Mayor Iorio spoke at the Tampa East Sertoma Club luncheon updating members on issues affecting city residents.  Celebrating over 40 years of service in our community, the Tampa East Club helps support many organizations including Achieve Tampa Bay, the Sertoma Youth Ranch, the Bolesta Center, Paint Your Heart Out Tampa! and the Salvation Army Bell-Ringing program.

Centennial Park in Ybor City was rededicated following nearly $350,000 in upgrades.   The park, which is used primarily for festival and events, was closed for improvement and now has a permanent stage, step seating areas, improved drainage, enhanced landscaping and an extension of the memorial wall.  These improvements helped reduce on-site drainage problems and corrected paving issues caused by tree roots and vehicular traffic.

Continuing a holiday tradition, Mayor Iorio read to over 120 children participating in the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Reading event.  This year's selection was Toot & Puddle: Let it Snow by Holly Hobbie. More than 24,000 families and 35,000 children are expected to seek assistance through the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Center during the 2008 holiday season.

The Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Committee sponsored its annual holiday social for pre-K and kindergarten students at DeSoto Elementary.  This year, 61 students received a gift bag with three gifts from their wish list.  In addition to helping Santa and his elves distribute gifts, Mayor Iorio also read a holiday story to the students.  The committee members then treated the entire school to an ice cream social in the cafeteria.

The Tampa Letter Carriers of Branch 599 of the National Association of Letter Carriers, presented Mayor Iorio with a plaque commemorating their first participation in the three-day Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Walk for the Cure.  Included on the plaque was the Breast Cancer Research semi-postal, a stamp issued in 1998, which has raised over $54 million for breast cancer research.

The Bayshore Patriots hosted the Fourth Annual Coalition Thanksgiving Dinner at the Tampa Convention Center. Sponsored by members of the Tampa Bay community, this event hosts members of the International Coalition and the military assigned to U.S. Central Command to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, joined by the Patriots, family and friends.

Over 1,200 volunteers gathered for the 21st Annual Mayor's Hillsborough River and Waterways Cleanup.   Organized by the Mayors Beautification Program, it is one of the largest annual volunteer events in Tampa.  Participants of all ages help with shoreline restoration and clean-up at 25 sites along the Hillsborough River.

Representatives of Habitat for Humanity presented Mayor Iorio with an appreciation plaque in recognition of her continued support of the program. The non-profit, faith-based organization is committed to providing decent, affordable housing to deserving families.  Since 1987, when Habitat Hillsborough became an affiliate of this national program, over 120 homes have been built throughout our community.

The top Neighborhood Watch coordinators in each district were honored at the annual Chief's Neighborhood Appreciation Dinner. These volunteers work to help decrease crime by communicating with their neighbors and becoming the "eyes and ears" of the police department. The annual event recognizes citizens for their outstanding efforts in partnering with the Tampa Police Department to improve the quality of life in Tampa. This year the Blake High School Quartet performed for attendees.

America's Second Harvest of Tampa Bay held its 14th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon fundraiser at Lykes Gaslight Park in downtown Tampa.  In observance of helping those less fortunate, a simple meal of soup and bread was served to guests for the luncheon.  Attendees also take home an "Empty Bowl" memento created by local school children. Founded in 1982 as Divine Providence Food Bank, America's Second Harvest of Tampa Bay has processed and distributed over 90 million pounds of safe and nutritious surplus food to those in need.

Stewart Middle Magnet School received a $100,000 in Hillsborough River Restoration Grant funds from the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Hillsborough County Public Schools for its "Save Our Shoreline" environmental education project.  The grant will fund a restoration project along the river behind the school.  Stewart students will help restore a section of shoreline by removing invasive plants, re-grading the shoreline to correct erosion programs, and planting native vegetation.  The project, which begins in April 2009, will utilize a linked science curriculum for learning.

Dr. Tony Lazzara, founder of the Hogar San Francisco de Asis (St. Francis of Assisi Home) located outside of Lima, Peru visited with Mayor Iorio to discuss the ongoing work of this hospital/orphanage and the Villa La Paz Foundation.  Born in Tampa, Dr. Lazzara was a neo-natal pediatrician who left his tenured position at Emory University in 1983 to provide medical care to the poor children of Peru. All Children's Hospital partners with Dr. Lazzara twice a year to provide services to the children he brings with him from Peru who require special care.

Participating in the annual Great American Teach In, Mayor Iorio spoke to the fifth grade class of Lockhart Elementary Magnet School. This annual event brings volunteers, representing a range of occupations, into the classroom to share their knowledge about careers, education and hobbies.

A graduation ceremony was held for the 28 members of the 2008 Tampa Police Department. Citizens Academy. The academy is an eight-week, hands-on training exercise that gives residents the opportunity to learn what it takes to be a police officer.  Participants were able to ride with officers on patrol, take part in tactical exercises, meet the K-9 team and see CSI Tampa in action.

