We went to Cuba on a cruise ship. We had a tour of Havana with a stop for a classic Cuban meal. There was a choice of beef or fish with canned black beans and rice. Tossed salad. The bread was Italian? Hands down one of the worst Cuban meals ever. Later we learned that the meal was from the cruise ship. They explained that it was in the best interest of the cruise ship guests. LMAO
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Caught @ Bradley’s on 7th
SUNday FUNday @ The Showbar Ybor City Super Bowl Weekend
Dishing with Mark n Carrie …GO BUCS
Thank You All
On February 3, 2021 we celebrated our 43-year anniversary. Thank You all so much for the good wishes and gifts.
GO Bucs
Super Bowl Parties in Ybor City
7th Ave in Ybor City will be closed every night from now thru Sunday.
Casa Santo Stefano
NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH!!!! This is a must do in Ybor City. Owned by the Columbia Restaurant Group and is a treasure for our community. The town of Stefano, Italy is where many people in Ybor City came from and still have family today. The family photos on the wall are all of family and friends. There is even a tribute to a local Ybor barber on the 2nd floor. Longtime barber Bennie Marchese, who operated Bennie’s Barber Shop catty-corner to the Columbia Restaurant. The appetizers and our meal were perfect and just like your Grandmother would have made. On our next visit we would like to try making our way thru all the appetizers. Be sure to go upstairs for the art and view. You might even catch us here for cocktails. Go for and enjoy the incredible food but also the true feelings and spirit of The Ybor Family. Spend the day as a Ybornista!!!
Our Server (left) & Owner, Richard Gonzmart (right)
https://www.facebook.com/SantoStefanoTPA
One Anniversary Ribbon Cutting for Barriehaus Beer Co.
Located at 1403 E 5th Ave. in Ybor City. Visit their Facebook page for many weekly events.
https://www.facebook.com/BarrieHaus
Super Sweep-n-Sleep
The Big Game is bringing lots of folks into neighborhood, and we want to make sure Centennial Park looks beautiful.
If you’ve been considering joining a sweep, this would be a great one to choose.
Please bring a broom – or, if you have one – a blower. We’ll have buckets and pickers for any garbage.
Let’s take care of our neighborhood in the name of the chickens!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1348035878903254
New Tour of Ybor City
Visit Tampa Bay has released an app for a self-guided geotour of our Ybor City. Check it out, share it with your neighbors and enjoy the history of our community. I learned a few new things from the virtual tour.
Click the link to download the app!
https://geotourist.com/tours/3349
Bok Tower
92 years ago, on February 1st, 1929, President Calvin Coolidge dedicated Bok Gardens and Tower “for visitation by the American people”.
President Coolidge’s words at the Dedication hold just as true today as they did over nine decades ago:
“These grounds which we are dedicating today are another extension of this rapidly developing movement: It has been designated as a sanctuary because within it people may temporarily escape from the pressure and affliction of the affairs of life and find that quiet and repose which comes from a closer communion with the beauties of nature…We have a special need for a sanctuary like this to which we can retreat for a time from the daily turmoil and have a place to rest and think under the quieting influence of nature and of nature’s God…Under the influence of these beautiful surroundings we can pause unhampered while we find out where we are and whither we are going. Those who come here report the feeling of peace which they have experienced. In the expression of an ancient writer, it is a place to which to invite one’s soul, where one may see in the landscape and foliage, not what man has done, but what God has done…”
https://www.facebook.com/boktowergardens/
New 7th Ave Monuments in East Ybor City
From Jose M Cayon…
Breaking! The YCDC board just approved a motion to move funding from budget items to fund the streetscape from 24rd st to 26th st on 7th Ave along with the gateway/monument approved by the Barrio Latino Commission a few years back. The streetscape includes pavers, historic lights, trash cans and benches. This project will be most likely start in the spring this year and run along the Ybor City Archways Project. I want to take the time to thank Fran Costantino our former association President and Emeritus YCDC board member who worked tireless with the YCDC staff and other community members to help these important projects become a reality.
Denny’s on the Hillsborough River and Kennedy Blvd in 1970. Photo by Don Boyd.
Late one night in 1981 there was a Tampa Stonewall at the Denny’s. There were several gay bars on Kennedy at this time. After the clubs everyone went to Denny’s for our late-night breakfast. Many of the Drag Queens would also join us here. We were there one night when a new manager was on duty. He walked up to the table and told the Drag Queens to leave and never come back. The next thing you know there as this huge food fight started and the police were called. When the police arrived, everyone took off and we never went back. A few years later the building was torn down.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/310153813673
You Just Can Not Make This Up
In 2009 Tampa Hosted the Super Bowl. The NFL Experience was on 8th ave between 15th &17th Street, in Ybor City. At this time Carrie was on the Barrio Latino Commission. We were invited to a VIP NFL Party at Rock’n Sports in Centro Ybor. Which located on the 2nd floor, next to the old Hamburger Mary’s. We also took our good friend and football nut, Judy B. Goode with us. At the party suddenly July yells OMG that’s Michael Strahan 7 takes off running. We had no idea who he was. The next thing you know Judy is pulling on the leg of this HUGE SEXY GUY asking for a photo. He was very nice to us. I took the photo, which later was in the Watermark Newspaper. Several years later we were watching Good Morning America and said to each other. WOW that guy looks familiar. Just then the phone rang and it was Judy all excited…. Are you watching Good Morning America? That is the football player I had my photo with in Ybor! We all love Michael Strahan today on TV.
