Patrick Sidwell.png

Patrick Sidwell

Senior Product Editor

Patrick went to the University of South Florida before working in radio news for iHeartMedia. Now a resident of Portland, Maine, you’ll find him at live events with a plate of good food, browsing the exhibits at a local museum, or exploring New England with his dogs.

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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
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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
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Patrick Sidwell
A colorful bowl of food. There is salmon, cucumber, red onion, cress, greens, thinly slices carrots, white rice, edamame beans, black and white sesame seeds and an orange-yellow sauce inside a white bowl. A hand holds the bowl and behind the food there's a tropical plant.
Food
Ready your taste buds for Safety Harbor Restaurant Week
The third annual event is offering deals aplenty to keep you (and your wallet) full.
September 12, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
"The Story of Tampa" mural. Its collage of symbols and images shows things like pirates, buildings like the HB Plant museum + downtown Tampa skyline, cigar factories, sports teams, a pirate ship, the Bucs flag, a Super Bowl trophy, and animals like a manatee.
Arts
Trace Tampa’s history and culture through “The Story of Tampa” mural
The mural contains many symbols, images, and icons associated with the Cigar City.
September 12, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The 9/11 memorial on Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa. The sun sits behind two metal towers, casting a shadow toward the camera. A blue sky is above and one of the hollow towers contains a dark column from the World Trade Center.
City
Pay your respects at Tampa Bay’s 9/11 memorials
These Tampa Bay area tributes honor those lost.
September 10, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
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Nonprofits
Eat for a cause during the 1905 Family Of Restaurants’ Community Harvest
The annual event has raised almost $4 million for Sunshine State charities.
September 6, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A white TBAYtoday logo sits on a bright blue background. A gift box is on the right of the photo with a number 2 balloon and confetti coming out of it.
Culture
Happy birthday to TBAYtoday
We’re looking back at our favorite stories from our first two years.
September 6, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
An up-close shot of thinly slices cucumbers. The entire screen is covered in circular slices, which features a thin dark green border and a lighter flesh in the middle with some seeds in the center.
Food
Add some Tampa Bay flair to the viral cucumber salad recipe trend
Brat Summer is over. Cucumber fall is here.
September 4, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Raymond James Stadium is full of Bucs fans. There is sun shining on some of the stadium, with shadow creeping across from the near side to the far side. Floodlights are beginning to turn on as players warm up on the field, and the mostly blue sky sits ahead.
Sports
Brush up on your Buccaneers knowledge ahead of the new NFL season
Haven’t kept up during the off-season? Now’s your chance to catch up and impress your friends.
August 30, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
USF Bulls fans celebrate in the stands at Raymond James Stadium. They are dressed in green and gold and are making the Bulls hand signal.
Sports
The Bulls are back: Here are some USF football stars to keep an eye out for this season
The program ended last year with its first bowl game victory since 2017.
August 29, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A pelican stands close to the camera on a wooden beam which appears to be part of a pier. There is blue water which is slightly rocky stretching into the distance behind the bird, and a distant landscape with trees + waterfront houses on the horizon. The sky is pale blue with a smattering of clouds.
History
Tampa Bay toponymy: The origin of Pinellas County place names
We looked at why the places in and around St. Pete are named what they’re named.
August 29, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The Gallagher brothers perform with Oasis. There is yellow smoke and lighting around while they sing into microphones and play instruments.
Culture
Celebrate the Oasis reunion in Tampa Bay style
While the band’s comeback tour only has shows in the UK and Ireland, we wanted to bring the fun to TBAY.
August 27, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A close-up shot of the Eiffel Tower from below. The Olympic rings are on the front of the tower, and we are looking up at it as it sits beneath a clear blue sky.
Sports
Meet the Paralympians representing Tampa Bay at the 2024 Paris Games
Two athletes with TBAY ties are going for the gold.
August 27, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A black and white photo of military planes flying over the City of Tampa. There are five planes above a smattering of high rises and the Hillsborough River.
