Calling all Spanish teachers — past, present, and future! If you or someone you know is a Spanish teacher, we would love to connect with you. We’re exploring the return of Spanish lessons at Centro Asturiano de Tampa and are seeking Spanish teachers interested in being part of this future offering. Classes would be held one night a week and designed for adult learners in our historic Ybor City building. If you’re interested in learning more or would like to be considered as we plan this program, please email ansley@centroasturianotampa.org.
Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
The newly released on Oct 3, Netflix show, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story,” is currently #1 with viewers nationwide. Ed Gein, a single, deranged Wisconsin farmer, is a name associated with a specialty genre of movies such as Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller, “Psycho”, the drive-in B-film, “TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE”, and the 1991 film hit scary drama with superstar casts Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, “The SILENCE OF THE LAMBS”. This is also a name and person that I was personally associated with through my parents and my Aunt Grace.
I was very young in kindergarten in the fall of 1957 when my parents picked me up from grade school in Plover, Wisconsin. “We were heading on a small trip,” I was told.
I remember so vividly that cold, snowy fall day when my father was conversing with my grandfather West in the front seat of the car. Mom was sitting in the back seat of our green Buick, where I got in and sat next to her. I was so excited to know where we are heading and who we are going to see, especially with grandpa with us.
I was told, “We were heading to Plainfield just for a ride! Then stop at the café to get something for lunch.” my mom said softly, giving me a hug.
The 15 minute ride south had us running into a lot of cars parked on the side of the road and police patrols with their lights on. All I could wonder and ask was, ‘what and where are we headed to?
We were off to the Ed Gein house and farm where newspapers, radio, tv reports had put this small town in Wisconsin on the map. My Aunt Grace had a farm market and knew this guy, Ed Gein, who was a pretty peculiar guy and came to pick up vegetables bi-weekly. She talked about him as being weird but friendly.
We slowly drove by the little white house amongst the bare trees and barn where hundreds of people were walking around and were on the small dirt road to the farm. Police were doing traffic control as was the Wisc. State Patrol.
“A crazy SOB!” my grandfather said as they were talking and my dad waved to people he recognized. This was known through the community and country as the “Butcher of Plainfield “ for murdering women, cannibalizing women, digging up graves, and making clothes out of the women’s hides to wear and to dress in. A day I have always remembered and followed!
MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story
Meet Twila Holiday
This incredible Drag Host is now every other week at Kurt’s Place Tampa. Also, the Sawmill Campgrounds. She will remind you of the Legendary Drag Host “Miss Rich Field 1981”.https://www.facebook.com/missrichfield1981/ become Twila Holiday Facebook friend today. Do not miss her next show.
For 12+ years “The Judy B Goode & Paul Thomas Show” has been performing to SOLD OUT audiences at the Holender Hotel. Every show is different and has new acts. Click here to see the photos from the last show. https://www.mcfilm.co/category/great-photos/special-events-photos/
Bert Crawford… WT Grant’s building Ybor City…..before his tragic death in 1993 the word was actor River Phoenix wanted to open his own night club in Ybor City. In 1995 Michael Tubbs, heir to the Gatorade fortune and boyfriend of River’s sister, founded a night club called “Rubb” (which was one of Phoenix’s nicknames) in this building…. https://www.facebook.com/groups/614408325353551/
A silver gelatin print in the Tampa Bay History Center’s collection captures Tampa’s “new” City Hall, completed in 1915, adorned with lights and patriotic bunting. This image is part of a large archive of postcards recently donated to the History Center.
Explore more of Tampa’s past during Archives Awareness Week, July 13-19, which marks the city’s 138th birthday. The week includes 14 free public programs and multiple exhibitions. For a full schedule, visit https://www.tampa.gov/city-clerk/aaw
Here are some ways you can get involved locally in Hillsborough County.
5/10 Gen-Z Outreach at Southern Nights Tampa!
