🌱 Tampa NAACP Slams Affirmative Action Decision + Jeff Vinik Sells

Hello all. I'm back with your new copy of the Tampa Patch newsletter. Let's get this Friday started off right, with a quick review of the most important things happening around town. Today you'll learn about:

• Thailand Restaurant is shutting down after 45 years in Tampa.
• Jeff Vinik has sold his share of Strategic Property Partners in Water Street Tampa.
• Thirty restaurants in Tampa are being recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine.

But first, today's weather: Hot. High: 97 Low: 77.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Wine Spectator magazine has recognized 30 restaurants in the Tampa Bay area as part of the world's best for wine. 3,505 restaurants nationwide made the list. On the list are Bern's Steak House, Columbia Restaurant, Haven, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Boulon Brasserie, and more. The Restaurant Awards from Wine Spectator represent the "world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service." (Tampa Patch)
2. NAACP Hillsborough County Chapter President Yvette Lewis slammed Thursday's Supreme Court decision gutting affirmative action in a statement. Lewis said the decision "pushes us back" as a nation. Some schools, such as the University of South Florida (USF), have already eliminated race-based admissions. (WFLA)
3. Jeff Vinik has sold his share of Strategic Property Partners, largely responsible for most of Water Street Tampa. The shares were sold to Bill Gates-led Cascade Investment. Vinik will remain an adviser for the company and his relationship with Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team will remain. (Business Observer)
4. The restaurant owners behind Noble Rice and Koya are opening a third restaurant in South Tampa this year. It will be called Kinjo and feature Italian and Japanese fusion food. An opening date is expected sometime in late summer or early fall, according to Creative Loafing. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
5. Thailand Restaurant, the first restaurant to bring Thai food to Tampa, is closing down at the end of July. The South Tampa restaurant was open for over 45 years in Tampa and is located at 5252 S Dale Mabry Highway. The restaurant is open for take-out and quick dining until closure. (That's So Tampa)

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Today in Tampa:

Friday, June 30

• Cafe Con Tampa at Willa's. (8 a.m.)
• Munchkin Music at The Roots. (9:30 a.m.)
• All Together Now: Halfway There Celebration at Bruton Memorial Library. (4 p.m.)
• Improv Show To Celebrate Pride Month at WMNF Community Radio. (7 p.m.)
• Summer Night Silent Party at American Social Tampa. (9 p.m.)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Father's Day has come and gone, but that doesn't mean we have to stop celebrating rad dads, past and present. Patch partnered with T-Mobile to shine a light on exceptional fathers in communities like Tampa. Click here to meet 13 awesome dads and learn more about the legacies they're leaving behind.

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "With the 37th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, we have selected Ethan Gauthier." (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "After acquiring the 115th pick from Nashville in exchange for our 2024 Fourth Round pick, we have selected Jayson Shaugabay. 🤩" (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• South Tampa Chamber shared: "Congratulations to Chamber member, Caldeco Air Conditioning and Heating for receiving a proclamation from Melanie Griffin, secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at our June Membership Luncheon." (South Tampa Chamber via Facebook)
• Tampa Convention Center shared: "⚠️Please note: the Tampa Convention Center Parking Garage will be closed July 5-8 due to a private event. Alternative parking options include: ➡️ Pam Iorio Parking Garage, located at 301 Channelside Drive. " (Tampa Convention Center via Facebook)
• Hillsborough County Public Schools shared: "Join us next Thursday, July 6 for the 'Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Why It Matters Now More Than Ever' webinar. The virtual panel, which is presented by LULAC and Families for Strong Public Schools will be facilitated in Spanish." (Hillsborough County Public Schools via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Improv Show To Celebrate Pride Month (June 30)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (July 1)
• Dunedin Orange Festival (July 8)
• Stained Glass Classes with Freeda (July 17)
• Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward Live! (July 28)
• Add your event

Featured gigs & services:

• Malaria Prevention w/ Mosquito Fogging (Details)
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That's it for today! See you all tomorrow morning for 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