Tropical Storm Threatens FL + Local Chocolatier Survives Downtown

Up and at 'em, Tampa! It's Friday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on in Tampa today.

In this issue, you'll learn about a local business owner who survived the pandemic, a strengthening storm heading towards Florida, a new restaurant heading to Midtown Tampa, and more. Now, let's get started.

First, today's weather: Possible light rain in the morning and afternoon. High: 86 Low: 78.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Tropical Storm Elsa has formed and is quickly heading towards Florida in the current trajectory map. Tampa Bay residents should watch weather updates closely and make sure to be prepared. (Patch)

2. A Peterbrooke Chocolatier managed to survive the pandemic in downtown Tampa by adapting to times and building as many alliances as possible and eating lots of chocolate. (Tampa Bay Times)

3. The owner of On Swann and Olivia Restaurant, Chris Ponte, is opening a new restaurant called Ponte Tampa this fall at Midtown Tampa. (That's So Tampa)

4. Former President Trump's trip to Sarasota this Saturday could cause major traffic delays, so plan ahead if you're headed south. He is scheduled to speak at 8 p.m. at Sarasota Fairgrounds. (WFLA)

5. A Gulfport man is facing several chargers from police after making a mass shooting threat on Snapchat with an AR-15. (WFLA)

Today's Tampa Daily is brought to you by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Tampa!

Today in Tampa

• Tusks to Tails: A Fossil History of Florida. (10:00 AM)
• Songs and Stories En Español at Community Roots Collective. (10:00 AM)
• Tampa Bay History Center Offers Free Admission To Military. (10:00 AM)
• "CANCER CITY" 4th of July WKND Tampa Takeover at Rose Bar Tampa. (2:00 PM)
• Start your Independence Day Weekend early with some BOOYAH! (3:00 PM)
• St. Pete Summer Jam at Cage Brewing. (4:00 PM)
• Return To Freedom 4th of July MusicFest @ the Farm Brooksville. (4:00 PM)
• 'Summer Of Soul' Block Party. (5:00 PM)
• Glow Zone at Sky Zone. (7:00 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• Tampa was ranked one of the top office-market performers in the country.
• Coppertail Brewing is donating $1 of every pint of Florida Special Lager this month to Tampa Bay Watch, a nonprofit “dedicated to protection and restoration of the Tampa Bay estuary.”
• If you see a bird that looks sick due to Red Tide, experts recommend contacting a local rescue group to cure them for toxicity instead of touching them.
• The Times took a look at octopus dishes in Tampa Bay.
• A former Tampa Bay Times journalist is now the right-hand P.R. professional for Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
• A 13-year-old from Broward County is suing Governor DeSantis over his transgender sports ban.
• Tampa Bay Times: "️ Halfway there. ️ See y’all in Montreal tampabay.com/lightning" (Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Times: "Florida could soon have its first tropical storm of the season make landfall." (Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Times: "The House and Senate unanimously passed a bill about civic literacy education. Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it, citing co..." (Facebook)
• TAMPA Downtown Magazine: "Tampa is turning blue and the skies are lighting up for game Go Bolts! ️ . . . #tampadowntown #downtowntampa #ti..." (Instagram)
• Tampa Bay Times: "Zane will be the company’s chief taste tester when it comes to new baby food products, the company said in a news rel..." (Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Times: "In a letter Tuesday night, DeSantis said he vetoed the bill out of concern for public safety." (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Tusks to Tails: A Fossil History of Florida (July 2)
• Tampa Bay History Center Offers Free Admission To Military (July 2)
• 'Summer Of Soul' Block Party (July 2)
• Trinity Farmers Market-Celebrate Freedom (July 3)
• BBQ on the Block - Outdoor Market and BBQ at CORNER CLUB TAMPA (July 3)
• All-American BBQ (July 3)
• World Of Beer Hosts Red, White & Booze Brunch (July 4)
• 6th Annual Zephyrhills Summerfest Sponsored by T-Mobile (July 4)
• Tampa Theatre's Summer Classics Series (July 4)
• Freedom Fest (July 4)
• Sister Hazel In Concert On 4th Of July (July 4)
• Free Career Discovery Bootcamp (N. Hillsborough) (July 10)
• Tiana's Tea Inc presents "MASK OFF" (July 24)

Other classifieds:

• WANTED: Female Meyers ADULT parrot. (Details)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll catch up with you bright and early 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 Daily? Email all inquiries to me at tampadaily@patch.com.