Bain Capital Improving Downtown Tampa?
The Franklin Street historic preservation buildings; S.H. Kress & Co., J.J.Newberry Dept Store and Woolworth’s in downtown Tampa are undergoing fast changes. A decisive Tampa City Council battleground in 2000’s between the buildings ownership and Tampa City Council to maintain the historic landmark buildings instead of having them demolished for Condo towers. All have the buildings have historic preservation inheritance.
It seems to have been at least 5 years since we heard of any public activity for the downtown dept store block. In just a few weeks the full city block is going from being boarded up for 17 years to restored and for use. It is rumored that Bain Capital is behind the funding. Humm.. could this be the not so secret location of the “Secret Mitt Rommey Headquarters?”
It was only 2 weeks ago that the next door towering historic Floridan Hotel re-opened after being closed for over 25 years. The hotel had a major $10 million dollar renovation.It is beautiful! Can you just imagine how fast we could change downtown Tampa if our permit & construction services department always worked this incredibly fast.
More photos below.
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Telemundo TV visits GaYBOR
Telemundo TV (America’s Spanish speaking TV Network) host Grace Solorzano called MC Film and asked for a tour of the GaYBOR District. Grace explained she wanted to do a show for the RNC from a Gay point of view. GaYBOR definitely has a great Gay point of view! The night began with an interview with Carrie West, President of the GaYBOR District Coalition, at MC Film. From there, with cameras rolling, the group made a stop at The Ybor Social. On to Hamburger Mary’s where they did an interview with Alexis Mateo & Joathan del Villar. After shooting footage of 7th Ave, King Corona, El Centro Espanol Building, the candle bridges and some of our historical buildings it was on to Liquid Tampa for Latino Night. Lady Janet was the special guest performer and did a interview next to the Ybor lamp posts. One last stop, Bradley’s on 7th. No trip to GaYBOR would be complete without a visit with the First Lady of Ybor City, Miss Joey Brooks. Ms. Grace & crew were having such a great time they didn’t want to leave.
Telemundo is a division of NBC Universal and as big to the Spanish speaking community as CNN is here. This report will be broadcast & seen in 84 countries worldwide. Via La GaYBOR!!!!
More photos below.
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R U Ready for the RNC???
We once saw a sign that read “Your lack of preparation, in not my problem.” How very true is that with the RNC coming in just days now. Here at MC Film we are a ready for our visitors. It’s going to be “GAME ON & Time to do what we do BEST!!!! Welcome Visitors to Tampa Bay!” Everybody including Miss Amber have been cleaning & restocking at MC Film.The outside of the building has been decorated.
The Ybor City Development Corp. YES Team is out painting, raking, trimming and planting all over historic Ybor City. Ybor City is looking pretty nice team! Many of the shop owners are doing the same. Making Ybor a very clean and pleasant place for our visitors to come eat, play, stay and be entertained.
One very special Patriotic American bunting is hung high above the MC Film entrance. It is an American Red White & Blue cloth bunting that was given to us from a Gay NYC Firefighter from his NYC firehouse who was in 911. What a honor for him to give this to us.
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GaYBOR Volunteers Needed
The GaYBOR District Coalition have spent months preparing for the RNC. The new www.GaYBOR.com web site is up and fully running. There have been dozens of preparation meetings hosted by the city, local & police. This information has been shared with all members. Welcome letters have been sent out to delegates & the media. 10,000+ GaYBOR Buttons were ordered and are here ready to be passed out. Tens of 1,000’s of extra GaYBOR Official maps have been printed. Rainbow Flags are proudly waving. The GaYBOR District is ready to Welcome the World!!!! Would you like to be a part of the excitement? Volunteers are needed to help fill the GaYBOR Ambassador program. Volunteers will be given “GaYBOR Information Ambassadors ASK ME” lanyards. They are they encouraged to walk around GaYBOR District and point visitors in the right directions. Stop by MC Film to sign up today. FMI GaYBORinfo@aol.com
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The Next Florida Governor
@ The GaYBOR District Coalition Meeting
There were 3 great speakers at the recent GaYBOR District meeting. Alex Sink, former candidate for Governor of Florida and small business entrpreneuar, Tampa City Councilwoman Mary Mulhern and Matthew Wolf, Tampa Leather Tribe and Leather Pride. We tried to get Alex Sink to make an announcement, she just winked and promised an announcement soon. Mary Mulhern talked about the upcoming RNC. Matt Wolf talked abut the Tampa Bay Leather ‘n’ Fetish Pride event coming up in November. http://www.tblfp.com/
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Remembering Ybor City Early 1980’s
Last Saturday, I was taken back in time at the documentary film showing of “Living in America: 100 Years of Ybor” at HCC Performing Art Center. Why? The documentary filming by Gayla Jamison was the same time period as when we had just moved to Tampa in early 1980’s. Ybor City was a very different place then! A snapshot in time.
