What we ate

• Imagine Museum Celebrates Tampa Bay Comic Convention | Friday, Aug. 16-Sunday, Aug. 18 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Imagine Museum | $5+ | Celebrate all things comic culture a week before downtown Tampa’s big event with discounts for those dressed in cosplay.
• 813 Day | Friday, Aug. 16 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | The Tampa EDITION | $18.13 | It’s the last day to celebrate the 813 at Water Street Tampa’s luxe hotel with food + drink specials benefiting Tampa Bay Watch.
• Tampa Bay Rays vs. Arizona Diamondbacks | Friday, Aug. 16-Sunday, Aug. 18 | Times vary | Tropicana Field | $17+ | Catch a ballgame in the Burg this weekend, as the Arizona boys travel from the desert to the swamp.
• Chicago with Earth, Wind and Fire | Friday, Aug. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre | $39+ | It’s not September, but there’s no time like the present to groove to the two iconic bands.

• Painting with Elephants | Saturday, Aug. 17 | 9-10 a.m. | ZooTampa | $100+ | Spend your morning creating an art piece + meeting the world’s largest land mammal.
• “Ybor City Show and Share” | Saturday, Aug. 17 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Florida Museum of Photographic Arts | $15 | Take it back to show and tell with your favorite, best, or most meaningful picture of Ybor City.

• Pilates in the Beer Garden | Sunday, Aug. 18 | 11 a.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | $20 | Improve your strength, flexibility, balance, and posture in this class for all skill levels.
• “Casablanca” | Sunday, Aug. 18 | 3 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | $10+ | Escape the heat and catch the legendary love tale in downtown Tampa’s historic theater.
• Indie Bay | Sunday, Aug. 18 | 5-9 p.m. | The Icehouse, Gulfport | $8+ | Celebrate local independent artists from the local community with live music + art displays.

• The Tampa Museum of Art is preparing for a huge expansion to its riverfront facility. As part of the museum’s centennial campaign, the project will add 77,000+ sqft of floor space. A $110 million fundraising campaign is underway. (That’s So Tampa)

• Tampa Bay Sun Football Club is making its highly anticipated debut this weekend. The Tampa Bay area’s first ever professional women’s soccer team plays its inaugural game on Sunday, Aug. 18 at the renovated Blake High School riverfront stadium. Tickets are still available for the game vs. Dallas Trinity.

• The Burg’s culinary scene is getting even stronger. The Blu Halo Restaurant and Bar is set to open in north St. Pete early next year, specializing in steaks and seafood. FSU alumni may recognize the name from its original Tallahassee location. (St. Pete Rising)

• And Seminole Heights’ food game is growing too. SATA Empanada is now open in the trendy neighborhood, offering a range of Iranian-style empanadas, with steak, chicken, tuna, veggie, and apple pie filling options. Not your thing? Grab a pizza or sub instead. (That’s So Tampa)

• It could be a cooler weekend by Tampa Bay summer standards. Meteorologists say dew points will drop to levels typically seen in early October for the next few days, meaning a slight reprieve from the heat. It could get down to the low 70s overnight. (Tampa Bay Times)

• Tampa General Hospital plans to build affordable housing for its employees. The proposed $60 million apartment complex in Brandon would boast 160 units, and would be offered to TGH and USG Health workers at below-market-rate rents. So far, $10 million of state budget funds are secured. (Tampa Bay Times)

• “We definitely want to help create that Little Italy vibe here in Tampa.” Those were words spoken by the owners of Cousin Vinny’s, the viral online sandwich and chicken cutlet spot. Vinny’s is opening its first brick-and-mortar location in NoHo later this year, right by Santoro’s. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just announced a historic partnership with the University of South Florida. Through the partnership, USF students will get mentoring and career development opportunities through the Bucs organization, including exposure to working in the NFL. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

• Which Bucs players should you draft in fantasy football? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
  

• Curious about CBD gummies? Cornbread Hemp is giving first time customers a second jar for free with code SUMMERTIMEBOGO. Choose from watermelon, berry, peach, or special sleep varieties.*

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• Cringe alert: Every 24 hours, 27,000 trees are cut down for toilet paper. But this new bamboo toilet paper just might save the planet. It feels just like high-end TP, but doesn’t harm trees. Plus, code 6AM30 gives you 30% off your first purchase. Read more.*

• The recommended FY2025 operating budget for the Parking Division is just over $49 million.
• Of that amount, ~$9.8 million is suggested for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). In other words, this is money set aside for improvements and upgrades.
• The largest chunk of CIP change — $5 million — will go to the Smart Mobility Division. Those are the folks who control traffic lights, road signs, and streetlights.
• City-run parking garages are getting $3.3 million for restoration + modernization.
• Electric vehicle owners rejoice. There’s $1.5 million for EV charging stations and infrastructure upgrades.