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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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Culture
Get ready for the 2024-25 theater season at the Straz
The venue has announced its theatrical lineup, which includes lions, superheroes, and the Grinch himself.
March 15, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The front of the Columbia Restaurant's iconic entryway. There are pillars under archways, with colorful tiles lining the wall next to wooden doors and window frames.
Food
Southern Living ranks two Tampa restaurants as the best in Florida
Check out these local spots, dubbed the best in Florida.
March 14, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The Hillsborough River is colored with green dye. A boat is driving through the water, flying an Irish flag. The Unviersity of Tampa is in the background, with its iconic silver minarets sitting beneath a cloudless blue sky.
Events
Prepare for Tampa’s annual River O’ Green event
The annual event returns this weekend, along with a host of other festive fun.
March 12, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The Parkcrest Harbour Island condo community sits in the sunshine. The building has a red roof, blue and grey walls, and roughly eight stories of windows. There are boats sat in the Hillsborough River in the foreground, and palm trees surround the building.
Real Estate
Hot homes: Condos + apartments for sale in the Tampa Bay area
Looking for a change of space, pace, or scenery? This could be the list for you.
March 12, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A panoramic photo of the City of Takamatsu, Japan. The city juts out from the left of the image, with ocean on the right, where islands stick out from the blue water. Moutnains are in the background, covered by a patch of grey cloud, but most of the sky is blue.
Culture
St. Pete’s sister city: Takamatsu, Japan
Learn more about the Japanese port city on the island of Shikoku, and some reasons to visit.
March 8, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A shot of Santoro's Pizza in Tampa. The building is a mix of green, white, and red — the colors of the Italian flag. There are some benches outside, and a parking lot out front, with blue skies up ahead.
Culture
Dave Portnoy’s Tampa Bay pizza tour
The Barstool Sports founder has been enjoying a slice of the Tampa Bay area’s pizza scene.
March 8, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The sun sets over Snell Isle. There is water in the foreground and land on either side, with dark trees, boats, and houses sitting in the shade. The sun is reflecting off the blueish water, and there are orange and yellow streaks in a partially cloudy sky as the sun gets lower.
Culture
Get ready for an extra hour of sunlight
Daylight saving time is on its way, meaning later sunsets, and more time for evening activities.
March 6, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A brindle puppy is yawning. It appears to be a labrador mix of some sort, and it is sitting on a lanai on a comfy white bed. The sun is shining and casting the puppy's shadow behind it.
Culture
Adopt a pet from these Tampa Bay area animal shelters
If you’re looking for a new furry friend, our area has shelters + rescues which can help out.
March 6, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans and young fans at one of his foundation's Catch for Christmas events.
Sports
The Bucs and Mike Evans have reached a contract agreement
The two-year deal is worth up to $52 million.
March 4, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Several paper bowls filled with food sit atop a table. There are two different options, with one containing rice and salmon, and the other with chicken and green spaghetti.
Culture
Prepare your palate for these upcoming Tampa Bay area food festivals
Here are six events coming up for the culinarily curious.
February 29, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The Selmon Expressway viaduct sits above the Hillsborough River. Tampa's skyline is behind it, and there are blue skies overhead.
City
Plans to develop the Selmon Expressway have been tweaked
We rounded up some info on the ongoing plans to update the road.
February 29, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Kasean Pryor reaches for the ball. His arm is outstretched, as is the defender guarding him.
Sports
USF Bulls eyeing shot at basketball history
This ain’t the same old South Florida.
February 27, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A Sunset on St. Pete Beach. The sky is orange and yellow, with a dark beach before it in the shadows.
Live
Spring 2024 weather forecast for the Tampa Bay area
Prepare for spring weather in Tampa + the Burg with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
February 27, 2024
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Sarah Leonhardt
The downtown Tampa skyline from Hyde Park. The sky is blue and high rises are in the distance.
City
Hillsborough County announces record-breaking tourism numbers
Here’s a quick breakdown of the numbers behind 2023’s new tourism heights.
