CAMP CENTRO
Saturday June 28
10am - 12pm
Join us for FREE Family Day at Camp Centro on Saturday, June 28 from 10 AM–12 PM at Centro Ybor! Enjoy a morning of fun with a bounce house, face painting, bracelet making, flag decorating, and gift card giveaways. Afterward, explore the Ybor City Saturday Market! @centro_ybor
SPONSORED CONTENT PRESENTED BY CENTRO YBOR
Brown Bag Coffee Company brings cold brew and locally-roasted beans to Ybor City
Anew spot to grab a to-go cup of coffee is headed to the heart of Ybor City. Brown Bag Coffee Company, known for its artisan cold brew and retail bags of beans, is getting ready to open its doors at Centro Ybor, located at 1600 E 8th Ave..
The Ybor hotspot is home to several different types of businesses—from ice cream and sandwich shops to co-working offices and sit-down restaurants—and will soon boast an outdoor cafe specializing in cold brew, lattes, breakfast and more.
Brown Bag Coffee Company owner Garrett Buckles began his journey in the industry almost a decade ago, when he “got bit by the bug” of specialty coffee and started to learn how to roast his own beans.
Brown Bag Coffee Company wholesales its beans, gallons of cold brew, ground coffee and cans of nitro cold brew to variety of different shops throughout Tampa Bay, including the popular Tides Seafood Market & Provisions, Rollin’ Oats, Fat Beet Farm, Nature’s Food Patch, Halelife Bakery and Duckweed Urban Grocery.
And within the next few months, Tampa residents will be able to purchase Brown Bag products directly from its new Ybor storefront.
“It’s very clear to me that Centro Ybor is the right space for us…there’s great things happening in and around that part of town and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it,” Buckles says.
The new location will offer food and drink options similar to other sit-down cafes, but with more of a focus on grab and go options. Brown Bag Coffee’s debut Tampa location will only have outdoor seating, as customers will order from a to-go window.
In 2020, the Tampa native started roasting on a larger scale and popping up at local farmers markets (including the Ybor City Saturday Market), and eventually opened his own coffee and ice cream shop in Safety Harbor. After selling his flagship brick and mortar, Buckles focused on increasing production and retail distribution to local grocery stores, markets and restaurants.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brown Bag Coffee Company to Centro Ybor as part of the adaptive reuse of the old Muvico ticket booth. This creative transformation not only preserves a unique piece of the site's history but also brings fresh energy and a new amenity to Centro,” Centro Ybor representative Nicholas Oberholtzer says. “We’re proud to support local businesses and enhance the daily experience of everyone who visits or works here.”
Specializing in fair-trade beans that come from the Cerrado region of Brazil, Buckles sources a large majority of his product from a single farm. Brazilian coffee is known for its full-bodied and rich flavor, often with tasting notes of chocolate or nuttiness.
“At this point, we’re pretty known for our cold brew—we use a high-elevation, low acidity coffee and it’s always roasted and brewed within days of receiving a shipment of beans,” Buckles explains. “It definitely packs a punch because of the caffeine, but it's incredibly smooth to drink.”
In addition to serving cold brew on tap and cold brew lattes, Brown Bag’s Centro Ybor cafe will offer kombucha, espresso-based drinks, refreshers, sodas, lemonades and teas. “The rich coffee history of Ybor City can't be told without espresso,” Buckles adds.
A light breakfast and lunch menu—that was created in collaboration with Tides Seafood Market & Provisions owner Jon Walker will also be offered. Dishes like avocado toast, bagels and cream cheese and a variety of sandwiches will join Brown Bag’s extensive drink menu. With the debut of Brown Bag Coffee Company’s cafe slated for late summer, Buckles hopes that he can eventually open more locations throughout the Bay area. For more information about Centro Ybor’s new caffeinated addition, follow @ thebrownbagcoffee on Instagram or order a bag of whole beans from thebrownbagcoffee.com. Brown Bag Coffee’s debut Tampa location is brought to you by Lydia Kressel of Archer Real Estate and local contractor The Perry Company.
No war zone
Photos by Dave Decker
Until late last Saturday night, even the libs had to give Donald Trump credit for not throwing the U.S. into the kind of long conflicts his predecessors on both sides of the aisle did (even Obama launched strikes in the Middle East). That changed over the weekend when U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Coalition at Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base helped carry out the president’s orders to drop bunker buster bombs on nuclear sites in Iran, all in the wake of the Israeli government’s offensive against Iran and its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Downtown Tampa is not unfamiliar with protesters demonstrating against the U.S.’ continued aid for Israel and the policies of Trump, and activists were out yet again last Sunday afternoon. Outside the The Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse and at Joe Chillura Courthouse Square, protesters held up peace signs as they rallied against war and heard comments about the billions of taxpayer dollars allocated for weapons. See all the photos via cltampa.com/slideshows.—Ray Roa
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Skins Par & Grill brings ‘upscale casual dining’ and premier indoor golf to Ybor City
AA multi-faceted restaurant and entertainment destination is getting ready to open its doors in Ybor City—hopefully by the end of the year.
Skins Par & Grill will boast several stateof-the-art golf simulators, a high-end food and beverage menu, a retail space and a “clubhouse” vibe, according to owner Jason Barrett.
Located at 1600 E 8th Ave., Suite E200 in Centro Ybor, the new restaurant and golf hotspot will offer several different types of experiences—whether someone is there to improve their golf game, have a quiet dinner with friends, sip on craft cocktails or smoke specialty cigars on the balcony.
Barrett has an extensive background in the local hospitality industry, with almost thirty years of back of house, front of house and management experience. He’s currently working on building out the space that most recently housed Big Storm Brewing’s taproom.
“At Skins Par & Grill, we're going to be focused on the entertainment and food aspect, as opposed to being labeled as a bar. The kitchen will be specializing in what we call an elevated sports bar menu,” Barrett says. “We want to capture that fine dining-meets-entertainment golf kind of atmosphere.”
Dry-aged steaks, bone-in pork chops and a variety of local seafood will be featured on the restaurant’s “Sicilian and Spanish inspired” menu, alongside a full-service bar with craft cocktails, high-end spirits, beer and more. And since the golf simulator side of the business will be separate from the dining room and bar area, diners won’t be distracted from the sound of thwacking golf balls in the background.
While Skins Par & Grill may be the newest business to follow the hot golf simulation trend, Barrett plans to offer the industry’s best technology to set himself apart from the competition.
“We want the best golf technology that's available right now, so we’re working with a company called Golf VX Simulators out of Chicago—their technology is far above what everybody else is offering right now,” he says.
Centro Ybor's Skins Par & Grill will open with eight simulation bays, which can be rented by the hour—with more affordable rates during “off-peak” times. At these bays, guests can expect interactive swing platforms and topographical maps of 350 different golf courses, and can even enjoy a full-service dining experience while playing golf.
Barrett even plans to have a caddy stationed on 8th Avenue for folks that want to use their own clubs but don’t want to lug them through Ybor. Those same diehard golfers may also be interested in Skins Par & Grill’s different golfing leagues, booking a session with a personal instructor, or signing up for a membership that tracks your progression.
“Sometimes sports bars can become frat houses, and we definitely don't want that at our restaurant. We want to encourage girls and guys to come and enjoy the place equally,” Barrett explains. “We want everybody to feel welcome, including children and families, too.”
He emphasizes that there will be different events and activities for women and children as well, like a “Jack and Jill” league for doubledates and golf instructors specifically for kids.
Renderings depict the upcoming restaurant and entertainment hotspot in Centro Ybor as a large space covered in Kelly green accents, natural wood and exposed brick, with several TVs positioned around its main bar. There will be two different balconies overlooking both 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue, with the latter being designated for cigar smoking and bourbon sipping.
Sign up for the newsletter on skinsparandgrill.com or head to its newly-formed social media pages to get the latest updates.
do this
Tampa Bay's best things to do from June 26 - July 03
Boos, books and BBQ
Grindhaus Brew Lab is giving Tampa Bay an early taste of Halloween, along with barbecue and local books. Wendy Dalrymple, author of horror novels “Birthday Party Demon” and most recently “Credenza” (released June 13), is part of a mass book signing and beer sipping event with other local authors like Kenzie Jennings, Melanie Sue and Maria DeVivo. They’ll be answering any questions about their books and talking all things spooky. Dalrymple-heads can also catch her signing “Credenza” at the Barnes & Noble in St. Petersburg on Saturday. In the book, a woman finds an old piece of furniture in her dead grandmother’s house, which uncovers old family secrets. Akala Studios will sell spooky stained glass art, and New York BBQ & Fire Grill will sling BBQ ribs, tips and pork burnt ends. Grindhaus Brew Lab has two new drinks for the occasion: “Razzmatazz,” a raspberry-hibiscus hard seltzer, and “T-rexy and I know it,” a strawberry rhubarb milkshake DIPA.
Summerween Books & Brews: Friday, June 27. 5-9 p.m. No cover. 1650 N Hercules Ave, Clearwater. grindhausbrewlab.com—Marleigh Brown
Come curious, leave pollinated
The University of South Florida Botanical Gardens is encouraging Tampeños to touch some grass… and protect the insects that nurture its growth. Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation president Anita Camacho and other experts will talk about how important bee and butterfly conservation starts in our backyards. Goods from the Botanical Garden’s plant shop will be 10% off all day and will directly support its conservation efforts. Attendees can see these efforts firsthand with tours of the garden’s pollinator collections.
Pollinator Open House: Saturday, June 28. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $5. USF Botanical Gardens, 12210 USF Pine Dr., Tampa. usf.edu/arts-sciences/ecore—Alisha Durosier
Q is for question
Tampa Pride leader Carrie West (pictured) is this week’s Cafe Con Tampa speaker, and he’ll discuss the last decade of impact the organization has made in Ybor City and beyond. Through the ups and downs of DeSantis and Trump’s administrations, including legislative threats and anti-DEI initiatives, Tampa Pride has kept its spring parade strong. This inquisitive, informed audience also has a chance to ask West about ups and downs within the organization and the local LGBTQ community, as well as future leadership. Those who can’t afford the $12 fee for breakfast can email bcarlson@tuckerhall.com with the subject line “scholarship” to request free entry, no questions asked. College students and members of the Young Republicans and Young Democrats always get in free.
‘The Current State of Pride in Tampa & Ybor City’: Friday, June 27. 8 a.m.-9 a.m. $12. The Portico Cafe, 1001 N Florida Ave., Tampa. @cafecontampa on Facebook— Selene San Felice
Glizzy goblins
Hard to believe, but Ybor City’s infamous Hot Dog Party—the City of Tampa’s original hot dog eating competition—will mark 20 meaty years on the scene in 2026. But first, the throwdown, which is kind of like a movie-themed Coney Island meets the best cover concert ever, hops on the tracks to solve a “Murder On the Glizzy Express.” Providing the tune this year are Pinellas crooner Kristopher James, Tampa rock band Lychee Camp, the Dogfather Jeremy Gloff and DJ Wally Rios who’ll spin between sets and during the competition. The show also features a homecoming from expat Tampa rapper Gat$ who’s putting the finishing touches on his debut Roc Nation LP, Life On Film. Expect Clam Master Jay—who runs one of the city’s best food pop-ups—to get extra creative with his hot dog offering in the courtyard.
