Bucs COO to speak
Brian Ford, chief operating officer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will be speaking at the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon on July 28. He’ll be sharing team updates and other developments within the organization.
Space is limited so secure your spot early. The cost is $33 for members and $38 for non-members.
For more information, visit GreaterPasco.com
Commerce & Coffee
The North Tampa Bay Chamber hosts Commerce & Coffee on the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Raining Berries, 25595 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz. It’s a chance for chamber members to network, without an agenda, in a relaxed setting.
East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group (EPNG) meets on the second Tuesday of the month (except for December), at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, at 13100 U.S. 301, in Dade City. The group’s meetings feature speakers from a wide array of backgrounds. Here is its upcoming slate of speakers:
- Aug. 8: Peter Castellani, founder of Oasis Pregnancy Care Center and Amy Yarborough, director of Pregnancy City Center
- Sept. 12: Todd Vande Berg, director of planning, City of Zephyrhills
- Oct. 10: Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller
For more information about EPNG, contact Nils R. Lenz at 813-782-9491 or
Avoiding unlicensed contractors
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) offers these tips to help citizens to avoid unlicensed contractors, especially in hurricane season, according to a news release. This crime places citizens at potential risk for poor quality work and noncompliance with building codes. Also, property owners become liable for any injuries, run the risk of contractors failing to meet obligations and may become a victim of scams.
To avoid unlicensed contractors, the sheriff’s office offers this advice:
- Ask for licenses and confirm a contractor’s references before agreeing on a project;
- Do not feel pressured into a contract or work with which you’re not comfortable;
- Obtain several written estimates before you start any remodeling;
- Do not make full payment until the job is complete.
In addition to the PSO’s advice, it’s a good idea to make sure that complaints have not been lodged against a particular contractor. You can check in with your local government representative’s office to get guidance on how to find that information.
SCORE mentors
Businesses needing help can get it from a SCORE mentor, and people with knowledge to share can volunteer to mentor others. SCORE welcomes those needing assistance, as well as those who are able to provide it. Find out more by visiting SCORE.org/pascohernando.
Registrations open for EDC awards
The Pasco Economic Development Council’s Annual Awards ceremony, now in its 35th year, is considered Pasco’s premier business event. It attracts hundreds of business, community and elected leaders from around Tampa Bay. The highlight of each year’s event is the Annual Industry Awards honoring Pasco County companies that have exhibited major economic and community impact .
This year’s event is set for Sept. 7 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel.
Online registrations are now available. To find out more, go to Pasco EDC’s website at PascoEDC.com.
‘Green Eyeshade’ awards
WUSF Public Media has received three prestigious “Green Eyeshade” awards for excellence from the Society of Professional Journalists. This included work created through a new collaboration between WUSF and several Black-owned publications, including The Weekly Challenger, Florida Courier and Royaltee Magazine, according to a news release.
“I am immensely proud of the work this newsroom has produced to delve into issues that are vital to Florida residents,” Jann Urofsky, the general manager for WUSF, said in a release. “To see recognition of work done in cooperation with our new partners is especially important.”
Named in honor of the green eyeshades traditionally worn by newsroom editors, these awards date back to the 1950s and recognize the very best print, television, radio, and digital journalism in the southeastern United States, the release says.
Entries for this year’s awards came from newsrooms in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
This year, WUSF’s Green Eyeshade awards include:
- First Place: Breaking news Reporting/Radio for coverage of Hurricane Ian
- Second Place: Best Newscast/Radio awarded to host Craig Kopp and reporters Stephanie Colombini and Gabriella Paul. Morning Edition, Nov. 14.
- Second Place: Public Service in Radio Journalism for “Black Mental Health Series” awarded to WUSF’s Stephanie Colombini, Daylina Miller, Octavio Jones, Julio Ochoa and Mary Shedden, in collaboration with The Weekly Challenger, the Florida Courier and Royaltee Magazine.
The series on Black mental health previously won regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, and it explored the issues of racism, health inequities and the effects of Jim Crow segregation for Black Americans.
Barbecue & Networking
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce has its monthly barbecue lunch and networking event in Land O’ Lakes on the second Thursday of each month, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at New Beginnings, 18935 Michigan Lane, in Land O’ Lakes.
The event is hosted by Judi Fisher. Those attending can place a lunch order for barbecue, catered by Hungry Harry’s, if they choose. The gathering is free for chamber members, plus the cost of food. There’s a $10 fee for non-members.
If you are not a member but would like to check out the event for free, call the chamber office at 727-842-7651 or 813-909-2722 for a one-time free entry.
The lunch is sponsored by Architectural Signage & Printing.
