🌱 10,000 Rubber Ducks Invading Tampa + I-275 SB Ramp Closure

Hello again, Tampa! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out the most important things going on these days in town, including updates on...

• The southbound I-275 ramp at Exit 45B will temporarily close on Tuesday night at 11 p.m. through Wednesday at 5 a.m. for construction work.
• Thousands of rubber ducks will invade Tampa on April 8 to help supporting The Kiwanis Club of Tampa.
• The "Let The Bad Times Roll Tour" is coming to Tampa this summer.

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny and warmer. High: 80 Low: 55.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. The southbound I-275 ramp (Exit 45B) to eastbound I-4 will temporarily close for construction work on Tuesday, March 21 if weather permits. The ramp will be closed from 11 p.m. on Tuesday night to 5 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Drivers should plan for delays and congestion during the work. (Tampa Patch)
2. Ducks are invading Tampa on April 8 when The Kiwanis Club of Tampa will have over 10,000 rubber ducks race down the Hillsborough River. Members of the public can sponsor a duck for just $5. All proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Club of Tampa. (That's So Tampa)
3. Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard abruptly resigned on Monday. City leaders were shocked at the announcement amid numerous projects in the city but urged each other to press forward. Hibbard has served as mayor since 2004 and was near the end of his term. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)
4. The "Let The Bad Times Roll Tour" is coming to Tampa this summer on Aug. 16 at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre. The tour will include The Offspring, Sum 41, and Simple Plan. Pre-sale tickets go on-sale on March 21 for Citi card holders and to the public on March 24. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
5. Free Blockbuster boxes are taking off across the bridge in Pinellas County in St. Petersburg. Similar to the idea of Little Free Libraries, it encourages sharing movies with the community offering free movies, including DVDs and VHS tapes. The St. Petersburg location is at 3446 Kingston St. North. (St. Pete Patch)

Today in Tampa:

• Pets And Tots at Humane Society Of Tampa Bay. (10:30 a.m.)
• Tampa: Taco Tuesday Invite For Free Tacos & Jarritos at Jimmy's Tacos. (11 a.m.)
• March 2023 — West Tampa Chamber Luncheon at HCC Dale Mabry Campus. (11:30 a.m.)
• New York Yankees Vs. Detroit Tigers at George Steinbrenner Field. (2:05 p.m.)
• The 2nd Annual Oggi Oscars Wine Dinner. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Visit Tampa Bay shared: "🍿 The Gasparilla International Film Festival is Tampa Bay’s largest celebration of independent film and one of the most well-attended film festivals in the region. This year’s film fest kicks off on Thursday, March 23 with a screening of 'Miranda’s Victim,' and concludes on Saturday, March 26 with closing night film 'Blackberry.'" (Visit Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• City of Tampa: "You’re invited! The City of Tampa Mobility Dept. is hosting a Public Workshop to discuss transportation + safety improvements along Twiggs St. in Tampa's Downtown." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• South Tampa Chamber shared: "Thank you to everyone who joined us at Centre Club - Tampa for our March Membership Luncheon with Toffee To Go. It was great to see everyone! 😊 ✅ Thank you to our speakers: Jim and Lisa Schalk, Founders of Toffee to Go." (South Tampa Chamber via Facebook)
• City of Tampa: "Want to have coffee with the Mayor? ☕ 🤝 Join Mayor Jane Castor for her upcoming Coffee with Castor community listening session on Wednesday, March 22 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at The Westin Tampa Waterside." (City of Tampa via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• TerraNova Grand Prix Brunch (March 25)
• Westchase Egg Hunt (April 2)
• Jazz at the Ballroom Presents "Accentuate the Positive" (April 16)
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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com