NO

Everybody loves nicknames. For years JCPenney was called Josh Claud Penna, Target was called Tar”J” . In Tampa the LGBT Community for many years called Ybor, GaYbor. In 2007 when we founded the GaYbor District Coalition, we registered the name GaYbor. You can just imagine how upset this made some people.  How dare you change the name to GaYbor!!!! We would always reply… We did not change the name to GaYbor. On all our signs & print it says “The GaYbor District Coalition in Historic Ybor City.” We always gave credit to, Historic Ybor City, the great community we live in. Several years ago, when talk of bring a stadium to Ybor City new signs popped up “RAYBOR CITY”. UNFORTUNATLY THESE SIGNS DO NOT INCLUDE “in Historic Ybor City.” What these business people do not understand is that Ybor City has change a lot in the past years.  15 years ago Ybor City was made up of business owners and slum home landlords.  Then the landlords started to sell off these home properties for huge profits. Today these homes have been Historically Renovated and are the Pride & Joy of Tampa & our active Community. With social media our community has grown and become much closer than ever before.

Now there are these RAYBOR CITY signs popping up again everywhere. If the signs said “The RaYbor Stadium in Historic Ybor City” we would be OK with this. Unfortunately, they do not say this. The signs look like Business/Government Bullies coming in to take away our Name & Community Spirit.  Let the Rays move out to the Florida State Fair Grounds instead. Anywhere but our beloved Ybor City.

What Would You Do???

We went to Jesse’s Steak and Seafood in Brandon. They have the best prime rib in Tampa. The staff are great and the place feels like a friendly Old Supper Club from the Midwest.  We were halfway thru our meal. The server was great giving it 120%. In walked a very large person with an oversized adult walker who sat herself. She parked the walker in front of the table and side back the chair touching mine. When she plopped down in the chair, it shoved me into our table. Carrie looked surprised too and pulled the table closer to him. The server apologized to us. Then politely asked if she could move the walker.  The person then rudely told the server off and said NO!!!  OMG!!! I said to Carrie are we on the show “What Would You Do?” We both just laughed it off.  BUT did look for hidden cameras LOL The server when up to the lady and her friend and apologies several times. She did not accept the apology and demanded all of her time with stupid menu questions.  What Would You Do??? We didn’t say anything just left a big tip and a personal thank you note…. Will be back again soon.

You Just Can Not Make This Up

One Wednesday, 6ish, we went to Bradley’s 0n 7^th, our favorite Happy Hour in Ybor City.  The bar was quiet with the regulars and a strange small group of people.  We asked the bartender who were these people. He said they were with a large company in Ybor City. Since they were standing next to us, we said “HI” and made some small talk. Then Carrie, who is the President of Tampa Pride, said to them…. He was happy to meet them and said the he would like to talk with them about participating in Tampa Pride.  One of the people got very offended and said loudly…that if we want to talk with them about Tampa Pride then do so at a Tampa Chamber of Commerce Meeting or request a meeting on line. This is a very inappropriate time and place to talk!!! Our good friend Nancy leaned over and said “You do know your in a GAY BAR!!!”  It is very sad; the employees might not be homophobic but the managers are.

Here is a very cool “Did You Know?” story. Back on the 1990’s Ybor City was thinking about decorating for Christmas. Diane & Dean James were very active property & business owners in Ybor City. Dean is a very creative artist. At one time owned and operated a stain glass studio and glass blowing studio in Ybor. Dean is also very talented with metal. At one of the many Ybor meeting, Diane & Dean came up with the idea……. To build light bridges across 7th.  Then they wrapped lights on the metal art works. Everybody so loved them that the light bridges were never taken down! Today they are maintained by TECO. Some Holiday decorations are just so FABULOUS that we should enjoy them year round!