Hot Dog Party 19—Murder on the Glizzy Express: Next Thursday, July 3. 7 p.m. $14.56. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Tampa. crowbarybor.com—Ray Roa
Pastime paradise
The Trop might be out of commission, but there’s still a lot of baseball to be seen in Pinellas County. The Threshers—which recently saw catcher Kodey Shojinaga hit one heck of a walk off against the Dunedin Blue Jays—are a big reason for that, and the Phillies Single-A affiliate is getting their Independence Day celebration kicked off early for two home games against the Tampa Tarpons. The postgame fireworks are the largest the club does all season.
Postgame fireworks—Tampa Tarpons v. Clearwater Threshers: Wednesday-Thursday, July 2-3. 6:30 p.m. $11 & up. BayCare Ballpark, 601 N, Old Coachman Rd., Clearwater. milb.com/clearwater—Ray Roa
Roy G. Biv > Gov. Ron D
Florida’s biggest Pride celebration is finally here. Festivities start along the downtown waterfront at 2 p.m. but marching won’t happen until a few hours later. The Trans March starts at 5 p.m. from Vinoy Park to Albert Whitted Park. There, around 6 p.m., the massive Pride parade travels along Bayshore Drive back to Vinoy with music, freebies, and tons of rainbows. The event is technically pet-friendly, but it’ll be crowded and hot AF. Stay as cool and hydrated as you are proud. Free parking and shuttles will be available from St. Petersburg High School and Tropicana Field lots 6 and 7 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Check out more events for the last weekend of Pride month at cltampa.com/arts St. Pete Pride Trans March and Parade: Saturday, June 28. Bayshore Drive, downtown St. Petersburg. No cover. stpetepride.org—Selene San Felice
“...the City of Largo is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, equity, and professionalism.”
Red handed
Largo firefighter on leave over behavior at ‘No Kings’
By Ray Roa
This month’s “No Kings” protests brought out thousands of people across Tampa Bay. And while the protesters mostly rallied peacefully against the policies of Donald Trump, a small contingent of the president’s supporters came out to make their voices heard, too. As previously reported, Tampa’s protest last Saturday saw the presence of MAGA counter-protesters and Proud Boys. Now one Trump supporter is now on administrative leave as the City of Largo looks into his actions at Largo’s “No Kings” rally.
Largo firefighter Brandon Stoffel—who was also seen confronting anti-Trump protesters in Tampa—allegedly showed up and started to yell and make threats at protestors in Largo, according to WFTS.
“I mean, I backed up because I didn’t want anything to happen to me, because these guys, I could feel the anger coming off of them,” Deidra Navarro, who attended the Largo rally with her wife, told the station.
A spokesperson for Largo Fire Rescue told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that Stoffel—whose social media includes a video of pro-Trump activity captioned “Hell yea”—is on paid leave while the review is underway.
“We understand and take seriously the concerns raised by the community. The City is currently investigating the alleged conduct and use of discriminatory language. We are working to conduct a thorough review,” the spokesperson added. “As a public service organization, the City of Largo is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, equity, and professionalism. This includes holding all team members accountable and ensuring their actions reflect our organizational values.”
Tampa
Monitor: Special election for the late Gwen Henderson’s District 5 city council seat is set for September
An unfortunate reality the city must face after the death of Councilmember Gwen Henderson is having a special election to fill her seat. Per the Charter, with more than 15 months until the end of the term, an election is required. Inside the 15 months, the remaining council members chose the successor.
Hillsborough County’s Supervisor of Elections has set the dates, with the election
protests.
scheduled for Sept. 9 with early voting Sept. 4-7. If no candidate breaks 50%, a runoff election will be held Oct. 28. If you want to vote in either of those elections you must be registered to vote by Aug. 11.
As for candidates, the qualifying period is Aug. 11-15, with pre-qualifying starting July 28. In order to be eligible “Candidates shall have been a resident of the City of Tampa for one year immediately preceding the commencement of the term of office and shall also have been a resident of their district for six months
immediately preceding the commencement of their term of office.”
Additionally, to appear on the ballot, a candidate must either pay a qualifying fee of $4,511.52 or collect 1008 signatures and pay $0.10 per signature for verification. (The state does provide an option to file an undue burden affidavit if you can’t afford that cost.) The signatures must be registered voters in District 5 and the number is derived from a formula that requires 0.25% of the City of Tampa population. The supervisor used census data of 403,361 persons, according to the ACS 1Y2023.
a runoff, but turnout for that was even lower at 10.76%.
Looking back at the 2019 election when there was more of a contest for mayor, turn out in District 5 was higher for the runoff with 9616 votes cast and city wide turn out at 23.2%.
LOCAL NEWS
Thinking about 1008 signatures and turnout, in 2023, with no contest for mayor, city wide the turnout was 13.65% with 5,199 total votes cast in District 5. District 5 didn’t have
Citywide there were 240,748 registered voters in 2023, WUSF reported only 44,000 live in District 5. At a 10% turnout with that number, less than 4,500 people will chose the council member to finish out the term and potentially give someone a leg up in 2027. The last election in District 5 was won by 80 votes.— Michael Bishop/Tampa Monitor
This post first appeared on The Tampa Monitor, and is used under the Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
reviews the situation.
COOLING OFF: This Largo firefighter gets a paid vacation while the city
Talking point
Tampa Mayor says local cops should not be engaged in ICE raids.
By Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix
The U.S. Conference of Mayors held its annual meeting in Tampa last weekend, and one of the resolutions they were poised to vote on calls upon federal authorities to focus their deportation actions on convicted criminals, and not on undocumented individuals who “contribute to their local communities.”
That’s according to Andy Ginther, mayor of Columbus, Ohio, and the conference’s sitting president.
Ginther spoke last Thursday at a press conference held at the Tampa Marriott Water Street on the first day of the four-day event. There, 179 mayors from across the country gathered for the annual summer meeting, where they will participate in panel discussions on issues such as handling natural disasters, homelessness, and public safety, to name a few.
The resolution regarding immigration has three main planks:
• Delineates the appropriate roles of local and federal officials in protest response.
• Calls on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to focus its deportation actions on convicted, serious criminals, and not on undocumented “hard-working individuals who have families and pay taxes and contribute to their local communities.”
• Urges federal officials to notify local authorities in advance of any planned ICE
actions, and to conduct those actions in “as orderly and unprovocative way possible.”
Fresno, California, Mayor Jerry Dyer served 40 years in the Fresno Police Department, the last 18 as chief. He said at the press conference that one of the things he’s learned is that for police officers to be effective they must be seen as a welcome presence and not “as an occupying force.”
“Unfortunately, what we are seeing today in many cities across America, including L.A., is an occupying force, and that is federal agents and now our U.S. military,” he said. “And, unfortunately, the Los Angeles Police Department is having to be brought into that situation.”
“I do think that our friends over at HIS (Homeland Security Investigations) and ICE need to modify how they approach immigration enforcement in our cities, and the truth is the tactics need to be changed,” he added. “The uniforms need to be modified, and I really believe there needs to be better coordination with local law enforcement.”
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, host of the conference, served on the Tampa Police Department for 31 years, the last six as chief. She echoed Dyer’s remarks, arguing that collaboration between local neighborhoods and the police department is built on a “foundation of trust.”
When that trust is eroded, crime rises, she said. Why? Because when some in immigrant populations become victims of crime, they aren’t
comfortable in reporting that because they no longer trust law enforcement.
“That is the fundamental reason that local law enforcement should not be engaged in immigration enforcement,” she declared.
Backlash in San Diego
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said he is still unhappy about an ICE raid that took place in his city’s South Park neighborhood late last month on a Friday evening, when dozens of ICE agents raided a popular Italian restaurant to round up and ultimately arrest four people, according to the website CalMatters.
“It was explained to me that they were looking for a handful of dishwashers, busboys, and waiters and waitresses,” he said. “None of them are known to have any serious criminal offenses.”
Agents used flash-bang grenades and intimidated patrons with their aggressive presence, Gloria said. And he criticized the lack of coordination between federal agents and local law enforcement.
tell you that there wasn’t one arrest,” he said. (Local organizers now say that there were 69,000 people at the demonstration).
“Was that raid in the restaurant focused on making our country safer, or was it focused on sowing fear in that community? Those are the things that we as Americans need to pay attention to,” added Castor.
Before he spoke about the proposed ICE resolution, Mayor Ginther discussed the decision by President Trump to send the California National Guard and U.S. Marines into Los Angeles, and said the conference stands behind L.A. Mayor Karen Bass (who was scheduled to appear at the gathering on Friday).
LOCAL NEWS
“My officers were called to respond to that situation,” he said. “The radio calls were for hundreds of people in the streets that were protesting and blocking traffic. … That lack of coordination … puts everybody at risk, including the federal agents who were doing their job that day.”
ICE officials reportedly had a warrant for 19 individuals who were employed at the restaurant and were alleged to be using falsified green cards.
Gloria noted the No Kings protest Saturday in San Diego, where media reports initially indicated as many as 60,000 came out to protest the Trump administration. “I’m pleased to
“The federal government’s decision to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles without the consent, and indeed over the objection of the governor, is an unprecedented overstep,” he said. “We must acknowledge the seriousness of the protests sparked by these federal actions. People have the fundamental right to peacefully assemble and voice their concerns. That is the cornerstone of American liberty.”
The resolution on ICE actions were scheduled to be discussed last Friday during the Criminal and Social Justice Committee, with the entire body of mayors to vote on the resolution on Sunday, according to a spokesperson for the Conference of Mayors.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@ floridaphoenix.com.
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor (center) with mayors of Atlanta (L) and Columbia.
In case of emergency
St. Pete nonprofit scrambles to continue overdose prevention program after state cuts off funds.
By McKenna Schueler
Three years ago, drug overdose deaths involving opioids like fentanyl—a powerful painkiller—were on the rise, here in Florida and nationwide. In 2021, more than 8,000 people died of fatal drug overdose in Florida alone, with 80% of those deaths involving some kind of opioid.
In response, the state began rolling out a new program to provide opioid overdose prevention kits to the public, expanding on a previous initiative focused on supplying them to Florida’s first responders.
Each overdose prevention kit contains two doses of naloxone, a non-addictive drug that can reverse an opioid overdose. The kits also contain information about addiction treatment options, overdose prevention and places to find naloxone in your community.
A year after that program’s rollout, the Florida Department of Children and Families expanded naloxone distribution efforts by contracting with the St. Petersburg-based nonprofit Florida Harm Reduction Collective to deliver free naloxone to Floridians through a maildelivery program.
This option of mail delivery allows for more anonymity—and makes it more accessible for those in rural communities, for instance, who don’t live close to a county health department or another one of the state’s more than 400 free naloxone pickup providers.
According to DCF, the mail delivery option served to “deliver this lifesaving medication to the doorsteps of Florida’s hardest-to-reach populations, along with localized educational materials and referral resources for overdose and infectious disease prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services.”
The program’s budget allowed for the FHRC to mail at least 500 overdose kits to Floridians’ homes each month, according to state documents. A September brief from the national Opioid Response Network, highlighting Florida’s efforts to curb overdose deaths, notes that more than 9,000 naloxone kits had been mailed to Floridians since the program’s inception in early 2023, resulting in at least 109 instances of overdose reversals (or, in other words, 109 lives saved).
Staff with the FHRC, however, told Orlando Weekly in a recent interview that as of last fall, DCF abruptly terminated their funding for the program—opting not to renew it for the following year.
Tim Santamour, interim executive director of the FHRC, said they weren’t given an explanation. They can only guess at why their contract wasn’t renewed.
