New at The Sheraton Riverside & more News

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Walk to the TIGLFF Film Festival
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When visiting the GaYBOR District

in Historical Ybor City

Stay at The Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk

Located just minutes along the Hillsborough River in Downtown Tampa,

just minutes away from Ybor City & The Tampa Theatre!!!

Complimentary shuttle transportation available

Ask for the Discounted MC Film Corporate rate

(Some black out dates do apply)

Below is the easy link to use when making reservations.

http://www.sheratontampariverwalk.com/mc-film

Red Bull’s FLUGTAG Returns to Tampa
The not so easy to fly crazy human air machines from around the world will be launching again at the Tampa Convention Center waterside this Saturday, Oct 8th. The last Red Bull’s Flugtag, “flying day” had over 110,000 witness the courage and laughter of unforeseen imagination in Tampa 3 years ago. This is the only American Red Bull Flugtag event held this year. They have over 30 different cities worldwide that participated. Forty teams have secured a space for the unlikely gravity wins goofy air chomping wet spectacular. Starting at 11 am and the initial into… or not flight will be set to fly at 1:00 then all afternoon. It is a FREE fun filled  family event and a big laugh asset to Tampa for this much advertised autumn recession breaker.
Easy and available is Ybor City Parking and ride the trolley to downtown Tampa to avoid traffic congestion. Come back and enjoy an early or late night GaYBOR District dinner and clubs in historic Ybor City.  www.redbullusa.com

This weekend marks the Orlando Pride event “Come Out with Pride 2011.” The summer turned to fall event will have its events and parade around Lake Eola in downtown Orlando starting Oct. 8th at noon -6pm and Pride Sunday is named ‘ the most colorful Orlando parade’ Sunday, Oct 9th at 4pm. They are estimating 100,000 attendees. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will lead the parade. Also around the lake is over 110 vendors and music will be performed by a variety of artist from different musical talents including the Orlando Gay Men’s Chorus. A 25 years of Orlando GLBT history exhibit will be available for viewing and the Disney Kids Zone will be returning for families with young children.
I’m First, Now Second … Again
The state legislatures are having a hay day of seeing who will be first for the 2012 Presidential elections. Florida stepping up its game went from March to now the last weekend in January. ‘Iowa has to be first ‘ is written somewhere in the lost files of presidential candidate hierarchy. New Hampshire always followed but now the changes to be number one are fast approaching. Florida upped its primary date by 6 weeks to be #1!  Not to be outdone and unnoticed, South Carolina GOP Party chairman wants his state to be the first voting state for the long list of candidates fighting to be the GOP nominee.The change in primary dates to trump other states including the Florida change in primaries setting a January 21 voting day from February 28th for the Caroliners.
Hey aren’t there still a 1/2 dozen unnamed presidential hopefuls looking to throw their hat in the GOP ring. They’d better hurry it is less than 3 months away!
Two Gay Men Attacked By Gang in Possible Florida Hate Crime
Manuel Galan has not left his Immokalee home near Naples in a week. The 27-year-old fears being attacked for his sexual orientation. Galan is gay. “I’m scared to walk out the front door,” Galan said. “In case someone sees me, alone, they can do more damage.” Galan and his friend, Cirildo Soliz, were jumped by five males last week, according to a Collier County sheriff’s incident report. The two were walking together on Carson Road near Eden Avenue in Immokalee. The Sheriff’s Office is calling it a possible hate crime.

From the MC Film Mail Bag

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The Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County Announce Endorsements for
St. Petersburg City Council and
Largo City Commission
Charlie Gerdes, St. Pete City Council District 1
Charlie Gerdes is strong in his message that he wants to represent all of St. Petersburg.  Our membership appreciated Charlie Gerdes approach to issues regarding equality as well as his vision for St. Pete.  We are proud to recommend Charlie Gerdes for St. Petersburg City Council District 1.  (Note: Mr. Gerdes was previously endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats for the August 30 primary, along with Josh Shulman.)

Councilman Steve Kornell, St. Pete City Council District 5
Councilman Kornell received the support of the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County during his race in 2009, and we are proud to support him once again.  As the newest member to the St. Petersburg City Council, Councilman Kornell has been one of our strongest leaders offering new ideas, common sense approaches, and advocating for the people.  His campaign is just as strong as it was in 2009, and we’re proud to recommend Councilman Kornell once again for St. Petersburg City Council District 5.  (Note:  There have been rumors that Councilman Kornell has won his election after his opponent dropped out of the race.  This is not the case.  Councilman Kornell will be on the ballot against a “New Election”, so it’s extremely important that we turn out the vote to ensure victory in this race!  Councilman Kornell has also been endorsed by the Victory Fund and Equality Florida as well as the Suncoast PBA, Firefighters, Labor Unions, Congresswoman Kathy Castor and numerous other organizations and individuals.)

