Issue #080: Bridging Past to Present: Baltimore's Echo, Tampa's Air Travel Leap, Rays Swarm the Bay, and Solar Eclipse Awaits

032724

Author

Ted Grellner
27 Mar

Keep your finger on the Pulse!

GOOD MORNING!

Lots of interesting activities coming up: Air Show, Solar Eclipse, Rays of a different kind.

Dr Ted

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In this issue of

NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

Local News

🌉Echoes of the Past: Baltimore Bridge Collapse Recalls Historical Disasters

🛫Breeze Airways Spreads Its Wings: New Nonstop Flights from Tampa to Pensacola and Bangor!

OMG!

 🦦 A Sea of Grace: Thousands of Cownose Rays Converge in Tampa Bay

Of Interest

 😎 Darkness at Noon: Your Ultimate Guide to the April 8 Solar Spectacle

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

March 28 — The Magic Fish, NTPAC, 3-4PM

March 29-30 — TB Airfest at MacDill AFB, 8am-5pm

March 30-Apr 21 — Keel Farms Blueberry Festival

March 31

April 1

Echoes of the Past: Baltimore Bridge Collapse Recalls Historical Disasters

 In a harrowing incident early Tuesday morning, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore experienced a catastrophic collapse after a cargo ship collided with it, plunging vehicles and individuals into the icy waters of the Patapsco River.

This event has rekindled memories of similar tragedies across the United States, particularly in Florida, where the Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster in 1980 and the Matthews Bridge collision in 2013 occurred. The recent collapse has led to a massive search and rescue operation, with two people rescued thus far and several others unaccounted for.

Historically, bridge collapses due to maritime accidents have not been uncommon, with a 2018 report citing 35 major incidents worldwide from 1960 to 2015, resulting in 342 fatalities. In the United States alone, 18 of these collapses occurred, underscoring the potential dangers of navigational errors and natural challenges faced by maritime and bridge infrastructure.

This incident adds to a tragic list, including the Popp's Ferry Bridge collapse in 2009, the Interstate 40 Bridge disaster in 2002, and the Queen Isabella Causeway tragedy in 2001, among others. Each event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining and enhancing safety measures for both maritime and bridge operations to prevent future catastrophes.

Breeze Airways Spreads Its Wings: New Nonstop Flights from Tampa to Pensacola and Bangor!

 Breeze Airways, the self-proclaimed "Nice Low Cost Carrier" (NLCC) in the United States, is expanding its horizon with the introduction of two more new routes from Tampa, Florida. The airline will now connect Tampa to Pensacola, Florida, and Bangor, Maine, increasing its offering to a total of 23 nonstop destinations from Tampa, alongside BreezeThru service to two additional locations. This expansion includes previously announced service to Myrtle Beach, SC; Greenville-Spartanburg, SC; and Orange County, CA.

Starting from June 28, passengers can fly from Tampa to Pensacola on Mondays and Fridays with fares beginning at $49 for a one-way ticket. The Tampa to Bangor route will commence on October 4, with flights on Mondays and Fridays and one-way tickets starting at $99. This marks the first time nonstop service to Bangor is available, following the successful launch of a route to Portland, Maine, in 2023.

Breeze Airways is also launching the Breeze Easy™ Visa Signature® credit card, offering rewards like up to 10X BreezePoints on purchases, complimentary inflight Wi-Fi, priority boarding, and more. Accompanying this, the airline introduced its Breezy Rewards™ loyalty program, enhancing benefits such as no change or cancel fees and Free Family seating.

The airline continues to stand out by offering flexible travel options, including its No Flex Fare, Nice, Nicer, and Nicest bundles, catering to a variety of travel needs and preferences.

A Sea of Grace: Thousands of Cownose Rays Converge in Tampa Bay

In an extraordinary display of nature's beauty, thousands of cownose rays were spotted congregating in Tampa Bay, captivating viewers with their serene and synchronized movements.

Captured by the See Through Canoe company, the aerial footage showcases this mesmerizing event from a bird's-eye view, while additional footage provides a closer look from the perspective of a kayak. Shared on social media, the video quickly captured the attention of nature enthusiasts and the general public alike.

Cownose rays, recognized for their distinctive shape and graceful swimming, are a common sight in various marine environments, including bays, estuaries, and open oceans. They are known to form large schools, sometimes numbering in the thousands, particularly during seasonal migrations in the Gulf of Mexico. These gatherings, while impressive, are part of their natural behavior, linked to their migratory patterns and search for food, which mainly includes bivalve mollusks and crustaceans.

With a wingspan reaching up to 3 feet, cownose rays are gentle giants of the sea. Despite their size and the presence of a defensive barb near their tail, they are considered non-aggressive and pose minimal danger to humans.

event highlights the rays' significant ecological role and the wonders of marine life in Tampa Bay.

Darkness at Noon: Your Ultimate Guide to the April 8 Solar Spectacle

 On April 8, a total solar eclipse will captivate millions of Americans. This rare celestial event occurs when the moon positions itself directly between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow over Earth. Distinguished from a partial eclipse, where only part of the sun's light is blocked, this total eclipse will allow onlookers in the path of totality to witness the sun's corona, transforming day into a brief twilight. Viewing opportunities are vast, with nearly 31 million residents directly in the path and many more nearby.

Visibility varies by location, with places like Texas and parts of the Northeast expected to offer prime viewing. However, cloud cover could be a concern, making locations like Fredericksburg, Texas, popular among eclipse chasers for its historically clearer skies.

Proper eye protection is essential outside the totality's brief window, with ISO 12312-2 marked glasses recommended. This event promises a profound experience, with the next similar U.S. eclipse not due until *2044, making it a significant occasion for both avid skywatchers and casual observers alike.

—>Check out the many useful links in the article below:

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