From the MC Film Mail Bag
Important Updates from Tampa-Ybor Police Officer Sean Mahabir
Greetings,
I hope everyone is doing well and please continue to be safe! There are a couple things I’m seeing and wanted to bring to your attention….
- Lock your car doors and don’t place high priced items on your front seat (PLEEEEEEASE)
- Lock your bikes up with the standard U-shaped lock (the bad guys haven’t been able to cut these types of locks)
- If you see a suspicious character (in parking garage, in alleys, looking at or checking car door handles)…call us immediately 231-6130 or the COP numbers I’ve attached in the flyer above
- Remember, if there is an emergency….call 911 first…then call your COP officers. Also, don’t try and solve the crime yourself by chasing after the bad guy or vehicle…..and call us 30 minutes later….we lose precious time. Get a good description and leave the danger to us
- Keep your eyes and ears open…let’s continue to keep communication open (many crimes in Ybor City have been solved this way)
- Be your brother’s keeper….look out for one another, it’s what living and working in Ybor City is all about!
- Sign your business and employees up on the Ybor City Business Watch Facebook Page….Ybor Watch (strength in numbers)
- If you have any questions about a new law or ordinance…please call me or email me. I’ll do everything I can to clarify for you and your employees.
- If you need a Crime Awareness Seminar for your business or organization (Call or E-mail me)…..I cover the crime statistics in Ybor City, Trends, Safety Tips, Upcoming Events etc. I’ve done this informal 30-45 minute seminar with several businesses and organizations inside and outside Ybor City….it works!
Stay Thirsty My Friends!
Officer Sean Mahabir
Ybor City Liaison
Tampa Police Department – District III
3808 N. 22nd Street
Tampa, FL. 33610
Office (813) 242-3805
Cell (813) 480-1272
Fax (813) 242-3848
Email sean.mahabir@tampagov.net
The Mission of the Tampa Police Department is to Reduce Crime and Enhance the Quality of Life Through a Cooperative Partnership with all Citizens
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GLSEN “:Back to School” meeting
Hello Friends of GLSEN Tampa Bay,
This Wednesday (8/21/2013) will be our first meeting to kick off the new school year, at Metro Wellness and Community Center in Ybor City at 6:30 PM.
If you haven’t checked us out in a while, now is a great time to come. We will be discussing plans for the year and ways to best support the needs of students in our broadly defined Tampa Bay community. This will include highlighting recent successes we want to repeat, problem-solving around ways to improve our reach and effectiveness, and ensuring we are on target to making our schools safer and more respectful for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Whether you want to provide input, volunteer, seek support, or just join a great group of people, we would love to have you!
Take care and hope to see many of you soon!
Troy Loker, Ph.D.
Co-Chair GLSEN Tampa Bay
Photos of the Week
Photos of the Week
Photo of the Week
TECO Streetcar
Viva La GaYBOR!!!!
Centro Security
Rain or Shine Every Tuesday
Baseball in Tampa
Sept 7
Pick up posters at MC Film
Urban Chicken Race
Click for More Photos at Ybor City Wine Bar
Caught @ Steam Fridays
Caught @ Hamburger Mary’sClick for More Photos at Hamburger Mary’s
Click for More Photos at Carne’s Chop House
Click for More Photos Bernini of Ybor
Click for More Photos at Green Iguana
Click for More Photos atJJ’s Cafe & Bar
Click for More Photos at Centro Cantina
Click for More Photos at MC Film
Click for More Photos in GaYBOR
Dishing with Mark & Carrie 3-20-13
VOTE Tuesday, AUGUST 27th…….
We Support Rick!!! We hope you do too!!
Help Bring Marriage Equality to Florida
Sign Today
http://youtu.be/fETThl-1Re8
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What a Mess in Russia
When Russian President Putin declared war on his LGBT community, we bet he had no idea what would come next. The world is reacting with outrage, as we all should. At a seminar many years ago the speaker was talking about why you should not tell anti Gay jokes. It went like this. The books say that 10% of the world is LGBT. Lets not argue the number and agree with 5% are LGBT. Would you agree every LGBT person has a Mom & Dad? OK that’s 10% of the population. They also have one brother or sister. OK that’s 5%. They have on set of grandparents. OK that’s 10%. They have one married Uncle or Aunt. OK that’s 10%. They have 2 cousins. OK that’s 10%. Would you agree that they have at least 2 friends. OK that’s10% So if you tell a anti Gay joke, you run a 60% chance of offending the person you are telling the joke to. In Russia President Putin has offend at least 60% of the people.
