Mayor Iorio joined St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker in celebrating the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays at Straub Park in St. Petersburg.  The City of Tampa will also be hosting a fan celebration party at Lykes Gaslight Square Park in Tampa on November 6, giving fans on both sides of the bay an opportunity to wish them success in 2009.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values, which will be constructed on the University of Tampa campus.  This $19.5 million project, made possible by a gift from John H. and Susan Sykes, will include a 300-seat main hall, meeting and mediation rooms, a custom built 3,184-pipe organ, and a plaza with a 60-bell grand musical sculpture fountain.  The center is scheduled for completion in January 2010 followed by construction of the pipe organ and the outdoor fountain.

Mayor Joe Riley of Charleston, South Carolina was the keynote speaker at the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) Conference Luncheon.  The FRA is committed to the revitalization and preservation of Florida communities and, through its affiliation with the Florida League of Cities, works to promote the improvement of urban and downtown areas. 

DHL and Major League Baseball delivered the World Series Trophy to Tampa's City Hall Plaza.  After a brief ceremony, fans lined up for the opportunity to see the 2008 Trophy up close and have their picture taken with it.  The Tampa Bay Rays begin their quest to bring this trophy home to our community in Game one of the World Series tonight at Tropicana Field against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Over 500 people registered to participate in Walking with the Mayor - Keeping Tampa Fit at Al Lopez Park.  As part of the city's commitment to build a healthier community, these walks are held in March and October of each year and include free health screenings, fitness assessments and valuable information on how to better achieve a healthy, active lifestyle.

Ocean Commotion, the Florida Aquarium's newest interactive exhibit, was officially opened providing guests an even greater opportunity to experience sea life through animation and hands-on technology.  This addition is part of a five-year, $6 million expansion with plans to include more classrooms and conference facilities.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of Teatro on 7th Avenue.  Teatro, Centro Ybor's newest restaurant, features international cuisine and the opportunity to enjoy signature drinks and hand rolled Ybor City cigars on the terrace.  Designed to reflect the historic past of Ybor City and El Centro Espanol, Teatro is located in a restored 1892 building that was once used as a ball room and theater by Ybor residents.

The 2008 Mayor's Youth Corps attended an open forum with the mayor.  Discussion topics for this forum focused on the current economic crisis.  Students in the Mayor's Youth Corps are from participating high schools located within the Tampa city limits. Members learn about their city and government by taking part in community service programs and leadership and team building activities.

The City of Tampa joined communities across the nation in proclaiming the month of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  This effort helps to raise public awareness about how to identify, prevent, and stop the cycle of domestic violence.  Additionally, it recognizes the organizations and volunteers who provide hope and healing to those affected.  Joining in Tampa's event were representatives of The Spring and local law enforcement officials.

City employees and guests participated in the 20th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the Tampa Theatre.  This event, organized by the Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Committee, recognizes Hispanic Heritage Season and honors Tampa's Hispanic employees and the impact they have had on our city's history and culture.

Mayor Iorio participated in a panel discussion for Tampa's vision for transit as part of Leadership Tampa's Transportation Day.  Leadership Tampa, a program of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, helps develop future community leaders by educating participants on issues, programs, opportunities, and challenges of the Tampa Bay area.

Mayor Iorio held her final Town Hall Meeting for 2008 at Sulphur Springs Elementary School.  Residents from the surrounding neighborhoods had the opportunity to have their questions and comments addressed regarding city services. As a special treat, the Sulphur Springs Elementary School Tiger Chorus entertained attendees with a musical performance.

Mayor Iorio was the keynote speaker at the CDC of Tampa, Inc.'s 16th Annual Luncheon.  The mayor spoke about current issues and concerns including achieving success in challenging times through public/private partnerships and developing creative models to impact economically distressed communities.  The CDC works to create economically viable, safe and attractive neighborhoods through such efforts as job creation, youth leadership, entrepreneurship and affordable housing.

Cypress Point Park was officially rededicated following the recent shoreline restoration and addition of a new restroom facility.  The 50-acre park and public beach were acquired in 1996 with grant funding from the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program and Florida Communities Trust.  These improvements, totaling over $640,000, were funded in part by the Community Investment Tax and grants from the Environmental Protection Commission, FEMA, Tampa Port Authority and the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was the guest speaker at the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee luncheon held at the Tampa Marriott Waterside.  Goodell, the NFL's top executive, highlighted plans for Super Bowl XLIII, which will be held in Tampa this February.

The Children's Cancer Center, Inc. held its annual Holiday Card Unveiling luncheon at Carrabba's in Carrollwood.  Founded in 1974, this non-profit organization is committed to providing children and their families, in the Tampa Bay area, affected with cancer or chronic blood disorders with emotional, financial and educational support.

