🌱 Boulon Brasserie Opens Today + Tampa City Elections Coming March 7

Hello all! I'm here with your fresh copy of the Tampa Daily, filled with all the community information you need to know right now. Today you'll learn about:

• Tampa's regional bus system is hitting a fiscal cliff two years sooner than anticipated.
• City of Tampa municipal elections are approaching in early March.
• MOSI Tampa is adding a new mini-golf course with a science theme.

But first, today's weather:

Considerable cloudiness. High: 76 Low: 64.

Business owners and marketers in Tampa: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. City of Tampa's municipal elections are approaching on March 7. Voters living in Tampa will select their mayor and six city council members. Four amendments will also be on the ballot including a proposal for term limits, a proposal to create boards or committees without the mayor, and more. (Tampa Patch)
2. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is expected to hit a "fiscal cliff" next year in 2024, two years earlier than originally planned. California-based InfraStrategies has suggested a number of ways to keep the agency funded including proposing a number of taxes that could be introduced including a sales tax increase or property tax increase. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Business Journal)
3. The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa is adding a new mini golf course that is science themed. "Putt with prehistoric dinosaurs, stay on par while learning physics, or take a mulligan on the moon," wrote MOSI. The cost is $3 for MOSI members and $5 for non-members. (That's So Tampa)
4. Boulon Brasserie opens today in Water Street Tampa. The concept run by chef Jeff Gigante is owned by Next Level Brands Hospitality, which also owns Forbici Modern Italian in South Tampa's Hyde Park Village. The concept will be run by Chef Habteab "Hab" Hamde, who left the iconic Bern's Steakhouse in 2022. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Business Journal, Free: That's So Tampa)
5. A Sarasota police officer was injured this past weekend when a suspect allegedly bit her on the hand, according to body cam footage released by the Sarasota Police Department. The suspect yelled at officers that they did not have a warrant to arrest him in the chaos. Police said officers then punched the suspect in the head to get him to stop biting the officer. (WFLA)

Today in Tampa:

• School Board Workshop at Hillsborough County Schools. (4 p.m.)
• Synapse Volunteer Informational Session at Brick House Tavern + Tap. (5 p.m.)
• Downtown Tampa Food Tour at Malio's Tampa. (5:30 p.m.)
• Discover Rodan + Fields: A New Era of Opportunity - Tampa at Hyde House Public Studio. (6:30 p.m.)
• Bourbon And Dessert at First Chance Last Chance Bar. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa International Airport shared: "Window seat views over Tampa Bay are just something else. ❤️" (Tampa International Airport via Facebook)
• Humane Society of Tampa Bay shared: "HELP HOMELESS PETS IN TAMPA BAY 🐾 YOU can help animals like Ava get the care they need! Ava was found wandering the streets all alone. She needed immediate medical attention like many strays who come through our doors." (Humane Society of Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate! 🌙" (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Tampa General Hospital shared: "Two new mobile health units will soon be hitting the streets thanks to a Tampa General Hospital partnership with Hillsborough County! The TGH Mobile Care to You program delivers on-site health care services to Tampa Bay area communities and employers and is made possible through COVID-19 CARES Act funding allocated by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners." (Tampa General Hospital via Facebook)
• Tampa Theatre shared: "Catch the Opera Cowgirls live on the Tampa Theatre stage Thursday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. Grand Ole Opry meets grand opera in a mashup of opera, bluegrass, and country." (Tampa Theatre via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• DavisDNA & Family Research, Inc. — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (January 25)
• USA Vein Clinics At The Tampa Bay Senior Expo (January 25)
• TerraNova Equestrian Grand Prix Brunch (January 28)
• Pinellas TacoFest (January 28)
• Split Rock Jumping Tour Championship Series — Day of Family Fun! (January 29)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another 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 Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com