Troy Chisholm
Troy is a treasure of GaYBOR/Ybor City. This former wrestling champ is now the bar manager at Hamburger Mary’s. His girlfriend is also one of the luckiest people in Ybor too!!
Category Archives: CLICK HERE for Dishing with “Mark & Carrie”
Dishing With Mark & Carrie 2-6-2013
Mark & Carrie’s 35th Anniversary
How do you celebrate 35 Great Years together? We decided to file for Tampa’s Domestic Partnership Registry. It was just one year ago that we championed the rights for DPR recognition in Tampa. Lucky for us we DO NOT live in the unincorporated Hillsborough County where elected officials just voted this down.
We are truly blessed to call our Family -Friends and our Friends -Family so invitations were sent out to everybody. We started the ceremonious day wearing tuxes and then onto a family lunch at one of our very favorite restaurants, The Laughing Cat. During lunch our 3 sisters from the Wisconsin gave Carrie a lace handkerchief that our Great Grandmother wore in her wedding and has been worn and carried by all family members since. We all rode the TECO Streetcar down to Old Tampa City Hall. Many more people were there to greet us and cheer us on. The Tampa City Clerks were very friendly and helpful. Our witnesses were Sister- Yvonne Yacoub, Friend- Judy B. Good and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Carrie used the same pen that Mayor Bob Buckhorn signed Domestic Partnership Registry into law. After several minutes everything was done. The press were all there for photos and interviews.
HOTspots Magazine
FOX News
ABC Action News
and
There was then a fun ride back to GaYBOR on the streetcar. At Hamburger Mary’s there was a tasty CupCake & Celebration Party that went long into the night. If you are looking for the Perfect Valentine’s Day gift we strongly suggest DPR , https://www.tampagov.net/dept_city_clerk/programs_and_services/domestic_partnership_FAQS/index.asp
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We would like to thank everybody in our community for a once in a life time day. Special Thank You to Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Hamburger Mary’s and our photographers; Scott S, niece Natalie, Matt & brother Ron.
Dishing Part 2
Thanks Tampa
Can you believe it has been 1 year since talking to Tampa City Council about the benefits of having a citywide Domestic Partner Registry. It was a great group effort and we thank Tampa Councilwoman Yolie Capin for her introduction to the other Tampa City Council members. It is one of the best drafted laws for all the residents of the city. Today’s society has changed and so are the laws for our communities. Without same-sex marriage rights allowed yet in Florida, DPR offers rights, fairness and equality to all couples lives. Young or old, Straight or Gay, all race and genders this is the fairness act for unmarried couples living together with protections and rights under the city law.
We have been told that the City of Tampa officials are moving forward in plans to recognize other registered DPR couples from other city and counties in Florida.
If you live in Hillsborough County you still can go to the Tampa City Clerk’s office to register since a lot of the counties hospital, schools and funeral homes are within the city limits. You still have rights! It is a great service which Pinellas County and Orange County Commissioners in passing countywide domestic partnership registries. We hear that a couple of Hillsborough County Commissioners are requesting further information about the county DPR for reconsideration since voting it down last week 4-3.
This next week, Valentine’s Day, will be very busy for the Tampa City Clerk’s office we were told in registering DPR couples. Tampa Clerk’s office is located in the old City Hall building in downtown Tampa. Calls for Valentine’s Day appointments are being accepted. A great positive day for long lasting romantic servitude to your partner.
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The Krewe of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade
This Saturday “All roads lead to GaYBOR/Ybor City” It’s the Best Parade of the Year!!! Be sure to cheer for the The GaYBOR Float as she passes by in the parade. Then after the parade ALL the GaYBOR Members are planning on HUGE Parties for you !! RRRRRRRRRRRRRR
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GaYBOR Date Night for Under $40
Tuesday Nights are the perfect night for a midweek date night! Planning on arriving early since it is a school/work night. Two hours of FREE parking on the street. 1st stop should always be MC Film on the corner of 8th Ave & 15th Street. Here you will find out all the specials and pick up a FREE GaYBOR map for all the best stops. There is an incredible early bird special at Carne’s. Prime rib dinner with choice of two sides for $9.99 and $2.00 martines!! Dinner drink & tip for two $30.00. After dinner head over to the FREE “Twilight Market”. Local Organic every Tuesday. www.creativityincommerce.com $10 left over… Stop by Hamburger Mary’s, Bradley’s on 7th or the Ybor City Wine bar for a good night cocktail. Dinner, drinks 7 home early for all under $40!!! Viva La GaYBOR!
