Chamber network gathering tonight

The New Tampa Chamber of Commerce will hold its after-hours networking gathering from 5:30 to 7 p.m. tonight.

The event is hosted by Stonewood Grill & Tavern located at 17050 Palm Pointe Drive. Come out and meet fellow business members that live and work in New Tampa.

Everyone is welcome. Drinks and appetizers are compliments of Stonewood Grill.

New Tampa Casino Night Oct. 10

The Rotary of Club of New Tampa will have its annual Casino Night Oct. 10 at Tampa Palms Country Club. Proceeds benefit more than 30 nonprofit and education organizations in the North Tampa area, which received $49,830 from the club in the past fiscal year. The beneficiaries included Oasis, Everyday Blessings, Crisis Center and Young Life.

The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $75 a person. Benefits include 13 tables with roulette, poker, blackjack and more with professional dealers;  $1,000 in casino chips; free martini bar, wine and beer; hors d'oeuvres; entertainment by Joe Cortez; networking with community and business leaders; prize baskets and silent auction.

Tickets are available from any Rotarian by calling (813)295-4663 or emailing Rob@ciccioslodge.com.

RSVP for New Tampa Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

The New Tampa Chamber of Commerce Luncheon will be Monday September 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.

The event takes place at the Pebble Creek Golf & Country Club. Tim Donovan from Advanced Innovations Managers will be the featured speaker. He will discuss "Matching Technology Needs to your Business." Price for the lunch is $15 for Chamber Members and $20 for non-members.

Please R.S.V.P. by Friday September 11th by 5 p.m. if you plan to attend by sending an e-mail to info@newtampa.org or calling Kristen at (813)514-2922.

Retired General to speak at Rotary

Brigadier General (Ret.) John C. Reppert of St. Petersburg will speak at the New Tampa Evening Rotary Club Thursday.

Reppert is a member of the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College. After retiring from the U.S. Army in 1998, following nearly 33 years of active service, Dr. Reppert became executive director (Research) for the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He had command and staff tours in Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. Dr. Reppert received his Ph.D. from George Washington University in international affairs, a M.A. from the University of Kansas in Soviet and East European Studies, and a M.S. and B.A. in journalism from Kansas State University. 

The New Tampa Evening Rotary meets at 6:15 p.m. Thursdays at the Hunter's Green Golf and Country Club.

Art festival canceled; new president takes over New Tampa Chamber

The New Tampa Chamber of Commerce board voted recently to cancel the upcoming Art Festival originally slated for Nov. 21 and 22 due to recent changes that have taken up the board's time.

The biggest change was the transition from the New Tampa Community Council to the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

Also, former Chamber president Jerry Miller has given up his post earlier than planned because of a hectic travel schedule. Scott Estes has taken over.

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New Tampa Rotary breakfast meeting

View New Tampa Rotary breakfast meeting in a larger map Air commander Dick Newlands of U.S. Central Command will talk about the Centcom coalition at 7 a.m. Friday (Aug. 14) at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd. The cost is $12. For information, call (813) 972-9235 or visit newtamparotary.org.

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New Tampa Rotary breakfast meeting

Gil Thelen, a club member and former publisher of the Tampa Tribune, will talk about “Our Fractured Media World” at 7 a.m. Friday (Aug. 7)  at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd. The cost is $12. For information, call (813) 972-9235 or visit newtamparotary.org.

New Tampa Rotary breakfast meeting

View New Tampa Rotary breakfast meeting in a larger map Jenna Felder, director of USF special events and ceremonies, will talk about the USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Program at 7 a.m. Friday (July 31) at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd. The cost is $12. For information, call (813) 972-9235 or visit newtamparotary.org.

Shawn Harrison collecting signatures for state house seat

Former Tampa City councilman Shawn Harrison, who is vying to become the state representative in House District 60, spoke at the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce's New Member Breakfast this morning, hoping to collect signatures - and votes for his campaign.

Harrison, a Republican, hopes to get 1,000 signatures for his candidate petition so that the $3,000 qualifying fee can be waived.

He urged chamber members to vote in the primary election  - although it is more than a year away -particularly because of an important New Tampa transportation issue he expects to be on the ballot.

Hillsborough County Commissioners will soon decide whether or not to put a referendum on the ballot seeking funding for a proposed light rail system that would link New Tampa to downtown and then the Westshore area.

"New Tampa plays a central role in this first phase," he said. "If we don't vote, then shame on us."

Harrison, 44, is the first New Tampa resident to be elected to the City Council. He promised to look out for small business owners and the New Tampa community.

Other candidates who have filed to fill Ed Homan's seat include: Christopher Cano, an intern in the office of state Rep. Michael Scionti, D-Tampa; Trey Stroud, who runs his own television production company and works as the Florida region marketing consultant for Verizon Wireless; and Joseph Wendt, a Hillsborough Community College student who sells Amway products and gold coins.

--- Dong-Phuong Nguyen

New Tampa Rotary breakfast meeting

View New Tampa Rotary breakfast meeting in a larger map Julian Belisle , a cardio-thoracic surgeon, will talk about “Take care of your heart, or see me!” at 7 a.m. Friday (July 17) at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd. The cost is $12. For information, call (813) 972-9235 or visit newtamparotary.org.