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- Issue #684: New Tampa’s Packed Arts Season, Homeless Veteran Rebuilds Lives, $2,400 Keys Resort Charge, Booser’s Seven-Year Journey Back To Baseball
Issue #684: New Tampa’s Packed Arts Season, Homeless Veteran Rebuilds Lives, $2,400 Keys Resort Charge, Booser’s Seven-Year Journey Back To Baseball
10/7/2026
Ted Grellner
07 Oct
In partnership with
GOOD MORNING
Dr Ted
USAF Retired
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
Local News
— New Tampa Performing Arts Center Unveils a Packed 2026–27 Season
— Once Homeless in Pasco, Marine Veteran Now Helps Others Rebuild Their Lives
OMG!
— Clearwater Man Accused of Charging $2,400 to Other Guests at Florida Keys Resort
Sports
— Seven Years After Leaving Baseball, Cam Booser Is Delivering for the Rays in October
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New Tampa Performing Arts Center Unveils a Packed 2026–27 Season
The New Tampa Performing Arts Center’s second annual Season Soirée offered a preview of its wide-ranging 2026–27 season, featuring musical theater, ballet, jazz, classical music and tribute concerts.
Among the first major productions is the New Tampa Players’ “Come From Away,” with seven performances Oct. 16–18 and Oct. 23–25. Tampa City Ballet follows with eight December performances of “The Nutcracker.”
Other highlights include coloratura soprano Daniella Mass on Nov. 22, the Nikolov-West Duo with the Simon Lasky Trio performing “Both Sides of Brubeck” on May 1, 2027, and Grammy- and Latin Grammy-winning pianist Lannie Battistini on May 23.
The season also features tributes to James Taylor, Paul McCartney, Chicago and Woodstock, plus New Tampa Players’ “Newsies” in July, giving local audiences an unusually broad lineup of entertainment close to home.
Once Homeless in Pasco, Marine Veteran Now Helps Others Rebuild Their Lives
A year ago, Marine veteran Mike Biggs was living in the woods in Pasco County. Today, he has his own home and is helping fellow veterans through the New Port Richey organization that helped him rebuild his life.
The Veterans Support Center, part of One Community Now, connects veterans with housing, health care, addiction treatment, employment assistance and other services. Biggs now gives back by cooking for veterans at the center and hopes to spend even more time in its planned larger kitchen.
Center director Cameron Wright understands the struggle firsthand. He once slept beneath a nearby bridge and now helps veterans get food, clothing and assistance tailored to their needs.
Nationally, veteran homelessness has fallen by more than half since 2010, although more than 32,000 veterans remain homeless. Biggs and Wright show how local support can help veterans move from homelessness to stability—and then help others do the same.
Clearwater Man Accused of Charging $2,400 to Other Guests at Florida Keys Resort
A 26-year-old Clearwater man has been arrested after authorities say he charged more than $2,400 in food, drinks, clothing and other purchases to another guest’s room at a Florida Keys resort.
The investigation began last year at Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada when a guest discovered nearly $900 in unauthorized charges on her room. Resort security uncovered additional questionable purchases, and the hotel ultimately reimbursed guests approximately $2,419.
Malachi Ethan Keasler was arrested Saturday and faces charges of grand theft, possession of another person’s identification and scheme to defraud, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say Keasler is the second person charged in connection with the case. Emma Camille Wallace, 24, of Hollywood, was arrested in December 2025 on similar charges. Keasler did not have an attorney listed at the time the charges were reported.
Seven Years After Leaving Baseball, Cam Booser Is Delivering for the Rays in October
Seven years after leaving baseball amid injuries, depression and alcohol addiction, Rays reliever Cam Booser is now delivering in the biggest moments of Tampa Bay’s postseason run.
The 34-year-old left-hander earned the win in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees, escaping a bases-loaded fifth-inning jam in Tampa Bay’s 5-2 victory. Years earlier, Booser had retired at 25 and worked installing ceilings in Seattle high-rises while struggling with addiction.
After getting sober, Booser rediscovered a 97-98 mph fastball and began an improbable comeback that eventually produced his Major League debut with Boston at age 31.
Now with the Rays, Booser has flourished, posting a 1.98 ERA in 42 appearances and a 0.76 WHIP, best among qualifying American League relievers. His journey has taken him from baseball retirement and personal struggles to becoming a key piece of Tampa Bay’s playoff bullpen.
Top Events in Tampa Bay this week of: | Best Things to Do in Tampa Bay this weekend | TB Weekend Entertainment Guide | |
|---|---|---|---|
October 5 | Augus | May | |
Source: tampabay.com | Source: | Source: |
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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