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Category Archives: Special Events Photos
1st Annual MASKED Ball Gala
The newly formed Tampa group, “Foundation For Tolerance” held it’s First Annual Masked Ball Gala at the Floridan Hotel’s Grand Ballroom in downtown Tampa. The masked charity event had hundreds of benefactors supporting a newly recognized Tampa Bay GLBT youth cause. All in glitter, promoter and founder Gail Gibson did a fantastic job of creating this wondrous charity event..
The statistics show that over 40% of homeless youth are GLBT, have a higher suicide rate as teenagers and are often kicked out of the nuclear family after coming out to family as being GLBT.
The evening had the real glitz and chic glamour. Dorene Collier’s, Event Show Productions did an excellent job of creating a very fun and relaxed atmosphere in the 2 story ballroom. The savory food trays simply awesome and over the top desert station were delectable & extraodinaire! Thank You also to GaYBOR Members, Apple Blossom Florist crew for the many wonderful and beautiful flower arrangements.
Also creating an evening of masquerade mystic ambiance were the casino table games and silent auction area .
But the real surprise was the outrageous guest performer from New York City. Known as the ‘Most Creative Fiercest Hybrid Drag Bitch ‘ in the country, Acid Betty. What a great explosive entertainer with a wild backup choreographed cast. DJ’s carried on after the show rocking the rest of the evening. A lot of money (and still counting) was raised for the charity and this is one of many planned events this year. Help and participate in a great cause. www.facebook.com/FoundationForTolerance
FMI on Acid Betty www.acidbetty.com,
Foundation of Tolerance Mission Statement:
The Foundation for Tolerance was established to raise funds for at risk and LGBT teens that are living in a hostile environment or made homeless.
Funds will also be directed to create greater acceptance and to teach tolerance of youth in schools and at home through suicide prevention education to reduce peer and family rejection. The Foundation will organize and sponsor a myriad of annual fundraising events from which proceeds will be directed to both local and national community outreach centers that play a hands-on role in providing housing and counseling.
The Foundation for Tolerance, through compassion, innovation and dedication, along with increasing community involvement, will become instrumental in serving the communities we support. We live our mission by inspiring donors to participate in programs that reflect their values, capture their interest, satisfy their need for recognition and promote a feeling of making a difference
GaYBOR District Meeting
The plans have been planned out for the new spring time GaYBOR Community Partners Event, ” Roosters of Ybor.” Ybor City HCC Campus President, Dr. Shawn Robinson was guest speaker giving further insight on HCC Ybor City Campus.
” We enjoy our partnership with GaYBOR District , in fact our piano from “Pianos in Ybor” is still outside on the HCC terrace. Students play it continuously.” Dr Robinson said. “Enrollment is down a little but the tuition is staying the same.” Remarks made In regards to tuition hikes at other Florida universities.
The second guest speaker was Tampa PD Community Officer Sean Mahabir. A study for the past 10 years has Ybor City at its lowest Crime rate with an 80% crime drop. Stats that Officer Sean shared were stolen vehicles in Ybor City in 2002 was 233 cars. 2012 only 12 cars! That is a 92% drop in YC crime. Auto burglary 2002 had 504 break ins, 2012 had less than 30!
“So far crime is down even more than last year.” he stated. “Ybor City is safer than most cities in the United States. We need to let the media and people know this!”
We feel the new Business Crime Watch in Ybor City TPD partnering and GaYBOR District have a lot to do with the low numbers.
Rich Kerin is in charge of the community partnership, Roosters in Ybor. A full list of activities include an open HCC Ybor City Gallery Gala Party. The student painted roosters will be judged by members of the Hillsborough Cty Art Council. Throughout May the painted roosters will be on display at a variety of stores throughout Ybor City.
A FREE Scavenger Rooster Hunt is also set to find all the rooster locations. Prizes will be given to all completed cards.
Member Fred Corryn been appointed as a new GLBTA liaison for the James Haley VA Hospital.
Upcoming, New Board officers election is set at the next GaYBOR Meeting, May 10th at Game Time on 8th Ave.
From the MC Film Mail Bag
Festa Italiano
This year the 16th Annual Festa Italiano brought over 15 thousand visitors to historic Ybor City. The great sunny spring weather ran four days and benefited the Ybor City Italian Club included a VIP Party, team bocce ball competition, Wine making, Italian Idol contest and the huge Sunday Italian Food Fest. Over 35 participating local & Italian cuisine restaurants on Sunday had the crowds drooling. It was a whole day of renewing friendships and experiencing the Italian Sunday dinner dishes that Grandma used to make.
The streets were abuzz with the high end displayed Italian sports car models Mazzeratti, Ferrari and Fiat cars on site. Bands, dancing and the official early Sunday morning church service procession ceremony with the local parish priests and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
Congrats to another great Italian year in historic Ybor City.
