Issue #343: Rays Hype Hits Dale Mabry • Tampa’s Book Bash Sets Sail • Top Thrillers for Mystery Lovers

In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse

Our Event Calendar

WEATHER

Local News

— From Burgers to Baseball: Dale Mabry Businesses Ready for Rays Boom

— Literacy Sets Sail: Book Bash Brings Reading Fun to Tampa

Of Interest

— Mystery, Murder, and Mayhem: The Ultimate Thriller List

Sports

— From Bronx to Bay: How the Rays Transformed Steinbrenner Field

🎵 Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

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From Burgers to Baseball: Dale Mabry Businesses Ready for Rays Boom

As the Tampa Bay Rays begin their unexpected 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field, local businesses along Dale Mabry Highway are gearing up for a wave of opportunity. Andres Farfan, operating partner at Riveters Tampa, just blocks from the stadium, is optimistic that baseball fans will bring a boost similar to Buccaneers season crowds.

Farfan, who opened his restaurant post-pandemic, focuses on fresh, high-quality food and views this baseball influx as a timely chance to reach new patrons. “It’s going to make a huge difference,” he said, hoping the longer season—extending through September—will revitalize the area’s dining scene.

With fans now walking distance to Riveters, Farfan is betting on a busy season and a return to the neighborhood’s vibrant past. The Rays’ presence could be the spark Dale Mabry needs, offering sustained foot traffic beyond the typical spring training months—and more chances for Farfan to turn burgers into art.

Read More: baynews9.com

Literacy Sets Sail: Book Bash Brings Reading Fun
to Tampa

Tampa families, get ready to set sail on a reading adventure! The 2025 Book Bash, hosted by New Worlds Reading, drops anchor at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, April 5, from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. This free, pirate-themed event welcomes VPK–5th grade students and their families for an afternoon of literacy-focused fun, including read-alouds, interactive games, giveaways, and take-home books to grow home libraries.

Children will enjoy face painting, balloon art, and a visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog. The statewide New Worlds Reading program, run by the UF Lastinger Center for Learning, has already distributed 8.8 million books, aiming to reach students not yet reading at grade level. Families who enroll by June 9 will receive 12 free books this year—nine standard and three summer bonuses.

Held at 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy, the Book Bash includes free on-site parking. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Read More: timesdaily.com

​Here’s a surprising and lesser-known fact:

Temporary facilities for professional sports teams often have better amenities than their permanent homes—especially in older stadiums.

For example, when teams relocate due to renovations or disasters (like the Rays moving to Steinbrenner Field after Hurricane Milton), the temporary sites are frequently outfitted with state-of-the-art mobile tech, luxury trailer complexes, and portable recovery equipment that outperform aging infrastructure at their regular stadiums.

In some cases, teams even prefer certain aspects of the temporary setups—like better nutrition stations, modular weight rooms, or mobile red-light therapy units—and end up incorporating those elements permanently when they return.

It’s an ironic twist: sometimes, it takes a crisis or relocation to show teams what "modern" can really feel like.

Mystery, Murder, and Mayhem: The Ultimate Thriller List

If you're craving edge-of-your-seat reads, these five standout thrillers will keep you flipping pages deep into the night.

In The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley, a luxury resort opening unearths secrets, betrayal, and murder through multiple timelines and viewpoints.

Kate Alice Marshall’s What Lies in the Woods explores how childhood lies and a buried truth unravel decades later.

The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak follows a father who uncovers dark family secrets at his daughter’s mysterious wedding.

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager plays with the haunted house trope, as a woman confronts eerie happenings tied to her father's ghost-written memoir.

Finally, Taylor Adams’ The Last Word introduces a reclusive woman who gives a bad book review—only to find herself stalked by its twisted author.

Each novel blends suspense, psychological tension, and mystery, making them essential for your TBR list—if you dare to keep the lights off.

Read More: hercampus.com

From Bronx to Bay: How the Rays Transformed Steinbrenner Field

After Hurricane Milton destroyed Tropicana Field’s roof in October, the Tampa Bay Rays launched a rapid 120-hour makeover of the Yankees’ Steinbrenner Field in Tampa to host their season opener. By Friday’s first pitch, over 3,000 signs had been swapped, a Rays banner replaced Yankees signage, and even the clubhouse lights were changed from pinstripe white to team blue. Despite reminders of its Bronx origins—like “George M. Steinbrenner Field” signage and Yankee logos—the stadium now boldly proclaims “Home of the Rays.”

Players welcomed the upgraded amenities compared to the Trop: therapy pools with TVs, red-light sauna, batting cages, and more. Though the ballpark seats only 10,000, the intimate setup is expected to boost fan engagement. The move reignites discussions about a Tampa-based stadium as the Rays’ future in St. Petersburg remains uncertain. A heartfelt note from Aaron Boone to Kevin Cash summed up the classy handoff: “Enjoy it... hope to have good health.”

Read More: fltimes.com — fun article worth reading

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Spring Concerts Coming to Tampa Bay Area

Source: suncoastpost.com

Best Live Music in Tampa Bay
3/ - 3/

Source: cltampa.com

Top Things to do Around Tampa & WC
3/27 - 4/2
Source: tampabeacon.com

Major Events in Florida
Mar - Apr
Source: visitflorida.com

Things to Do Brought to You By:
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Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

The Arts
- 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

- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC

For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids

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