Tampa is getting its first 15 minutes of Today Show Super Bowl exposure — more like five minutes so far — via weatherguy Al Roker, who's broadcasting his morning reports from Centro Ybor. Viewers aren't seeing much local scenery from this vantage point — just glimpses of balconies and the Centro courtyard crowded with the usual Today Show attention-getters. (The GaYbor District Coalition's sign had good visibility, as did the Florida Aquarium's shark — and yep, our own cltampa.com sign.) A few local businesses got a big boost; Teatro on Seventh served Roker churros on its balcony; Tampa Bay Brewing Company got to show off a lineup of its best brews and Columbia Restaurant sent in the flamenco dancers. (And, in the 9 a.m. segment, Castillo's Cigar Factory rolled a cigar for Roker, which he employed for a quickie Groucho impression.)
This article appears in Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2009.