Below is an interesting article in “Russia Beyond the Headlines”
Back to hostility: the roots of Russia’s anti-gay attitudes
New Summer Jewelry at MC FILM
New artists handcrafted leather, beaded and stainless steel necklaces, chokers and bracelet jewelry have just arrived. Great for leisure, hanging out or for wearing in semi business occasions.
The new HRC accent shirts and caps are a big hit and help the Human Rights Campaign.
Summer Wine Sections from the Ybor City Wine Bar
Summer is the time for lighter clothing, lighter colors and above all lighter pallets when it comes to choosing wines. Summer wine selections should be lighter, brighter, crisper and cleaner. They should be a refreshing with a balanced mix of fruit and flavor with softer acids and tannins.
Two such summer wines that are trending hot right now are from the famous Chateau Julien in Carmel Valley California. One is a unique white blend called “French Kiss” and the other is a soft red blend know as “Royalty Red’. Both wines are beautiful in their own regard.
“French Kiss” is a blend of two exquisite grapes Viognier, and Chenin Blanc perfectly matched. This light crisp white wine is perfect for summer afternoons pool side or having lunch by the beach. It pairs well with fruits, salads, and seafood. Serve it chilled and just enjoy.
The “Royalty Red” wine is a lighter blend of red grapes that is fruit forward with hints of raspberry and plum with subtle oak. This wine pairs well with lighter meats such as chicken and pork as well as heartier fish like salmon.
Samples of both wines can be found at the Ybor City Wine Bar anytime. The wines sell for only $30 each and are meant to be enjoyed and experienced through out the rest of the summer.
Cheers!
BIG Move for New GLBT Tourist Center in St. Pete
BIG Move for New GLBT Tourist Center in St. Pete
A vacant 1920’s wooded bungalow house will have new life again. The old historic house was given to the Grand Central District in St Pete and will be relocated a few blocks away to become St Pete’s new GLBT Tourist Info Center and GDC offices.. The dreams and aspirations of Lorraine Langlois, Exec Dir Metro Wellness and Community Centers, Grand Central District Officers, St Pete PRIDE board and Brian & Jim Longstreth both of the GDC are seeing fruiitions come true.
This is very important and instrumental in the West Coast of Florida’s fast GLBT growth & areas awareness. Locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
The donated historic house on Central Ave was relocated to the vacant lot next door to the Metro Thrift Store on Central Ave. When we were over to the GCD Sunday taking photos, the moving tractor/ truck was hitched to the timbers and had wheels for moving the historical structure later that night. A $5,000 grant came forth from Florida’s Tourism Dept, Visit Florida in helping the GLBT created destination centers move. The late Sunday night move took over 1 hour 1/2 to complete to its new relocation.
Other major Florida cities Key West, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale & Orlando all have made a major footprint in stepping up GLBT events. The Annual White Party, Fantasy Fest and Key West Pride, Ft Lauderdale’s multi-many pride events and Orlando’s week long Gay Days in early June. St, Pete Pride this year did exceed the 150,000 mark with attendees enduring the rainy day and celebrated especially the gay politically victorious adorned day. That was the week of the U.S. Supreme rulings about DOMA and California’s Prop 8 decisions, all positive in favor to GLBT Americans.
“Now with the new, soon to be GLBT tourist Info center relocated, it is time to get the building rehabbed and opened.” said Brian Longstreth.
Congratulations Queens Head Owners On Your Marriage
St Pete GLBT leaders and restaurant owners of Queens Head Restaurant, Paul Smith and Darren Conner just got back from NYC. They got away and got hitched! The restaurant duo had just returned as we went to their English style Sunday Brunch. All smiles, the two are looking for more opportunities in the St Pete area. Nephew Stephen (of Sonny & Stephen) had served us at the early breakfast hour.
The recommended smoked salmon with buttery scrambled eggs was delish!
