8-26-2012 MSNBC at Channelside.

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It’s official the big Republican National Convention will be postponed the opening until Tuesday. After a great Sunday brunch at Hamburger Mary’s, where the new head Chef Scott is doing a deliciously great job, we headed to Channelside District. Here MSNBC has set up in the court yard. The club formally known as “Howl at the Moon” is now called “The Elephant Bar.” The MSNBC Morning Joe Show with Florida resident TV host, Jim Scarborough will be shooting live from inside the bar during the rain/shine climate week. No credentials are needed to see the daily shows throughout the day/evenings. The Fox Network is set up in the designated credential needed area at the Tampa Bay History Center. The ‘Where in the World is Matt Lauer’ and  NBC News TV daily shows are at Jackson’s on Harbour Island.

Back in GaYBOR/Ybor City it was beyond quiet. With the storm, Hurricane Isaac lingering & the convention security scaring a lot of locals away, it is so- so in the historic area. Inside Bradley’s on 7th there was quite the Hurricane Party!!! But it is only the beginning.

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8-25-2012 Are We Ready or Just Getting Ready

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    After a late Friday night and working at the store we were awakened by the helicopters above our house at 7AM.  Today is the official street closure in downtown Tampa. We live close to the area so we get the Apache helicopter noise. On our way in we noticed around the Univ of Tampa and heading over the river to downtown that there were small groups of 8-10 police on each of the corners and on all 9 Tampa bridges. I said that it looks like ‘police sand stormers’ taking over Tampa. That isn’t very far from the truth. Police are very present and the RNC is beginning its party in Tampa. We noticed a lot of  patrols of 20-30 officers on bicycles and the ATV police mules are roaming the waterfront with Coast Guard armed boats securing the waterfront. All the cruises out of Tampa have been canceled this week. So none of the 3 major cruise ships are allowed at Channelside this week!
    The Ybor restaurants and clubs were pretty empty last night. Either scared of the security in place or for Hurricane Isaac. But the mood is slowly optimistic. The press is covering Ybor City at all possible angles. Sarasota Herald Newspaper did a story with Mark at our MC FILM store. Story is out Sunday!
    The direction of the big party disappointer hurricane storm isn’t known yet! Hurricane Andrew was 20 years ago to the day of its destructive passing over South Florida. We know of hundreds of friends that have left Tampa during the RNC to just get away. Our Gov Scott has put Florida hurricane preparedness efforts at a priority. And speaking of hot issues… Miss Joey Brooks was on the patio of Hamburger Mary’s waving at the 30 riding police bicyclists. One officer yelled to the group, ” Look up guys it is Ybor’s Mama Guava.” Joey was not impressed.
    We await the visiting crowds, that so far haven’t come to Ybor City… And further excitement.

Friday, 8-24-12 Tents & Train

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8-24-12            It was a quiet day but oh so much is happening. The downtown street closures start today. I took pictures of the different tent locations. Also at the end of the Amtrak train that comes into Tampa Union Station was the Patron Tequila  Railcar as a caboose. It is so unique and owned by Paul Mitchell. The tents are set up all over Tampa Bay for Private RNC Parties, National Organizations, Special Political PAC Groups Tent Parties. We only hope that Mr Hurricane Isaac cooperates in the convention with little storm, wind and rain. We noticed government satellite trucks roaming downtown Tampa all over the place. And the Apache Helicopters wake even the dead! They fly in groups of 4 all over Tampa’s downtown area which includes GaYBOR/ Ybor City. Then to our surprise the fantastic quirky singing Kinsey Sicks Quartette from LA was doing a concert at the Tampa Theatre and was cancelled for RNC security. They were in the store and are touring GaYBOR tonight! The show a benefit for the TIGLFF is re-scheduled for October! The convention with Hurricane Isaac upon us continues