Tampa Today News: Historic Ybor Restaurant Reopens As Venue + Naked Farmer Expands
Everything you need to know happening in Tampa.
Happy Thursday! It’s National Pumpkin Day and we’re almost to the weekend. Welcome back to Tampa News Today. I’m Carlos Hernandez, your host explaining everything you need to know about what’s happening in Tampa including local news, events, and happenings. Let’s get you updated.
It's Bat Appreciation Week from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31. The week hopes to draw attention to bat conservation. Florida has 13 species of bats year-round that are among 1,300 species worldwide, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, the bat population is declining due to the loss of their natural habitats, human disruption and more.
Bats help to control pest insects, pollinate plants, spread seeds and much more, according to Ken Gioeli, a natural resources and environment agent at UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County.
Naked Farmer has opened its first delivery and curbside location in South Tampa. The healthy food concept has enjoyed success in downtown Tampa. The new location is at 4306 W. Gandy Blvd. Guests can use the Naked Farmer app or an online portal to check-in when arriving for pick-up. (thatssotampa.com)
Bucs face Bills tonight on Prime Video: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Buffalo Bills tonight, a quick turnaround after a 16-13 loss against the Atlanta Falcons last weekend. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. and the game can be watched locally or on Prime Video. (wfla.com)
Historic Ybor City restaurant restored as event space: Hotel Haya in Ybor City is opening a new event venue in the old space of Las Novedades, a classic Spanish restaurant known as “Tampa’s oldest restaurant” that goes back to 1890. The hotel preserved the brick structure, stained-glass windows and hand-painted wall tiles, according to a news report from Fox 13. The first event is Saturday, Nov. 11 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. called "Portraits of the Bay." (fox13news.com)
Mahaffey adds holiday show this December: “A Christmas with Soul” is a new show coming to the Mahaffey Theater on Dec. 20 with Ericka Dunlap. It is a dinner show curated and produced by Florida’s own, Forever Miss America, Ericka Dunlap. Tickets are available online or by calling (727) 300-2000. The Mahaffey is located at 400 1st St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. (themahaffey.com)
4 Rivers celebrates the season and gives back: 4 Rivers Smokehouse has a number of specials for the season. Halloween-themed treats include Monster Rice Krispy Treats, Pumpkin Poptarts, Eyeball Cakeballs and Black Magic Bars. The treats are available through Nov. 4. The brand is also teaming up with AdventHealth for Women for Pink Out. Guests will be able to enjoy Pink Nachos through Oct. 28 with partial proceeds benefiting Advent Health for Women. Nachos are topped with pico de gallo, guasacaca, nacho cheese sauce, cilantro lime creme fresh, pickled jalapenos, & cilantro. (facebook.com)
Events happening today:
Paws for Literacy at Humane Society of Tampa Bay. (2:45 p.m.)
Ghosts of Tampa Theatre Tour at Tampa Theatre. (3 p.m.)
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at Centro Asturiano de Tampa. (4 p.m.)
Morrow’s Pumpkin Patch Riverview. (4 p.m.)
Open Mic at Cafe Hey. (6:30 p.m.)
Kota the Friend at The Ritz Ybor. (8 p.m.)
The Piper-Heidsieck launch party at Ocean Prime in Tampa last night was excellent. I met award-winning winemaker Emilien Boutillat at the event. Emilien joined the Piper-Heidsieck family in October of 2018 and replaced renowned winemaker Regis Camus at the winery. I loved all the wines they had, but my favorite was their new Essentiel line they now have Ocean Prime locations. They were sweet, but not too sweet. Just the right taste.
Hear it from the winemaker himself:
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants is the first U.S. restaurant company to have the opportunity to partner with Piper-Heidsieck in this way and the second brand in the U.S.
Notes:
Tampa Bay Rays player Randy Arozarena, is partnering with Tampa-based meal prep company, ReBuilt Meals, and The Dream Center, a center based in Ybor City, for children in need. On Nov. 4 there will be an event to feed the families who participate in after-school and summer programming. Food will be provided by ReBuilt Meals.
The Tampa Bay Rays are meeting with St. Pete officials to make their case for a new stadium. The $1.3 billion stadium is asking for taxpayer money totaling $287.5 million from the city of St. Petersburg and $312.5 million from Pinellas County. (wfla.com)
Tampa's EDITION hotel has been named among the world's best by Fodor's Travel. The travel publication boasted about the “nonstop nightlife scene” at the hotel and its “posh’ style. (fodors.com)
That’s all for today. See you again soon!
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If you have a news tip, I am all ears. My e-mail is carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.