🌱 SharkCon Coming This Weekend To Tampa + Alessi Bakery Fire Details

Hey, everybody. It's Wednesday in Tampa and I'm Carlos Hernandez, back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in the community. Today you'll find news about these stories and more...

• Alessi Bakery is recovering from a fire on Monday night at the popular local business.
• City of Tampa celebrated the completion of the Veterans Plaza at Jim Walter Park last week.
• SharkCon is coming to the Florida State Fairgrounds this weekend.

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny, warm and humid. High: 92 Low: 78.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. City of Tampa celebrated the completion of the Veterans Plaza at Jim Walter Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week on July 5. Jim Walter Park honors veterans and families from World War II who made the first modern homes for African Americans. The event was attended by City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor as well as city officials and community stakeholders. (Patch Tampa)
2. Alessi Bakery in Tampa suffered a fire on Monday night, leading the long-running business to temporarily close for a few days. No one was injured in the incident, according to authorities. Despite the temporary closure the business said in a statement, "Alessi Bakeries will continue specialty cakes and catering operations starting Wednesday and open to the public this weekend." (WFLA)
3. New murals in Sarasota are highlighting notable historical Black leaders from Overtown, which is Sarasota's first Black community. The murals are part of the Gilbert Mural Initiative with six planned. Murals include Baseball Hall of Famer Buck O'Neil and Emma Booker, who created the first school for Black children. (WTSP)
4. SharkCon is happening this weekend at the Florida State Fairgrounds ahead of the annual Shark Week on July 15 and July 16. Tickets start at $5 for children and $20 for adults. Guests can enjoy over 150 vendors at the gathering. (WFLA)
5. Moffitt Cancer Center has opened a new resource center serving Water Street Tampa in Terminal 2 of Port Tampa Bay. It is located at 651 Channelside Drive. The center will serve as an information hub, where visitors can get information on cancer screenings and the importance of identifying cancer early. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)

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Today in Tampa:

Wednesday, July 12

• Municipal Code Enforcement Board Meeting at Temple Terrace City Council. (6 p.m.)
• Art Open Studio PM at Life Enrichment Center. (6 p.m.)
• Yoga at Midtown Tampa. (6:30 p.m.)
• Introduction To Genealogy at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (7 p.m.)
• Musical Bingo at Sparkman Wharf. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa International Airport shared: "LET'S HEAR IT FOR TPA: Travel + Leisure readers just named us third among their top Favorite Domestic Airports of 2023." (Tampa International Airport via Facebook)
• Tampa General Hospital shared: "The doors of our brand new TGH Kennedy Emergency Center are officially open to serve our community. Located close to downtown Tampa, this state-of-the-art 15,000-square-foot freestanding ED provides adult and pediatric emergency care." (Tampa General Hospital via Facebook)
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay shared: "Prost: 🍻 Bier Fest is back, so get ready to sip and savor seasonal brew offerings and new German-inspired recipes starting July 21, until Sept. 4." (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Experience the 1920s in Florida🌴 : bootleggers, flappers, Art Deco buildings, and fruit fly attacks. Join Brad Massey at Tampa Bay History Center on July 12 at 11 a.m. for a captivating journey into Florida's modern era." (City of Tampa via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Tampa Bay Rodeo And Family Festival (July 15)
• Slumber Pawty At Humane Society (July 15)
• Stained Glass Classes with Freeda (July 17)
• Free Dinner Seminar July 19 at Outback Steakhouse (July 19)
• TAMPA BAY JOBLINK 2023 Job Fair! (July 20)
• Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward Live! (July 28)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward live! (August 5)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

• Travel Agency - M and D Travel-Dream Vacations - PrimeTime Sale! (Details)
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You're officially in the loop 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.

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