🌱 FL Orchestra Benefit Moved + Potbelly Opening More Tampa Locations

Hello, everybody! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily — here to impart everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally. I hope everyone is staying safe as Hurricane Ian passes. Today you'll learn about:

• 🍽️ Potbelly is planning over a dozen new restaurant locations in the Tampa area.
• 🚙 Uber drivers hit the road as the Tampa area shut down for Hurricane Ian amid "surge" pricing.
• 🦠 A Tampa health care startup has donated over $1 million worth of COVID-19 tests to the University of South Florida.

Note: Patch readers are strongly encouraged to use caution and follow safety protocol when choosing to attend an event as Hurricane Ian approaches. These events are accurate as of the newsletter's writing, please check with the event organizer for the most recent status update.

But first, today's weather:

Tropical storm. High: 81 Low: 71.

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Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. The Florida Orchestra postponed its 55th Celebration benefit concert featuring violin legend Itzhak Perlman originally planned for this Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Mahaffey Theater, due to Hurricane Ian. The concert will now occur at a later date. (Tampa Bay Newswire)

2. Potbelly has signed new agreements that will bring 14 new locations to the Tampa Bay area throughout the next five years, up from two current locations. "Having two successful Potbelly locations already, we knew it was time to sign on for more," said Ronnie Asmar, franchisee and partner at STA Management. (Tampa Bay Newswire)

3.Tampa-based health care startup, Verséa, has donated more than $1 million worth of COVID-19 tests it created to the University of South Florida. The tests will be provided to students at all three USF campuses. (Subscription: Tampa Bay INNO, Free: USF Foundation)

4. As Tampa Bay began shutting down to prepare for Hurricane Ian this week, Uber drivers were still on the road picking up passengers. Al Moreno, 59, helped passengers get around the area when local transit shutdown. Drivers are encouraged by "surge rates" that have jumped since Monday and give the drivers extra money on fares when demand increases. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)

5. Tampa Bay Bucs Quarterback Tom Brady received a warning from the NFL over sideline conduct last weekend after taking frustrations out on a tablet. Afterwards, "all 32 teams received a memo from the NFL this week threatening punishment for breaking tablets and/or other league-issued equipment." (BucsGameDay)

Today in Tampa:

• Ladies Lunch at Jackson's Bistro, Bar & Sushi. (11 a.m.)
• Apple Or Scalpel with Dr. David Phillips at The Bancroft Residence. (6 p.m.)
• Free Online Art Class For Kids & Teens at Palak StudioInk. (8 p.m.)
• Pass The Mic at 7th + Grove. (9 p.m.)
• Mission Thursday: A Latin Music Canvas at Hooch And Hive. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have "postponed the planned induction of Bruce Arians into the Ring of Honor on Sunday and will reschedule the ceremony for a later game." (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• Hurricane Ian temporarily sucked water away from the shore of Tampa Bay on Wednesday morning. The rare sight called a "reverse storm surge" last happened locally during Hurricane Irma in 2017. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)
• Thousands of people were without power south of Tampa in Manatee and Sarasota counties as Hurricane Ian approached on Wednesday morning. More power outages are expected. (WTSP)
• City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned on Tuesday that residents could expect to see between 18 and 20 inches of rainwater from Hurricane Ian's landfall Wednesday afternoon. She added that residents "are not out of the woods yet." (WFLA)

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Events:

• When Your Daughter Is Your Teacher: The Family of Tanyangzi (October 6)
• St Pete's Super Greek Festival 2022 (October 7)
• 2022 Oktoberfest - (October 7)
• Miami Carnival Parade of Bands and Concert Set for Oct. 9 (October 9)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Travel Agency in Cape Coral, FL — M and D Travel-Dream Vacations, Fall Vacation Deals! (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. See you all tomorrow 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 Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com