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/

See Miss Joey Brook on the BIG Screen!!!

Friday, December 6, 2019 at Britton Cinemas. Special camo appearance by Tea Cup!!!!

*Newly Remastered Version*One-Time Screening Tampa Legend Miss Joey Brooks the “First Lady of Ybor City” guides us on a tour of her life, memoirs, city she loves and drag career spanning decades, while judging a wacky drag contest to choose a new diva for her Christmas Show. Suggested Rating PG-13What began as a joke between the screenwriter and lead actress wound up becoming a story that needed to be told, full of ribald humor and expressive musical numbers, set to an assortment of catchy pop tunes.  Joey’s Show Will Go On marks the feature debut of director Marcus Kempton

Ybor City Tree Lighting & Wine Society!!!

This coming Wednesday, November 20^th.  Join Yayme & the fun people at The Ybor City Wine bar for a front row seat!!!

https://www.facebook.com/events/497660544154282/

Tampa Pride at USF Football Pride Night

Save the Date! It’s the 3rd annual USF Football Pride Night on Saturday 11/23. Your $20 ticket gets you a free USF Pride t-shirt and entry to the game with great seats around the 30 yard line! We’ll also tailgate before the game, LGBTQ+ style! More details about the tailgate later. (Game time will be announced / subject to change by network TV closer to the weekend.)

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

Transgender Day Of Remembrance Vigil

November 20, 2019

The candle light vigil is being held at Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center 2227 Central Ave, St Petersburg, FL.

Candles will be provided, but please bring your own if possible.

Transgender Day of Remembrance was started by transgender activist Gwendolyn Ann

Smith as a way to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil celebrated the lives of all transgender people who lost their lives to violence that year. The Transgender Day of Remembrance has grown into an annual nationwide memorial for the transgender community.

“This is a day to remember, memorialize and honor those within the transgender community who have lost their lives due to hate and bigotry,” said Tristan Byrnes, a local gender therapist and one of the vigil’s organizers. “It’s a day to bring together the transgender community and its allies to bring awareness to this important cause and to end the needless loss of life.”

Andrew Citino, owner of 6S Boutique and an organizer of the vigil, added, “This is a time to honor the lives lead by amazing human beings and to bring awareness to the unfortunate hate that surrounds us, as well as the love and support that there is for trans people.”

Meet The PIBA Foundation

Helping people & animals. This past week the group did a clean up in Ybor  City.  To get involved with PIBA visit their Facebook or web site today.

https://www.thepibafoundation.org/

https://www.facebook.com/thepibafoundation/

SUNday FUNday

OUT at the Straz

FREE EVENT

Make it a special night OUT at The Straz to see ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Enjoy a before the show kiki with new and old friends, specially-priced libations at SIP on the River and let loose with special guests DJ Mike Sklarz and drag sensation Adriana Sparkle on the Straz Center’s new Riverwalk stage.

STAY FOR THE SHOW

Use code PRIDE1920 for 20% off regularly priced tickets to Once On This Island and a portion of the ticket proceeds will go to support Balance Tampa Bay. (Limit of 2 tickets per order)

*A ticket to ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is not required to attend the OUT at The Straz Happy Hour.

https://www.facebook.com/events/522834128448641/

Thanksgiving at The Ybor ChopHouse

Ybor ChopHouse will be open on Thanksgiving this year! Imagine leaving the muss and the fuss to us, while you kick back with unlimited Bloody Mary’s or mimosas and enjoy our expertly prepared Thanksgiving buffet. We’ll even do the dishes!

https://www.facebook.com/events/3010155162347821/

Snow on 7th

Obituary

Scott Downen

This week Scott Downen lost his fight with cancer. Below was on facebook from Leo Branvold

Yesterday I got the terrible and saddest news. My best friend passed away fighting cancer. Words cannot even begin to express how amazing Scott Downen was throughput his life, some include; caring, thoughtful, helpful, hardworking, appreciative, loyal, and this list could go on forever. I am heart struck and still numb from the news. If you knew Scott, you know he was always the same person no matter the situation. This picture is a nice memory of all the Christmas and other holidays we spent together. This world lost an incredible human being yesterday and it will never be the same. I am humbled to say that I met you in a dark time in my life and I hope you are no longer suffering and in better care. I will never forget you big brother. You meant so much to me. I wish my sincerest condolences to his family (Mouse and Steph), I am going through this myself and it’s very difficult.

Love you forever Scott!

In Photo Scott on left, Leo on right

https://www.facebook.com/wegotfuntravel.downen