🌱 ZooTampa TV Series + Florida State Fair's Buffalo Chicken Funnel Cake + Ben & Jerry's

Hey, people of Tampa! TGIF. Hope you're ready for a great weekend. Carlos Hernandez here with the latest issue of the Tampa Daily.

First, today's weather:

Humid with clouds and sun. High: 79 Low: 65.

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Here are the top five stories in Tampa today:

1. Nat Geo Wild television series, "Series of the Zoo: Tampa" is coming to ZooTampa for a third season starting this Sunday, February 20th at 9 p.m. The 12-part series is filmed entirely at the award-winning zoo in Seminole Heights and gives viewers a special look. (Tampa Patch)

2. A Pinellas County man, 22-year old Brandon White, was arrested for multiple counts of lewd and lascivious acts with minors in exchange for vapes. Detectives say White asked to smell and touch the victims' feet in exchange for nicotine and marijuana products. They also allege that White used social media platforms, Snapchat and Instagram, to lure victims. (ABC Action News)

3. "The Best Around" fair vendor is upping the ante this year with a Buffalo Chicken Funnel Cake and it has already proven popular at the Florida State Fair in Tampa this year. The food vendor has attended the fair for nearly 38 years. To make the creation they mix funnel cake batter with cornmeal, Frank’s Red Hot and dry ranch dressing and then take a regular taco shell and batter/fry it. Then it is added to homemade buffalo chicken dip, lettuce, cheese, ranch dressing and Cool Ranch Dorito crumbles. (WFLA)

4. Ben & Jerry’s is opening two Tampa Bay area locations with a location planned at Midtown Tampa and in Clearwater. Locations will open on March 7th and March 8th with celebrations. City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is expected to attend both location opening ceremonies. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Business Journal, Free: ABC Action News)

5. Project Dynamo, a Tampa-based non-profit made up mostly of military veterans, is on the ground in Ukraine ready to help evacuate Americans, green card holders, and anyone they can within legal grounds if Russia attacks. The group was in Afghanistan during the American withdrawal. (Fox 13 Tampa)

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Today in Tampa:

• Storytime In The Park at Temple Terrace Public Library. (10:30 AM)
• OLLI-USF Free Friday Lecture: Tampa's Al Capones and Robin Hoods. Virtual. (12:15 PM)
• National Drink Wine Day at Publix GreenWise Market At Water Street Tampa. (4:00 PM)
• Baseball: South Carolina-Aiken vs. Tampa At University Of Tampa Athletics. (6:00 PM)
• Tampa Roller Derby Pirates Vs Parrots at Skateworld Of Tampa. (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Indie-rock band Soccer Mom is coming to Crowbar in Ybor City on March 15th. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
• A missing 4-year-old named Terry, as well as Kami George and Matthew Leighton have been found and are safe after police put out a missing person alert. (Facebook)
• Tampa General Hospital is aiming to meet the region's growing need for mental health services by establishing the TGH Behavioral Health Hospital, a brand new 4-story, 96-bed hospital in the heart of TGH & USF's medical district. (Facebook)
• University of Tampa's Vice President for Student Affairs is nominated a 2022 BusinessWoman of the Year. (Facebook)
• This is the last weekend to visit the Florida State Fair. Don't miss your chance to experience the rides, entertainment and new crazy fair food.🎡 (The Florida State Fair ends on February 21st) (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Monopoly Tournament (February 19)
• FEB 18th-20th Greek Fest in Fort Myers (February 20)
• Social Security Webinar 2/21 & 2/23 (February 21)
• Estate Planning Webinar 2/21 & 2/23 (February 21)
• Social Security Webinar (February 22)
• Law Enforcement K-9 Memorial Service (February 22)
• Social Security Seminar 2/22 & 2/23 (February 22)
• Free Grief Seminar "Hope For Your Healing" (February 23)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar 2/25 & 3/3 (February 25)
• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 11)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 12)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 13)
• Add your event

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. 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.