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Ernest Hooper, Times Columnist/East Hillsborough Bureau Chief

Ernest Hooper is the East Hillsborough Bureau chief and columnist at the Tampa Bay Times. Hooper joined the Times in 1992 and has worked as a prep sports writer and editor, TV/radio sports columnist, NFL writer, news columnist and unofficial ambassador, representing the Times as an emcee, judge or keynote speaker at hundreds of nonprofit events and civic functions. Hooper added the role of East Hillsborough Bureau chief in 2012. He oversees news content for the Times' regional editions east of Tampa — the SouthShore & Brandon Times and the Plant City Times — and writes two columns a week. His commentaries about family, community issues and political perspectives have helped Hooper connect with readers over the years, but he's probably best known for his signature tagline: That's all I'm saying.

Phone: (813) 661-2440

Email: ehooper@tampabay.com

  1. Chef Robert Irvine energizes Haven of RCS fundraiser

    05/19/13 Human Interest By Ernest Hooper, Times Columnist

    Chef Robert Irvine proved to be a master showman at the Hilton at Clearwater Beach when he hosted locals at the Dinner: Possible fundraiser for the Haven of RCS last week.

    The Food Network star of Restaurant: Impossible brought an energy to the room, engaged the participants with food tips and humor and inspired with his generosity. Thanks to Irvine and event sponsor Clarity Services, four people bid thousands for first-class trips to an upcoming taping of Irvine's show....

  2. Ciccio's California expanding to Brandon

    05/18/13NewsBy Ernest Hooper, Times Staff Writer

    RIVERVIEW — Promising to bring pasta, pizza, wraps and its signature California bowls to the area, restaurateurs James Lanza and Jeff Gigante announced this week they will open a Ciccio's California restaurant at Winthrop Town Centre this fall.

    The partners expect to open in November in a building under construction on the east end of the mixed-use center. Ciccio's will share the 6,500-square-foot building with the Egg and I, a breakfast chain that plans to open in the fall....

  3. Hooper: Delta Sigma Theta sorority commands attention, respect

    05/16/13 Human Interest By Ernest Hooper, Times Columnist

    For some, the word sorority immediately inspires visions of college-age women wearing Greek-lettered shirts, gathering for social functions and staging philanthropic events.

    Candle-bearing rituals, fraternity mixers, step shows and memorizing the sorority history may also come to mind.

    But Paulette Walker wants you to know there's so much more, especially with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc....

  4. Ernest Hooper: Work remains in struggle to end discrimination

    05/12/13 Human Interest By Ernest Hooper, Columnist

    Community Tampa Bay celebrated the life-changing success of its Anytown program at a luncheon last week, but the nonprofit also reminded us that there is work to be done in its quest to end discrimination.

    Officials shared how an employee has to endure a co-worker repeatedly using the n-word, even though the employee asked her to stop. Management has yet to take action.

    Check your calendar. Yes, it is 2013. Yes, it's still a problem....

  5. Some mother-daughter relationships show up later in life

    05/11/13 Human Interest By Ernest Hooper, Times Columnist

    Our special package of Mother's Day stories in today's edition primarily focuses on the heartwarming relationships mothers and their daughters share over the spectrum of time.

    The stories have proved even more captivating than we first imagined, but we still saw the need to add some expert insight. We wanted to talk to someone who could give an in-depth analysis of how the bond forms between mothers and daughters....

  6. Hooper: By living well, a widow honors her love

    05/11/13 Human Interest By Ernest Hooper, Times Columnist

    As 600 people prepared to gather at the Palmetto Club in FishHawk Ranch last fall to celebrate Leon Brockmeier's life and mourn his surprising death, his wife wondered if it could be possible.

    Melanie Brockmeier thought it could be stress. After all, her 33-year-old husband had died in her arms days before. She had lost her best friend and now faced the challenge of raising their two sons without him....

    Melanie and Leon Brockmeier fell for each other quickly. Leon died in September at just 33.

  7. Success stories help unite communities

    05/09/13 Human Interest By Ernest Hooper, Times Columnist

    Ketchup sandwiches.

    On the good days — the good days — ketchup sandwiches helped sustain Mercedes Soler between meager breakfasts and beans-and-rice dinners.

    As a sixth-grader in a tough Chicago neighborhood, the Cuban-born Soler found herself living in poverty with two loving immigrant parents who did all they could to make sure she and her twin sister enjoyed at least one good meal every day....

  8. Hooper: Speaking of Salvador Dalí … a sampling of secrets

    05/05/13 Human Interest By Ernest Hooper, Metro Columnist

    The Salvador Dalí Museum stages a 24-hour reading of the artist's autobiography — The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí — starting at 11 a.m. Friday with more than 80 readers.

    I get to do the 4:15 a.m. reading, but I can't figure out if I should wear a bathrobe or pajamas. Hey, just keeping it surreal.

