🌱 Lotte Market Coming Soon + Bus Driver Shortage + Tampa Electric Rate Hike

Hey, people of Tampa! Carlos Hernandez here with a fresh edition of the Tampa Daily. Grab your coffee and let's get started.

First, today's weather:

A shower in the afternoon. High: 89 Low: 74.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. The Lotte Market, one of the top Asian grocery store chains, has started the permitting process in Tampa. The location is planned at New Tampa's old Sweetbay Plaza. It offers a variety of Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese food items and ingredients that can be hard to find elsewhere. (Neighborhood News)

2. The Winthrop Arts Mobile Art Factory has a new art exhibit created by students who visit. The current theme of the exhibit is music and plays homage to Krazy Kup for providing the art space in its courtyard. The organization received grant funding from Arts Council of Hillsborough County and Suncoast Credit Union. (Osprey Observer)

3. Rate Hike: The Florida Public Service Commission approved a settlement that will increase base rates for customers of Tampa Electric Co. over the next three years. The goal will partly be to use more solar power and cleaner energy. The utility will receive an annual $302 million revenue increase that will be phased in. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

4. An Apple A Day: An apple truck from Michigan is making an autumn stop in Tampa on November 7th and St. Petersburg on November 12th. You can pre-order apples for pick-up on its website. Aficionados say the difference is Michigan’s “unsalted” freshwater state. (That's So Tampa)

5. A critical bus driver shortage has prompted Pasco Schools to reach out to the Florida National Guard. However, because there is no official state of emergency the National Guard cannot be activated. The average bus driver earns $14.41 an hour and is one of the riskiest jobs during COVID-19 for exposure to the virus. (Patch Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• Buccaneers' Treasure Chests 5K + Fun Run. (7:30 AM)
• Breast Cancer Awareness Ride. (9:00 AM)
• Yoga On The Lawn at Armature Works. (9:30 AM)
• Sugar and Spice Halloween Party at The Sweet Tooth Cakery. (1:00 PM)
• Christmas in October at Oxford Exchange. (2:00 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• City of Tampa: "Who's ready to get into the #Halloween spirit? Join the Riverwalk Halloween Hunt through 10/31. Solve riddles, puzzles, tasks and explore the beautiful Riverwalk in this fun outdoor Halloween activity for all ages!" (Twitter)
• Tampa City Council Member Bill Carlson: "Don't miss the video of yesterday's presentation at Café con Tampa by choreographer/dancer Irena Rodriguez" (Twitter)
• Tampa City Council Member Luis Viera: "Went to University of South Florida today for the ribbon cutting for the Zimmerman School of Advertising. I was joined by Commissioner Gwen Myers, State Rep. Susan Valdes, the Office of Representative Fentrice Driskell, Craig Richard from Tampa Bay EDC and others." (Twitter)
• Visit Tampa Bay: "Have you visited Tampa Bay’s premier photo space? @thesnaphousetampa in Ybor City is home to 20+ uniquely styled “rooms” to help you snap the perfect photo!" (Instagram)
• This Jenn Girl: "These items from @YokosJapanese’s featured menu are a MUST-try. Can’t forget Yoko’s Style Edamame (spicy sesame garlic) and Chicken Tatsutaage to start!" (Instagram)

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Events:

• St. Andrew's UMC 53rd Annual Fall Craft Fair (October 30)
• Virtual Global Free Psychic, Holistic Health, Wellness Fair on Zoom-15 Speakers-9 Hours- Door Pri (October 30)
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That's it for today! I'll see you soon. If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors along for the ride. 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? You can contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.