Theatre, museum awarded $500,000 in grants
TAMPA – Bank of America announced Nov. 19 a half-million-dollar grant two of Tampa Bay’s leading arts institutions, Tampa Museum of Art and Tampa Theatre. Each organization will receive $250,000, aiding the Tampa Museum of Art’s expansion funding campaign, and kicking off Tampa Theatre’s capital campaign for its restoration, expanded education programming and technology upgrades.
Tampa Museum of Art’s 51,000-square-foot building expansion for its Tampa campus will add a crystalline four-story cantilevered structure that expands the museum to the waterfront. The expansion will feature a 150-seat auditorium, interconnected multifunctional event spaces, a rooftop terrace, food services and dining space and new public art installations integrated into the public spaces along Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and the Tampa Riverwalk. The project is expected to break ground in early 2026 and will more than double the museum’s existing size.
Tampa Theatre’s multi-phase $28 million capital initiative celebrates the theatre’s centennial in 2026 with a full and authentic restoration of the historic auditorium’s decorative finishes, modernization of theatre technology and crucial infrastructure and the repurposing of 3,600 square feet of underutilized space to create a dedicated education wing.
$500,000 gift to create ‘Do Good Fund’ for Orlando Health
ST. PETERSBURG –The Orlando Health Foundation – West Florida has received a $500,000 commitment to establish the Dr. Kunal Amin Do Good Fund, benefiting the new Orlando Health Institute Square – St. Petersburg.
The gift was made by a grateful patient and spouse in honor of their friend and physician, Dr. Kunal Amin, whose compassion and dedication to patient care inspired the creation of the fund, the foundation said in a press release. The Dr. Kunal Amin Do Good Fund will support programs and services that enhance access to advanced clinical treatments for patients throughout the Tampa Bay region.
Amin is a third-generation healthcare professional. His grandfather was a general practitioner, and his father is a retired oncologist.
The announcement coincides with the upcoming opening of the state-of-the-art Orlando Health Institute Square – St. Petersburg at 725 Sixth Ave. S.
Crisis Center donates ambulance, van for Ukrainian first responders
TAMPA –The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has donated two retired emergency vehicles from its TransCare Medical Transportation division to US Ambulances for Ukraine, an Illinois-based nonprofit group sending used American ambulances, SUVs and fire engines to Ukraine.
These vehicles will replace emergency vehicles destroyed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine and have been picked up by US Ambulances for Ukraine. They will be put into a 40-foot container and taken to Miami for shipment to Ukraine.
Both vehicles will join three other ambulances that left earlier in November from other parts of the United States. To date, US Ambulances for Ukraine has delivered 103 emergency vehicles to Ukraine, including 78 ambulances, 11 fire engines, two wheelchair accessible buses, and 12 SUVs. The vehicles have been delivered to front line military units, fire departments, NGOs, hospitals, and other Ukrainian entities.
Hillsborough school board names new leadership
TAMPA – Hillsborough County Public Schools has elected new leadership on the School Board following its annual reorganization meeting. The board elected Karen Perez as chair and Nadia Combs as vice chair.
Perez was elected to the school board in 2018, representing countywide District 6. She holds a master’s degree in social work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida and New York. Perez works with patients and families at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and operates a private practice, Embracing Changes Center for Wellness. She is certified in multiple specialties, including trauma, domestic violence counseling, forensic counseling, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Beyond the board, she serves on numerous boards and committees, including Safe and Sound, the Florida School Board Association (FSBA), Veterans Transportation Service (VTS), and the LGBTQSA Committee.
Combs was elected to the board in 2020, representing District 1. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies education and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of South Florida. Combs began her teaching career in Japan and later served in Hillsborough County Schools as a teacher, department head, and district trainer, earning multiple teaching awards. Beyond the board, she serves on the Glazer Children’s Museum Board, USF Dean’s Advisory Council, Career Source Education Consortium, and the Children’s Cancer Center Knead for Knowledge Scholarship Committee.
County commissioners keep Ken Hagan as board chair
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted Nov. 18 to keep Commissioner Ken Hagan as chair and Commissioner Christine Miller as vice chair during the board’s annual organizational meeting. Commissioner Gwen Myers also will remain as chaplain.
Hagan, who represents District 2, has served as a commissioner since 2002. This marks the ninth time he has been selected to serve as board chair. He has served as the commission’s representative on key economic development boards including Visit Tampa Bay, Tampa/Hillsborough Expressway Authority, and the Tampa Sports Authority, as well as the Florida Association of Counties and the Hospital Authority.
