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Patrick Sidwell

Audience Editor

Patrick is from London and traveled across the pond to Tampa several years ago. He went to the University of South Florida before working in radio news for iHeartMedia. You can find him at live events with a plate of good food, or exploring with his dogs, Arthur and Walter.

Heather Krueger, Julia Rifino and Susan Haldeman hang out by the bar in the Stageworks Theatre’s hilarious production of “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical.
Theater
Put these Tampa Bay winter shows on your calendar
From inventive vaudeville-esque chamber shows to holiday classics, we’ve got you covered.
December 6, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A close-up of a water bottle on the beach. Someone is picking it up and putting it in a trash bag.
Play
25+ volunteer opportunities around Tampa Bay
This guide will help you give back to the Tampa Bay area, including outdoor spots, veteran assistance, and mental health aid.
November 26, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A wintry background with snowflakes that reads "TBAYtoday's 2024 Gift Guide."
Culture
TBAYtoday’s 2024 holiday gift guide: 90+ gifts for everyone on your list
Including gifts for neighbors, foodies, significant others, homebodies, students, and gifts under $20.
November 8, 2024
 · 
Sarah Leonhardt
A golf flagstick on a green. There is sun in a partially cloudy sky above, water in the background, and trees surrounding the course.
History
The story of Tampa’s Babe Zaharias Golf Course
We’re taking a deeper look into one of Tampa’s public courses.
November 1, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Hyde Park Village in the sunshine. There is someone walking along the sidewalk in the background, while tables and chairs line the square. Trees are overhead and shops line the buildings in the background.
Travel and Outdoors
Tampa Bay’s most walkable neighborhoods
Here’s a few ideas for stretching your legs and getting round on the original mode of transportation.
October 30, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Pink lighting in a diner, with Joe's written on the wall in red neon lighting. There is a checkered black and white floor and old-timey booths, with 50s decor throughout and hanging light fixtures. THe booths are empty, and there's one customer sat at the bar.
Food
10 places to grab a late-night meal in Tampa Bay
Sometimes you get the munchies late at night, so we’re helping out with a list of 10 spots that stay open late in the Tampa Bay area.
October 28, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Jeff Vinik celebrating the Lightning's Stanley Cup victory during a boat parade. He is high-fiving fans, wearing beads, holding a water bottle, and smiling along with other Lightning representatives.
Sports
A brief look at Jeffrey Vinik’s successful Lightning ownership
We’re looking at what’s next for the team, and reflecting on Vinik’s achievements.
October 24, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A pumpkin patch overlooking the Hillsborough River. Pumpkins are scattered on hay, with green chairs ready for photo ops. The Tampa skyline is visible in the distance with cloudy skies overhead.
Events
Enjoy last minute fall and Halloween fun in Tampa Bay
Just like that, it’s almost November. But there’s still plenty to do this weekend.
October 24, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
An actor at Busch Gardens dressed in devilish clothing with neon wing lights behind her. The room is lit ominously in red and there are other Halloween-y decorations around.
Culture
Get in the Halloween spirit in the Tampa Bay area
Here’s some ideas for ghoulish ghostly fun ahead of the holiday.
October 22, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A flooded parking lot at an apartment complex in Clearwater. Cars are submerged in water, mostly halfway up, and there is trash in the standing floodwater.
Weather
Updates on Hurricane Milton’s ongoing impacts in Tampa Bay
Flooding, closures, and changes in FEMA aid are all ongoing following the storm.
October 22, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Trucks are gathered to restore power in a Tampa neighborhood. There are workers in high-vis jackets standing by white bucket trucks, and power lines overhead. The sky is mostly blue with some clouds, and the sun is shining down.
Nonprofits
Deals and offers for first responders and lineworkers in the Tampa Bay area
Businesses are saying thanks to these unsung heroes.
October 18, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A banner reads "Voting is Cool" with the Stars and Stripes emblazoned behind. "We the People" is in the bottom left of the banner, with the Hillsborough County logo.
City
How to vote in Tampa Bay during the 2024 General Election
It’s time to let democracy rule once more.
October 18, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A pumpkin is lit up surrounding by pitch black darkness. Its eyes are triangles and its mouth is jagged and smiling.
City
Explore Tampa Bay’s most haunted spots
There’s still time to catch some Halloween fever. Here are a few spots around TBAY to get you feeling ghoulish.
October 16, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A pile of household debris following Hurricane Milton. The pile is in front of residential houses on a small grassy area by a road, and vegetative waste is alongside the household debris.
Weather
How to get rid of waste and debris after Hurricane Milton
Here’s the latest trash, waste, and debris information for Tampa Bay’s post-Milton world.
October 14, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A crane lying in the road in downtown St. Pete. There is debris everywhere, it's night time, and four people are standing behind the crane. Streetlights are ahead.
Weather
What we know about Milton’s damage (so far)
The storm made landfall around 8:30 p.m. in Siesta Key as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