5/17 Canvass Ybor with the LGBTQ+ Caucus
5/22 May Equality Social – How To Def*nk The Democratic Party: A Discussion Of Our Future at Corner Club Tampa.
More to come including special guest speakers from the Conversion Therapy Survivors Network on 05/14 at our general membership meeting at 1920 Ybor City.
“When I was coming to America, I went to the American Embassy and the man asked me, ‘Are you a practicing homosexual?’ And I said I didn’t practice. I was already perfect.” ~ Quentin Crisp
There was only one Titanic… but there are TWO great Titanic one-woman shows! Commemorate the 113th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic April 11-13th, and maybe even get a little immersed.
This double-feature begins with the 60 minute show Mrs. Bliss’s Titanic Adventure by reknowned Bay area performer Bridget Bean, followed by an intermission, and then the hilarious A One Woman Titanic Parody In 59 Minutes Or Less from Orlando by Katie Thayer. Both shows have won awards at the Fringe Festival, so this promises to be a delightful celebration of one of the most famous moments in history.
Where did Ybor City’s iconic chickens come from? Once backyard birds raised by cigar workers in the late 1800s, today’s Ybor chickens roam free through parks and streets, protected by city ordinance and beloved by locals. A new feature from the Tampa Bay Times dives into the birds’ origins, their unlikely rise as cultural mascots, and the local efforts to protect them — including from abandonment and urban dangers. The History Center’s own collection includes cigar box imagery from early brands like Tampa Fad and El Gallo, showing the rooster’s long-standing role in the city’s identity. 📰 Read the full article by Gabrielle Calise, with photos by Jefferee Woo, at https://bit.ly/4l45DuU. Want to see the roosters up close? They’re often spotted near Cigar Workers Park, Hotel Haya and Jose Marti Park — but don’t feed them.
Tampa International Airport
Goodbye, old friends! Overnight, our team successfully removed the first two iconic Blue shuttle cars from Airside A. The old shuttles, which have rolled back and forth for about a million miles, were originally commissioned in the 1990s. Brand-new cars will soon be on their way to TPA!
Located in Perry Harvey Sr. Park, Soulwalk Stop #43 is an art installation entitled Leader’s Row that recognizes educators, community, and Civil Rights leaders. This #BlackHistoryMonth, stroll down one of the Soulwalk walking paths to learn more about the rich history of Tampa’s Black communities. https://www.tampa.gov/soulwalk
MO
This is a fresh story about being an immigrant family. It could also be many more things, that complicate our lives. Watch with an open mind and heart. Rated RQV 5-Stars
Several people have again told us about the perfect holiday gift!!! They go to www.MCfilm.co scroll thru the photos. When you find that perfect photo, print them out then frame for a special gift. https://www.mcfilm.co/category/great-photos/
Thank You Tampa VA
James A. Haley Veteran’ Hospital Primary Care Annex Delta Clinic for checkup today. This was at the front entrance THANK YOU
Tampa legend Alessi Bakery prepares for big move in 2025
WHAT THE ‘H’? Those passing through downtown Tampa this week may have noticed something different about Tampa’s famous “Beer Can” building. https://8.wfla.com/40OkP7K
The best part about going to a World Pride Conference is talking with other Prides. At the last conference people were talking about “The Great Migration.” I did not realize that other people were noticing it too. Our transgender community is now in a “Great Migration.” Not feeling safe in their current states, (like Florida.) They are all leaving for states that are becoming a sanctuary for gender-affirming care. The top 5 states are; Washington State, Colorado, Washington, D.C., California & Minnesota. More states are currently working on gender-affirming care in the Northeast and West Coast.
One Giant Step Forward for Ybor City
This week was the grand opening of La Union in Ybor City. This high-end luxury apartment complex is the 1st of 18 to be built in the new Gasworks area of Ybor City. We are not only looking forward to these new apartment homes but to the fun people that will enjoy this upscale lifestyle. FYI https://www.launionliving.com/
