🌱 Adventure Island Reopens + Mayday Ice Cream Grand Opening

Happy Monday, people of Tampa! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 85 Low: 67.

Are you a local business owner or marketer? We can help you effortlessly run effective ads that reach customers in Tampa. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Adventure Island is now open year-round and will open two new water thrill rides this month called Rapids Racer and Wahoo Remix. The new rides follow the 2020 opening of Solar Vortex. The water park reopened this past Saturday as spring break gets underway and will remain open. (Tampa Patch)

2. A Ybor City warehouse could one day become home to approximately 55 affordable art workspaces and a gallery space called The Meatyard Ybor. It would be a renovation and restoration of the old Dave & Gordon Co. building. The project is still in the preliminary planning stage, according to a report by Creative Loafing. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

3. Gas prices across the Tampa Bay area rose over 40 cents over the last week and have passed $4 a gallon. The dramatic rise in prices at the pump are being felt by the community in Tampa Bay and across the nation as Russia invades Ukraine and sanctions reverberate around the world. Prices are expected to continue to rise. (WFLA)

4. Several landmarks around Tampa Bay have lit up in blue and yellow in support and solidarity with Ukraine in the last week. Landmarks lit up include the Tampa City Hall, Skyway Bridge, St. Pete Pier, Curtis Hixon Park fountains, and more. (Tampa Bay Times)

5. St. Augustine-based Mayday Handcrafted Ice Cream is celebrating its grand opening in Ybor City on Wednesday, March 16th, by giving all guests one free scoop in a small sugar cone. The event will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 1600 East 8th Avenue in Centro Ybor. It is the 8th location of the concept. (Business Observer)

From our sponsor:

Today's Tampa Daily is brought to you in part by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Tampa:

• Vegan Baking at TRIBE Seminole Heights. (4:00 PM)
  
• Intro To Coding at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (6:00 PM)
• Getting Curried Away at Publix Aprons Cooking School Of Citrus Park. (6:00 PM)
• TBBW 2022: Bring On The Funk! at Independent Bar And Cafe Tampa. (6:00 PM)
• Mayweather Boxing HIIT Class at Armature Works. (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Florida Strawberry Festival is happening now through Sunday, March 13th. Head to Plant City to enjoy all things strawberry, including the festival's world-famous shortcake. (Facebook)
• The City of Tampa is working with the The CLEO Institute to engage residents across neighborhoods to determine what climate and equity challenges affect them most day to day. Join the next listening session on Friday, March 18th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Port Tampa Community Center. (Twitter)
• The Tampa Home Show at Tampa Convention Center is back on March 19th and March 20th. Attend for free to explore wall-to-wall displays and exhibits of the latest trends in home improvement. (Facebook)
• Early Saturday morning a 22-foot-long boat overturned in Tampa Bay and the U.S. Coast Guard rescued four people, a statement said. (Tampa Bay Times)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 11)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 12)
• Jazz on the Lawn @ Riverwalk STEM Academy (March 12)
• Gulfport Stand-Up Comedy Show (March 12)
• Making Sense of Your Medicare Choices (March 12)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 13)
• Social Security Seminar 3/14 & 3/16 (March 14)
• Creating Income in a Low Interest Rate Environment (March 29)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Travel Agency - M and D Travel-Dream Vacations, Cruise Deals!! (Details)
• Add your announcement

Loving the Tampa Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Become a supporter (there are perks!)
• Get your local business showcased in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at SouthTampa@Patch.com

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday! I'll see you around.

— 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.