Future Planning Ybor City & LGBT Community

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October is  National Community Planning Month and did a combined workshop by the American Planning Association, YCDC, USF Urban & Regional Planning,USF Student Planning,Metro Wellness & Community Centers, Tampa bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce, Ybor City Chamber of Commerce, Tampa Pride, GaYBOR District and City of Tampa about LGBTA communities and future Urban Planning in Ybor City.

The event was at Metro Wellness & Community Centers coinciding with National Coming Out Day, October 11th.

Many speakers including Petra Doan, PHD, Professor and PHD Program Director, Florida State University Dept of Urban and Regional Planning talked about the evolution of LGBT communities. Larger and smaller cities face this evolution of the “Gay Ghetto”. Chicago, Houston, Washington, DC and happening now in Atlanta. Ybor City is part of the study of LGBT community relocation and drifting locations.

I was proud to be a part of Dr. Doans study 6 years ago when she was visiting Ybor City. A lot of the qualities for making an inclusive and diverse city populous are happening now in Ybor City. Changes are not always bad and it just happens. Like “Gayborhood Ghettos”, which is a slang for pioneering redevelopment (usually new white LGBT residents move in) from a blighted area of a city changing into a very redeveloped niche place to live and work. More unique restaurants, clubs, stores and off beaten charm. It happens all the time… Community Evolution.

Many USF students, local leaders, government officials attended the seminar but really the crowd that needed to hear and participate about all the great happenings of a positive diverse city as Ybor City is, were absent

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City of Tampa Scores First Human Rights Campaign, “100”

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and city officials should be very proud that Tampa landed for the first time a perfect score from Human Rights Campaign. People are watching.

 

 

One of Our Top Favorites

https://youtu.be/ZlS-Z04m8VU

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Grocery Stores

Everyone has a favorite grocery store that is our “GO TO PLACE.”  Every now and then we like to shop somewhere different. Trade Joe’s, Sam’s Club, Sanwa Farmer’s Market… etc. Our friends were talking about and old store they just found. Harvey’s Supermarket, located just 4 minutes from Ybor City, at 7851 Palm River Road, Tampa.  The store is owned by Winn-Dixie and was stocked full of great produce and meats at a very reasonable prices. There was a FUN $1 ZONE too.  It’s not a place we would shop everyday but is sure worth an occasional trip to.

Thank You Manny Alvarez.

Who remember the 2nd Impulse in Tampa? We remember the black light pool tables and WILD Halloween Parties. This later became the Tampa Eagle and today is vacant lot.

Obituary

Pompano Bill Calcaterra

We have lost an icon of our South Florida community. Pompano Bill was one of the kindest, funniest and greatest men you could have ever met in your lifetime. 1,000’s of his photos will live on forever.

https://www.facebook.com/PompanoBill

Orlando; Come Out With Pride

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On the fast track of what is labeled, “the Corridor of Prides” from across Florida. Orlando had their fanfare with positive changes as their growth has tripled in years. The double stages, moving vendors onto the street and leaving the Lake Eola Park open for greenery and was more shade and relaxing in the 97 degree heat.

Every and all public candidates were in attendance also. Hundreds of church groups, non profits and businesses filled the streets with info and trinkets for sale.

Orange County, City of Orlando and major city groups help sponsor and promote Come Out With Pride Orlando.

An estimated 200,000 enjoyed the Festival, Parade and early night Fireworks.

The Pride events of today are a far cry from the past.

You Just Can Not Make This Up

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We all have that one friend who always makes you laugh. We had told our friend about a new store on South Dale Mabry in Tampa. The store was Fresh Sprouts Farmers Market.  A couple days later we received a call from out friend. She said in a upset voice, “I’ve been driving up and down Dale Mabry and just cannot find that store Fresh Squirts anywhere!!!” We laughed and said that that sounds like a name to a Gay Bar. LMAO  Every time we drive past Fresh Sprouts  we say there’s that new Gay Bar Fresh Squirts.

10-11-18 Dishing with Mark and Carrie … Here Comes Halloween

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Oct 11 National Coming Out Day

Last night our Rainbow Plantation came out, LOL Surprise everyone already knew LOL

Halloween 2018

The Kick Off to the Halloween Season starts this Friday. There will be a 1st time Latino Halloween Party at Carne’s in Ybor City.

