🌱 Tampa Tenants Protest Evictions + Jay & Luigi Grand Opening + Polestar Midtown Tampa

Good day, neighbors! Carlos Hernandez here with the latest issue of the Tampa Daily.

First, today's weather:

Cooler with a passing shower. High: 64 Low: 46.

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Here are the top five stories today in Tampa:

1. Tampa's art scene continues to grow with Leon Keer's new 100-ft mural "Equality Diversity" at Water Street Tampa. The work has roots in the natural and shows candy-colored gemstones stacked on top of each other to create a rainbow tower of treasure. Users can download the "Leon Keer App" and fully enjoy the 3D Mural with Augmented Reality. (83 Degrees Media)

2. Tenants at Holly Court apartments in Tampa protested on Thursday what they call unfair evictions. Several tenants have been given less than two weeks to move out. The Tampa Tenants Union joined the protest and said developers are "eliminating affordable housing and displacing working-class residents." (WFLA)

3. Florida's first Polestar electric vehicle showroom will open at Midtown Tampa in early 2022, featuring three fully electric vehicles on display. The Polestar Midtown Tampa location is owned by Danny O'Malley, a businessman who has lived in Tampa for more than a decade and owns Volvo Cars Tampa. (Tampa Patch)

4. Tampa General Hospital, Sarasota Memorial and HCA hospitals, say they plan to comply with the Biden administration’s order to vaccinate all staff members, with some religious and medical exemptions allowed. The policy changes come after a U.S. Supreme Court decision upheld the federal vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. Other hospitals in the Tampa area are trying to navigate the conflict between the Supreme Court decision and Florida state law which bans vaccine mandates. (WUSF)

5. Trattoria-style restaurant Jay & Luigi is celebrating its grand opening on Friday, January 28th at 3201 4th Street North in St. Petersburg. The menu will feature Roman and Neapolitan-style pizzas, pasta, salads, and cauliflower rice bowls. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• 2022 Children's Gasparilla. (8:00 AM)
• Daddy Fit Camp at Rowlett Park. (8:00 AM)
• Ybor City Saturday Market. (9:00 AM)
• GasPAWrilla 2022 at Pups Pub. (12:00 PM)
• Men's Basketball - Nova Southeastern Vs. Tampa at University of Tampa. (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Gasparilla Music Festival has added 19 new artists to the festival line-up including Band of Horses, Grouplove, Margo Price, and more. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
• The FBI released a statement confirming that Brian Laundrie took responsibility for Gabby Petito's death in his notebook found with his remains, a backpack, and revolver. (WFLA)
• Old City Hall is shining red nightly through Sunday night in support of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoffs. (Twitter)
• Hiram Green, Director of USF Health Community Engagement, was named the 2022 Unsung Hero by the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs for his many contributions that positively impact the health and well-being of our communities. (Twitter)
• Traffic is expected to be very heavy today around Bayshore Blvd. and Tampa's Downtown due to the Children’s Gasparilla Parade. Allow extra travel time and consider taking the free Jolley Roger Trolley. (Facebook)

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Events:

• Wellness For All (January 22)
• Echoes of Her (January 23)
• Social Security Seminar (January 24)
• Social Security Seminar (January 25)
• Sol y Luna Tantric Shamanic Festival (English/Spanish) (January 27)
• Cornhole Tournament (January 28)
• St. Petersburg Seafood & Music Festival (January 28)
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That's it 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.