From the MC Film Fest Mail Bag….

Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County
Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County
July 13, 2012
Dear Mark & Carrie,

Your input is needed to help ensure homeless LGBTQI2-S people community priority moving forward.
I expect you will receive this invitation from several sources. It is very important! We need your input!

The Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County, Inc. with support from the Corporation for Supportive Housing is in the process of finalizing the plan for how our entire community will address homelessness over the next 10 years. Using what we have learned from the public meetings held June 5th and 6th, national and local subject matter experts will be discussing recommendations that will form the framework of the strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness in Hillsborough County. This document determines community policy and spending when addressing the causes of and solutions to homelessness.

As many of you know, the LGBTQI2-S (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex and Two-Spirit) community is over-represented in the homeless population. Up to 46% of all homeless youth identify as LGBTQI2-S and one in five transgender people will require housing assistance in their lifetime. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently updated their nondiscrimination policies to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. However, many communities are not prepared to respond to this community in a culturally competent manner.

As we rewrite the 10 Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness it will be critical to include inclusive language to ensure that all people who need help are able to receive it without fear of discrimination.

Please review the attached schedule and mark your calendar for July 23rd, 24th, 26th and 30th. Each of the topic areas to be discussed is of vital importance to ensuring our community offers EVERYONE the same level of care. Your attendance will make a difference!

Please distribute this notice widely as we need to demonstrate there is a commitment in this community to ending homelessness, especially among our youth.

Thank you for continuing to be an advocate for homeless unaccompanied youth.
In service,
Jeremiah Kerr, LGBTQI2-S Homeless Youth Coordinator
AmeriCorps VISTA
Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County
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From: Sean.Mahabir@ci.tampa.fl.us
Sent: 7/11/2012 10:53:53 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Important Meetings That Affect You

Greetings,
Normally my messages are about safety and security concerns, however, my goal is to create community and teamwork. Most of you ask me on a daily basis…”who the heck came up with that idea?”…..lol…well, GET INVOLVED.
These are the upcoming YCDC meetings this month….these meetings affect YOUR business…it would be a good idea to participate or just come and listen. All these meetings are held at the YCDC Office
(2015 7th Ave….next to Elmers)
Retail Committee Meeting Wednesday July 18th at 9am (discuss upcoming and past events, how the events affect your business, how you should plan etc.)
Public Safety/Parking Committee Meeting Thursday July 19th at 3pm (discuss how to make Ybor City a safer place from all aspects, alcohol regulations, parking, club regulations etc)
Board Meeting Tuesday July 24th at 4pm (ALL the board members of Ybor City…agenda items are voted on from the Retail, Public Safety, Marketing, Planning, Parking committees)
Tampa Police is in attendance at the meetings listed above….come hear the monthly crime statistics (Pubilc Safety/Board Meetings), and what trends, if any, are occurring in Ybor City.
Respectfully,


Officer Sean Mahabir
Ybor City Liaison
Tampa Police Department – District III
3808 N. 22nd Street
Tampa, FL. 33610
Main (813) 242-3800
Cell (813) 480-1272
Fax (813) 242-3848
Email sean.mahabir@tampagov.net

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2012 masthead

ADVANCE TICKET SALE
Hedda

Pre-show three-course prix fixe dinner & a free cocktail. Show your online ticket, 5 to 6:30 pm.

539 Central Avenue
Reservations call 727-823-6372

On the 30th anniversary of the release of “Mommie Dearest”, Hedda Lettuce, the beloved “Queen of Green,” is coming from New York to share her now-infamous talkback presentation of  “Mommie Dearest.”  You might think you already know this camp movie classic, but wait till you hear Hedda’s take on Joan Crawford, Faye Dunaway and “No wire hangers, ever!”

The audience is encouraged to talk back, too, shouting lines along with the characters and dressing up like Joan, Faye-as-Joan, or maybe even little Christina. Limited VIP tickets ($25) allow you to get up close with Lettuce after the show.  Online ticket $10 or $12@ the door.  In honor of the Queen of Green and the picky Ms. Crawford, please bring wire hangers to be recycled; if you do, you’ll get a free raffle ticket.  Showtime is 8 p.m.  This is a fundraiser for Friends of the Festival (TIGLFF) and is hosted by Todd Richardson.

