Dishing with Mark & Carrie 8-12-15

Summer of Rum Festival
This Saturday at the Cuban Club Ybor City
12 NOON – 11PM
 
GaYBOR Meeting
THIS THURSDAY
 
Masquerade Ball, A Great Balance TB Event
    Last Saturday Night the Tampa Bay organization that helps out so many area charities, Balance Tampa Bay, threw their first great Masquerade Ball Benefit for ASAP/ Empath in St. Petersburg. The overwhelming turnout had over 800 guised attendees that benefited the local Aids Service organization. A colorful costumed couple on stilts had their share of pictures at the greeted entrance as well as Balance Tampa Bay president, Scott Kligmann. At the other end was Art Smith with Channel 125 interviewing the masqueraders. The pace setting music was sensational with DJCK at the in the sky spinning turntables.
      The organizations Host and Hostesses greeted the charade of costumers into a fantasy arena of mystic. Some dressed very elaborate with face guards to simple sheik scarf’s over the face. It was a very classy colorful party that we believe will be a big annual event. Club officer, Mike Hydorn made sure that the party was into high gear right from the time costumers walked thru the doors.
     This first of many special events was held at the newly renovated District 3 (formerly an old gay icon bar, the Factory) venue in downtown Tampa. Club owner, Gary Alan gave us a preview of the many parts of the new 4 separate or combined venue events facility. As what we used to really enjoy was the patio. Now it is even better with 2 story deck to view Tampa’s downtown and new Channelside District.
    The Grand opening of District 3 is set for this October. Many major upgraded changes to the building as they gutted the old bars and walls to facilitate a new era of Tampa venue parties and events.
      It is very modern & Hi Tec designed with 4 large rentable venue spaces. A WOW open faced sound and HD graphic booth. New HD LED lighting is so new that this is new testing grounds for some lighting companies. The art work on the walls was decor du’ excellence! From corporate parties to private car shows it will have the ability for variety of events.
     A great time and Kudos to the Balance Tampa Bay group of volunteers who put on such a great community GLBT event.
TAMPA PRIDE 2016 General Meeting
    The next general TAMPA PRIDE 2016 meeting is set for Tuesday, August 25th at the Hampton Inn Ybor City Conference Room at 6 pm.
    Get involved with all the Pride and Enjoyment of the Annual TAMPA PRIDE Festivities and Parade. A great way to network and know about the First Gay Pride of the Year in America set right here in Tampa!
    Everyone is welcome to participate. We welcome and need new volunteers and your new ideas. Tell your friends, social groups and company associates.
    The TAMPA PRIDE LAUNCH Party is going to be held September 17th at City Side Lounge. More info coming soon.
    TAMPA PRIDE Parade and Festival is set for March 26, 2016 in historic Ybor City.
TAMPA PRIDE GAY MEXICAN CRUISE
    This year something new is added. TAMPA PRIDE is putting together an El Goya Reunion Party and Pillage & Plunder Event on the 1st Annual TAMPA PRIDE GAY Mexican Cruise,  March 28 through April 2nd.
    The new Gay Cruise will be on  Carnival Cruise Lines and leaving from Tampa’s Port. The TAMPA PRIDE Cruise is being set up by AlandChuck.Travel.
    Make plans for a super week of great Pride memories, March 28 – April 2nd!.
House Tenting in the South
    If you live in the South you are used to seeing houses and buildings tented for termites. These little flying creatures can take over and easily eat and destroy any building.
    This week we are tenting our house to rid those little wood eating pests. We had the house tented just 10 years ago. Because of all the termite wings on the sills we decided we’d had better tent our house again and we are! It really doesn’t  matter if you have an older or new home or building, termites will destroy your property.
    We were told by our pest control company, Haskell Termite Pest Control that because of all the humid and wet weather the termites are out of control this year.
    Here are some of the questions people frequently ask about termites and tenting treatment…
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What is Vikane gas fumigant?
Vikane is a colorless, odorless gas that quickly penetrates structural materials during whole-structure fumigation. Vikane, backed by nearly 50 years of university research, practical use and published reports is non staining, non corrosive and nonflammable. Vikane quickly dissipates from the structure into the atmosphere and does not damage the ozone layer.Is whole-structure fumigation with Vikane a good choice for real estate transactions?
Many title companies require that a home is treated for termites before it can be purchased. Also, most buyers expect the home that they are purchasing is going to be treated.

Whole-structure fumigation with Vikane gas fumigant meets all state and lender requirements for real estate transactions. Whole-structure fumigation is the best dry wood termite treatment because it gives both the buyer and seller peace of mind that all of the dry wood termite colonies have been eliminated.

