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- Issue #520: Morris Bridge Closure Sparks Traffic Woes | St. Pete Shines with The Pink Unicorn | Gators’ Lagway Enters Transfer Portal | How Family Stories Fade Over Time
Issue #520: Morris Bridge Closure Sparks Traffic Woes | St. Pete Shines with The Pink Unicorn | Gators’ Lagway Enters Transfer Portal | How Family Stories Fade Over Time
12/16/2025
Ted Grellner
16 Dec
Keep your finger on the Pulse!
GOOD MORNING
Dr Ted
USAF Retired
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar
Please post events of interest to our NT|WC Live Events Calendar; its easy to do.
Local News
— Major Morris Bridge Road Closure Spurs Traffic Jams in North Tampa
— Intimate St. Pete Performances Bring The Pink Unicorn to Life
Of Interest
— Most Families Don’t Lose Their Stories All at Once — They Lose Them By Waiting
Sports
— Lagway to Leave Gators, Enter Transfer Portal After Two Tumultuous Seasons
Our NT|WC Live Events Calendar:
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Major Morris Bridge Road Closure Spurs Traffic Jams in North Tampa
Morris Bridge Road is shut down in both directions near Cross Creek Boulevard as Hillsborough County crews replace a storm drainpipe damaged during last year’s hurricane season.
The project, expected to last two weeks, involves installing a reinforced concrete pipe designed to last up to 100 years and require minimal maintenance. Additional concrete walls will help prevent erosion and future failures.
Detours reroute traffic to Cross Creek Boulevard and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard—both already heavily congested—resulting in significant delays during peak hours.
Morning backups are worse along Cross Creek, while afternoon slowdowns are more common on Bruce B. Downs.
County officials emphasize the project’s urgency to prevent future flooding and improve infrastructure resilience.
Morris Bridge Road is expected to reopen by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23. Drivers are advised to plan ahead and remain patient during the closure.
Intimate St. Pete Performances Bring The Pink Unicorn to Life
Story Keepers will stage a unique, site-specific production of The Pink Unicorn across living rooms, backyards, and community spaces in St. Petersburg from January 15 to February 1, 2026.
Written by Elise Forier Edie, the play follows Trisha Lee, a conservative mother whose child comes out as gender nonconforming—prompting a journey of love, identity, and acceptance. It’s performed by Samantha Martí-Parisi, a veteran of Tampa Bay’s stage and screen, and directed by Avery Anderson, founder of Story Keepers.
Martí-Parisi describes the piece as “humorous, heartfelt, and urgently needed.” Anderson adds that the home-based setting encourages dialogue and closeness beyond traditional theatre.
Performance capacity is limited to preserve intimacy, enhancing audience reflection and connection.
Known for her award-winning stage roles and advocacy, Martí-Parisi’s involvement underscores the show’s message of empathy and courageous love in uncertain times.
Most Families Don’t Lose Their Stories All at Once — They Lose Them By Waiting
When memories begin to fade, asking an aging parent or grandparent to tell a full story can feel overwhelming for everyone involved. The truth is, meaningful preservation doesn’t begin with chapters or life histories. It begins with small moments.
A familiar smell.
A routine from childhood.
A place that still feels like home.
These memory fragments are often the strongest anchors we have — especially when details feel fuzzy or buried under memory cobwebs.
That’s why I created the Family Memory Starter Kit. It’s designed to help families begin gently, without pressure, by capturing short, meaningful memory snapshots that can be preserved now and built upon later.
You don’t have to do everything today.
You just have to start:
The link BELOW will take you to the free download:
Lagway to Leave Gators, Enter Transfer Portal After Two Tumultuous Seasons
DJ Lagway, quarterback for the Florida Gators, announced he's entering the transfer portal, signaling more change as the team also welcomes a new head coach, Jon Sumrall, from Tulane.
Lagway, a former top recruit under Billy Napier, thanked his supporters via Instagram and expressed gratitude for his time at UF. He started 24 games, compiling a 12-13 record, 4,179 passing yards, 28 TDs, and 23 interceptions over two seasons.
After a promising 6-1 freshman start, Lagway’s sophomore season was plagued by injuries, including core-muscle surgery and a strained calf. Despite challenges, he threw for 2,264 yards and 16 TDs in 2025.
He was also a high-profile NIL athlete, earning millions with brands like Gatorade, T-Mobile, and Lamborghini Orlando.
The transfer portal officially opens Jan. 2. Notably, LSU's Lane Kiffin retweeted news of Lagway’s move—fueling speculation, as Florida once targeted Kiffin to replace Napier.
30+ Free Holiday Events in Tampa Bay for a Festive Date
Source: tampabaydatenightguide.com
Things to do Around Tampa Bay this weekend |
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Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
The Arts
- The Exhibiting Society of Artists (new)
- 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
- Carrollwood Center Events
- Craft Festivals (new)
- Fall (Farmer’s) Market Guide for Tampa Bay (new)
- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC
- visitflorida.com
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
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