Councilman Wengay Newton, St. Pete City Council District 7
Councilman Newton received the support of the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County during his race in 2007, and since that time has been an ally for the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County.  Although the Stonewall Democrats appreciate that his opponent Gershom Faulkner also sought the organization’s endorsement, members felt that Councilman Newton has a stronger record of support for the LGBT community. The Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County feel it is vital to elect public servants who will represent all residents fairly and without prejudice.  We are proud to once again recommend Councilman Newton for St. Petersburg City Council District 7.  (Councilman Newton has also been endorsed by the Firefighters.)

Michael Smith, Largo City Commission
Michael Smith is a candidate for Largo City Commission, facing an outspoken, anti-equality, career politician Mary Gray Black.  Our membership believes that the City of Largo deserves a fresh voice on the Largo City Commission.  Michael Smith is running a strong campaign in Largo, has an exciting vision for the City, and will represent the City of Largo well. At our endorsement meeting, our membership and the Stonewall PAC contributed $1,000 for Michael’s campaign, and we are proud to support his efforts to serve the residents of Largo.  (Michael Smith has also been endorsed by the Victory Fund, Equality Florida, Firefighters, and Pinellas School Board Member Linda Lerner.)

“These candidates have expressed solid support for equality”, said Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County President Rick Boylan, “Our membership is proud to recommend each of these candidates to voters.”

The Stonewall Democrats recommendation brings a commitment from the organization to promote the candidates to the group’s membership, the LGBT community and allies. The organization will also direct efforts toward canvassing, phone banking, and assistance with fundraising for targeted candidates.

The Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County is a not-for-profit political committee that is organized as an affiliated Chapter of the National Stonewall Democrats (NSD) and as chartered Chapter of the Florida Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Democratic Caucus.

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Did you know that in Ybor City on any given weekend there are…..

100+ Chefs Creating Wonderful Meals in over 50 Restaurants

40+ DJ/VJ’s Spinning their Magic in Ybor’s World Class Clubs

20+ Bands Entertaining Fans from across Florida

14 Drag Shows with performers Lip Singing their Hearts out for you.

6 Church Services with Angelic Music for the Soul

4 Flamenco Shows in Tampa’s oldest Restaurant

Saturday Morning Market with Art, Farm Veggies, Homemade items & more.

Tours at our State Park & Museum in Centennial Park
Unique Shopping

Historic Ybor City is Truly a Vibrant Energetic Community,
That We are All PROUD to call HOME!!!

Visit
*****

www.YborEvents.com for all the times & details
Viva La GaYBOR
Viva La Historic Ybor City!

Dishing with Mark & Carrie 2-28-11

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Join MC Film in WELCOMING
The National Miss USofA at Large Pageant to GaYBOR!
A $2,000,000.00 Economic Impact on GaYBOR
Did you know the economic impact for Ybor City & the LGBT Community, the National Drag Pageants are having? $ 2,000,000.00
Oct 5th-7th, The Honey Pot in Ybor City, will host the “National Miss Gay USofA at Large Pageant.”
The last National Pageant at The Honey Pot had 36 contestants from across the country.
Each of these contestants had an average entourage of 10 people. Including hair, makeup, dress, stage managers, back up dancers, etc. 36 contestants X entourages of 10 each = 360 people when you add in Pageant organizers and judges,  this group is easily 400+ People.
The event is a 3 day event, but most contestants arrive a day or 2 earlier and many more stay an extra day after the contest. So they are actually in Ybor City 4-5 hotel days.
The average transportation to and during the event is $400 per person or about $100 per day. This includes taxies, car rentals, air & train transportation.
Hotel cost average $125.00 per day
The average cost of 3 meals per day is $50.00
The average entertainment (Cocktails, movies, trolley rides, museums, sightseeing & More Cocktails) is $60.00 per day.
The average spent on shopping & souvenirs is $25.00 per day.
Summary: Transportation $100, Hotel $125, Meals $50, Entertainment $60, Shopping $25 all equals conservatively,  $360.00 per day.
Let’s do the math…..
400 people X 4.5 days X  $360 per day = $648,000.00  almost entirely spent in Ybor City!!!
Now add in the economic impact from all the fans who travel to see the pageants.
This year there are 2 national pageant & many regional pageants at the Honey Pot. Next year there are 3 National Pageants coming. 3 X $ 648,000.00 = $1,944,000.00 (almost 2 million dollars)  to Ybor City.
The Contestant & Fans from across the Country, going home with Great Memories of Ybor City…..

PRICELESS !!!

A Big Thank You to Florida Entertainment Group, owners of The Honey Pot, G.BAR & Ybor Social for bringing these pageants to Ybor City!!!!
Viva La GaYBOR & Viva La Ybor City!!!