Busch Gardens partners with ice rink
Busch Gardens and Florida Hospital Center Ice are partners in a multi-year agreement for Busch Gardens to be the exclusive sponsor of the main National Hockey League-size rink at the new sports complex under construction in Wesley Chapel, according to a news release from Florida Hospital Center Ice.
“As Busch Gardens Tampa is one of the top theme parks in the world, and is synonymous with family fun and entertainment, we thought they were a natural partner for our new facility,” said Gordie Zimmermann, in a written statement from the press release.
Zimmermann is Florida Hospital Center Ice’s managing partner.
Florida Hospital Center Ice is billed as the largest sports facility in the southeastern United States. It is under construction at the Interstate 75 and State Road 56 interchange. When completed by the end of the year, the facility will be about 150,000 square feet and have four ice rinks, plus a mini rink.
In addition to the center ice logo, Busch Gardens also will be branded on all four rink dasher boards, and have digital advertising throughout the facility. This includes the main National Hockey League video walls.
The theme park also will have concourse signage in the form of a seasonal wall sign and a fixed sign/kiosk in the main lobby.
Other advertising sponsors include Florida Hospital, Tampa Bay Lightning, Bright House Networks, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida and Buffalo Wild Wings.
New restaurant
Union 72 Barbecue had a grand opening on Veterans Day weekend at The Shops at Wiregrass, at 2000 Piazza Ave., Suite 150, next to The Brass Tap.
The new eatery is a chef-inspired barbecue restaurant with an updated take on sauces, rubs and pairings to please barbecue aficionados. It is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Owners Jeff Martin and Bharat Chhabria joined with Pitmaster Geoff Zukosky to deliver a new dining choice at the outdoor mall in Wesley Chapel.
Menu items include slow-cooked meats, such as “The Ribs,” which are cooked Memphis-style and marinated in a house-made rub. Other dishes include “The Conquistador” sandwich filled with a Spanish-spiced slow-smoked pork, pulled, and topped with chimichurri, caramelized onions and a fried egg.
Union72 offers take-outs, and beginning in December, catering and online ordering.
Martin is the founder of The Brass Tap. Chhabria owns several Brass Tap franchises.
Retirement seminar
Primerica and MetLife will host a free seminar on retirement planning on Dec. 8 from 6:30 p.m. to 6:55 p.m., at Wisteria Plaza, 6739 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
Guest speaker will be Emily Schultz of MetLife.
Seating is limited.
RSVP by calling (813) 929-7722.
General meeting
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have a general membership meeting on Dec. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Iavarone’s Steakhouse & Italian Grill, 3617 W. Humphrey St., in Tampa.
For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card or to the chamber office at by 5 p.m., on Dec. 6, 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.
Software workshop
CareerSource Pasco Hernando and Access Computer Training LLC will host a free Microsoft Word Workshop on Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at 15000 Citrus Country Drive in Dade City.
Workshops are fully equipped with computers and Microsoft Office. Seats are limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
For information, call Access Computer Training at (855) 953-2764, or visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com/events.
Ribbon cutting
Happy Feet Plus will have a ribbon cutting on Dec. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 1051 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
The free event will have beverages, light refreshments and prize drawings.
For information, contact The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at (813) 994-8534 or .
Network breakfast
Business Link will have its monthly networking breakfast on Dec. 14 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Wesley Chapel Toyota, 5300 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
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.
RSVP to Rebecca Gaddis at (352) 588-2732, ext. 1237.
Veterans find jobs
CareerSource Pasco Hernando and Pasco-Hernando State College assisted nearly 20 veterans and their families on Nov. 10 at Paychecks for Patriots, a job fair that brought local employers together with local veterans.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Florida National Guard and the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs also partnered with CareerSource Florida at similar Paychecks for Patriots’ job fairs statewide during the week of Veterans Day, Nov. 7 to Nov.11.
More than 1,700 military and veteran candidates and their family members who participated in past events have gained employment as a result of relationships formed during Paychecks for Patriots.
Locally, CareerSource Pasco Hernando matched veterans with employers who can use the skills, knowledge and attributes gained by veterans during military service.
For information on events and companies that participated in the hiring fairs, visit Paychecks for Patriots at FloridaJobs.org/paychecksforpatriots.
Veterans or their family members interested in pursuing Florida career opportunities who were unable to attend a Paychecks for Patriots job fair can view and apply for available positions online at EmployFlorida.com. Also, a special employment portal for Florida veterans is available at Veterans.employflorida.com. There are positions and resources geared toward veterans.
