USF Health Unofficial Welcome Guide



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USF Health Unofficial Welcome Guide

USF Health Leadership Institute Mentorship Group

February 2008

Table of Contents

Welcome

Tampa History

About Tampa Bay

Auto Registration and Drivers License

Voter Registration

Medical License

Utilities and Community Services

Housing

Schools

Dining

Sports

Places to Visit

Seasonal Events

Getting to Know USF Health

Faculty and Academic Affairs

Human Resources

Welcome to USF Health

We have developed this guide to help you settle in. Please note that we do not endorse any particular organizations listed in this guide; this is just a place to start. We encourage you to use the web sites that are listed in the guide to obtain more detailed information.

Tampa History

Tampa is a relatively young city; the history of the area stretches back to the 16th century. The Calusa Indians were the first native inhabitants of Florida’s West Coast. In 1519, Ponce de Leon landed with his three small ships on the peninsula that he later named Florida. He visited what was to become Tampa Bay in 1521.

Panfilo de Narvaez, another Spanish explorer, landed at Tampa Bay in 1528 with 300 men. Like many Spanish tourists of the time, de Narvaez wasn't interested in the beauty of the area. He wanted gold, and the Indians told him he'd find it. From Tampa Bay, he led his company of men up the peninsula in a arduous expedition in which all but a few of the party (including de Narvaez himself) died. Four of these, led by Cabeza de Vaca, wandered overland for 7 years before finding a haven in Mexico.

Yet another Spaniard, Hernando de Soto, landed in the bay area in May of 1539. Like the unfortunate de Narvaez, he also wanted gold. With the help of Juan Ortiz, a de Narvaez survivor who had acquired a passable command of the local languages, the de Soto expedition trekked as far as the Mississippi River. Also like de Narvaez, de Soto didn't find any gold. Only half his company made it back, and de Soto wasn't one of them.

The bay area was empty of white settlers until 1823, when a New York City pioneer named Robert J. Hackley moved in and built a plantation. In 1824, the federal government moved Seminole Indians to a reservation nearby after displacing them from their land in North Florida. Following the establishment of the reservation, the government built Fort Brooke to oversee it. The settlement that grew up around it also took on the name Fort Brooke, but this appellation was later changed back to the original Indian name--Tampa.

The area grew in both population and importance. During the Civil War, Tampa was an important port for the Confederacy, sending vital salt, citrus, and other supplies out on blockade runners until the Union Navy captured the town. Real growth didn't occur until much later, when industrialist Henry B. Plant built the railroad that connected it with Jacksonville and North Florida (1884). During the 1880s and 1890s, Plant spent millions of dollars developing the tourist industry in Tampa, building the $3.5 million dollar (a lot of money at the time) Tampa Bay Hotel, with its distinctive minarets, which now houses the University of Tampa.

Vicente Martinez Ybor, a tobacco processor, established the cigar industry in 1886 in what is now Ybor City, turning the area into one of the world's biggest producers of cigars. During the Spanish-American War, Tampa Bay was an important point of embarkation for American troops (including Teddy Roosevelt) going to fight the Spanish in Cuba.

Real-estate speculation brought a sizable population boom in the 1920s, and now, the city of Tampa (which had fewer than 1,000 people when the Union Navy captured it during the Civil War) and the surrounding communities are home to over two million people. The seat of Hillsborough County and home to MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa's main industries include citrus canning (it's the citrus canning capitol of the world), shrimping, fabricated steel, electronic equipment, cigars, beer, paint, fertilizers, and of course, tourism.



About Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is an area that encompasses three counties and is "home" to over 2 million residents. It's where Tampa Bay Buccaneers' fans cheered their winning team on to Super Bowl glory in 2002 and their favorite hockey team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, on to the 2004 Stanley Cup victory. It's also home to Lowry Park, the "Number 1 Zoo in the United States for Kids."

It has the largest performing arts center in the southeast. The largest science museum in the south. And the cultural arts district in downtown Tampa is expanding every day, with the recent addition of the Patel Conservatory which helps both young and mature actors, artists, musicians and performers perfect their craft.

Tampa Bay is one of the few markets in America with two major metropolitan newspapers. The #1 ranked airport in the country. And Tampa is the only city in America that celebrates the glory of being a pirate and all the festivities that Gasparilla offers during one whole month each year.

As a region, the commitment to excellence in education is impressive, and is essential for providing an educated, talented workforce for area businesses. Tampa is also one of the most Literate Cities in America, ranking 16th in the country among cities with more than 250,000 residents.