Caught @ Bradley’s on 7th
SUNday FUNday @ The Showbar Ybor City
Dishing with Mark n Carrie 1-28-21 Super Bowl FUN in Tampa Suggestion
Super Bowl FUN in Tampa Suggestion
The Super Bowl is coming to Tampa. It is always so much fun. This time we all need to be extra careful. Here is our suggestion. Take a walk on the Tampa Riverwalk before the crowds arrive. Everything is already sold out so you will not get in anyway. We arrived in separate cars to meet friends around 6pm. There is still social distancing and lots of fresh outside air. You can see a lot before the sun goes down. After sunset the Tampa Riverwalk is all light up with art installations. We stopped in front of the convention center for a drink before walking back. Don’t for get to bring your fur babies too. Go Bucs!!!! TODAY (1-28-21) Tampa Mayor Jane Castro is requiring masks outside too.
Facebook Live of the Harbour Island Bridge
https://www.facebook.com/100010831113733/videos/1283713731999652
Mayor Castor Issues Executive Order Requiring Masks in Event Zones and Entertainment Districts Ahead of Super Bowl LV
City of Tampa (FaceBook)
MASK UPDATE: For the health and safety of Super Bowl fans and the community, Mayor Jane Castor has signed an Executive Order (2021-07) requiring face masks outdoors in Event Zones and Entertainment Districts, including areas of Tampa’s Downtown, the area surrounding Raymond James Stadium, Ybor City Historic District, the South Howard Commercial Overlay District, the Central Business District, and the Channel District.
In addition, Executive Order 2020-42 (which was adopted on August 19, 2020) remains in effect, requiring the use of face coverings at most indoor locations.
Learn more: CLICK HERE
Where to Watch the Super Bowl Game
SUNday FUNday @ The Showbar Ybor City
Join Miss Joey Brooks, Esme Russell, Tea Cup, April, Nathan, DJ Mike Sklarz and Special Guests Every Sunday. Doors open at 12 NOON. Show Time 2PM
THIS SUNDAY SPECIAL GUESTS Amanda D’rhod and Gabrielle Santi
Ybor City Author
From the Author Dr. Shawn Henri Robinson
Happy 2021! She Folds: The Last Poker Night has been released. It is my first work of fiction as I take a break from leadership books. If you like murder mysteries or poker, this book might be for you. It is available on Amazon and directly from the author (if you want a signed copy). Posts about upcoming signing events in the Tampa Bay area will be coming soon. http://shefoldsthebook.com/
Historic Palmetto Beach
The neighborhood just south of Ybor City is Palmetto Beach. When we decided to move forever to Ybor City this was a neighborhood we look a close look at. The DeSota Park here is INCREADBLE!!! Check out this video from FOX 13. Hidden gem: Fishing, skateboarding, swimming, and more at Tampa’s DeSoto Park
https://www.fox13news.com/video/871426
IT’S A SOLD-OUT HIT!!!
Drag Queen BINGO with Miss Amy DeMilo @ The Showbar Ybor City Tuesday Night
So Easy & WOW
40+ pieces of Dum Sum for under $10 and so easy. 1 package of wonton wrappers from the produce department. Filling 1/2-pound ground pork 1/3 uncooked shrimp chopped grate 1 small onion, celery, little carrots add salt pepper, garlic and ginger power. 2 large rounded tablespoons corn starch. Mix. Put small ball of mixture on wonton. Wet the edges of the wonton then pinch together and twist. Put all into boiling water. Bring back to boil and cook low 2 minutes. Drain and eat right away. Sauces on side. YAAAAAA
You Just Can Not Make This Up
The year was 1977. We were very young and in a downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota un-named Gay bar. There was a big motorcycle convention in town. Late one night some bikers got very drunk and decided to teach the fags a lesson. About 8 of them stumbled into the Gay bar with chains just a swinging and yelling. Their big mistake was that this was a hardcore Gay Leather bar!!! Of course, the gays fought back. With in minutes the bikers were on the floor. Then they took the bikers, boots, jeans and underwear off. Then tossed them back onto Hennepin Ave. naked. They never came back. I wonder what story they told the other bikers???