Sponsors: C1 Bank; Frog Pond Restaurant; Hake Investments; Rearden Killion Communications; The UPS Store; GayStPete House, MityMo Design, Queens Head Restaurant & Bar 
Purchase tickets

July 18th – The Palladium – 8 p.m.
253 5th Ave. North – St. Petersburg
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Get Lucy the Slut off the Streets!

Find Princeton a Home!

m.a.d. Theatre of Tampa announces

Adopt-A-Puppet for Avenue Q

For an Adoption Fee of only $50 you will receive the following:

  • Early admission into the Shimberg Playhouse for seat selection for you and your party.
  • Meet and greet your adoptee and his/her handler.
  • Photo and Adoption Certificate.
  • Recognition at the performance.

Puppets available for adoption and their particular need or affliction:

Princeton (Commitment phobia)

Kate Monster (In need of a wax)

Rod (Log Cabin Republican)

Nicky (Hoarder)

Lucy (Lockjaw)

Trekkie (Internet porn addict)

Mrs. T. (Tinman syndrome)

Bad Idea Bears (Satan’s little helpers)

To adopt one of these puppets, click the link below to go to the adoption site. Please be aware that each puppet can only be adopted once for each performance, so adopt your puppet now.

Avenue Q Adopt-A-Puppet

Thank you for your support!

Directed by

Tony Gilkinson

Musical Direction by

Deborah D. Lynch


August 9-12 & 16-19

Thursday – Saturday 8:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday 2:00 pm

$20.00*
Buy Tickets


Shimberg Playhouse

David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts

Warning: For Mature Audiences Only.

*Plus a Straz Center Service Charge

www.madtheatre.com • m.a.d. theatre on Facebook and Facebook groups
• Follow us on twitter at @MAD_Theatre

m.a.d theatre is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit community theatre that incorporates the three performing arts; Music, Acting, & Dance. For 12 years m.a.d theatre has 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.

Donate to m.a.d. theatre

Shop Amazon and Support m.a.d. theatre using this link

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2nd International Expo & Business LGBT 2012
Click Here to Register for this Event

English Translation Below

Press Center :: News

 

American Airlines y agrupación LGBT firman alianza turística, (QuintanaRoo al Dia), México

American Airlines establece alianza con LGBT confex, (TravelUpdate), Perú

American Airlines Boards LGBT Expo in Latin America, (Gay Market News), USA

Apoyará American Airlines evento internacional lésbico-gay en Cancún, (Terra), México

International Expo LGBT y American Airlines sellan alianza estratégica, (CaribbeanNewsDigital), Americas

American Airlines apoyará evento LGBT. Refrenda compromiso en derechos humanos, (NuestraVision), México

AMERICAN AIRLINES Y LGBT CONFEX ANUNCIAN ALIANZA

 

CANCÚN, México – 16 de julio de 2012 (OUTNOW) – La International Expo & Business LGBT Cancún 2012, el evento líder de marketing dirigido al vibrante mercado LGBT (lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y transgénero) ha anunciado hoy una alianza estratégica con American Airlines, líder en América Latina y en marketing de diversidad.

“Nos complace mucho anunciar esta alianza,” dijo Rubén Sandoval, Principal Oficial Ejecutivo de LGBT Confex, la compañía líder en organización de eventos y conferencias LGBT en la región. “American Airlines es un líder global en el compromiso con la diversidad y la inclusión, tanto para con sus empleados, como con sus clientes. En LGBT Confex, nos dedicamos a organizar las mejores conferencias y exposiciones para el mercado LGBT y nos sentimos honrados de que American Airlines haya decidido apoyar nuestro próximo evento de Septiembre en Cancún.”

La International Expo & Business LGBT 2012 se llevará a cabo en Cancún del 6 al 9 de septiembre. Entre los patrocinadores confirmados se encuentran la Oficina de Convenciones y Visitantes de Cancún, el Hard Rock Hotel Cancún, Out Now Global, American Airlines y la IGLTA.