Cuban Sandwich Fest, Year 2
The first year was a competition of two cities, Miami & Tampa’s way of making the traditional Cuban Sandwich. Head guru planner, David Audett had the two cities feuding for the 2nd Annual Best Cuban Sandwich Competition. The judges were recognizable as well. Tampa City Council members Harry Cohen, Yvonne “Yolie” Capin , Mike Suarez and Mary Mulhern. Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor and partner political strategist, Anna Cruz and her mother, Fl State Rep. Janet Cruz. Yes, news media celebrity columnists buffs Steve Otto, Jack Harris, Patrick Manteiga, Gayle Guyardo, HCC President Sean Robinson, Giuldo Maniscalco and dozens of others including taste tester judge, Carrie.
This had to be a perfect day in sampling traditional and non traditionall area known sandwiches. There were meatball turkey, deep fried Cubans, vegetarian Cuban (?) and some undescribable.
The festival was in the streets and in conjunction with Ybor City Saturday Morning Market, this year closing down 3 streets for the festival at Centennial Park in Ybor City. The State Park Museum & Gardens was the headquarters to the samplings and judging of over 50 sandwiches.
Dishing with Mark & Carrie 3-27-13
Dishing with Mark & Carrie
3-27-13
Happy Easter & Welcome Spring
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We are so PROUD of our nieces
Sarah West & Jenifer Callahan West !!!!!
Both are at the US Supreme Court today!
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Our BIG Surprise of the Year
We are both into genealogy. It is always fun and full of interesting surprises. This week we received an email from a person in Oslo, Norway. He had found us on www.Ancestry.com My Grandfather was his Great Uncle and we have the same Great Grandparents!!! We thought we would never make contact with any of these relatives. My Mom had old photos marked relatives in Norway with no names attached. His Mom was one of those unnamed relatives. Then just when you think it couldn’t get better it did! He is 1 year younger than me, has 3 children and all are on Facebook.
Mark pulled up the facebook photo of the kids then asked Carrie. “How do you like this photo?” Carrie replied “That’s a great photo our niece Brianne.”
It was not Brianne but our new found family in Norway!!! WOW Talk about a family resemblance!!! If you have not tried www.Ancestry.com give it a try. You will not believe what & who you’ll find.
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Mayor’s State of Tampa Address
Tampa’s State of the City by Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was held in a very historical Tampa landmark. The historical preserved Kress Building on Franklin Street.
The sky seems to be bright and clear heading for a major turn around for the big West Coast Tampa Bay area in jobs, business growth, downtown development and residential property ownership. Tampa is on the cusp of new positive progress. Changes are small but can be seen as on higher ground and more secure since the depressive 2009. It has taken well over 2 decades to try to kick start the old downtown area. Now 2 new boutiques hotels are to be opening in the newly created Arts District of Tampa in 2014. More high rise condos have already been presented for new construction. parks are being reinvented. The long talked about Riverwalk should be finalizing its extension for community appreciation. The new multi-family and shopping center, Encore is only blocks away from downtown.
At a recent conference of realtors, David Traynor of Tampa’s Smith & Associates presented positive figures in showing three downtown apartments at 98 percent leased and another rental building at 94 percent occupancy. Wow, who thought. The new downtown medical research building, CAML and speculation that Tampa will be the new home of the Tampa Bay Rays Baseball Team has sparked a lot of new possibilities. Medical research is a hot commodity. And has grant money available for research and development. A groundbreaking for another new downtown apartment building next to the Kennedy is set for late spring. Other major companies are looking to increase their presence in downtown Tampa.
I am an historical preservationists. But a major economic and development direction for 2013 in Historic Ybor City would be to sell and fill in all the empty lots with new home/townhouse construction. Too old of a community can die and dither away even in a good economic environment. New life/ building is needed. There is a very large abundance of empty lots in the historic Ybor district that needs to be built upon and not be used primarily for weekend parking lots for cars. Developers are needed to help in this project and to move Ybor City forward again.
2013 will be a very good growth year!
MC FILM is loaded up for Spring.
New lines of fashion swimwear have arrived. Kismiit, Unico, Pistol Pete, Whittail & Shon.
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GaYBOR Easter Bonnet Hops to Success
The Annual GaYBOR Easter Bonnet Hop was held with great colorful bonnets amongst the partiers. Headed by officers Mike Olds and Mark Eary, the 10 stop hop helped raise money for the GaYBOR District Coalition. The large crawl bonnet leader with flowing wings and a butterfly head dress was Mama from Bradley’s on 7th. The forecast was for rain came but never materialized.
A special bar crawl guest was Intl model for famous swimwear and underwear company, Andrew Christian’s Danny S. He was stunning and adorable. He was here at the guest appearance of Honey Pot and G.Bar
The judged bonnet contest was won by Lynn, DQ Monte and YC Geeeky Gal. Thanks to all the participating bars; Bradley’s on 7th, Liquid, Barbarella’s Social, Ybor City Wine Bar, Hamburger Mary’s, Dog’s Bollocks, Gaspar’s Grotto, Reservoir Bar, Tequilla’s, and Crowbar.
