Bilirakis honored at chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly business breakfast Aug. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.
Guest speaker will be U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis who will receive the “Spirit of Enterprise Award” from the United States Chamber of Commerce. The annual award recognizes members of Congress for their votes on critical pro-business legislation.
Sponsors are Bahrs Propane Gas & AC, and IR Staffing.
The cost is $8 for chamber members and $10 for non-members.
For information, call the chamber at (813) 782-1913, or email .
The Happy Dough grand opening
The Happy Dough will have a grand opening on Aug. 5 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Tampa Premium Outlets, at 2300 Grand Cypress Drive.
There will be prizes and giveaways every hour including a year of free cookie dough.
The kiosk, which opened on July 25, can be found outside Skechers between Nike and Pacific Sunwear. It is family-owned and operated.
The safe-to-eat cookie dough can be bought to eat raw, baked at home or mixed with another dessert. Special dough treats also are available including gluten-free chocolate chip, Amy’s cookie dough dessert pies, cookie dough sandwiches and cookie dough dip, served with butter pretzels.
Flavors include American chocolate chip, birthday cake, chocolate mint, The Brownie and Rocky Road.
Catering is available by appointment.
For information, visit TheHappyDough.com, or Facebook.com/thehappydough/.
Taco Bell opens soon
Taco Bell is expected to open at Cypress Creek Town Center sometime in August, according to company officials.
The Mexican fast-food restaurant, at 25630 Sierra Center Blvd., is among a handful of new restaurants opening or under construction at the town center, located off State Road 56 across from Tampa Premium Outlets.
Ford’s Garage and Pollo Tropical are already open, and Wendy’s and Taco Bell are next.
Chuy’s Mexican restaurant and Bahama Breeze Island Grille also are potential tenants.
Taco Bell founder, Glen Bell, opened Bell’s Drive-In & Taco Tia in California in 1954. The first Taco Bell, also in California, opened in 1964, according to the website, TacoBell.com.
Common Ground Pitch Breakfast
SMARTstart CO.STARTERS will host the monthly “Common Ground Pitch Breakfast” Aug. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at 37837 Meridian Ave., No. 309, in Dade City.
Each month, two people present a five-minute pitch to introduce their business ideas to Pasco County’s local entrepreneurial community. Each pitch is followed by a question-and-answer session, and opportunity for feedback.
The event is free. The SMARTstart programs are supported by the Pasco Economic Development Council.
To register, visit SmartstartPasco.com/events, or call Pasco EDC at (352) 437-4861.
Business Link breakfast
Business Link will have its monthly breakfast Aug. 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Scotland Yards Golf Club, 9424 U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.
The monthly gathering, held at various locations, provides networking and an information-sharing platform for the small business community.
A complimentary breakfast will be provided. The event is sponsored by the San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union.
RSVP to Rebecca Gaddis at (352) 588-2732, ext. 1237, or email .
North Tampa luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have a general meeting Aug. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Iavarone’s Steakhouse & Italian Grill, 3617 Humphrey St., in Tampa.
Guest speaker will be Hillsborough County Deputy Chris Depolis. He will discuss what to do during an active shooter situation.
For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card or to the chamber office at by 5 p.m. on Aug. 8, at the discounted rate of $20 (whether you eat or not). After that date, the cost is $25 (whether you eat or not), payable at the door by cash, check or credit card.
For information, call the chamber office at (813) 563-0180, or visit NorthTampaChamber.com.
Job search assistance
The Pasco Hernando CareerSource Mobile One unit will be on-site to provide free help in job searches and career assistance, Aug. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Zephyrhills Branch Library, at 5347 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills.
The mobile unit is a self-contained resource room on wheels, with 12 computers, satellite Internet and telecommunications, and printing/copying capabilities.
Job seekers can get help with job searches, creating and printing resumes, accessing local and statewide job listings, and finding information about programs provided by CareerSource.
For information, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com, or call the library at (813) 780-0064.
Creative World ribbon cutting
Creative World School will have a ribbon cutting Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon, at Primrose Lake Circle, in Tampa Palms community of New Tampa.
The school is enrolling for preschool, child care and day care.
For information, visit WesleyChapelChamber.com or CreativeWorldSchool.com.
Breakfast meeting
The East Pasco Networking Group will meet Aug. 15 at 7:30 a.m., at the Village Inn at 5214 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.
Guest speaker will be Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells Jr., who represents District 4.
For information, contact Chairman Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or , or Vice Chairwoman Vicky Jones at (813) 431-1149 or .
Hispanic leaders lunch
The Hispanic Business Leaders of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a Hispanic Business Leaders Luncheon, open to all members and guests, Aug. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
Guest speaker will be Pete Castellani, chief executive officer of Oasis Pregnancy Centers.
His topic will be “What Pregnancy Centers Offer Across Pasco County.”
The cost is $20 for chamber members at the door, or $15 if preregistered by Aug. 10. For non-members, the cost is $20, and they can preregister or pay at the door.
Meetings are in English.
For information, email Ignacio Ruiz at .
Lunch N Learn
A Lunch N Learn Business Forum is scheduled for Aug. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Don Porter Boardroom, at 6013 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Suite 105.
Guest speaker will be Kelly Mothershead, of Fitness Transformation Studio & Salon. She will teach a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) class. Students will receive an American Heart Association certification card.
The cost is $20 including lunch. Registration is needed, as seating is limited.
For information, visit WesleyChapelChamber.com, or call (813) 994-8534.
SCORE workshop
Pasco Hernando SCORE will have a workshop on “How to Really Start Your Own Business” Aug. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes.
The free workshop will provide information on how to start a business, key issues of starting a business, insurance, legal requirements and information sources.
For information, contact William Gelbach at , or at (727) 842-4638.
Small business mixer
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a Salute to Small Business Mixer Aug. 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, in the meeting room.
The free mixer is sponsored by Copperstone Executive Suites and The Laker/Lutz News. Sponsorships are available for $50.