“Estamos encantados de apoyar a LGBT Confex y de sumarnos a este encuentro tan especial en Cancún,” dijo Derek DeCross, Vice Presidente de Ventas Globales de American Airlines.  “American Airlines es pionera en servir a la comunidad LGBT global. Al celebrar 70 años de servicio en México y como líderes en la industria en América Latina, qué mejor momento para enfatizar nuestra dedicación a todos los segmentos diversos del mercado de la región. Qué mejor manera de expresar nuestro orgullo este año que participando en el LGBT Confex en México.”

“Agradecemos mucho el apoyo de American Airlines para nuestro evento de este año,” dijo Sandoval.

Esta segunda edición de la International Expo & Business LGBT Cancún 2012 apoyará a Vida Maya, Congresos con Causa A.C, una asociación sin fines de lucro creada por el Centro de Convenciones y Visitantes de Cancún, sus empleados, sus socios y proveedores, con la idea de contribuir a mejorar la calidad de vida de las comunidades mayas locales, enfocándose principalmente en las áreas de salud, educación y empleo.

En Estados Unidos, American Airlines es la primera y única aerolínea en obtener un puntaje perfecto de 100 cada año en el prestigioso Corporate Equality Index (Índice de Igualdad Corporativa).  Este índice fue creado en 2002 por la Human Rights Campaign (Campaña de los Derechos Humanos) (www.hrc.org) para fungir como punto de referencia entre las corporaciones conocidas por sus políticas amigables y sin prejuicios para la comunidad gay.  Para más información del nivel de compromiso con la inclusión LGBT y la diversidad de American Airlines, visite www.AA.com/Diversity.  Para unirse a la comunidad de conversaciones LGBT de American Airlines en Facebook visit https://www.facebook.com/AARainbowTeam.  Los miembros AAdvantage® LGBT pueden también actualizar su información de perfil para indicar su preferencia en viajes LGBT y poder recibir promociones especiales.

Acerca de LGBT Confex

 

La compañía líder en conferencias y exposiciones LGBT de América Latina es LGBT Confex. Fundada en 2011, esta organización ha demostrado una gran capacidad para conjuntar a un gran y profesional equipo con muchos años de experiencia en la organización de eventos. Después del éxito de la International Expo & Business LGBT 2011, LGBT Confex inmediatamente se avocó a sentar las bases para un evento aún mayor en Cancún para este 2012. Y también se ha arrancado ya con la preparación de dos eventos más para 2013 – otro en México y uno más en otro lugar de América Latina.

Sobre American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle y la aerolínea AmericanConnection® sirven 260 aeropuertos en más de 50 países y territorios con un promedio de más de 3,500 vuelos diarios.  La flota de la red combinada de American Airlines cuenta con más de 900 aviones.  El premiado portal de American Airlines: AA.com®, provee a sus usuarios un fácil acceso para conferir y hacer reservaciones, además de noticias personalizadas, información y ofertas de viajes. American Airlines es uno de los socios fundadores de la alianza oneworld®, que reúne algunas de las mejores y más grandes aerolíneas, permitiéndoles ofrecer a sus clientes más servicios y beneficios que cualquier aerolínea podría ofrecer individualmente. En conjunto, los miembros de la alianza y sus miembros en proceso, sirven más de 900 destinos con más de 9,000 vuelos diarios a 150 países y territorios. American Airlines, Inc. y American Eagle, Inc.  son subsidiarias de AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, y AAdvantage son marcas registradas de American Airlines, Inc. Las acciones comunes de AMR Corporation se intercambian bajo el símbolo “AAMRQ” en el mercado de la OTCQB, operado por el OTC Markets Group.

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AMERICAN AIRLINES AND LGBT CONFEX ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP

 

CANCUN, Mexico – July 16, 2012 (OUTNOW) – International Expo & Business LGBT Cancun 2012, the leading marketing event that targets the vibrant lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) market today announced a strategic partnership with American Airlines®, a leader in Latin America and diversity marketing.