“There’s certainly been a little bit of hostility on the state level towards harm reduction as a concept,” Santamour told Orlando Weekly, noting that, of course, harm reduction is literally in the nonprofit’s name.
“We also tend to advocate for other marginalized communities, whether they’re trans communities or, you know, even talking about people who use drugs and the services they deserve that can easily run afoul of conservative politicians and lawmakers.”
DCF, which recently went after a reporter publicly for asking questions, did not respond to multiple attempts by Orlando Weekly to get an explanation for funding loss.
A state-run vendor portal online confirms that DCF hasn’t paid the FHRC for its services since late October.
According to a budget breakdown from DCF, the funding for the mail delivery program had helped pay for the salary and benefits of two staff members to administer the program, in addition to postage costs, the naloxone, and other operational costs.
Prior to the state contract, the FHRC had already been mailing out naloxone to Floridians in partnership with NEXTDistro, a New York-based harm reduction group. According to DCF documents, this prior experience is one of the reasons the nonprofit was chosen for the state contract. “[T]he Florida Harm Reduction Collective (FLHRC) is the only Florida-based non-profit with experience operating a mail-based naloxone distribution service,” the state agency noted in its proposal for the program.
What’s lost
The nonprofit’s state-funded mail naloxone program, the only one of its kind in Florida, had received about $250,000 in state funding annually since 2023, allowing the group to mail anywhere from 400 to more than 2,000 overdose kits to people’s homes each month.
Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, can quite literally save lives. As an opioid antagonist, the medication can block the deadly effects of an opioid overdose by binding to opioid receptors in the brain.
“FLHRC’s Board of Directors includes a diverse representation of people with lived experience in substance use and professionals working at harm reduction and recovery programs across the state,” the proposal continues. “The Board is majority women; 40% people of color; 40% LGBTQ; and includes people with lived experience related to homelessness and incarceration.”
Working with those who have lived experience in these matters is generally considered a plus. They know how to reach and connect with
vulnerable populations in a way that others can’t. And in this case, it’s life or death.
People with a history of drug use who have been incarcerated, for instance, are at a much higher risk of fatal overdose compared to the general population. This is particularly true in the early days following release, since a person’s ability to tolerate their former drug of choice has likely declined.
Dr. Thomas Hall, director of Orange County’s Drug-Free Community Coalition, previously Orlando Weekly last year that one in five of those who die of fatal overdose in Orange County is someone with addiction who was recently released from the jail system.
“I think it goes to the low support and the stigma and limited opportunities,” Hall shared in an interview in September. “Then, with the lack of social support, if somebody is not housed, if they don’t have friends, they don’t have social support of others, it’s a lot easier to relapse.”
The county, along with several others in Florida now, has been working to address the issue through jail-based treatment programs that offer medication-assisted treatment, the ‘gold standard’ treatment for opioid addiction. Medication for opioid use disorder, such as methadone and buprenorphine, can help curb cravings for opioids, and can cut the risk of overdose in half.
“Of the people who died from an overdose in 2023 and were released from jail within the prior 365 days, none of them were involved with our MAT Treatment program,” Dr. Raul Pino, director of Orange County Health Services, said in a recent statement.
Overdose deaths in Orange County (mostly tied to opioids) declined an estimated 30% in 2024, a feat attributed in part to efforts to get naloxone into the hands of more people. Dr. Hall, who’s leading the county’s efforts to address the overdose crisis, told Orlando Weekly in March that more than 25,000 naloxone kits were distributed throughout the county from last October through December alone. “There’s a whole lot of people working on this,” he said. The naloxone kits that Orange County has distributed—in partnership with nonprofits like Largest Heart and Project Opioid—were paid for with funds the county received through national legal settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributed by the state.
The Florida Harm Reduction Collective’s mail delivery program—a statewide initiative— was specifically funded through Florida’s State Opioid Response Project.
That project, administered by DCF, is funded by a federal grant from the Substance Abuse
on page 22
SAVE-A-LOT: Over the counter naloxone nasal spray for opioid overdose continued
and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that is facing potential budget cuts under the Trump administration. DCF has for several years now received about $50 million for overdose prevention efforts through that SAMHSA grant annually.
According to recent transaction history, DCF reported as recently as May that their federal grant money from SAMHSA is being used in part to support the FHRC’s mail naloxone program—even though that’s not actually the case. DCF did not respond to a request for an explanation of this discrepancy.
Still a problem
Overdose deaths involving opioids in the U.S. have been on the decline in most parts of the county over the last year, from roughly 110,000 reported overdose deaths in 2023 to about 87,000 during the one-year period that ended September
2024. Florida has seen a decrease in drug-related deaths, too, but Santamour said this decline isn’t reflected in all communities.
“Deaths are down,” he admitted, “But they’re down disproportionately across communities, especially the Black and brown communities.” That disproportionate impact, he said, has a lot to do with a number of factors around health care disparities, access and stigma around substance use. “That’s why it’s important to continue to have an anonymous, mail-based [naloxone] program,” he argued.
Naloxone was made available for over-thecounter purchase for the first time in 2023, under the Biden administration. Through the DCFrun ISaveFL initiative, the medication is also available for free pickup through more than 400 county health departments and community organizations across Florida, including the LGBT+ Center of Orlando and Recovery Connections of Central Florida.
According to state budget documents, Florida lawmakers have also allocated $250,000 from
the state’ share of national opioid settlement funds this next fiscal year to supply naloxone in every residence hall owned or operated by a Florida public college or university. Lawmakers have also earmarked funds for programs to address behavioral health workforce shortages, expand access to “high-quality treatment” for substance use disorder and expand peer support recovery services.
What’s next?
The fate of the state’s naloxone mail delivery program, however, is unclear. Santamour told Orlando Weekly that although they’re no longer receiving state funds for their mail naloxone program, the program’s not going anywhere—at least not for now.
Naloxone isn’t just for those who are addicted to opioids. Fatal overdose can (and does) also occur by accident, when and if someone takes a drug they believe to be something else that actually contains a potent opioid like fentanyl. Cocaine, meth and fake prescription pills are just a few examples.
Naloxone, when given to a person quickly in the event of an overdose, can save a person’s life. Its accessibility is paramount.
LOCAL NEWS
For now, Santamour said the nonprofit has been paying for the cost of postage—upwards of $2,000 per month since October—to continue the program themselves. They’re currently in the process of searching for alternative funding sources to keep it going.
“Demand for our kits has stayed steady for the three years we’ve run the program. The demand is not going away,” he said. “Folks still see themselves and still see their family members at risk for overdose.”
You can learn more about the Florida Harm Reduction Collective and donate to the organization via flhrc.org.
A version of this post first appeared at our sibling publication Orlando Weekly.
“There’s certainly been a little bit of hostility on the state level towards harm reduction as a concept.”
LOCAL NEWS
Surf’s up
In Clearwater Beach, DeSantis signs bill to relax condo repair restrictions.
By Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation last Monday designed to provide financial relief to condominium owners who have faced serious financial strains from tightened regulations enacted following the 2021 Surfside condo collapse in South Florida. That tragedy, in which a 12-story condominium in northeast Miami-Dade County collapsed without warning, killing 98 people, prompted the Legislature to pass a law in 2022 that mandated that all condo developments undergo certain inspections—with condominium associations ordered to maintain sufficient reserve funds to repair maintenance problems revealed in those inspections.
To pay for those repairs, condo associations began tapping unit owners with expensive special assessments and higher monthly fees, leading to complaints from condo owners that they were being forced out of their homes because of those increased costs. The legislative response (HB 913) signed by the governor on June 23 allows associations to secure credit lines and invest funds to pay for building repairs instead of immediately raising large amounts of cash from owners. It carves out condos with only three residential stories from those inspections. And it extends the deadline for certain associations to have a
structural integrity reserve study completed by Dec. 31, 2025, rather than Dec. 31, 2024.
“People need to be able to afford to live in these units and, especially if they’re getting assessments on things that maybe they do need to be done but it isn’t like the integrity of the structure is at risk here, they need to be able to work those out, and you shouldn’t have this mandate applied in that way,” DeSantis said while hosting a press conference at Island Way Grill on Clearwater Beach.
Earlier calls for this legislation
The governor began calling for the Legislature to deal with the emerging problems resulting from the 2022 condo legislation last summer, but lawmakers resisted his efforts. Then-Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said last August that the issue could be addressed during the regular legislative session, and she and outgoing House Speaker Paul Renner resisted a second request DeSantis made while holding a roundtable discussion on the issue in Pinellas County last September.
Flash forward to this January, when DeSantis again called on lawmakers to address the issue as part of a special legislative session that would also deal with immigration, reforms
to citizen-led constitutional amendments, and hurricane relief. And again, the Legislature rebuffed his request.
“I know a lot of people were really disappointed in the leadership, particularly in the House of Representatives, for not being willing to address it at that time and, quite frankly, it didn’t look that promising through a lot of the legislative session,” the governor said last Monday, before adding that the condo-owning public motivated lawmakers to pass something of substance this year.
“I think that this will provide some relief, but it’s also a very complicated set of issues that you’re dealing with, and if this legislation takes hold on July 1, hopefully we’ll see a lot of good things, but to the extent that there needs to be some cleanup next year when the Legislature reconvenes, we’d got to be willing to do that,” he said.
“We all attempted to make sure that there was never a collapse again, like what happened at Surfside” said Clearwater Republican Sen. Ed Hooper. “We overreacted, probably, and now it’s time to make the change. People were losing their homes. Elderly people were losing their condos because they could not afford to make the increase and their monthly HOA [home owner association] fees. That’s just wrong.”
Revisions to My Safe Florida Condo Pilot DeSantis signed a second bill (HB 393) last Monday revising the My Safe Florida Condo Pilot Project. The new law prohibits a condo
association from applying for a grant or an inspection under the program unless it has complied with milestone inspection and structural integrity reserve requirements.
It now says that only 75% of unit owners, rather than 100%, must approve applying for the grant. It revises the roof improvements eligible for funding and clarifies that all grants under the program must be matched on the basis of $1 provided by the condo associations for every $2 provided by the state towards the actual cost of the program. Ronni Drimmer is president of a condominium association board at a 55-plus community in Clearwater. She thanked the governor for providing relief for condo owners, but went a bit off script to say that she wished the legislation could do something about the high cost of property insurance at her building.
“At the moment, we don’t have hurricane insurance because they raised the deductible so high at $600,000,” she said. “Then it doesn’t really pay for insurance when a roof is only $500,000. So we’re in a little bit of a precarious situation right now, so I’m hoping something will be done about that.”
Along with Hooper, other Pinellas Republicans in attendance included state Sen. Nick DiCeglie and state Reps. Kim Berfield and Linda Chaney. Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.
CON-DO-OVER: Florida legislators are peeling back post-Surfside condo regulations.
KEVIN J KING/SHUTTERSTOCK
When it rains
Tampa flood experts among those worried national rainfall database won’t be updated.
By Laura Cassels/The Florida Trident
Acadre of engineers and planners who design America’s roads, bridges, hospitals and other critical infrastructure fear that an emerging tool that would replace the nation’s out-of-date rainfall and flood data is on the Trump Administration chopping block.
The new tool, Atlas 15, uses modernized rainfall data to allow engineers to design and build infrastructure to withstand flooding for decades to come as extreme rainfall predictably worsens. Without it, the engineers and planners say, they would be forced to rely on old data that understates flood risks and puts infrastructure in harm’s way. They are calling on federal officials to save Atlas 15, as heated debate on the federal budget continues.