Mayor Iorio spoke to members of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce at their membership luncheon held at the historic Columbia Restaurant. Formed in 1930, the Chamber is dedicated to the protection, revitalization and economic development of Tampa's National Historic Landmark District.

Former Senator and USF President Betty Castor presented Mayor Iorio an award on behalf of USF in recognition of her work with the global business community.  The guest speaker for the special global reception was Saskia Sassena renowned globalization scholar and Professor of Sociology at Columbia University.

Mayor Iorio joined the USF History Department in welcoming Dr. Christina Greene, noted lecturer and author of "Our Separate Ways: Women and the Black Freedom Movement in Durham."  Dr. Greene was invited to speak at the USF History Department Lecture Series, an initiative focused on promoting the national and international visibility of its PhD program.

Metropolitan Ministries held its annual Holiday Tent Blessing, which signals the beginning of the 2008 holiday-giving season. For over 35 years, the organization has provided meals, shelter, outreach services and hope for a better future to those in need throughout our community. This year Metropolitan Ministries anticipates over 24,000 families and 35,000 children will seek assistance this holiday season.

The City of Tampa announced its proposed plan for a new Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). Under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's $3.92 billion NSP Plan, Tampa was awarded $13.6 million. Part of the City's plan includes utilizing this money to acquire, rehabilitate and resell foreclosed and abandoned properties within our community in an effort to stabilize neighborhoods and reduce the decline of home values in the community.

The Bank of America presented its 2008 Neighborhood Excellence Awards recognizing various organizations, local heroes and student leaders for their commitment to helping our neighborhoods. As part of this initiative, the Bank of America also awards $450,000 in grants to various community service organizations. This brings Bank of America's total charitable investments for the Tampa Bay area in 2008 to $3 million.

Business and community leaders joined Mayor Iorio and the American Planning Association (APA) for a sign unveiling ceremony to celebrate 7th Avenue being named One of America's 10 Great Streets for 2008.  This designation was given to an 11-block area between Nick Nuccio Parkway and 26th Street in Ybor City.  As part of the APA's Great Places in America Program, 7th Avenue was selected based on its history, distinctive character, and strong community involvement.

The 2008 Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Cultural Affairs Luncheon, sponsored by the St. Pete Times and the Tampa Bay Rays, was held at the Tampa Convention Center. This annual event focuses on art and culture in our community and helps illustrate how businesses can incorporate art into the workplace. Mayor Iorio presented the Mayor's Artist of the Year Award to noted author Dudley Clendenin. Local residents Hugo and Alicia Keim were also recognized by the Chamber as the 2008 Cultural Contributor of the Year.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new $1.2 million, Seminole Heights Professional Center on Taliaferro Avenue.  The 7,000 square foot office building, located in the East Tampa, will be home to the developers, Pro-Fit Development, Inc. and other professional businesses.

Mayor Iorio joined representatives of Fifth Third Bank in a groundbreaking ceremony for their new banking facility on Hillsborough Avenue in East Tampa.  This will be the first commercial bank to be built in this community in over 30 years and was made possible through a partnership developed by the Richman Group and the CDC of Tampa.  When completed, the $4 million facility will be one of 43 centers operated by Fifth Third Bank in the Tampa Bay area.

Joel Eisenberg, a student at Sickles High School, served as Junior Mayor for the day and attended several functions with Mayor Iorio.  With an interest in one day pursuing his interest in politics, Joel had the opportunity to take part in two East Tampa groundbreaking ceremonies, the Chamber's Cultural Affairs Luncheon and a sign unveiling in Ybor City.

Designed by children in the City's After School Activity Program, the new playground at Al Lopez Park opened. It features an extensive "EVOS" Play Structure, a gyroscopic play system that engages children of all ages; an accessible playshaper, a play structure for younger and/or limited ability children; and Mobius, Spacenet, and rock climbing structures. The playground also includes an element unique to Florida, Talking Tot Turf, a hopscotch and piano keyboard that emit sounds when stepped on. This is the first of its kind not only in the State of Florida, but in the Eastern United States.

Downtown Tampa's first park, Herman Massey Park, was officially rededicated following $83,700 in improvements.  The renovations, paid for with Tax Increment Financing dollars, include brick walkways, lighting fixtures, granite seating caps, new fencing and a water fountain.  Massey Park now also boasts Tampa's first rose garden, which was donated by the Tampa Rose Society.  Originally opened in 1988, Herman Massey Park is named after a former Parks Department director.

Thousands took part in the 2008 Tampa Bay Start! Heart Walk, the American Heart Association's major fund-raising event. Heart disease and stroke claim over 910,000 American lives each year.  The American Heart Association has invested millions of dollars for research, professional and public education, and advocacy to help people live stronger, longer lives.