from the editor

TAMPA BAY - CITY IN PINK

One of the most significant tools we have today is the power of human connection.

That’s why awareness months, weeks, and days are so important: They rally us together to spread a message and to show support. They help us create a comforting feeling that no matter what you’re going through, you don’t have to do it alone. Having the support of your loved ones, as well as the community where you live, can make a huge difference. Our beautiful city of Tampa Bay does a fantastic job at celebrating “National Month” events.

October observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month, LGBT History Month, ADHD Awareness Month, Emotional Wellness Month, and Italian-American Heritage Month, amongst others numerous events of extreme significance not just nationally but worldwide. During October, numerous momand-pop shops and other locally owned businesses established multiple promotions and fundraising events to show their support for many of these different causes while getting their name and message out there to the public. Starting October 1st until the 31st, 2021, Tampa Bay will be shinning pretty in pink! CREW Tampa Bay efforts included asking owners, managers, and tenants of Tampa Bay properties to display their support to breast cancer awareness month by illuminating pink for CREW Tampa Bay CITY IN PINK. Per CREW’s Tampa Bay website message, “CREW Tampa Bay CITY IN PINK is a reminder to stay vigilant in the fight for a cure and will be a touching tribute to breast cancer survivors and the lives that have been affected by the disease. With so much uncertainty in our world today, we want CREW Tampa Bay CITY IN PINK to be a source of HOPE for those who have been affected by this disease and a reminder that cancer never stops, and neither should its awareness. CREW Tampa Bay CITY IN PINK has been going strong for six years! We want to continue the success of this Tampa Bay tradition with more buildings than ever. Together we can inspire our community and share a light of hope, courage, and strength.” Please visit https:// crewtampabay.org/ for more information. For resourceful information on breast screening exams and mammograms for lowincome households, please check: https://

www.freemammograms.org/city/fl-tampa

Other October observances include; National Apple Month, Vegetarian Awareness Month, National Pizza Month, National Dessert Month, and National Pork Month. You would think vegetarians would not want to share their month with bacon lovers, but I am glad there’s no beef between them! This sounds like the perfect month to indulge at a family-owned restaurant and enjoying a big Italian-American meal. Make sure you leave enough room for an apple pie for dessert; it can be your new October tradition!

With Halloween festivities fastly approaching, the City of Tampa wants to keep families participating in trick-or-treating events as safe from COVID as possible. For a detailed list of Halloween safety tips and an incredible list of family-friendly Halloween events, please visit: https://www.tampa.gov/ news/city-tampa-shares-covid-19-safetytips-trick-or-treating-and-other-halloweenfestivities Until next time, stay safe!

Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi