ME Hobbies opens in Lutz
ME Hobbies has opened a new store at 1904 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz, and will host a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Sept. 13.
“We’ve enjoyed hobbies our whole lives, and want to share that with the community,” said Edward Karpoich, the chief executive of ME Hobbies, in a release.
The grand opening will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with music by Koss Music, face painting by Fuentes Fantabulous Facepainting, balloons, free train rides, and free food, ice cream and drinks provided by Sam’s Club in Wesley Chapel.
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host the weekend event.
CareerSource offering employee training
CareerSource Pasco Hernando is offering assistance through the Employed Worker Training program to help businesses stay on the cutting edge of the current, growing economy.
Trained business service consultants are helping companies increase skilled labor productivity and become more competitive in today’s market, the agency said, in a release. The program also provides financial assistance to employers who wish to invest in their employees.
The program also provides up to 50 percent of the employers’ direct training costs to be reimbursed through the agency. Last year, the local CareerSource office helped provide 150 certifications.
For additional information, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com, or call Sunnye Fredia at (352) 247-0761.
Mixer, luncheon with PHHCC
The Pasco Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will host a mixer Sept. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at BB&T, 26644 Silver Maple Parkway in Wesley Chapel.
The chamber will host a luncheon Sept. 16 at 11:30 a.m., at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 20735 Leonard Road in Lutz.
WC Chamber mixer
The Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host a mixer Sept. 11 at 6 p.m., at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel, 27000 Wesley Chapel Blvd.
The event includes food, beverages, music, prizes and on-site chair massages.
Wesley Chapel networking group
Networking for Your Success meets every Thursday at 8 a.m., at Lexington Oaks Country, 2615 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
Cost is $5, and annual membership to the group is $79.
For information, call (813) 073-1657.
Dade City chamber wants award winners
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce will host its annual awards banquet Oct. 16. With that, it’s seeking nominations for various awards.
Typically, awards are open to members who have been a part of the chamber in good standing for at least a year. Some of the categories include Business Leader of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Civic Association of the Year and Citizen of the Year.
To learn more about how to nominate, contact Jo Uber at the chamber office at (352) 567-3769, or email her at .
Nominations sought for business awards
Bright House Networks and local chambers of commerce are seeking nominations for its second annual Regional Business Awards.
The awards honor companies, organizations and people who have made an impact with their products, services and thought leadership in the business community.
Nominations are currently being accepted through Sept. 26 in four categories ranging from small business to large business, including a category for start-ups.
Bright House will award prizes including commercial television production, airtime, customer newsletter and cash, with a total value of more than $1 million.
Those interested in applying can visit tinyurl.com/BrightHouseAwards.
The winning businesses will be honored at a dinner Feb. 5 at the Tampa Convention Center.
The $100 application fee is waived for members of local participating chambers of commerce.
Bank stands up to cancer
Fifth Third Bank has returned its “Pay to the Order Of” campaign that earlier this year raised more than $2.3 million for Stand Up to Cancer.
The campaign was first launched in January and leverages new checking accounts to help drive donations that support collaborative cancer research programs, the company said in a release. For each new customer who opens a checking account with direct deposit, and makes three online bill payments, Fifth Third will give $150 to the customer and donate $150 to the cancer organization, more commonly known as SU2C.
The campaign runs through Oct. 17.
Bank offers student sweepstakes
Fifth Third Bank has launched its annual Student Banking Sweepstakes.
Through Sept. 30, students who open a checking account will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes offering $10,000 toward college tuition.
Last year’s winner was Tre’ Watson, a rising football star at Tampa Catholic High School.
For more information, visit 53.com/students.
Kumquat Festival selling sponsorship packages
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is now accepting reservation packages for the 2015 Kumquat Festival, set to take place Jan. 31.
Packages start at $500, and include logos and links on the KumquatFestival.org website, as well as booth space at the festival. Premier packages, which run from $1,000 to $5,000, include additional features.
The event is expected to draw 45,000 people from Florida, who live here seasonally, and who are visiting.
For information, call John Moors at (352) 567-3769, or email .
Upcoming Rotary Club of Lutz meetings
The Rotary Club of Lutz meets every Tuesday at 7 a.m., at Heritage Harbor Golf & Country Club, 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway in Lutz.
Cost is $10 and includes a continental breakfast, juice and coffee. Visitors are welcome.
Upcoming speakers include:
• Sept. 16 — Jessica Spencer on Amendment 2
• Sept. 23 — Dr. Paul Bowman on skin cancer prevention and treatment
• Sept. 30 — Kim Thompson on the secret behind nutrition labels
• Oct. 7 — Maj. Ruth VanDyke, an author discussing her book on women in the military
• Oct. 14 — Diane Kortus, president and owner of The Laker/Lutz News
• Oct. 21 — U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis
• Oct. 28 — Michael Walters on water management
• Nov. 4 — Byron Poore on what successful investing and salsa have in common
For information, call (813) 857-7089.
East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group has scheduled several speakers for the coming months. The group meets every other week at the Village Inn at 5214 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. Networking begins at 8 a.m., with the meeting starting at 8:30 a.m.
Upcoming speakers include:
• George Swatzbaugh of Emerald Home Inspection Service LLC, Sept. 23
• Bob Hatfield from U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office, Oct. 14
• Jack Mariano, Pasco County commissioner, Oct. 28
Also, the group will have its early fall mixer Sept. 16.
