🌱 Babushka’s Hyde Park + The Squeeze + Tampa Straz Taste Returns After Pandemic Hiatus

Good morning, Tampa! It's Tuesday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in town.

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First, today's weather:

Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 72 Low: 55.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Babushka’s is opening soon in Hyde Park at 901 West Platt Street. The location will offer classic Russian, Ukrainian, and Eastern European cuisine as well as a caviar bar, infused vodkas, and more. (That's So Tampa)

2. Lakeland is offering a new public transit service using golf carts called The Squeeze. The service will offer rides around lunch time from Monday through Thursday and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. The service will also allow payment from mobile apps, such as Venmo and CashApp. (ABC Action News)

3. Florida welcomed 32.5 million travelers in the third quarter of 2021, a nearly 7% increase from the same period in 2019. 1.2 million overseas visitors came to Florida as well, and 85,000 from Canada between July and September as borders reopened. Governor Ron DeSantis credits Florida remaining open during the summer despite a pandemic virus surge from the Delta variant. (Florida Patch)

4. The Tampa Bay Rowdies were defeated 3-1 by Orange County FC in the USL Final Championship game. It was an unusually bad game for the Rowdies who gave up the game in the first half to Orange County and were not able to bounce back. (WTSP)

5. Party on the Riverwalk: The Straz Center’s popular TASTE event is returning in the spring of 2022 after a pandemic hiatus. Tickets are already available for purchase and usually sell out before the event. All tickets come with unlimited samples from any participating restaurant, brewery or winery, a full open bar, and access to live music on the outdoor Tampa Riverwalk stage. (Creative Loafing)

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Today in Tampa:

• World of Beer Bar & Kitchen Tampa Locations Host Can for a Can. (12:00 PM)
• Young Professionals Holiday Event - South Tampa Chamber of Commerce. (5:00 PM)
• Mindful Movement Silent Disco at Sparkman Wharf. (6:00 PM)
• Girls Night Out - Wine & Wreath Making at Armature Works. (6:00 PM)
• Boys Basketball vs. Blake - Robinson High. (6:30 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• Kiera | Tampa Bay Foodie: "Brunch at @urbanstillhousestpete! Not only is this spot absolutely gorgeous but the food & drinks were 💯. I absolutely loved loved loved the Core Values cocktail with Horse Soldier Bourbon, apple liqueur, honey thyme syrup, lemon..." (Instagram)
• ZooTampa at Lowry Park: "They're baaack! Visit the goats and horses in the Barnyard, now open in Wallaroo Station. 🐐 #LoveFL #zootampa" (Facebook)
• Tampa Tarpons: "Now’s your chance to get your own pinstripe jersey! Player Jerseys: 15% OFF Custom Jerseys: 50% OFF the customization fee! Shop any day between now and Dec. 4th, store hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Not local? No problem! Call (813) 67..." (Facebook)
• City of Tampa: "The Tampa Riverwalk is decked out for the season! Enjoy holiday lights along the Riverwalk as part of their Holiday Spectacular event now through Jan 2nd" (Facebook)

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• Shake Shack Donation Day (December 1)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (December 2)
• Taxes In Retirement Seminar (December 2)
• SUN 'n FUN Holiday Fly-In Festival and Car Show (December 3)
• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 6)
• Sarasota / Bradenton JOB LINK Job Fair / Tampa Bay - DECEMBER 8 - Hundreds of Jobs Available! (December 8)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you around. If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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 Daily? You can contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.