It's a region that attracts millions of tourists each year, who appreciate its mild winter climates, tropical summers, spectacular sunsets and beautiful beaches. To those of us who choose to live here, these are every day pleasures--not just vacation moments. We go fishing before heading into the office. We walk on the beach at sunset. We enjoy wearing shorts in January. And we are thankful, with each and every sunny day, to have made the decision to live in Tampa Bay.

Like most Americans, the residents of Tampa Bay are proud of the men and women who serve in the military. And we're honored that MacDill Air Force Base is located here in Tampa. It's the headquarters for two major commands; Special U.S. Operations Command and U.S. Central Command. And it's also where Coalition Village is located, comprised of representatives from 65 nations who are working together to combat terrorism.

If you're looking for a place to start or grow your business, Tampa Bay is right for you. In 2004, Florida was ranked #2 as one of the best places in America for start-ups. And more and more companies are relocating their headquarters to Tampa, as well. We're the west coast anchor of Florida's High Tech Corridor. And you'll find all the logistical resources needed for import/export through Florida's largest deep-water port, conveniently located in downtown Tampa. And you can take advantage of the five major cruise lines that also sail out of the Port of Tampa. The Tampa Bay MSA is also known as a top growth market for manufacturing, especially for the medical industry.

You can choose to live in a historic bungalow - or a high rise by the Bay. You might live in a country club community - or a lakeside villa might be right for you. Tampa Bay has a wide range of residential choices to fit every budget and lifestyle. Just remember, the sunshine, sunsets and gulf breezes are free!













Auto Registration and Drivers Licenses

The Florida DMV issues vehicle registrations and titles in the state, as well as maintains the official vehicle ownership and registration records in Florida.

If you're new to Florida, you're 18 or older, and already have a valid driver license from another state or country, getting your FL license can be really simple. You can use your current out-of-state license as your primary form of ID, so you'll only need a secondary form of identification. The $20 application fee will also apply.

In most cases you will be required to take the vision and hearing tests only. However, the DMV has the authority (and reserves the right) to require additional testing on a case-by-case basis.

Further information is available via the link below for the Hillsborough County DMV.



Voter Registration

The application for voter registration is available online at the link below for Hillsborough County elections.



Medical Licensure

The website for the Florida Board of Medicine is:

The process for obtaining a medical license in Florida is laborious and takes on average 6 months to complete. Plan ahead and start early.

Utilities and Community Services

AMBULANCE OR EMERGENCY:

Telephone 911 or Dial "0" for operator, ambulance, police, sheriff, and fire.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT:

1105 Kennedy Blvd. E., Tampa (813)272-6200; Clinic M-F 8-5

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES:

(813)744-5660

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY INFORMATION SERVICES:

(813)272-5900

TAMPA POST OFFICE:

(813)877-0635 Main Office

ELECTRIC: Tampa electric Company(TECO) (813)233-0800

GAS: Peoples Gas Systems (813)288-9744 ~ Central Florida Gas (813)752-1262

TELEPHONE, CABLE AND INTERNET:

Verizon

BrightHouse

WATER/SEWER/GARBAGE: Hillsborough County (813)272-6680

RECYCLING: (813)348-1111



SUNPASS: ww.

Schools

Tampa Bay public, private and parochial schools offer a number of educational options for the region's youth and adults.  Hillsborough County Public Schools is a school district headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

The district serves all of Hillsborough County. It is ranked the largest school district in the United States according to the National Center for Education Statistics. It is governed by the School Board of Hillsborough County, which consists of 10 members and one superintendent.

Many schools offer specialized curricula, such as special education, vo-tech and gifted-student programs. These are the links to the school boards in each of the area counties below.









This link provides a comprehensive list of the private schools in Hillsborough County:

Dining

One frequently using dining guide is from Tampa Bay Online (TBO):

Another is on City Search:

The following is a dining guide provided by

The Tampa -St. Petersburg area has scores of chain restaurants such as The Outback, Bennigan's, and Texas Steakhouse, but since these can be found just about anywhere in America, this section concentrates on establishments unique to this part of Florida. Places here run the gamut from hot-dog joints to fine upscale restaurants with sophisticated wine lists and waiters in tuxedoes. Some of these selections may be more formal than the others; therefore, it's a good idea to call first to see if they'll throw somebody out or refuse seating to someone who doesn't show up dressed for a royal wedding.

