Lightning Downtown Tampa Impact + Toxic Brewery + Tiny Town Sale

Good Morning. My name is Carlos Hernandez and I am back to update you on the latest happening in the Tampa area with Patch News.

In this issue, you'll learn about a local woman speaking out against a toxic brewery, a boost in Downtown Tampa businesses, a storytelling festival, an Apollo Beach project, and more. Now, let's get started.

Today’s weather: The high is 91 and the low is 75 with scattered showers. There is 50% chance of rain.

Here are the top 5 stories happening around Tampa:

1. The Florida Aquarium's Center for Conservation in Apollo Beach will soon open with a free visitors center. The main attraction will be a boardwalk around the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center. (ABC Action News)

2. Bars and restaurants in Downtown Tampa are enjoying an upswing in business thanks to the Tampa Bay Lightning advancement in the playoffs, according to management at Edison’s Swigamajig, Harpoon Harry’s Crabhouse, and Fermented Reality Biergarten. The Lightning will play their next game today at 4 p.m. (WUSF)

3. A Tampa woman has accused a local brewery of a toxic work environment and hired legal counsel. There has been a national outcry in recent weeks about harassment and discrimination at breweries. The lawyer believes a class action lawsuit could be in the works. (ABC Action News)

4. The 40th annual Tampa-Hillsborough County Storytelling Festival is happening now and will run for 2 months. It is a series of free activities and live online sessions for novice and experienced youth storytellers. (Patch)

5. Local artist Dan Painter has put St. Pete’s “Tiny Town” project up for sale as the creator moves on to the next adventure. The asking price is $450,000 and the listing agent says it is geared toward “creative types”. (Tampa Bay Times)

Today in Tampa:

• Pride OUTside at Vinoy Park St. Petersburg. (7 a.m.)
• Ybor City Saturday Market. Weekly farmers market. (9 a.m.)
• KuBa Queen: A Taste of Tampa at Epicurean Hotel. (4 p.m.)
• Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning. The playoffs continue at Amalie Arena in Downtown Tampa. (4 p.m.)
• Tampa Tarpons vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers at George Steinbrenner Field. (6:30 p.m.)
• Apex Legends 2v2 Tournament at Simplicity eSports Brandon. (7 p.m.)

Tampa Patch Notebook:

• Hillsborough County Public Schools has announced that masks will become optional for students and staff starting June 7th. For 2021-2022, e-learning will NOT be an option. Parents will have to choose between face-to-face learning or Hillsborough Virtual K-12.
• Florida cruises are staying docked as the fight between Governor DeSantis and the CDC continues in federal court.
• St. Petersburg plans to increase rates as it upgrades water, sewer, and stormwater facilities.
• A PSTA program allowing buses on the shoulder of I-275 started Friday. Drivers will be required to yield to buses if it is on the shoulder.

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That's all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Tampa. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: tampadaily@patch.com

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Tampa area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.