Kids to Know: Cameron Cowans
Meet 13 year old Cameron Cowans of Troop 46 in Tampa who collected over 350 used musical instruments to help support local music programs.
Author: Tara Payor, Ph.D.
Tara Payor is a language arts educator and has taught students from the middle school level to adult learners at the doctorate level. She earned a Ph.D., in curriculum and instruction, from the University of South Florida. A member of the Junior League of Tampa and KNOW Women, she has two children—Harlow and Hendrix.
Carrying Forward a Tampa Tradition: Phil Alessi Jr. on Family and Legacy
Today, more than a century after his grandfather opened Tampa’s Alessi Bakery, Phil Alessi Jr. finds himself serving as both a caretaker of a beloved local institution and a steward of its future.
Kids to Know: Swara Nirav Patel
Swara Nirav Patel, a rising senior at Carrollwood Day School, is passionate about conservation, leadership and community impact. Swara, who gave a TEDx Talk at 15, was recently honored with the 2026 Young Women of Promise Award by the Athena Society — a recognition awarded to just 10 junior girls from students across Hillsborough County. Swara shares more about her passions, goals and…
Kids to Know: Nia Williams
Eight-year-old Nia Williams, a Tampa Bay second grader, is a published author making her mark on the local literary scene. Inspired by a personal childhood moment, her debut book, “Did You Know God Made You Beautiful?” co-authored with her mother, Kiva Williams, shares a message of confidence and self-worth with other kids. When Nia is not…
- Art | Festivals | Gasparilla
Bringing Music and Opportunity to Tampa Families: A Conversation with the Gasparilla Music Foundation
The Gasparilla Music Festival brings thousands of Tampa Bay area music lovers together for a weekend of live performances, local food, and family-friendly fun. Behind the festival is the Gasparilla Music Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated not only to showcasing great music but also to expanding access to music education through initiatives like the Recycled Tunes program.
How to plan your best day ever at the Gasparilla Music Festival 2026!
We’re sharing everything you need to know about this year’s Gasparilla Music Festival in downtown Tampa February 16-18, 2024!
Kids to Know: Leela & Sonia
Tampa Prep high school students Leela and Sonia are helping inspire the next generation of STEM leaders by coaching elementary robotics teams across multiple schools. Through competitions, teamwork and problem‑solving, they’re showing younger students, especially girls, that robotics can be both challenging and fun. What has surprised you most about working with younger students in…
USF Brings Beach Volleyball to Tampa Bay: Coach Pri Piantadosi Lima’s Vision for a New Era
USF is launching its inaugural NCAA Beach Volleyball season. We’re introducing you to head coach Pri Piantadosi Lima, a longtime professional beach volleyball player with an elite background, as she leads this history-making team in Tampa Bay.
What it means to keep going: Nick Schuyler on Loss, Resilience, and Life After
As a Tampa Bay parent raising young children, Schuyler reflects on how a life-altering experience shapes the way he approaches parenting, resilience, and the fleeting nature of time.
Kids to Know: Drew Garcia and Paige Wilson, American Bios Project
The American Bios Project: Student-Led Veteran Storytelling High school students Drew Garcia and Paige Wilson are helping preserve Tampa Bay history in a powerful way: researching and writing biographies of veterans buried at the American Legion Cemetery. Through the American Bios Project, they’re ensuring that veterans’ stories aren’t forgotten and helping others feel connected to…
Kids to Know: Kids 4 A Cause
Get to know Dominic Fouché, Sheldon Fouché, and cousins Michael Kuhn, and Christian Kuhn – the four boys behind Kids 4 A Cause.
Moms to Know: Malissa Spencer with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Get to know mom and businesswoman, Malissa Spencer, senior entertainment manager for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Kickoff to the Next Generation: The Gramatica Legacy Evolves
For the Gramatica family, hard work and athleticism are part of the DNA. In 2003, Martin Gramatica helped lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl victory. Today, Martin has traded his kicking tee for a whistle — coaching youth soccer, cheering from the sidelines and mentoring his athletic trio: Nico, a kicker…
Moms to Know: Angeline Howell, Creating Change Through Play and Purpose
Local mom and changemaker, Angeline Howell, is inspiring hands-on learning, building community and shaping the future of education in Tampa Bay.
Kids to Know: Madison “MightyMouse” Richardson
Meet Madison Richardson, a tae kwon do champion raising awareness for causes that empower kids and fund life-changing cancer research.
USF Volleyball Coach, Jolene Shepardson, on a Full Court, Full House and Full Heart
University of South Florida’s head volleyball coach, Jolene Shepardson, balances coaching life and motherhood.
Moms to Know: LOL with the Mom Group Chat Podcast
Get to know Candace Donnelly and Whitney Williams, co-hosts of the popular parenting podcast, Mom Group Chat.
Kids to Know: Miller and Linden Brown
Triathlon siblings, Miller and Linden Brown, are making waves in Tampa Bay and sharing advice for other kids who dream of crossing the finish line.
