Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) celebrated Universal Oneness Day during the month of August throughout the county. Members from HSS explained the traditions of Raksha Bandhan including the tying of a Rakhi. The Rakhi symbolizes a spirit of brotherhood and harmony for society, regardless of race, religion, or color.

The Mayor’s African American Advisory Committee (MAAAC) met with Mayor Iorio to review current issues including the 2011 budget. Started in 1981, MAAAC members are appointed by the mayor and act as a liaison between the Mayor's Office and the African-American community.

August 28, 2010

HARC held its 7th annual bowling fundraiser at Pin Chasers. HARC was started in 1953 by a group of parents as a support group and advocate for children with developmental disabilities. Today, the organization serves over 400 people each year and provides services that include vocational training, job placement, transportation, residential services, and adult day training programs.

A Neighborhood Presidents' Coffee was held with the leaders from Bayshore Beautiful, Carver City/Lincoln Gardens, Forest Hills, Lowry Park, New Suburb Beautiful and Old West Tampa. Topics of discussion included issues and concerns facing Tampa's neighborhoods as well as suggestions for improvements. selections.

August 26, 2010

The Director of the U.S. Department of the State’s Miami Passport Agency, Ryan Dooley, paid a courtesy visit to the mayor. The Miami Passport Agency serves the State of Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Additionally, the Department has partnered with four locations in the Tampa area to help assist local residents with their U.S. passport needs.

The owners of Sanwa Growers held a ground breaking ceremony for two new restaurants in the East Tampa community. Planned for the site is a full-scale, 200-seat, ethnic Chinese restaurant and a 50-seat coffee and sandwich shop.

Mayor Iorio said goodbye to her book discussion group from the third season of “Mayor's Book Talk.” The group, fifth grade students from Rampello Downtown Partnership School, joined the mayor on the set to discuss each month’s reading selection. On the October “Mayor’s Book Talk,” the mayor will welcome a new group of readers to the show. Students can read along by logging onto www.tampagov.net/booktalk for discussion questions and upcoming book selections.

The Mayor's Youth Corps Class of 2010 held its second open forum, which included discussion about the regional proposal for mass transit. The Mayor’s Youth Corps is comprised of students from both public and private high schools and focuses on community service, leadership, team building and learning about city government.

August 20, 2010

The Tampa Bay Business Journal held its 2010 Business Woman of the Year Awards. The annual event, now in its seventh year, received 315 nominations for the nine categories. Colleen Chappell, President and CEO of ChappellRoberts, was named Business Woman of the Year.

August 19, 2010

A candlelight vigil was held in remembrance of Corporal Mike Roberts who lost his life in the line of duty one year ago. Over 100 family, friends, residents, and police officers gathered to show their support and honor Corporal Roberts.

The University of South Florida  (USF) held its 19th Annual Latino Scholarship Awards Ceremony. The keynote speaker was U.S. Department of Commerce Under Secretary for International Trade Francisco Sanchez. The USF Latino Scholarship program helps provide financial assistance and mentoring experiences to deserving Hispanic students.

Master Police Officer Brenda Canino announced her retirement from the City of Tampa after 24 years of service to our community. During her career with the Tampa Police Department, she worked on several projects including serving as the department's Hispanic liaison.

As part of the Carlton Fields  Leadership series, the mayor was invited to speak to employees about mass transit. The Carlton Fields law firm is a worldwide network with more than 3,000 lawyers in over 70 jurisdictions.

August 17, 2010

The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine held its 117th Imperial Council National Convention and 99th Imperial Court in Tampa. The mayor proclaimed “Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdictions Week” in honor of the organization’s many years of philanthropy throughout the world. As part of the convention, the Imperial Court of the Daughters of Isis, an auxiliary of Prince Hall Shriners, held its Centennial Charity and Awards Luncheon. The Daughters of Isis have over 12,000 members throughout the world and were also recognized by the mayor for its dedication and service.

A sign unveiling ceremony was held for the start of construction for the 22nd Street Enhancement project. The project includes landscaping, irrigation, sidewalks, a multi-modal trail, crosswalks, traffic signal upgrades, pedestrian lighting, and bus stop and shelter improvements. The $1.8 million project will span from Lake Avenue to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and is expected to be completed March 2011.

Over 100 neighborhood and crime watch leaders joined Mayor Iorio for the annual budget luncheon held at the Hunt Community Center in Al Lopez Park. The mayor presented the upcoming budget and explained the issues and challenges as well as future investments for Tampa’s neighborhoods.

Steadman McHayle announced his retirement from the City of Tampa Public Works Department after 35 years of service. McHayle was an Automotive Equipment Operator with the Transportation Division. He was part of the Resurfacing Section team that helped implement several improvement initiatives to meet the growing and changing needs of our city.  

Captain Hugh Miller with the Tampa Police Department announced his retirement after 28 years of dedicated service to the City of Tampa and its residents. During his tenure, Miller worked in several divisions and also served as the department's field training coordinator and funeral commander. Additionally, he was involved in the community through many volunteer programs including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way, the Police Unity Tour, and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum.

August 10, 2010

Mayor Iorio gave her final State of East Tampa presentation to the residents and members of the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership. The presentation included a video and a progress report for the community of the accomplishments during her administration. The residents presented the mayor with a two-volume scrapbook highlighting the community's successes. 

The mayor participated in a taping for the upcoming program, Florida: Choosing the Future. The program guides a panel of business, education, political and media leaders through scenarios that demonstrate the choices and decision-making processes they go through when facing issues that affect the future. The program is set to air September 23 at 9 p.m. on WEDU.

August 4, 2010

The United States Army CIO/G6 and the International Headquarters of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) sponsored the first ever LandWarNet conference. Held at the Tampa Convention Center, Mayor Iorio proclaimed August 3-5, 2010 as AFCEA'S LandWarNet Days in honor of the work they do to provide industry and government representatives an opportunity to exchange information.

August 3, 2010

Mayor Iorio made stops at three National Night Out events in Tampa including Centro Place Apartments, Woodland Terrace, and Mobley Park Apartments. This program, celebrated nationally and attended by hundreds of Tampa's citizens, gives residents an opportunity to express neighborhood unity, while promoting safety, police-community partnerships, and the prevention of crime, drugs, and violence. Locally, the event is coordinated through the Tampa Police Department Neighborhood Watch Program and Tampa Police officers joined residents at more than 20 locations to campaign against crime during the 27th annual event.