* Tampa recently received (again) a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Municipal Equality Index, a nationwide assessment of cities’ commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion in laws, policies and services. “In Tampa, we celebrate Pride every day of the year by being a city that recognizes its diversity as one of its strongest assets.”–Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
* The Read-Out: Tampa is properly recognized for its up-to-date and innovative public library system. It’s savvy in how it keeps up with evolving technology by providing access to movies, magazines, recordings and classes. A recent check-out receipt at the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library even underscores its marketing chops. “Total items: 1. Title: ‘Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath.’” Then the bottom line: “You just saved $40.00 by using your library. You have saved $2,248.47 this past year and $4,843.01 since you began using the library.”
* Talk about a perfect storm: Coronavirus, delta, omicron, anti-vaxxers and E-Scooters.