Category Archives: Uncategorized
4-26-18 Dishing with Mark n Carrie. It’s OFFICIAL
It’s OFFICIAL
JANE CASTOR FOR MAYOR 2019
https://www.facebook.com/janecastorformayor/
THANK YOU ITALIANO INSURANCE
This week Jeff Italiano at Italian Insurance made a very generous donation to Tampa PRIDE. Kicking off Tampa PRIDE 2019!!! Become a facebook fan of Jeff today
https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.italiano
https://www.facebook.com/ItalianoInsurance/
THANK YOU BRADLEY’s on 7th
The Annual Turn-a-bout was a huge success this year!! This year the benefitting nonprofits were the Moffit Cancer Center & Tampa Pride. See all the photos below.
Get Well Soon Desiree A. DeMornay
This past week Desiree was hospitalize and now out. She will be taking some time off. Her family and friends all wish her a speedy recovery. Join us for a very special BINGO Night. https://www.facebook.com/desiree.demornay.5
Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Races
One of our very favorite events is come to Tampa this Saturday. It is free and open to the public. Our favorite tip for any event in Downtown Tampa is to PARK IN YBOR then take the trolley downtown and back. It is fun and a lot easier thank parking downtown ENJOY the DAY!!!
https://www.facebook.com/DragonBoatTampaBay/
Historic East Ybor City and Gary Neighborhood Association
This week the meeting of Historic East Ybor City & Gary was packed. The location was The La Gazeta office building. The meeting was very interesting and full of Ybor information. Join the Facebook page to keep up on all the neighborhood News.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/192793234582350/
Old Ybor City
In this photo is the current day Carne’s Building. In the back ground you can see the Castle. The courtyard is today Centro Ybor and home of Hamburger Mary’s
https://www.facebook.com/groups/310153813673/
The Old Florida First Tower
At one time this was the tallest building in Florida. Today the Park Tower a 36 story building is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation. The building will be painted a light color and feature up lighting. What a nice improvement for this building.
The 36-story building will undergo a multi-million-dollar renovation.
Park Tower will be painted a lighter color, a new entrance will be constructed and it will feature a “light box” that will illuminate the office tower against Tampa’s Riverfront skyline.
Caught @ Hamburger Mary’s
Caught @ Hamburger Mary’s
1-24-18 Dishing with Mark n Carrie…. PIRATES
Gasparilla Parade Tips
The Gasparilla Day Parade is this Saturday. This is a must do event in Tampa!!!
Tip #1 Our favorite tips is… Park your car in Ybor City and take the street car down. The corner of 15th Street & 8th Ave in Ybor is the best location to get on. On this day there will be many buses there so the wait is very short. Remember to bring cash.
Tip # 2 DO NOT wait until the end of the parade to leave. Just imagine what it will be like to have 300,000+ people all leaving at the same time.
Tip #3 When back in Ybor City plan on having dinner and drinks. After dinner it will be easy to get around and back home safely.
Tip #4 Shop early at La France in advance for the BEST Pirate Costumes and accessories. Located at 1612 E 7th Ave in Ybor City. Owner Jill Wax and her team will help you pick out the most incredible outfits and jewelry too.
Remember “What’s a Pirates favorite letter?” RRRRRR
The Big Easy in Ybor City
When was the last time you went to a restaurant and were surprised at how GREAT the Food & Service was? A friend had told us to try “Taco Tuesday” at the Big Easy at 1704 E 7th Ave. The tacos were only $2 and there were 6 to choose from. Steak, Chicken, Spicy Shrimp, Cajun Crawfish, Veggie and Florida Gator. We tried them all and all were perfect. The drink special was a $5 margarita made with fresh squeezed lime juice and Hawaiian black salt rim.
