Issue #131: USF’s New Role in Global Virus Network; Florida School Safety Update; MLB All Star Voting

06/06/2024

Author

Ted Grellner
06 Jun

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GOOD MORNING

Yesterday was a day for major news coming out of USF, so we’re top heavy on that front, but deservedly so.

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**Today is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Normandy. ABC ran a special segment on it last night, which moved beyond words.

**This Saturday, the Tampa History Museum will be honoring this historic event with their Living History Saturday. Click HERE for more information and event times.

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ALSO, if you employed 1099 workers who contracted COVID during the years of 2020-2021, they could be eligible for tax credits worth $1000’s from a new program called SETC (Self Employment Tax Credits) now available for a very limited time!

This program is NOT the old ERTC. If they qualify, you will make their day!

Dr Ted
USAF Retired

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In this issue of

NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

Local News

👨‍⚕️ USF Named Global Virus Network HQ; Renowned Virologist Dr. Robert Gallo Joins Faculty

⛳ USF Plans Major Mixed-Use Development on Former Golf Course

Of Interest

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Florida Schools to Lock All Doors for Safety Starting July 1

Sports

⚾ MLB All Star Ballot

 ⚾ Unique Lou Gehrig Cards Up for Auction to Battle ALS

🎵  Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

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USF Named Global Virus Network HQ; Renowned Virologist Dr. Robert Gallo Joins Faculty

Congrats USF!

The University of South Florida (USF) will host the international headquarters of the Global Virus Network (GVN), an organization uniting over 80 Centers of Excellence across more than 40 countries.

Dr. Robert Gallo, co-founder of GVN and a leading virologist, will join the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the James P. Cullison Professor of Medicine and director of the USF Health Virology Center.

This partnership will enhance USF’s research capabilities and global reputation, aligning with its mission to tackle complex health issues and create a healthier future.

Dr. Gallo, renowned for his discovery of the first human RNA tumor virus and the co-discovery of HIV-1 as the cause of AIDS, will also serve in multiple roles at the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute and the USF Microbiomes Institute. Gallo and his team will transition from the University of Maryland to USF, beginning their work in July.

USF Plans Major Mixed-Use Development on Former Golf Course

The University of South Florida (USF) plans to redevelop the 120-acre Claw at USF golf course into a vibrant mixed-use development. The project, inspired by successful local developments like Water Street Tampa and Midtown Tampa, aims to revitalize the area with retail, dining, housing, and green spaces.

Carole Post, USF’s vice president for facilities, highlighted the potential for transformation during a recent board of trustees meeting. The university cannot sell the land but must develop it to support its mission. Real estate firms Cushman and Wakefield and Brailsford and Dunlavey are collaborating on this public-private partnership.

Preliminary plans include amenities such as housing, dining, retail, academic and research spaces, conference areas, and recreational facilities. Mike Griffin, vice chair of USF’s board, emphasized the mission-driven nature of the project, focusing on neighborhood transformation.

Despite the excitement, community members, including Jeannie Mounger, express concerns about increased traffic and environmental impacts on the adjacent Forest Preserve.

Did you know that New Tampa is home to one of the few remaining natural sandhill habitats in Florida? 

The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve, right in our backyard, contains this rare ecosystem which supports a unique array of wildlife, including the endangered Florida sandhill crane and gopher tortoise.

This area offers residents an incredible opportunity to experience Florida’s natural beauty and biodiversity up close, making it a hidden gem within our urban landscape.

Florida Schools to Lock All Doors for Safety Starting July 1

Starting July 1, a new Florida law requires all school doors, hallways, and gates to be locked during learning hours. Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, this measure aims to enhance campus security but presents logistical challenges.

Lee Bryant, President of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, notes the complexity of implementation. "The challenge is preventing unauthorized entry while managing practical concerns like bathroom breaks and clinic trips," he explains. Schools are considering solutions such as individualized key cards and programmable hall passes, though costly.

Bryant has discussed the new measures with key officials, including the Pinellas County Schools' chief of police and safety officer, to ensure teachers are informed and protected.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualteri, who led a safety committee after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, supports the measure, emphasizing that locked doors are crucial in preventing future incidents. The law will be put to the test when students return in the fall.

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MLB All Star Ballot

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Unique Lou Gehrig Cards Up for Auction to Battle ALS

Lou Gehrig's legacy remains strong over 80 years after his death. Baseball fans now have a chance to honor his memory and support those battling ALS, the disease that claimed his life.

Starting Sunday, June 2, MLB Auctions will host a special event commemorating Lou Gehrig Day, benefiting the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS. The auction features unique Gehrig Day baseball cards, one for each team, highlighting players selected by MLB writer and researcher Sarah Langs, who is fighting ALS and will be honored by the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

The chosen players have special connections to Gehrig through statistics, ALS community support, or their passion for baseball. Fans can also bid on the "Priceless New York Yankees" experience, offered by Mastercard.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive, terminal neurodegenerative condition affecting around 30,000 people in the U.S. and 500,000 globally. There is no cure. By participating in this auction, fans can help advance ALS treatment and improve lives.

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