Members of the county commission also selected positions on the various boards, committees, and councils on which they serve. Most of the positions remain the same.
SWFWMD declares Phase I water shortage
The Southwest Florida Water Management District governing board has declared a Phase I Water Shortage due to dry conditions throughout the region.
The restrictions apply to all of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties; the city of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Lee County from Dec. 1 through July 1, 2026.
In declaring the water shortage, the District said the region has a 13-inch regional rainfall deficit compared to the average 12-month total. In addition, water levels in the District’s water resources, such as aquifers, rivers and lakes, are declining. Public water supplies remain in relatively good shape.
The order does not change allowable watering schedules, however it does prohibit “wasteful and unnecessary” water use, such as allowing water to flow from an unattended hose. Twice-per-week lawn watering schedules remain in effect except where stricter measures have been imposed by local governments. Residents should check with their city or county for allowable days and times as many have different schedules or stricter hours in effect.
Residents are asked to check their irrigation systems to ensure they are working properly, and to check their irrigation timer to ensure the settings are correct and the rain sensor is working properly.
Tampa recognized as equality advocate
TAMPA ¬ Tampa once again is celebrating a perfect score on its efforts to support the LGBTQ+ community. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Municipal Equality Index 2025 released its results Nov. 18, with Tampa scoring high across all categories: non-discrimination laws, municipality as employer, services and programs, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.
In this year’s report, Tampa, categorized as a large city by this analysis, received a score of 100.
“When everyone feels safe, supported, and included, cities become more creative, economies grow, and public life becomes more vibrant,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “Studies consistently show that LGBTQ+ equality makes cities stronger for all residents, attracting talent, inspiring innovation, and building the kind of trust and energy that allow neighborhoods, businesses, and people to thrive together.”
More than 500 municipalities across the country are evaluated to better understand their unique situation and structure, and how — despite state-imposed limitations — they work to advocate equality.
CREW Tampa Bay names Excellence Awards winners
TAMPA – CREW Tampa Bay has announced the winners of the 13th Annual Excellence Awards, which was held Nov. 13 at Armature Works. The event by CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) honors top talent and recognizes significant transactions in commercial real estate.
Winners are:
INDUSTRY AWARDS:
• CREW Deal of the Year
REPKON USA: New Office Launch: Relofant/Danielle Clark; AIC Architecture/Denisse Cuevas-Bonilla; CREATE+CO/Nicole Sayers; Integra Construction Group/Jeff Humpal; Wrk Lab/Doug Fisher; CI Group/Lindsey Stephens; Newmark/Jack Hoskins; CBRE/Jimmy Garvey & Lara Sieder; Cousins
• Office Deal of the Year
Velera / PSCU: Strategic Property Partners/MK Michalak; Franklin Street/Matt Alexander & Chad Rupp; CBRE/Ryan Reynolds & Jackson Kilcoyne
• Industrial Deal of the Year
LifeScience Logistics – Auburndale: Wilson & Girgenti; Baker Barrios Architects; Kimley-Horn & Associates; ABI Companies; Cushman & Wakefield
• Retail Deal of the Year
Prenuvo at Sundial: Colliers/Ginger Gelsheimer, Kevin Klink, Juan Vega & Christina Burd
• Multifamily & Mixed-Use Deal of the Year
Canvas City Homes GWX: Sight Development LLC/Michael Mincberg, Michael Rivera, Jennifer Latimer, Chase Moore, & Carolina Zelaya; GROH Architecture
• Design Excellence
Central Park St Pete: Hi Hospitality Group/Natalia Levey; Blok Design Group/Stephanie Muzzey; Ken Cowart/Architect
• Community Impact
Baytown Apartments: InVictus Development, LLC; Diaz Fritz Group General Contractors; Bessolo Design Group Inc.; CDS Housing; MacDonald Training Center; Florida Housing Finance Corporation; Alliant Capital
• Project of the Year
Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA): Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium; Willis Smith Construction; Whiting-Turner; TVS; Walter P Moore
MEMBER AWARDS:
• Rising Star: Sydney Avolt – Cliggitt Valuation, Inc.
• Member of the Year: Dana Koay – ProEdge Commercial LLC
• Heart & Soul Award: Jerri Menaul – My Favorite Art Place
• President’s Award: Tessa Mellinger – Lee & Associates Tampa Bay
Knight Parade returns to Ybor City Feb. 14
TAMPA – The legendary Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade returns to historic Seventh Avenue in Ybor City on Saturday, Feb. 14. A Tampa tradition for more than five decades, the nighttime spectacle known for its dazzling lights, vibrant costumes, and elaborately decorated floats, remains one of the largest illuminated parades in the Southeast and a signature event on Tampa Bay’s social calendar.
Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr., chairman of Arturo Fuente Cigars, will serve as the 2026 Grand Marshal. A third generation cigar maker, the Tampa native grew up in Ybor City.
“The Knight Parade isn’t just a Tampa tradition,” said Anthony Parrino, 2026 Knight Parade chairman. “It’s an exciting celebration of its Latin culture, history, and heartbeat. Having Carlito as Grand Marshal is an honor for the parade as a homage to Ybor City, its energy, and our traditions.”
As Grand Marshal, Fuente will lead the parade, joined by the newly crowned El Rey (King) and La Reina (Queen), who will be announced at the Coronation Ball on Jan. 10.
Linda Hurtado-Figueredo, a 20-year Tampa Bay television journalist, local author, and Queen of the Krewe of West Tampa, will be a special guest.
While the parade is free to attend, spectators can upgrade to reserved bleacher seating for a prime view of the illuminated floats and non-stop entertainment along Seventh Avenue.
For more information, visit KreweSantYago.org.
Crafters, others featured at expansion of vintage store
TAMPA – Creations by volunteers at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church will be featured Saturday, Nov. 29, as the first vendors in an expanded vintage store.
Guava City Vintage, 7307 N. Florida Ave., is owned by Tania Ashby and her mother, Elisa Ashby. The store’s newly expanded area will open at 10 a.m. for the annual Seminole Heights Shop Hop.
The church volunteers create decorative pieces, refinish and refurbish furniture and grow plants for sale at the church’s annual bazaar, which celebrated its 26th year in October.
All proceeds from the church crafters sale will go to missions.
Hillsborough students win top honors at congressional APP Challenge
TAMPA – Several students in the Hillsborough County Public Schools recently won top honors at the 2025 Congressional App District Challenge, hosted by U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee.
This national competition encourages middle and high school students to learn coding and create innovative applications that address real-world problems.
The winners are:
• First Place – NeuroPath App: An AI-powered app to detect and monitor neurodegenerative diseases to improve early diagnosis and care. Sarayu Karedla, Yashika Garg, Navita Mishira (Middleton High School)
• Second Place – RemindMe App: An app designed to help people with memory-related conditions stay connected with their loved ones. Alex Sun (Steinbrenner High School)
• Third Place – CareConnect App: An app to connect people who need help with people who are ready to help. Sahil Patel, Krishiv Patel, Shaan Patel (Steinbrenner High School)
The winning app will also be eligible to be on display in the U.S. Capitol, along with other winners from across the country.
Arts & Education Network debuts ‘Inside the Scam’ series
TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Arts & Education Network has debuted a new, six-part original series, “Inside the Scam.” The show is a direct response to the growing number of scams targeting residents, particularly the senior population, in Hillsborough County.
The series is a collaborative effort made possible by funding from Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa, and produced in partnership with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Each episode is a low-stress, informative look into a different type of scam, enabling viewers to spot red flags and avoid becoming a victim.
The show is hosted by Kim Droege, from the TBAE show Connecting with Kim, and features the expert insights of Hillsborough County Master Deputy Jeff Merry.
The program can be seen on demand at watch.tbae.net or on cable via Spectrum Channel 636 and Verizon/Frontier Channel 34.
Applications now open for homeowner hurricane assistance
TAMPA –More financial aid is now available for Tampa homeowners affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The city of Tampa is distributing $2 million from its General Fund to primary homesteaded and income-eligible residents for repairs. The program, Homeowner Hurricane Assistance (HHA), will prioritize homeowners in the hardest hit zip-codes, including Forest Hills, Palmetto Beach and South of Gandy/Port Tampa.
To qualify, residents must be homeowners within Tampa’s city limits and earn up to 140% of the Area Median Income (AMI) + 10% flexibility, (approximately $160,000 for a family of four). The maximum award per household is $30,000. Homeowners who received assistance from Tampa’s Homeowners Disaster Assistance Program (HDAP) earlier this year are not eligible for HHA.
Applications are accepted every Monday through Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Dec. 12. Homeowners may apply online or by calling the Housing Information Line Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 813-307-5555.