The atmosphere felt like we were on a cooking show location. With light jazz playing in the back ground. There is an open kitchen and a friendly staff. Monday nights are hospitality Night with great discounts to the industry workers. We cannot wait to go back! See you Tuesday. CHEERS
FLASH BACK 2009
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Tampa Pride 2018 Sponsorship, Vendors and Diversity Parade Applications
Applications to be in Hillsborough County and Tampa’s largest LGBTA Diversity Parade, Vendor Expo, Health & Wellness Fair, Artisans Area, 8th Ave Food Alley and Singing Performers/ Groups for March 24th,
3rd Annual TAMPA PRIDE 2018 Festival are now online at TampaPride.org.
The theme for Tampa Pride 2018 Festival is “Diversity in Our Community.” Many events are planned at bars, clubs, organizations and restaurants.
The Tampa Pride 2018 Grand Marshals and Recognized Community Supporters Award winners will be announced coming Feb 1st.
In just 3 years over 40,000 friends, community residents and new found friends have come from all over the country to take part in the once banned Pride event. Again this year thousands will be taking part in the fun daytime “Family Friendly” LGBTA Festival in the GaYBOR District in historic Ybor City.
The Festival Expo & Diversity Parade has always sold out early, so get your applications in early.
Information and applications are available now at www.TampaPride.org.
* Sponsorship opportunities at sponsorship@tampapride.org,
* Parade info at paradeinfo@tampapride.org,
* Volunteer Groups or Individuals at Volunteerinfo@tampapride.org
* or contact Carrie West at c.west@tampapride.org
Festive Floats
Reserve your floats NOW for Tampa PRIDE
Annual Wine & Chocolate Festival
The Ybor City Wine Bar Proudly Presents
Our Annual Wine & Chocolate Festival
A Valentines Sip & Shop Event
Sunday, February 11th, 2018 from 4 pm – 7 pm
The Ybor City Wine Bar’s Annual Wine & Chocolate Festival will take place on Sunday, February 11th, 2018 from 4 pm – 7 pm. This event will be held at our Ybor City Location.
Admission to the Wine & Chocolate Festival is $45 and includes 75 wines to sample, plus a variety of gourmet chocolates, cheeses, and desserts.
In addition to savoring the wonderful wines, we can also take care of all of your Valentines shopping needs. Wine makes the perfect gift! Enjoy a 25% discount on all wines, baskets, and holiday items purchased during the event. We will have complimentary gift bags, tissue and wrap to get you all set.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (813) 999-4966 or email us at YborCityWineBar@aol.com
The Ybor City Wine Bar is located on the 1st floor of The Centro Ybor Complex in the heart of the Ybor City Historic District – 1600 E 7th Ave – Ybor City (Tampa) – Florida – 33605
Tickets are available at our Ybor City Location as well as our Seminole Heights location or can be purchased online. –
yborcitywinechocolatefestival2018.eventbrite.com
Save the Date
Fiesta Day 2018
Ybor City 1970’s
Just to the left in this photo is Hamburger Mary’s today. The vertical Casino sign today says Carnes and you can see in the back ground the present day 7 11 building. We remember toss coins into this fountain for good luck. Wonder where the fountain is today? One of the guys in the photo looks like a young Vince Pardo too. Hum???
Dishing with Mark N Carrie…. Gary Town, Florida
Shuuuuush… GARY Town is HOT!
In the 1980’s we moved to a downtown area of Tampa and purchased homes in North Hyde Park. People asked WHY? We would simply say Adorable & Location, Location, Location Today it’s one of the HOTTEST Neighborhoods in Tampa with lots starting at $300,000.
In 2007 we opened MC FILM FEST store in Ybor City and started The GaYBOR District Coalition. When asked why Ybor City? We would simply say Adorable & Location, Location, Location. Just look at Ybor City today!!!!
Shuuuush!!! It’s about to happen again.