OTHER ST PETE News
The streets on Central Ave were very shady with huge oaks covering the sidewalks and streets. New electric power stations for electric and hybrid cars were on each block in the Grand Central District.
Down the block the Lucky Star Bar was open with music echoing in the air. The Garage on Central was still asleep at the noon time hour. I counted not less than 8 different art stores now in the District. Wow an artists dream and a buyers welcome.
We were told to see the signs posted at the old Enterprise Leasing at 31st & Central. Funny signs!!!
Trader Joe’s Grocery Stores Ready For Tampa
Shapes Fitness Center for Women on Swann Ave just west of So. Dale Mabry has been closed up. Now signs in the front of the building are the next signs that the eclectic Trader Joe’s Grocery is moving in. First, the teardown of the old fitness building and plans to build another spectacular store. Plans are meeting with city officials for variance issues.
Wines at $2.99 and spaghetti by the foot! Homemade pickles, Trader Joe labeled organic foods are priced right. The Nationally Awarded Grocery will be a Tampa hit! The open free feeling grocery had people driving to the nearest opened store in Sarasota to get their food fix.
We had written to Trader Joe’s execs in 2008 as Yborites groups were looking for a grocery store chain to be opened and to be considered locating in GaYBOR/ Ybor City. We received a nice reply that they were looking for a new distribution location at that time before making any store location sites in their plans.
Always enjoying the urban edgy culinary items they make and TJ’s will be introducing a whole new culture to their different approach to grocery shopping.
Trader Joe’s will have cars lining the lanes on Dale Mabry and they can’t open soon enough!
From the MC Film Mail Bag
From: info@lccimembers.com
Reply-to: tpatiny@tampabay.rr.com
Reply-to: tpatiny@tampabay.rr.com
Potluck BBQ
August 17th 2013
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Flamingo Auto Group is having a Pot Luck BBQ on August 17th 2013. This is on Picnic Island in South Tampa. Come show off your car and meet some new people. We are doing this event in conjunction with the Pot Luck Dinner Club they hold every month. This will be a great opportunity to meet some new people and show off your wheels.
Please let us know what you plan on bringing to the event so we can plan accordingly.
When – August 17th 2013 at 4 PM
Where – 7409 Picnic Island Boulevard Tampa, FL 33616 Shelter #609
RSVP – Tpatiny@Tampabay.rr.com or (813) 404-4163 to let us know what you are bringing
Cost – This a Pot Luck dinner with another group so please bring a dish.
Directions – Gandy Blvd to South Westshore, head south and follow the curve around to the right. This turns in to Commerce St.. Stay on that street and follow signs to Picnic blvd.
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www.madtheatre.com • m.a.d. theatre on Facebook • m.a.d theatre is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit community theatre that incorporates the three performing arts; Music, Acting, & Dance. Established in 1999 m.a.d theatre has since delivered powerful, provocative, and affordable musical theatre to stages in the Tampa area. We are always looking for people who are interested in performing or volunteering, and for donors and corporate sponsors. m.a.d. theatre survives on your generosity! Contact us at Info@madtheatre.com for more information. |
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A T T E N T I O NCentennial Park to Undergo Site ImprovementsMinor construction will begin Tuesday, August 13, 2013 in Ybor City’s Centennial Park. American with Disabilities Handicap improvements will be made to the Centennial Park stage. There will also be a gas kiln installed as well as a brick screen wall at the southern wing of the Ybor Art Studio.The Ybor City Saturday Market will REMAIN OPEN throughout the construction period. Upcoming Special Events in the park will not be impacted by the project. Estimated project completion is November 30, 2013. For more information about this project, please contact Kelly Carpenter, City of Tampa Contract Administration at 813-635-3475 or kelly.carpenter@tampagov.net. *****************************50th Anniversary Of The March On Washington West Tampa Branch Library
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| 50th Anniversary Of The March On Washington | |
| Event Type: All Ages Age Group(s): Children, All Ages, Adults Date: 8/24/2013 Start Time: 2:30 PM End Time: 4:30 PM Description:
Enjoy a day of memories and song! To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, which took place on August 28, 1963, the library will feature video histories of local residents who were present on that eventful day along with an afternoon of freedom songs. Refreshments will be provided.
Library: West Tampa Branch Library Map & Directions Other Information:
Funded by the Ada T. Payne Friends of the Urban Libraries.
