Long COVID Testing Lines + Career Fair + Black Radish St. Pete

Morning, people of Tampa! It's me again, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily.

In this issue, you'll learn about a potential red tide bloom coming, a new grocery store, a career fair, grants for businesses in downtown Tampa, packed COVID-19 testing sites, and more. Now, let's get started.

First, today's weather: Humid and partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 92 Low: 76.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Newly opened Hillsborough County COVID-19 testing sites are experiencing long lines as the virus surges in the region. The county closed all of its testing sites back in May when vaccinations became readily available, but is working to address increased demand. (Tampa Patch)

2. Scientists fear a second red tide bloom may occur later this summer. Dr. Tracy Fanara, an ocean expert, is encouraging the public to do their part to fight red tide and retrofit their lawns. (Fox 13 Tampa Bay)

3. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is hosting a Career Fair today from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. as it looks to fill more than 300 positions. People hired will be eligible for a $500 sign-on bonus. (ABC Action News)

4. Tampa Downtown Partnership is distributing grants up to $5,000 for downtown businesses to give their storefront a new look. (WUSF)

5. A Tampa vegan grocery store called Black Radish will open a new location soon in St. Petersburg. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

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Today in Tampa

• Hillsborough County Students' First Day of School. (all day)
• Virtual Story Time: Nerdycorn - Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (all day)
• Cheers & Tears - Ballast Point. (7:45 AM)
• Toddler Time - Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (9:30 AM)
• Career Fair at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. (10:00 AM)
• Small Biz Ed with SBDC: Starting Your Business. (10:00 AM)
• Baking Babes Summer Series at Fit Kids Health. (10:00 AM)
• Federal Contracting for Veterans and Service Disabled Veterans. (11:00 AM)
• Paws for Literacy Program at The Humane Society of Tampa Bay. (2:45 PM)
• STCOC Military Affairs Committee & Happy Hour. (3:00 PM)
• English for Families - Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (6:00 PM)
• East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership Meeting at Ragan Park Community Center. (6:30 PM)
• The Long Haul by Finn Murphy at Oxford Exchange. (6:30 PM)
• Tampa Tarpons vs. Clearwater Threshers at George M. Steinbrenner Field. (6:30 PM)
• Nine Days at Tampa Theatre. (7:30 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• Filipino comedian Jo Koy is coming to Yuengling Center in Tampa next March.
• Looking for a list of retailers requiring masks in Florida? Check out the Patch list.
• Titus O’Neil and Flo Rida teamed up to get kids vaccinated and gave away 30,000 backpacks in Tampa on Saturday.
• St. Pete Parks & Rec: "THIS FRIDAY: We'll be showing Frozen II at North Shore Aquatic Complex at 7 PM for Flick & Float movie night. Admission is $1 for ages 3-12 and $2 for ages 13 and up." (Twitter)
• Willa's: "Meet @willasprovisions Cafe Manager Jay Smith!.." (Instagram)
• City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor: "What an inspiring morning with the Center for Economic Development! One of my favorite things about Tampa is that neighbors lift each other up and are always willing to lend a helping hand..."(Instagram)
• Visit Tampa Bay: "Next in our On the Horizon Series features the Baseball Museum at the Al Lopez House. Go behind the scenes with president Chantal Hevia and curator Deborah Guglielmo as they preserve the amazing baseball history of the @CityofTampa and @HillsboroughFL." (Twitter)
• The Lab Coffee Tampa: "Couple of the staff tested positive, we’re working hard to stay open and getting everyone tested so please be nice to us. Have to close at 2 for the next couple weeks, we’ll keep you posted when we’re back to normal. Love y’all, stay safe." (Instagram)
• Tampa Bay Times: "The FDA has only granted emergency-use approval of the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, but the agency..." (Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Times: "Mark Zuckerberg's cash fuels GOP suspicion about Florida" (Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Times: "A judge dealt a blow to the DeSantis administration in the legal wrangling over COVID-19-related cruise industry rest..." (Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Times: "COVID-19 antigen testing will be available at the Center for Health Equity, located at 2333 34th St. S., in St. Peter..." (Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Times: "The National Hurricane Center projects the storm will become Tropical Storm Fred this week as it moves west into the ..." (Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Times: "National titles and sentimental favorites make our list of Bobby Bowden's top 10 coaching victories." (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (August 11)

Gigs & services:

• Mobile Auto Detailing (Details)

You're all caught up for today! I'll see you around. If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? Email me at SouthTampa@Patch.com.