Chad Berginnis, who directs the national Association of State Floodplain Managers, said there is an urgent need for authoritative data reflecting how weather patterns have dramatically changed over several decades and as recently as last year.
“If I could have it today, I’d have it today. It’s that urgent,” said Berginnis, a certified floodplain manager based in Madison, Wisconsin. “In a large part of the country, infrastructure today is undersized … and it’s because of how old that…data is.”
Planners and engineers in Florida are eager to see Atlas 15 completed and released on schedule this fall.
“It needs to happen,” said Brad Hubbard, a civil engineer and certified floodplain manager who is founder and president of National Flood Experts in Tampa. “I’m excited about new data coming in. It’s overdue. I’ve designed a lot of sites from a civil engineering perspective, and new, better rainfall data will decrease the likelihood of flood, especially urban flooding.”
Hubbard says his office building just west of Tampa International Airport floods frequently now when it did not in the past. And it’s not because of hurricane-driven storm surge.
“My office here in Tampa, it floods every time it rains hard,” Hubbard said. “It wasn’t designed to take 4 inches of rain in one hour, so when that happens, we get water in our building.”
Damage was unprecedented
Having survived three major hurricanes last year that are not reflected in NOAA’s current vault of rainfall data in Atlas 14, Pinellas County Floodplain Coordinator Lisa Foster said local governments need better information to work with. Foster also is a co-chair of the Association of State Floodplain Managers’ insurance committee and its risk-rating 2.0 working group.
“Data is something that needs to be updated continuously. … We absolutely need it,” Foster
said. “Local governments can’t do this level of modeling.”
Just last year, she explained, Hurricane Debby (in August) was a compound flooding event with heavy rainfall and minor storm surge; Helene (September) was all storm surge, at 7 feet, flooding nearly 30,000 structures; and Milton (October) brought torrential inland rain that flooded another 12,000. The damage was unprecedented. Foster took note, of course, but none of that rainfall data is captured in Atlas 14 for future use, though it would be incorporated into Atlas 15.
As in Pinellas County and other Florida counties, Jacksonville is actively investing in infrastructure to provide flood resiliency and knows it could design those projects better with the next-gen rainfall models emerging in Atlas
as one of the inputs, one of the things that has been studied, to arrive at … final guidance that communities get on how to prepare for rain,” Coglianese said. She said release of the modernized data would protect people, property and dollars.
“There’s a whole host of projects in our capital improvement plan that address flood resilience. Part of our responsibility as local government officials is to make smart financial decisions for our taxpayers … to determine what is at risk and make sure we’re putting the right interventions in place,” Coglianese said. She cited two major projects among them.
modernize the atlas, which finally occurred in 2021 with passage of the Biden-era Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aka the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“If I could have it today, I’d have it today. It’s that urgent.”
“Like many communities, we’re doing a major
15. Jacksonville has 1,500 linear miles of shoreline, one of the longest shorelines in the nation, including miles of dense development on its beaches and along the St. Johns River. The river runs right through the city, gathering not only local rainfall but also runoff from upstream.
Jacksonville Chief Resilience Officer Ann Coglianese is eager to replace old data in Atlas 14 with the updated and predictive data in Atlas 15.
“One of the things, when I’ve been talking with folks about Atlas 15 is really drawing on the reference to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. That was a major rain event that had catastrophic impacts. Whatever data set we’re using nationally to talk about rainfall intensity, duration and frequency should have that storm
pump station project, on LaSalle Street in the neighborhood of San Marco which has chronic flood challenges. We’re doing a major restoration along McCoys Creek which means to work with that creek system to create more floodplain and spaces for that water to go at peak stages. … Both of those really rely on data in how they’re designed.”
Status unknown
Atlas 15—the 15th edition of the nation’s precipitation-frequency atlas—is two years into development at NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and was scheduled to debut this fall. NOAA had requested congressional funding to
The new atlas would ditch decades-old rainfall data found in Atlas 14 and instead would forecast flooding in two parts: Volume 1, recent rainfall observations that account for altered weather patterns so far, and Volume 2, increasingly severe rainfall expected in years ahead, based on intensifying changes in the climate. In other words, Atlas 14 is about rainfall past, Atlas 15 Vol. 1 is about rainfall present, and Atlas 15 Vol. 2 is about rainfall future – vital information when building a home or a bridge intended to serve for decades.
Atlas 14 drew a harsh critique in 2023 from First Street Foundation, a nonprofit research group that connects climate risk to financial risk. First Street analysts warned that infrastructure designed under Atlas 14 rainfall data is out of date. For example, it said: “In the worst cases, what is currently estimated to be an infrequent and severe 1-in-100 year flood event is actually a much more frequent 1-in-8 year event.”
Despite enthusiasm around Atlas 15, the work has gone quiet, employees have resigned, and concerns are mounting that all or part of the project may be shelved due to budget cuts at NOAA and anti-climate-science sentiment. (President Trump called climate change “a hoax” in 2022. Project 2025, produced by the conservative Heritage Foundation to influence federal policy, says climate-change research should be halted and calls NOAA a driver of an alleged “climate change alarm industry.” In Florida, references to climate change were removed from state records last year by order of HB 1654, and in 2021, Gov. Ron DeSantis called climate concerns “left-wing stuff.”)
The only member of the Atlas 15 team to provide comments was lead scientist Ken Kunkel, a principal research scholar at North Carolina State University’s Institute for Climate Studies. He has studied heavy precipitation for more than 30 years and hopes that completion of Atlas 15, volumes 1 and 2 will be the capstone of his career. He declined to comment on the operational status of the project and demurred to officials at NOAA.
The vital difference between Atlas 14 and Atlas 15, Kunkel said, is that the old model
continued on page 31
POUR HOUSES: Post-Milton flooding in Pasco County.
was based on the science of a “stationary climate” that no longer exists, while the new model accounts for scientific evidence of a changing climate that will continue to change.
“The planet has warmed. The basic physics we’re talking about are solid and simple. A lot of places are changing and we have to recognize that,” Kunkel said.
Repeated questions from the Florida Trident about the status of Atlas 15 were not answered by NOAA’s National Weather Service; by the Office of Water Prediction, tasked with leading the project; nor by two contractors hired to work on it.
Bipartisan, interstate support
As in Florida, floodplain managers in other states want to save Atlas 15. In Virginia, with major cities on coastlines, bays and rivers, planners call the long-awaited update “critical,” “vital” and “essential” to help them build infrastructure that is not doomed to fail due to extreme rainfall and worsening flooding.
The Hampton Roads commission voted unanimously to write to the U.S. Department of Commerce, of which NOAA is a branch, to the acting director of NOAA and to its congressional delegation calling for the timely completion of Atlas 15.
Two weeks later, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, representing 13 local governments including Alexandria and Fairfax, also wrote to those authorities saying, “Our region faces increasing challenges related to climate change” and that any stoppage in development of Atlas 15 is “deeply concerning.”
“We urge the Department of Commerce to complete and release this critical scientific resource as originally planned. … Pausing work on Volume 2 jeopardizes the ability of local governments, utilities, engineers, and planners to prepare effectively for projected increases in rainfall and the intensifying impacts of storm events,” the letter says, in part.
“Flooding is a common and deadly natural disaster in the U.S., resulting in over $25 billion in annual economic losses. … Events in my home state of Mississippi, such as the prolonged opening of the Bonnet Carré spillway and the Pearl River and Yazoo backwater floods, underscore the importance of an effective understanding and response to high water. This legislation would protect lives and property by directing NOAA to improve its flood monitoring, forecasting, and communication efforts.”
LOCAL NEWS
U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, sponsored the FLOODS (Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support) legislation and funding that created Atlas 15. It was cosponsored by Democrats Cory Booker of New Jersey and Gary Peters of Michigan and a second Republican, Joni Ernst of Iowa. When he announced the legislation in 2021, Wicker called for advancements in federal science to help reduce casualties and damages caused by flooding, not only on coastlines but wherever water rises.
‘Bad deal’ for taxpayers Meanwhile, a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard that formerly required federally funded infrastructure and housing to account for extreme rainfall expected in the near future was revoked on the first day of Trump’s second term.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the standard’s removal from its policies in March, writing: “Stopping implementation will reduce the total timeline to rebuild in disaster-impacted communities and eliminate additional costs previously required to adhere to these strict requirements.”
“It’s dead under this administration,” said Berginnis, the floodplain manager. “It’s a bad deal for the U.S. taxpayers not to build this stuff
to a more flood-resilient standard. Because it just simply means it will get damaged again and rebuilt again and damaged again.”
State and local governments may choose to adopt flood risk-management standards for themselves, as detailed by the American Society of Civil Engineers in its version, a new “Flood Resilience Standard” known as ASCE 24-24. Berginnis said the Association of State Floodplain Managers heartily endorses the voluntary standard, which provides guidance on how to build for resilience in areas where extreme rainfall is expected to become normal in the near future.
In Tampa, Hubbard endorses the new standard, saying it is wise to invest whenever you can in greater resilience than to build to minimum standards based on yesteryear conditions.
“I’m a conservative person by nature, and I would rather spend an extra couple of dollars and know that I’m safe, rather than sweating it out every time something’s in the Gulf,” he said. Berginnis said his organization urges “all communities to adopt it.”
Laura Cassels is a veteran Florida journalist and former Capitol Bureau chief who specializes in science, the environment, and the economy. This article first appeared on Florida Trident and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
FLOAT ON: Ashley Mora (front) and Remington Curtis in Zephyrhills, Florida on Oct. 14, 2024.
“That would be the best NIL deal in the world.”
RESTAURANTS RECIPES DINING GUIDES
So good, bro
Bucs
rookie Shilo Sanders has deep thoughts about this Tampa restaurant.
By Jani Burden
Shilo Sanders is hungry, and the rookie safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers says he found a new place to take his mom when she comes into town. The 25-year-old recently kicked off his new YouTube series “Tampa Food Tour” with a brunch trip to Michelin-recommended restaurant The Pearl, before venturing to one of Water Street’s favorite French-inspired restaurants, Boulon Brasserie.
Sanders—who signed a threeyear $2.9 million contract with the Tampa Bay Bucs after going undrafted—is spending that money wisely, on expensive food.
meant it was time for the “highlight of his brunch.” Dessert.
“This dessert is so good bro. I don’t know what’s in it. I don’t know what they make it with. I don’t even know what it is, but I know one thing: it is very good,” Sanders said.
Lucky for you, I can tell you exactly what it was. He was served chocolate pots of creme topped with marshmallow fluff— so if you’ve ever wondered what accomplished athletes use to fuel there’s your answer.
FOOD NEWS
Sports Illustrated says Sanders, who is the son of NFL legend and Colorado football Deion Sanders, racked up about $6.5 million during his five-year college career between NIL, endorsements and social media, but in his newest Tampa Food Tour experience he said, “If I got free food from here, that would be the best NIL deal in the world.”
Sanders had no care for pacing during his meal either, and wanted the food “as soon as it’s done” because he and his cameraman and friend Dom were ready to stuff their faces.
The sparkling-water-loving football star ordered a little bit of everything at Boulon and had a four-top table covered in plates at one point. But he made sure to include a cup of fruit and a caesar salad—because balance is key.
Sanders was “having a good time with his caesar salad” and his Best of the Bay-winning blue crab beignets before having to switch gears to the rest of his brunch order, which included staples like eggs, bacon, hash browns, and a big ol’ plate of french toast he lathered it in butter.