Dr. Lydia Villa-Komaroff, MOSI's 2008 Hispanic Scientist of the Year, spoke to over 1,000 Hispanic students about the importance of education.  "Meet the Scientist" is part of MOSI's National Hispanic Scientist of the Year Program.  Proceeds from the event supports MOSI's YES! Team, a career and educational program that helps students develop self-confidence and improve communication and leadership skills.

The 2008 Museum of Science & Industry's (MOSI) Hispanic Scientist of the Year, Dr. Lydia Villa-Komaroff, was recognized at a reception in her honor at the Columbia Centennial Museum.  This award has been given by MOSI since 2001 in an effort to recognize outstanding Hispanic scientists who are also committed to promoting an interest in science by Hispanic youth.  Villa-Komaroff is a founding member of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science and is known for her work with the use of bacterial cells in producing insulin.

Representatives of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hillsborough and other affiliated organizations were presented with a proclamation recognizing the week of October 5 as Mental Illness Awareness Week.  Statistics indicate that one out every four people has dealt with serious mental disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, severe anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and bipolar disorder.  These organizations are committed to raising awareness and providing support, education and advocacy to help eradicate mental illnesses and improve the quality of life for those impacted.

Tampa Fire Rescue's 11 newest firefighters were sworn in during a ceremony at the Ragan Park Community Center in East Tampa.  Mayor Iorio and Chief Dennis Jones were joined by nearly 100 friends and family members for the event.  The new firefighters will be assigned to fire stations throughout Tampa.

Mayor Iorio was honored as the 2008 Woman of the Year by the Westshore Midday and Downtown Tampa Business and Professional Women (BPW) organizations during their 16th Annual Networking Night.  This fund-raising event, which includes a silent auction and raffle, is held to benefit the Tampa BPW Foundation's Scholarship fund. As members of BPW/USA, the organizations are committed to achieving equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information.

The Kiwanis Club of New Tampa held their annual Mayor's Luncheon at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club.  Members had the opportunity to hear the mayor discuss issues of importance to their neighborhoods as well as the city.  The group also presented a check to the mayor for the Friends of Tampa Recreation organization.  As an affiliate of Kiwanis International, this club works to promote higher social, business and professional standards of its members and is committed to community service projects, especially those benefitting children.

Exchange students from the University of Applied Sciences in Finland met with Mayor Iorio to discuss their studies and their time spent in the United States.  The graduate students are studying politics and media relations in our country.

Tampa Bay and Company sponsored the City of Tampa's 2008 Mayor's Tampa Bay Consular Corps Luncheon at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City.  This annual event provides an opportunity to update the Consular Corps members on Tampa's role in the global community and includes representation from our area's bi-national chambers.

The Renaissance Tampa Hotel was the site of The Spring's "I Will Survive" Fashion Show, a fund-raising event that benefits the victims of domestic violence.  Since 1977, The Spring has provided assistance to over 30,000 abused adults and children.  It is the largest shelter of its type in Florida with six service sites in the area offering programs to help victims become survivors and lead productive lives.

The Tampa Crossroads Athena Program officially opened VISTA-Athena Female Veteran Transitional Housing Program.  It is the first facility of its kind in the nation, providing housing and rehabilitative services to female soldiers.  The program will help participants learn the life skills necessary to function independently, to address educational goals, and to find full time employment or access their entitled government benefits.

The Tampa Chamber's Urban Enterprise Initiative Subcommittee hosted a tour of East Tampa that also included a presentation.  The tour highlighted the economic development opportunities and public/private investment in the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Area for developers and investors. The Urban Enterprise Initiative works as a catalyst by bringing together the real estate development community, public and private financial sources, local government and entrepreneurs to create a plan for the revitalization of economically challenged areas.

Mayor Iorio had the opportunity to meet one of the Tampa Bay Rays' biggest fans at the second game of the American League Division Series Championship at Tropicana Field.  The resulting win over the Chicago White Sox put the Rays on top of the series 2-0.

Mayor Iorio participated as a panelist for a leadership forum hosted by the University of South Florida Women in Leadership and Philanthropy.  Held in conjunction with their annual luncheon to raise funds for scholarship and program endowments, the inaugural forum's theme was "The Role of Women in the Political Arena."   Topics covered included health care, national security and the historical significance of this year's presidential election.  Additionally, nationally known historian and Pulitzer prize winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin served as the luncheon's keynote speaker.

As the Tampa Bay Rays prepare to take on the Chicago White Sox, the mayors made a friendly wager on the outcome of the American League Division Series between the Rays and the Sox.  Mayor Pam Iorio joined St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard to place a friendly wager against Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.  The Tampa Bay mayors' wager featured local favorites including Cuban sandwiches, cigars and seafood.  Mayor Daley wagered a "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" package with Polish sausage, chips and ball park treats.

Michael Tozzi, a Fleet Maintenance employee with the City of Tampa for 42 years, received a congratulatory letter from Mayor Iorio on his retirement.  Tozzi was known for his friendliness and pleasant attitude and received numerous commendations from various departments over the years for the pride he took in his work.