TAMPA

Restaurant BT (moderate) One of Tampa’s most creative restaurants offers exquisite French-Vietnamese fare in Hyde Park. Open for dinner Tues-Sun. 1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa (813)258-1916

Wright’s Gourmet House (inexpensive) Tampa’s premier deli and catering, offers signature overstuffed sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, salads, soups, scrumptious cakes and dessert bars

Bern's Steak House (fine dining) is locally famous for its top-quality steaks and home grown vegetables. A wine list as thick as the phone book contains upwards of 3,000 selections. For further enjoyment after the main course, The intimate wood paneled dessert rooms upstairs, provide a unique experience. Main courses run anywhere from $18.50 to $156. Reservations required. Open 5-11pm daily. 1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813)251-2421.

Donatello (fine dining) serves delicious Northern Italian cuisine in a Mediterranean atmosphere. With waiters in tuxedos and individual table lighting, Donatello features a variety of specialties, including veal dishes accented with a variety of trimmings. Main courses $15.95-$28. Open Mon-Fri noon-3pm, 6-11pm, Sat-Sun. 6-11pm. 232 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. (813)875-6660.

Armani's (fine dining), a northern Italian restaurant housed in the Hyatt Regency Westshore hotel, offers sophisticated dishes such as lamb and marinated salmon filet. The antipasto bar is legendary. One of the most elegant dining establishments in town, Armani's admits no men without jackets. Open Mon-Sat. 6-11pm. Reservations required. Main courses $14-$26.75. 6200 Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa. (813)281-9165.

Lauro Ristorante Italiano (fine dining) is an Italian restaurant renowned for its caprese, putanesca, gnocchi, agnoloeti, and phenomenal sauces and pastas. Southwest off the Dale Mabry Hwy, open Mon-Fri. 11:30am-2pm and 6-11pm, Sat 6-11pm, Sun. 5:30-10pm. Reservations recommended. Main courses $10.95-$19.95. 3915 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. (813)281-2100.

The Colonnade (moderate) has fresh grouper, crab-stuffed flounder, and other top-quality American seafood that has been attracting the locals for more than sixty years. Overlooking the Hillsborough Bay and situated in the beautiful Hyde Park district, the Colonnade also serves prime rib, steaks, and chicken. Reservations only for large parties. Open Sun-Thurs. 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat. 11am-11pm. Main courses $7.95-16.95. 3401 Bayshore Blvd, Tampa. (813)839-7558.

The Columbia (moderate) offers outstanding Spanish cuisine in the heart of Ybor City. Tourists and locals have been mobbing the place since 1905, some to take in the Latin ambiance, others to eat the specials such as paella a la valenciana. Open daily 11am-11pm. Main courses $10.95-$21.95. Reservations recommended. 2117 7th Ave. East, Ybor City, Tampa. (813)248-4961.

Crawdaddy's (moderate), by the Radisson Bay Harbor Inn, features a wide variety of seafood, as well as prime ribs and steaks. Reservations recommended. Open Mon-Thurs. 11am-2pm, 5-10pm,Fri. 11am-2pm, 5-11pm,Sat. 5-11pm, Sun. 5-10pm. 2500 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa. (813)281-0407.

Mise En Place (moderate) sits directly across the street from the University of Tampa. With main courses including such dishes as roast duck and grilled swordfish, Mise En Place's menu changes daily but always provides the freshest ingredients available. Main courses $4.95-$7.95 at lunch, $9.95-$17.50 at dinner. Open Mon. 11am-3pm, Tues-Thurs. 11am-3pm and 5:30-10pm, Fri. 11am-3pm and 5:30-11pm, Sat. 5:30-11pm. 442 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa. (813)254-5373.

Mel's Hot Dogs (inexpensive) doesn't take credit cards, but it does serve some of the best hot dogs, corn dogs, and sandwiches around. Also offering veggie burgers and chicken, Mel's is located right by Busch Gardens and makes a great place to refuel after a day at the park. Main courses $3-6. Open Mon-Sat. 10am-10pm, Sun. 11am-9pm. 4136 E. Busch Blvd, Tampa. (813)985-8000.

Silver Ring (inexpensive) has been cooking up Cuban sandwiches, deviled crab, Spanish bean soup, and other Spanish-American dishes in Ybor City since 1947. No credit cards. Main courses $2.25-4.95. Open Mon-Sat. 6:30am-5pm. 1831 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City, Tampa. (813)248-2549.

ST. PETERSBURG

Apropos (moderate) features a menu of light nouveau cuisine, specializing in seafood. Apropos overlooks the marina and sits right by the Pier. Reservations accepted for dinner only. Main courses $8-$15. Open Tues-Wed. 7:30-10:30am and 11am-3pm, Thurs-Sat. 7:30-10:30am, 11am-3pm, 6pm-midnight, and Sun. 8:30am-2pm and 6pm-midnight. 300 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. (813)823-8934.

