Author Archives: admin
You Just Can Not Make This Up
WTF Tampa
We are very lucky and can live almost anywhere we choose. In Ybor City. there is a true sense of community that embraces and celebrates diversity here. That is why we picked to live in Ybor City. For the past 15+ years a small group, in the Ybor City Community, have come together to watch the 4th of July Fireworks. It is a very fun tradition to meet on the roof top of the parking garage to view the fireworks. This year there were a couple families with pickup truck that had their kid playing in the back. Senior Citizens had set up lawn chairs and neighbors were catching up on the latest news. Everything was quite and peaceful. There was No alcohol (red cups, beer cans etc.) No loud Music. Just “O’s” and “WOW’s” as the Temple Terrace and Busch Gardens fireworks went off. Then the City of Tampa parking garage security came and told us we were loitering and need to “GET OUT NOW!!!!” Several people said that we were not loitering just watching firework. The security said very rudely and loud GET OUT NOW OR YOU ALL ARE GOING TO JAIL!!!! In true Ybor fashion, we all showed respect and left. WTF TAMPA!!!!
While I am on this soap box. I would like to bring up that the City of Tampa are now charging $10 Special Event Parking every Friday & Saturday Night (as they did on Sunday, July 4th) in Ybor City. They are saying that it gets people out faster. Hum… but the gates are all down and everyone still has to stop and put the ticket in. This looks more like a way to drive business out of Ybor City.
Dishing with Mark n Carrie 7-8-21 “RQV”
“RQV”
For 29+ years we were the owners of the Gay Pride Shops, “MC Film Festival Music & Video Store.” We had locations in Orlando, Tampa, Ybor City & 4 in St. Petersburg. We actual started with beta tapes then went into VHS. At one point we had the largest collection of non porno LGBT videos. Many universities would call and purchase videos from us. People would ask many times a day,” What’s good to watch?” That is when we started “RQV” Required Queer Viewing. When a film would come along that we all thought was GREAT it would get a “RQV” sticker on the box. People loved this and these videos were always in high demand. When DVD’s started to gain in popularity, we phased out VHS and brought in DVD’s. Then the new on demand services started up. With the popularity of Amazon it was time to close our stores. That brings us to today. Some good friends told us we must watch “The Handmaid’s Tale”. This is one of the most powerful films we have ever seen. It is very believable especial in the times we live in NOW! There are many LGBT parts and social comparisons. We proudly give “The Handmaid’s Tale” our RQV RATING!!!!
NFL says ‘Football is gay. Football is queer. Football is accepting.’
Hurricane Elsa
Well, that was a cute test run for this year’s hurricane season. Every year we ask our friends what are the must have things in your hurricane kit. We have heard things like work gloves and boats for cleanup, deck of cards, old fashion radios. We stumbled on a very cool thing. It started when we purchased a RYOBI battery drill. RYOBI also has lights, radio, fans and cell phone chargers. Now there is no need for all the extra batteries. We even wrote to RYOBI and suggested a all-in-one hurricane kits. They actually wrote back and said there already was one in design. Our other Hurricane tip is. The night before the storm make an extra pot of coffee. If the power goes off the next day. Cold coffee is better than no coffee LMAO!
