For those of us saddened that the formerly annual Taste of New Tampa wasn’t held in 2014, the good news is that our area is now at least one step closer to bringing back the best-attended single-day event in New Tampa.
How? Well, the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) has finalized an agreement with the now-defunct New Tampa Chamber of Commerce that will allow the WCCC to re-start the Taste. WCCC executive director Hope Allen says that former New Tampa Chamber president Neil Heird signed off on the agreement that will allow the WCCC to absorb the remnants of the New Tampa Chamber.
In fact, the WCCC’s new logo, which can be found on the organization’s website (WesleyChapelChamber.com), now says “Serving Wesley Chapel & New Tampa,” and Allen promises that the wheels are in motion to create a committee to help bring more New Tampa-area businesses under the WCCC’s auspices and to discuss reviving the Taste. Allen has begun recruiting a few local business leaders, including yours truly, to help get that ball rolling.
And, although no meeting had been set at our press time for the initial get-together of that group, the WCCC got a great indication of the interest in New Tampa when it held its “Final Friday” Happy Hour on January 30 at Glory Days Grill on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa and somewhere between 80-100 people attended, at least half of which were New Tampa residents and former New Tampa Chamber members interested to see what the WCCC is all about.
I’m also happy to have attended the WCCC ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Anytime Fitness Anytime Fitness (27325 Wesley Chapel Blvd., next to Winn-Dixie; 994-1912), on Jan. 16. Also in attendance were the Wesley Chapel Ker’s WingHouse girls (food was provided by both the WingHouse and the Beef O’Brady’s in the same plaza as Anytime), as well as Jonathan Martinez of LittleDinosaurProductions.com and Be Scene Tampa Bay, who produced a short video about the Grand Opening. A certain newspaper editor was one of those interviewed for the piece.
The WCCC has several other great events this month, including:
Tues., Feb. 17, 8 a.m. — Monthly Coffee Social at McDonald’s (1733 BBD, just south of S.R. 56).
Thur., Feb. 19, 11:30 a.m. — “Lunch & Learn” Business Forum, at the WCCC Office (6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 105). The speaker will be attorney Dineen Wasylik.
Sat., Feb. 28, 11:30 a.m. — 2015 Health & Fitness Fair at the Shops at Wiregrass Mall. See page 1 for details.
For more information about these events or the WCCC, call 994-8534 or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.
Rotary Exits (to) Stage Left!
Those of you who read this publication regularly also know how proud I am to be a member of the Wesley Chapel (Noon) Rotary Club, which now meets Wednesdays at noon at Stage Left, my favorite new restaurant and nightspot, located a couple of miles west of Wesley Chapel on S.R. 54 in Lutz in the Eagle Plaza.
Stage Left owners Brian and Isabelle Dunleavy, who I am proud to call my friends, are both long-time New Tampa residents who have opened their delicious place to our still-growing club (now hovering right around 100 members) and so far, not only has the food been great, the guest speakers and new members also have been impressive.
The first Rotary speaker at Stage Left (on Jan. 21) was inspirational local documentary filmmaker Brett Culp. His film “Legends of the Knight” was inspired by Culp and his wife Tricia’s son Kai, who was diagnosed with leukemia. Kai, like many people, found strength in the comic book hero Batman (aka, the “Dark Knight”) and Culp’s movie tells their amazing stories of inspiration and hope. Check out the “Legends” trailer at BrettCulp.com.
It seems our club keeps attracting not only inspirational speakers, but also inspirational members, such as new member Steve Hopper (who officially joined the club on Feb. 4), who will launch his book From Prison to Purpose, A Journey to Answering Life’s Greatest Question, on Friday, February 20, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., with a book launch party at the Verizon Event Center (8718 Trouble Creek Rd., New Port Richey), hosted by radio personality and comedian Pete O’Shea.
Hopper, who also is a motivational speaker and networking coach, also has a business called “The Ability to Influence.”
For more info, visit AbilitytoInfluence.com or SteveHopperBooks.com. For WC Rotary info, visit Facebook.com/RotaryClubofWesleyChapel.
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