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- Issue #463: Ray Charles Honored on Central Ave | Grandmas Power Local Eatery | Tampa Artist Stuns | MLB Tests New Call System
Issue #463: Ray Charles Honored on Central Ave | Grandmas Power Local Eatery | Tampa Artist Stuns | MLB Tests New Call System
9/24/2025
Ted Grellner
24 Sep
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar —> Feel free to post events of interest to our community; its quite easy to do.
Local News
— Tampa Honors Ray Charles With Historic Marker on Central Avenue
OMG!
— The Restaurant That Runs on Love—and Grandmothers
Of Interest
— Drawn from the Soul: Tampa Artist’s Pencil Portraits Amaze
Sports
— MLB to Let Players Challenge Umpire Calls with New ABS System
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Tampa Honors Ray Charles With Historic Marker
on Central Avenue
On what would have been Ray Charles’ 95th birthday, Tampa unveiled a new historical marker celebrating the rich musical legacy of Central Avenue, once the heartbeat of the city’s African American community.
The plaque reads: “Music Legends of Central Avenue” and honors Charles along with other iconic performers like Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday, who once played along the “Chitlin Circuit” during segregation.
Charles lived on Central Avenue in 1947 and recorded his first song, “I Found My Baby There,” while residing in the neighborhood.
The marker is located between the Kid Mason Center and Greater Bethel Baptist Church on North Jefferson Street.
“This was the birthplace of a sound that carried far beyond Tampa,” said Mayor Jane Castor. She emphasized that recognizing this cultural history helps preserve the legacy for future generations.
The marker commemorates both musical genius and neighborhood resilience.
The Restaurant That Runs on Love—and Grandmothers
EDITOR’S NOTE - Forgive me for putting up an article about a Staten Island Restaurant few of us may ever visit. BUT isn’t this an amazing idea?! I would love to see it brought to life here, wouldn’t you? Some of the best eating I’ve ever experienced was created by a Grandma.
At Staten Island’s Enoteca Maria, dinner is made by grandmothers from around the globe—one nonna at a time. Founded by Jody Scaravella in 2007 as a tribute to his late grandmother, the restaurant began with Italian home cooks but soon expanded to include women from over a dozen countries, including Greece, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Argentina.
Each night, a different nonna prepares traditional dishes from her heritage, making every visit unique. These grandmothers don’t follow recipes—they cook by memory, taste, and love.
Scaravella’s idea was born from grief, but it bloomed into a space where culture, food, and legacy converge. The nonnas say it’s like cooking for family, and diners agree—it feels like home.
The restaurant's story inspired a cookbook and a Netflix film, Nonnas, starring Vince Vaughn and Susan Sarandon, watched by over 15 million people.
At Enoteca Maria, tradition isn’t just preserved—it’s plated.
Drawn from the Soul: Tampa Artist’s Pencil Portraits Amaze
Tampa-based pencil artist Marc Brechwald creates stunning photo-realistic portraits using only graphite. Many visitors to his studio mistake his artwork for black-and-white photographs until they look closely.
Each drawing takes between 20 to 90 hours and often begins with the eyes—what Brechwald calls the "window to the soul." He relies on multiple pencil sizes and considers erasing just as critical as drawing.
Brechwald transitioned to full-time artistry in 2020, inspired by the pandemic to follow his passion. He focuses primarily on people, finding them the most compelling subject.
Currently, he’s working on a deeply personal project: “My Mother’s Hands”—a series of pencil drawings based on photos of his mother holding everyday objects. He hopes to exhibit the emotional series once completed.
“I wanted that emotional connection to shine through,” Brechwald says.
Read More: fox13news.com — amazing work!
MLB to Let Players Challenge Umpire Calls with New ABS System
The league’s Automated Ball/Strike System (ABS) was approved Tuesday, allowing teams to challenge two ball/strike calls per game—plus one per extra inning. Umpires will still call pitches, but players can initiate challenges using a helmet or cap tap, with video reviews shown on videoboards.
ABS, powered by Hawk-Eye cameras, has been tested since 2019, including in Triple-A and spring training. The challenge format was preferred by players over fully automated calling.
Teams won over 50% of challenges in tests, and supporters say it will reduce ejections—most of which stem from disputed strike calls.
The strike zone is based on batter height and mid-plate ball placement. Catchers will still need to frame, preserving a key defensive skill.
“This is going to change the game forever,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt.
MLB’s embrace of tech continues—one challenge at a time.
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Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
The Arts
- The Exhibiting Society of Artists - events
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series
Theater
-NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre
Misc
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
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