🌱 Tampa Bay Rays Price Tag + Eat Flourish Pizza Coming Soon + Winter The Dolphin Legacy

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

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and humid. High: 82 Low: 69.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. A plant-based pizza concept called Eat Flourish will be opening in early 2022 at 2307 South Dale Mabry Highway. Details on the full menu and opening date will be released soon by the restaurant. (That's So Tampa)

2. A new poll sent out by Mercury Public Affairs asks residents if they would re-elect Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and be willing to pay $350 million for a new Rays stadium. Public records show Castor's Tampa Strong PAC paid Mercury $12,000 in August. The poll is notable because no number has previously been discussed by the City of Tampa on how much taxpayers would pay to retain the Rays in the Tampa Bay area. (Creative Loafing)

3. The Hillsborough County Department of Health is investigating a type of synthetic marijuana that causes life-threatening reactions. Symptoms vary, however most cases have included bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, vomiting blood, and more. (Tampa Patch)

4. The federal government has taken control of the Tampa Bay Times’ pension plan after its parent company was unable to pay benefits. Times President Conan Gallaty said, "though this outcome was never our goal, it is a good result for us. The publishing landscape is much different than it was even just a few years ago." (Florida Politics)

5. Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) says guests will be soon be able to virtually "swim" with Winter as part of a virtual reality immersive experience. The experience will be in CMA's Virtual Reality theater. There will be plenty of other activities added to celebrate the legacy of Winter the dolphin. (WTSP)

Today in Tampa:

• 2021 Jingle Bell Run At George M. Steinbrenner Field. (8:00 AM)
• Santa's Workshop At MOSI. (10:00 AM)
• Christmas in the Country At Cracker Country Museum At The Florida State Fairgrounds. (10:00 AM)
• Santa's Snow Globe At Florida Aquarium. (11:00 AM)
• Winter Wonder Ride And After-Party With Beastie Boys' Mike At Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Tampa General Hospital: "Please join us in congratulating TGH President & CEO John Couris on being awarded the H.L. Culbreath Jr. Profile in Leadership Award from the Tampa Bay Chamber! As the area's most prestigious honor, this annual award is given to an indiv..." (Facebook)
• Humane Society of Tampa Bay: "UPDATE: Julien is ready for adoption! 🐈 Last week on #GivingTuesday we told you about a child, named Julien, who found this 9-week-old kitten hiding in a bush after being badly burned from a car engine. HSTB was able to treat him and ..." (Facebook)
• Hillsborough County Public Schools: "Representatives from Potter Elementary School, Sulphur Springs K-8 Community School, James Elementary School, Robles Elementary and Foster Elementary School got to do some Christmas shopping for the kids thanks to the generosity of..." (Facebook)
• TAMPA Downtown Magazine: "Congratulations to Willa’s on being voted Best New Restaurant in @tampamagazine 2022 Best Restaurants list. Tap the link in bio for the full list of winners @willalovestampa" (Instagram)

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Events:

• Christmas in the Country (December 11)
• 23rd Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes (December 12)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (December 18)
• Marathon Mania (January 2)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you around.

— 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.