The Garden Bistro (moderate) offers a Mediterranean menu including a variety of seafood such as salmon and shrimp. Friday and Saturday nights, the lively ambiance is enhanced by live jazz beginning at 8:30pm. Open daily noon-2pm and 5-10pm. Main courses $5.95-$12.95. Reservations recommended for dinner. 217 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Keystone Club (moderate), reminding patrons of a sophisticated Manhattan steak eatery, serves a menu including prime rib of beef, New York strip steak, and filet mignon, with a little seafood on the nightly special menu. Open Mon-Thurs. 11am-2:30pm and 5-10pm, Fri. 11am-2:30pm and 5-11pm, Sat. 5-11pm. Main courses $8.95-17.95. Reservations recommended. 320 4th St. North, downtown St. Petersburg. (813)882-6600.

Nick's On The Water (inexpensive) sits on the ground level of The Pier in downtown St. Petersburg and cooks up a variety of Italian delights in an informal atmosphere. Reservations recommended for dinner. Open Sun-Thurs. 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat. 11:30am-11pm. Main courses $4.95-17.95. 800 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg. (813)898-5800.

Ted Peters' Famous Smoked Fish (inexpensive) specializes in-- big surprise here--smoked fish. Menu items include smoked salmon, mackerel, or mullet. No credit cards. Main courses $3.95-$13.95. Open Wed-Mon. 11:30am-7:30pm. 1350 Pasadena Ave. South, St. Petersburg. (813)381-7931.

Fourth Street Shrimp Store (inexpensive) serves up fresh grouper, smelts, and other seafood on paper plates with plastic silverware. No credit cards. Open Mon-Thurs. and Sat. 11:30am-8pm, Fri. 11am-9pm, Sun noon-8pm. Main courses $4-12. 1006 4th St. North, St. Petersburg. (813)822-0325.

THE AREA

China Moon (moderate) is a chic, romantic Chinese establishment whose menu features some of the most outstanding Chinese food available anywhere. Grilled duck in ginger port wine is just one of the many dishes available. Reservations accepted. Open Mon-Thurs. 11am-9pm, Fri. 11am-10pm, Sat. 5-10:30pm, Sun. 5-9pm. Main courses $6.50-14.50. 4399 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach. (813)367-3008.

Silas Dent's (moderate) is a rustic building of palm fronds and cedar poles, serving a menu reflective of the diet of local folk hero Silas Dent. Food such as alligator, grouper, and squid is available alongside charcoal-broiled steaks and barbecue ribs. Open Sun-Thurs. 5-10pm, Fri-Sat. 5-11pm. Main courses $7.95-18.95. 5501 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. (813)360-9558.

The Lobster Pot (fine dining), located on the beach, is home to some of the finest seafood in the area. In addition to French-style lobster, Lobster Pot offers grouper, salmon, swordfish, and all sorts of other fine catches. Main courses are $12,95-36.95. Open Mon-Sat. 4:30pm-10pm, Sun 4-10pm. Reservations recommended. 17814 Gulf Blvd, Redington Shores. (813)391-8592.

Bob Heilman's Beachcomber (fine dining) serves a varied menu of fresh seafood, beef, and veal. For decades a magnet to people seeking good food, Heilman's cooks an extraordinary fried chicken. Main courses $10.95-$25.95. Reservations recommended. Open Mon-Sat. 11:30am-11pm, Sun noon-10pm. 447 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach. (813)442-4144.

Omni's Bavarian Inn (inexpensive) features a variety of seafood, steaks, and German food. Reservations recommended. Main courses $6.95-14.95. Open 3-9:30pm daily. 14701 Gulf Blvd, Madeira Beach. (813)393-9654.

La Brasserie (moderate) is known for its superb crepes and onion soup. Live jazz every Saturday night after dinner adds to the bistro atmosphere of this French restaurant. Reservations required for dinner. Main courses $4.95-17.45. Open Mon 11am-4pm, Tues-Thurs. 11am-4pm and 5:30-10pm, Fri-Sat. 11am-4pm and 5:30-10pm, Sun. 5:30-10pm. 200 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs. (813)942-3011.

Pappas Market Cafe (moderate) has been serving shrimp, grouper, red snapper, and other seafood in the Greek tradition since its founding in 1925 by an immigrant from Sparta, Greece. Various locations.

Sarasota

Chez Sylvie (fine dining), reminiscent of a fine Parisian restaurant, features a specialty Dover sole along with many other French dishes served by tuxedoed waiters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $15-25. Open Tues-Fri. 5:30-10pm, Sat. 8am-2:30pm and 5:30-10pm, Sun. 9am-2:30pm. 1526 Main St., Sarasota. (941)953-3232.

