🌱 Busch Garden's Iron Gwazi Opening + SEC Tourney Comes To Tampa

Get on up, Tampa! Let's get you started this Thursday with everything you need to know going on today in Tampa.

First, today's weather:

An afternoon t-storm; humid. High: 81 Low: 71.

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Here are the top five stories today in Tampa:

1. The long-awaited Iron Gwazi officially opens at Busch Gardens Tampa on Friday, March 11. The new ride is a wood and steel hybrid coaster. It will be North America's tallest roller coaster and the world's fastest and steepest hybrid coaster. Riders will experience a dozen airtime moments, including three inversions. (Tampa Patch)

2. TripAdvisor has ranked the top breakfast restaurants in Tampa. Hotspots on the list include West Tampa Sandwich Shop, Trips Diner, La Segunda Bakery and Café, Oxford Exchange and Samaria Café. Factors include how many reviews the establishment has, food rating, service rating, value, and more. (WFLA)

3. Wednesday kicked off the 2022 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Analysts expect a big impact for the local economy, with at least 20,000 hotel rooms rented. All 14 SEC teams will compete through Sunday in the event including the University of Florida. (Fox 13 Tampa)

4. Jurassic Jungle LIVE is heading to the J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex in Holiday, Florida on Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13. Tickets start at $19.99 and are available in general admission and front row. (That's So Tampa)

5. The average price for diesel fuel is almost $5 according to the US Energy Information Administration. Eric Stiehl, president of Tarpon Transport Services near Tampa said this increase in expense doesn't just impact truckers, but you, too, since trucking companies are charging their clients more money to move their products. (WFLA)

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Today in Tampa:

• Coffee With Castor at McDonald's MLK. (9:00 AM)
• Strides 360 at Armature Works. (10:30 AM)
• Art On The House at Tampa Museum Of Art. (4:00 PM)
• Evening Story Time at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (6:00 PM)
• ⚾ Baseball @ Tampa Bay Tech High School at Robinson High. (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• City of Tampa celebrated the 25th Annual Women's History Month Celebration at the Tampa Bay History Center. They are grateful for the inspiring women leaders in our community, including those who serve the city of Tampa. (Facebook)
• CareerSource Tampa Bay is proud to announce a new satellite location at the Bullard Family Foundation Prosperity Center at Sligh Middle School at 2011 East Sligh Ave., Tampa, FL 33610. (Patch)
• With more than 400 distribution centers, the I-4 Corridor is fueling demand for retail and e-commerce goods, food and beverage, energy products and construction and building materials. Port Tampa Bay says they are ready to welcome new business and have emerged as Florida’s supply chain solution. (Twitter)
• Effective Sunday, March 13, Routes 10 and 14 for HART Tampa will operate on a new schedule. Visit GoHART.org for more information. (Twitter)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Making Sense of Your Medicare Choices (March 10)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 11)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 12)
• Jazz on the Lawn @ Riverwalk STEM Academy (March 12)
• Gulfport Stand-Up Comedy Show (March 12)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 13)
• Social Security Seminar 3/14 & 3/16 (March 14)
• Creating Income in a Low Interest Rate Environment (March 29)
• Add your event

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You're all caught up for today! 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.