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- Issue #495: USF Bulls on ESPN • Top Veterans Day Discounts • Tampa Man Outsmarts Scam • Rays Rally Behind Walls
Issue #495: USF Bulls on ESPN • Top Veterans Day Discounts • Tampa Man Outsmarts Scam • Rays Rally Behind Walls
11/7/2025
Ted Grellner
07 Nov
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Dr Ted
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar
Please post events of interest to our NT|WC Live Events Calendar; its easy to do.
Local News
— Saluting Service: Best Veterans Day Deals in 2025
— Bulls Take Center Stage as ESPN Comes to USF
OMG!
— Gut Check Saves Tampa Man from $15K Scam
Sports
— Gold Glove Finalist Taylor Walls Gets Rays’ Vote of Confidence
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Saluting Service: Best Veterans Day Deals in 2025
This Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, dozens of restaurants and retailers across the U.S. are showing appreciation to military veterans and active-duty personnel with free meals and exclusive discounts.
Restaurants like Applebee’s, IHOP, Texas Roadhouse, Olive Garden, Red Robin, and In-N-Out Burger are offering complimentary meals with valid military ID. Many deals are dine-in only, and some include bounce-back coupons for future visits.
Retailers including Target, Walgreens, Publix, and Winn-Dixie are giving 10–20% off on select purchases. Great Clips is offering free haircuts or coupons for later use.
Most offers require proof of service, and participation may vary by location.
Check offer times and terms in advance to make the most of the day’s savings—and don’t forget to say thank you to a veteran.
Read More: livenowfox.com — see article for much more information
Bulls Take Center Stage as ESPN Comes to USF
ESPN’s “SportsCenter on Campus” came to life outside USF’s Marshall Student Center Thursday, celebrating the Bulls' breakout football season.
With 1,000 fans in attendance, students, alumni, and even philanthropist Richard Gonzmart joined the high-energy crowd as ESPN hyped USF’s nationally televised game against UTSA.
USF is ranked top 10 in both scoring offense (No. 6) and total offense (No. 7), led by standout quarterback Byrum Brown, fourth nationally in total offense.
The atmosphere felt like a true arrival moment for the program.
“This is a really big day for the university,” said ESPN’s Matt Barrie, praising USF’s fanbase and team performance.
Signs, spirit squads, the Herd of Thunder, and Rocky the Bull brought the energy, while coach Alex Golesh’s live appearance sparked a roar.
“This exposure proves we’ve arrived,” said one student. “USF football is no longer up-and-coming — it’s here.”
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Gut Check Saves Tampa Man from $15K Scam
Moses Harmon, a Tampa landscaping business owner, narrowly avoided losing $15,000 after being targeted by a sophisticated phone scam.
The scam began with a fake fraud alert text about a $2,800 Best Buy charge, followed by a call from impostors posing as Wells Fargo representatives. They knew his real banking transactions, adding credibility.
They instructed Harmon to withdraw cash and keep his phone on inside the bank so they could monitor him.
Standing at the teller, Harmon trusted his gut. He turned over the withdrawal slip and wrote: "I think I’m being scammed."
The teller acted fast, alerting the manager, who had Harmon shut off his phone — stopping the scam just in time.
Harmon now shares his story to warn others.
Key Tip: Never respond to suspicious texts. Scammers use breached data to seem legitimate.
Gold Glove Finalist Taylor Walls Gets Rays’ Vote
of Confidence
The Tampa Bay Rays have exercised their $2.45M club option on shortstop Taylor Walls for the 2026 season, while also adding a $3.1M option for 2027, according to Marc Topkin.
Walls, 29, just wrapped up his fifth MLB season, known more for his glove than his bat. In 2025, he hit .220/.280/.319 with 4 home runs and posted a 66 wRC+, contributing 0.3 fWAR.
Despite offensive struggles, Walls was a Gold Glove finalist and led all MLB shortstops with 17 Defensive Runs Saved in only 720 innings, per FanGraphs.
Earlier this year, he and the Rays avoided arbitration with a $1.35M deal for 2025. Even if the Rays decline the 2027 option, they’ll retain team control due to arbitration eligibility.
Walls’ elite defense keeps him valuable on the Rays’ roster as they bet on consistency up the middle.
Top Things to do in Tampa Bay |
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Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
The Arts
- The Exhibiting Society of Artists (new)
- 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
- Carrollwood Center Events
- Craft Festivals (new)
- Fall (Farmer’s) Market Guide for Tampa Bay (new)
- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC
- visitflorida.com
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
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