    If you're curious about my fashion choice, come out. Admission to the St. Petersburg museum is free for members throughout the read-a-thon, free for all guests during regular hours and $5 after 5:30 p.m. …...

  9. 37 treated after pepper spray incident at Brandon middle school

    05/03/13 Public Safety By Jessica Vander Velde and Ernest Hooper, Times Staff Writers

    BRANDON — Thirty-six Brandon students and a school employee were hospitalized Friday afternoon after a student discharged pepper spray at McLane Middle School, authorities said.

    It happened about 2:30 p.m. in a crowded hallway, with students moving between classes, said Hills­borough County school district spokesman Stephen Hegarty.

    Authorities say 93 students and three teachers were affected — "coughing, watery eyes, scratchy throats," Hegarty said. A 12-year-old girl was taken into custody Friday afternoon on a misdemeanor charge of disruption of school function, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. She was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center, where she was set to be released to a parent....

  10. Starting Right, Now secures a home for young people near Bayshore

    05/02/13 Human Interest By Ernest Hooper, Times Columnist

    Vicki Sokolik hovered between unyielding gratitude and sheer joy Wednesday.

    Sokolik, the executive director of Starting Right, Now, spent Wednesday officially assuming control of the old Haven Poe Runaway Shelter near Bayshore Boulevard. Under Starting Right, Now's watchful eye, the Tampa shelter will serve as an apartment complex for the unaccompanied youths her upstart nonprofit organization serves....

  11. Rebuilding Together repairs St. Petersburg family's home and outlook

    04/28/13 Human Interest By Ernest Hooper, Metro Columnist

    Today, life is a little better for George Burton, his wife, Aletha Hodges, and their children — 8-year-old Aleeann and 6-year-old Moses — thanks to Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay.

    The couple bought a small home near Campbell Park in St. Petersburg, but both lost their factory jobs. Burton then suffered a back injury working a construction job and awaits surgery. On Saturday, a Rebuilding Together team added an air conditioning unit and made other much-needed upgrades....

  12. April 26 Yelptucky Derby party shows community connection

    04/25/13EventsBy Ernest Hooper, Times Columnist

    Stilt walkers and ballet dancers from Busch Gardens, games from Lowry Park Zoo, two bands, 30 restaurants and more than 600 people from all around Central Florida will converge on the Winthrop Barn in Riverview tonight — because nine years ago a man in San Francisco found the old yellow page business directory to be ineffective.

    Yep, a Yelp party is on the rise. The Yelptucky Derby arrives at the Barn with Wimauma restaurant proprietor Amy and Gary Moran serving as hosts....

  13. More out-of-the-box thinking, not less

    04/21/13 Human Interest By Ernest Hooper, Columnist

    University of South Florida Health CEO Stephen Klasko spoke at the Frameworks of Tampa Bay luncheon last week, and once again his remarks made me wonder why his vision of greater collaboration among Tampa Bay's health care providers hasn't gained more traction.

    Frameworks' youth programs focus on the same emotional and social intelligence aspects Klasko emphasized in changing the approach at the medical school....

  14. More than just meet-and-greet

    04/20/13BusinessBy Ernest Hooper, Times Staff Writer

    TAMPA

    As the chief executive officer of the Nonprofit Leadership Center of Tampa Bay, Grace Armstrong doesn't just strive to provide affordable training and coaching to nonprofits, she aims to have the center serve as a conduit between nonprofits and for-profit companies. • She recognized that bringing together leaders from both entities generated a tangible energy. It created joyful networking instead of obligatory meet-and-greet sessions. That's why the center's third annual leadership conference on Friday at the A la Carte Pavilion will feature presenters whose information can benefit a variety of businesses. • "The leadership conference will convene people from our community interested in growing their companies," Armstrong said. "We're going to address customer and employee engagement in a very engaging way. Jon Acuff, who is part of the Dave Ramsey team, is a smart and charming young man. • "He's going to talk about starting now to make your life awesome and how to take your life from mediocre or average to awesome. Who wouldn't want to hear that message? Whether you're a for-profit or nonprofit, we all want to be awesome." • Armstrong recently spoke with Times columnist Ernest Hooper about the conference, the challenges of running the leadership center and how her improving golf game helps shape her advice for nonprofits....

    Grace Armstrong of the Nonprofit Leadership Center of Tampa Bay pauses for a photo with husband, Ken, at a golf course in Scotland. Armstrong relates learning the game to the lessons her center delivers to nonprofit leaders and the center’s board.

  15. Grammy Museum program recruiting local talent

    04/18/13 Human Interest By Ernest Hooper, Metro Columnist

    The annual Grammy Awards presentation always manages to bring together intriguing, surprising and, ultimately, satisfying musical combinations for its best performances.

    February's show saw the Black Keys join New Orleans' Dr. John and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band for a stirring rendition of the rock group's Lonely Boy.

    And the legendary Sting kept up with youthful Bruno Mars on a pair of songs....