Models volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries
CLEARWATER – Several models in the 2026 Hooters Calendar volunteered Dec. 5 at Metropolitan Ministries.
Hooters has a longstanding partnership with Metropolitan Ministries.
The models assisted the organization by helping in the daycare. They took part in activities with the children and assisted with cleaning.
“A big part of the annual calendar tour in Tampa Bay is being able to volunteer and give back to organizations in our neighborhood including our longtime community partner Metropolitan Ministries,” said Denise Williams, chief marketing officer of HMC Hospitality Group.
The 2026 Hooters Calendar is available for purchase at all Tampa Bay area Hooters locations and includes over $100 in coupons. The first Hooters Calendar was released in 1986.
Join Pasco’s Jobs & Economic Opportunities Committee
PASCO COUNTY – Interested in helping grow Pasco County’s economy?
The Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee, which oversees the use of the Jobs and Economic Opportunities Trust Fund portion of Penny for Pasco, is looking for a new volunteer to fill one open seat. The seat is available to any Pasco County resident in the manufacturing or agriculture industries.
The committee consists of up to nine members, appointed by county commissioners. They meet quarterly and provide annual updates to commissioners.
Return your application and resume to through Dec. 29.
On the web: pascocountyfl.gov
Registration opens soon for insurance summit
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky is announcing the upcoming 2026 OIR Insurance Summit will bring top regulators, consumer advocates and industry executives together to discuss Florida’s insurance market.
The summit is ideal for professionals seeking to understand the present and shape the future of insurance regulation. OIR is hosting the Summit on April 14 and 15, 2026 in Tallahassee. Early registration will open in January.
“Our summit will be an unparalleled opportunity to engage in additional forward-thinking solutions to stabilize the market, national insurance perspectives, the importance of resiliency, critical oversight components and more,” Yaworsky said.
On the web: floir.com
Reemployment tax rate remains low
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Revenue announced Dec. 5 approximately 65% of Florida’s employers will continue to pay the lowest possible rate for reemployment taxes in 2026.
This is the 11th consecutive year employers are benefiting from the low rate of 0.1%. Those contributions go toward a program that helps Florida’s job seekers become reemployed.
Florida’s job growth rate outpaces the national average, which has allowed the state to maintain the minimum reemployment tax rate for businesses.
Employers pay a percentage only on the first $7,000 of wages paid to each employee. Florida is one of only four states with a $7,000 wage base; all remaining states have a higher wage base. Employers with stable employment receive the lowest rate. Reemployment taxes, or payroll taxes, fund Florida’s Reemployment Assistance Trust Fund. This fund has a balance of more than $4.8 billion.
North Tampa Bay events
LAND O’ LAKES – North Tampa Bay Chamber will host Coffee Social and Lunch N’ Learn events.
- Members network during Coffee Social from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at Subaru of Wesley Chapel, 26570 Silver Maple Pkwy., Wesley Chapel.
- Chad Cooper, a financial planner affiliated with Gateway Financial Advisors LLC, talks about “Beyond Investments: What Financial Planners Really Do?” during Lunch N Learn from noon to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at USF Credit Union, 20610 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa. Registration costs $15. Register in advance.
Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details about the chamber and events.
Greater Pasco events
NEW PORT RICHEY – Greater Pasco Chamber members will host a Veterans Roundtable, Land O’ Lakes Business & Brochure Exchange, Monthly Membership Breakfast as well as women’s and young professionals programming.
- Professional Women in Business meet for lunch from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 17 at HCA Florida Hospital Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, Trinity. Members pay $12. Others pay $15. Register in advance.
- Young Professionals Group members network during Coffee Connections from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 19 at Starkey Market, 3460 Starkey Blvd., Trinity.
Visit greaterpasco.com for details about the chamber and events.
East Pasco events
DADE CITY – East Pasco Chamber members will host Business Breakfast, Annual Christmas Mixer, Coffee & Networking and a ribbon cutting.
- New and prospective members learn about chamber membership during Core Connections from 8 to 9 a.m. Dec. 18 at East Pasco Chamber of Commerce, 38550 5th Ave, Zephyrhills. Register in advance.
- Members network during Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. Dec. 19 at the Zephyrhills office (38550 5th Ave.) and 8 to 9 a.m. Dec. 23 at the Dade City office (14112 8th St.).
Visit eastpascochamber.org for details about the chamber and events.
