Join Us at Tampa Union Station for the Tampa Union Station Centennial and National Train Day!
Celebrating the 143rd Anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad and the 100th Anniversary of Tampa Union Station’s opening!
10 AM-5 PM
Tampa Union Station, 601 No. Nebraska Avenue, Downtown Tampa
Features this year include:
Amtrak Equipment on Display! Including an Amtrak 40th Anniversary commemorative locomotive, Amfleet and Viewliner equipment!
Exhibits! From the Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library/Burgert Brothers Collection, Atlantic Coast Line & Seaboard Air Line Railroads Historical Society, Florida Railroad Museum, TBARTA, HART, National Association of Railroad Passengers, Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers, Friends of Tampa Union Station, Amtrak, City of Tampa Office of Historic Preservation and Urban Design, Tampa Preservation, Inc., Silver Meteor Gallery, and others!
History Program! Join us at 11 AM as Tampa Bay History Center Curator of History Rodney Kite-Powell gives a lecture on the history of railroads in Tampa, local historian Fred Hearns speaks about Union Station’s role in Tampa’s African-American history, and the National Railway Historical Society adds Tampa Union Station to its list of Historic National Railroad Landmarks! Special Demonstrations! From the Amtrak Police Department’s amazing K-9 Unit and the telegraphers of the Florida Chapter of the Morse Telegraph Club!
Operating Model Railroads! From the H.B. Plant Railroad Historical Society, the Suncoast Model Railroad Club, and more! Food Trucks! Enjoy some of Tampa’s best food trucks, Taco Bus, Stinky Bunz, Burger Culture and Wicked Witches!
Learn! Special talks about the recently-completed restoration of one of the historic 1912 platform canopies from the engineering team who made it happen!
Dishing with Mark & Carrie
5-9-2012
Rev. Billy Graham, We Respect You, But REALLY?????
“Open Your Minds and Hearts.” I remember clearly the elder Rev. Billy Graham preach at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. I was with my Mom. She dearly loved hearing and listening in the crowded open air packed stadium, the reveling North Carolina minister preach. That was in the early 1980’s. The stadium was filled with over 10,000 people. That was then.
Now with the North Carolina constitutional amendment on the state ballot for a definitive marriage definition. The definition is for only 1 man and only 1 woman to be defined as a marriage in the Tar heel State. All other relationships would not be recognized.
This brings us back to the Rev Billy Graham who placed a full page letter in most of the North Carolina newspapers reciting that this is the only rightful just law for North Carolinians. Rev Graham may I have your attention. “Where is your “Open your minds and hearts’to this issue!”
This is a contentious hot potato issue across the country. The constitutional change in the voters ballots hands a new dimension to equality. The voters may not recognize same sex marriage but it goes further to discriminate against domestic partnerships both gay and straight! It legally binds Fortune 100 companies from having them recognize benefits, medical decisions and so many more items big corporations have and offer for its employees.
City and counties will have to abide by the ruling of plain bigotry. Not all gay people are for same sex marriage either but to even eliminate domestic partnerships is another thing! It isn’t a gay or straight issue fight. Fairness and equality is the issue hear. Thank God more younger people see the unfairness & hate and want to eliminate it in the United States.
The ramifications of this so important state vote will fall into place. Open and fair minded individuals have and are stepping up to the plate and ballot box for that Open mind and heart, sir, you have been preaching for years.
UPDATE*** North Carolina elections were May 8. The North Carolina constitutional amendment passes.
People Are Talking
The 31st Annual WMNF Tropical Heatwave fundraiser for the radio station is Sat May 12th all over Ybor City. Headquartered at the Cuban Club starting at 4 PM. Other clubs included include New World Brewery, Crowbar, Ritz, Collage and other sites having bands playing a full variety of music until 2:30 AM. The recent number of new Ybor City buildings leased just got even brighter. Opening soon is a veterans bike bar and are finishing up the last touches and a proposed wing & burger bar opening on Ybor’s East end! Ybor does have its revolving doors coming and going businesses but that is and has been the nature of the historic district.
The General manager of St. Pete’s Georgie’s Alibi is leaving to move to Wilton Manors. Ed Gonzalez, who has been the manager for over a dozen years will be the GM at the famous Bills Filling Station in Wilton Manors. A major redo of the club is in the works. Good Luck Ed. You have done a lot for the community.
New expanded cleanup is in the planning before the big GOP National Convention in August. The familiar Ybor lights are to be cleaned, some new trees and shrubs being planted. The lower appropriated funds from the CRA’s TIF account in Tampa have put a crunch on a lot of the planned work projects. The board is moving forward with the most visible sights. The city will have to chip in some funds to make sure that the historic district gem of Tampa has a clean and tidy makeover. That is if they want to make the visitors see a more clean & and inviting area of Tampa. Speaking of the GOP Convention, a number of Yborites have submitted paperwork to be a preferred vendor and supplier during the upcoming Grand ‘Ol Party assembly! A lot haven’t heard a word about their status or procurement for ordering supplies. The committee and Tampa leaders are in need of some 7500 volunteers to help with the Tampa spotlighted presidential assembly. Greeters, info personnel, and a various number of other unique jobs are needed.
