🌱 Cuban Ambassador Faces Tampa Protesters + Chief Haworth Retires

Morning, everybody! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Patch newsletter — here to impart everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days. In today's issue, we'll touch on...

• Cuban ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera had a meeting at Mise en Place disrupted by protesters on Friday.
• LAB Theater Project is performing "The Rooster's Tale" through March 19.
• "Running with the Rays 5" is happening Sunday, April 16.

But first, today's weather:

Humid with a stray t-shower. High: 83 Low: 66.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. LAB Theater Project will perform "The Rooster's Tale," a new play from Paula Fell, through March 19 after a succesful opening. Tickets are $28 and now available through their website. Plays will run Thursdays through Sundays. (Tampa Patch)
2. A Florida man was arrested on Friday after a person was found dead in an apartment by police in Temple Terrace. The deceased individual was found by police at The Avenue Apartments located on the 9100 block of Ave. Club Drive. 52-year-old Thomas Sapp was arrested and charged by police without incident. (WFLA)
3. "Running with the Rays 5" will occur on Sunday, April 16 throughout St. Pete in Pinellas County. The race will begin outside Tropicana Field and travel down Al Lang Stadium and then back to Tropicana Field. Proceeds will benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation and the Rowdies Soccer Fund. (That's So Tampa)
4. Cuban ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera's dinner in Tampa on Friday night was disrupted at Mise en Place by Cuban protesters. The protesters denounced the Cuban government and the presence of the ambassador in one of Tampa's only fine-dining establishments. The ambassador was meeting with local business leaders and politicians and touring Tampa with a well-known advocate for opening up relations with Cuba. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)
5. Pinellas Park Police Chief Michael Haworth is retiring after 30 years of public service on June 30. Haworth started with the force in 1990. Captain Adam Geissenberger will replace Haworth, according to officials. (Fox 13 Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• Drive & Dine 9 Hole Golf Fundraiser at Westchase Golf Club. (8 a.m.)
• Fresh Market at Hyde Park Village. (10 a.m.)
• Bend And Brews at 7venth Sun Brewery. (11 a.m.)
• Brewer's Ball 2023. (noon)
• 6th Annual Pride Music And Art Festival at HCC Ybor City Performing Arts Building. (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "We have recalled defenseman Darren Raddysh from the Syracuse Crunch." (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Tampa Theatre shared: "Pups at Tampa Theatre? 🐶 Tampa Area Puppy Raisers of Southeastern Guide Dogs will join us before the screening of the NY Dog Film Festival Sunday March 5.." (Tampa Theatre via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "This is the last weekend to early vote in the City of Tampa Municipal Election. Registered voters can visit any of the 7 early voting sites citywide. Find an early voting location that works for you: votehillsborough.gov/VOTERS/Early-Voting" (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• South Tampa Chamber shared: "🍕 FOODIES! Taste of South Tampa is 2 weeks away. Make sure to grab your tickets. VIP is selling FAST." (South Tampa Chamber via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Shen Yun Classical Dance with Live Orchestra (March 7)
• Hope Spot Gala (March 19)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow morning for 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com