Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor and Hamburger Mary’s owner Kurt King were chosen for the Inaugural 2015 TAMPA PRIDE Grand Marshals.The special Gala Sponsored event was held at Cristino’s Italian Coal Oven Restaurant in Ybor City. Transformed into an evening under the stars, black table clothed cocktail tables and over 200+ invitees made their way into the first of many TAMPA PRIDE events. TAMPA PRIDE Parade & Vendor Festival is set for March 28th in Ybor City.

     The ambient lovely night was clear skies after a 2 weeklong cold Florida weather front. A large assortment of Italian fare appetizers and specialty drinks were served. The Cristino Restaurant staff and manager Michael Wilson did a great job in hospitality and the assorted Italian food selection.

    Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor just returned that evening from testifying in Washington, DC in front of  a Congressional hearing. She was introduced by Renee Warmack.

    ” I am so honored by the community for such an honor.” the chief told the group. An attendee shouted out that, “We were honored to have her as a community leader!”

    The second selected TAMPA PRIDE Grand Marshal was introduced by long time friend and fellow softball player, Gerre Reynolds. That honoree is Hamburger Mary’s owner, Kurt King. Touching the attendees hearts he made mention that, “A lot of Gays and Straight people didn’t want Tampa Pride to happen, but it did by committed individuals throughout Tampa Bay!”

    Adding that he was “honored to be selected and very Thankful to the hundreds of Companies, organizations and individuals that came forward in support. This is going to be a really great festival.”

    Both the Grand Marshals received beautifully engraved Tampa Pride plaques with Rainbow glass on the edges. The duo grand marshals will be honorees at the upcoming VIP Sponsors Party and the Big Tampa Pride Parade & Festival on Saturday, March 28th, from 1-3:30.

    The first Miss Tampa Pride went to Miss Esme Russell. She is an entertainer for over 25 years, a greeter at Hamburger Mary’s Ybor, a weekly radio personality and just all around positive & fun person.

    She addressed the group saying, ” I am the first transgender to come out in Hillsborough County Schools.  My parents sued the Board of education and won letting me be a girl in the public schools!”

     A loud thunderess applause and cheers rang out in Esme’s support.

    To support TAMPA PRIDE in so many ways or to know of all the events planned visit www.TampaPride.org

The Big 2015 City of Tampa race is on. The many City candidates include are what MC FILM support and recommend.

Mayor –       Bob Buckhorn

District 1 –    Mike Suarez

District 2 –    All three candidates are excellent and supportive choices

District 3 –    Yvonne Yolie Capin

District 4 –    Harry Cohen

District 6 –    Guido Maniscalco

Districts 5 & 7 haven’t any race challengers

    You have a craving for the Latino desert, Flan? You are in luck and this weekend 11th Annual Flan Festival you can have your share of the egg & sugar delicacy in Centennial Park in Ybor City. The annual event flan baking challengers have a lot of diverse critical judges to please.

    Over 40 traditional and non traditional recipes family deserts will be in the competition.The bragging rights of winning the sacred festival themselves are ‘Welcome Mats’ to many great area events.

    It all starts at 11 am in Centennial Park. www.ybormarket.com/flan_fest_2015

     Fiesta Day is being celbrated all along 7th Ave. from 10am until 6pm this Saturday.The 67th Annual Fiesta Day, presented by the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce is along 7th avenue this Saturday, February 22nd from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is a family-friendly, FREE “street festival” that celebrates the cuisine, culture and heritage of the Latin immigrants who settled in Ybor City at the turn of the 19th Century.