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2nd Annual Cuban Club Bocce Ball Tourney
A little known game across the country but very popular here in historic Ybor City. This time the tourney winnings will go to help in the renovation of the Cuban Club. This classic Italian outdoors ball game can be played by 2 individuals or teams of 3 or 4 per side. The “Jack” or “Pallino” is a small ball in which team throws first down the court about halfway then try to get the bigger Bocce Balls as close to the Jack as possible. The teams take turns in trying to get close to the Jack Ball for points. Teams each have 4 balls to throw. Closest ball wins 3 points, 2nd closest wins 2 points and the 3rd ball closest gets 1 point. The total win is to reach 36 or closest to 36 points. Young or old players it is a growing sport internationally.
The Cuban Club had a number of corp. teams attempting to win bragging rights and help the charity benefit. La Gaceta Newspaper editor, Patrick Manteiga was one of the Bocce judges.
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Valentines Jewelry & New Colognes at MC FILM
New Sterling Silver Rainbow semi precious rings have arrived at MC FILM for both men & women. New designs in stainless steel rainbow rings and necklaces also are arriving. New Top GaYBOR Model Underwear including UNICO, Pistol Pete & More. NEW NEW LEATHER for Naughty & Nice MEN!!! New colognes include Vintage, 818 and very popular 747 Club. Don’t forget your Valentine!!!
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Gaauuleee Marine Actor Jim Nabors Weds
TV’s Marine wacky private, star comedic actor with the very southern accent Jim Nabors married his longtime 38 year companion, Stan Cadwallader. Starring first on the 1960’s sitcom, “Andy Griffith Show” as the then on his own sitcom, “Gomer Pyle MC”. The private couple live in Hawaii and flew to Seattle to legally get married. Washington State residents voted to legalize same-sex marriages last November and became legal in December.
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Florida State Fair
Take me out to the fair. The 109th Florida State Fair starts this Thursday and runs thru Feb 18th at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Musical concerts, fun thrilling rides, super exotic fair food treats and the permanent historic Cracker Country, a step back in Florida time. www.floridastatefair.com
You Just Can Not Make This Up
2 of the many stories about Mary.
We were very lucky to have a fun next door neighbor everybody called Mom Mary. Retired and full of life. Loved her kids, cigarette and 2 cocktails a day. One day a friend had stopped by and we decide to have a impromptu brunch. We gave Mary a call to come over but she didn’t answer the phone. With our friend we stared to talk about how much fun Mary was and yes some interesting things about her sex life. About 15 minutes later the door bell rang and there stood Mary. We said that “WOW we just called you and we talking about you”. Mary said “Yes I Know you bitches forgot to hang up the phone & I just heard everything you said about me!!!” OK that was an embarrassing moment!! Next story… One night the phone rang & it was Mary’s. She wanted us to come over to help move a rug she just bought. Mary was always buying antiques and re arranging her furniture so this was nothing new. We said sure will be over in a hour. Mary shouted NO COME NOW!!! She tried to move the rug herself and had fallen under it!! When we arrived Mary was laying on the floor with the un rolled rug over her. Luck for Mary’s she could reach her cell phone even luckier was she could reach her cigarettes & lighter!!! After we got her out Mary told us to cut up this ##**# rug and use it to line over van. Every time we look at the rug in our van we laugh. Do you think they smoke cigarettes in Heaven? With Mary there we are sure they do!!!
GaYBOR Member of the Week
Creative Loafing- Tampa Bay
Always engaged in Tampa news, political scene, new bands, creative theatre, food stops, reviews and so much more. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay under the leadership of editor, David Warner and a staff of dozens covers the news events all over Tampa Bay. They underscore the importance to newly opened businesses, non profits and clubs that help inspire the area in diversity. It has been over a year the newspaper moved to Ybor City. The new gossipy weekly tabloid is on the streets FREE every Thursday.
Mark & Carrie’s Nephew/ Niece of the Week
Our Wisconsin nephew, Deano attended the Florida Electronic’s Show in Orlando and made a quick stop over to Tampa to see his “fav” uncles. Dean owns his own projection manufacturing company, RoomPro Tech, that supplies projection systems to schools and universities. He was prestigiously awarded Wisconsin’s 2010 New Product of the Year and his company received the states high honor 2010 Tech & Learning Award of Excellence.
Dean wanted to experience the crazy Thursday nights he always reads in “Dishing” for himself and went out with his crazy uncles. That is 10 photo shooting stops! Thanks to everyone who had come up and met Deano!
Caught @ Bradley’s on 7th
Dishing with Mark & Carrie 1-30-13
You are Invited to our
35th Anniversary Celebration
&
Domestic Partnership Registry
Monday, February 4, 2013
2:45 PM
Meet us on the 3rd floor of the Old Tampa City Hall.
Come be a witness as we file for City of Tampa Domestic Partnership Registry.
Join us afterwards at Hamburger Mary’s in GaYBOR for Cake & Celebrations.
THANK Goodness we live in Tampa !!!
Three Cheers for Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn & Tampa City Council
.Big “G” and Big “P” is still in Tampa, Not County
Not a shocker but an extreme bully pulpit decision was made by the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners last Wednesday. The “make sure I lean to the’ right dim light’ commissioners voted down the county fairness par bill, Domestic Partnership Registry. Although the country including Florida has made major strides in supporting equality judgements for unmarried couples- both gay and straight, the board voted 4-3 against the change. Tampa made a positive directive for Domestic Partnership Registry, a family fairness change as did a dozen other cities and counties in Florida.
The proposed equitable change to Hillsborough law was bought up by Commissioner Mark Sharpe. Commissioner Al Higginbotham said he “had an open mind” a couple of months ago about the possible fairness change. What the changes to the county would do is be fair and give a partner medical decisions, visiting hospital rights, sharing a partners child’s educational and funeral arrangements. Some basic but important” family” needs. This is Not a gay or straight issue! It is not involving “Gay Pride Events” either!
It is an important county family ” Just “ act. It was just a week ago that Pinellas County Commissioners passed countywide domestic partnership rights to all Pinellas County residents.
What is wrong with this so called progressive board who are looking for ways to economically support new business development, ideas, relocations and growth in the county?
The 2 other commissioners that supported the change were Commissioners Les Miller and Kevin Beckner. What is important to know and remember are those that VOTED AGAINST the equitable change.
This is what the face of Homophobia / Prejudice looks like on the Hillsborough County Commission
ken hagan,
sandy murman,
victor crist
and al higginbotham.
SHAME on them ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Tip of the Week
The Roosevelt’s Tuesday night organic markets, “Twilight Market” has had a great success with over 3 dozen vendors and growing selling organic herb gardens, vegetable produce stands, grass fed beef market, food trucks, hand crafts and whole natural food information classes. The Twilight market is in historic Ybor City. Everything is fresh and fantastic.
Our MUST BUY is the fresh homemade Gorgonzola cheeses made with Buffalo milk by the good people at Cheeselicious http://www.cheeselicious.net/ . The markets sausage and home made mushroom jerky are also must do’s. The organic market at the corner of 8th & 15th St across the street from MC FILM at the Roosevelt starts at 5pm and closes at 10.
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G.BAR Did it AGAIN!!!
Totally committed for over the past 5 years to bring the very best entertainment to GaYBOR/Ybor City! They went way over the top this past Saturday night! One of the very BEST DJ’s we have every seen DJ KIDD MADONNY https://www.facebook.com/djkiddmadonny?fref=ts . The energetic music was ‘right on’ party atmosphere and the laser light show coming from his hands and fingers… a big WOW! We can’t wait for him to return soon. Thank you Stephen, Steve & Ernie for bringing DJ KIDD to GaYBOR!!!
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Check This Off My Bucket List!!!
My Bucket List! To have a drink in every bar in GaYBOR/Ybor City. This week I went with my nephew Mathieu to The Broadway Bar and checked this off the bucket list!!! It was a very interesting bar. Located in Ybor City on 7th Ave & 22nd St. When we arrived the bar was packed. Every table & stool taken. We were on an adventure, so it was OK. The way they serve is by the bottle only! We had a 1/2 pint of vodka with a can of coke, 2 cups with napkins & stir sticks and a big glass of ice. All for a very reasonable $7.00 Quickly we made friends with both couples on each side of us and the bartender. The music was great and we had a real good time. Oh, did I mention that it is also an African American bar and we were the only 2 white people there. As we were walking back Mathieu said, “I bet they were wondering why those 2 crazy white guys were there?” I laughed and said, “No Mathieu they probably are wondering & laughing why those 2 crazy gay guys stumbled in there!” LOL LOL.