“We are pleased to announce this partnership,” said Ruben Sandoval, CEO of LGBT Confex, the region’s leading LGBT events and conference organizer. “American Airlines is a global leader for its longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion for both its people and customers. At LGBT Confex we are in the business of producing the region’s best conferences and exhibitions designed to serve the LGBT market. We are honored that American Airlines has chosen to support our forthcoming event in Cancun this September.”

The 2012 International Expo & Business LGBT takes place in Cancun Sept. 6 through 9. Confirmed sponsors include the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Cancun, Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, Out Now Global, American Airlines & IGLTA.

“We are delighted to support LGBT Confex and to join in this special Cancun gathering,” said Derek DeCross, American’s Vice President – Global Sales.  “American Airlines has been a pioneer in serving the global LGBT community. As we celebrate 70 years of service to Mexico and as an industry leader across Latin America, this is a timely way for us to emphasize our dedication to all of the diverse market segments in the region. What better way to express our pride this year than by taking part in the LGBT Confex in Mexico.”

“We are grateful to American Airlines for their support for our upcoming event,” said Sandoval.

The second edition of the International Expo & Business LGBT Cancun 2012 will support Vida Maya, Congresos con Causa A.C, a nonprofit association created by Cancun Center, Conventions & Exhibitions, its employees, partners and suppliers to benefit and contribute to the quality of life of the local Mayan communities, with particular focus on health, education and employment.

In the United States, American Airlines is the first and only airline to earn a perfect 100 percent score every year on the prestigious Corporate Equality Index. The Index was created in 2002 by the Human Rights Campaign (www.hrc.org) to serve as a benchmark for corporate leaders known for their gay-friendly and fair-minded policies. For more background on American’s commitment to LGBT inclusion and diversity, visit www.AA.com/Diversity. To join American’s LGBT Facebook community conversation, visit https://www.facebook.com/AARainbowTeam.  LGBT AAdvantage® members may also update profile information to indicate an interest in LGBT travel and receive special offers.

About LGBT Confex

Latin America’s leading LGBT conferences and Exhibitions Company is LGBT Confex. Established in 2011, the organization quickly demonstrated its capabilities to put together a professional team with staff who bring many years in event management expertise. Following the successful event 2011 International Expo & Business LGBT, LGBT Confex immediately set about arranging the groundwork for this year’s even bigger event in Cancun. Plans have commenced for two events by the organization in 2013 – another in Mexico and one elsewhere in the Latin America region.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle® and the AmericanConnection® carrier serve 260 airports in more than 50 countries and territories with, on average, more than 3,500 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American’s award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members and members-elect serve more than 900 destinations with more than 9,000 daily flights to 150 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. AMR Corporation common stock trades under the symbol “AAMRQ” on the OTCQB marketplace, operated by OTC Markets Group.

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You Just Can Not Make This Stuff Up!

The names have been changed to protect the innocent!   Kinda – Sort of… LOL
“Vodka & the Professor”
(9)
There is a wonderful & kinda nutty professor who is Loved by everybody here in GaYBOR. One night she was so excited that their daughter & son in law were coming for a concert in GaYBOR. The 3 of them & their friends all had a VIP space with bottle service. The perfect son in law ordered the second bottle of Grey Goose. The concert ended and when nobody was looking the daughter poured the rest of the bottle into a water bottle and sneaked it out. Monday, the professor was running late for work so she grabbed some fruit and a bottle of water. In the middle of a lecture she reached into her purse and pulled out a bottle of water & took a big sip! OMG you guessed it. The water bottle was vodka. We asked if she finished the bottle. Our favorite nutty professor just smiled and said it was a very interesting relaxing teaching day. LOL LOL

GaYBOR Member of the Week David Edmund

(54)     If you recognize this painting then you know who David Edmund is!!! An contemporary artist born in Brazil. A person who can live anywhere in the world. This international known artist now calls GaYBOR/Ybor City his casa (home). A lot of his work is hanging in the King Corona Gallery on 7th.  Some of his work have made it into the rooms of local mayors homes.  We were very lucky to have David be one of the invited  artist in the “Pianos of Ybor” exhibit. Today you may see his piano at MC Film. David is what makes GaYBOR so wonderful

