🌱 Hillsborough Co. LGBTQ Documents Draw Scrutiny + Art On The Block

Hello Tampa and TGIF! I am Carlos Hernandez, back with the Tampa Daily. Here is a rundown of what's happening locally:

• 🎨 A new mural was recently unveiled at The Gwen Miller Community Center.
• 🍴 Tampa restaurant traffic is booming past pre-pandemic levels.
• 🏫 The "Don't Say Gay" law takes another twist with Hillsborough school documents.

Oh, yeah! Today is Kool-Aid Day. Enjoy yourself a cold glass. It's also National Potato Day.

First, today's weather:

A stray morning thunderstorm. High: 90 Low: 78.

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Here are the top five stories today in Tampa:

1. City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, city staff and neighborhood leaders joined Nneka Jones, an award-winning artist and activist, in celebrating the completion of a new mural on the exterior walls at The Gwen Miller Community Center on August 11 at 6410 North 32nd Street. The mural is part of Castor's Art on the Block initiative, which aims to make art accessible to all by bringing art and artists into neighborhoods and draw community engagement. (Tampa Patch)

2. Willie Hunter, 43, was arrested Wednesday in the shooting death of another man near a Hillsborough County Wawa store on August 14. He is facing charges of first-degree premeditated murder and felon in possession of a firearm. (WTSP)

3. Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. on Wednesday gave approval to "pull" LGBTQ support documents at all school districts in the state, after a State Board of Education member suggested some could violate the "Don't Say Gay" law. Board member Ryan Petty took issue with a Hillsborough County school document that forbids staff from revealing a student's sexual orientation to a parent. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

4. Tampa Attorney Gregg Thomas has worked on First Amendment cases for more than 40 years and believes suspended State Attorney Andrew Warren will be restored to his position. "I would expect the court to proceed in the next six weeks with the decision," said Thomas. (WFLA)

5. OpenTable data shows Tampa restaurants are seeing an average 20% customer increase compared to 2019. Restaurateurs note that while corporate lunch crowds have fallen, dinner traffic has increased. (ABC Action News)

Today in Tampa:

• World Aviation Day at Riverview Public Library. (all day)
• Dinosaurs Around The World at Museum Of Science & Industry. (10 a.m.)
• 'The Art Of Life' Tribute To Suzanne Camp at The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. (noon)
• Fashion's Finest Tampa Bay at The Portico Café. (6 p.m.)
• Tampa Roller Derby Game at Skateworld Of Tampa. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The controversial HOA in Lake Wales that voted against the American flags flying in two public areas for veterans has now agreed to allow the flag to be raised over the horseshoe club. (WFLA)
• The P1 Offshore St. Pete Grand Prix is coming to downtown St. Pete Labor Day weekend. Teams across the United States will compete in high-speed races during the two-day series. (That's So Tampa)
• Miami-based Choeff Levy Fischman Architecture + Design has announced the opening of a new Tampa office near SoHo at 2023 W Platt St., Suite 104. The new office is part of a statewide expansion effort. (Tampa Patch)
• Frontier Airlines is launching 4-times weekly service from Tampa International Airport to Detroit starting November 5. (Tampa International Airport via Facebook)

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Events:

• Fashion's Finest Tampa Bay™ (August 19)
• Moonshiner’s Comedian Killer Beaz – “The Best Buzz in Town!” in St. Petersburg (August 19)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (August 25)
• Smooth Jazz Sunday w/Blake Aaron, Tom Braxton & Rob Zinn! (August 28)
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Announcements:

• $99 Tampa Drive Cleaning $199 Tampa Roof Cleaning, Why Wait? (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next 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