🌱 Tampa Beats NYC For Pizza Ranking + The Giant Flamingo At TPA

Morning, Tampa! Let's get this Monday started off right. Here's what's happening today in Tampa.

First, today's weather:

Sunny and comfortable. High: 80 Low: 63.

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Here are the top five stories today in Tampa:

1.The Giant Flamingo has emerged on the floor of the main terminal of Tampa International Airport. The flamingo stands at 21-feet tall and is called "Home" by artist Matthew Mazzotta. Visitors will be encouraged to interact with and even touch the sculpture as they immerse themselves in the flamingo's habitat. (Tampa Patch)

2. Republican voter registration has gained on Democrats over the last year in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, according to election supervisor's offices registration figures. No-party registrants continue to be the fastest-growing category. (Tampa Bay Times)

3. Forty-year-old Tanitza Ortega and her two daughters were crossing West St. Petersburg Drive Saturday evening when they were hit by a Nissan Altima, investigators say. Deputies say the driver of the Altima, 40-year-old Eric Hoppes, had the right-of-way. (Fox 13 Tampa)

4. City of Tampa beat out New York in a ranking for the top 15 cities for pizza, according to a survey by AnytimeEstimate.com. The Big Apple did not even hit the Top 5 cities in America, to the shock of New Yorkers. Detroit received a perfect score for pizza. (WFLA)

5. Related Urban Development Group, in partnership with the Tampa Housing Authority, is planning to develop the Rome Yard multi-use project. Plans for the 18-acre Rome Yard Development Project, a $300 million joint venture, include a brick observation “cigar tower” to honor the cigar factories that were an indelible part of West Tampa's Latin history. (That's So Tampa)

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Today in Tampa:

• Bella Prana Yoga at Armature Works. (9:00 AM)
• Hillsborough County Arts Council Division Advisory Board at County Center. (11:00 AM)
• Creative Writing at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (2:00 PM)
• Vegan Baking at TRIBE Seminole Heights. (4:00 PM)
• Baseball: Inspiration Academy Vs. Tampa JV at UT Athletics. (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• City of Tampa is proud of its diversity. The community came together for the Tampa Pride Diversity Parade in Ybor City on Saturday. (Facebook)
• As part of ZooTampa at Lowry Park's countdown to Manatee Appreciation Day on Thursday, the zoo is sharing the stories of the patients at the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center. (Facebook)
• Tiger Tail Island, a historic 15-acre private island near Tampa Bay, is now on the market. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

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Events:

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• Social Security Seminar on 3/29 & 3/31 (March 29)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on 3/29 & 3/31 (March 29)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (March 30)
• Job Fair - Sarasota Bradenton JOBLINK 2022 on Wednesday March 30 (March 30)
• Inverso: 2022 MFA Graduation Exhibition (April 1)
• Help these Hialeah kids go to Worlds (April 1)
• Heal for Humanity at St. Pete's first Heal Fest (April 2)
• 22nd Annual Seminole Heights Home Tour (April 3)
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You're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another 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.