Cafe of the Arts (moderate) is a cafe, bakery, and wine shop all in one. This microcosm of the European restaurant world served all different types of international foods ranging from veggie platters to rack of lamb. Reservations recommended for dinner. Main courses $10.95-$20. Open Mon-Sat. 8am-9pm, Sun 8am-3pm. 5230 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. (941)351-4304.

Nick's On The Water (moderate) offers pizza and pasta as well as Italian seafood. Diners may eat inside or out on the terrace overlooking the marina. Reservations recommended. Main courses $7.95-16.95. Open Mon-Thurs. 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat. 11:30am-11pm, Sun 11:30am-10pm. 230 Sarasota Quay, Sarasota. (941)954-3839.

Mrs. Appleton's Family Buffet (inexpensive) is particularly popular with seniors, but its stellar buffet and reasonable prices make it a hit with diners of all ages. The buffet changes from day to day, but visitors can count on barbecued beef ribs, turkey, and all sorts of American dishes. Lunch buffet $5.25, dinner $6.95. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-3:30pm and 4-8:30pm. 4458 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota. (941)378-1177.

Sports Teams

USF Bulls Football and Basketball

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Football

Tampa Bay Devil Rays Baseball

Tampa Bay Lighting Hockey

Tampa Bay Storm Arena Football

Places to Visit

Busch Gardens, Tampa - 3605 E. Bougainvillea Ave,. Tampa 888-800-5447. Thrill to several wild rollercoasters, including Sheikra, Florida's tallest rollercoaster that also has the distinction of being the tallest dive rollercoaster in the world. Each fall, Busch Gardens holds it's special annual event Howl-O-Scream - "For 17 select nights, Howl-O-Scream plays upon your darkest fears with a nightmarish mix of favorite frights and terrifying new twists. This year, your childhood fears don’t go away. They just get worse." And don't forget, there's plenty of African "wild life" to see with all the park's animals. For more information, visit the park's web site at:

Adventure Island Water Park - Adjacent to Busch Gardens. Prepare to get wet with 30 acres of water-drenched fun in the sun. With the ultimate combination of high-speed thrills and tropical, tranquil surroundings, there's something for everyone to have a full day of fun. Web site:

Honeymoon Island & Caladesi State Park - closest beach to the Tampa Bay Skating Club. Located at the extreme west end of State Road 586, north of Dunedin. (Head west on Tampa Rd and follow the signs to Dunedin beaches.) Swim & relax on the beach at Honeymoon Island or take a ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island to Caladesi's 3-mile beach that ranks as the 4th best in the nation. Kayak, swim or fish in the warm blue water of the Gulf of Mexico. For information about the Caladesi Connection Ferry Service please call 727-734-1501. caladesiisland

Florida Aquarium - 701 Channelside Drive. Tampa 813-273-4000. View over 10,000 aquatic animals and plants from around the world.

Ybor City - historic Latin Quarter of Tampa where Cuban immigrants moved to work in Tampa's cigar industry. Comes alive at night with over 60 restaurants, bars & nightclubs, located along 7th Avenue. During the day, one can take a walking tour of the area, visit the Ybor City State Museum, see cigars rolled by hand and shop in antique, vintage clothing & modern shops. Location of the famed original Columbia Restaurant, open since 1905. Web sites: Ybor City Chamber of Commerce, Ybor Times, Centro Ybor

Tarpon Springs - Largest Greek community in the U.S. See real sea sponges, enjoy delicious Greek cuisine, nature cruises & sponge diving cruises available. Located northwest of Oldsmar. Take Tampa Road west to US Hwy 19, turn right and go north to Keystone Rd (Tarpon Ave). turn left and follow signs to Sponge Docks.

Salvador Dali Museum - 1000 3rd St, Downtown St. Petersburg. 727-823-3767

Pat Buckley Moss Gallery - 1001 4th St N, St Petersburg (artist who has painted Amish skater prints)

Lowry Park Zoo - 1101 W Sligh Avenue, Tampa (Take exit 42 off I-275).

International Plaza & Bay Street - Upscale mall anchored by Nordstrom & Neiman Marcus. Bay Street restaurant complex includes Cheesecake Factory, Bamboo Club Asian Bistro, Gallery Eclectic Bistro, Toojays and many more restaurants and bars. Located east of the Tampa International Airport at Lois & Boyscout Roads.

Channelside - Restaurant & entertainment complex located next to the St. Pete Times Forum, on Channelside Dr, Tampa. Stumps Supper Club, Splitsville Bowling, Tina's Tapas, Banana Joe's Island Party, Channelside Cinemas & more.