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GQ Magazine & Bombay Sapphire Bartender Competition at Carne
The drink of choice was Bombay Sapphire!!! Dozens of bartenders and guests filled Carne’s on a Monday night. The appetizers were fantastic as is all the food at Carne’s. 20 local bartenders competed for the high honor. Gin was made in an exquisite number of drink expressions. The regional winner will go on to compete in Las Vegas. Then the national winner will be featured in GQ Magazine. And the winner was…….. oops those cocktails were GREAT!!!! LOL
Celebration of Life for Sammy Campisi
Family & friends gathered for a celebration of life for Sammy Campisi on Aug 7th. The group meet on the balcony of Hamburger Mary’s. Sammy lived across the street and his balcony faced Mary’s. Flowers were then placed on his balcony. Sammy will be missed by many and never forgotten.
You Can Not Make this Up.
The Most Romantic Funeral Ever
There was a lesbian couple who were pillars of the Tampa LGBT Community. Their names were Bobby & Kay. The South Tampa couple had been together for over 50+ years. In her 80’s Bobby passed away. We all went to the funeral. Notes were placed in the coffin and she was cremated. A short 6 months later Miss Kay passed away. Miss Kay was what you would call a lipstick lesbian. Always dressed up with full hair & makeup too. In the coffin she looked like a Sleeping Princess. Hair was piled high & perfect a big beautiful broach pined on. Her hands had a french manicure and were folder over and resting on a pillow. During the beautiful service both names were used together as one. The next day everybody learned the secret. In the pillow were Bobby ashes. Yes the two women who were so in love were now buried together. Bobby & Kay are together for ever.
Below is the articled we wrote 4 years ago…..
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Dishing with Mark & Carrie
8-26-09
Two Sad Deaths in the Tampa Bay GLBTA Community this Week.
Goode Bye “Miss Kay” Thompson
Saturday, August 22, 2008 at 1 AM was the end of an era in the Tampa GLBT Community. Tampa Gay pioneer, activist, founder and tender loving classy Southern Belle, Miss Kay Thompson passed away. Kay was the loving Aunt, Mother and Friend to many in our community. Just a few months earlier Kay’s life partner of 50+ years, Bobby Smith had passed away. For many of us, they were one person “Bobby & Kay”! Bobby, who was born a woman, lived his life as a man. Bobby was also a photographer who started to document the GLBT life in Tampa from the early 1940’s. Bar names in the community like Knotty Pine, Jimmy White’s, Coco Joe’s and so many more places are captured in pics. Today many of his photos are in the GLBT Archives at USF. In the 1960’s Bobby met his life partner, Miss Kay! Together they purchased a home in South Tampa just off Bayshore Blvd. Bobby went to work at Golden Triangle Photography & Miss Kay opened her flower shop, Ashley Florists on MacDill Ave. across from Palma Ceia Country Club. A note of unsolicited gratitude to Miss Kay for all the flowers she gave to AIDS victims funerals in Tampa Bay. ” She did it because others wouldn’t and were afraid.” she had told me years ago. Several years later Bobby & Kay , together with a handful of close friends, contacted Rev Troy Perry & were founding members of Metropolitan Community Church Tampa. Together Bobby & Kay lead our community by example. Always loving and caring yet tough as nails. Never afraid to stand up to homophobia, human rights & injustice. They both were always at every major and minor GLBT Event, Demonstration & Celebration. Gay Prides, March on Washington, Film Festival, MCC Tampa… They were everywhere!!! In their later years, the two were always surrounded by many friends. Their extended family was beyond huge! The only comfort we have is in the fact that Bobby & Kay are together again in heaven.
Bobby & Kay are what legends are made from!
