Back when we were in college at USF we had a very fun upstairs neighbor. Her name was Miss Mary Jane. She was a beautiful young professional who was also a nudist, loved pot & sex. One time she told us that if anybody broke into her apartment she would yell out “Fred, get the gun there is somebody in the apartment”. Miss Mary Jane was out of town and we were looking after her pets. Two long haired oversized hamsters. So I went upstairs to check on them and decided to borrow some ice from her frig. As I was cracking the ice out of the ice trays….. you guessed it, I heard her scream “Fred, get the gun there is somebody in the apartment!!!” Then to my surprise there was a mans voice who said, “Who’s Fred???”  It was Miss Mary Jane, who had come home early & the UPS driver who she was having sex with!!! Suddenly I realized why the UPS truck was parked outside so often. LOL LOL Look for more stories about Miss Mary Jane.

 

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        Beautiful white linen outfits, flowing white sheers from the rafters, an area cascade of white blocks symbolizing ruins set a pace to the imaginary. Local set designer, Mathieu Stonach did it again transforming a large club into an intimate lofty white cloud dimension. White was the motif and the record crowd expounded on the theme of the annual social event. The HP bartenders, doormen and staff all dressed in white perpetuated the party even more. Owners, Stephen Moss and Ernie Webb sparkled in the festive White Party benefit scene for the GaYBOR District.

        To the attendees surprises came fire eating contortionists, stilt walkers, jugglers,and magicians adding an exciting carnival atmosphere to the already magic. The dancers weren’t bad either!!!

    World Premiere Movie,” Frances: A Mother Divine” & Proclamations

        In co-sponsorship of the GaYBOR Days 2012 Movie, Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival and GaYBOR District Coalition brought in a world premiere film, ” Frances: A Mother Divine.”

A quirky com-docu-drama about the infamous iconic movie “Pink Flamingo’s”, “Female Trouble” “Hairspray” drag film star, Divine’s Mom, Frances! She was an extended ” Gay Mom” to thousands of Divine’s friends and  followers.

        The pre-movie  program had local attending political leaders sharing and reading Proclamations by Florida State Representative Janet Cruz and from Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner. Other awards complimenting GaYBOR Days 2012 came from Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Tampa City Council Members and a letter of congratulations to GaYBOR District from Hillsborough County Board Commissioner member, Mark Sharpe!

    The winner of the traditional “Best Cuban” was our good friend Michelle Faedo’s Food Truck and 2nd place went to Stone Soup Company on Ybor’s 7th Ave. There were over 34 entries from all over Tampa Bay, Central Florida and Miami! In the ‘Non-traditional Cuban Sandwich Competition’, Ybor City again reigned with Gaspar’s Grotto winning 1st place!

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    What an amazing display of international military might as the week long (SOFIC) convention conference to combat terrorists attacks was held in Tampa at the Tampa Convention Center. Over 90 countries were invited to the annual Military Special Forces Conference. Taking part in a mock downtown waterfront terrorists attack, the imitative situation was a group suppositively snatching Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn as the mock hostage. The real life military maneuvers had thousands of downtown locals and international visitors watching in open mouthed amazement all around the Garrison Channel shoreline in the very hot Tampa sun.

    High powered rapid dummy gunfire and thundering explosives were everywhere. A team of fast response navy seals with special dynamic powered gunnery forces on the water in low profiled military boats woke up the crowd!  By air the Black Hawk helicopters and Marine’s multi flying Osprey planes came in quick and quietly.  An armed parachute 6 man team jumping from over 6000 feet in the air came flying in all in formation landing on the precise big X placed on the river. On land, assaults from armored humbies and all terrain vehicles captured the simulated terrorists groups in front of the Tampa Convention Center. It was a portrayal of what our special forces is doing here and overseas protecting us Americans. It was a big eye opener to myself on the great coordinated effort and swiftness of the demonstration., And I was in the military.

70 countries worked together and participated in the mock terrorists attack demonstration!

    After witnessing the special performance, the thousands watching cheered loudly and heard throughout downtown Tampa. Special guest speaker for the evening gala was Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

 

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It is very hard to find anybody who works harder for GaYBOR than Arica Love. She is always promoting GaYBOR across the state. The big smile & wild personality makes her our bigger than life Angel!!!

 

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Always with a big smile and full of personality James can be found in GaYBOR at the Florida Entertainment Clubs.  It’s very easy to see why he is so popular.