November 1st Of The Month Newsletter from the Ybor Chamber

La Sétima

Newsletter of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce

First of the Month- November 2010

PM Networking Event at
The Ritz Ybor
"Tampa's Premier
Special Events Venue"
Thursday, November 18th

A Special Thanks
For Joining To

Yes Electric

George Pages

2412 E. 7th Ave.

Tampa, FL 33605

A Note Of
Appreciation To
Renewed
Members

Gina Flynn-Carmack

3704 W. San Rafael St.

Tampa, FL 33629

Outback Bowl

Mike Schulze

4211 W. Boy Scout Blvd. Ste. 560

Tampa, FL 33607

Philip Shore Elementary School

Barbara Mercer

1908 E. 2nd Ave.

Tampa, FL 33605

The Italian Club of Tampa

Sal Guagliardo

1731 E. 7th Ave.

Tampa, FL 33605

Unlimited Printing & Copying

Angie Mata

3000 NE 30th Place, 5th Floor

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33306

Click on a company name to learn more about your fellow members.

spotlight

Ybor Chamber Member Spotlight

Celebrating their 80^th Anniversary in 2011, Larmon Furniture, Tampa's Oldest Furniture Family, has stood on the same street corner at 7^th Avenue and 14^th Street in Ybor City since 1931. The store was started by the Larmon family and is currently owned by Elizabeth Larmon Kalamaras and her husband Jimmy. In addition to furniture, Larmon also sells appliances, electronics and a large selection of brand name bedding including new from Body Rest, "Green Earth Bedding." They opened a second furniture store in Town & Country in 2007.

The Larmon family is very involved in the community. They are long-time members of the Ybor City Chamber and since 1993, have held annually in March, the Larmon Furniture Golf Tournament, raising over $160,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs. Jimmy and Elizabeth believe that helping others is part of being responsible business owners.

Jimmy & Elizabeth Kalamaras

Larmon Furniture

www.larmonfurniture.com

Ybor City
1324 E. 7th Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605
813-247-4711

Town 'N' Country
7555 W. Waters Ave.
Tampa, FL 33615
813-249-8600

Member Luncheons

November 9th 2010
Speaker
Rick Baker
Director
USF Innovation Partnership
Sponsored by:
SunTrust

December 14th 2010
Speaker
Keith Norden
President/CEO
Tampa Hillsborough Economic Corporation
Entertainment by:
HCC Jazz Ensemble

Message from the Chair

Hola -

Once again, lo que a pasado (what's happened lately) in Ybor City? The Silver Anniversary of Guavaween has been in the papers for the last week from a 25-year history to a color photo gallery:

10/29/10 - Tampa Tribune Friday Extra - #1 Best Bets - "Spooky Parade Marks 25^th Anniversary"
10/29/10 - St. Petersburg Times - "Stumbling toward a milestone" - Susan Thurston and "Guavaween aims for authentic" - Justin George
10/30/10 - Tampa Tribune - "Decadent Fun: Guavaween thrives as a kinky cousin to Gasparilla - Kathy Steele
10/30/10 - St. Petersburg Times - "Parade stumbles back to its roots" - Columnist, Sue Carlton
10/31/10 - Tampa Tribune - "Fright Night: Guavaween mingles weird with wondrous" - photo essay, Jay Nolan
10/31/10 - St. Petersburg Times - "Ghoul gone wild" - photo, Willie J. Allen , Jr. and "More promenade that parade" - Robbyn Mitchell
11/01/10 - tbt - "Out and About, Luis' Party Picks" - photo gallery

I am pleased that the 25^th Anniversary edition of Guavaween was both safe and successful. I want to thank CC Event Productions, the City of Tampa, the businesses and residents of Ybor City and most of all our guests for making the Silver Anniversary of Guavaween fun for all. I would also like to thank the "Tea Partiers of Seventh Avenue," our Mama Guava Stumble "marching unit," for their creativity, sense of humor and willingness to make fun of themselves and others. I know we all had fun and I think that some 25,000 other folks did as well.