Does whole-structure fumigation kill other pests in my home, such as spiders, ants and lizards?
Fumigation professionals calculate the fumigant dosage they use based on the target pest they are eliminating, such as dry wood termites. If you would like to control other pests in your home, talk to your local fumigation professional about setting up a specific pest control plan for those pests. We only guarantee for the target pest we are fumigating for.

Will there be any live termites in my home after whole-structure fumigation?
If you see a few live termites immediately after your home has been fumigated, don’t be alarmed. Sometimes it can take three to five days for all of the termites to die. Rest assured whole-structure fumigation with Vikane gas fumigant will eliminate all of the drywood termites in the home.

How do I prepare my fish aquarium for fumigation?
Removing your fish aquarium from your home is the best possible option.

Will Vikane gas fumigant cause damage to my home?
Vikane gas fumigant does not react with most materials and is unlikely to cause damage. Your licensed, trained fumigation professional will inspect your property to help ensure that your contents will not be affected.

How long is the fumigation process?
The fumigation process is a three day process for Drywood Termites and a four day process for Beetles.

How long does it take to put the tarps on?
It takes approximately two hours to put the tarps on depending on the size of the structure.

How long does it take to remove the tarps?
It takes approximately two hours to take the tarps down depending on the size of the structure.

Are doors and windows left open?
Doors and windows are left open only when we are there to supervise the property. We never leave the doors and windows open unsupervised.

Where does the gas air go if my doors and windows are closed?
The gas dissipates on its own with the natural air circulation throughout the property.

What prep work is required outside?
Remove, trim, or rake back any plants, flower pots, bushes, rocks, branches, etc. that are up against the property at least twelve inches. Antennas need to be taken down and fence boards removed.

What items do I need to remove from the property?
Any foods, medications, anything living: people, pets, and plants.

What food items do I need to bag up?
We recommend that all food be removed entirely from the property. If your primary contractor (termite company) provides you with Nylo Fume bags, you may double bag your food and put it back in your refrigerator, freezer, or store on kitchen if refrigeration is not necessary. If they do not provide bags, all food items must be REMOVED from the property. THIS IS REQUIRED BY LAW.

Do make-up, shampoo/conditioner, and lotions need to be removed?
Make-up, shampoo/conditioner, and lotions DO NOT need to be removed. The gas does not have an odor and does not leave any residue. The gas will not have any chemical reactions with these items.

Do sprinkler system, automatic light timers, and alarm need to be turned off?
The sprinkler system does not have to be turned off as long as the timer does not go off while we are tenting the property. Automatic light timers must be turned off if the lights are outside so that the tarps are not melted. Alarm systems may be left on but we do need the alarm code if you choose to do so.

Do items around the crawl space, attic area have to be emptied out?
Items do not have to be completely removed but access area to the crawl space or attic must be cleared.

Do safes need to be left unlocked?
If the safe is big enough to fit a human being inside, we are required to look inside the safe. The Safe may be locked after we do so.

Why do the fumigators have to go inside the property?
The fumigators must go inside the property to insure no living beings remain inside, and that proper preparation has been done.

Why does the soil around the house have to be watered?
The soil must be watered in order to soak up the roots of the plants on the outside of the property and to help get a better seal when we tent the property.

Do all mattresses have to be removed?
Infant/baby, hospital, and any mattress with vinyl type of fabric covering must be removed from the property. If you have a sipped plastic/vinyl mattress cover, you only have to unzip the end of the cover. The same holds true for zippered clothing bags. They need to be unzipped.

Does ice in the ice maker have to be emptied out when the fumigation is completed?
The ice in the ice maker should be emptied out after the fumigation is completed.

Does water softening system have to removed or cleaned out during and after the fumigation?
The water softening system does not have to be removed or cleaned out during or after the fumigation.

Will plants die under the tent?
Plants will not necessarily die under the tent but we can not guarantee their survival. We recommend you water them well the night before or completely remove the plants from the property.

Why is a roof release necessary?
When performing fumigations it is necessary to walk and or work on roofs of structures. This obviously creates situations where damage to delicate or old roofs can be unavoidable. We do not with to unnecessarily damage anyone’s floor and user our best care to insure minimal damage if any.

Where is the key left during the fumigation?
The key will be secured during the fumigation process. Secondary locks will be used to prevent anyone other than our fumigators to enter the property.

What time can occupants reenter property?
The occupant may reenter their property anytime after 1pm on the final day of the fumigation.

Can cars be left inside the garage?
Cars can be left inside the garage if we have access to the trunk and the doors are unlocked.

Does the gas pocket?
Yes, that is why all drawers, cupboards, trunks, vaults, doors & windows must be opened.

