Niece of the Week: Cara Martin Howard
Cara is a straight ally working hard in Ybor City. Cara’s positive attitude is very contagious. When she is not working, she is taking care of her family. Cara finds time to donate hours to Tampa Pride. You ROCK, Cara!
You Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up!
One sure thing you can count on in the GaYBOR District is that a visit to GBar is always a GREAT time, especially because you get to see all the wonderful and unique people who party at GBar. One night in 2008, we bumped into artist Jeremy Gloff. He specializes in performance and visual art. Jeremy divides his time between living in Tampa and New York City.
On this night there were two large bus loads of religious fanatics who were on a summer camping trip from Georgia rallying outside of the club. With blow horns, white hankies waving and signs in the air, they were telling us all that we are going to hell. Jeremy said “watch this”…and off to his car he went with a cameraman. What happened next has been viewed by 34,610 people world wide. We just plain LOVE YOU, Jeremy Gloff! Here is the video of what happened
“Suncoast Softball League’s Got Talent” Pageant and Fundraiser
The stakes were high at the Annual Suncoast Softball League’s “SSL’s Got Talent” Fundraising Benefit at Bradley’s on 7th last Saturday. The place was packed from 5 p.m. on and there was a great turnout to support the two selected charities. They were the Ybor Youth Clinic, serving the youth ranging in age from 12 to 24 in Hillsborough County, and the Pancreatic Cancer Association. The emcees were Suncoast Softball Directors Gerre Reynolds and Jerome Baily. A variety act of softball players strutted their inner drag selves at the fun ’round the bases’ benefit.
TAMPA PRIDE Bingo Benefit
The first benefit for TAMPA PRIDE took place at Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor City last Sunday. With a great amount of spectacular prizes to be given away, Bingo players had a wonderful time shouting the rallying cry, “It’s on, bitches!” Bingo caller Miss Amy DeMilo had the balls jumping and bingo players racing around. Fifty/fifty raffle buyers had a bonus chance to win the extra prize, which were a pair of great seats to the Sunday, September 14 regular season football game at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be facing off against the St. Louis Rams, starting at 4:05 p.m.
Bingo prizes came from GaYBOR District members and community partners. Thank you to all the great supporting donors: Hamburger Mary’s, Bacardi Rum, The Honey Pot, GBar, Ybor City Social Club, Bradley’s On 7th, Bonnie @ Crowbar, MC FILM, John and Nancy at PFLAG, Lenny at Cristino’s Italian Restaurant, Jayme at Ybor City Wine Bar and Hampton Inn & Suites Ybor City.
TAMPA PRIDE is planned for March 28 with a parade and festival in Ybor City. Go to Facebook and add your name as a volunteer or to receive updates about next year’s Pride event. Other community plans will be announced.
The TAMPA PRIDE Launch and Cocktail Party is set for Friday, September 26 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. If you or your organization/company wants to sponsor the return of TAMPA PRIDE, contact Kurt King, Walter Pinillos, Gerre Reynolds, Michael Wilson or Carrie West at TampaPride2015@gmail.com.
Newly Opened Water Works Park On Hillsborough River
Last month’s ribbon cutting of the newly completed five-acre Water Works Park that borders the Hillsborough River has the Tampa Heights redevelopment stamp of approval. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and other city officials made special mention to the new park as an additional green space for all the community. The old spring site was an eyesore for the residents in Tampa Heights for decades. Now with a $7 million boost to the newly renovated park and riverfront, Tampa Heights is moving in a new, positive direction.