The Columbia Restaurant Name
Thank you for sharing where your name the name “The Columbia Restaurant” came from. This is just anougher reason why we love Ybor City so much! Below is from facebook…
On Fourth of July, we remember the patriotic origins of our name. In 1903, founder Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., named his new Ybor City cafe the Saloon Columbia out of gratefulness for his asylum in the land of opportunity. The saloon’s name was inspired by the song “Columbia, Gem of the Ocean,” a popular patriotic tune at the time which functioned as an unofficial national anthem in competition with “Hail, Columbia” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The name Columbia, in fact, served as a nickname for the United States of America in the 19th century. Reading the song’s lyrics, you can imagine why the soul of a Cuban immigrant of Spanish descent would be stirred by singing them: https://youtu.be/8wIDXclKtGQ
This Saturday
Tuesday @ City Side
Virtual Campfire Series | LGBTQ+ Youth
https://www.facebook.com/events/2962405714044151/?ref=newsfeed
Coming Soon… A New Store in Ybor City
https://www.facebook.com/BulgeTampaBay
PFLAG National
Netflix’s new “We the People” Teaches Civics Through Song (with More Than a Little Help from Some Queer Moms) 🧡🌈 via Mombian
SUNday FUNday
Caught @ the Judy B Goode & Paul Thomas Show
The Judy B. Goode & Paul Thomas Show
After 16 months The Judy B. Goode & Paul Thomas Show returns to The Hollander Hotel!!! The SOLD OUT audience went wild as Judy and Paul performed for 2+ hours. The Celebrities spotted included our favorite Nancy Alexander. The show will be back the 1st Saturday of the month starting at 5PM. Click here for all the Fun Photos.
Caught @ The Showbar Ybor City
Caught @ City Side
Caught @ Bradley’s on 7th
Caught @ Southern Nights Ybor City
Dishing with Mark n Carrie, Great Changes in Ybor City 6-30-21
4th Of July Celebrations
Cesar Augusto Morales SINGING LIVE as Cher @ The Showbar Ybor
If you think she looks like Cher…. Wait until you hear her sing live!!!!
4th of July Fireworks Tip
Everyone has a favorite place to watch the 4th Of July Fireworks. Ours is…. Come Early to Ybor City and park on the roof top of the Centro Ybor Garage. Then visit some Ybor Restaurants & Clubs. At Sunset meet your friends on the roof top of the parking garage and watch fireworks across Tampa. See you all there.
GO LIGHTNING
The Metro Inclusive Calendar for July 2021
Naviera Coffee Mills Building
About 3 years ago the Naviera Coffee Mills building were sold to the Gonzmarts, who own the Columbia Restaurant. This week they started the renovations to this historical building. We understand there will be a new coffee shop and Italian Market!!! The community is so EXCITED about what will be coming soon!!!
New Renovation
The former Design Interiors building on 7th Ave is well underway for restorations! This is going to be the new HOT Spot in Ybor City! The Ybor Street lights are going to be extended to 26 Street. Here there will also be a new Ybor City Arch welcoming visitors to Ybor City.
The Gimmick
The original Silver Meteor Gallery was a very popular space in Ybor City for many many years. We co-produced the play “Mommas Ghost” here. It was co produced, writing and directed by Max Turn. This play went on to play off Broadway. This space has been rented out to The Gimmick. Sean, an artist from Vermont, who is using the space as The Gimmick, his art studio & gallery as well as a store for 70s, 80s, and 90s vintage collectables. Very Fun!!! https://www.facebook.com/thegimmick2020/
Classy, Very Classy, NOT!!!
We think https://jarritos.com/ owes our community an apology for all the graffiti posters they put up in Ybor City and surrounding areas. What would make anyone this is, OK?
You Just Can Not Make This Up!!!
Every 4th of July we can not help but think of the huge over the top 4th of July parties at the SunCoast Resort in St. Petersburg. It was to us the center of the Gay Universe. We owned and operated 2 stores there. Mark aka Tea Cup also performed there on stilts and bartended for The Judy B Goode & Paul Thomas Show. The 4th of July fire works were incredible!!! As you can see in the photo behind the build, next to the interstate was a 2-story parking garage. It was very old and the second floor was not safe to park cars on. There were 4 tennis court here. During one of the fireworks displays a rocket came down and started a small fire. The firemen were so excited to show off the new firetruck and raced up the ramp onto the 2nd floor. OMG!!! OMG!!! When told it was not safe the firemen actually looked scared. Over the next 2 hours they very carefully backed the truck down. There were firemen talking on radios with the ones below where it was safe to move the truck. Finally, it was down and everyone was safe. Just one of the crazy SunCoast Resort Memories. Happy July 4th to everyone!!! Feel free to share your photos here. https://www.facebook.com/suncoast.resortmemories
