🌱 Fun-Lan Drive-In & Swap Shop Closed + Tampa Arts Alliance Pledge Lands New Pledge

Hey, Tampa! Let's get you started this Monday with everything you need to know going on around town today.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and beautiful. High: 82 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Smith & Associates Real Estate Foundation has made a long-term commitment to the local arts community through a 3-year commitment to the newly-formed Tampa Arts Alliance. The goal of the organization is to attract funding for the arts, help create a clearer vision for the arts in Tampa, foster greater awareness inside and outside of Tampa about artists working in Tampa and venue, outlets, programming, and more. (Tampa Patch)

2. Tampa's iconic Fun-Lan Drive-In and Swap Shop has permanently closed. The drive-in theater and market survived for decades, including a screening of "Star Wars" in the 1977. Despite being a safer place to watch movies during the pandemic, COVID-19 negatively impacted its vital swap and shop business beyond repair. (Creative Loafing)

3. A woman was found dead in Thonotosassa during a welfare check on Saturday afternoon, deputies say. The sheriff's office is treating it as a homicide investigation from an isolated incident. (WFLA)

4. Christmas lights: "Robert Moore’s 5 Acres Of Christmas Lights" is a holiday sight to see at a home in Milton, Florida. Local news outlets report that Moore began the tradition in 1989 when he built a home with his wife. (Fox 13 Tampa)

5. Fairgrounds St. Pete will have its grand opening on Thursday, December 16th at 11 a.m. with St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and artist Chad Mize. It will feature an unveiling of Fairgrounds St. Pete’s permanent entrance, new artworks and a new mural by St. Pete-based artist, Chad Mize. (That's So Tampa)

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Today in Tampa:

• South Tampa Young Professionals Networking Lunch At Wrights Gourmet House. (11:30 AM)
• Swing For A Cause! At Hunter's Green Country Club. (12:00 PM)
• Hyde Park Sweat With Bella Prana At Hyde Park Village. (6:00 PM)
• Fall Baking Cooking Class At Publix Aprons Cooking School of Citrus Park. (6:00 PM)
• An Evening Of George Bernard Shaw At Oxford Exchange. (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• ZooTampa at Lowry Park: "Everyone loves otters! Watch the latest @zoolifewithchris video on Instagram to get up close and personal with Quigley and Harriet. 🦦" (Facebook)
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: "All aboard the Holly Jolly Express🗣️🚂" (Facebook)
• City of Tampa: "The Hillsborough River is sparkling with holiday lights!" (Facebook)
• Humane Society of Tampa Bay: "Want to honor someone with a truly unique holiday gift that helps homeless animals? 🎄🐾 Purchase an engravable brick for our Gazebo Walkway! Many precious paws will pass your tribute; a legacy that lasts a lifetime." (Facebook)
• City of Tampa: "Does your community experience flooding, excessive heat, transportation, housing, or food security? If so, we want to hear from you! Help us develop the City of Tampa Climate Action and Equity Plan! We’re hosting our first community list..." (Facebook)

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Events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (December 18)
• Holiday Full Moon 20th Virtual Global Psychic, Holistic Health, Wellness Fair on Zoom (December 18)
• Winter Wonderland (December 18)
• Marathon Mania (January 2)
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For sale:

• Tarot Readings with Nicole, Private and/or Parties (Details)
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• Cutie Pawtootie mobile dog grooming (Details)
• Ideal Choice Painting (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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.