🌱 Chef Viviani Expands + Broadway Ball After Dark + St. Pete Beach Grant

Happy Thursday, Tampa! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

An afternoon shower in spots. High: 92 Low: 73.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. The Straz Center for Performing Arts is hosting Broadway Ball After Dark on Saturday, October 23rd. Guests can enjoy classic Broadway tunes, place bids on a silent auction, enjoy food and drinks, and dance in celebration of the return of Broadway and support a good cause. (That's So Tampa)

2. Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani is set to open his second Chuck Lager America's Grill in Tampa Bay. Viviani also has planned to open a 3rd restaurant concept soon in Oldsmar. Viviani is quickly making a comeback after a tumultuous exit in 2020 from Tampa's restaurant scene. His business partnership back then with Nocturnal Hospitality Group dissolved after Viviani's business partner attacked Black Lives Matter protesters on social media at the height of the marches and set off a string of controversies. (Tampa Patch)

3. There will be a rally on Saturday at St. Petersburg City Hall calling on the city to make reparations to the Black community at Tropicana Field. It is organized by the Uhuru Solidarity Movement (USM) and the African People’s Socialist Party (APSP). Organizers say the land where the stadium stands is owed to the businesses and individuals who once occupied the space. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

4. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday accused Republican Governor Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida of "taking steps that prevent the saving of lives" with their opposition to vaccine mandates in their states. Vaccine mandates have been a fight in Florida almost from when they were first discussed by the federal government. Texas joined the fight against vaccine mandates this week. OSHA is set to launch a crackdown on employers this winter. (Fox 13 Tampa)

5. Governor Ron DeSantis announced this week that the state will award St. Pete Beach a $2 million grant for wastewater infrastructure improvements. The grant is expected to create 1,300 jobs and generate $13 million annually. (thetampabay100.com)

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Today in Tampa:

• Green Lemon's Quinceañera. (12:00 PM)
• "Así Somos y Aquí Estamos" Con Nuestras Banderas. (4:00 PM)
• Yoga Workshop. (5:00 PM)
• Kitchen Fundamentals: Crepes at Publix Aprons Cooking School of Citrus Park. (6:00 PM)
• Tampa Bay Teen Lit Fest. (6:30 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: "The most wonderful time of the year is almost here! We're just ONE month away from Christmas Town" (Facebook)
• City of Tampa: "It’s so beautiful. #GOBOLTS Tampa Bay Lightning NHL" (Facebook)
• Tampa General Hospital: "Two iconic Tampa Bay organizations just made their partnership even stronger! Tampa General Hospital is thrilled to announce that our logo will be featured on both sides of Tampa Bay Lightning's helmets during all regular season games an..." (Facebook)
• Jane Castor: "The #NHLFaceOff kickoff with @AllTimeLow was incredible! Now it’s time to begin our journey for the 3peat!!" (Twitter)

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Events:

• Yoga Workshop (October 14)
• 'Evil Dead: The Musical' By Stageworks (October 14)
• FamilyFest Tampa (October 16)
• 6th Annual HCC Hawk Run - 5K Glow Run and Walk (In person and Virtual) (October 16)
• Greektoberfest! Fort Myers - Friday, Saturday, Sunday! Greek Food, Drink, Music! (October 17)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll see you soon! If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. 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? Email me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.