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
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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.

Dishing with Mark & Carrie 1-23-13

President Barack Obama, Historic 2nd Inauguration Day
Three Cheers for President Obama
The very first president ever to say in his inauguration speach….“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law…” -Obama.
Yes, it was only 3 months ago that President Barack Obama was in Centennial Park in GaYBOR/ Ybor City. Three more Cheers for America and our President!!!
 
Ybor City Wine Bar
The Newest “MUST DO” in GaYBOR/Ybor City is the Ybor City Wine Bar. Lady Jayme and her staff will make you feel right at home. Located on 7th Ave and 16th Street across from Carne’s. The classic “Vino” shop also has international artisan wines and craft beers to choose from.
Their Grand Opening will be coming soon. Be sure to sign up on their VIP Guest list today. http://www.yborcitywinebar.com/grand-opening.html
 
The 19th Annual Gasparilla Softball Classic
Already SOLD OUT for the 5th year in a row!!!! Once again this year Feb 15-17th, there will be 1,000’s of softball players and fans from all over cities in North America  visiting GaYBOR/Ybor City. The Gasparilla Softball ClassicCheck out all the details here. http://www.suncoastsoftball.org/
 
B I N G O
Looking for some Great exposure for your company or organizations? Think about donating a prize to the GaYBOR Bingo. Contact gayborinfo@aol.com
 
The Judy B. Goode & Paul Thomas Show
Miss Judy B. Goode will be coming back with Pianoman Paul Thomas to GaYBOR to perform a very Special Birthday Show. That Crazy Show is Sunday, March 3, 2013 at Hamburger Mary’s. Rumor has it she will be turning 50 that day!!! OMG!!!
 Become her facebook friend at https://www.facebook.com/judy.b.goode?fref=ts
 
MCFILM – New 2013 Swimsuits Arriving
The start of the new 2013 season Swim Wear lines have started arriving at MC FILM. New great swim wear name lines including Pistol Pete, Unico, Cleaver, GO Softwear and Kurt Fashions have started filling up the isles. Unique new underwear designs from the same designers also have heads turning with the new cut out briefs.
 
People are Talking
What a great rumor we were told about 1 month ago that some of the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners were actually thinking about a countywide Domestic Partnership Registry for Hillsborough County and might be worth talking about! We held back writing about the rumor because it sounded to be only that, wishful thinking of ones imaginary dream and no committed action! But this is a new 2013 and we will see!!! Just last week Pinellas County Commissioners voted for a countywide Domestic Partnership Registry. And we thought that Hillsborough County was the progressive county. Local municipalities Tampa, St Petersburg, Clearwater and Gulfport had their city councils pass the fair resident legislation. Yes, it does make for a more equal, fair and happy economic community.
The always fun Miss Rodger & Lady Nancy were visiting in town 2 weeks ago. They had such a great time they are back for 2 more weeks! Carnival Cruise Lines ship to the Bahamas will never be the same again! Hamburger Mary’s manager Sheriff Mike, bartender James, Frankie & DJ Disney had quite the time on their deep water cruise. So far their lips are sealed, but the cruise bar bill was seen!!! OMG!!! After a Happy Hour or 2 we will find out the real dish!!!
The GaYBOR Clubs were all PACKED this past weekend again! It has to be the super weather. You can just imagine what it’s going to be like during the upcoming Gasparilla Festival events!
This is GREAT!!!
We Need More Videos Like this for Ybor City.
Our friend, Dan Steadman is a internationally known filmmaker. One night in December his niece Bella from Montana was visiting. Uncle Dan grabbed his camera and headed to Ybor City. It is easy to see why Uncle Dan is the favorite Uncle!!! Here is Bella dancing & lip singing to Miley Cyrus,“Party in the USA.” filmed in Ybor City.
Hope you enjoy this as much as we did!
Mark & Carrie
A Blast from the Past….
Who remember when Jay was” the ice cream boy” at “Rainbow Treats” @ The Suncoast Resort?

Twilight Market at the Roosevelt

Do you want organic grown vegetables, herbs and freshly baked organic goods. No stimulants or antibiotic grown plants and herbs are also For Sale every Tuesday evening from 5:00 – 10:00 pm at the Roosevelt on 15th Street and 8th Avenue in GaYBOR/ Ybor City. A full market with natural hemp clothing, hand crafts, items, classes, chemical Free dog food & biscuits. The Beef & New dried mushroom jerky was a tasty hit! Food stands and Food Trucks are also on premises.
 Stop by and check out the newest of shopping ventures in GaYBOR/ Ybor City every Tuesday evening at the Twilight Market.

You Just Can Not Make This Up

SINK HOLE!!!!
Back in our college days at USF, we had 2 good friends who were lovers and drag queens too. Carrie had just gotten a newer car but wanted to keep is old car the Orange Bomber! Our apartment complex wouldn’t let us keep it there. Our two friends lived in a trailer court on North Nebraska Ave. They said sure just bring it over here and park it behind our trailer. We brought the Orange Bomber over and had parked her behind the trailer. The four of us we sitting on the picnic table, drinking a beer, when all of a sudden Mark noticed something!!!! The back of the car was starting to sink into the ground. More!!! More!!! More!!! … then the front tires were off the ground and the trunk was going into the ground. Everybody started to yell…” SINK HOLE, SINK HOLE!!!!”
 Our two friends ran into their trailer and we all started to bring out wigs dress, shoes etc etc etc and tossing them into our other cars. By the time the fire department and police had arrived there was a big crowd around. The firemen came back laughing and said, “Guys there is no sink hole. You just parked on top of an old septic tank and the tank collapsed!!”
After the tow truck got her out you can just imagine what the car smelled like. LOL LOL LOL