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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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Two people stand at the window of Buchette Spritz Bar in Davis Islands. The wall is painted with the colors of the Italian flag, and the wooden window shutters are wide open. The people behind the bar are smiling with bottles behind them, and a drink on the flower-laden counter.
Food
Savor a taste of Italy in Davis Islands
It can be hard to get enough time off for a trip to Italy, but a new Tampa spot just made it easier.
May 15, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A rendering of The Beachmaker Hotel. The building is a mix of white, brown, and grey, with balconies and deck chairs lining the upper floors. A row of palm trees sits in front, and the ocean is visible in the background.
Development
Say hello to The Beachmaker — Madeira Beach’s next luxury hotel
The hotel is part of the quaint seaside city’s ongoing makeover.
May 13, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A photo of the sun setting at a beach in St. Petersburg, FL. The sand has some brown seagrass on it, and the sun sets above the ocean in the distance. Tall, thin palm trees also line the beach and the sky is blue + orange.
Culture
Submit your favorite photo of the Tampa Bay area
We’re celebrating National Photography Month in TBAY style.
May 13, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A rendering of Central Park St. Pete. The five-story concept has tables out front with people eating, people walking by and cycling by, and a yellow brick wall lined with windows and a balcony.
Development
New plans unveiled for Central Park St. Pete
The food hall is set to open later this year.
May 9, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A black and white aerial shot of Tampa International Airport taken in 1979.
History
Looking back at Tampa Bay’s storm of 1979
It’s been 45 years since the Tampa Bay area experienced one of its worst ever storms.
May 7, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Mayor Jane Castor speaks at a podium. A screen is next to her, with her image on it. A crowd sits in front, some of whom are taking photos.
City
Lessons from Mayor Jane Castor at the State of Tampa’s Downtown Forum
The mayor spoke at this year’s event, and offered insight into the current + future landscape of our home.
May 7, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A vacant lot in Snell Isle. Grass sits behind a black fence, a tree overhangs, and the St. Pete skyline is in the distance across water and under a blue sky.
Real Estate
A quick roundup of Tampa Bay real estate news
Here’s a quick update on a vacant Snell Isle lot, new condos, and a for-sale B&B.
May 3, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The sun shines at the beach. One person is visible in the shallows of the ocean, and waves are lapping onto the sand.
Play
25+ summer events happening around Tampa Bay
Make the most of (or just survive) the warm weather with this list of the best local events and activities happening this summer in the Cigar City + the Burg.
April 30, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The front of TacoSon in Temple Terrace. The restaurant is surrounded by greenery and has yellow walles, including some next to the patio pictured here with tables + chairs.
Small Business
Support local this National Small Business Week
The annual event gives us all a chance to celebrate the small businesses that serve the Tampa Bay area.
April 29, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Rendering of the plans in Water Street Tampa. A building with a green roof and brown-colored design sits among the high rises. It's designed to be an office building.
Development
Check out the next phase of Water Street Tampa’s development
Owners just released the game plan for the swanky neighborhood’s future.
April 29, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Construction continues on the Phoenix Rising roller caster at Busch Gardens. A large crane is in front of a blue track, which sits beneath a largely cloudless sky. The sun is in the background and a building site is below.
Development
Hands in the air: Busch Gardens is building another roller coaster
Phoenix Rising is set to open at some point in 2024.
April 25, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A small white house has an orange door and is surrounded by a white picket fence. There are chairs on the porch and tropical plants surrounding it.
Real Estate
House prices have doubled in the Tampa Bay area
Both Tampa and St. Pete have seen average home prices double in recent years, according to a recent report.
April 23, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A group of Tampa Bay Lightning players celebrates a goal by the glass. They are dressed in their blue uniforms and are hugging each other while the crowd celebrates behind.
Sports
Prepare for yet another Tampa Bay Lightning playoff run
It’s time to Be The Thunder.
April 19, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Crowds of people check out tents with vendors and walk underneath a tree canopy.
Travel and Outdoors
Earth Day events across the Tampa Bay area
Whether you want to pick up new plants for your garden or enjoy nature’s beauty, we’ve got you covered.
April 19, 2024
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Bailey LeFever
Workers at Buc-ee's prepare sandwiches. They are wrapped in shiny foil with yellow labels on a heating tray, and workers behind are in uniforms comprised of cowboy hats, red shirts, and blue overalls.
City
Will a Buc-ee’s ever open in the Tampa Bay area?
We’re dreaming of those Beaver Nuggets.
April 17, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A baby orangutan is being fed from a bottle. A blue-gloved, white-coated doctor is holding the animal in a blanket, and feeding it. Its dark eyes sit around orange-colored dark short hair.