The Boulon regular’s main course was rigatoni with blackened chicken, and while it may sound pretty simple, Sanders’ first bite looked almost emotional. Shortly after the plate hit the table, the rookie leaned back in his seat and put his face in his hand in a moment of reflection and said, “Bro, I could eat this everyday.”
He managed to house almost all of the food, but not without a couple breaks. Sanders even compared himself to a boa constrictor, adding “they just eat a little bit, then chill. Look around, talk… then we get back to it.”
After his more or less spiritual journey with the rigatoni, the spoons came out which
Sanders performed well in college for five years and was known for his defense against the run (which is something the Bucs could definitely use a little more of).
Clearly Sanders isn’t the only one who enjoys Boulon because on the way out—between taking photos and talking to the camera—he ran into an old friend of his dad’s, WWE and Tampa legend, Ric Flair. Flair admitted he didn’t recognize Sanders—who was Flair’s self-proclaimed “first Black nephew.”
Sanders gave the dessert a 13/10 and a hefty round of applause before boxing up the rest for later. He also took home the rest of the beignets, but not before offering them to the viewers— unfortunately that’s not how YouTube works.
His $130 outing (by my calculations) seemed to be worth it considering the giddy smile Sanders had plastered on his face for the duration of the meal.
Tampa shop lands on Yelp list of ‘Top 50 donut shops in the US’ Yelpers are at it again. The ratings website tapped its “elite” users for a new list of the “Top 50 donut shops in the US,” and just one Tampa Bay area shop made the cut. Hole In One Donut—located at 14406 N Florida Ave. in the Lake Magdalene neighborhood of Hillsborough County—is one of just three Florida shops to make the list along with Donut King in Minneola and DG Doughnuts in Ocoee.
On the website, Hole In One, which actually operates locations in Tarpon Springs, Seffner Brandon and Plant City, has a 4.7 average and nearly 360 reviews. Recent takes laud the quick service, freshness of the rounds, and special orders.
In 2023, Hole In One Donuts also took home Reader’s and Critic’s picks selections in Creative
Loafing Tampa Bay’s Best of the Bay awards. Elite Yelpers get a badge on the website and are supposed to be more trustworthy, but have not escaped scrutiny in the past.
The “elite” reviews aren’t the only spicy thing at Hole In One either. The menu also includes a “kolache jalepeño” featuring smoked sausage rolled in sweet bread with the pepper and cheese.
—Ray Roa
Decades after leaving, fast food chain Bojangles has plans to return to Tampa Bay Chain or homegrown, Tampa Bay loves a fried chicken joint—and one that hasn’t had a presence in the area for about three decades has plans to return. A Bojangles is opening in Pinellas Park at 7930 US-Hwy 19 N, according to St. Pete Rising, which added that there is no official opening date. The chain—born nearly 48 years ago in North Carolina—has 10 Florida locations, according to its website, but the closest one in Ocala is temporarily closed. Ready to clog arteries at the crack of dawn, Bojangles is famous for its biscuit sandwiches, Bo rounds (aka seasoned hash browns), and Cajun-spiced fried chicken. Bojangles hasn’t had a presence in the Tampa Bay area since the ‘80s—and we guess it’s time to update this list of 25 fast-food chains that aren’t in Tampa Bay, but need to be.—RR
LETTUCE PRAY: Shilo Sanders did include a salad in his brunch spread.
Hola, chico
27 fast-food chains that aren’t in Tampa Bay, but need to be.
By CL staff
Bonchon, Shake Shack and Raising Canes have all entered the chat, and Bojangles and Whataburger have even announced plans to return to the Tampa Bay area. But let’s be honest, there’s never enough when it comes to fast food guilty pleasures. Somehow, all these people moving to our neighborhoods from other states haven’t brought with them these comfort staples. (When are we getting an In-N-Out?!) Here are a few chains with cult-like followings that aren’t in Tampa Bay, but probably need to be.
Arctic Circle You might not have heard of Arctic Circle, but the Utah-based burger chain lays claim to some of the staples of fast food that we know today. For example, Arctic Circle claims to have invented fry sauce, chocolate-dipped ice cream cones and kid’s meals back in the ‘50s (though others say the now defunct Burger Chef franchise actually invented the kid’s meal). In more recent years, the chain added halibut, taco salads and Black Angus burgers to their menu. What hasn’t changed? No Florida locations.
Big John Steak & Onion Big John Steak and Onion has the kind of straightforward and longstanding business plan that deserves a tip of the hat. After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This Flint Michigan-based sub shop chain has the same specialty that “Big” John Klobucar started back in 1972, the steak and onion sandwich of course. With some 47 years of thin-slicing ribeye already, go ahead and take Big John’s word for it.
Bojangles’ Famous Chicken and Biscuits Bojangles’ never-frozen chicken is delivered daily and it’s culinary wizards crank out a batch of biscuits every 20 minutes on average. Needless to say, it’s good stuff. Unfortunately, this southern staple of chicken frying and fresh biscuit baking is woefully absent in the Bay. There are three Bojangles’ in Jacksonville. Three! Get it together Bojangles’!
Cafe Rio From refreshing mint limeade to succulent sweet pork enchiladas, Cafe Rio
pays homage to the flavors of Northern Mexico, Southern Texas, and New Mexico by focusing on their Mani“fresh”to. According to the Manifreshto, Cafe Rio makes its tortillas instore and uses farm-to-table ingredients for its salsas which are handmade each morning. Unfortunately, it may not be so fresh anymore once you make it home from their closest location: Winter Park. Let’ go Cafe Rio, there’s prime real estate over here in the Bay!
Chico’s Tacos If you ever run into someone from El Paso, Texas, mention Chico’s Tacos. The family owned Mexican joint is a right of passage for the border city, receiving shout outs from politicians, rock stars and comedians who have fallen prey to the allure of sauce-drenched tacos and mountains of cheese. From what we hear about Chico’s addicting tradition, we’re ready for what comedian Gabriel Iglesias calls the only tacos you can drink.
location in 2018. Now, the Tar Heel favorite will soon make its debut in the Tampa Bay area. Last year, reports said Cook Out will open locations in Temple Terrace and Carrollwood. Hillsborough County property records show that the company purchased two former Boston Market locations, one at 5501 E Fowler Ave. in Temple Terrace, and the other at 16215 N Dale Mabry Hwy. in Carrollwood.
DINING GUIDE
Cook Out Cook Out runs the gamut of delectable fast food offerings with over 40 milkshakes, fresh char grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ, chicken, corn dogs, quesadillas, hushpuppies, fries and more. The North Carolina-based operation opened its 250th
Del Taco If you’re really craving Del Taco, you aren’t totally shit-out-of-luck. This Mexican/Americana fast food haven has locations in Orlando and Bradenton. Del Taco’s fresh ingredients, vegan options and low prices might even make it worth the drive. Honestly, though, we want to try some secret menu hacks over here in the Bay. Supposedly, if you say “go bold” at the end of your order, they put crinkle-cut fries on your taco, or burrito, or burger or whatever. Intriguing. El Pollo Loco Not to be confused with Pollo Tropical, El Pollo Loco is what happens when the SoCal lifestyle meets Sinaloa, Mexico flavor. Salsas are made from scratch, avocados are sliced fresh, fire-grilled chicken is never frozen and, true to L.A. fashion, vegetarian options are
continued on page 38
DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS: Family-owned Mexican joint Chico’s Tacos is a rite of passage in the Lone Star State.
BILL CHIZEK/SHUTTERSTOCK
available. Now let’s get those L.A. Mex flavors over here in the Bay.
Flying Biscuit You may know Flying Biscuit’s all-day breakfast menu for sopping up hangovers among our neighboring university students in Gainesville. Of course, the chain serves lunch and dinner too, but there’s something to be said for breakfast when the joint is churning out some 5000 fluffy biscuits every week. Now if only those biscuits could fly just a bit further South.
Harold’s Chicken Shack Born and bred in 1950s South Side Chicago, Harold’s Chicken has become a cultural icon in the community for its specially prepared fried chicken and historic black ownership. Harold’s success has allowed the chain to expand to at least 17 locations and has garnered praise from stars like Kanye West, Common, Rhymefest, J.U.I.C.E., G Herbo, Chance the Rapper, Freddie Gibbs, Lupe Fiasco and Dreezy. Kendrick Lamar even claims to have flown to Harold’s all the way from Rome just for dinner. Want to buy us a ticket Kendrick?
In-N-Out Burger A cult classic, plain and simple. The So-Cal native burger chain has been referenced in verses from Childish Gambino and received the stamp of approval from Mayor of Flavortown himself, Guy Fieri. Supposedly, the chain even contributed to Tupac and Biggie’s East Coast/West Coast rivalry, by pitting In-NOut against Shake Shack. Some say that keeping close to the Golden State adds to In-N-Out’s novelty appeal, but isn’t it high time to settle the feud once and for all?
Jack In The Box Ever struggle to decide between picking up tacos or going out for burgers? Well, Jack In The Box could solve this, and a variety of other snack-related problems, if it would grace us with its presence. Unfortunately, if you want to try Jack In The Box’s famous purple Coca-Colas and sourdough bacon burgers, you’ll need to start heading west. The chain’s closest location is in Houston… for now.
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Florida will probably never get a Rainbow Drive-In or Hawaiian-style 7-Eleven, but let’s hold out hope for L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. The 73-yearold Honolulu-born chain now has hundreds of locations, even on the mainland where there’s a presence all over California, all the way to Washington, Texas and even Idaho and Colorado. L&L—which features classic plate lunches like Loco Moco, and, yes, Spam musubi—has even made a foray into the South with locations in Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. Come on down to the Sunshine State, hoaloha.
Lion’s Choice Lion’s Choice’s menu of top-round roast beef, slow-roasted daily and thin-sliced for roast beef sandwiches could is enough to satisfy any hungry predator, or say a Tampa native who’s sick of Arby’s. For now, this carnivore’s delight can only be found in and around St. Louis. If everything the light touched was your kingdom, wouldn’t you think
about setting up shop in the Sunshine State?
Take a hint Lion’s Choice.
Milo’s Hamburgers Milo’s claim to fame? Its fan-favorite secret sauce, handspun milkshakes and burgers with “a little something extra.” Milo’s started by slinging patties for the toughest-of-the-tough in Birmingham — steel workers. In order to fill these macho-men’s ravenous appetites and thank them for their loyal business, the growing chain started slapping extra chunks of patty onto its saucy burgers. Now with nearly 20 locations in Alabama, we’re asking for “a little something extra” to come our way.
Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Arkansas. Come on Pizza Ranch, why not go for 14?
DINING GUIDE
Schlotzsky’s Schlotzsky’s traditions fit right into the slogan of its home city, “Keep Austin weird.” Over the years, Schlotzsky’s has expanded from serving a single sandwich option on a frisbee, to offering a variety of sandwiches, unique salads, pizzas and now sliders. From fresh-baked bread to unconventional flavors, it’s high time for the Bay to get a Schlotzsky’s.
Swig While the original home of the controversial dirty soda hasn’t entered the Bay Area just yet, its popularity is booming and recently announced plans to come to Pasco County. The first location will be at Cypress Creek Town Center in Pasco County, but another is expected to come to St. Petersburg. Lease negotiations are also underway to find more locations in the area. The concept offers any mix of fruity flavors into your favorite soda because it’s “socially unacceptable” to have a Pina Colada before 12 p.m. This is a delightful mix-and-match experience sure to get your tastebuds dancing.