Moms to Know: Dr. Lisa Hayes, Hayes Pediatrics
Read about Dr. Lisa Hayes, a pediatrician and mom, and how she’s building her own practice while navigating motherhood and life’s challenges.
Shifting Terrain: Helping Kids Navigate the Middle to High School Transition
Learn how to make the middle to high school transition smoother with insight from pediatric psychologist Dr. Jennifer Katzenstein.
Kids to Know: Siena Bryan and Aaliyah Pitts, Tampa Bay Sun FC
Tampa Bay Sun players Siena and Aaliyah share what it’s like to play high-level soccer in high school and how they’re preparing for Georgetown!
Kids to Know: Decker Deady, The No More Foundation Volunteer
Get to know Decker Deady, Berkeley Prep high school senior dedicated to helping the No More Foundation carry out its mission to end poverty, orphans and human trafficking in Tampa Bay.
Moms to Know Tami Kent: The No More Foundation
Get to know Tami Kent, founder of The No More Foundation, which aims to eliminate poverty, orphans, and human trafficking in Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Debut ‘She is Football Weekend’ with Family-Friendly 5K and Market
Read about She Is Football Weekend on March 7-8 and the Buccaneers’ efforts to empower women in football through tournaments, leadership, and community.
A Tale of Two Farms: Legacy Lives at Ananda and Keel Farms
Discover Ananda and Keel Farms, two of our favorite local farms offering fresh food and seasonal festivities that showcase the best of Florida farming!
Life Behind Liam Coen’s Playbook: Football and Family with Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Offensive Coordinator
Learn all about how Liam Coen combines football and family in his busy life as an offensive coordinator coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Conquering Kilimanjaro: A Father’s Journey to the Roof of Africa
Discover how Preston Rudie conquered the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and the life-changing journey that pushed his limits.
Standing Up Against Bullying
When Nick DeCastro, a 2024 graduate of Steinbrenner High School, organized a peer-led intervention with the students he observed bullying others, he earned recognition from the school’s resource officer, Deputy Anthony Bennett. He also received Hillsborough County’s Anti-Bullying Advisory Committee’s annual Anti-Bullying Award for his courageous stand against bullying. Recognizing and Preventing Bullying The Situation…
Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Rescuing, Rehabilitating and Releasing Tampa Bay’s Gentle Giants
It takes a village to raise a child – a familiar adage for parents. The same holds true for manatee rescue and rehabilitation, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is part of that village for Tampa Bay Area manatees. As of August 12, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Manatee Rehabilitation Center (MRC) is now open! Dr….
Dakayla Wilson: Letting Kids Pave their Own Paths
Parenting is challenging, embodied work. Amidst society’s current culture of achievement, parenting’s challenges expand. Concurrently, kids’ autonomy and free time contract (to almost negligible levels). Of course parents want children to succeed. Within achievement culture, however, efforts are misguided and counterproductive. The mother of a competitive dancer and soccer player, I also am in achievement…
Local Bricks 4 Kidz owner launches new non-profit, Kids Love Bricks
Learn all about Bricks 4 Kidz owner and local dad, John Fontana’s new charity Kids Love Bricks, and how you can give back with LEGO!
Stopping the Summer Slide with Just 2 Books!
What do you think of when you hear “summer slide”? Is it a super cool water slide at Adventure Island? Or how about sliding into home plate during a summer Rays game? Actually, the summer slide has to deal with learning loss over the summer. Research suggests students lose about a month’s worth of learning,…
Prioritizing Preventive Care: A Radiation Oncologist’s Perspective
Dr. Jessica Frakes, radiation oncologist from Moffitt Cancer Cener, shares how early screenings can safeguard your future with your children, highlighting the importance of listening to your body and advocating for timely healthcare decisions.
Behind Every Great Cookie is a Resilient Girl Scout
Discover how the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida are shaping the leaders of tomorrow. From fostering resilience and entrepreneurship to nurturing valuable life skills, this program is more than just cookies and badges—it’s about empowering girls to make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
ZooTampa’s Manatee Hat Trick: Rescue, Rehab, Release
Manatees are among Tampa Bay’s natural gifts. Aquatic mammals and herbivores, manatees spend spring days swaying through our area’s warming waters. Endangered species, manatees don’t thrive in water colder than 68 degrees. With no natural predators, cold temperatures and boat propellors are manatees’ greatest threats. Through more than 20 years of life-saving work, ZooTampa’s world-renowned…
Moms to Know: Meet Tori Penso, FIFA Women’s World Cup referee
Tori Penso, the first American to referee a FIFA Women’s World Cup final, has much to celebrate. The St. Petersburg-based mom of three, believes soccer has been a unifying gift for her family.
Krewe Life: Meet Truett Gardner of YMKG and His Family
YMKG’s captain, Truett Gardner, will lead the legendary invasion. Truett shares treasured Gasparilla memories, extending from his childhood to ones made with his children, along with what he’s looking forward to for the 2024 Gasparilla season.
