Straz Center's retired CEO looks back

UF picks finalist for president; 2 Hillsborough deaths tied to Hurricane Ian; St. Pete Indie Flea returns

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Friday, October 7, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters It's Friday! 🥳 Clear, sunny skies are expected, with a high of 87 and low of 63.   In this newsletter: A search committee has recommended a finalist for the role of University of Florida president; Gov. Ron DeSantis failed to take a necessary step to distribute $175 million to local projects; and much more. [LUIS SANTANA | Times] Over 30 years, Judy Lisi has seen Tampa's arts landscape evolve like few others Judy Lisi retired as CEO and president of the Straz Center last month, ending her run as one of Tampa Bay's longest-tenured and most transformative arts leaders.   She arrived in 1992, not long after the building opened, facing a budget deficit and scores of empty seats.   But she left with nearly 10,000 Broadway series subscribers, an endowment of close to $70 million and a coming $100 million expansion of the largest performing arts hall in the southeastern U.S.   "I don't think you could underestimate her role in the success of not just the Straz Center, but of downtown," said Tampa Theatre CEO John Bell.   Read more about how Lisi has helped the venue soar and changed a city. Get the latest sports coverage from the Times For updates and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays, Florida college teams and more, follow the Tampa Bay Times sports crew on social media. Twitter Facebook Instagram AROUND THE BAY Reunited with rescuers: David Littlefield took his boat south toward Pine Island the day before Hurricane Ian made landfall. He thought he was getting away from the storm, not sailing into it. Thursday in Clearwater, he met up with the Coast Guard crew who rescued him after his boat capsized.   2 deaths linked to Ian: The hurricane claimed the lives of two Hillsborough County residents, according to newly released records by the medical examiner.   "Be patient": After Hurricane Ian, Hillsborough County commissioners are preaching patience when it comes to power restoration and debris cleanup.   South Florida man wonders what's next: As President Joe Biden spoke around the corner from Sunnyland Trailer Court on Wednesday, a Fort Myers Beach resident pondered what's next for his home.    Making up time: To offset the two days Hillsborough County public school students missed during the hurricane, the district said teachers will give up a planning day, and six early release days will be extended to full days.   $15.5M for waterfront land: An Arizona developer envisions 325 "ultra-luxury" apartments southwest of Tampa's Gandy and West Shore boulevards.   Rays under fire: The team is trying to co-opt a redevelopment bid for St. Petersburg's Tropicana Field, one pastor says.   Connecting with Latinos: More than a third of the Rays' 40-man roster comes from Colombia, Cuba and more. Has the team leveraged its diversity to win new Hispanic fans?   Film funds 📽️: In 2022, these 17 productions got $1.5 million in local grants.   Times favorite returns: Our Festival of Reading celebrates its 30th year with a slimmed-down event in a new, in-person location. Don't miss the lineup of author talks and book signings.   Touring in Tampa 🎸: Machine Gun Kelly and Jack White will headline 97X Next Big Thing this holiday season. And 93.3 FLZ's Jingle Ball has some big names of its own. Backstreet Boys and Black Eyed Peas, anyone? BRIGHT SPOT 🛍️ [LUIS SANTANA | Times (2019)] Indie Flea is celebrating 10 years. How did it become a St. Petersburg staple? A decade ago, Rosey Williams hosted the first installment of her popular monthly market. The hyper-local event is still going strong, with plans to take over Sunshine City streets again on Sunday. As the tradition enters a new era, Williams discusses Indie Flea's early days and its transformation. POLITICS DeSantis rejects funding: Local projects, including more than 30 in Tampa Bay, will go unfunded after the governor failed to disburse $175 million in grants by the Sept. 30 deadline.   Sticking around after switch: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist has managed to maintain some supporters throughout his political career, despite changing parties.   More uncertainty: A federal appeals panel ruled against the DACA program, which protects immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, sending the case back to a Texas judge to review a revised policy about new applicants. Dive deeper into your favorite local subjects 📨 Our free email newsletters bring the best of the Tampa Bay Times to your inbox every week. Explore all of them here. OPINION AND COMMENTARY Pinellas County School Board: Residents will cast their votes for two positions in the general election. Here's who the Times Editorial Board recommends. SPORTS Playoffs are here: But they could end prematurely if Rays hitters fail to show up in Cleveland for their best-of-three Wild Card Series, which opens today. Columnist John Romano breaks it down.   Culture club: Newcomers say it quickly becomes obvious the Rays do things differently and why that leads to success, such as four straight playoff berths.   Viewing guide: Our weekly college football rundown highlights a pair of ex-Bucs at Boise State, the mighty Kansas-Texas Christian game and something about Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban? And there's more where that came from.   Run game struggles persist: The Falcons have reinvented themselves as unlikely purveyors of ball control and bootlegs. Thirty-first in the NFL in rushing yards per game last season, they now rank fourth entering Sunday's game against the Bucs. Where does Tampa Bay stand? Next-to last.   Lightning remain winless in preseason: Tampa Bay suffered a loss to Florida on Thursday night in Sunrise. Here are five things Eduardo A. Encina learned from the game.  TODAY'S TALKER [AL DRAGO | Associated Press] Nebraska senator could be UF's new president The university announced Thursday that U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska is its lone finalist for president. If approved by the UF board of trustees, Sasse would become the school's 13th president, replacing Kent Fuchs.   Sasse, a Republican, is known for his big ideas about higher education and for stands he has taken against former president Donald Trump. You can read about some of Sasse's views here.   Trump weighed in on the news, saying UF "will soon regret their decision to hire him," while DeSantis said Sasse was a "good candidate."   More finalists: USF has named four finalists for a provost and executive vice president of academic affairs following a national search. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Anila Lijo, Mari Faiello and Amy Gehrt. Did someone forward this to you? 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