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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› OnePULSE Foundation shuffles top leadership
The onePULSE Foundation is looking for a new executive director after reshuffling its top leadership, moving founder Barbara Poma from the president/CEO role to “keeper of the story” — a job the charity says will be focused on national fundraising efforts. The foundation, started in the aftermath of the June 2016 mass shooting at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub, is entering what a spokesperson called a “crucial” phase as it finalizes design plans and launches construction of a $45 million memorial, museum and “survivors walk” that links the former club on South Orange Avenue to the hospital where rescuers carried the wounded.
› Busch Gardens, after two year-delay, opens latest thrill ride
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has opened, at long last, its highly anticipated Iron Gwazi rollercoaster. The park made the ride available to annual pass-holders, members of the media and other VIPs in mid-February, with a grand opening for all guests scheduled for March 11 — approximately two years after it had been scheduled to debut. The pandemic shut down theme parks for much of 2020, and although SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Busch Gardens’ Orlando-based parent company, had said Iron Gwazi would open in November 2021, that date came and went with no new coaster, leaving fans in the dark.
› Mayo Clinic to invest $432 million to add five hospital floors and other services
Mayo Clinic announced Feb. 22 that it will start a $432 million expansion at its San Pablo Road campus to add five floors on top of its eight-story hospital, creating 121 new inpatient beds, including 56 in the ICU. The expansion includes hospital support services and a central energy plant.
› Gasparilla Music Festival returns in Tampa
Now in its 10th year, the Gasparilla Music Festival returns to Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Park on Feb. 25-27, bringing a weekend of music and food. Headliners are psychedelic-soul duo Black Pumas, New Orleans-based rock band The Revivalists and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, who play a mix of genres including jazz, funk, rock and soul. Legendary singer Mavis Staples will also perform.
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