Video training
Pasco County libraries are partnering with Lynda.com – an online platform owned by Linkedin – to provide full access to the company’s video library.
More than 4,000 video courses, taught by industry experts, are available. The courses explain Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel and Publisher; and, the Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat. Also available are courses on computer programming, photography skills, online marketing, business management and more.
Lynda.com offers various paid subscriptions, but Pasco library patrons can access the courses for free by going online and using their library cards to create a profile.
To sign up, visit Lynda.com/portal/sip?=pascolibraries.org.
For information, also visit PascoLibraries.org.
Job fair
The Hilton Garden Inn, 2155 Northpointe Blvd., in Lutz, will host a job fair on Dec. 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hotel is expected to open in February.
Positions available include: bartender, servers, maintenance supervisor, executive housekeeper, housekeeping, chef, shuttle driver-houseman, front desk, sales and catering manager, and banquet captain set-up.
For information, visit TampaSuncoastParkway.HGI.com.
Chamber mixer
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a “Cup of Joe” and a “No Agenda” mixer on Dec. 28 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the law firm of Lucas/Magazine, at 2533 Windguard Circle, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel.
This mixer takes place the last Wednesday of each month.
For information, call Elayne Bassinger at (813) 495-2336, or visit Lucas/Magazine.com.
Women-n-Charge
Join the ladies of Women-n-Charge on Jan. 6 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, at 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa. The women share their talents, build relationships and share their resources with other women in business.
Guest speaker will be Stephanie Stevens. Her presentation will be “My Silent Partner-Identity Theft Protection.”
The cost for members is $15 and $18 for non-members.
Please register at Women-n-charge.com.
For information, call (813) 600-9848, or email .
Spreading peanut butter and good cheer
The Tampa Bay Builders Association is spreading good cheer and peanut butter for a good cause. The association’s Sales and Marketing Council has set a holiday challenge to build 1,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the association’s downtown headquarters, 512 E. Kennedy Blvd. Volunteers will work in shifts on Dec. 21.
The sandwiches are being made to support the nonprofit GRAB Tomorrow – PB&J for Tampa Bay.
The builder’s association’s Sales and Marketing Council received the National Home Builder’s Gold Award for charity work it has done earlier this year.
For information, visit TBBA.net.
Ribbon cutting
Go Craft Yourself will have a ribbon cutting on Jan. 10 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 10311 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite A, in Tampa.
For information, contact The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at (813) 994-8534 or .
General meeting
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have a general membership meeting on Jan. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Iavarone’s Steakhouse & Italian Grill, 3627 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 Jan. 10, 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.
Economic forecast luncheon
The Pasco Economic Development Corporation has scheduled its 2017 Economic Forecast Luncheon on Feb. 3, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel.
The luncheon will feature Mark Vitner, senior economist at Wells Fargo, who will give a presentation of the regional economy and his forecast for the year.
Vitner regularly meets with business leaders throughout the country, as well as overseas. He is expected to discuss potential impacts on Pasco County and Florida — from changes in local and national leadership.
For information, visit PascoEDC.com.
Pasco-Hernando SCORE seeks volunteers
The Pasco-Hernando chapter of SCORE, which is short for Service Corps of Retired Executives, is seeking volunteers to help guide local entrepreneurs start and manage new businesses.
The organization specifically is seeking individuals with expertise in these fields:
- Commercial Lender: A retired banker with experience in business loans, equipment loans, lines of credit, working capital loans and SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) guidelines.
- Social Media Coordinator: Someone who demonstrates a strong working knowledge of social media and website optimization.
- Nonprofit Mentor: Someone with prior nonprofit expertise with existing and start-up organizations.
SCORE — founded in 1964 — is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, and has 300-plus chapters with more than 13,000 volunteers throughout the United States.
The mentoring program offers a chance for retired professionals to connect with fellow business owners and pass along their knowledge and experiences to the next generation of entrepreneurs in the community.
It also enables entrepreneurs to have a greater opportunity for success in their venture, as they benefit from their mentors.
For information about volunteer opportunities or SCORE training sessions, visit PascoHernando.Score.org.
Naming contest
The City of Zephyrhills needs a name for its new festival venue in time for the annual Pigz in Z’hills BBQ & Blues Festival on Jan. 21.
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is launching a naming contest for the event site, which features a 20-by-40-foot stage, and 50 spaces equipped with water and electric outlets. There also is additional space for free-standing vendors, car shows, business expos and children’s activities.
Deadline for name submissions is Jan 6. The name may reflect the purpose, locations and history of the site. However, double entendres won’t be considered. Also, the name shouldn’t focus only on barbecue.
The venue is located at 5200 Airport Road, and will be operated by the city, which contributed $30,000 to its construction. Florida Hospital donated $30,000 to build a permanent stage.
The site will host a variety of events and fundraisers organized by nonprofit organizations such as the Rotary Club of Zephyrhills, Thomas Promise Foundation, Ride for Hospice, and Paulie Palooza.
Other potential events could be the renewal of the Zephyrhills Celtic Festival and a balloon fest.
For information, call the chamber office at (813) 782-1913.
