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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dear All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Our September meeting of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida will be held on Saturday, September 28 from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. at O’Brien’s Irish Pub, located at 701 W. Lumsden Road in Brandon. A social gathering will be held prior to the meeting. O’Brien’s opens at 11:00 a.m., so come early to eat, meet, & greet your NFB chapter family!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Our guest speakers this month will be focused on public transportation. Ivan Maldonado, Director of Bus Operations for Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART), will hsare the current status of HART, where HART is headed in the upcoming months, and some information about the law suit challenging the constitutionality of the sales tax referendum voters approved in November. We are also planning to have David Smith, HART’s attorney, share additional information on the law suit and how we, as an organization, can have a positive impact on this law suit. Since public transportation is a vital concern for the blind, we are hoping a large turn-out will help educate us about how our grassroots involvement can make a significant difference. We hope to see many of you on Saturday! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Attached to this message are two ublic service announcements for you to listen to and share with your network. One of them features our own Lloyd Mathews and the cumulative voices of our Tampa Bay Chapter. I hope you enjoy them and share them widely!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We are approaching our busiest time of the year and your involvement is key! Here are a few dates to put on your calendar:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Monday, October 7 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HART Board of Directors’ Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1201 E. 7<sup>th</sup> Ave.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>9:00 a.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Saturday, October 26<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>White Cane Safety Day March<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>North Dale Mabry Hwy. & Spruce Ave.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>10:00 until 11:30 a.m. with lunch following at Denney’s<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Monday, November 3<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HART Board of Directors’ Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1201 E. 7<sup>th</sup> Ave.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>9:00 a.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Wednesday, November 6<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meet the Blind Activity <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tampa Mayor’s food Truck Rally<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Gaslight Park<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>241 E. Madison Street (between Tampa & Franklin Streets)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sponsored by the Tampa Downtown Partnership<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Saturday, November 23<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Monthly Chapter Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Beef O’Brady’s<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>8810 N. Himes Ave.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Eat, Meet, & Greet prior to the meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Monday, December 2<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HART Board of Directors’ Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1201 E. 7<sup>th</sup> Ave<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>9:00 a.m. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>So, come join the most dynamic chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida as we raise expectations and live the lives we want!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fraternally yours,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion Gwizdala<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we arise the expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds you back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>