To see more photos from the Bobby & Kay collection visit.
click on my pics
A Very Romantic Funeral
Last night we said our good byes to “Miss Kay” Thompson. It was one of the most romantic funerals we have ever been to!!! Miss Kay was laid to rest in a beautiful powder blue coffin with chrome accents. Miss Kay was wearing a very pretty red dress with a signature flashy gold pin. The way she always dressed, classy! Her hands were folded over a pillow with a photo of Bobby on it. The church was filled with flowers, music & memories. Even Miss Kay’s pet song bird was there chirping. Kay’s Celebration of Life service was opened by MCC Tampa Senior Pastor, Rev. Phyllis Hunt & Founding Pastor of MCC Tampa, Rev Lee Carlton, now Senior Pastor at Mobile MCC. Also officiating were The Founding pastor of Tampa’s Potter’s House Fellowship, Rev Robert Morgan, Rev Todd Goewey and Rev. Dr. Kathy Rooke. At the start of the service the casket was closed and sealed for the final time. The 2 hour service was filled with many happy memories voiced of local Gay Rights pioneer couple, Bobby Smith & Kay Thompson. How they met in the 1950’s & founding days of MCC Tampa and their life together. The service was kinda like a part two since Bobby’s passing and funeral was just a few months before and you just couldn’t talk about one with out the other. At the closing as Miss Kay was escorted out, hands were clapping & people were moving & dancing to the hymn, “I’ll Fly Away”. Now for the very romantic part…… Remember the pillow that Miss Kay’s hands were resting on with Bobby’s photo. Inside that pillow were the cremated ashes of Bobby. May they rest together in peace forever.
From Tampa Bay Times
Epilogue: A man at heart and in manner withstood a polarizing era
Stephanie Hayes, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Sunday, May 11, 2008
TAMPA — Some of Bobby Smith’s friends and cousins didn’t even know.
He was male, through and through — clothes, hair, mannerisms. He worked hard and paid the bills. He went to church each week. The love of his life, Kay, cooked dinner and cleaned their South Tampa home.
He lived confidently and no one questioned — for a while, not even his co-workers.
Then one day, he needed a hysterectomy.
He was called into the company HR office and was asked about the doctors and surgery report and operation.
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Smith’s family and friends say “he.”
It’s not that the word “she” offended Smith. He didn’t hide the truth if someone asked. He was physically always a woman.
But he was never really a girl.
“It’s amazing, even in his baby pictures, he looks like a boy,” said Smith’s friend, Derald Gingerich. “I think if there was ever a case for a man inside a woman’s body, it was Bobby.”
He was born in Georgia. His father taught him to box. Smith begrudgingly wore dresses to school, then changed into overalls first thing after.
“I’ve always liked boy’s clothes,” Smith told the St. Petersburg Times in 1992. “I didn’t go to college because I would have had to wear a dress. But I took a look in the mirror and said, ‘You can go and make it big in the world, or you can be at peace with yourself and eat beans.'”
At 15, Smith kissed a girl for the first time. His mother hauled him to the doctor, called him crazy and forced him to take “female hog hormones” to make him right.
He wore men’s briefs and cut his hair. He read The Well of Loneliness, by lesbian author Radclyffe Hall.
Smith was openly gay during a polarizing era. He endured humiliation and belittlement. In the late 1940s, police in the midst of a gay witch hunt picked him up and forced him to strip.
On Thanksgiving in 1959, he met a woman named Kay Thompson at a bar. Thompson wasn’t sure if this skinny dance partner in slacks was a man or a woman. But she didn’t care.
“I met Bobby and we just got along,” said Thompson, 84.
They had a commitment ceremony in 1960 at the home of Smith’s mother, who stayed in her room. Smith wore a suit and Thompson wore a gown. They had cake.
Smith worked as a dark room technician and photographer. They settled into Thompson’s South Tampa home. They baked cakes at Christmas. Smith always turned out the lights in the kitchen to save money.
The couple positioned his and hers recliners in front of the television. They sat this way, always.
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They inspired many people in Tampa’s gay community.
They marched on Washington and lobbied local council leaders. They mortgaged their house to help build Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa, a Christian church that welcomes gay people.
“We would not be where we are today… without Bobby’s passion and dedication to his principles and his faith and his belief that everybody ought to be respected,” said Phyllis Hunt, pastor of MCC Tampa.
Eventually, Thompson broke her hip and needed full care. Smith became exhausted and had some falls of his own. He had a strong heart but may have suffered ministrokes. He lost the will to live.
One night, Thompson said, Smith looked limp. She was in pain, but she got out of her chair. She stood next to him for the longest time, holding his hand.
On May 2, he died. He was 84.
Stephanie Hayes can be reached at shayes@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8857.