Licht Style: It all Works Out
Jason Licht, renowned Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ General Manager (a position he’s held since 2014), is, foremost, a dad and husband. With wife Blair, he navigates the peaks, valleys and predominantly uncertain terrain of parenting. They met during his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles, when she lived in Manhattan working in finance. Over six years, they…
Full Circle Moments with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders and Junior Cheerleaders
There’s something extraordinary about a life-comes-full-circle moment. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader Shay Garcia had such a moment when her daughter, Johanna, stepped onto the Raymond James turf as a Bucs Junior Cheerleader. Shay and Johanna share their TBBC experiences. Kaylee Strobel, a former Junior Cheerleader and current Buccaneers’ Cheerleading and Mascot Coordinator, also knows full-circle moments with the Bucs. Before firing the canons, read their firsthand accounts about TBBC’s lasting impacts.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: Two local moms share their deep roots in Tampa Bay
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Tampa is rich with Hispanic Heritage. Two Tampa moms, originally from Puerto Rico, share details about their roots and raising their own children with Hispanic heritage in Tampa Bay.
Meet the LaFace Family of RIPA & Associates, presenting sponsors of Big John the Triceratops
Chris LaFace, president and CEO at RIPA & Associates, along with his wife, Angela (a critical care surgeon who recently paused her career for increased family time), made a groundbreaking donation and support the Big John exhibit as presenting sponsors.
Meet the Mother-Daughter Duo Who Sparked Seventh Avenue Apothecary
We’re getting to know the mother-daughter duo behind Seventh Avenue Apothecary, Phala Pesano and Jessica Reisner, as they share how they’re letting their own little light shine and using it to ignite others’ lights.
Self-Care & Parenting: Put Your Oxygen Mask on First
Married, mother of two, Dr. Clark untangles why raising humans with strong senses of self is underpinned by parents’ self-care.
Fairy Tales, Family and Tampa Flair: Getting to know Tampa restaurant icon, Richard Gonzmart
Lowry Park Zoo’s old Fairyland figurine restoration is underway, thanks to Richard Gonzmart of the 1905 Family Of Restaurants. See them at Ulele.
From New York to Plant City: The Story of a Wish Farms Strawberry
We’re getting to know Gary Wishnatzki, of Wish Farms, to learn more about the history of his family’s farming business in Tampa Bay and where they’re heading in the future.
Krewe Life: Trey Kohrn of YMKG
For Trey Korhn, Gasparilla is a way of life. Here he shares some treasured memories he’s made as a member of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.
Gratitude & Giving: Families and Metropolitan Ministries Inspire Hope in Tampa Bay
Metropolitan Ministries offers year-round opportunities for kids to grow in gratefulness and giving, and especially this holiday season.
Logan Ryan: Gratitude for Family & Football
Logan Ryan, two-time Super Bowl champ and safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is grounded in gratitude, firm in family, and focused on football.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Trusting Things Are As They Should Be
Melissa Thomas, a pediatric critical care physician, shares her story, and realization, after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Living Authentically You: The Zubrick Magic Story
Get to know the magicians of Zubrick Magic Theatre in St. Pete, Ryan and Chris Zubrick as they share their family story of living life authentically.
Do You See What I See? A Vision for Eye-Quality
The Glazer Vision Foundation is helping adults and children understand eye health as families gear up to send kids back to school.
A Balanced Day: Easy Tips to Teach Kids Successful Time Management
Like the start of the new calendar year, the start of a new academic year is an opportunity to set goals and revise habits. That means, time management.
#GetLive with Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ #45: Devin White
Devin White talks sharing the #GetLive mindset with his son, his teammates and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ community.
Appreciating Heart Work: Teacher Appreciation Week 2022
Started in 1984 by the National PTA, May 2-6 is National Teacher Appreciation Week. A time for willingly expressing gratitude to educators.
The Wonder of the Tween Years
The space between childhood and adolescence (the tween years) is exhilarating, exhausting and best navigated as a team.
Moms to Know: Athens Pellegrino, author of ‘The Military Child Chronicles’
The Tampa mom talks about her children’s books written to help civilian families understand military family life, ‘The Military Child Chronicles’.
COVID: A Corridor to Beginning
Entering March 2022, what have we learned from COVID? What opened because of closures? What previously shuttered parts of life are lit?
Dry January: Put down the wine and drink in joy instead
In time for Dry January, Janie Porter provides perspective on nurturing a fulfilling life without filling the tumbler.
Curtain Time: A dialogue with the Patel Conservatory
Tara Payor talks one on one with Matthew Belopavlovich, artistic director for the Patel Conservatory about why theater is good for kids and families.
Scouting Lasting Influence: The Importance of Nonparental Adults
Tampa Bay dad Drew Weatherford is blessed that one of college football’s winningest coaches, Bobby Bowden, was among his nonparental adult figures.