A multi- ethnic hometown suburban community made up of Cubans, Spanish, Italians, Sicilians, and Germans that was changed by the new I-4 corridor, demise of cigar companies, non interest in social clubs and a new open mindedness to America’s changing lifestyles. A mammoth attitude and residential change into where to live, work and to raise children. The growing older cigar rolling industry residents that resided here for generations stayed but the younger generation moved elsewhere. Across town, to newer suburbs and a loft left the cigar famous area. We recall boxing rinks on 7th Ave., a small fish market and sidewalk cafes. Coffee roasting was like an ambrosia to the nose. Small bodegas (shops) where still common in the 1980’s Ybor, where you went to get fresh Cuban bread, meat, sausages and produce. It was a continuance of European small boutique shopping.
David Audett, The Cuban Sandwich Event creator had a panel of locals and talked about the changes that they encountered over the years and what they remember growing up in Ybor City.
Today the recognizable buildings were the Columbian Restaurant, La Tropicana and the infamous El Goya Night Club (now Czar’s). Take in this private invested & city sponsored classic art exhibition. Thank You to the month long Art Event, The Cuban Sandwich Show.
Last Saturday, I was taken back in time at the documentary film showing of “Living in America: 100 Years of Ybor” at HCC Performing Art Center. Why? The documentary filming by Gayla Jamison was the same time period as when we had just moved to Tampa in early 1980’s. Ybor City was a very different place then! A snapshot in time.
A multi- ethnic hometown suburban community made up of Cubans, Spanish, Italians, Sicilians, and Germans that was changed by the new I-4 corridor, demise of cigar companies, non interest in social clubs and a new open mindedness to America’s changing lifestyles. A mammoth attitude and residential change into where to live, work and to raise children. The growing older cigar rolling industry residents that resided here for generations stayed but the younger generation moved elsewhere. Across town, to newer suburbs and a loft left the cigar famous area. We recall boxing rinks on 7th Ave., a small fish market and sidewalk cafes. Coffee roasting was like an ambrosia to the nose. Small bodegas (shops) where still common in the 1980’s Ybor, where you went to get fresh Cuban bread, meat, sausages and produce. It was a continuance of European small boutique shopping.
David Audett, The Cuban Sandwich Event creator had a panel of locals and talked about the changes that they encountered over the years and what they remember growing up in Ybor City.
Today the recognizable buildings were the Columbian Restaurant, La Tropicana and the infamous El Goya Night Club (now Czar’s). Take in this private invested & city sponsored classic art exhibition. Thank You to the month long Art Event, The Cuban Sandwich Show.
Cuban Sandwich Show Continues through August
A month long celebration of the Cuban Sandwich
The month long Yborite’s creation of a hundred year old sandwich has its special month of fame. David Audett’s creation of what is and was the most popular sandwich in Ybor City, the Cuban Sandwich, now has a 30 day run event of art, storytelling, photography, art shows, panelists discussions and advertising the so popular delicious Cuban Sandwich fare.
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” Living in America: 100 Years of Ybor “ Film screening
Director Gayla Jamison screened and hosted a panel discussion of her one-hour Ybor City 1982 documentary.