The Ybor Merchants Association and 3The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce Will be hosting The 7th Annual Fantasma Festival Oct 26 – 28. This 3 day event will feature something for everyone.

https://www.facebook.com/events/271620360106564/

 

Hamburger Mary’s

Honey Pot

 

The Crowbar 12th Anniversary

How can it be 12 years already? Congratulations and THANK YOU for being such a Great Part of our Community.  Everyone is Welcome at the Crowbar.

https://www.facebook.com/events/537602893333115/

 

Capital One

Getting ready for Tampa PRIDE 2019

 

Congratulations PACO Pride

https://www.facebook.com/PascoPride2018/

Pride – Zoo – La

https://tampapride.org/product/pride-zoo-la-ticket-or-corporate-pack/

 

 

HAVE A HeARTh SHOW

https://www.facebook.com/events/267557040446580/

 

RuPaul American Official Song

https://youtu.be/se-9gxoFk38

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The Hillsborough County Democratic LGBTA Caucus.

The voting cards are out.  We agree with most of the card.

https://www.facebook.com/hclgbtadc

Dishing with Mark n Carrie…. Look what’s NEW in Ybor 10-3-18

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Tonight

Casa Ybor

Most recent update from Casa Ybor to the YCDC. There restoration of Casa Buchman and Casa Oliva both very well done keeping a close match to historic guidelines and Mixed use (residential/retail) keeping with the Urban Village concept. Right now they are busy re developing several sites on the West End. We are excited to see the finished properties. A sign on the buildings say “NOW RENTING” for more information visit www.CasaYbor.com  & https://www.facebook.com/casaybor/

Tampa Bay Rum Company, Home of Gaspars Rum

Last Wednesday I took Carrie to the new rum distillery in Ybor City & Home of Gaspar’s Rum. Carrie didn’t really want to go but had a Great time. The very next day our sisters were in town overnight. Carrie insisted that we take the sisters the very next day! If you have not been there yet go now. You will see why this is such a great place to take visitors to. The cost to sample all the rums was only $12 and there is also a groupon for even less.

 

https://www.facebook.com/GasparsRum/

https://www.gasparsrum.com/

 

City Side News

 

The owner of City Side, James Encke is in the hospital having a hip replaced. We all look forward to seeing Jim back at City Side SOON!!! Best wishes to Jim and his partner. Be3low is from Jim’s facebook page….

In an effort not to worry many of my family n friends. I kinda keep a very important secret until I knew things were going to be better & I was through the worst part of the woods.

So before Nene LoveSports, has a chance to chime in & blurt out “What You’re Gay, Plesse We all Ready Knew”

Yesterday I checked into Tampa General Hospital & under went a “Revision Hip Replacement Surgery”.

After 14 years of wear & tear of Air Force Military life & being an active owner of a Successful Local Bar/Lounge, City Side Lounge.

The time has come for me to “Up Grade my “Iron Man” military durable spare parts from local Pier 1, Bed Bath & Beyond, Dicks Sporting, Tampa Bay Leather n Kink & Mark West Bias Tea Cup MCFilm fest approved Hardware (incidentally has a 30 expected life time, ya know for the Sling n all warranty). Now not only will I or do I have a bit of style, I have that Snap ya Fingers Garce as well.

On a more serious note, a special thanks goes out to my entire staff for stepping up while I’m recovering. A very special thank goes out to Todd Kruckenberg, Anjila Cavalier & Nene LoveSports for running the show till I get back. Most importantly, and without question a very deserving thank you goes out to George Carlton.

George, I love you very much, we have been together for 18 years and you have stayed by my side through now 3 major surgeries, TDY’s, deployments, 2 year long Permanent Changes of stations, 4 puppies and of course putting up with me and all my antics… I love you dearly and could not have asked for nor deserved a greater partner and husband..

https://www.facebook.com/james.encke

 

Cephas Hot Shop

We have heard about Cephas and his Jamaican restaurant for years. Finally we stop in. We are already big fans of taking Aloe for health. Cephas’s passion for aloe took it to a new unbelievable level. WOW to say he is very passionate is a huge understatement.  The meal was actually very good. Everybody should stop in for the Cephas experience just once. https://www.facebook.com/aloeforhealth/

HELP WANTED

Hello friends and family. The new company I am working for has an immediate need for a customer service rep in their call center. It’s a small call center and it’s helping customers set up installations in their home. It’s about 35 hours a week and 1pm to 8pm. They are looking for 2 years customer service experience and about a year in a call center if possible. If you or someone you know is interested ping me or send resume to me at peter.mardon@apolloretail.com.

TAMPA PRIDE

100+ tickets already SOLD. Get yours today before they sell out at https://tampapride.org/product/pride-zoo-la-ticket-or-corporate-pack/

 

TECO STREET CAR