History
Tampa Bay in the 1940s
It was a decade of war, victory, and growth for the Tampa Bay area.
August 23, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A wooden swinging bench at Honeymoon Island State Park. The structure is in the sand, with tufts of grass scattered about, and faces still Gulf of Mexico waters. The white sand contrasts the rich blue water and light blue cloudless sky.
Travel and Outdoors
What changes are proposed for Tampa Bay’s state parks?
A recent statewide proposal mentions Honeymoon Island State Park and Hillsborough River State Park.
August 23, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Multiple pizzas sit on plates with steam coming off the top. They are on a silver countertop with five pies visible, with several different flavor combinations visible.
Play
A guide to Tampa Bay’s pizza scene
Here’s where to grab a slice at 15+ places in Tampa Bay.
August 21, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A colonial-style house in Tampa. There are big white pillars, all colored white, behind a green pristine front lawn. The sun is shining and cashing shadows onto the house.
Real Estate
Tampa’s real estate market ranks among nation’s best
WalletHub’s report considered factors like affordability, price appreciation, and days on the market.
August 21, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
City editors Bailey and Patrick stand on the field at Riverfront Stadium while the Tampa Bay Sun players warm up behind. The sun is shining and the turf is a bright green color. The stands are filling with fans in the background.
Culture
Meet the editors behind TBAYtoday
Say hello to Bailey and Patrick — the brains behind your daily dose of Tampa Bay area news.
August 21, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A sprawling tree at Eureka Springs Park. There are tentacle-like branches covered in Spanish Moss and greenery surrounding the arbor. A blue sky is visible through the leaves and plants sit beneath the tree.
Culture
Cozy up with a book at these Tampa Bay reading spots
Our area is full of quiet corners, calm beaches, and tranquil coffee shops for you to turn a few pages.
August 19, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Four Lightning players smile and celebrate on the ice. Two are fist-bumping, and the crowd at Amalie Arena is visible in the background.
Sports
Get ready for the Lightning’s 2024-2025 theme nights
The Bolts are preparing for the upcoming season, with special dates already announced.
August 19, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Looking up at Pam Iorio Parking Garage in downtown Tampa. The yellow building has several stories and a mural of a person with blue coloring on its front wall. A palm tree is on the right, protruding almost as high as the garage, and the cloudy sky sits behind.
Government
Breaking down Tampa’s budget: Parking
It’s time to take another dive into the Cigar City’s proposed budget.
August 15, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The front of Juno & the Peacock. Red and white striped umbrellas sit above tables outside the restaurant, whose name is written in gold letters on a while building. Greenery and trees surround the building, and a mostly cloudy but somewhat blue sky is above.
Food
Our review of Juno & the Peacock
St. Pete’s newest hotspot is creating a lot of buzz, and so is its adjoining cocktail lounge, Pluma.
August 15, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A photo of Ybor City with a car rushing past, its red tail lights blurred implying its fast movement. Businesses line Ybor's 7th Ave, and the area's iconic streetlights and palm trees are visible too. It appears to be dusk with the streetlights on.
Events
Bring your best snaps to “Ybor City Show and Share”
The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts is asking for your help.
August 13, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A picture of the Tampa Bay History Center in the sunshine. The Riverwalk is visible on the right with people walking, and the history center building protrudes from the middle of the picture with many windows and yellow walls. Palm trees are seen throughout the image, and the sun shines in partially wispy cloudy skies.
Culture
Plan ahead for the Tampa Bay History Center’s upcoming exhibits
We’re giving a sneak peek into what the next ~18 months will look like inside the riverfront museum.
August 13, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
An empty classroom for young children with colorful chairs and decorations. Several boards line the front wall, and chairs and tables sit before a teacher's desk. There are educational posters with numbers, letters, and colors, along with an American flag lining the wall.
Education
Class is in session: Tampa Bay’s new school year is here
The bell is about to ring, and another year of learning is on its way.
August 9, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
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