Dishing with Mark & Carrie 7-11-12

Mark & Carrie
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NEW this Week “The Rainbow Table” by Mark & Carrie
    A friend once asked us, “What advice do you wish an older Gay person would given you when you were young?” This got us a thinking.  Here is something we would like to share.
    When you become a couple it is not about you & me anymore. It becomes about “us” or “n”  as in Mark n Carrie. We are not saying that you should loose your identity but that a third person is created “us/n”.  Life is much easier and a lot more fun if you let “us/n” do the cooking. Here is what we did. Over the years we cook back and forth for each other. Sometimes cooking old family traditions and other times new things. When we both agreed that the recipe was GREAT we would write it down in our “Best Dish” journal. All theses recipes then received the “us/n” stamp of approval.  Some times we would also write a note about the recipe too.  What fun to come home not knowing what to cook and to just pick up this book. Then to find ourselves saying, “That sounds good, we haven’t had that for a long time!” or “Remember that crazy party when…?”
    For many years we have wanted to write a cookbook for our nieces & nephews. With “Dishing with Mark and Carrie” we now have 10′s of 1,000′s of nieces and nephews across the world. Suddenly a light bulb went off. Since we already have our web site  www.mcfilm.co  why not write it on the site. Now we can share the progress weekly.  To be quite honest… by writing one or two recipes a week we actually might get the book written!!! LOL LOL  We invite you to join us on this journey of creating our book “The Rainbow Table.”
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Where did the title “Rainbow Table” come from?
    We were at a auction with our good friend Marie Hall, a neighbor and good ol Southern Charm Mom.  A new classic Florida antique white pedestal dining room table with 6 matching chairs came up for sale. While Carrie was out getting Marie & Mark our beer soaked hot dogs, Mark bought the table. When Carrie came back with the hot dogs Marie leaned over a with a smile  laughing said, “How do you like that table Carrie? Mark just bought it!” Carrie was not amused but we took it home that night.
     The next day when Carrie came home around 5pm Mark was in the back yard with the chair seats removed and was busy spray painting the chairs. Carrie yelled, “What are you doing?!?!?”  Mark said, “You really didn’t think I like antique white chairs, did you?? 6 chairs 6 colors in the Gay Rainbow flag, it’s a natural.”  We both laughed and the chairs have been a big conversation piece ever since.
Visit www.MCFilm.co and click on The Rainbow Table.
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July 3rd GaYBOR Style with Mark & Carrie
After dinner we went out for a stroll down 5th Ave in GaYBOR/Ybor City.  The sun was just starting to set and the lights were coming on.  People forget how beautiful the homes are in GaYBOR/Ybor. Our first stop was at the Crowbar to see Bonnie & Tom. Out on the patio Tom was busy grilling hotdog for the big Annual 4th of July HOTDOG Contest! Inside Bonnie was looking beautiful, as always. We popped into Hamburger Mary’s to say hi. Dinning on the sidewalk was Frank Sinatra with his wife & friend. At New York New Ybor Pizza there were busy remolding. New store front & larger kitchen. Looks like they are keeping the Hot Guys!!! wink wink… At Bradley’s on 7th it looked like a Friday night.  Many groups of fun party people getting the party started.  Liquid TAMPA’s  party was “Candy Land USA” Hosted by DJ Power Infiniti. There was candy every where and we do mean every where!!! On the way to G.BAR we thought we were seeing double!!! A Flaming Orange Honda Element exactly like ours was parked next to us! G.BAR felt like a Wild Saturday Night. Dances on top of the bar everywhere. Miss Esme Russell Hosting a Crazy show and from NYC DJ Chris Cox!!!!
What a Great way to kick off the July 4th Celebration, GaYBOR Style!!!
Viva La GaYBOR
For more Adventures in GaYBOR with Mark & Carrie Visit
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From the Tampa Bay Times
Read in the Tampa Bay Times Miss Melanie Minyon calling BINGO at Hamburger Mary’s.
Congratulations!!!!
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Photo of the Week
Mark & Carrie’s Nephews Justin & Jarrod 
Photographer Mark Melnick
Clothing provided by MC Film
Location GaYBOR of Course!!!
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People R Talking
A new night club is opening in Ybor City replacing the old Empire Club on 7th. It is called Dream but will it become a nightmare? The Empire Club had many shootings, 1 shooting death inside and closed last November. St Pete Pride Parade has come and gone. It is interesting to see the attendance counting from the news agencies. Fox network reported 40k there. Channel 10 CBS reported 80,000 as did Tampa Bay Times, Channel 28 ABC & Watermark magazine reported 100,000. Such a disparately in attendees.
What a wonderful surprise as our niece Natalie & boyfriend Ryan came from Satellite Bch for the weekend and surprised her uncles in Tampa. She has a lot of Uncles as she says about all the friends we have and say she is there niece too!
Is it to early to clean up Tampa for the RNC convention? Trees and shrubbery are being planted and after the storm replanted! Trees and shrubbery are being trimmed. New paving jobs are in the works on the Tampa downtown streets. Are the private building owners being responsible and cleaning up and painting their historic frontage structures? The Code Enforcement officers in Tampa told us they have been warned. The biggest convention in Tampa’s history, the GOP National Republican Convention is just 1 month away!
The only tri-lingual (Spanish- Italian English) newspaper in United States is La Gaceta located in Ybor City and is celebrating its 90th Anniversary. The newspaper started in 1922 by Victoriano Mantiega, a lecture at Ybor City cigar companies reading to the hand making cigar rollers. Congratulations to editor/ publisher Patrick Mantiega.
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GaYBOR Member of the Week
 PFLAG-Tampa

