Author Archives: admin
Dishing with Mark n Carrie…. Changes
Big Changes
Nuccio Parkway is undergoing some very big changes. We talked with 3 different government agencies and got 3 different answers. The one we most believe is that Nuccio will be going from 4 lanes to 2 lanes with the addition of bike lanes. We were also told there will still be plenty of room for the floats to line up. Strangely there never was a sidewalk on the east side from the train station to Ybor City. Former Tampa Mayor Dick Grece told us that he built Nuicci Pwy as a gift to Ybor City and a place to line up the parades. So far, many trees have been removed. It will be interesting to see what comes next.
Bradley’s on 7th
Bradley’s on 7th is extremely pleased to announce Amy DeMilo as our new Show Director!
Dance Floors have been reopened by Hillsborough County,
therefore, shows and contest will return to Bradley’s on 7th
on our 10th Anniversary, Thursday March 4, 2021!
Metro Inclusive Health
https://www.facebook.com/events/2789903827947116/
CONGRATULATIONS Trevor Rosine
From Trevor…
I am elated to announce my appointment to the City of Tampa’s Human Rights Board by Mayor Jane Castor.
Although I do not see eye-to-eye with her on a lot of issues, I am honored to be trusted with this seat and to be afforded this opportunity. I most certainly appreciate a leader who welcomes views that differ from their own. I will be joining existing members of this board with a fresh, unique perspective that will play a paramount role in my decisions on this quasi-judicial body.
Tampa’s Human Rights Ordinance was written with the intention that ALL members of our city be protected against discrimination – and I can promise you that is the focus of this board.
In case you are not familiar with what our Human Rights Board does, I have included the link for it below. If you have any questions/suggestions or want to know how you can get more involved in your community, feel free to reach out. My inbox is always open for conversation!
https://www.tampa.gov/housing-and…/human-rights-board
Welcome Home
Streetcar #428 is the first car to return from Iowa with a full refurbishment, including new roof repair, A/C, wiring, floor, etc. The car is expected to return to service following two weeks of testing.
SUNday FUNday @ The Showbar Ybor City
Click Here For All The FUN Photos.
http://www.mcfilm.co/category/great-photos/caught-the-show-bar/
Netflix – Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel
Looking for an interesting film? We recommend this. It is only 4 episodes long and you will probably watch them all right away. The interesting part is that it is based on real events. After you watch this series you will want to Google for more. Enjoy…..
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Ruben Sun Construction
Some thing are just so good that they need to be said again. We used Ruben Lopez and his crews for many projects on our home. Very big and small. We have referred him to many our friends. They have all said the same thing. Fair prices and great work. Give him a chance to bid on your next project. 813 357-4342 lopezruben313@gmail.com
Obituary – Stageworks Theatre Founder Anna Brennen
You Just Can Not Make This Up
In the summer of 1977, I worked 1 month at a high-class downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota Steak House. To become a night server, you 1st had to work the lunches. EVERYTHING inside this 1940’s restaurant was white. The walls were cover with white lattice work and white flowers. White stage with a huge white grand piano and white chandelier. The tables were white table cloths, dishes and white candelabras with white candles. Even white ashtrays on the tables. You get it everything was white. During the summer months even, the guests would come dressed all in white. The staff called the lunch special the “Blue Haired Ladies Special.” In the special there was a sandwich with the crust cut off, a scoop of fruit on a lettuce leave, a cup of soup & your choice of a Martini or Manhattan. All this for $4.75 tax included. I can still hear the ladies say “Here is a $5.00 bill and you can keep the change.” A table of 4 we would make $1.00 LMAO That is why no one worked the lunches. 45+ years later we were at an estate sale in Florida. There were candelabras that looked just like the ones from this restaurant! The estate sale was a former pianist. Maybe he played here years ago??? I’m still laughing about keeping the quarter.
Caught @ Bradley’s on 7th
SUNday FUNday @ The Showbar Ybor City
Dishing with Mark n Carrie…. Let’s Play Ball
WELCOME The Gasparilla Soft Ball Classic
This weekend is the Annual Gasparilla Soft Ball Classic in Tampa. 1,000’s of players and fans will be in town. This year due to covid all of the meetings, registration and parties will be done on line. Even with all the changes we are sure there will lots of eye candy in Ybor City this weekend. FMI visit https://gasparillasoftballclassic.com/
SUNday FUNday
This Sunday 2-14-201 is also Valentine’s day!!! YAAAA The doors to The Showbar Ybor City open at 12 noon with a Great Brunch. The Miss Joey Brooks BOYlesque starts at 2PM. On the patio keeping the party going is Tea Cup, April & DJ Mike Sklarz. That night there is very special LIVE BAND Burlesque. Make your reservations now.
Calling all Ybor Residents
Join HYGNA for their first Community Coffee event! Friday, February 26th from 7:30 am -8:30 am at Foundation Coffee (the old Bunker). This will be outside and/or socially distanced. We hope to see folks from the other Ybor neighborhood associations as well!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HEYGNA/
WARNING
The street preacher’s aka bible bangers were out in full force over the Super Bowl Weekend. The hate that comes out of their mouths is just terrible. Take a close look at this photo. Our local Hero Miss April was engaging them. They were trying everything to get her to touch them. Notice the 2 guys filming everything. Here is their ungodly trick. If you touch them, they will charge you with assault and have it all on camera. If you do not want to be charge, they will take a large cash payment. $500 + in many cases to not press charges. We personally know of 3 who have paid. Now back to April LOL…. When this photo was taken the nasty preacher had just said “What man owns this woman?” of course April yelled back “no one owns me!!!” The preacher than said “That’s because you don’t have Jesus and no man wants you!!!” We grabbed April and left. It kinda make you think when you see the sad women and children with the preachers. Hum… is this a form of human trafficking?
Good News from East Ybor
It was announced this week that the Tierra del Lago Cigar Factory, located at 1908 N 36st Street will have a hearing to consider the property designation as a City of Tampa Local Landmark. If you agree, like us, please let them know by e-mail to Beverly.Jewesal@tampagov.net
Lights On Tampa
Explore beautiful downtown Tampa after hours through this self-guided tour of new and existing Lights on Tampa art installations featuring local music, dance and other celebrations of Public Art. While Lights on Tampa will live on for you to experience at your own leisure, the evenings of March 5th and 6th will include special arts encounters featuring dance and music around the perimeter of the Tampa Convention Center.
We encourage visitors and residents to explore our vibrant city after dark, in a socially distanced manner. While the tour is outdoors, we ask that you consider wearing a mask as you move through the space, or purchase your limited-edition Lights on Tampa LED mask at the event!
Lights on Tampa brings critically acclaimed artwork to downtown and is a public/private partnership between the City of Tampa, Division of Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Public Art Alliance, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. Show your support for the Public Art Alliance with the purchase of a Lights on Tampa T-shirt at https://lightsontampa.org/shop
Thank you for supporting Public Art and your beautiful city!
https://www.facebook.com/events/471698220494611
WOW Things Have Changed
From https://www.facebook.com/urbnTB
Rent prices for the The Henry in Downtown have gone live. This is a student housing project so the move in date is set for August 19th, and the lease runs through 7/31/22 to coincide with the school year.
Rents start at $1199/month to share a 4/2 with 3 other people (you get your own bedroom).
The most expensive unit, a solo studio shared with no one else, is $1849/month.
To see their leasing page:https://www.thehenrytampa.com/tampa/the-henry/student/
You Just Can Not Make This Up
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
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.