Pita Pit It’s not a party until the pita shows up. Pita Pit offers things from pitas to bowls to satisfy anyone with a Greek cuisine hankering.
Stewart’s Shops With over 335 locations tucked away in the Northeast, word of Stewart’s wide variety of home-style ice cream flavors drifts down to what is arguably the hottest state in the Union. Sure, the subs and coffees that
While the chain has pre-made options, it also has a build your own bowl or pita wrap—almost a healthier take on traditional fast food.
Pizza Ranch Back in the day (the ‘80s that is), Adrie Groeneweg got sick of having to leave his hometown of Hull, Iowa for pizza, so he started a franchise all his own. After blowout success back home, Pizza Ranch and its scratch-made pies have expanded to 13 different states, slinging cheesy goodness across Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska,
grace Stewart’s menu sound nice, but in the heat of Florida summer, our main focus should be on getting some of that ice cream shipped south.
Swensons Drive-in Home of the Galley Boy, Swensons is known for its cheeseburgers. While offering different combinations of burgers, it also provides a lot of potato accompaniments including potato teezers, which are a potatocheese-jalapeño combo. Also try their sips of the month: a peach cobbler shake or peach lemonade whip to compliment this hearty meal.
The Varsity This family Atlanta institution has been owned and operated by the Gordy family for over 90 years. Over those 90-odd years, The Varsity has created its own dictionary for the menu of hot dogs, hamburgers and onion rings. For example, “Heavy Weight” = Hot dog with extra chili, “Glorified Steak” = Hamburger with mayo, lettuce and tomato and “Please” = bring The Varsity to Florida. Okay, so we made that last one up, but can you blame us?
Wetzel’s Pretzels Soft pretzels are not to be forgotten. This fast-food joint is most comparable to Auntie Anne’s, but way more fun to say. Mostly found in malls—and with locations in Downtown Disney and greater Orlando— Wetzel’s has cheese pretzels, pretzel dogs and five different dip options. To wash it all down, it has fresh or frozen lemonade.
Whataburger With most locations open 24 hours, its made-to-order juicy burgers and crispy thin fries are the perfect late night snack. If you’re a sauce person, the fancy or spicy ketchup is great to lock in the flavor. The eight previous Bay area locations closed long ago, but Whataburger is slated to reopen in Wesley Chapel as early as 2026. White Castle The nearest branch of this iconic burger joint resides in Orlando. If your travels have been limited to our neck of the woods, you may still be familiar with White Castle from the franchise’s freezer section sliders. Of course, any true connoisseur of fast food will tell you that these tasty little patties are best served straight off the flat-top.
Wienerschnitzel Wienerschnitzel serves burgers, sandwiches and breakfast, but the real draw is the dogs. Smothered in chili, battered and fried or just stuck in a bun, Wienerschnitzel is the largest hot dog chain in the world. In the words of Wienerschnitzel itself, “Nobody should have to live without Wienerschnitzel.” Well here we are, living without a Wienerschnitzel. Yoshinoya Yoshinoya takes a modern spin on Japanese-inspired cuisine with a menu full of flavorful rice bowls. You may not have heard of Yoshinoya, but it is nothing new. The chain launched its first restaurant over a century ago in Tokyo, and the chain arrived in the U.S. West Coast back in ‘79. Today, Yoshinoya has over 2000 locations worldwide. With that kind of success, we’re bound to see a Yoshinoya in the Bay one of these days.
SO GYUDON: Yoshinoya launched over a century ago in Tokyo, and arrived in the U.S. back in ‘79.
Thursday, June 26, 2025 • 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Viberti Barolo Wine Dinner @ Chateau Cellars Ybor 2009 N. 22nd St. Tampa
$114.47 tickets bit.ly/VibertiWineDinner
Friday, June 27, 2025 • 8:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Sound Xchange: Afro Jam @ 1920 Ybor
1920 East 7th Avenue, Tampa
Tickets from $21.30 bit.ly/AfroJamYbor
Saturday, June 28, 2025 • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Ybor City Coffee & Tea Poetry Night @ Ybor City Coffee and Tea Co
1907 North 19th Street Tampa
Open to the public, Poetry competition $49.87 bit.ly/PoetryNightYbor
Saturday, June 7, 2025 • Doors 7:00 PM, Show 8:00 PM
Billy Woods “Golligwog Tour 2025” @ Crowbar 1509 East 8th Avenue, Tampa 1812 N 17th St Tampa
Tickets - $33.53 crowbarybor.com/calendar/#/events
Saturday, June 28, 2025 • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Prideful Protest Burlesque Showcase @ The Commodore 811 East 7th Avenue Tampa bit.ly/PridefulProtest
Saturday, June 28, 2025 • 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Tampa Pride Bar Crawl @ Centro Cantina
1600 East 8th Avenue #A200 Tampa
Tickets from $15.75 bit.ly/PrideBarCrawlYbor
Sunday, June 29, 2025 • 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sunday Brunch ‘N Funday @ 1920 Ybor
1920 East 7th Avenue, Tampa
Tickets from $12.51 bit.ly/SundayFundayYbor
Friday, July 4, 2025 • 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Lust & Liberty @ 1920 Ybor
1920 East 7th Avenue, Tampa
Tickets from $19.01 bit.ly/LustLiberty
Saturday, July 5, 2025 • 10:00 PM - 3:00 AM EST
R&B EN BLANC @ 7th & Grove
1930 E 7th Ave
Tickets from $12.51 bit.ly/EnBlancYbor
Sunday, July 6, 2025 • 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Marketplace TPA @ 1920 Ybor
1920 East 7th Avenue, Tampa
Tickets from $30.66
bit.ly/MarketplaceTPA
Barterhouse Ybor 1811 N 15th St a, Tampa barterhouseybor.com The Attic Cafe 1920 E 7th Ave, Tampa atticcafe.net
Tampa’s oldest tattoo shop bluedeviltattoo.com
Stained Market Place 2106 E 15th Ave, Tampa
Rasoi Indian Cuisine 1701 E 8th Ave, Tampa rasoitampa.com Blue Devil Tattoo 1603 E 7th Ave Tampa
Thrift, DIY, Salvaged Furniture, Decor, Vintage Salvage, Thrift Store, Garden Salvage, Wood stainedmarket.square.site
Casa Ybor
Casa Ybor offers unique retail spaces, office spaces, and apartment homes for rent or lease in both newly constructed and lovingly restored historic buildings throughout the vibrant National Historic Landmark District of Ybor City near Downtown Tampa, Florida. casaybor.com
La Union
Community, connection, and culture come together at La Unión Apartments, where Tampa’s rich history and vibrant future unite. Inspired by the historic social hall once on this site, our Ybor City apartments honor that legacy by fostering bonds among residents, the neighborhood, and the area’s deep-rooted heritage. bit.ly/LaUnionYbor
Seventh Avenue Candles 3810 E. 7th Ave. Tampa
Premium apothecary candles steeped in a rich family heritage seventhavenuecandles.com
LOCAL NEWS
St. Pete Pride Trans March and Parade Saturday, June 28. Bayshore Drive, downtown St. Petersburg. No cover. stpetepride.org
MOVIES THEATER ART CULTURE
Different strokes
Eric Vaughan talks about the work he does as St. Pete’s LGBTQ+ liaison.
By Ray Roa
Five years after St. Petersburg’s Pride crosswalk mural was painted on the corner of Central Avenue N and 25th Street S, Eric Vaughan once again has 38 gallons of paint in his Lake Maggiore Shores garage. “The colors are the full progressive rainbow, which includes Black and brown,” Vaughan, 37, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
On Thursday, Vaughan, who was named the City of St. Petersburg’s LGBTQ+ Liaison last April, will welcome members of the community back to the mural for its annual touch up. “It’s less because of wear and tear and more so to do a community project,” the New York City native added.
That effort is emblematic of so much of the work the Sunshine City does to make itself as inclusive as possible—a project that will be on display this weekend when the Southeast’s largest Pride parade takes over the downtown waterfront.
“At our core, we are a place where everyone is supported, is loved, is welcomed, and that’s just who we are,” Brandi Gabbard, councilwoman for St. Pete’s District 2, told CL. She added that leading with empathy gets to the core idea that people have more in common than they do differences. “We want to welcome everyone with diverse perspectives and diverse lifestyles. If you want to be part of a beautiful place, come to the city of St Pete, because you’re welcome here.”
Vaughan took it a step further and said St. Pete residents understand the historical makeup of the city and realize that it takes every person in the city to make it what it is. “Even if you may not be completely for LGBTQ rights, you do understand that there are some individuals here that are gay, or lesbian, or bisexual, or trans, who have history in the city, who make up the city, and who contribute in huge ways,” he said.
Vaughan grew up in Harlem under homophobic circumstances during the ‘90s and stayed in the closet longer than he wanted to. He didn’t find a community until after he started college and moved to Chicago. But he spent even more years unlearning parts of his past before he felt comfortable.
“I wish that people had the opportunity to just be themselves,” he said, adding that he didn’t want the next generation to have the same experience. So he got into education, earned master’s degrees in social justice and journalism, then taught college and high school. But in the classroom teaching “Beowulf” was not where he belonged.
“My place was working with people who felt like they were marginalized, people having issues at home, and really working with those kids to let them know that things are going to get better— life’s going to get better,” Vaughan added.
He’s been doing that work in different capacities for the last decade, and just this week spent time distributing an official city flag that is Pride themed. And, yes, there is still a lot of work to do.
Valerie Smith, journalist and co-founder of St. Pete publication The Sapphic Sun, acknowledges and appreciates that the city has done a lot for the LGBTQ+ community and continues that work.
“But a lot of the support for the LGBTQ+ community that comes from the City of St. Pete has been very tautological. They’re saying ‘We are allies because we say we’re allies. We’re a good place for gay people, because we say we’re a good place for gay people,’” Smith told CL. She points to the economic impact of parade festivities—$67.2 million according to a firm that partners with Visit St. PeteClearwater—and adds that, “they would be stupid not to be supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Smith, and other progressive members of the community who protest Pride from the inside, point out that LGBTQ+ members of the community often experience discrimination in rental and housing markets—others even feel uncomfortable about the large police presence at the parade. But their dissent has its eyes on a bigger purpose.
“They aren’t here just to protest and make waves,” Smith added. “It’s about really pursuing a just city.”
Major Markus Hughes, the St. Petersburg Police Department’s own LGBTQ+ liaison, recognizes and acknowledges the historical context that often contributes to the discomfort or fear some members of the LGBTQ+ community feel around police—particularly those who are also people of color or immigrants.
identity. At the parade this weekend, Hughes says SPPD will work to execute its mission to provide safety and protection for residents and visitors including those who may understandably feel cautious or hesitant around cops. The visibility of police, Hughes added, plays a key role in prevention and response efforts.
“We want people to stay here.”
“These are valid concerns, and we approach them with understanding and a commitment to strive for improvement,” Hughes told CL, adding that building trust is “a continuous process that must be nurtured through transparency, accountability, and genuine engagement.”
As LGBTQ+ liaison for SPPD, Hughes is publicly out and meant to be a resource for community members who may feel more comfortable engaging with someone who shares a part of their common
“We have never shied away from that reality. We meet it with respect and a commitment to showing, through our actions, that every individual in this city deserves to feel safe, heard, and valued,” he said. “We are proud of the progress made, and we remain focused on strengthening those relationships every day.”