Panelists: Moderator David Audett, Creator / Director of Cuban Sandwich Show Event; Filmmaker Gayla Jamison from Atlanta, GA; Yvonne” Yollie” Capin, Tampa City Council member; Judith Vilavianis, artist born in Ybor City and a subject in the film; Don Barco, owner of King Corona Cigar Bar; Joe Howden, artist and tour guide for Ybor City; Michelle and Robert Faedo, winners of the “Best Cuban Sandwich in Florida 2012”. They all brought memories of growing up in Ybor City to the attendees. www.CubanSandwichShow.com
A month long celebration of the Cuban Sandwich
The month long Yborite’s creation of a hundred year old sandwich has its special month of fame. David Audett’s creation of what is and was the most popular sandwich in Ybor City, the Cuban Sandwich, now has a 30 day run event of art, storytelling, photography, art shows, panelists discussions and advertising the so popular delicious Cuban Sandwich fare.
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” Living in America: 100 Years of Ybor “ Film screening
Director Gayla Jamison screened and hosted a panel discussion of her one-hour Ybor City 1982 documentary.
Panelists: Moderator David Audett, Creator / Director of Cuban Sandwich Show Event; Filmmaker Gayla Jamison from Atlanta, GA; Yvonne” Yollie” Capin, Tampa City Council member; Judith Vilavianis, artist born in Ybor City and a subject in the film; Don Barco, owner of King Corona Cigar Bar; Joe Howden, artist and tour guide for Ybor City; Michelle and Robert Faedo, winners of the “Best Cuban Sandwich in Florida 2012”. They all brought memories of growing up in Ybor City to the attendees. www.CubanSandwichShow.com
More photos below
Log Cabin Republicans
Our bothers & sisters in the Log Cabin Republicans at times are a little hard to understand, but maybe they like it that way. Over the past 18 months we have been corresponding with them via emails about the LGBT Community here. They have chose not to have any events in GaYBOR/Ybor City or the Grand Central District in St. Petersburg. Below is a schedule of their events in Rocky Point and on top of a business tower. Last week they did forward “Dishing with Mark & Carrie” to the all the delegates. We look forward to meeting them in GaYBOR. Everybody is WELCOMED to Tampa Bay.
Log Cabin Events at the Republican National Convention!
Sunday, August 26
- Log Cabin Republicans of Florida Welcome Reception
- The Tampa, Miami and Broward County LCR chapters welcome you to Florida! Mix, mingle and meet your fellow Log Cabin Republicans.
- The Rusty Pelican, 2425 N. Rocky Point Drive Tampa, FL 33607
- August 26th, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM
- Click here to RSVP for this event.
Monday, August 27
- “Republicans Out to Win” with the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund*
- Out and proud Republicans are running for office at every level. Join us in celebrating their work to win a more inclusive GOP in November!
- Oystercatchers at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, 2900 Bayport Drive, Tampa, FL 33607
- August 27th, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM
- Click here to RSVP for this event.
Wednesday, August 29
- “Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry” with Freedom to Marry
- Join us for brunch as we highlight the growing number of Republicans, particularly young conservatives, who believe that freedom means freedom for everyone.
- Holland & Knight, 100 N. Tampa Street, Ste 4100 Tampa, FL 33602
- August 29th, from 10:00 AM – to 12:00 PM
- Please email RSVP@logcabin.org to register for this event.
Thursday, August 30
- “Celebrating Congressional Allies” in support of LCR PAC
- Log Cabin is working to fill the ranks of pro-equality Republicans so that our allies in Congress will have the reinforcements they need in the next battle for our fundamental freedoms. Meet our allies!
- Holland & Knight, 100 N. Tampa Street, Tampa, FL 33602
- August 30th, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM
- Click here to RSVP for this event.
*If you are subject to state laws prohibiting the provision or receipt of food, beverages, entertainment, or any other item associated with this event that could be considered a prohibited gift, please either refrain from attending this event, or, if permissible under your state’s laws, please be prepared to pay the event host an admission amount based on the total cost of the event, divided by the number of persons reasonably expected to attend.
Log Cabin Republicans are proud members of the GOP who believe inclusion wins. Log Cabin works to build a stronger, more inclusive Republican Party by promoting the core values of limited government, individual liberty, personal responsibility, free markets and a strong national defense while advocating for the freedom and equality of LGBT Americans.
