🌱 Kura Sushi Coming To Tampa In 2023 + Aussie Grill Carrollwood

Good morning, hello. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town. Including updates on...

• The Tampa Bay Lightning are joining other local groups to help feed families this holiday season.
• Aussie Grill by Outback is now open in Tampa's Carrollwood neighborhood.
• Futuristic sushi concept Kura Sushi is coming to Tampa in 2023.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and pleasant. High: 71 Low: 59.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. The Tampa Bay Lightning joined forces with Feeding Tampa Bay and Florida Blue to help feed families this holiday season in an event called Faceoff Against Hunger. Families are facing tough times amid rising inflation and rent in the Tampa area and the need for donations and volunteers could not be greater right now. (Bay News 9)

2. Aussie Grill by Outback opened recently in Tampa's Carollwood neighborhood with a drive-thru at 14777 North Dale Mabry Highway. The first 100 guests at the opening received free Aussie Grill meals for 52 weeks or a year. Menu items include salads, burgers, chicken sandwiches, and steak that can be ready to go in just five minutes. (CarlosEats.com)

3. A 12-year-old boy tragically died on Friday night after Lakeland police said he accidentally shot himself with a gun he found at a friend’s house. The incident happened in the 5500 block of Starling Loop around 7 p.m. The boy was stayting over for a sleepover before the deadly shooting happened. (Fox 13 Tampa)

4. Futuristic sushi concept Kura Sushi is opening its first Tampa location at 214 Westshore Plaza in 2023. The franchise already has successful locations in Central Florida around Orlando. The international restaurant chain has over 500 locations thorughout Japan, Taiwan, and the United States of America. (That's So Tampa)

5. The Tampa Bay Bucs suffered a 34-23 loss to the Bengals on Sunday after enjoying a lead of 17-3 before halftime. It was the second loss in a row for the Bucs which are now 6-8. The Bucs still hace a lead in the NFC South divsion due to other teams maintaining losing records. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times, Free: JoeBucsFan.com)

Today in Tampa:

• Chanukah In The Park at Hyde Park Village. (9 a.m.)
• Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field. (noon)
• Movie On The Lawn - ELF at Armature Works. (7 p.m.)
• Fourth Annual Holiday Toy Drive at M. Bird. (7 p.m.)
• Cena De Navidad at La Bahia Bakery. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Visit Tampa Bay shared: "Check out the views from the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade ✨" (Visit Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Old Seminole Heights shared: "Hey everyone I am currently in need of a dresser, a full-size bed and a couch. My parents house caught on fire and we are arranging sleeping and living for them. Thank you in advance" (Nextdoor)
• Kristopher James is performing a pre-Christmas set at the Arts Club at the Tampa EDITION hotel on Thursday, Dec. 22. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
• An arctic air mass is coming to the Tampa area on Christmas morning. The National Weather Service (NWS) said the cold air is not expected bring precipitation to the Tampa area. (WFLA)

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Featured businesses:

• DavisDNA & Family Research, Inc. — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (December 21)
• James Lloyd and Alexander Zonjic New Year's Day Concert (January 1)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com