John & Nancy Desmond
(53)
    Tampa Bay has had a number of PFLAG’s (Parents & Friends of Lesbian & Gays) organizations start and close. But because of these 2 devoted individuals John & Nancy Desmond, they have started a new Tampa chapter,created, generated a great awareness to the Gay youth right here in Tampa. They have been active members of GaYBOR District Coalition and recently had booths at St, Pete Pride and the First Pride Event held at the VA Hospital in Tampa
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Mark & Carrie’s Nephew/Niece of the Week
Natalie & Ryan
(118)
    We are proud to say that our niece, Natalie and boyfriend, Ryan are our featured nephew and niece. We just love Natalie’s go get’ em energy!  Natalie graduated from USF and stayed with us during her off times. And yes, she has hundreds of friends here in Tampa because she brings them all over to our house! Our little Space Shuttle niece was working at Kennedy Space Center and is now at Patrick Air Force Base in Satellite Beach. She is also the Satellite Beach High Swimming Coach and dance instructor at a Greek Church group in Mehlbourne. She got us passes to see the last space shuttle last summerl. She is in a High Security position! We don’t ask and she can’t tell!
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You Just Can Not Make This Stuff Up!
The names have been changed to protect the innocent! Kinda – Sort of… LOL
“Pianos of Ybor”
(8)
    The Pianos of Ybor was a social & art exhibit. We purchased 10 pianos had them tuned and then had 10 artist paint the pianos. The pianos were the placed thru out Ybor City in public spaces. Everybody was encouraged to play the pianos. At the end of 6 weeks not one piano as damaged not even the piano beaches!! The pianos were then auctioned off and the moneys were given to charities. On the 1st day we were moving the pianos into lo actions. The pianos were on top of a moving platform. As we were moving down 15th street suddenly Stephen Moss started to play the piano. Who knew he studied class piano!!! More surprises came everyday. Dancer Mica & even the mailman were great pianists.
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You Just Can Not Make This Stuff Up!!!
The names have been changed to protect the innocent! Kinda – Sort of… LOL
“4th of July Fireworks at the SunCoast Resort”
(7)
The fireworks at The Suncoast Resort were one of the crowds favorites. The first few times the maintenance manager would drive to Tennessee and come back with a car load of fireworks. Later after words from the city this all changed and it was done professionally. The fireworks were shot off the second floor of the parking garage. One of the first times one of the rockets went into the garbage dumpster next to the SW building. The fire department was called out to put the fire out.  The next time they started to shoot off fireworks somebody tipped off the fire department.  With sirens blazing and lights all flashing here came the BIG NEW Fire Truck. They hit the horns and told security to get out of the way here they are coming in. They went straight back to the up ramp to the second floor. Once again security tried to stop the fire trucks but they insisted they were coming in!!! Driving up on the second floor of the garage to stop the fire works.  The Suncoast management turned white and ran up to the fire chief. The upper deck of the parking garage was CONDEMEND Unsafe for small cars!!! There sat the new many ton fire tuck. Back up police & fire were called. The garage was closed with 100’s of cars packed in below. VERY SLOWLY the fire truck was backed out with dozens of firemen on radios trying to back out over supports only. Many new large cracks were made in the concrete that long night!
To read more “You just can not make this stuff up” visit
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RNC Rejection Letter
