Stay in the Loop in Tampa

Ben Affleck’s Next Movie “Live by Night” May Be Filmed in Tampa

Following the success of his last directorial effort Argo, Ben Affleck next’s directing gig will be Live by Night, the upcoming film adaption of the 2012 Dennis Lehane mystery novel partially set in Tampa. So, will Ben choose our beloved backyard … Read More

Live Nation Amphitheatre Now MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre

Remember when stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters – all the huge entertainment venues – used to have innocuous, acceptable names like the Ice Palace, the Astrodome, or Tampa Stadium? heck, the corporate-named Tropicana Field sounds pretty delightful in comparison to this fourth new … Read More

Potential Channelside Bay Plaza Owners Unveil Plans for New Complex

Pending approval from the Port of Tampa, Channelside Bay Plaza may find itself under the new ownership of a Bay area business partnership. The partnership, composed of Santosh Govindaraju, Punit Shah, and their team at the newly formed Liberty Channelside, LLC., … Read More

Tampa Theatre Gets New Digital Projection System

The historic Tampa Theatre has decided, or perhaps, been forced to adapt to the current state of film technology with the installation of a new, digital projection system unveiled on Tuesday, according to My Fox Tampa Bay. As film technology … Read More

Wider Sidewalks, Bike Lanes, Community Upgrades Coming to Westshore?

Tampa’s  and ever-growing Westshore District may soon be granted a handful of neighborhood amenities including wider sidewalks, bike lanes, and more aimed at attracting both residents and visitors alike, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The Westshore Alliance business group recently … Read More

Trader Joe’s Finally Coming to Tampa? The Rumors Heat Up

Following the wildly successful opening and current state of specialty grocery chain Trader Joe’s in Sarasota late last year, the rumors of a new Trader Joe’s location in Tampa began to swirl.  The evidence became more concrete with a mention … Read More

Tampa Hotel Developers Place Bid for Channelside Bay Plaza

Two Tampa hotel and resort developers have formally placed their bids to buy out and own the dwindling Channelside Bay Plaza shopping and dining complex. If approved by the Tampa politicians as well as financial institutions involved, Liberty Group and … Read More

Why Florida Legislators Want Schools to Police Your Kids Online 24/7

If there’s one thing I’m sure all teachers and school officials across the state can agree on, it’s that they’re just not worked hard enough and paid way too much these days. (where’s the sarcasm button?) Which is why it … Read More

Medical Marijuana Bill Officially Proposed in Florida Senate

State Senator Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, filed a bill earlier this week that, if passed, would allow qualified Florida patients to own and use medical marijuana. Florida lawmakers are now expected to consider the possibility of medical marijuana in the … Read More

Tampa-Based Uhsome Wins Gold at AAF Addy Awards

Tampa-based digital media company and 813area.com partners Uhsome recently took home a gold medal at the American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) Addy Awards earlier this week. The American Advertising Federation (AAF), which represents over 50,000 professionals in the advertising industry, awarded … Read More

Sequestration Cuts in Congress Could Impact MacDill, AirFest

“Sequestration”, or automatically-triggered, governmental spending cuts could go into effect next week.  If so, this could implement billions of dollars in budget cuts for the armed forces, including a local impact on our own MacDill Air Force Base, 10 News … Read More

Florida Taking First Steps to Legalize Medical Marijuana

The state of Florida has now entered the drafting phase to pass legislation that would legalize medicinal marijuana for its users throughout the state, according to Orlando’s 13 News. Florida democratic Senator Jeff Clemens from District 27 in Palm Beach County … Read More

Tampa Concert Venue Drops 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheater Name

To the delight of – we’ll venture to guess – nearly everyone, the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheater is dropping the dreaded phone number from its name and changing it to Live Nation Amphitheater, according to the Tampa Tribune. Live Nation, the owner of … Read More

TECO Wants a 10 Percent Increase on Tampa Electric Bills

Tampa Electric Company, or TECO, announced earlier today that it’s seeking approval from the Florida Public Service Commission to increase all residential electricity bills in the Tampa area by 10 percent, according to the Tampa Tribune. If approved, the price … Read More

Publix to build Greenwise concept store in Carrollwood

Currently, a Publix store stands at the corner of Fletcher Avenue and Dale Mabry Highway, but plans are in place to tear down this location in the spring and build a Greenwise-esque concept in its place, slated to be back … Read More

Downtown Tampa Expanding Free WiFi Access

As we venture farther and farther into the digital age, more places than ever are beginning to offer free WiFi access for the young, tech-savvy, and internet-hungry on the go.  Today, Downtown Tampa is a perfect example of the aforementioned because the … Read More

Bass Pro Shops May Sue Valrico Store Over Logo Similarity

The Simple Life Outfitters, a locally-owned Valrico store specializing in outdoor apparel, could go out of business due to a legal dispute with Bass Pro Shops over logo similarities between the two retailers, according to the Tampa Tribune. A large … Read More

Red Light Cameras Prove Effective, Crashes Drop 31 Percent in Tampa

Controversial red light cameras installed throughout the county are proving effective in lessening Tampa Bay intersection crashes, according to the Tampa Tribune. Traffic statistics released last week show that reported crashes at over a dozen Tampa intersections where the cameras … Read More

Despite Fiscal Cliff Deal, Most Will Pay More in Taxes This Year

Despite congress finally passing a new tax package on New Year’s Day, most Americans will pay more federal taxes in 2013 than before, according to the Tampa Tribune. While the package will protect about 99 percent of Americans from an … Read More

The Fresh Market Grocery Store Coming to Brandon

Wal-Mart, Publix, and other big-name grocery stores are nothing short of abundant in the Brandon area, so it comes as good news that The Fresh Market, a healthy, natural grocery alternative, is planning to open in the Tampa suburb in … Read More