Happy Thanksgiving
Tampa Pride at USF Football Pride Night
https://www.facebook.com/events/1305665142928434/
The Ybor City Tree Lighting
December 6, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/events/843427376059834/
Trans Masculine Support Group
Join Tristan Byrnes, a local LGBTQ+ community member and gender therapist as he guides and facilitates a group for those going through a masculine transition. People that are questioning their gender identity are also welcome in this space.
Find support through people at all different stages of transition and guidance through Tristan’s personal and professional experiences. People of all gender identities, expressions, and sexual orientations are welcome. There is no cost to attend.
Location: 3251 3rd Ave. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 Date & Time: The first Wednesday of every month, 7 pm *This recurring date/time may be subject to change on holidays, please call (727) 321-3854 to confirm group dates during holidays if you are unsure.
Email TransCommunity@MetroTampaBay.org for more information.
Everyone is Talking
The Jeff Vinik’s foundation just donated $1 million towards renovations of Tampa’s historic Jackson House.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Rooming_House
ALL STAR SHOW This SUNday Funday!!!!
Filming in Ybor City
Filming will begin soon in Ybor city. The series, titled Black Veil, features six 15-minute fictional horror stories based on Ybor history. Check out the casting call on their web site. https://www.blackveilonline.com/
The Library of Congress will house the archives of the famous AIDS quilt
Click Here to read the story in the Washington Post.
PFLAG BINGO
https://www.facebook.com/events/403986417149848/
Obituary: David A. Straz, Jr
Obituary: David A. Straz, Jr
Tampa has Lost a Friend…and a true Icon
David A. Straz, Jr became known to me many years ago in high school. It wasn’t until we were re-acquainted in Ybor City years later with visual memories of times with my Dad and my Uncle Arlyn. He was taken back when we were reintroduced at Hamburger Mary’s balcony, he knowing me and my whole family. In the political arena he was a young up and coming banker knowing my Uncle Arlyn, a director of a large Midwest bank and my Dad, Merrill field secretary with Congressman David Obey. Our families also each had northern Wisconsin lake cabins where we fished like most Wisconsinites do.
Smiling, fishing and meeting new people were on David’s top activities he treasured.
David was a very much a numbers kind of guy. A genius in numerology in sorts. That is why he was so successful in bank ownerships.
David A. Straz, Jr name is synonymous with the arts in many cities and universities. His name is on the front of Art & Cultural Buildings at Carthage College, Marquette University Business School, University of Tampa Residence Hall and in Tampa the David A Straz Jr Performing Arts Center. The building of the Straz Field House that was built and donated to Berkeley Prep. David has always stepped up to the plate. Outside of the country David’s honorary ambassadorship in Liberia also have a high school named after him.
A great supporter of many Tampa organizations having presided as board chair of Tampa General Hospital, Chair of the Metropolitan Opera in NYC, A gracious savior to Zoo Tampa and the funding of the David A Straz, Jr Manatee Critical Care Center & Veterinary Hospital in Lowry Park.
His run for Tampa Mayor was quite unique. He ran against present Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. One thing left in his mind he told me, is that Tampa needs help in the affordable housing units that need to be built for low- and moderate-income residents.
It was just weeks ago at Tampa Pride’s PRIDE ZOO LA at Zoo Tampa in Lowry Park that David was attending with his lovely wife, Catherine Lowry Straz who was the recipient to the TAMPA PRIDE 2020 Community Leader Appreciation Award for community activism, organization participation and life fulfilling events she has accomplished and achieved in making Tampa a great place..
I found David to be a very friendly hospitable happy smiling friend. Tampa will continually honor David A Straz, Jr.
From The MC Mail Bag