In 2015 we purchased our “Forever Home” in Gary. We started lovingly to restore her and are almost finished. When asked why? We say Adorable & Location, Location, Location. We were first looking in Ybor City. Then lucky for us, our realtor Tina Marie Elonian 813-997-4321 suggested a big fixer upper in Gary. So where is Gary? Start by taking a drive down “One of the Top Ten Streets in America, 7th Ave” in Ybor City!!! Going east on 7th Ave to the Columbia Restaurant. From The Columbia continue east to the Cross Town Connector (about 30th St) this is East Ybor City. Then starts Gary. From 30th Street on the west, to 40th street on the east. Alamo drive on the south, to the interstate on the north side. The resident district starts at 7th Ave on the south to the interstate I-4 on the north.
Historic Gary Town is actually older than Ybor City. It is where the trains turn around and backed into the Tampa Train Station. This is also where Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders got off the train and then proudly marched down 7th Ave into Ybor. Two of Gary’s most important building have since been torn down, The Gary Elementary School and The Spanish Park Restaurant. We had many fun dinner dates at the Spanish Park Restaurant when we arrived in Tampa and going to USF.
Today on 7th Ave in Gary, is the La Gaceta Newspaper http://lagacetanewspaper.com/ , the popular Empire Paint and Hardware Store http://www.empirepaintandhardware.com/ and Smelt Feed and Pet Supplies (Also jokingly called The Ybor Chicken Feed Store.) https://www.facebook.com/SmeltFeed/ The new redevelopment of a secret district has begun in Gary NOW. This past week was the opening of The Jameson B. Breadhouse Bakes https://www.facebook.com/JamisonBakes/ There are hot rumors of more new businesses and restaurants opening soon.
Our new home is located at 3510 E 8th Ave. From here it is a 15 minute walk to the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor. On our street alone there are already 4 LGBT homes. Besides Location there are several other great reasons to consider Gary. With a $5 Uber fare to Ybor City it’s the perfect place for an Airbnb. It IS NOT in the Historic Ybor City District. So there is NO Barrio Latino Commission and historic regulations in the district yet! https://www.tampagov.net/historic-preservation/info/barrio-latino-commission. This means you can build whatever and however you would like to.
Today there are more empty lots than homes in The Historic Gary District. This means buildable lots!!! The people who do live there have lived there most of their lives. We can truly say we have not met one person we didn’t like. In Gary Town there is truly a sense of Community. Check out the new Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/192793234582350/
If you are feeling Adventurous and like being an Urban Pioneer then Gary Town is the neighborhood you should check out for your home and/or business TODAY before it’s too late.
The Best Part is Adorable & Location, Location Location. WELCOME to Gary Town
TAMPA PRIDE 2018 Vendor, Parade & Sponsorship Applications Online
TAMPA PRIDE 2018 wants to wish Everybody a Happy 2018. The new 2018 Sponsorship Applications, Vendor App and Diversity Parade Apps are now online at www.Tampapride.org.
TAMPA PRIDE 2018 is set for March 24, 2018 in Historic Ybor City. This is a fun daytime “Family Friendly” event co-sponsored by Ybor City Development Corp. and many area companies including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Grow Financial, USAA Insurance, Tampa International Airport, Metro Wellness, Hilton Hotels, I Heart Media, AAA Travel, Hamburger Mary’s, Hampton Inn, Bradley’s on 7th, Capital One, New York New York Pizza, Honey Pot, Ybor City Wine Bar and dozens of other great supportive companies. Most of these major companies have gone nationwide with sponsorship to other regional Pride cities after starting their 1st LGBTA presence in TAMPA PRIDE events.
After the packed memorable fun daytime festivities it is the bars, restaurants, stores, clubs and community in the GaYBOR District showing the 1000’s of out of area visitors a great night time experience with many headliners performing. A warm welcome to the 40,000+ LGBTA visiting friends and families that take in this great friendly hospitable celebration and stay overnight in Tampa Bay and historic Ybor City. Plan early!!!