How long does it usually take for a new infestation to appear?
An infestation implies an established colony, and evidence of established colony usually takes three to five years to show, after they have established themselves in a property.

I have a tile roof, do expect to break some of them during the fumigation?
Depending on the type of tile and age, some tiles may be broken. We do however take every possible precaution to reduce the amount of tiles that will be broken.

*** From the National Pest Control Association

2016 TRAVVY AWARDS
ALandCHUCK.TRAVEL ANNOUNCE FIRST GAY CUBA CRUISE IN HISTORY
http://bit.ly/1Ia4Y4q
Today gay travel specialist ALandCHUCK.travel announced the first gay cruise in history to the US embargoed island of Cuba. Cuba is emerging from a near 60 year embargo and is the most mysterious destination in the world for gay travelers. In December 2014 when the US Government loosened some restrictions for travel to Cuba, the People To People program expanded for Americans travel to the island. Today’s announcement is a next opportunity for travel for the Gay Community to Cuba. “A first ever Gay Cruise is perhaps the biggest news for gay travel in this millennium” said Al Ferguson, President of ALandCHUCK.travel
The cruise is operated with Celestyal Cruise Lines (a Greek Cruise Line) and the People To People authorized permit operator Fund for Reconciliation and Development, Cuba-US People to People Partnership and ALandCHUCK.travel. This first ever cruise will be on the lovely 1200 passenger Celeystal Crystal. This all inclusive cruise includes features never before seen on a gay cruise. The Gay Cruise will operate three sailings in winter 2016 including January 15, February 26 and April 8. The 8 day / 7 night cruise will be hosted by ALandCHUCK.travel on board GAY Cuban staff that include cruise managers that have worked for Cuban Ministry of Tourism, graduates of University of Havana, and graduates of University of Pinar Del Rio Law School. These gay Cuban specialists will offer special on board educational programs about the Gay Travel experience and host the shore excursion program in every Cuban port. This has never been done on a gay cruise before.
Highlights of the itinerary include sailing from Montego Bay, Jamaica to visit 4 ports in Cuba on EVERY coast of the island (North, West, East and Southern.) The cruise will visit Santiago de Cuba, Maria la Gorda, Cienfuegos. The highlight will be two full days and overnight in Cuba’s capital of Havana. The benefit of sailing from Montego Bay is many commercial air carrier flights from North American cities as commercial air connections to Cuba are still banned.
Highlights of the Cuba cruise experience include a special gay shore excursion sightseeing tour INCLUDED in EVERY port of call in Cuba. These tours will combine the best of the region being visited with a gay twist. Also included is an unlimited beverage program that can even include all alcohol beverages for the entire week for just a supplement of $59. The ALandCHUCK.travel gay cruise will also include 10 on board events including theme parties, educational events, special dining events and more. The highlight of the Gay Cuba cruise is a world exclusive event called HAVANA NIGHTS. This is a unique combination of the gay cultural scene in the capital with overnight gay entertainment district including a dance event. You have the opportunity to meet the local community and interact with the heart of gay culture in Cuba. Nothing has ever been organized like it.
The cruise begins at just $799 and categories are available from inside, outside cabins and suites. Government taxes and vendor fees are additional. Reservations can be secured on line at www.ALandCHUCK.travel or by calling 866-949-1429.
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Contact: Edward Sotomayor FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel. 941-953-4879 x118
Email: Eddie@ALandCHUCK.travel
Date: 06/23/2015
Cephas to Re Open
The Community came together and help raise $15,000 in cash and supplies so he could reopen his 33 year old restaurant.  Read all about it by Paul Guzzo, Tribune Staff
La Segunda Central
We just picked up our Cuban bread & treats for the week.  The next time your in Ybor City be sure to check this place out. 2512 N 15th Street. Just north of the interstate.
 
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You Can Not make this Up.
One of our favorite drag performers had just got off work and was picked up by her boyfriend. The two of them stopped for the cross walk on 7th Ave & 16th street in front of Centro Ybor. Out of no where a pickup truck came racing down the street and hit the back of their car. The pick up then pulled over into the side street. The driver jumped out and checked his truck for damage, then drove off. Mean while the car had lunged forward 20 feet and stopped right in front of people drink martinis on the sidewalk in front of Carne’s. One lady grabbed her cell and called 911. The dispatcher on the phone asked “Is anybody hurt? Do you need an ambulance?” They lady replies “No I think everybody is OK but wait…… OH NO I THINK THIER DOG IS DEAD!!! Its not moving! It’s just laying there!” and starts to cry. The person next to her says “Excuse me lady but that is not a dog. It’s her wig that was knocked off!!!”