North Tampa Behavioral Health has grand opening
Nearly 150 people were on-hand from Pasco County and surrounding communities as North Tampa Behavioral Health marked its grand opening on Oct. 24. The ceremony featured speeches from retired Major League Baseball player Darryl Strawberry in substance abuse recovery, as well as Pat Scimone-Almasy, board member of the local Pasco chapter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The center is at 29910 State Road 56, in Wesley Chapel.
Food for a good cause
To celebrate its five-year anniversary, The Hound’s Meow — located at 16311 N. Florida Ave., in Lutz — will donate 2 pounds of pet food for every purchase, up to 300 pounds, to local rescue groups on Nov. 23.
As part of its anniversary, the store is also offering various other discounts, as well as giveaways, treat and food samples, and raffles.
For more information, visit HoundsMeow.com, or call (813) 960-6111.
Ribbon cutting at Fancy Frock
The Fancy Frock, 1045 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will have a grand re-opening and ribbon cutting Nov. 21 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The event will include both the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce as well as the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call (813) 973-1999, or email .
Whole Foods teams up with local farms
Whole Foods Market Tampa is partnering with Sweetwater Organic Community Farm that will allow local farmers to use the store as a drop-off and pick-up point for their subscribing customers, free of charge. It’s part of a statewide effort by Whole Foods through its community-supported agriculture program.
Traditionally, farm customers had to go to the farm itself or a regional drop point to get their weekly shares. Through the new program, Whole Foods is not only looking to provide convenience, but also educate customers about community-supported agriculture, and increase support for local family farms.
In October, Sweetwater was the recipient of the store’s 5 percent day program where 5 percent of the day’s net sales were donated to the local nonprofit. On Oct. 29, Sweetwater raised $3,229 for the program.
Sweetwater is located in Tampa where community members come together to grow fresh organic food, acquire sustainable living skills and support local agriculture.
Pickups will take place at Whole Foods, 1548 N. Dale Mabry Highway, every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information, call (813) 874-9435.
Ryland Home’s Fontana is Builder of the Year
Joe Fontana, Tampa division president for Ryland Homes, was named the 2013 Builder of the Year by the Tampa Bay Builders Association.
The ceremony also swore in officers Willy Nunn of Homes by WestBay as president, Jason Starling of Suarez Housing as president-elect, Laurie Stewart-Woodroffe of Heritage Drywall as associate vice president, Bob Gibbons of Ryland Homes as vice president and treasurer, and Keith Appenzeller of King Engineering as vice president and secretary.
Also winning awards were Stewart-Woodroffe from Heritage Drywall as Associate Member of the Year, and Bob Nixon of Nixon Construction as Remodeler Member of the Year.
Dade City Chamber membership orientation
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce will have a member orientation for seasoned, new and prospective members Nov. 21 beginning at noon at the chamber office, 14112 Eighth St., in Dade City.
The chamber will provide lunch.
For more information, call (352) 567-3769.
City Grill takes over in Wesley Chapel
City Grill has opened in the former location of Winners Grill, 5429 Village Market, in Wesley Chapel.
Founder Gerry Malynowsky originally sold the restaurant, as Winners, in 2008. He repossessed it, however, in 2013, according to a release.
Keeping his ownership, Malynowsky decided to relaunch the restaurant under a new name, maintaining an upscale mix of sports bar and grill, pub, and family restaurant.
For more information, visit www.CityGrill.us.
Longtime makeup specialist opens Wesley Chapel location
A permanent makeup specialist with decades of experience is bringing her skills to Wesley Chapel.
Valerie S. Rudmin, a longtime registered cosmetologist who has specialized in permanent makeup for 26 years, has opened an Everlasting Beauty location at 3854 Flatiron Loop, Suite 102, in Wesley Chapel. It’s her third location in Florida, following Pinellas and Hernando counties, where she’s worked for more than 20 years.
Rudmin also travels to Des Moines, Iowa, five times a year by invitation to work in the Midwest.
Permanent makeup is a cosmetic form of tattooing in which pigment is implanted within the skin, which Rudmin says looks more natural than makeup.
For more information on Rudmin’s new location, call her at (727) 460-3847.
SmartStart gears up for monthly roundtables
The SmartStart Dade City Incubator will soon have monthly small business roundtables to help small business owners talk about their opportunities and challenges in a closed-door environment.
“The roundtables will be beneficial to any small business owner wanting to vet ideas with other entrepreneurs, and talk about challenges they might be facing,” said John Moors, executive director of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, in a release. “We are thrilled to be involved with SmartStart, and helping small businesses flourish here in Dade City.”
A schedule has yet to be released for the sessions, but they will take place at the incubator, located at the Dade City Business Center, 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 103, in Dade City.
Those interested in participating can contact Krista Covey at (352) 437-4861, or email her at .
Networking group schedules Christmas party
The East Pasco Networking Group will have its annual Christmas mixer Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at Village Inn, 5214 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.
The event, which will feature family members speaking — not business owners — will be “Dutch treat,” but does require an RSVP deposit of $10 per person or family.
For more information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or email .
Airport chief wins Boss of the Year
The International Association of Administration Professionals-City Center Chapter named Tampa International Airport chief executive Joe Lopano its 2013 Boss of the Year.
Boss of the Year is given each year to a manager, supervisor or executive who has been nominated by their administrative professional. The award is based on experience, achievements, civic work, involvement in the chapter, and other factors. They are presented in an essay that keeps the nominee’s name anonymous.
Both Kim Humphrey and Carol Marino, who work in the executive offices of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, entered Lopano in September, citing his impactful leadership, his focus on employee wellness, and his support of the administrative professionals group.
The IAAP is a nonprofit professional association for office professionals with a mission to enhance the success of career-minded administrative professionals by providing opportunity for growth through education, community building and leadership development.