BayWalk - Dining, shopping & entertainment complex. Located at the corner of 2nd Ave N. & 2nd Street N., Downtown St. Petersburg.

Fort DeSoto Park - 3500 Pinellas Bayway S. Tierra Verde 727-582-2267 - Ranked #2in the country by "Dr. Beach," Fort DeSoto is a barrier island and 900-acre park. Directions: From Interstate 275, take Exit 17(Pinellas Bayway) west to S.R.679. Turn left on S.R.679 and the road ends in the park. Bridge tolls are $.85.

Local area Beaches are approximately a 1 hour drive from USF’s main campus. USF’s Riverfront Park, located on the Hillsborough River near campus, is a popular recreation area, with a playground, sports fields, picnic benches and inexpensive canoe and kayak rentals. USF ID required.

Seasonal Events

Gasparilla

(from )

The Gasparilla Pirate Festival is an annual celebration held in the city of Tampa, Florida. Held each year on the last Saturday in January and hosted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa, it celebrates the apocryphal legend of José Gaspar (Gasparilla), supposedly a Spanish pirate captain who operated in southwest Florida. The theme is an "invasion" by Gasparilla and his men, which begins when the "Krewe" (made up of residents of the city) arrives on a 165' long pirate ship, the Jose Gasparilla, in Tampa Bay and lands near downtown Tampa. The mayor of Tampa then lends the key of the city to the pirate captain and a parade ensues down Bayshore Boulevard, one of Tampa's major streets. The krewes throw beads, coins and other items to the crowd while shooting blank pistols from floats during the parade. The average attendance for the event is over 400,000 people.

Krewe memberships are highly sought after in many social circles in Tampa, and many celebrate ethnic and cultural themes. The Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, the organization which founded and sponsors the parade, is the oldest krewe involved in the parade, and among the most prestigious. Members of the many krewes that now participate spend a great deal of money on beads, costumes and floats.

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An example of a typical parade float

A week before the "invasion" and the main parade, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla sponsors a family-oriented children's parade and "Piratechnic Extravaganza," with fireworks launched over Tampa Bay. 2006's fireworks display included an impressive airborne element, where an imaginary sea battle took place between a pirate ship in the harbor and a plane which shot off fireworks while doing acrobatic maneuvers.

A few weeks after the invasion, there is a more adult-oriented Sant'Yago Knight Parade (also known as the Gasparilla Night Parade) in Ybor City, held in the evening and running into the early morning. Krewes have social events and parties throughout the year for members and hold philanthropic events for favored causes. The parade is broadcast every year on WFLA-TV, and has been since 1955.

Gasparilla was first held in May 1904 in Tampa Bay but the invasion originated on horseback instead of by boat. In years past, a US Navy ship would be attacked by small boats throwing Cuban bread and black bean soup. The Navy would respond with fire hoses but would succumb to the Ybor City Navy, and then surrender to the Alcalde of Ybor City. The sailors would be treated to an evening on the town. This was discontinued after the September 11, 2001 attacks. However, the invasion itself continues as "Capt. Jose Gaspar" and his crew of "Pirates" "attack" Tampa, surrounded by hundreds of other boaters as they sail the Gasparilla Ship through Tampa Bay, land in Downtown Tampa and "take over the city."

In 2004 the event celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Florida State Fair

The annual Florida State Fair, held in mid-February, dates back to 1904 and features the best arts, crafts, livestock, entertainment and food found in Florida. It is the largest major fair in the Southeast and features one of the largest midways in the country. More than 94 rides and shows are spread over the 325-acre site located seven miles east of Tampa off of Interstate 4 Exits 4, 5 and 6A (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Orient Road and U.S. 301 and Interstate 75 Exits at Interstate 4 West and 92 West.)  Visitors come from all 67 Florida counties, all 50 states and more than one dozen foreign countries. The fair has been named "One of the Top 100 Tourist Destinations on the North American Continent" by the American Bus Association.

Strawberry Festival



The Florida Strawberry Festival began in the 1930’s when the Plant City Lions Club had the idea to celebrate the harvest of the strawberries. The Lions Club and other civic organizations have participated in the festival throughout its history. “The Florida Strawberry Festival Association” is governed by a non-paid board of directors from the local community and a small staff who work year round to make the Strawberry Festival one of the top 30 of such events in North America.