    This week we received a media rejection letter from the Committee on Arrangements for the 2012 Republican National Convention. Last fall we applied for special press passes. We thought it would be interesting to cover the Gay Republican Log Cabin & Go Proud GLBT groups from a GLBT perspective. After filling out the online applications the RNC requested, we sent in samples of our “Dishing with Mark & Carrie” newsletter columns and advised we had been writing our column for over 16 years. We sent printouts of our on line blog  & copies of magazines that we are in. We have been kept in the RNC loop for media briefings all along though. We were told if you are in the media communications emails it looks good for you to be a RNC accepted journalist. Now 6 weeks before the convention we get this letter.     
    Several months ago on behalf of GaYBOR District we filled out the online request to use the RNC logo on “Welcome RNC from GaYBOR” posters.  We were told NO but we could purchase welcome posters from the RNC.
    Humm…….. I’m not saying homophobia, but we are not getting warm fuzzy’s here either. Actually it’s much like the same reception we receive from the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners.
    In the past Tampa has hosted large national events like the Super Bowls.  Leading up to these events there is excitement in the air. People are looking forward to the special events and all the fun festivities. Now here comes the RNC and people are already stressed out and nervous.  It feels more like we are getting ready for a natural disaster like a out of control hurricane coming.
With Gay PRIDE,
Mark & Carrie
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Caught at Muvico 20 Centro Ybor
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Christian & Bobbie & the Crowbar
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Dogs Welcome at Centro Cantina
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Great Food & Service
@ Fresh Mouth
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Great Pizza @ NY NY Pizza
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Judy B. Goode @ Bad Monkey
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Field Trip to Ybor
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Caught @
Bradley on 7th
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Sunday FunDay
@ Liquid Tampa
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G.BAR
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Cast of Steam Fridays
Party @ Steam Fridays
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Cast of Hamburger Mary’s
Stephanie Shippae”
@ Hamburger Mary’s Every Sunday
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Collage Night
@ the Social

GaYBOR Member of the Week

 PFLAG-Tampa

John & Nancy Desmond
(53)
    Tampa Bay has had a number of PFLAG’s (Parents & Friends of Lesbian & Gays) organizations start and close. But because of these 2 devoted individuals John & Nancy Desmond, they have started a new Tampa chapter,created, generated a great awareness to the Gay youth right here in Tampa. They have been active members of GaYBOR District Coalition and recently had booths at St, Pete Pride and the First Pride Event held at the VA Hospital in Tampa

Mark & Carrie’s Nephew/Niece of the Week

Natalie & Ryan
(118)
    We are proud to say that our niece, Natalie and boyfriend, Ryan are our featured nephew and niece. We just love Natalie’s go get’ em energy!  Natalie graduated from USF and stayed with us during her off times. And yes, she has hundreds of friends here in Tampa because she brings them all over to our house! Our little Space Shuttle niece was working at Kennedy Space Center and is now at Patrick Air Force Base in Satellite Beach. She is also the Satellite Beach High Swimming Coach and dance instructor at a Greek Church group in Mehlbourne. She got us passes to see the last space shuttle last summerl. She is in a High Security position! We don’t ask and she can’t tell!