Issue #372: Rain in Sight for Tampa | Guava City Paint Jam Lights Up Streets | Drug Detector Innovation | Rookie Bucs Player Under Scrutiny

In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse

Our Event Calendar - currently “under the weather”

WEATHER 

— Relief on the Radar: Weekend Storms Could Break Tampa’s Dry Spell

Local News

— Guava City Paint Jam Ignites Tampa with Murals and Music

Science

— Bath Scientists Build Portable Detector to Uncover Lethal Street Drugs

Sports

— Bucs Rookie Criticized for Depth, Not Talent

🎵 Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

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Guava City Paint Jam Ignites Tampa with Murals and Music

Tampa's first-ever Guava City Paint Jam is in full swing, blending community, color, and creativity across Seminole Heights and beyond. The artist-led festival kicked off with a pop-up gallery at Noble Brew and mural painting outside Grassroots Kava House at 5248 N Florida Ave. Notable muralists like Paulina Casati, Quinn Cale, Chris Dyer, Carlos Pons, and Kris Markovich have already transformed local walls with bold new works.

Running May 7–10, the festival features pop-up installations and live painting throughout the city. Friday, May 9 sees Hoxxoh splash vibrant color via sound-reactive rigs at Commercial Acoustics in Old Seminole Heights, starting at 5 p.m. The celebration wraps up Saturday, May 10 with a Pop-Up and Neighborhood Jam in Palma Ceia, offering art and music by J.T. Brown along Bay to Bay Boulevard.

More details and full schedule at guavajam.tampawalls.org.

Read More: cltampa.com

Bath Scientists Build Portable Detector to Uncover Lethal Street Drugs

A groundbreaking handheld device developed at the University of Bath may transform how dangerous street drugs are detected.

Resembling a portable spectrometer, the device uses fluorescence and reflectance spectroscopy combined with AI-powered analysis to instantly identify drugs—including synthetic opioids and benzodiazepines—at extremely low concentrations. Unlike traditional lab equipment, it’s user-friendly and requires no expert training, offering rapid, affordable testing wherever it's most needed: clubs, festivals, and community drug services.

Currently in trials in the UK, Norway, and New Zealand, the device has already proven useful in saving lives. In one case, Devon & Cornwall Police issued a public warning within 36 hours of a fatal overdose linked to contaminated oxycodone.

“We need services that work where the risk is,” said lead scientist Professor Chris Pudney, emphasizing harm reduction over deterrence.

The device’s global potential lies in empowering users with knowledge—before it’s too late.

Read More: news-medical.net

Bucs Rookie Criticized for Depth, Not Talent

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprised fans during the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with the 19th overall pick—despite having a strong receiver lineup. While Newsweek’s Matt Galatzan labeled Egbuka the team’s "worst pick," the criticism appears more about draft strategy than talent.

Egbuka joins a deep receiver corps featuring Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan, leading some to question the need. But Bucs GM Jason Licht has framed the selection as both an insurance policy and a long-term offensive investment, especially under new OC Josh Grizzard.

In reality, the fact that Egbuka was the most "questionable" pick says more about the strength of Tampa Bay’s draft class than any flaw in the rookie. If anything, he gives QB Baker Mayfield another weapon and positions the offense for serious depth heading into the season.

Read More: thepewterplank.com

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Best Live Music & Concerts in Tampa Bay
5/8 - 5/15

Source: cltampa.com

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

Things to Do Brought to You By:
NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

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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