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- Issue #437: Local Art Lights Up, Pirate Taxi Sets Sail, GPT-5 Debate, Bucs Score with Teddy
Issue #437: Local Art Lights Up, Pirate Taxi Sets Sail, GPT-5 Debate, Bucs Score with Teddy
8/18/2025
Ted Grellner
18 Aug
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
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Local News
— In a New Light: America’s Impressionist Journey Unveiled
— Ahoy, Upgrades! Pirate Water Taxi Expands Fleet for 10th Anniversary
Of Interest
— Why GPT-5’s ‘Improvement’ Feels Like a Breakup
Sports
— Quick Study, Big Impact: Teddy Leads Bucs to Victory
🎵 Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
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In a New Light: America’s Impressionist Journey Unveiled
Over 100 works by 75 American artists are now on display at the Tampa Museum of Art in the exhibit “In a New Light: American Impressionism 1870–1940.”
Running through November 30, the exhibit showcases Impressionist paintings from the Bank of America Collection, featuring vibrant scenes from the Northeast to the American West.
Curator Joanna Robotham explains the movement began in Paris but flourished in the U.S., where it lasted for decades—well into World War II.
Paintings by Thomas Moran, Daniel Garber, and Childe Hassam demonstrate how American artists embraced light, texture, and natural beauty.
Visitors will see loose brush strokes, vivid landscapes, and uniquely American themes, offering a journey through both geography and time.
According to Robotham, the exhibit celebrates how America became a center of artistic innovation, making Impressionism deeply resonant with U.S. audiences.
The museum is open daily and located at 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza in downtown Tampa.
Ahoy, Upgrades! Pirate Water Taxi Expands Fleet for 10th Anniversary
Tampa’s iconic Pirate Water Taxi is expanding with a brand-new fleet of four custom vessels, just in time for its 10th anniversary in February 2026.
The new water taxis are specially designed to better navigate downtown Tampa’s bridges, improving accessibility and efficiency while also merging the current two-route system into a single optimized route.
Each vessel is U.S. Coast Guard certified to carry 49 passengers and includes ADA accessibility, restrooms, and a bar offering beverages and snacks.
Two boats will launch Oct. 1, with the remaining joining the fleet Dec. 1.
Pirate Water Taxi President and CEO Troy Manthey praised the upgrade, saying the service has become part of Tampa’s cultural fabric.
With a decade of growth behind it, the service aims to deliver “best-in-class experiences” to both locals and tourists exploring Tampa’s Riverwalk and downtown landmarks.
Why GPT-5’s ‘Improvement’ Feels Like a Breakup
OpenAI’s rollout of GPT-5 has sparked backlash despite its intent to improve safety and reduce sycophancy in ChatGPT. By replacing multiple models with a single, colder-sounding version, many users felt abandoned, some saying they lost a "friend."
ChatGPT's emotional tone was once a comfort—some relied on it during personal crises. The new version removes that warmth, but research by Hugging Face shows it still fails to set healthy boundaries.
In tests involving 350 prompts, GPT-5 was half as likely as its predecessor (o3) to suggest users speak with a real person or clarify that it isn’t a therapist.
OpenAI claims it's working on tools to detect distress, but critics argue GPT-5 still risks replacing real relationships with AI companionship.
Unless OpenAI clearly reminds users it's not human, GPT-5’s robotic tone may only mask a deeper issue—the illusion of emotional support.
Quick Study, Big Impact: Teddy Leads Bucs to Victory
Teddy Bridgewater made a strong case for QB2 in the Bucs’ 17-14 preseason win over the Steelers—just 12 days after signing with the team.
Despite limited practice, Bridgewater went 6-for-11 for 85 yards and 2 TDs, connecting with rookie WR Emeka Egbuka and RB Bucky Irving in the first quarter.
Kyle Trask struggled, completing just 3 of 10 for 30 yards as all his drives ended in punts.
Head coach Todd Bowles hasn’t named a backup yet, but Bridgewater’s poise and quick adaptation stood out.
The Bucs’ defense contributed with three interceptions, including one by Antonio Grier that set up Chase McLaughlin’s game-winning 42-yard field goal as time expired.
Bridgewater’s leadership and experience impressed teammates, with Lavonte David calling it "cool" to finally share a locker room with him.
Up next: Bucs host the Bills Saturday for their preseason finale as the QB2 battle continues.
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Top Things to do in Tampa 8/15 - 8/17 |
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Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
The Arts
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series
Theater
-NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre
Misc
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
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