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.