Attractions, attractions & more attractions draw crowds to the Florida Strawberry Festival. Check out over 60 thrilling rides at our Mighty Bluegrass Show’s Midway or grab a seat and tap your toe to the finest in the country music industry. We also offer daily on-grounds entertainment featuring such entertainers as the Fox Brothers, Chinese Acrobats, Runa Pacha, Dennis Lee, Linda Lou & the Lucky Four to name a few. For the younger set we offer puppet shows, two petting zoos and their very own corner for carnival rides at the Berry Patch Kiddie Corral located in a quieter area of the Festival. Watch for the Strawberry Festival Queen and her court in the Grand Feature Parade or the younger ones in our Youth Parade and Baby Parade. Agricultural shows are a must for every fair and the Strawberry Festival certainly has it share. Some of the highlights include the swine show, steer show, beef breed show, dairy show, lamb show, poultry and rabbit show. If your preference is horticulture we have the ornamental horticulture show. Are you a camera buff or artist? We have displays of photography and fine art. Don’t forget the famous Plant City strawberry used in more delectable, mouth watering treats than you can imagine. Hungry for fair food? We have some of the best cotton candy, corn dogs, polish sausage sandwiches, Texas Fries, Bloomin Onions, ice cream, kettle corn or strawberry shortcake and that’s just a few suggestions to whet your appetite.

The Florida Strawberry Festival is hosted in Plant City, FL., the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.” Enjoy the deep Florida tradition of a family oriented event with arts, crafts, horticulture, livestock, agriculture, fine arts and more. We have elegance, charm and flair of the South.

Bay Area Renaissance Festival

bay-area.htm

“Discover an enchanted realm of wizards and warriors amongst gourmet treats and unforgettable entertainment. Wander past TEN lively STAGES and street theater featuring jugglers, magicians, fire eaters and specialty acts. Check out LIVE ARMORED CONTACT JOUSTING three times daily, HUMAN CHESS MATCHES, minstrels, maidens faire, peasants, fools, and Royalty.”

Airfest at MacDill

One of the largest air shows in the Department of Defense, Air Fest features the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron -- the Thunderbirds -- performing aerial maneuvers in their F-16 Fighting Falcons. Other air acts include a demonstration of the F-15 Strike Eagle, fly-bys by the B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer bombers and a fly-by by the KC-135 Stratotanker, the cornerstone of the 6th Air Refueling Wing’s flying mission. This show is usually in mid April.

Getting To Know USF HEALTH



The University of South Florida has created USF Health as an enterprise dedicated to making life better by improving health in the wider environment, in communities, and for individuals. USF Health has, as its core, the three colleges of Public Health, Nursing and Medicine, including a School of Physical Therapy as well as the healthcare delivered by its clinicians. Originally founded as the USF Medical Center in 1965, its name has been changed to USF Health to reflect its collaborative focus on the full continuum of health.

College of Nursing



Preparing for the New World of Nursing

Nursing graduates have career options that simply didn't exist just a few short years ago. That's exciting news! This dramatic change heralds the wealth of new opportunities opening up in the field of nursing. No longer are nurses limited to hospital-based inpatient care. Today's graduates are finding fulfillment in such fast-expanding areas as home care, community health, other outpatient sites, long-term care, schools, nursing management, as well as hospitals and ambulatory care settings.

College of Medicine



Below is an excerpt from Dean Klasko’s welcome at the College of Medicine Website. We recommend that you spend some time visiting and exploring the website.

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Hello and Welcome to the USF Health

As the Vice President for USF Health, I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you about the transformation USF Health is engaged in.

Thirty four years ago, the University of South Florida College of Medicine was granted LCME accreditation as the second public university medical school in Florida. We began our life as a student centered community academic medical school and have excelled over that period of time in that mission. In 2004, the USF College of Medicine began a program of strategic change. Founded to train physicians for a growing region, it now seeks to lead health care through creative models for patient centered care, for emerging fields of research, and for integrated education.

The first step required the greatest cultural change--to propose that medicine, nursing and public health form a partnership to change the fundamentals of health care. The partnership was founded on the idea that health care can only be transformed when it is understood in the context of the full spectrum of health -- From the environment, to policy, to the community, to the family, to individual behavior, to acute care, to chronic care, and lastly to end-of-life care. To stimulate this creativity and innovation, we created USF Health -- the partnership of the colleges of public health, nursing and medicine. USF Health facilitates interdisciplinary creativity by faculty, and it symbolizes our commitment to co-create an optimistic future for health and health care.

The Tampa Bay area is one of the fastest growing, most beautiful regions in the country. Florida is exerting its dominance in bioscience and biotechnology. The University of South Florida has evolved into a premier research university and is now among the elite research universities in the most recent Carnegie classification and was one of the two fastest growing research universities during the last fiscal year. The USF college of medicine has been a major drive of that success. Despite all the changes occurring in academic health care, our faculty, students and administration believe that our best efforts and results are still to come. We are developing leaders, not just followers, in health care reform. Most importantly, we are moving forward toward research, clinical and academic excellence without forgetting our birthright—providing a world class medical education for students in Florida and beyond in a student friendly environment.

