Housing event to raise hope for home
TAMPA – Hope for Housing, an event aiming to address housing insecurity and expand access to affordable home ownership, will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library 2902 Bearss Ave.
The Alpha Alpha Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa will host the event.
The event is free and open to the public.
Featured speakers will be County Commissioner Gwen Myers, Jonell Austin of Suncoast Credit Union, and Arturo Purkerin, executive director/CEO of the University Area Community Development Corp.
RSVP to https://tinyurl.com/v5m45cd6
Newcomers fashion show aids autism
TAMPA – Members of Newcomers of Northwest Hillsborough County recently enjoyed a luncheon and fashion show at Nordstrom’s that helped raise money for a local non-profit.
Proceeds from a 50/50 raffle during the event were split with the Autism Acceptance Center of Tampa. The Newcomers’ new charity for 2025/26 works with young adults who have aged out of the public school system.
Newcomers organizes a large variety of activities throughout the month. The goal of the club is to provide opportunities for meeting new friends. For membership information, contact Lori Rubin by phone or text at 813-758-7238 or email membership2.newcomers@yahoo.com.
Haley VA marks 20 years of trauma unit
TAMPA – The James A. Haley Veterans Hospital is marking the 20th anniversary of its polytrauma unit with a formal ceremony Friday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m.
The event will highlight two decades of service to veterans who have sustained multiple traumatic injuries. The impact of these injuries often extends beyond physical damage, affecting emotional and psychological well-being.
“Our mission has always been to provide the highest quality of care to veterans and to support their journey to recovery and reintegration into their communities,” said David VanMeter, interim medical center director of the hospital. “Over the past 20 years, our team has worked tirelessly to advance treatments, improve outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for our patients.”
Guest speakers will include VA leadership, current and past polytrauma employees, and locally and nationally distinguished veterans.
The event will also feature testimonies from veterans who have treated at the polytrauma unit as well as a presentation on advanced polytrauma care and rehabilitation techniques.
Strawberry Crest student wins national EPA award
TAMPA – Tanishka Aglave, a student from Strawberry Crest High School, has been named a national winner of the President’s Environmental Youth Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects developed by youth across the country
Aglave’s award-winning initiative, “Reviving Citrus, Reviving Florida,” addresses the devastating impact of Citrus Greening Disease on Florida’s citrus industry. Growing up on a citrus farm, she witnessed firsthand the decline in citrus production and was inspired to act. Through extensive lab research and field trials, she developed a sustainable and eco-friendly treatment using curry leaf extract, which has shown promising results as a biological bactericide.
Over the past two years, Aglave has led a statewide campaign that included planting more than 1,500 citrus trees, distributing disease management kits to farmers, and conducting educational workshops. She also authored a children’s book, “The Story of Oranges,” to raise awareness among younger audiences about the citrus crisis and sustainable agricultural practices.
Her work has garnered recognition from institutions such as the USDA and Cornell University.
Crossing maintenance to close several roads
Three eastern Hillsborough County roads will be closed for four days apiece in the coming weeks as CSX does railroad crossing maintenance. County crews also will be on site to ensure the roads have smooth transitions across the finished tracks.
• Falkenburg Road will close between East Broadway Avenue and Nancy Watkins Drive from Oct. 20 to Oct. 24.
• Sydney Washer Road will close between Salem Church Road and Sydney Dover Road from Oct. 27 to Oct. 31.
• South Forbes Road will close between Sydney Road and Varnadore Lane from Nov. 3 to Nov. 7.
Detours will be posted and navigation apps will be updated on the detour to direct users around the closure.
Tampa Bay Sun expands youth soccer clinics
The Tampa Bay Sun Foundation is bringing more soccer opportunities to youths across Tampa Bay, thanks to new support from Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas (TECO). The clinics will be held through spring 2026.
The sponsorship will fund 19 free programs that combine soccer with character-building:
•10 Energize the Bay Youth Clinics – open to girls and boys ages 7–13 at fields throughout Tampa Bay.
• Six Shine Soccer Clinics – bringing the game to girls and boys ages 7–13 at Title I schools and youth-focused community organizations.
• Three Rise Up Soccer Club Afterschool Programs – four-week afterschool programs for girls at Title I schools, blending soccer training and life skills.
Players from Tampa Bay Sun FC, the 2025 Gainbridge Super League Champion women’s professional soccer team, will join in some of the clinics, giving kids the chance to learn from the pros. The first free-to-play clinic made possible through this sponsorship is set for Oct. 15.
Families can learn more and sign up for future clinics by subscribing to the Tampa Bay Sun Foundation’s email newsletter and following the Foundation on social media.
Bellini named 2025 Tampa Bay Tech Legend
TAMPA – Arnie Bellini, a philanthropist and technology leader, has been named the 2024 Tampa Bay Tech Legend by Tampa Bay Wave.
He will be recognized at Tampa Bay Wave’s annual Hall of Fame Celebration Dec. 18 at the Florida Aquarium.
“We are absolutely thrilled to honor Arnie Bellini as the 2025 Tampa Tech Legend,” said Linda Olson, CEO and founder of Tampa Bay Wave, an accelerator for high-growth tech startups. “Arnie isn’t just a successful entrepreneur; he’s a visionary force whose philanthropy and bold leadership are redefining what’s possible for Tampa Bay’s tech community. His impact is long-lasting and will continue to shape this region’s tech ecosystem for years to come. From attracting world-class talent and forging critical federal partnerships to fueling record-breaking investment, Arnie is propelling our region onto the national stage as a powerhouse of innovation and excellence.”
Santo Cannone, board chair of Tampa Bay Wave, emphasized the importance of Bellini’s influence: “Arnie’s vision and generosity are transforming Tampa Bay into an epicenter of innovation. His leadership is inspiring the next generation of tech talent and empowering our community to reach new heights in cybersecurity, AI and beyond.”
In March, Bellini and his wife, Lauren, made history with a $40 million gift to the University of South Florida to establish the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. Bellini has also supported cybersecurity education initiatives at institutions such as Saint Leo University and has been an advocate for positioning Tampa Bay as a national hub for digital defense and tech innovation.
Tampa Bay Wave is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to help entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into real-world solutions and scalable businesses.