Vaughan is also working every day on behalf of the city and its LGBTQ+ residents every day. As organizations that support LGBTQ+ causes lose funding, he is constantly working to see where there are gaps in support for his neighbors—and looking for unique solutions to help them.
“We want people to stay here. We don’t want all of our LGBTQ+ residents to feel like Florida is not a place for them,” Vaughan added. “We want them to know and feel like in St. Pete, despite anything that’s happening to Florida, that they can have a home here, and that they can have a voice.”
MARIA FLANAGAN/CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG
PROGRESS VILLAGE: Making St. Pete inclusive takes effort from the entire community.
Nina Yankowitz, Cantilevered Painting X Marks the Spot, 1997, Acrylic and cotton on wood. Courtesy of the Artist and Eric Firestone Gallery. © 2025 Nina Yankowitz / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY
By Josh Bradley & Ray
C CL Recommends
THU 26
C Nate Najar w/Jeff Kashiwa Nate Najar is no stranger to Bay area jazz fans, but he almost always plays onstage with musicians more rooted in tradition. That goes out the window a bit for this one where saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa who plays an electrified take on sweaty, often sultry, sooth jazz. Patrick Bettison plays keys on this one along with drummer Dave Reinhardt. (Side Door Cabaret at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)
FRI 27
C Adrian Younge w/Soft Cuff It took well over a decade of soul-searching and experience, but last spring, Adrian Younge finally gave the world Something About April III , a trilogy-concluding album he says encapsulates so many things he wanted to accomplish while still a fresh-face to the studio. With a little help from singer-songwriter
Céuhe, the 47-year-old with a long history of playing the Bay area enlisted a 30-piece orchestra and an all-Brazilian choir to piece together the psychedelic, all-Portuguese experiment. While there’s no telling if Younge is quietly working on any new jazz material with A Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad, he’s back to usher in this next era with a 10-piece orchestra on hand, and local “instrumental cinematic psych groove” favorite Soft Cuff opening. (Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg)
Cuntry Hoedown: Kameron Ross There wasn’t a lot cock onstage when Kameron Ross won the hearts of couch potatoes glued to “America’s Got Talent” where he reached the quarterfinals during Season 15. Not the case this weekend for a Pre-Pride nighttime “hoedown” and all-male revue, which wraps with a set by the country songwriter. There’s no-cover (charge), but VIP options are available. (Mari Jean Hotel, St. Petersburg)
C Durand Bernarr If there’s anywhere you wanna be the night before St. Pete Pride, it’s downtown’s favorite outdoor concert venue. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Sasha Colby and Broadway legend Idina Menzel have both graced the Jannus stage in the wee hours before the Vinoy Park celebration. This year, there’s a bit of a different approach in genres. In a public letter written to push the release of his new album Bloom , R&B singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr admitted that while he tends to write and work on his material alone, having a team by his side for the last few years opened his eyes to embracing togetherness in everything a bit more. On it, the Cleveland boy (whose previous album En Route was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album earlier this year) sings about crashing out. He even recruited T-Pain on “That!” (stylized in allcaps), which very well could have dominated contemporary radio in the middle of the aughts. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)
Final Friday: Willie Jones w/Pilot Waves/Mouth Council/Light the Wire Suite E Studios continues its push to bring underground music back to the warehouse district, this time for a bill that includes a homecoming set by Billy Mays III, performing atmospheric loops under the Mouth Council banner. (Suite E Studios, St. Petersburg)
Slightly Stoopid w/Iration/Little Stranger Fresh off of appearances at Asbury Park’s Stone Pony and a packed Point Break Festival, reggae-rock group Slightly Stoopid plays its second Tampa Bay gig of the year the night before the Coachman Park venue’s second anniversary. (The BayCare Sound, Clearwater)
Stop Light Observations w/Glass House Point Last November, Glass House Point hit Orpheum and previewed unreleased material, and for the last few months, the 12-year-old indie-alt quartet has been dropping one single after another. There’s been
THU JUNE 26–THU JULY 03
the nostalgic “It’s Chemical,” the hazy, synth-packed “Never Gonna End,” and the heavier “We Bleed In Color,” which was actually conceived three years ago. The group performs these and more at what appears to be its first gig of the year as opener for Stop Light Observations, the “transformational rock” outfit that had to postpone this show’s original February date due to a band member being unable to perform that night. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
C Today Is The Day w/Gurm/Blood Of The Earth/The Path Of Increased Indifference If Slayer and King Crimson had sex in primordial ooze, then they might have ended up creating Nashville-based Today Is The Day. The veteran noise-rock and metal outfit—known for doomsday hardcore driven by mathematical guitar and an equally scholastic rhythm section—is working on a follow up to its 2020 album No Good To Anyone and brings this much-anticipated summer tour to a venue that’s become something of a sanctuary for proggy, hardcore sounds. The band's history in the area goes all the way back to the '90s. Syntheticslamgaze Tampa project Gurm opens the show along with fellow Tampeño artists Blood Of The Earth and Deviant Libation owner Tim Ogden’s band Path Of Increased Indifference. (Deviant Libation, Tampa)
C WitchGrass Weekend Bluegrass Festival: Fil Pate Trio w/The St. Pete Mountain Boys/RambleGrass/Vision Crystal/more The ever-eclectic Fil Pate hosts the best weekly bluegrass jams in the Bay area at both Cage Brewing and the criminally-underrated St. Pete hangout, so it’s no shock that he’s playing three different sets at this weekend-long hootenanny. Joining him onstage will be his ever-powerful trio and for a special Sunday appearance, local Americana trio Vision Crystal. Also on the bill is Best of the Bay-winning folk group The Wandering Hours (which just celebrated the release of its new singles), a long-awaited Ramblegrass reunion, and in true WitchGrass Wednesdays fashion, a free-for-all bluegrass jam to kick things off. (The Ale and the Witch, St. Petersburg)
SAT 28
Acid Bath w/Weedeater/Rwake As is the case with an unfortunate amount of bands, the tale of Acid Bath’s end is nothing short of tragic. In 1997, just as the sludge-metal outfit was making a name for itself, bassist Audie Pitre was killed by a drunk driver and understandably, all that followed was 27 years of radio silence. Last year, surviving members announced a grand return for Las Vegas’ Sick New World Festival, and even though the entire event was axed, the boys are living up to their promise to come back by playing a fistful of dates with Crowbar bassist Shane Wesley. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)
American Souvenir (EP release) w/Penny Fountain/No Parts/The Easy Button If you think church organs don’t belong in punk-rock, you’ll walk out of this release party with a changed mind. On its brand spankin’ new EP Maybe Just Enough to Get Back Home , Americana-punk quintet American Souvenir starts strong by burying those churchy vibes into the first few songs, and eventually finishes strong by namedropping venues like Crowbar and “the old State Theatre” on “I’m Never Driving to Orlando With You Again.” (Microgroove, Tampa)
Billy Woods A 7/10 from TheNeedleDrop’s Anthony Fantano ain’t bad, so this weekend, don’t expect the first Tampa Bay show from New York rapper Billy Woods to be skimpy on selections from his latest album Golliwog . The record features a few guest spots from Elucid—his other half in Armand Hammer—and simultaneous Chinese and English excerpts of “Diary of a Madman” on “Corinthians.” (Crowbar, Ybor City)
C Noan Partly Do call it a comeback. Tampa Bay songwriter and music educator Patty Kenoly said farewell-for-now to the Bay area last summer as she advanced her studies, but she’s back in town for at least the weekend and giving fans a chance to reconnect with her genre-defying take on folk and jazz. Both shows—Saturday in the New World Tampa Biergarten and a Sunday brunch gig at Shuffle—are free-to-attend. (Biergarten at New World Tampa, Tampa)
C Over Easy Music Pop Up: Jask Water Street’s music-forward cocktail lounge Alter Ego continues its ongoing tour of sorts, this time sleeping in a bit and rolling out of bed to get into the finest smashburger Tampa has to offer. Jask, a staple of the Bay area house scene, mans the ones and twos for the threehour throwdown. (Mighty Fine, Tampa)
C Rock The Park: The Handlers w/¡Samba! by MilaKilla/Philip Charos A superbill of homegrown talent throws down for a veritable pre-Fourth of July picnic in the park. The Handlers are Tampa’s best new country export, and MilaKilla (who’s doing a samba set) is hands down one of the most indemand DJs in the 813 right now. Rounding out the bill is towering St. Petersburg songwriter Philip Charos who’s working on a new lounge-ready dance-pop project. (Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa)
Stick Figure w/Stephen Marley Reggaerock meets reggae royalty ahead of the holiday when Massachusetts, dub-loving songwriter Scott Woodruff (aka Stick Figure) lands at Tampa’s now somewhat roofless amphitheatre alongside Stephen Marley, the second son of genre legend Bob and his wife Rita Marley. (MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa)
See an extended version of this listing via cltampa.com/music.
Roa
Adrian Younge
Here’s one of a few shows where you can laugh, cry and feel like a baddie within a couple hours. After releasing her single “Leave Me Alone” in May, Reneé Rapp is celebrating a new album Bite Me (due Aug. 1) at USF’s Yuengling Center this fall.
The previous MTV and VMA nominee for “Best New Artist” and “PUSH Performance of the Year,” had her breakout role as Regina George in the Broadway production of “Mean Girls” six summers ago. Following her success as Playbill’s queen of the plastics, the 25-year-old took her talents to theaters in the 2024 “Mean Girls” movie.
Aside from commanding performances and unbothered persona, Rapp has partnered with two nonprofits for this tour—Save the Children which provides education and protection to kids in the U.S. and REVERB which focuses on sustainability in the music industry.
Rapp went viral on TikTok for a video of her belting Drew Gasparini’s song “What Remains” with her leg stretched above her head— talk about having a leg up. The gay icon’s mix of soul-crushing, should-I-crashthis-car songs like “In the Kitchen” and
Falling In Reverse w/Wage War/Tech N9ne/Sleep Theory Wednesday, Aug. 20. 6:30 p.m. $40.50 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa
Rohna (album release) w/Cannibal Kids/ Jupiter Bloom/Twin Suns Friday, Aug. 22. 6 p.m. $14.56. Crowbar, Ybor City
Howard Jones w/Haircut 100/Richard Blade Saturday, Sept. 6. 7 p.m. $66 & up. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg
Mico Thursday, Sept. 25. 8 p.m. $25.98 & up. Crowbar, Ybor City
The Bouncing Souls w/H2O/The Smoking Popes/Jer Sunday, Sept. 28. 7 p.m. $45.54. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Molly Tuttle w/Joshua Ray Walker/ Cecilia Castleman Thursday, Oct. 2. 8 p.m. $45.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
60Juno Friday, Oct. 3. 7 p.m. $14.30. Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg
SmokeDope2016 w/Nokia Angel/ Lil Fitted Cap/Bartesianwater/more Tuesday, Oct. 7. 7 p.m. Sold out. Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg
Graham Barham w/Highway Home/ more Friday, Oct. 10. 8 p.m. $25.98 & up. Crowbar, Ybor City
David Ellefson formerly of Megadeth w/Red Devil Vortex/Serure/Gravel/ Kalus/Hand of Reason Saturday, Oct. 11. 6:30 p.m. $25. Brass Mug, Tampa
“Snow Angel,” along with her edgy upbeat songs like “Not My Fault” and “Too Well,” should make for an entertaining show.