Thanks for everyone’s help!
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THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WINE
By Lady Jayme
Welcome to the wonderful world of wine. Wine should not only be fun and fabulous, but enjoyable and memorable as well. Wine is not only about the quality of the taste but about the amazing company who joined you for that outstanding bottle. Having said that, the cost for a good bottle is all relative but the value of the experience should be priceless.
In selecting the perfect bottle, consider the occasion, guest list, time of day and of course any food or meal parings. The perfect wine selection for an outdoor spring afternoon will differ greatly from a winter holiday in front of the fireplace. Remember to keep in mind not only the food paring but the event pairing as well.
For your daytime events and occasions, I would stick to lighter, crisper, more aromatic varietals such as Rieslings, Sauvignon Blancs and Viogniers. And if the occasion warrants it, bubbles and sparklers are always in order to celebrate the festivities with an Italian Prosecco or Spanish Cava.
For your cooler evening selections, I would suggest pairing with stronger, bolder rich red varietals to keep you warm but still remain festive. Some good thoughts for this would be Malbecs from Mendoza, Shiraz from Australia and of course our very own full bodied Napa Cabernet Sauvignons. You can never go wrong with a good Napa Cab that pairs well with almost everything, especially another glass. No matter what wine you select, always remember that the most important part of the selection process is who you share it with. Excellent company will turn that good wine into a great wine worth a 100 points every time.
Until next time.
Cheers from the Ybor City Wine Bar,
Jayme Kosar
USSA Advanced Sommelier
Obituary
Donald Dennison
2-1-54 3-14-13
A Tampa native who loved life, his family and friends. A Legendary South Tampa Celebrity Bartender. Always there with a friendly smile, a drink and just a little bit of attitude.
A service to remember Donnie’s life on earth will be held Saturday, March 30 at 11am at the Blount & Curry Funeral Home located at 605 S MacDill Ave, Tampa FL 33609.
A service to remember Donnie’s life on earth will be held Saturday, March 30 at 11am at the Blount & Curry Funeral Home located at 605 S MacDill Ave, Tampa FL 33609.
Please sign the guest book at http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/dondennison/Homepage.aspx
St Patrick’s Day Float GaYBOR Style
The Preparations and implementaion to have a parade is enormous. Ybor City does have it’s fair share of parades. Most recently, last Saturday, The Annual Rough Riders St Patrick’s Day Parade. For the 5th year in a row, GaYBOR District Coalition has been invited to attend and participate in the big fun Irish event. As being a real spurt of change and ecconomics to Tampa, GaYBOR members ( 60% gay friendly & 40% gay owned businesses/ organizations from all around Florida) are so proud to participate and show the diversity that GaYBOR/ Ybor City has. We had a blast being a part of the annual Shamrock themed Irish parade.
We are honored to have been invited by the charity giving Rough Riders but there is a segment of the country that doesn’t allow any GLBT participation in any St. Patty’s traditional event..LGBT’s are not allowed in Boston, New York, Chicago and Savannah, Ga parades. Just say’n…
Wake up America it is 2013 !!!
Fiesta Day & Flan Festival in Ybor City
The Annual Fiesta Day had a perfect day for the event. Thousands of visiting people descended upon Ybor City for the Latin & Italian heritage weekend. Starting out this festival in the early 1900 cigar workers created Fiesta day as a day off to show pride to there new lauded country and celebrate their old one as well. Music, dancing, traditions, friendships and of course all the varieties of food. Today the fiesta events continues.
The Ybor Chamber sponsored day of celebrating ancestry and the friends couldn’t of asked for a better day. The last previous 3 years rain stomped on the event! Chamber President Tom Keating & Michelle K were making sure all events were running smooth and vendors happy and content. The weather hit the mid 80 degree. BB&T had a large mobile ATM banking unit, Krewe of Mamba celebrated in the 7th Ave. GaYBOR District with Salsa music. Fresh Mouth Restaurant was reinvented for the day with roast beef sandwiches. The Italian Club had their homemade Italian Sausage sandwiches and Italian pizza pies! Since last year a dozen new businesses & restaurants have appeared in GaYBOR / Ybor City including Carne Chophouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, Ybor City Wine Shop, Dave’s Deli, Row Boat, Bad Monkey, James Joyce Pub and Game Time. Food vendors had an array of all types of aromatic ethnic foods. A collaboration of local businesses, social organizations, non profits and residents made for a most memorable day.
The celebration was also commencing in Centennial Park with the Annual Flan Festival Competition. Sixty plus determined entries vowed to win the bragging rights of the family secret desert. Sometimes it meant businesses competing also. Ybor Saturday Morning Market Manager Lynn Schultz had the judges, news crews, entry contestants and radio hosts on a tight schedule. The park was surrounded by vendors, food trucks and tents full of crafts.
But the traditional super egg- milk- sugar baked dessert mixture was the envy in everyone’s palate!
Plain Yummy!!!