October 10, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Milton projection per 2pm Wednesday 10/9/24.
Weather
Follow these accounts for the most relevant Milton info
As we send this, we hope you’re staying safe. Be sure to be following these accounts (including TBAYtoday) for most relevant info.
October 9, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A screenshot of Hurricane Milton's projection, showing at what times the storm approaches Tampa Bay.
Weather
Stay in the know ahead of Hurricane Milton
The storm is coming, and here are some ways to stay in the loop.
October 6, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Amalie_Arena,_Tampa.jpeg
Sports
Inside the new upgrades to Amalie Arena
Owners say they’ve invested millions of dollars into the upgrades.
October 3, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
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Retail
Hunt for the perfect pumpkin at these 5 Tampa Bay area patches
These local spots boast tons of pumpkin variety, corn stalks, mums, axe throwing, mazes, and more.
October 3, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A muddy wall in a brewery. A lifesaver raft is on the wall and a silver brewery tank is on the left of the screen. It's a scene of damage left behind by Hurricane Helene.
Volunteer
Find a verified GoFundMe for Tampa Bay’s Hurricane Helene victims
We’re giving even more ways to give back as the continue gets back on its feet.
October 2, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Three rescue dogs. One is in a pool, one is looking at the camera, and another is smiling with his tongue out.
Government
Hillsborough County’s animal shelter is overflowing
A bigger facility could be on its way to help resolve the issue.
October 2, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A pile of debris outside a pink home in Gulfport. The home's windows are boarded up following Hurricane Helene, and there is standing water in the street. There are clear skies above, and it looks like the sun is setting at dusk.
Weather
Advice for Tampa Bay FEMA applicants and more ways to help local Helene victims
As the toll of the storm becomes clearer, we’re sharing more and more resources to assist those impacted in TBAY.
October 1, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
An aerial shot of St. Petersburg after Hurricane Helene. Water lines the streets and the water level is high. Smoke rises from a house on the left and grey skies linger overhead with the ocean visible in the distance.
Weather
How to help Hurricane Helene victims and find other resources across Tampa Bay
In the wake of the storm, there are plenty of ways to help our community get back on its feet.
September 30, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
The Sulphur Springs Water Tower protrudes from trees on the right of the screen. A luscious green canopy is bisected by the Hillsborough River, running off into the distance. We are positioned high up, looking toward a setting sun in the west and a partially cloudy sky.
History
A brief history of the Sulphur Springs Water Tower
Have you ever wondered what the the lighthouse-looking structure protruding from Tampa’s tree canopy is? Wonder no more.
September 23, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A seafoam green curved building with a neon red sign reading "Gulfport Casino" is framed with palm trees underneath a light blue and cotton candy sky.
Culture
Turn back time at these nostalgic activity ideas in Tampa Bay
Here’s a list for those longing for some old-fashioned fun for date night, a family-friendly day out, or something to get you out of the usual routine.
September 20, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A shot from up high of the Howard Frankland Bridge project. The Bay water is reflecting sunlight, while cars drive along the existing bridge. An incomplete structure spans left to right as crews work on the bridge. The Tampa skyline and South Tampa are in the distance on a bright sunny day.
Development
The numbers behind the new Howard Frankland Bridge
With construction almost complete, let’s look take a look at some statistics and figures.
September 20, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The TECO Line Streetcar is directly ahead and is riding away from the camera. There is sunlight coming in from the left and a destination sign on the streetcar reads, "Downtown Tampa."
Travel and Outdoors
How to get around Tampa Bay without using so much gas
Whether you’re looking to save a few bucks on gas, reduce your carbon footprint, or find a new way to get around, there’s plenty of options in TBAY.
September 18, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
An up-close shot of Ruka, the baby pgymy hippo at ZooTampa. Her head emerges from murky water and she appears to be feeding on her mother who is mostly off-screen. Her brownish skin is wet, and looks slimy with light reflected off it.
Culture
Forget Moo Deng: Tampa has its own baby pygmy hippo
The female calf was born at ZooTampa earlier this year.
September 18, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Purple flowers — called Queen's Wreath Vine — are close to the camera. Their petals hang down in front of tropical green leaves.
Travel and Outdoors
Smell the flowers at these Tampa Bay area botanical gardens
These five gardens have an abundance of natural floral beauty and native wildlife.
September 16, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A black and white photo of the bar at Sky Puppy Brewing. The beer taps have bats on them and sit on a brick wall with moody lightning and shadows throughout. Three bar stools sit empty by a light bar countertop and a bat statue on the bar.
Small Business
Sky Puppy Brewing debuts in Ybor City
The bar has been years in the making.
September 16, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
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