024

Buzz

An ongoing federal study of future Amtrak service bypasses Tampa and Tampa Union Station, the state's second-busiest station, on a proposed Chicago to Florida route.

Proposed Chicago to Florida Amtrak route bypasses Tampa

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

For Good

During a workshop at the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association Community Center, local creatives and designers helped children and teens design outfits to showcase during Tampa Connect Fashion Week.

Tampa Connect Fashion Week: Where fashion meets philanthropy

Tashie TierneyTuesday, March 5, 2024

Innovation News

Tampa tech firm BŪP, which creates digital business cards and AI-powered lead nurturing solutions for businesses and professionals, was the networking app sponsor for Synapse Summit 2024.

Innovators show up, show out at Synapse Summit

Christopher CurryTuesday, March 5, 2024

Feature Story

With the support of community partners like the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, Healthy Start Hillsborough's Safe Baby program aims to fight the heartbreaking community problem of infant deaths from unsafe sleep.

Healthy Start of Hillsborough strives to reduce infant deaths from unsafe sleep

Bob SimonTuesday, March 5, 2024

Feature Story

The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts returns to Tampa's Julian B. Lane Waterfront Park on March 2nd and 3rd.

March arts: Gasparilla, Tarpon Springs and Hyde Park festivals; events galore in Ybor

Zebrina Edgerton-MaloyThursday, February 29, 2024

Development News

The second phase of Canopy at West River will add 188 apartments of affordable and workforce housing across two buildings.

Canopy at West River launches second phase of affordable, workforce housing

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Development News

Bare Blends, a cafe and plant-based, vegan, gluten-free smoothie shop, opens soon as AVE Tampa Riverwalk fills its remaining retail space.

AVE Tampa Riverwalk closes in on filling up its retail space

Christopher CurryTuesday, February 27, 2024

Feature Story

The clock is ticking to restore the Jackson Rooming House, shown here in September 2019. The storied piece of Tampa's Black history was built in 1901 and has been vacant since 1989.

Clock is ticking to restore Jackson House and preserve a storied piece of Tampa Black history

Philip MorganTuesday, February 27, 2024

Feature Story

The widening of County Road 39 from State Road 674 to State Road 60 is one of the south county road projects under consideration as a priority in the ongoing update to the long-range transportation plan for Hillsborough County.

ACCESS 2050: Mapping out Hillsborough's transportation needs and priorities for the next 25 years

Christopher CurryTuesday, February 27, 2024

Innovation News

The annual Synapse Summit is expected to draw thousands to Tampa's Amalie Arena on February 28th.

Synapse Summit returns to Tampa February 28th

Thursday, February 22, 2024

For Good

Fiesta Day celebrates the history and culture of Ybor City.

Step back in time and celebrate diversity at Ybor City's Fiesta Day

Zebrina Edgerton-MaloyTuesday, February 20, 2024

For Good

Tampa City Ballet is one of the Bay Area dance companies collaborating in the new nonprofit Dance Tampa Bay.

New nonprofit Dance Tampa Bay on mission to cultivate vibrant dance community in Bay Area

Christopher CurryTuesday, February 20, 2024

For Good

The second annual Black Art Gala will showcase the work of about 40 African-American artists from the Bay Area to promote representation and recognition in the arts.

Black Art Gala showcases African-American artists from Bay Area

Philip MorganTuesday, February 20, 2024

Development News

Mauricio Rosas with his dogs Nebraska and Cassian at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Henry and Ola Dog Park.

Grassroots community effort gets Old Seminole Heights a dog park

Christopher CurryTuesday, February 20, 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