Issue #420: Sky-High Fireworks Costs | Pine View Ranks Among Best | $5.3M Meteorite, But Dino Wins Hearts | Rays’ Postseason Backup

7/17/2025

Author

Ted Grellner
17 Jul

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 — taking submissions w/o phone confirm required

Local News

— Fire in the Sky: What Local Cities Spend on July 4th Shows

— From C to A: Pine View Scores Big in State Report Card

Of Interest

— Martian Rock Sells for $5.3M—but Baby Dino Steals the Show

Sports

— Steinbrenner Field to Host Rays If Postseason Becomes Reality

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LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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Fire in the Sky: What Local Cities Spend on
July 4th Shows

Fireworks shows across Tampa Bay dazzled crowds on July 4, but the real fireworks may be in the budgets.

According to industry estimates, major displays can cost $1,000–$2,000 per minute, depending on complexity. Clearwater’s 2025 show rang in at $50,000, while Treasure Island spent $30,000, and smaller events like Sanding Ovations cost just $5,000.

St. Petersburg budgeted $70,938 this year as part of a two-year $141,876 contract with Pyro Productions. Anticipating tariff increases, the company pre-purchased fireworks for the 2026 250th U.S. anniversary.

Meanwhile, Tampa paused its city-sponsored fireworks, allowing Armature Works to host the July 4 show. The city expects to resume its own display next year.

For comparison, New York City's Macy’s show cost $6 million, with 80,000 shells and high-tech projections.

Smaller local shows typically run 10–20 minutes and cost between $2,000–$7,000, making long-term contracts a budget-friendly strategy for many municipalities.

From C to A: Pine View Scores Big in State
Report Card

Pine View Elementary in Land O’ Lakes earned a major academic win, jumping from a C to an A in the Florida Department of Education’s 2024–25 school grades. The dramatic two-grade improvement was matched by Deer Park Elementary in New Port Richey. Meanwhile, Cox Elementary in Dade City leapt from a D to a B, removing it from the state’s watch list, which can trigger takeover or closure for chronic underperformance.

Principal Amy Denney-Haskedakes credited Pine View’s success to collaborative efforts among staff, students, and families.

The FDLE grading system evaluates schools in five areas, including achievement, learning gains, and support for struggling students.

Pasco high schools also saw gains, with Gulf High improving by 24%, and Land O’ Lakes, Cypress Creek, and River Ridge all moving from B to A.

Charter schools shined too: Dayspring Angeline and Angeline Academy of Innovation both earned A grades.

Martian Rock Sells for $5.3M—but Baby Dino Steals the Show

A 54-pound Martian meteorite, the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth, sold for $5.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York—but it was a young dinosaur skeleton that stole the spotlight, fetching $30.5 million after a heated bidding war.

The meteorite, named NWA 16788, was discovered in 2023 in Niger’s Sahara Desert and traveled an estimated 140 million miles to Earth. Made of olivine-microgabbroic shergottite, the rare rock comprises nearly 7% of all Martian material on Earth.

The Ceratosaurus nasicornis skeleton, found near Laramie, Wyoming, is the only known juvenile specimen and measures 6 feet tall by 11 feet long. It’s estimated to be 150 million years old.

The auction was part of Sotheby’s Geek Week 2025, featuring rare fossils, minerals, and meteorites.

Buyers for both top items were not disclosed.

Steinbrenner Field to Host Rays If Postseason Becomes Reality

If the Tampa Bay Rays reach the playoffs this fall, they’ll host games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, according to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. The venue, a temporary home due to Hurricane Milton’s damage to Tropicana Field, seats just over 10,000, raising concerns about revenue, media logistics, and ticket allocation.

Despite those challenges, Manfred ruled out moving to a neutral stadium, citing MLB’s rule that World Series teams play in their home parks. He also hinted at possible seating expansion if needed.

Players are divided. Some, like Pete Fairbanks, called relocating postseason games “a disservice” to local fans, while others, like Brandon Lowe, recalled 2020’s COVID bubble experience as a model for adaptability.

Currently, Tampa Bay trails the final AL Wild Card spot by 1.5 games, sitting fourth in the AL East.

Barring delays, the Rays will return to Tropicana Field in 2026.

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Biggest Concerts & Comedians in Tampa Bay, Sarasota
in July
Source: yahoo.com

Best Live Music in TB area 07/10 - 7/17
Source: cltampa.com

This Week in TB:
7/ -7/
Source: abcactionnews.com


Things to do Around Tampa & WC
7/10 - 7/16
Source: tampabeacon.com

This Weekend in TB area:
7/ - 7/
Source: thatssotampa.com

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