My thanks to Academic Medicine for the opportunity to share our strategic blueprint.

Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA

Dean, College of Medicine

Vice President for USF Health

University of South Florida

College of Public Health



Established in July 1984 with an initial enrollment of 100 students, the College is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and has graduated over 2,000 students. Current enrollment includes nearly 600 Master's and doctoral full and part-time students. Constructed in 1991, the College building houses an auditorium, classrooms, a distance education studio, computer classrooms, and 17 laboratories. More than 91 faculty provide education, research and service impacting local, state, national and global public health.

USF Health Faculty Affairs and Academic Affairs

This is the link to the official website for faculty affairs. There are links to specifics about USF Health, the Colleges to which faculty are appointed, policies that affect them, research information, support services, and resources for teaching, research, and more. Promotion and Tenure guidelines are located within these pages.

Each semester, the USF Health Office of Faculty Affairs coordinates a USF Health-wide New Faculty Reception and a separate College Orientation to acquaint you with USF Health, our Vice President, initiatives, direction, and research. You are invited. If, for some reason, you do not receive a written invitation, please advise your chair and request that you be included. You won't want to miss this. We strongly recommend you attend.

Promotion and Tenure (COM)

Faculty Assistance Program

As a faculty member USF Health, you are an important asset. Through your efforts we continue to grow and develop. For this reason, USF Health takes a special interest in your well being on and off the job. With this as an important consideration, The University of South Florida College of Medicine, offers a Faculty Assistance Program (FAP).

Most people at some point in their lives experience what is called a “major life stress.” Examples may include financial worries, marital difficulty, separation or divorce, drug or alcohol problems, child and adolescent concerns, etc. These may be concerns that affect you directly or indirectly regardless of age, gender or job. Generally, you can deal with your own problems and manage them successfully. When problems grow beyond your ability to deal with them, you can be affected emotionally, physically, socially and occupationally.

In recognition of these important concerns, we have established your FAP through the aid of Gary L.Wood & Associates, P.A. – an organization specializing in the design and administration of similar programs with major organizations across the country. Wood & Associates is staffed with highly qualified professionals who are available to provide guidance and assistance.

Your contact with the FAP is confidential as provided within the parameters of professional ethics, the University of South Florida contract, and applicable state and federal law.

The services of the Faculty Assistance Program are available to you and any dependent eligible for insurance benefits whether or not they are currently covered under your policy.

Up to the first three (3) visits by you and/or each of your dependents to your FAP are at no charge to you or your family member. Additional contacts may be covered by your behavioral health insurance plan. If testing is recommended, the costs will be the expense of the client or may be covered by your behavioral health insurance.

There probably will be charges for most of the professional resources to which you may be referred by your FAP representative.

Through experience, Wood & Associates has found that many people contacting an FAP want assessment and support from an FAP representative for personal, marital or family problems. Behavioral health insurance benefits may provide coverage for concerns requiring treatment. In some cases, your FAP representative may suggest clinics, as opposed to private practitioners as a further step toward the lowest possible costs. Every case, every problem, every budget is different. There may very well be low cost or no-cost ways to resolve your problem. One thing is certain, however; it won’t cost you anything to find out.

|1)|Your FAP is easily accessed by dialing a designated phone line: (813) 871-1293 |

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|2)|If you are out of area, you may dial (800) 343-4670 toll free |

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|3)|Your University of South Florida Health representatives, Martha E. Brown, M.D. (Associate Dean for Faculty Development) or Robert |

| |Moering, Ph.D. (Director of Programs) will be glad to assist you in contacting the FAP representative. Just call (813) 396-9651. |

The FAP phone is answered “live” both during regular office hours and by the after-hours service. During evening hours or holidays, a live answering service will take your call and an FAP representative “on call” will respond promptly. All you have to say is that you are calling the FAP.

Human Resources



USF Health Human Resources is committed to providing world-class service to its current and potential faculty and staff.

It is important that you attend the Benefits Orientation for new faculty and staff. Please contact USF Health Human Resources at 974-3870 to make a reservation.

As a new Employee, you have 60 days from your date of hire to enroll in benefits. To avoid missing the deadline to apply for benefits, please ensure that you attend the Benefits Orientation and allow time to enroll in insurance plans within 60 days of starting to work at USF.

You are also encouraged to attend Discover USF, an orientation to the University. To reserve your spot, call Human Resources on Main Campus at 974-2970.

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