Culture
Meet the Tampa Bay area’s new animal friends
Zoo Tampa and Busch Gardens have both got some new (and cute) faces.
April 15, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A black and white photo of Salvador Dalí. His mustache is curled up at the edges as he strikes his quintessential wide-eyed pose. He is holding a cat against his face and they are both staring at the lens close up.
Here’s your chance to speak to Salvador Dalí
The Dalí Museum has launched an artificial intelligence-driven way to speak with the legendary figure.
April 11, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A black and white photo of Franklin Street in Downtown Tampa taken around 1930. The Tampa Theater is visible in the background, while people walk about in fashion of the time, palm trees are visible, and streetcars make their way through streets. There are some cars around too, and shadows imply it is sunny.
History
Tampa Bay in the 1930s
Following the roaring progress of the 1920s, life in TBAY was not as rosy in the succeeding decade. We did some research.
April 11, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A rendering of the outside of Juno & the Peacock. There are red chairs under red and white umbrellas, with tables set for people to eat. The doors are open on the left to the inside of the restaurant, and there are lights + greenery around to create a calming atmosphere.
Food
Open for business: Check out these new Tampa Bay area foodie spots
It’s hard to keep up with all the food and restaurant news in our area. We’re here to help.
April 9, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A rendering of the USF football stadium. There are floodlights on and the image is staged at nighttime, with fans in the green stands, and Bulls logos sound the stadium. Campus is visible in the background as the shot is taken from high up.
Development
USF chooses construction manager for new football stadium
The Bulls are making progress in the ~$340 million project.
April 9, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Kids wearing white helmets line up smiling for a photo. They appear to be wearing harnesses too as they prepare for an activity. Adults are around and there is a white tend fiving shade, with cloudy blue skies above. Everyone is smiling.
Culture
Get ready for Hillsborough County’s traditional summer camps
The county is here to help you fill in that summer calendar.
April 5, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A photo of Mannatan Ave and Vasconia Street with flooding on the roads. The residential area has houses around and there are cars driving through the water nearby.
City
The City of Tampa is working to fix South Tampa’s flooding problem
The area’s roads are often covered in water after heavy rainfall.
April 3, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A dark blue sky with the moon mostly covering the sun behind, which is shining beyond the moon in a small crescent shape. There are some stars visible in the sky.
Culture
How to experience the solar eclipse in Tampa Bay
There won’t be another total eclipse in North America until 2033.
April 3, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Three eScooters are parked in downtown Tampa. There are cars riding next to them and tall buildings in the background. The scooters are orange with black handles.
City
The City of Tampa has new e-scooter rules
Not following the rules could result in fines, and a financial reward system is also in place.
April 1, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A photo of St. Pete City Hall up close. The angle is upward toward the historic building with palm trees flanking the yellow-brown structure. Blue skies are above with sun shining through the trees.
City
The latest updates on St. Pete’s economy
Mayor Ken Welch gave the Burg’s first “State of the Economy” presentation since 2021.
March 28, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A tank of coral at the Florida Aquarium's Coral Conservation and Research Center. There is blue fluorescent lighting above the tank and the coral sits in water.
Culture
Check out The Florida Aquarium’s latest conservation-minded expansion
The state-of-the-art facilities are set to help the aquarium’s conservation efforts.
March 28, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A shot of Swann Avenue's road sign in Hyde Park. The camera is facing up, and the sun shines through trees behind it in a clear blue sky. A historic marker sign is also in frame, with the history of Alfred Rueben Swann written out.
Culture
Three Tampa neighborhoods ranked among best places to live in the US
A trio of Cigar City areas featured on the list by Niche.
March 26, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Tampa's new wastewater facility sits under blue skies. The structure has three open stories with vehicles and pipes inside, and it is made of mostly metal and concrete.
City
Construction is complete on Tampa’s new wastewater facility
The new structure is designed to save money, help efficiency, improve sustainability, and enhance safety.
March 20, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A shot of Clearwater Beach, taken from the ocean back toward the sand. There are high rises jutting out, with condos and apartment complexes lining the beach. The ocean is turquoise, and the skies above are cloudless and pale blue.
Government
Find out what happened in the 2024 Pinellas County municipal elections
Voters decided on several key decisions this week, including a new mayor in Clearwater.
March 20, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Tampa's skyline from a distance. The Hillsborough River is in the foreground and the photo has been taken from high up. The sky is blue and a warm haze covers the city.
Culture
Suggestions for spending the Mega Millions jackpot in the Tampa Bay area
How would you spend $875 million?
March 18, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
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