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Pearlena’s Adult Activity Center Partners With HART
Wrong Way Driver Charged With DUI In Fatal Accident
PEARLENA CHESS ‘Big Mama”
... namesake of the center
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Pearlena’s Adult Activity Center is partnering with HART’s Travel Training Pro- gram for a “Group Experi- ence” on Wednesday, May 11th at 8:30 a.m., and returning between 2 p. m. and 3:40 p.m.
Pearlena’s will be looking for anyone who rides the bus, especially seniors 55+. Every- one is invited to join them for a day of adventure and fun.
From 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a. m., a tour of Pearlena’s will be given, along with breakfast and resources provided by Wellcare, and people can apply for a free CoolPad Smartphone through Access.
From 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., the tour will leave Floriland Mall heading to Water Works Park on Tampa Street, fol- lowed by two bus routes get- ting everyone to the TECO Streetcar Line’s west end of the tracks, located near east Whiting and Franklin Streets. Then everyone will ride the streetcar all the way to the fur- thest east end of the tracks in east Ybor City near the Cen- tennial Park.
Benefits provided will be a
ARLENA CHISHOLM Owner
free continental breakfast, free 1-day unlimited HAR- Tride Fare Card to each rider, and everyone is asked to bring a bag lunch with snacks, and wear comfortable shoes/clothes. Also, everyone is asked to have a positive at- titude and make this event a complete success.
Pearlena’s Adult Activity Center is located at Floriland Office Center, 9309 North Florida Avenue, Suite #101. Their mission is to provide older adults with the opportu- nity to receive mental, emo- tional, social, and physical stimulation.
Pearlena’s is a family run business with Katrina Os- borne, her mother, Arlena Chisholm, and Katrina’s brother, Letroy Carter, overseeing the operation.
The passion behind the ac- tivity center was to provide an environment for seniors that encourages quality social in- teractions and a connection to the community.
The family chose to name the center in honor of Pearlena Chess, aka “Big Mama,” (Arlena’s mother and Katrina and Letroy’s grandmother).
“After my grandmother
KATRINA OSBORNE Administrator
LETROY CARTER Director Of Operations
passed, we knew we wanted to do something for seniors,” said Ms. Osborne.
“My grandmother was al- ways a very independent, compassionate person, and my strong relationship with her molded my adoration for seniors. I am proud that we could create a place, as a fam- ily, that will add value to the lives of our community mem- bers.”
Ms. Osborne said they are still marketing the center through the community, and they are planning a lot of events with other companies that provide services for sen- iors.
“We’re more than just an activity center,” said Ms. Os- borne.
“We provide full services for all seniors, and we invite the public to stop by our cen- ter and see for themselves.”
RONAL R. VAZQUEZ-GONZALEZ
A 23-year-old Tampa man has been charged in a fatal ac- cident. He was reportedly driv- ing the wrong way when the accident took place early Mon- day.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident took place just after midnight on U. S. 41 and Dover Street. Ronal R. Vazquez-Gonza- lez, was driving a 2001 Mit- subishi Eclipse southbound in the northbound lane of U. S. 41
approaching Dover Street.
Joel Vargas-Gonzalez,
35, of Tampa, was driving his 1999 Honda Civic in the inside lane just north of Dover Street. As a result, the left front of Vazquez-Gonzalez’s vehicle struck the left front of the ve- hicle Vargas-Gonzalez was driving.
After the impact, the Mit- subishi came to rest in the me- dian and Vargas-Gonzalez’s vehicle came to rest in the northbound, outside lane.
The injuries Vargas-Gon- zalez sustained were life- threatening and he died at the scene.
Vazquez-Gonzalez was also injured in the accident. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital. He was ar- rested and charged with DUI Manslaughter and driving without a license causing a death.
Pedestrian Crossing Hillsborough Avenue Killed
A 55-year-0ld Tampa man was killed in a traffic accident late Saturday evening. The accident took place at Hillsborough Av- enue and Pistol Range Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Robert L. Williams, 64, of Tampa, was driving a 1998 Dodge Caravan westbound when on Hillsborough Avenue when Greg V. Neighbors, of Tampa, reportedly stepped into the path of the vehicle. Neighbors was struck with the front of vehicle and died at the scene. No other injuries were reported and no charges have been filed in the accident.
The Tampa Bay Associ- ation of Black Journalists is saddened to learn that the demise of the Tampa Tribune will result in the elimination of 100 jobs of journalists and other staff members.
For more than 120 years, the Tampa Tribune told the stories of the peo- ple, places and happen- ings of this city. That work was made possible every day by the Tribune’s hard- working reporters, edi- tors, photographers and other staff. You uncov- ered government waste, shined a light on impor- tant causes in our commu- nity, and introduced us to many wonderful people who make up the unique fabric of our fantastic community.
The Tampa Bay Associ- ation of Black Journalists salutes you and recog- nizes the significant part you played in the Trib- une’s effort to print life daily. Your contributions to our city are greatly ap- preciated and will be sorely missed. We stand with you all in this tough time of transition.
Sincerely,
The Executive Board of the Tampa Bay Associa- tion of Black Journalists. (The Tampa Bay Associa- tion of Black Journalists strives to help ensure di- versity in area media and accurate, balanced cover- age of communities of color while serving as a resource for both estab- lished and aspiring com- municators.)
An Open Letter To Former Tampa Tribune Employees
Three Grant Writing Workshops Planned
The Center for Non-Profit and Community Development and the National Institute for Strategic and Tactical Planning will host free professional grant-writing workshops during the month of March. The workshops will take place on three separate dates.
The first workshop will take place May 21st, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will be held at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, 1002 E. Palm Avenue.
The second workshop will take place on May 27th, from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. It will also be held the Children’s Board of Hillsbor- ough County, 1002 E. Palm Avenue.
The third workshop will take place on May 28th, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will take place at the West Tampa Library, 2313 W. Union Street.
All three workshops will cover the same information. Seating is limited and anyone wishing to attend the workshops must e-mail nonprofitcenter1@aol.com to confirm a seat and to obtain an invitation and workshop packet. Interested individuals can also visit the website at www.centerfornonprofitand- development.com.
No one will be admitted without an invi- tation. For more information contact Michael Randolph at (813) 857-7657.
While the workshops are held at the Chil- dren’s Board of Hillsborough County, the or- ganization is not a sponsor of the event and does not endorse or support the content of the materials, presentations, staff, volun- teers, or messages delivered during the work- shop.
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