Issue #316: Tampa Bay a Top Spring Break Spot 🌴 | MOSI Tracks Historic Asteroid | New Simply Pop Soda | Stream Bolts & Rays on Prime

In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse

Our Event Calendar

WEATHER

Local News

— Tampa Bay Among Top 2025 Spring Break Hotspots

— Tampa’s MOSI Tracking Asteroid with Historic Earth Impact Odds

Of Interest

— Coca-Cola Launches Simply Pop, a New Prebiotic Soda

Sports

—New Way to Stream Lightning & Rays Games Locally on Prime Video

🎵 Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

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Tampa Bay Among Top 2025 Spring Break Hotspots

The Tampa Bay area is set to be a top spring break destination in 2025, according to a new AAA survey. With its sunny beaches, cultural attractions, and theme parks, the region is expected to see a surge in visitors over the coming weeks.

Spring Break Travel Trends

• 26% of Floridians plan to travel during spring break.

• 40% favor theme parks, a higher percentage than the national average.

• 36% prefer beach vacations, keeping Florida a hotspot for travelers.

AAA reports a strong demand for warm-weather destinations, with Tampa Bay ranking among the top 10 spring break locations. Beyond spring break, 45% of Floridians plan to take more vacations in 2025 compared to last year.

Source: fox13news.com

Tampa’s MOSI Tracking Asteroid with Historic Earth Impact Odds

Astronomers in Tampa Bay and beyond are monitoring asteroid 2024 YR4, which briefly had a 3% chance of hitting Earth in 2032—the highest probability ever recorded for a near-Earth asteroid. However, that probability has since dropped to 1.5%.

Current Status

• The football-sized asteroid is traveling at 38,000 MPH and is currently 30 million miles away.

• It will orbit back toward Earth, with a potential impact date of December 22, 2032.

• If it were to hit, simulations show possible impact locations including Bogotá, Lagos, Mumbai, or the ocean.

What’s Next?

Scientists, including experts at MOSI, are closely observing the asteroid. NASA may consider a deflection mission, similar to its successful 2022 asteroid impact test. While the odds of a collision are low, researchers emphasize the importance of continued monitoring and preparedness.

Source: fox13news.com

Earth has endured several astonishing asteroid impacts, shaping history in dramatic ways:

• Chicxulub (66M years ago) – A 6-mile-wide asteroid struck Mexico, unleashing energy 10 billion times Hiroshima, triggering wildfires, tsunamis, and a global “nuclear winter” that wiped out 75% of life, including the dinosaurs.

• Tunguska (1908) – A mystery explosion over Siberia flattened 800 square miles of forest. Likely an asteroid airburst, it released 1,000 times the Hiroshima bomb’s energy, but left no crater—fueling UFO theories.

• Chelyabinsk (2013) – A 65-foot-wide meteor exploded over Russia, shattering windows across six cities and injuring 1,500 people—one of the most well-documented impacts ever.

• Vredefort (2B years ago) – The largest known impact (12-mile-wide asteroid) hit South Africa, altering Earth’s crust and possibly influencing early life.

Asteroids have shaped Earth—and may again. 🌍☄️

Coca-Cola Launches Simply Pop, a New
Prebiotic Soda

Coca-Cola is launching Simply Pop, a prebiotic soda designed to support gut health and immune function. This new drink, available in five flavors, contains 6 grams of prebiotic fiber, Vitamin C, and Zinc, with no added sugar and 25-30% real fruit juice from concentrate.

What Is Prebiotic Soda?

Unlike probiotic drinks that contain healthy bacteria, prebiotic sodas use fiber (inulin) to nourish gut bacteria. Inulin, derived from agave or chicory root, dissolves in water without affecting taste.

Simply Pop Flavors

• Strawberry

• Pineapple Mango

• Fruit Punch

• Lime

• Citrus Punch

When & Where to Buy

Simply Pop will be available later this month in select regions and nationwide via Amazon Fresh, with further expansion throughout the year.

Read More: fox13news.com

New Way to Stream Lightning & Rays Games Locally on Prime Video

Fans of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay Rays now have a new way to watch games locally through FanDuel Sports Network Sun on Amazon Prime Video. The network’s broadcasts can be accessed as an add-on subscription for $19.99 per month, the same price as subscribing directly through the FanDuel Sports Network app.

To use this option, fans must have an Amazon Prime Video subscription and can take advantage of a seven-day free trial before committing. Additionally, a season-pass option will be available for the Rays’ entire season, similar to the Lightning’s package offered earlier.

Availability is limited to in-market fans—covering North and Central Florida for the Lightning and the entire state for the Rays. Out-of-market fans can still watch Lightning games via ESPN+.

A bundle option for both FanDuel Sports Network Sun and FanDuel Sports Network Florida (which airs Orlando Magic and Miami Marlins games) is available for $29.99 per month.

 Sources: tampabay.com

Reader Comments

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25 Biggest Music & Comedy Acts Coming to Tampa Bay
& Sarasota

Source: heraldtribune.com

Best Live Music in Tampa Bay this week
2/13 - 2/20

Source: cltampa.com

Top Things to do Around Tampa & WC
2/20 - 2/26
Source: tampabeacon.com

Things to Do Brought to You By:
NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

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

- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC

For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids

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