The full daylong events this year will continue starting at 9:45am with the huge Vendor Expo, 160+ unit Diversity Parade with our Honored Grand Marshals and local Celebrities, 2 Super Entertainment Stages in HCC Festival Stage area and Hamburger Mary’s Stage in Centro Ybor. Also the “TAMPA PRIDE’S Tribute to the Community” event honoring the Historic Key West Sea-toSea 100′ 8 Color Rainbow Flag, Tampa Bay Pride Marching Band, Area GSA’s (Gay Straight Alliances) from high schools and colleges on 7th Avenue and the Celebrity Concert in the HCC Festival stage area. Last years singing performer was celebrity artist Steve Grand. News of this years 2018 Celebrity and Grand Marshals will be released soon!
Added events this year include the Health & Wellness Fair in HCC West End Parking lot with FREE Health Testing and the Artisan & New Entrepreneur Fair on HCC Ybor Campus which includes emerging Artists, Craftsman, Sculpturers and new Start Up Companies Booths. Festival & Events are on 7th, 8th & 9th Ave.
So please support TAMPA PRIDE 2018 with your company involvemrnt, organization participating or yourself helping finance, donate, display or volunteer. 2018 TAMPA PRIDE Sponsorship Flags are also available at www.TampaPride.org.
CASA MARTI
Demolition has begun to make way for Casa Marti. When finished there will be about 100 apartments, 8,000sq ft of retail and parking for 100 cars. We especially like the name “Casa Marti”. Casa means house and Marti is named after Jose Marti the great Cuban liberator who has connections to Ybor City. In Cuba Jose Marti is as well know as Abraham Lincoln is in America. Legend also has it that Jose Marti was enjoying a rum and cola with lime in Ybor City and named the famous drink Cuba Libre (Translation Free Cuba). Located across the street is Jose Marti Park. This ground is owned by Cuba not the USA. Next time in Ybor take a trip to Cuba!!!
http://chanceydesignpartnership.com/marti-apartments/
The Ybor City Cuban Sandwich
BEER CAN ISLAND SOLD
Times staff writer Paul Guzzo always wrights the most interesting articles! This week he tells about a floating Tiki Bar that just purchase “Beer Can Island” Read the story here. http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/Owners-of-floating-bar-needed-home-port-so-they-bought-popular-Beer-Can-Island-off-Apollo-Beach_164153083
Caught @ Hamburger Mary’s
Dishing with Mark and Carrie…Fun Date Suggestions
2 DATE NIGHTS Suggestions
On Thursday, October 19 TAMPA PRIDE will Host a Fun “TAMPA PRIDE KICK OFF PARTY”. The party will be at the Worlds Largest Hamburg Mary’s in Brandon , FL. At this Kick Off party will be the acclaimed Daphne Ferraro Stage Production of “Hocus Pocus” Between NOW and Oct 19 schedule a fun “Hocus Pocus Movie Night” with your family & friends at home. Don’t forget to stop and pick up your favorite Halloween Candy before the movie. That way you can re buy more before Halloween! Then join TAMPA PRIDE for all the music and magic of Hocus Pocus on Oct 19th.
InterPride 2017 World Conference
Just returning from a World Pride Conference in Indianapolis, Kurt King and Carrie West represented TAMPA PRIDE as newcomer delegates. Over 100 cities/countries from around the World Pride’s were represented. Thousands were in attendance. Also attending from Florida were Orlando Come Out With Pride, St. Pete Pride, Miami Beach Pride, Ft Lauderdale Pride and Florida Hispanic Pride.
The conference kicked off to an overwhelming applause for 6 new Pride organizations attending from unlikely places; Poland, Kenya, Guiana, Honduras and Brazil. Countries that often come under attack and individuals often beaten or murdered because of being LGBT! From small Pride groups of under 1,000 attendees to over 2 million attendees at Montreal, Paris, Copenhagen, New York City Pride events.
In a land that we mostly have known as an anti-LGBT state, the Governor of IndianapolisEric Holcomb and Indy Mayor Joseph Hogsett welcomed all the delegates to the “Hoosier State.” The middle of the state is the state capitol in Indianapolis and is referred to as the “Paris, 300 years after.” by the Indiana Art Museum Director.
