New Year’s Eve Choices in GaYbor/ Ybor City

New Year’s Eve in Ybor City is very unique in many ways. There are really 2 BIG Celebrations. At 5:30 is the Outback Bowl Parade. This year the “The Minnesota Golden Gophers” vs “The Auburn Tigers.” The parade a rally end at 8:30. Then something strange happens.  Most of the group leaves Ybor City. There is actually a quiet time. 9-10PM the night time crows come out. The clubs all compete for the WILDEST New Years Eve in Ybor.

So you have choices… You can come for the Parade. Come for the New Years Eve parties. Come for both. Here is the Mark and Carrie are planning this year. We will be at Bradley’s on 7^th 5pm to watch the Parade. Then dinner 8PM at Carnes with friends. After dinner stops into clubs.  11PM home for New Year’s Eve together.  Happy NEW YEAR’S EVE EVERYONE  

Outback Bowl Parade

https://www.facebook.com/events/584433262384366/

New Year’s Eve Parties GaYbor / Ybor City

New Yarrgh’s Eve Booty Drop

https://www.facebook.com/events/459024188385380/

<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/QIa8cq50Ck8″ frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>

How Gay Culture Blossomed During the Roaring Twenties

Click Here To Read More

https://www.history.com/news/gay-culture-roaring-twenties-prohibition?fbclid=IwAR03arY0y2v5tj4y2ZRaMFhvBJTpi9xRNBtXBQSmyWCB5Yb0x6izXT-_3pw

Chicken Tenders

Volunteers Needed

https://www.facebook.com/events/1002391006784394/

For a few hours on NYE, Centennial a Park is packed with young out-of-towners who don’t necessarily understand our babies and how they should be treated.  We hang out each year, tend to the flock, and make sure everyone coexists in peace.  We NEED 4-5 sure commitments to do this, so please help us help them.

1st V.M. Ybor Meeting in 2020

Mark your calendars for the first V.M. Ybor N.A. General Meeting on Wednesday, 1/8/20.  Our special guest will be Elaine Illes, an FDOT Consultant who will update our residents on the plans for the I-4/275 malfunction junction.

Where:  The Childrens Board, 1002 E Palm Avenue

When:  Wednesday, 1/8, 6:30pm

In search of a host for the January porch party.  If you are interested in hosting, please message me.

Looking forward to a wonderful 2020 in V.M. Ybor!!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/vmybor/

13 Years after Suncoast Resort Closed

Southern Pinellas County,  3 Major Construction Sites The Former LGBT Resort Suncoast Resort & Former LGBT Flamingo Resort & Former Kmart Box Store Underway this Past 2019 ! Happy New Year Tampa Bay!

https://www.facebook.com/suncoast.resortmemories

OPENING Party January 3, 2020 in Ybor City

Happy Holidays

Steve Grand performed at Tampa PRIDE in 2018 YAAAAAAAAA

https://youtu.be/Qlpnt-6HQZo

Tampa Holiday Boat Parade

https://www.facebook.com/events/947423788966547/

This Weekend

Judy B Goode show with Paul Thomas !

This Saturday Night

https://www.facebook.com/events/585101375601609/

The Ybor City Wine Bar

Cheek2Cheek at Ybor City Wine Bar!

IT’S MIKE’S BIRTHDAY and our annual Ybor City Classic Rock Christmas show. We’ll be rocking around the giant Christmas tree from 7-9pm as you sip, nibble and shop. The wonderful folks at Ybor City Wine Bar are near and dear to us – it’s the first place we ever played on the Gulf Coast! They offer an AMAZING selection of wines and craft beers, great small plates and super friendly, knowledgeable staff. Add great music and people watching, and it’s a perfect Saturday evening. We’ll SEE YOU IN YBOR CITY!!

Happy New Year

This SUNday FUNday

ONE NIGHT ONLY

Honey Pot Showgirl Takeover – burlesque icons join our cast!

https://www.facebook.com/events/3131088440241162/

HATE

Tampa man arrested after police say he threatened to “wipe the whole gay community out”

CLICK HERE FOR STORY

https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2019/12/19/he-threatened-to-wipe-the-whole-gay-community-out-tampa-police-say/

LGBT Holidays Past

This photo is from 1900. It is only one of a few that show a Christmas tree light with actual candles. Who else but me sees 3 couples in the photo? Happy Holidays

THANK YOU

Many of you already know, but for the ones who do not. The Friday before Thanksgiving we learned that Carrie needed heart surgery ASAP. The surgery went very well. The VA Hospital Doctors, nurses and staff were all remarkable Now Carrie is resting at home mending slow and feeling better every day. We would like to thank the many people who sent notes on Facebook, calls, gifts and cards. Looking forward to seeing you all in Ybor soon.

TONIGHT

https://www.facebook.com/events/963334307399548/

This Saturday

Metro Inclusive Health

One Year ANNIVERSARY

Where did the year go to??? It’s hard to believe that it’s been a full year Tea Cup has been working at Tequila’s!!!  What a fun year it has been. Please join Tea Cup this SUNday FUNday for a very special show with  Miss Joey Brooks and DJ Mike.

