🌱 POTUS Visiting Tampa + El Reloj Cigar District Coming To Ybor

Hey, friends! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Thursday started off right with a quick guide to the most important things happening in town these days, including updates on:

• President Joe Biden will be arriving in Tampa today at some point after noon to discuss his plans for protecting the nation's social safety net and health care
• El Reloj cigar district is coming to historic Ybor City from J.C. Newman Cigar Factory
• Janet Cruz has been endorsed by Greater Tampa Realtors and the Tampa Bay Times

But first, today's weather: Variable cloudiness. High: 84 Low: 68.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. U.S. President Joe Biden will arrive at Tampa International Airport at some point after noon today and visit the city. An official schedule for the visit is not currently available. The President plans to discuss "his plan to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare and lower health care costs." (Tampa Patch)
2. The owners of the J.C. Newman Cigar Factory are planning to open a new district called El Reloj District featuring a new park, tobacco farm, inn, and cigar factory. The park will be called Cigar Workers Park. The owners said they want to invest in Ybor City and preserve its history as a cigar town. (Bay News 9)
3. Panera Bread has opened a new and digital-focused cafe in Brandon at 11135 Causeway Blvd. inside Lake Brandon Plaza not far from the Westfield Brandon Towncenter and Walmart Supercenter. The new location features a drive-thru and contactless ordering. It features 74 seats inside and around 40 patio seats. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Business Journal)
4. Greater Tampa Realtors has endorsed Janet Cruz for Tampa City Council, District 3, which is currently represented by appointed incumbent Lynn Hurtak. The group represents over 10,000 real estate professionals throughout the Tampa Bay area. Cruz was also recently endorsed by the Tampa Bay Times. (Florida Politics)
5. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will open the world's tallest and fastest swing ride, Serengeti Flyer, on Monday, Feb. 27. The ride features arms that can swing at 68 mph and can reach as high as 135 feet above the ground. Pass members can an exclusive look starting Feb. 24. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• Ceramics at Tampa Museum Of Art. (11 a.m.)
• Pastels With Janice Schindle at Life Enrichment Center. (1 p.m.)
• City of Tampa, Tampa Convention Center Finalist Presentation at Tampa Convention Center. (2 p.m.)
• School Board Meeting at Hillsborough County Schools. (4 p.m.)
• GIDEON at The Orpheum. (5:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "When Brady plans on beginning his broadcast career and more. 🗣️" (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "THANK YOU Princeton Rowing Teams. Recently, Princeton University volunteered 150 athletes at four worksites around Tampa as part of their 'Day On of Service' in conjunction with Arshay Cooper and his foundation." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Tampa General Hospital shared: We marked "our third annual We Are TGH Day where over 100 patient advocates, family members, and TGH team members travel to Tallahassee to share their life-saving stories with legislators at the Florida State Capitol." (Tampa General Hospital via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Hold on to ye booty, mateys! 🏴‍☠️🪙🦜 The Knights of Sant' Yago Knight Parade is this Saturday in historic Ybor. Join the celebration starting at 7 p.m. on 7th Ave in Ybor." (City of Tampa via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next 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.

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