College Weekend at Disney is in full swing. Coinciding with the big Gay Days in Orlando Weekend May 31st thru June 4th. The boys at Florida Entertainment Group are the backers of this super fun weekend party. Over 250,000 GLBT tourists from around the world go to the annual pilgrimage. Our fab nephew, KC (Keith) is out and about St. Pete after the many surgeries. He ventured out this past week to go to Georgie’s Alibi to say hi to old friends. Still not 100%, KC wants to get back to work at his new normal pace. Take it easy kid. The Hamburger Mary’s servers and bartenders took a weekend jaunt to the cabin woods in Crystal River for a couple nights outing. A great time we hear. And that is the “Naked” truth!!
Local Democratic State Committeewoman and past president of the HC Democratic GLBT Caucus, Sally Phillips was in Washington, DC in meetings with the GLBT White House staff, conversations with Wisconsin Congressional Candidate Tammy Baldwin who is running for U.S. Senate. Tammy if elected will be the first openly Gay member of the Senate. Lastly Sally attended the Victory Fund Gala with national GLBT elected officials.
Chris Rudisil ,St. Pete Pride Exec. Dir Moving On
The very successful 10 year old St Pete Pride organization will be looking for a new head honcho. Chris Rudisill is leaving St. Pete Pride after 6 years and will be heading over the Metro Wellness and CommunityCenters in the three county area to become GLBT Events Project Director.
Chris sent out an email to local GLBT leaders of the new change will not take affect until July 15th after the Pride events. The St. Pete Pride event is the largest in Florida and has over 100,000 attendees. The Promenade in Paradise this year is Saturday, June 30th and travels down Central Ave. A special concert by International famed singing sensation Debra Cox is on the billboard for this years entertainmernt.
A major change in summer activities. GaYBOR Days 2012 has been changed from July 4th to Memorial Day Weekend. There was a crossover with events for St. Pete Pride so the GaYBOR Board changed this years dates. A large number of party and events are planned.
The 5th Annual GaYBOR Days is about bringing people to the historic District and to the newly formed GLBT District in historic Ybor City. Events planned include dirty dancing, super Sunday Gaybor brunches at Hamburger Mary’s and Gaspar’s Grotto, afternoon T- Dances Sunday at Barbarellla’s, Liquid Tampa, and a rooftop bounce party at RISE at Tabu. Also Sunday night is the annual classy benefit White Party at Honey Pot. Monday is the GaYBOR/ TIGLFF movie at Muvico 20 in Ybor City at 6:30 with special entertainment and featured movie about famed iconic actor Divine’s mother Francis.
The annual GaYBOR Health Fair is going to be set for late July.
New at MC FILM
MC FILM has added 2 new fashion swim wear lines, VULTHRY and CLEVER along with Pistol Pete, Go Softwear, Kurt Fashions and UNICO. The beaches are ready for your new fashions in bikini, brief or square cut. Come in and check out the new lines now.
Don’t forget MC FILM also offers over 8600 DVD’s for rent/ purchase for those hot steamy Florida nights. Indy, classic, New GLBT themed and Foreign movies.
GaYBOR Meeting at Hilton Gardens Inn this Friday
GaYBOR District CoalitionMeeting is at Hilton Gardens Inn at 4:00 this Friday. Bring along your GaYBOR / Memorial Day Weekend Events.
Special Guest speaker is Tampa City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Singing Sensation Tiffany Performs in Duel Concerts
Hamburger Mary’s & Steam Fridays
Pride & Passion at Tampa Museum of Art Coming Up
May 19, 2012 8PM to Midnight. Pride & Passion is the official kick-off event to St. Pete Pride and each year raises funds to support the exhibition program at the Tampa Museum of Art.
Join over 800 friends at the Museum for a dazzling night of art, entertainment, food and drinks. Tickets for the event are $75 for individuals and $150 for two. This price includes an annual membership to the Museum*, plus food by Timpano Italian Chophouse; wine, beer, and specialty cocktails; and entertainment by DJ Michael Terrance and New Century Dance Company.
What can we say about the wonderful Daphne? Besides being a proud supporter of GaYBOR and great friend to the community. I guess she says it all on her facebook page below. Viva La Daphne!!
About Daphne
Titles Include: Miss Gay Florida America, Miss Gay Orlando, Miss Parliament House, Miss Derby City EOY, Miss Blur, Miss Ocala, Miss Hernando FI, Miss Comedy Queen, Miss Comic Strip, Miss Pasco and Miss Clearwater Newcomer.
Top 10 at EOY and MGA. Miss Congeniality at Miss Florida FI
I am known to many as “The Tallest Drag Queen in Captivity”. Standing at just over 7′ tall in heels, I am the perfect height for any stage. I got my start in high school theatre and have not stopped evolving since. I have been performing in drag professionally for over 13 years and enjoy exploring my sick and twisted sense of humor.
Over the years I have won many titles and received many awards.
I graduated in 2005 with my Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design and Marketing and I am proud to say that I create/ design just about everything I wear. I interned in 2005 with Vera Wang and feel blessed to have been given that experience.
In July of 2009 I wrote, produced and directed the original stage show “The Evolution of Drag” in Ybor City at The Honey Pot. We’ve produced the show 3 additional times due to local demand and we look forward to seeing how the show EVOLVES.
I perform every Friday night at Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor city, monthly at The Honey Pot and throughout Florida on some Saturdays.
I love Mexican food, quiet nights at home and puppies.
I often book private parties, do drag makeovers and am involved in the production of local shows.
When not busy managing 3 florist shop you will find Ed in GaYBOR!!! We all think he has a new boyfriend in GaYBOR but neither are confirming it yet!?!?!?