February 21, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A shot of Airside F at Tampa International Airport at night. There is a brooding sunset in the background, with deep red, purple, and orange tones. Floodlights light the airport and cars drive past the terminal.
Travel and Outdoors
Catch a direct domestic flight from Tampa International Airport
If you just can’t stand the thought of another layover, you’re in the right place.
February 21, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Three fire trucks sit under blue skies and a bright sun. They are labeled "Tampa Fire Rescue" and have red + yellow stripes.
Tampa Fire Rescue unveils new fleet
New resources are intended to increase safety and decrease response times.
February 19, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Flooding in the Coffee Pot Bayou area. There is standing water in the road with trees above and houses lining the street.
City
Prepare for hurricane season with the Pinellas County Special Needs Evacuation Assistance Program
We rounded up info about the program, how to register, and what to expect.
February 19, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
People carrying a long paper dragon. The animal is orange and there are green plants in the background in Water Works Park.
Get ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year in the Tampa Bay area
Water Works Park is ready to welcome the Year of the Dragon.
February 15, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Crystal River shines blue. It is surrounded by trees.
Culture
Choose a day trip for us
We’ve got wanderlust — where do you want to see us go?
February 13, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A close up shot of a rose with water petals on it. The red rose is surrounded by dark green leaves.
Culture
A sonnet for TBAY
Valentine’s Day has got us in our feelings for the most wonderful place to be.
February 13, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The storefront at Leafy Luv Affair. The owners are stood alongside an array of green plants, as well as two dogs — a small white one and a larger grey one.
Spruce up your home with an indoor plant from this soon-to-close store
Leafy Luv Affair is closing its Hyde Park Village doors for the final time on Thursday, Feb. 29.
February 9, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Preston Rudie is wearing a blue jacket and beanie with his arms spread wide. He is up a mountain and a blanket of clouds is behind him, stretching into the distance like a carpet.
Business
Tampa Bay’s movers and shakers: Preston Rudie
Learn more about the business owner, CEO, storyteller, and adventurer helping to shape our area’s future.
February 9, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The end of Bayshore Boulevard in downtown Tampa. High rises are visible behind the walkway.
Culture
Guinness World Records set in Tampa Bay
We rounded up some world records set in the Tampa Bay area.
February 7, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Murals at Perry Harvey Sr Park depicting Black icons of the Tampa Bay area. The murals are in black and white and apartment complexes are in the background.
Culture
Black History Month events in the Tampa Bay area
Book these events into your calendar, from walks to talks and exhibitions.
February 7, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The exterior of Crisp and Green in Water Street Tampa. There are two couples walking in front of the glass storefront, arm in arm, and another couple sitting to the left at a metal table under a tree.
Sponsored
Try This: A day of self-care in Water Street Tampa
From pilates and salads to spa-like nail salons, Water Street Tampa is positively overflowing with self-care spots.
Sponsored by
Sneakers are being laced in an up-close shot. The shoe is resting against a bench with hands tying the laces.
Culture
Lace up those sneakers for 3 upcoming Tampa Bay area running events
It’s running season, TBAY. Let’s get moving.
February 5, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A shot of highrise buildings in downtwon Tampa. The sun is shining on the towers and there are palm trees in the foreground.
City
Check out 9 lists with high rankings for the Tampa Bay area
Here are some of the lists and rankings which showcase the optimism around and growth within the Tampa Bay area.
February 5, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Two workers pave over a pothole. They have long brushes and the asphalt is darker over the patches they are working on.
City
How to report potholes in the Tampa Bay area
You have the power to fix the roads.
February 1, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is airborne as he attempts to catch a football. There is a Baltimore Ravens player closing him down.
Culture
This St. Pete native is heading to a second straight Super Bowl
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is a legend in the Tampa Bay area.
January 30, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A corndog at the Florida State Fair. The words "#FL State Fair" are written on the corndog in ketchup and mustart. There are blue skies in the background above a variety of food trucks and stalls.
Events
Get ready for February with these Tampa Bay area events
There’s a lot coming up in the second month of the year, including an extra day at the end.
January 30, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
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