Tampa offering space in community gardens
The city of Tampa is accepting applications from residents interested in obtaining gardening beds at the new Parking Community Garden.
Applications can be made online; paper applications are available from the Parking Offices on the third floor of the parking garage. Applications can be submitted through Wednesday, Nov. 5.
Participation is free.
Due to the limited number of beds, a lottery system will be used to select participants from the list of applicants. The drawing will be held in late November or early December and planting is expected to begin in February or March.
Located on the east side of the Whiting Street Garage, this new community garden will feature 54 raised beds (2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet) , with 41 available to Tampa residents ages 18 and older. Applicants may request up to two beds for planting, and gardening tools will be available on site.
For more information and to apply, visit Tampa.gov/PCG.
Students honored with county YEA! awards
HILLSBOROUGH – County commissioners recognized six outstanding young people Oct. 15, as the board presented its Youth Excellence and Achievement (YES!) awards.
The YEA! awards annually recognize three middle school and three high school students in Hillsborough County who display initiative, innovation, and commitment to themselves and others, while pursuing leadership excellence.
The awards were presented in three categories: leadership, success despite difficult jobs, and volunteer or community service.
Arin Jadhao, of Williams Middle Magnet School, and Ainara Gomez, of Sickles High School, received the Leadership award, which recognizes students who have demonstrated 21st Century skills including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity in how they led others academically, in extracurricular programs, or in service to the community.
Alidy Clark, of Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy, and Malia Kirschman, of Steinbrenner High School, received the Success Despite Difficult Odds award, which honors students who have persevered through challenges to make a positive impact on others.
Tritiya Rajagopal, of Williams Middle Magnet School, and Suma Gadde, of Hillsborough High School, received the Volunteer of Community Service award, which honors students who have dedicated substantial time to serving their community.
New program to repair mechanic shortage
The city of Tampa and Hillsborough Community College have launched “GEAR UP,” a program offering paid jobs and free training for future mechanics.
The workforce development program is designed to build a pipeline of certified, job-ready fleet technicians to meet growing local and national demands. It gives participants paid, hands-on experience in the city’s Fleet Maintenance Division while they complete their education at HCC. The city of Tampa will cover the full cost of program tuition and training for participants while they are employed with the city.
The first three students selected for the program are Christopher Figuereo, Michael Daniels, and Maurice Daniels. Each are top students in their class.
GEAR UP was created in response to a growing shortage of qualified automotive technicians across the country and in Florida. The program will help ensure reliable service for the city’s essential vehicle fleet while creating a clear pathway into stable, skilled careers for local students.
Tampa adds defibrillators to public areas
Tampa has added 39 more defibrillators to its expanding inventory of the life-saving devices, many of which will be installed in public areas.
Thirty-seven of the defibrillators were funded by a $70,000 grant from the American Heart Association. Tampa General Hospital paid for an additional two public access AEDs. One is at Water Works Park, and the other is at Palma Ceia Little League. In the event of a cardiac emergency, a 911 operator would give the caller the code to access the defibrillator.
The grants have already saved a life. An AED installed in the Tampa Convention Center on Aug. 13 was used to save the life of a visitor less than two weeks later, on Aug. 26. The Convention Center had seven AEDs already, but not one in that location on the registration floor.
Tampa began installing defibrillators in its buildings in 2005, starting with 13. Now it’s up to 201, all of winch are connected to the 911 system.