In this issue of

NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

This Week’s Events

WEATHER

Local News

😎St. Petersburg Shines Bright: No. 2 on Tripadvisor's 2024 Top U.S. Destinations

🎡 Florida State Fair 2024 Unveils a Daring Feast: From Pop Rock Pickles to BBQ Fried Burritos

CRIME

🔫 TSA Intercepts Record Number of Firearms in 2023, Majority Loaded

SPORTS

🏈Injury-Stricken Buccaneers Gear Up for Crucial Wild Card Clash Against Philadelphia Eagles

THE ARTS

👩‍🎨 Imminent Doom: A Fusion of Humor and Artistry at USF College of the Arts

This Week’s Events in the NewTampa | Wesley Chapel FL Local Area

January 11

January 12

January 13 — Kids Film Series: Frozen, NTPAC,10am-1230pm

January 13 — Raising Cane & Moonshine Festival, 15602 Pioneer Museum Rd, Dade City, 10am-4pm,

January 13 — Charity Golf Tourn for former Buc Vincent Jackson, 1100 Tarpon Woods Blvd, Palm Harbor 34685, 7am regis/8am start

January 14

January 15

January 16

January 17 — North Tampa Bay Chamber Coffee Social, Hampton Inn-Tpa/WC, 2740 Cypress Ridge, WC, 9-10am

January 17 — Craft Brewery Comedy, Florida Ave Brewing, WC, 630/730pm

St. Petersburg Shines Bright: No. 2 on Tripadvisor's 2024 Top U.S. Destinations

 St. Petersburg, Florida, has been recognized as a premier travel destination in the United States, securing the second spot on Tripadvisor's prestigious Travelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations list for 2024.

Known as the 'Sunshine City,' St. Petersburg boasts an impressive 361 days of clear skies annually, making it an ideal location for beach enthusiasts and sun-seekers. The city is celebrated for its stunning 244-mile coastline that spans across Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, Boca Ciega Bay, and numerous intra-coastal waterways, offering a variety of scenic beach experiences.

Notable attractions include the picturesque Ft. De Soto Park and the 37-mile Pinellas Trail, perfect for outdoor activities like hiking. Additionally, the city offers opportunities to enjoy Tampa Bay Rays baseball games and the serene Sunken Gardens.

Tripadvisor's selection criteria for the top destinations focused on cities with exceptional reviews for hotels, restaurants, and attractions over a 12-month period, with less than 1 percent of its 8 million listings receiving the Best of the Best status.

Florida State Fair 2024 Unveils a Daring Feast: From Pop Rock Pickles to

BBQ Fried Burritos

The 2024 Florida State Fair is set to tantalize taste buds with its eclectic array of new food offerings. Among the highlights is the Pop Rock Pickle from Shockley's Food Service, an adventurous mix of a Kosher pickle wrapped in a Fruit Roll-up, dipped in chocolate, and coated with Pop Rocks, Fruity Pebbles, or Flaming Hot Cheetos.

BBQ enthusiasts can indulge in the BBQ Fried Burrito from Low N Slow Catering, featuring a fried burrito stuffed with BBQ pulled pork and mac n cheese.

Burger lovers will relish the Bacon Waffle Cheeseburger from Mackens Sliders, a unique blend of beef patties, cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon, and Belgian waffles.

For a sweet treat, the Oreo Cookie Cinnamon Bun from Cinnamon Saloon merges the classic Oreo with a cinnamon bun. To quench thirst, Tiki Tea offers Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Iced Tea, a blend of strawberry and chocolate flavored tea topped with chocolate-dipped strawberries.

The fair runs from February 8 to 19, promising a foodie's paradise.

Click HERE for more information

TSA Intercepts Record Number of Firearms in 2023, Majority Loaded

In 2023, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported a historic high, intercepting 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints, a figure that surpasses the previous record set in 2022. Alarmingly, 93% of these weapons were loaded. Despite this spike, the rate of firearms per million passengers slightly decreased from the prior year.

The most interceptions occurred at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson, Dallas Fort Worth, and Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airports.

TSA guidelines allow for firearms in checked baggage under strict conditions: they must be declared, unloaded, and secured in a locked container. Violations lead to significant TSA penalties and possible legal consequences.

The TSA's findings underscore a growing concern about the prevalence of loaded firearms at airport checkpoints.

Injury-Stricken Buccaneers Gear Up for Crucial Wild Card Clash Against Philadelphia Eagles

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, overcoming a season of changes, clinched their third consecutive NFC South title with a 9-8 record. They are set to host the 11-6 Philadelphia Eagles in the wild card round, following a remarkable season turnaround from a 3-5 start to a 6-3 finish. The team's success has been largely fueled by the Mayfield-Evans connection, compensating for their league-low average rushing yards.

However, injury concerns loom large as key players like Baker Mayfield and K.J. Britt face uncertainties about their participation. Mayfield's potential absence, due to rib and ankle injuries, poses a significant challenge for the Buccaneers, as does Britt's, impacting their defense strategy.

The team's resilience will be tested in their upcoming game against the Eagles, with their performance likely influenced by these injury setbacks.

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Imminent Doom: A Fusion of Humor and Artistry at USF College of the Arts

The College of the Arts is hosting a groundbreaking group exhibition titled "Imminent Doom," a show so captivating it has the power to forge new friendships among its audience. 

This exhibition showcases the works of four diverse artists: Ainaz Alipour, Michael Lonchar, Tom Rosenow, and KJ Skidmore. Despite their distinct artistic approaches, these artists converge on common themes. They utilize experimental methods and modern technology to delve into subjects like memory, the intricacies of contemporary culture, the fluidity of identity, and the unexpected humor found in the notion of impending doom.

The Carolyn M. Wilson Gallery will be open for this exhibit from Monday to Thursday, 11 am to 3 pm, Jan. 16-25.

An exclusive reception is scheduled for January 26th, from 6 pm to 8 pm, offering a unique opportunity to experience the exhibit in a more intimate setting.

Details

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