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- Issue #452: Sister City Spotlight: 60 Years with Colombia | Creative Aging in Ruskin | USF Soars in Rankings
Issue #452: Sister City Spotlight: 60 Years with Colombia | Creative Aging in Ruskin | USF Soars in Rankings
9/9/2025
Ted Grellner
09 Sep
Keep your finger on the Pulse!
GOOD MORNING
Today I’m a bit heavy on articles about the USF football victory over UF, but they earned it. Next week’s test: Miami.
Dr Ted
USAF Retired
Tampa Bay Tidbits: Local and Beyond - new podcast episodes on Mondays
THIS WEEK: n/a
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar —> Feel free to post events of interest to our community; its quite easy to do.
Local News
— Sister City Legacy: Tampa Reflects on Six Decades with Colombia
Of Interest
— Tampa Museum Hosts Watercolor Quilting Class for Ages 55+ in Ruskin
Sports
— USF Shocks Gators in The Swamp; Mercedes Sapp Leads Viral Celebration
— USF Bulls Crack AP Top 25 After Stunning Start to Season
🎵 Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
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Sister City Legacy: Tampa Reflects on Six Decades with Colombia
Tampa’s historic relationship with Barranquilla, Colombia, marked a major milestone this weekend as representatives from both cities gathered at Old City Hall to celebrate nearly 60 years of cultural exchange.
Formed in 1966, the sister city relationship has grown into a vibrant partnership through education, diplomacy, and shared heritage. One of the cornerstones is the 31-year academic exchange between USF and the University of El Norte, including student and faculty collaborations.
Ivonne Alvarez, a dual citizen and Tampa Barranquilla Committee member, emphasized the impact of the program:
“It’s about helping everyone understand each other a little better.”
Victoria Ivanez, Executive Director of the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce, praised the enduring legacy:
“We’ve supported and learned from each other for so many years.”
As the 60th anniversary approaches in 2026, leaders hope the partnership continues to strengthen global ties through cultural understanding.
Tampa Museum Hosts Watercolor Quilting Class for Ages 55+ in Ruskin
The Tampa Museum of Art is offering a unique six-week class for adults 55+, blending watercolor, collage, and cultural history into one vibrant creative experience.
“Studio 55: Watercolor Paper Quilting” runs Sundays from September 14 to October 19, 1:00–3:00 PM, at the Firehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin.
Participants will create a new quilt square each week, inspired by African American quilting traditions and artists like Mark Bradford. Through Impressionist-style washes, symbolic imagery, and layered textures, students will explore how quilts preserve personal stories and cultural memory.
The course is ideal for beginner to intermediate artists, and costs $30 per session. Sliding scale pricing and need-based scholarships are available. Art+ members receive a 20% discount on registration.
It’s more than just a studio class — it’s a journey into visual storytelling and creative legacy-building.
📍 Firehouse Cultural Center | 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin, FL
🔗 Register Here
USF Shocks Gators in The Swamp; Mercedes Sapp Leads Viral Celebration
In one of the biggest upsets of the season, the University of South Florida stunned the Florida Gators with an 18–16 last-second victory in Gainesville on September 6.
USF kicker Nico Gramatica sealed the win with a 20-yard field goal as time expired, capping off a chaotic final drive. Florida’s defense crumbled under pressure, committing two costly penalties—pass interference and unsportsmanlike conduct for spitting—that helped move the Bulls into scoring range.
The win was historic: USF had never beaten the Gators in four previous meetings and hadn’t defeated a ranked opponent on the road in 14 years. Entering the game as 18.5-point underdogs, the Bulls flipped the script in dramatic fashion.
Mercedes Sapp, daughter of NFL legend Warren Sapp and a USF staffer, went viral with emotional posts from the sidelines. Declaring “Chaos in the Swamp” and “bull territory,” her reaction captured the energy of the moment.
Meanwhile, Florida head coach Billy Napier now faces mounting pressure after the humiliating home loss.
USF Bulls Crack AP Top 25 After Stunning Start to Season
The USF Bulls have officially broken into the national rankings, landing at No. 18 in the AP Top 25 and No. 23 in the Coaches Poll after their thrilling 18–16 upset of Florida in Gainesville.
The Bulls are now 2–0 against ranked teams, having dismantled then-No. 25 Boise State in Week 1 and outlasting No. 13 Florida in Week 2 — making them the only team in the nation with two ranked wins this early.
Head coach Alex Golesh is steering a historic start. The Bulls are also the first Florida program to earn road wins at all six in-state FBS schools.
Even more elite: USF joins just eight other teams in history to beat Florida, Florida State, and Miami on the road.
The Bulls now turn to a marquee matchup against Miami next week, as fans and alumni celebrate this explosive national breakthrough.
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Top Things to do in Tampa Bay |
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🎭 Tonight in Wesley Chapel & New Tampa: Film & Arts Spotlight:
New Tampa Performing Arts Center — Season kickoff of Annual Arts Festival (Sept 12–14) is later this week
New Tampa Performing Arts CenterHillsborough County
Tampa Bay History Center — “Lure of Florida Fishing” Exhibit
Not WC/NT proper; runs through Jan. 11, 2026.
Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
The Arts
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series
Theater
-NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre
Misc
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
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