Dishing with Mark & Carrie 1-9-13

Great Time To Visit GaYBOR
Welcome to 2013. A great start to the New Year 2013 is happening in GaYBOR / Ybor City. A record number of GLBT out of area and international visitors have come to checkout LOGO TV’s top GLBT American spots and have returned to revisit our wonderful city in 2012. The friendliness and courtesy given to out of town guests have been rewarded with friends telling friends.
A full schedule of spring events are now on the GaYBOR/ Ybor City calendar. Start planning your upcoming special fun events including the Annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest Weekend parties (1-26), Sant Yago Night Parade (2-9), 19th Annual Gasparilla Gay Softball Classic (2-15,17) and Ybor City Fiesta Day (2-23) to name a few spectacular fun times.
GaYBOR District Coalition is being featured in February in MEN Magazine, a major GLBT European Magazine from Germany. It is being internationally ranked as a must place to visit. We have it all to enjoy here in Tampa Bay. Super Clubs, boutique restaurants, select hotels, variety of shopping, museums, community center, non profit headquarters, all types of arts, outdoor festivals and the hospitable charm of our residents. The weather is an absolute asset too!
Also our quaint attractiveness of a community has filming of a new gay detective movie, “Ybor City” scheduled to be released later this fall on the festival circuit.
Well, it looks like the hard work and great positive efforts of a community working together will keep GaYBOR/ Ybor City moving ahead in years to come. Viva La GaYBOR 2013! www.GaYBOR.com
 .
Can a Building Have a Spirit?
I once asked my friend Jack S. if he believed in ghosts. He said that he wasn’t sure but he did believe that a human soul was made of energy. Then went on to say “Energy can not be destroyed, it just changes form. Energy from the sun grows plants that decay and become oil that power generators…that produce electricity …that so on and so on.” This got me thinking. Do buildings collect energy from people and thus have energy too? Back in the 80’s we purchased and old building and renovated it. With every new improvement it was like the building was saying, “Thank You.” This past week I was back in that same old building touching up the paint, cleaning etc. In a strange fun way it was almost as if the building was talking to me. It was saying “good to see you again.” How are you doing. Maybe, it was my memory working over time, or maybe just maybe….. The next time you visit an old favorite building see if you can feel the energy.
 .
New Year’s Resolutions
Like to….. Meet New People? Make New Friends? Help Your Community? Volunteer Time? Get involved???Now is the time to be a part of a growing organization in Tampa Bay and  join the GaYBOR District Coalition. The monthly meetings are on the 2nd Friday of the month.
January’s meeting will be this Friday, Jan 11, 2013 at The Hampton Inn & Suites. The meeting starts at 4 PM and are FREE and open to the community. Guest speaker is Tom Barker from Tampa Bays
 Una Voce: Florida Men’s Chorale.
To become an active member is just $35 for couples/ individuals and $75 for businesses per year. Look forward to meeting you all there. Viva La GaYBOR.
 .
Favorite GaYBOR/ Ybor City Tip
There are so many fun things to do in GaYBOR/ Ybor City. In Centro Ybor at Centro Muvico 20 on the theaters east end is a special section. This area was created especially for the 21 & up generations with beer & wine available. The seats are larger and the arm rests all have built in cup holders. The week day lunch buffet at The Laughing Cat Restaurant is the Best in the City! VIP’s from across Tampa can be spotted dining here. There are Many Celebrity Bartender Happy Hours. Christian at Carne’s. Especially fun on Tuesdays. Bonnie is at The Crowbar every Wednesday 5-8. Ask to be on her private text update list. Tea Cup is on the balcony at Hamburger Mary’s Every Fri, Sat & Sun. The Sunday FUNday party is off the chain with a drag show by Miss Melanie Minyon. The legendary Corvette Carol is a must do. Stop by The Green Iguana on 7th today. On Saturdays mornings enjoy the Ybor City Saturday Market located in Centennial Park with homemade food items, handmade crafts, entertainment and fresh vegetable produce stand.
 .
Honored American Icon Patti Page Passes
Patti Page, the American singing Idol of Idols passed away on New Years Day at the age of 85. She was a champion charmer with over 100 million records sold. Her traditional pop songs were a trend for many up and coming singing artists and gave way to mimicking drag acts and performances at gay bars. Patti’s voice was calming and graceful and lured everyone’s  attention.
She was born Clara Ann Fowler in 1927 but changed her name after winning a Dairy sponsored singing pageant to Patti Page. She was the best selling female artist of the 1950’s and had a special way with song and words. She sang both traditional pop and country music and received high honors in both styles.
Most noted for her signature traditional songs including, “Tennessee Waltz, “Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte” and campy pop tune,“How Much is That Doggie in the Window.”
 .
Fun from Facebook