🌱 Tampa Riverfest Returns This May + TGH VP Recognized By Becker's

Good morning, everybody. It's Tuesday in Tampa and I'm Carlos Hernandez, back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally. Today's briefing includes...

• TGH Vice President of Patient Experience Lara Klick has been recognized on a top list by Becker's Hospital Review.
• Tampa Riverfest returns to downtown Tampa in early May.
• Local insiders are pushing back against the idea of turning Port Tampa Bay into commercial and residential real estate.

But first, today's weather: Humid with a shower or two. High: 88 Low: 68.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Lara Klick, vice president of patient experience at Tampa General Hospital (TGH), has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2023 list of "50+ Health System Chief Experience Officers to Know." It is the second year in a row that Klick was recognized by Becker's Health Review. The team works to ensure "patients are receiving care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences and needs and, above all, that they feel valued," according to Tampa General Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Peggy Duggan. (Press Release Desk)
2. Tampa Riverfest is returning this year on May 5 and May 6 in downtown Tampa. Guests can enjoy live music, a wiener dog derby, balloon glow at night, and food-themed events at the annual gathering. Entrance to events is free to all but bring cash or card for purchasing food and beverages. (That's So Tampa)
3. A Tampa woman was shot at Hefé nightclub on Armenia Avenue early Monday morning, according to police. Authorities said the victim was shot in the leg after a dispute. An investigation is underway into the incident. (WFLA)
4. Toronto Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe suggested to the media that the Tampa Bay Lightning were "manipulating the officials" in game 3, drawing a sharp rebuke from Lightning coach Jon Cooper. Cooper added that the Lightning did not help themselves by brawling during the game. The NHL Eastern Conference playoff series between the two teams continued Monday night. (ESPN)
5. Speakers at Tampa Tiger Bay Club, a club for local politicos and influencers, pushed back against the idea of changing Port Tampa Bay into residential and commercial real estate. One notable person pushing back on the idea is former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. (WUSF)

Today in Tampa:

• Non-Profit Leadership Round Table at Entrepreneur Collaborative Center. (2 p.m.)
• Mahjong at Temple Terrace Leisure Services. (2:30 p.m.)
• Crochet Buddies at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (3 p.m.)
• Elev8 Tampa Job Fair at Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Northwest. (3 p.m.)
• Florida Resilience: Strategizing Roles In Mass Timber Movement at Embarc Collective. (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• City of Tampa shared: "Teams from several city departments volunteered at Paint Your Heart Out Tampa. Big thank you to them for helping boost our residents’ quality of life and strengthening our neighborhoods." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Tampa International Airlines (TPA) celebrated 30 years of Spirit Airlines on Monday, which began operations at the airport back in April 1993. (Twitter)
• City of Tampa: "Calling all subcontractors: Our Bridges to Business Subcontractor Outreach and Networking Event is your chance to meet top contractors for City of Tampa construction projects and learn how you can get involved. Join us on May 4 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• State Attorney's Office 13th Judicial Circuit shared: "Colin Speer pleaded guilty to solicitation to commit murder among other charges in court. His 25-year sentence will be followed by 10 years of probation. Speer admitted to filming his victim during sexual intercourse and later conspiring to kill her." (Twitter)
• A man and his 10-year-old daughter drowned Sunday at Pass-a-Grille in St. Petersburg when they were caught in a rip current, according to authorities. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)

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Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 27)
• Rum and Food Experience at The Boozy Pig (April 27)
• Uptown Music Festival (May 6)
• Add your event

That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning 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.

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