Most importantly, objectives and plans for Pride events around the globe were held in many capacities with 4 mini educational seminars/programs going on hourly. Over 20 global topics with respected and noted speakers lead the hot topics of discussion.
Topics included Black Lives Matter, Inclusive Sports, LGBT Domestic Violence, Peace Corp participation, Pride Social Change in rural communities, Aligning with Pride Organization Trans Community, Millennial Gay Choices, Latin America Pride Movements, Pioneers of Pride events, Faiths engaging Groups to other major topics affecting Pride organizations. Very informative and educational.
In selecting future World Pride hosting locations, the worldwide competition was fierce! 2 great American cities had World Pride bids for 2019 (Austin, Tx) and 2021 (Ft Lauderdale, FL). Both had excellent presentations and leadership to back up the support for the many millions of LGBT attendees. Both lost! Austin lost to Athens, Greece and Ft. Lauderdale lost to Copenhagen, Denmark.
Some of International Pride delegates told me that because of the present American Trump administration, they feared not getting visas or other countries getting visas into the United States.
Another LGBT slap in the face for equal and humanitarian rights!
Tampa’s All Hallows Ball
This Saturday night is the Largest Private Non-profit Halloween Party in the state. If you didn’t get a ticket don’t worry. Many of the guest will be in GaYbor/Ybor City after to show off their Fantastic Costumes. https://allhallowsball.org/
Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
The Festival Continues Check out all the film times and dates at https://tiglff.com/
TAMPA PRIDE & TIGLFF Presents…
TAMPA PRIDE BINGO
From The MC Film News Bag
Dishing with Mark and Carrie… CRAZY WEEKEND
TONIGHT 8PM
Aaron Carter announced that he is bi sexual. Now he will be performing TONIGHT at Hamburger Mary’s Brandon
CONGRATULATIONS Carrie West
Happy 50th Birthday Kurt King
FSU BLOCK PARTY
The Annual FSU Ybor City Block Party is this Saturday. Start your party at Hamburger Mary’s. There will be a special FAST Menu starting at 11AM. Check out all the Wild CRAZY FUN from the Balcony at Hamburger Mary’s with Tea Cup and Alton!!! With 5,000+ drunken FSU Alumni what could happen???? LOL
https://www.813area.com/events/fsu-seminole-block-party-ybor-expecting-to-break-records.html
Ybor City Art Walk
THIS SATURDAY!!!
https://www.facebook.com/YborArtAlliance/
Memorial Day Weekend
Summer Free Agent Day 8/13/17
The Suncoast Softball League, the Tampa Bay area’s largest GLBTA sports league, holds its summer softball skills day for new players interested in joining the league on Sunday August 13th (rescheduled from July 30th rainout). Our league plays in the spring, summer and fall (as well as tournaments around the country including the Gay Softball World Series). Our Tampa tournament, the GasparillaSoftballClassic.com, happens each President’s Day in February.
Players are placed in divisions based on their individual level of play, from recreation (or where beginners normally start) to intermediate to advanced. At the skills day, players will field ground balls, throw, catch fly balls and hit. Registration begins at 9:30; practice at 10:00!
Whether you already have a team, or you are new and starting from scratch (we can place you on a team), you’re welcome to join us.
Once the day is over, we’ll have our social event of the day called Extra Innings. Extra Innings events are usually held at the end of each day of play. We leave softball behind and meet new friends or renew old ones. Sunday 8/13’s Extra Innings will be at one of our league’s original sponsors, City Side Lounge, 3703 Henderson Blvd in south Tampa. The event will start at 2pm and run until 6pm. The #Rays play at the #Indians that afternoon chasing 1st place!
Questions, visit our website at SuncoastSoftball.org or email commissioner@suncoastsoftball.org
Photos of the Week 7-23-17
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