Now lets see if I can name all the clubs I’ve had a cocktail in the past 7 years in GaYBOR/Ybor City. Some locations have been many different clubs. Amphitheater, Big City Tavern, Bad Monkey, Barbarella, Bernini, Blue Samurai, Blue Dog Bistro, Blues Ship, Boneyard, Bradley’s on 7th, Bricks Ybor, Broadway Bar, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cantina Centro, Carne, Castle, Carmine’s, Cuban Club, Collage, Columbian, Copa The, Coyote Ugly, Crowbar, Czar, Dirty Shame, Double Decker, Don Vicente Inn, El Puerto, Elmer’s, Empire, Forge The, Fuma Bella, First Chance last Chance, Flirt, Game Time, Game Works, GBAR, Gaspar’s Grotto, Green Iguana, Hamburger Mary’s, Hampton Inn & Suites, Honey Pot, Italian Club, Improv, James Joyce Pub -both locations, JJ’s Cafe & Bar, Jose Marti Center, King Corona, La Terrazza, Laughing Cat 1 & 2, La Level 3, Lower Red, Liquid lounge, Liquid Tampa, Lounge 714, Market on 7th, Mema’s Alaskan Tacos, Muvico Centro Ybor 20, Mix the, New World Brewery, Orpheum – both locations, Parna, Rare Olive, Reservoir, Rehab, R Bar, Rock n Sports -both locations, Rise Sundays, Ritz Ybor, Silver Meteor Gallery, Social, Skins, Skye, Spurs, Streetcar Charlie’s,Sushi on 7th, Sundays Fine Dining, Tabu,Tampa Bay Brewing Company both locations, Teatro on Seventh, White Room the, W Lounge, Wranglers, Zoya Hookah Lounge. Did I miss any??? Thank goodness I had 7 years to do this in!!!
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People R Talking
Co-Owner chef, Jerry from The Laughing Cat Restaurant had neck surgery last week and is now out of the hospital. Get well soon. The fun continues through February with a full list of Gasparilla activities including Sant’ Yago Knight Parade, Gasparilla Softball Tourney, Fiesta Days and of course this weeks Super Bowl Parties. This past weekend GaYBOR / Ybor City had GLBT tourists visiting from all over the world filling the clubs, stores and restaurants enjoying our beautiful district with mid 70 degree weather. Local entertainer Arica Love is a guest on the Ricki Lake TV Show, Feb 12th! What are you going to tell Miss Ricki? GaYBOR we hope.
You Just Can Not Make This Up
Bahaman Gay Bar
We went to Nassau in the Bahamas with 2 good gay friends Don & Khan. After 2 days of everyday sightseeing tourist things and the beautiful beaches, we needed a gay fix. I asked the resort cab driver if he knew where the Gay Bars were? He smiled and said. “Yes, Very Nice place.” Off we went in the opposite direction of downtown to a small strip mall. Everything was closed except a brightly lit up club all decorated in gold and red. The cab driver once again was all smiles and said that he would wait to take us back late and to take our time. Inside there was a window with a guy taking cover charges of $20 per person. OK, we were on vacation so Don paid for us all. Once inside the place was very sparse. The hostess said, “It’s almost show time I will get you a special table.” Then hand out asking for tip.
We all sat down and the first round of drinks was $60. WOW this must be quite the show. Then the show started….. Out came 4 islander real girls… NAKED!!! Then you know what were in our faces! Carrie & Brian said to just enjoy the show and were tipping the girls. That just made things worse. The girls were all over us by now. After the drink we all left. Outside the security guards approached us and wants a $10 tip from each of us. These thugs said that they were protecting us and with out the tip they would send the cab away. On the ride back the cab driver was laughing you guys are so funny there are NO GAY BARS in the Bahamas!!! After being hosed down like this we have little desire to ever go back to the Bahamas
GaYBOR Member of the Week
Metro Wellness & Community Center
Proud members of the GaYBOR District Coalition.Metro Wellness & Community Centers are committed to providing premier HIV services, social networking, and other health and wellness programs that enhance the quality of life for the local community.
With active community center locations throughout the Tampa Bay area, we strive to promote a healthy environment for all and to foster diversity within the community as a whole, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or economic status.
The centers provide social activities, classes, support groups, counseling, health and fitness programs, youth programs, substance abuse programs, mental health services and FREE HIV testing.