LI’s Martha Wash releasing her first album since 2013

Hum…. Have you heard the rumors about Maartha Wash and I’m not talking about her new album.

onePULSE Foundation

AdventHealth just donated $1 million dollars. Read about it in Watermark Online

http://www.watermarkonline.com/2019/12/12/onepulse-foundation-receives-1-million-donation-from-adventhealth/?fbclid=IwAR34EBSHiCyHYRIaeMt7Ht5aOh6d3JDXBJRQMJUTCxGEGBbrLZ6BlhqQXK0YBOR

Ybor City PROUD

New type of tiny home developed in Ybor City can withstand hurricane-force winds

AbleNook is officially launching, taking orders https://ablenook.com/

https://youtu.be/3GKTIXRcRA0

The YCDC Holiday Party

Happy Thanksgiving

Tampa Pride at USF Football Pride Night

https://www.facebook.com/events/1305665142928434/

The Ybor City Tree Lighting

December 6, 2019

https://www.facebook.com/events/843427376059834/

 https://youtu.be/PiWhP7FOkE4

Trans Masculine Support Group

Join Tristan Byrnes, a local LGBTQ+ community member and gender therapist as he guides and facilitates a group for those going through a masculine transition. People that are questioning their gender identity are also welcome in this space.

Find support through people at all different stages of transition and guidance through Tristan’s personal and professional experiences. People of all gender identities, expressions, and sexual orientations are welcome. There is no cost to attend.

Location: 3251 3rd Ave. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 Date & Time: The first Wednesday of every month, 7 pm *This recurring date/time may be subject to change on holidays, please call (727) 321-3854 to confirm group dates during holidays if you are unsure.

Email TransCommunity@MetroTampaBay.org for more information.

Everyone is Talking

The Jeff Vinik’s foundation just donated $1 million towards renovations of Tampa’s historic Jackson House.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Rooming_House

https://youtu.be/jgPd01KSdFY

ALL STAR SHOW This SUNday Funday!!!!

Filming in Ybor City

Filming will begin soon in Ybor city. The series, titled Black Veil, features six 15-minute fictional horror stories based on Ybor history.  Check out the casting call on their web site.   https://www.blackveilonline.com/

The Library of Congress will house the archives of the famous AIDS quilt

Click Here to read the story in the Washington Post.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/the-library-of-congress-will-house-the-archives-of-the-famous-aids-quilt/2019/11/20/9f05e29c-0bc1-11ea-bd9d-c628fd48b3a0_story.html?fbclid=IwAR35awMFHIDdP9ud6I6_SO8KXxzALXb6PHTPNHc7IAMrtPUvBzE1jGhHqZo

PFLAG BINGO

https://www.facebook.com/events/403986417149848/

Obituary: David A. Straz, Jr

Obituary: David A. Straz, Jr

Tampa has Lost a Friend…and a true Icon

David A. Straz, Jr became known to me many years ago in high school. It wasn’t until we were re-acquainted in Ybor City years later with visual memories of times with my Dad and my Uncle Arlyn. He was taken back when we were reintroduced at Hamburger Mary’s balcony, he knowing me and my whole family. In the political arena he was a young up and coming banker knowing my Uncle Arlyn, a director of a large Midwest bank and my Dad, Merrill field secretary with Congressman David Obey. Our families also each had northern Wisconsin lake cabins where we fished like most Wisconsinites do.

Smiling, fishing and meeting new people were on David’s top activities he treasured.

David was a very much a numbers kind of guy. A genius in numerology in sorts. That is why he was so successful in bank ownerships.

David A. Straz, Jr name is synonymous with the arts in many cities and universities. His name is on the front of Art & Cultural Buildings at Carthage College, Marquette University Business School, University of Tampa Residence Hall and in Tampa the David A Straz Jr Performing Arts Center. The building of the Straz Field House that was built and donated to Berkeley Prep. David has always stepped up to the plate. Outside of the country David’s honorary ambassadorship in Liberia also have a high school named after him.

A great supporter of many Tampa organizations having presided as board chair of Tampa General Hospital, Chair of the Metropolitan Opera in NYC, A gracious savior to Zoo Tampa and the funding of the David A Straz, Jr Manatee Critical Care Center & Veterinary Hospital in Lowry Park.

His run for Tampa Mayor was quite unique. He ran against present Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. One thing left in his mind he told me, is that Tampa needs help in the affordable housing units that need to be built for low- and moderate-income residents.

It was just weeks ago at Tampa Pride’s PRIDE ZOO LA at Zoo Tampa in Lowry Park that David was attending with his lovely wife, Catherine Lowry Straz who was the recipient to the TAMPA PRIDE 2020 Community Leader Appreciation Award for community activism, organization participation and life fulfilling events she has accomplished and achieved in making Tampa a great place..

I found David to be a very friendly hospitable happy smiling friend. Tampa will continually honor David A Straz, Jr.

From The MC Mail Bag

https://www.facebook.com/TampaSpineAndWellness/