Tickets to see Renee Rapp play Yuengling Center in Tampa on Monday, Oct. 27 go on sale Friday, June 27. See Josh Bradley’s weekly roundup of new concerts coming to Tampa Bay below.—Jani Burden
T-Pain w/Earthgang Tuesday, Oct. 14. 7 p.m.
$47.50 & up. The BayCare Sound, Clearwater
Cartel w/Hunny Saturday, Oct. 18. 5:30 p.m. $38.25 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City
The Haunt Thursday, Oct. 30. 7 p.m. $27.51. Crowbar, Ybor City
Skinshape Saturday, Nov. 8. 8 p.m. $29.67. Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg
Balu Brigada w/Portal Saturday, Nov. 8. 8 p.m. $30.37 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Jonah Marais Tuesday, Nov. 11. 8 p.m.
$25.95 & up. Crowbar, Ybor City
The Expendables Friday, Nov. 14. 7 p.m.
$35.43. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers Friday, Dec. 5. 7 p.m. $68.25 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Pink Talking Fish Thursday, Dec. 11. 7 p.m.
$31.97. Crowbar, Ybor City
Shaun Cassidy Friday, Dec. 12. 8 p.m. $56 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
Adventure Club w/Crizzly/Neotek/MYR Friday, Dec. 26. 10 p.m. $31.15 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City
Los Lonely Boys Sunday, Feb. 1. 7 p.m. $49 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
Gregorian Sings Enigma Wednesday, March 4. 7:30 p.m. $51 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater.
UPCOMING SHOWS
Quickies
By Dan Savage
Queer boy in an open relationship here with a silly question. I’ve started seeing someone recently. They’re cute and I enjoy their company, but they use a lot of cologne and it’s really hurting my desire to be physical with them. I don’t know this person well and the trajectory we’ve been on has been towards a friends-with-benefits sort of situation at best, so I’m not sure what I owe them here. Should I say something or back away?
Asking someone to use less cologne is like asking someone to use less cocaine: they’re going to react defensively, deny using too much, and accuse you of being the one with a problem. So, unless this person is someone you’re hoping to get serious about—and it doesn’t sound like they are—it’s not worth it.
Is it unethical to preemptively block people on Grindr who I know I would never consider fucking?
A man gets on Grindr because he’s looking for dick and/or ass right now—and if your dick and/or ass isn’t available to him, blocking him is a courtesy, as it frees up room on his grid for guys whose dicks and/or asses are available.
What book do you recommend for someone just beginning to explore the Dom/sub relationship?
I would recommend “Playing Well with Others” by Lee Harrington and Mollena Williams, both volumes of “The Funny Dom’s Guide to Kink “by The Funny Dom, and Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy’s “The New Topping Book and The New Bottoming Book.” You could also follow—and learn a lot from— the Lina “Ask a Sub” Dune, who hosts a podcast and writes a newsletter (where you can find her terrific advice columns), and Alesandra of Dom/Sub Living, who blogs, memes, and teaches courses on Dom/sub relationships.
I am a (mostly? formerly?) straight man in a blue city in Texas. Six years ago, I got Peyronie’s disease, which contributed to the dissolution of my marriage. It has been rough—xaiflex treatments, a hematoma that only 3% get, an ER visit, delays—but I finally got surgery and a month later was cleared for sexual activity after a checkup. But since that day my sexuality and kinks have been changing every day. One day Latinas, one day short girls, one day girls into impact play. Then a five-foot one-inch femboy messaged me on Reddit about being my sub. So, where do I find these short and feminine adult boys that are into Daddies? I feel like I can finally be honest about my wants and needs without shame now.
You can meet plenty of people who claim to be five-foot one-inch femboys on the Internet— they’re all over Reddit, they’re all over hookup apps, they’re even on Instagram fixing cars and on Twitter making swords—and while some of
the femboys on Reddit and hookup apps might be who they claim to be and willing to meet up with a hot daddy, some are probably six-foot two-inch masculine dudes or five-foot two-inch cis women who fantasize about being femboys and won’t want to meet up with you in real life.
I “safeworded” out of a kink scene and my Dom pouted for two days. Is that a red flag?
Doms who pout after subs use a safeword want their subs to hesitate to use their safewords in future scenes—which is a definite red flag. Basically, any Dom who responds to the use of a safeword with anything other than an expression of genuine concern, an openness to constructive feedback, and an immediate offer of ice cream isn’t a Dom you want to see again.
How do you fuck like you have a dick if you don’t have a dick—like, how did lesbians do it before the strap?
Dildos go way back—tens of thousands of years—and I imagine lesbians were improvising “straps” long before “the strap,” i.e. dildo harnesses, became commercially available in the early-1990s. Also, oral and digital stimulation aren’t sad consolation prizes for many lesbians, but actual sex that lesbians actually enjoy, which means lesbians have always been able to do it, with and without straps.
much lighter version of me. I had crushes on some of these guys and, if I’m going to be honest, the whole point of getting on Ozempic was to make myself more attractive. But I resent these guys so much for rejecting me 50 pounds ago (!) that I can’t bring myself to date them now. What do I do?
Meet some new men—men who didn’t know (and reject) you at your heaviest, and fuck those guys instead.
Playing with a guy into SPH—small penis humiliation—and that’s fine and I’m game. But his dick isn’t small. It’s big. Objectively speaking, it’s huge and, as dicks go, it’s beautiful. What am I supposed to say to a guy into SPH whose dick is bigger than mine?
Whatever he wants to hear.
My wife and I just started exploring prostate play. I used to do some of it via the perineum during solo masturbation, but asked my wife if she would participate. She enthusiastically said yes. I’ve found pleasure in perianal and perineal play during oral, but the couple times we’ve attempted penetration (single finger, lube used, fully consented), it’s been meh. It hasn’t been painful or uncomfortable, just not what I’ve read about. Are there any tips and tricks to making it more effective? At what point do I just chalk it up to “not for me?”
SAVAGE LOVE
How do I navigate having a kink life while also having a public-facing career?
After seeing the Glenn Greenwald tape this weekend… maybe resist the urge to document the atrocities?
What does a CNM/poly relationship look like when you’re older or truly elderly?
Doctor appointments crowding out play parties on the Google calendar.
Is it still called pegging if I use my fingers instead of a strap-on?
Putting your finger in someone already has a name—so, no, fingering someone was never called pegging.
Is it safe to suck someone’s dick after it’s been in my hole?
Depends on the thoroughness of your douching, the state of your health, the robustness of your immune system, and how soon you’re going to be kissing your mother with that mouth.
I got on Ozempic a year ago and lost a bunch of weight. Men who weren’t attracted to me at my old weight are suddenly attracted to the new and
I know guys who love dicks, dildos, and plugs but hate fingers. The only way to find out if you’re one of those guys—one of those guys who enjoys girthier things—is to experiment with girthier things. It’s counterintuitive, I realize, because “start small” seems like such good advice where anal play is concerned, but something thicker than a finger—something less bony than a finger—might not just feel better, it also might do a better job of hitting your prostate. So, before you decide anal penetration isn’t for you, try again with something that intimidates you a little. Go slow, use lots of lube, and remember to breathe.
What’s the best way to deal with your own jealousy?
By remembering that jealousy isn’t a character failing—so long as it’s not being weaponized to control and/or terrorize, jealousy is a normal human emotion. Sometimes we can work through feelings of jealousy on our own (sometimes we talk ourselves off the ledge), but at other times we need our partners to reassure us.
I’m a woman who’s new to sending nudes. What do straight guys want when it comes to sexy pics?
Different straight guys want to see different things— n ass man wants ass pics, a boobs guy wants boobs pics, a foot perv wants feet pics, etc. So, if a straight guy asks you for pics and you
feel safe sharing pics with that straight guy, ask him what he would like to see.
Uncut male here. My penis is dry—any causes/remedies?
I don’t wanna encourage straight men to wash their penises less than they already do… but you may be washing your penis too often, or using too harsh a soap when you do. Also, what kind of laundry detergent are you using? Try some new, gentler soaps in the shower and the laundry, and lightly apply a moisturizer (no alcohol, no acids) to your penis after you get out of the shower.
Let’s say you’re a big shooter and you’re in a dark room and you’re about to blow your load. Where do you blow it?
If you’re a big shooter and you’re getting close and your cock isn’t in someone’s mouth or ass, you should—as a courtesy to others—point that thing at the floor, at the wall, or at yourself.
Sharing sex toys—yay or nay?
Sex toys are expensive, landfills are overcrowded, and quality silicone sex toys—unlike flesh-and-blood human genitals—can be dunked in a pot of boiling hot water or run through a dishwasher and sterilized.
What are the best and worst places to wear a cock cage?
The TSA checkpoint at the airport is the worst place (because it’s gonna start a conversation you don’t wanna have) and the locker room at the gayest gym is the best place (because it could start a conversation you do wanna have).
What should you eat if you want to be clean for a long, all-night bonkfest?
A dozen oysters a week in advance.
I can squeeze out a gray/greenish liquid from my nipples. Is this normal?
Not unless you’re decomposing, in which case you have bigger problems than the goo leaking from your nipples.
Poly here. How do I navigate having multiple partners I use the same honorific for?
My mom had five siblings, my dad had eight siblings—so the only way me and my siblings could let each other know which one of our aunts or uncles was coming for us was by including their first names with their honorifics: Aunt Peggy, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Linda, Uncle Jerry, Aunt Sue, Uncle Walter, Aunt Judy, etc. So, I don’t see why you couldn’t go with Boyfriend Bob, Girlfriend Carol, Boyfriend Ted, and Girlfriend Alice.
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Notice of Public Sale Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell, to satisfy lien of the owner, at public sale by competitive bidding on www.storagetreasures.com. ending
on July 11, 2025 at 10:00 am for units located at Compass Self Storage 1685 Hwy 17 N Eagle Lake Florida
33839 . Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at time of sale. All Goods are sold as is and must be removed at the time of purchase.
Compass Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid. Sale is subject to adjournment. The personal goods stored therein by the following may include, but are not limited to general household, furniture, boxes, clothes and appliances, unless otherwise noted. Kelly Cooper unit 1038. Run dates 6/26/25 and 7/3/25.
Notice of Public Sale Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell, to satisfy lien of the owner, at public sale by competitive bidding on www.storagetreasures.com ending on July 11th, 2025 at 10:00 am for units located at: Compass Self Storage 2291 S. Frontage Rd, Plant City, Florida 33563 Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the time of sale. All goods are sold as is and must be removed at the time of purchase.
Compass Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid. Sale is subject to adjournment. The personal goods stored therein by the following may include, but are not limited to general household, furniture, boxes, clothes and appliances, unless otherwise noted. Unit 1142 Larry Burns Unit 2063 Kendra Bradshaw Unit 2087 Janeteria Mitchell Unit 2110 Crystal Bailey Unit 2271 Joel Moralez Unit 3130-3156 Lisa Long. Run Dates 6/26/25 and 7/3/25
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Pursuant to Section 715.109, notice is hereby given that the following property will be offered for public sale and will sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for cash: a 1972 IMPE mobile home, VIN 312310B and 312310A and the contents therein, if any abandoned by previous owner and tenant Peter George Suja IV. on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at 130 Sycamore Drive, Tavares, FL 32778.. ICARD, MERRILL, CULLIS, TIMM, FUREN & GINSBURG, P.A. Alyssa M. Nohren FL Bar No. 352410 2033 Main Street Suite 600 Sarasota, Florida 34237 Telephone: (941) 366-8100 Facsimile: (941) 366-6384 anohren@icardmerrill.com smenasco@icardmerrill.com
