Habitat for Humanity to Build First Home in Wesley Chapel

Volunteers from Wesley Chapel Toyota & Honda, the main sponsor of the ‘Raise the Roof’ project at the Shops at Wiregrass mall, work on a previous project for Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco. Photo: Eric Johnson
Volunteers from Wesley Chapel Toyota & Honda, the main sponsor of the ‘Raise the Roof’ project at the Shops at Wiregrass mall, work on a previous project for Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco. Photo: Eric Johnson

By Matt Wiley |
WESLEY CHAPEL — With all of the residential communities located within minutes of the Shops at Wiregrass mall, it may seem strange to see a home actually being built at the busy shopping destination. However, the construction of the house is part of a project by Habitat for Humanity (HFH) of East & Central Pasco that, upon completion, will be deconstructed and moved to its permanent location where a family in need will get to call it their home.

Beginning on May 17 at mall, a group of volunteers from HFH of East & Central Pasco, part of the non-profit Christian ministry that builds homes for families in need worldwide, will take part in “Raise the Roof,” an event that will begin constructing the walls of what will become the first HFH home built in the Wesley Chapel area. “This Wesley Chapel home will be this HFH chapter’s 120th home to date,” says Stephanie Black, director of development and public relations for Habitat of East & Central Pasco, which has built and rehabilitated homes in Dade City, Zephyrhills, Lacoochee and Land O’ Lakes.

Black explains that land prices have been the issue that has kept HFH from building in the Wesley Chapel area, until now. Recently, she says, Pasco County Community Development donated a building lot to HFH in Wesley Chapel.

“We hope this home and the occupants will always be examples of what can be accomplished through caring people and the HFH program,” she says. “Habitat doesn’t give away homes; it gives opportunity.” The event challenges local businesses and individuals to help eliminate poverty housing by donating some time, sweat and a few dollars to helping build a quality home for a local family in need.

Once the project is completed at the Shops at Wiregrass, the walls will be deconstructed in sections and then transported to the home’s permanent site on Brahma Dr. in Angus Valley, located off Old Pasco Rd., north of S.R. 54, an area from which Habitat hopes to have more land donated for future homes.Continue reading

Taste of New Tampa rocks Tampa Palms, weather fails to dampen audience's spirit

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn enjoys a slice of Full Circle Pizza at the Taste of New Tampa.
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn enjoys a slice of Full Circle Pizza at the Taste of New Tampa.

By Gary Nager |
NEW TAMPA — Although the forecast for the 20th annual Taste of New Tampa on March 24 called for about a 70-percent chance of rain — and despite winds that gusted to 30 miles per hour — the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce that co-hosted the event with the Primrose School of Tampa Palms in the adjacent Primrose Park was happy with just the few sprinkles of rain that fell throughout the day.

An estimated crowd of about 3,000 people attended this year’s Taste and got to sample cuisines from nearly 20 restaurants, several of which were awarded prizes by a panel of judges that included two personal chefs.

This year’s Taste also featured an outstanding “Battle of the Bands,” which was won by a funk-rock band called Nervous Energy, which was rewarded with a $500 cash prize.

Taste of Tampa screen shot
Click the above image to view our video coverage of the event on YouTube.

The event also was visited by Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who sampled some of the food and also touted the city’s new New Tampa Blvd. Gateway Bridge, which literally let people cut their travel time to the Taste in half. 

The Primrose School also offered a great play area for the kids in attendance.

The park proved to be an outstanding location.

For more info about this year’s Taste, watch our YouTube Taste wrap-up video.

New Tampa's Allen Guy recognized as Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero

Allen Guy
New Tampa resident and Lightning Community Hero Allen Guy (center), with Teddy Purcell (left) and owner Jeff Vinik of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

By Matt Wiley |
NEW TAMPA — Through selflessness and volunteerism, one person does have the ability to have an effect on and, in some cases, even change the lives of others. For his countless hours of time and service, New Tampa resident Allen Guy has been recognized as a Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero.

During an April 2 Lightning home game at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in downtown Tampa, Guy, 50, a Hunter’s Green resident, was recognized during the first period as a Lightning Community Hero, following a more-than-two-minute video showcasing his selfless service to the New Tampa community.

Afterward, Guy was presented with a $50,000 grant from the Lightning, which he says will be distributed among the nonprofit organizations to which he volunteers his time. Among them are:Continue reading

Youth speech contest highlights 'Peace through Rotary'

The Rotary Speech Contest contestants from the New Tampa Noon Rotary Club were (l. to r.) Ali Giardezi, Club-level winner Kennedy McCann & Oriana Caffo.
The Rotary Speech Contest contestants from the New Tampa Noon Rotary Club were (l. to r.) Ali Giardezi, Club-level winner Kennedy McCann & Oriana Caffo.

By Gary Nager |

I already had planned to write this editorial about the recent Speech Contest at the Rotary Club of which I’m a member (the New Tampa Noon Rotary, which meets every Wednesday for lunch at Hunter’s Green Country Club, or HGCC), but since then, our country has survived another terrorist act of war perpetrated by two young people who were both naturalized American citizens in another major U.S. city.

As the father of two young men I’m very proud to call my sons, I felt it was even more important to commend and compliment the three young people who participated in our Club-level speech contest. The trio made every member of our club proud to have them represent us and yours truly even prouder to be one of the three judges for the event.

Little things like speech contests and other academic achievements are often overlooked, even by community news magazines, but I felt that at a time like this, when our faith in some seemingly wonderful young people has been shaken by a horrific act, it was even more important to honor these three teens — Wharton High sophomore Ali Giardezi, Freedom High senior Oriana Caffo and our winner, Wharton sophomore Kennedy McCann. All three spoke clearly and concisely on this year’s chosen subject — which, coincidentally (and a little stunningly), was already selected to be “Peace Through Rotary.”Continue reading

DTCC to bring 250 high-paying jobs to Highwoods Preserve office park

DTCC jobs
DTCC soon will bring more than 250 high-paying jobs to its Highwoods Preserve Pkwy campus in New Tampa.

By Matt Wiley | NEW TAMPA

More than 200 new jobs have been earmarked for the New Tampa area, as the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) plans to invest millions into expanding its Tampa campus.

In a press release dated April 15, DTCC, a global financial services company, announced that it will be investing nearly $5 million into its New Tampa campus — located off Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., adjacent to I-75, on the Highwoods Preserve Corporate Campus — bringing with it 255 new, high-wage jobs to the firm’s only location in Florida. “The decision to expand our operations in Tampa signals our continuing commitment to this community and represents a new chapter in DTCC history,” said DTCC President and CEO Michael Bodson in the release. “The City of Tampa, Hillsborough County and the State of Florida have been great partners of ours since 2004, and we look forward to strengthening these relationships for years to come.”

The jobs that DTCC will be creating are said to be double the average annual salary of $46,000 in the New Tampa area. DTCC currently employs more than 500 people at its New Tampa campus, which has grown from 300 employees since the branch was opened in 2004 as a “redundant services center” to its main hub on Wall Street in New York City. Occupations include positions in clearance, settlement, asset servicing, operations and technology. The multi-million-dollar expansion will allow DTCC to improve its facility, including technlogy and resources to provide secure transactions for its clients.Continue reading