We have two very interesting speakers addressing economic development this month and next. Our guest speaker for the November Membership Luncheon is Rick Baker, Director of USF Innovation Partnerships and former Mayor of St. Petersburg. Our presenter for December's Holiday Luncheon is Keith Norden, President & CEO of the new Tampa/Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation. Both these community leaders are an integral part of the Bay Areas renewed efforts to create jobs, build businesses and develop our economy. I hope to see you out netowrking at one or both of these upcoming luncheons.

Hasta la proxima (until next time)!

Arturo Fuente, Jr.

Guavaween: Silver Anniversary Edition

The Smoking Mad Hatter takes a sip of "Tea."

Sarah Palin/Queen of Hearts and Rick Scott/The White Rabbit want your vote.

Chamber Happenings

November 9- Ybor Chamber Membership Luncheon, Tues. 11:45AM- 1:15PM- Rick Baker, former St. Petersburg Mayor and new Director of USF Innovation Partnerships, will speak with luncheon attendees about his new role as a partnership cultivator between the University of South Florida and the world of research and development, and how those relationships can create new industries for the Bay Area. The chamber luncheon is sponsored by SunTrust. Registration reminders for the luncheon will be in your email this week.

November 18- PM Networking Event at The Ritz Ybor, Thurs. 5:30-7:30PM- Get in the Fall spirit at the next chamber networking event. The Ritz Ybor will be hosting chamber members for this stress free and enjoyable mixer featuring drink specials and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Tours of the historic venue will be available upon request.

December 16- Ybor Chamber Annual Holiday Party, Thurs. 5PM- 8PM- Save the Date for some holiday cheer at Centro Asturiano.

Ybor Chamber of Commerce 2011 Business Directory & Community Guide- Advertising sales will begin November 8, 2010, for the Chamber's 2011 Business Directory & Community Guide. To reserve space, call or e-mail Michele Keating at 813-248-3712 x 25 mkeating@ybor.org. Look for details in the mail.

Announcements & Events Around the District

November 3-7- The Inaugural Ybor Jazz Festival- Join the HCC Ybor City Campus for four days of concerts featuring pros from the jazz world as they liven the atmosphere of the Mainstage and Studio Theatres. Ticket prices vary. For more information call 813.259.6490.

November 5- The 9th Annual Richard's Run For Life 5K, Fri. 7PM- Help the Columbia Restaurant and Moffitt Cancer Center find a cure through their annual run. This year, the run begins and ends at the Ybor Centennial Park with food and drink to follow. www.richardsrunforlife.org

November 7- A Taste of Italy at Centro Asturiano, Sunday from 12:30PM- 1:30PM- Help Las Damas del Centro Asturiano as they raise funds for their social club's auxiliary . The event promises a silent auction, music, 50/50 drawing and good food. 813.813.837.9504

November 13- BERLIN! a Square One Creative Event at the Ritz Ybor, Sat. 7PM- 12AM- The theme for Square One's newest production revolves around expression and artistic freedom in a time of separation and how the human spirit can transcend most difficulties in life. www.squareoneflorida.com

November 13- Streetcar Fest 2010, Saturday from 9AM- 5PM- Come out and see unique streetcars including the Birney Safety car and Vigo Importing Breezer streetcar, and take advantage of 25¢ streetcar rides, entertainment and events throughout the day. 813.223.6831

November 14- "Non ti Pago" at the Italian Club of Tampa, Sun. 4:30- Come out for an authentic Sicilian dinner show. Join in on the laughs as a 13 actors perform, and see how comedy transcends language. Book your holiday party at the club for a 30% discount when booked by November 23rd. For more information call 813.248.3316

November 16- Open House and Ribbon Cutting for The Center for Continuing Education @ HCC, Tues. 1:30- 3PM- Celebrate the establishment of the Ybor Collaboration Studio (1602 N. 15th St.), HCC's management training center. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 2- 2:15PM in the first floor atrium.

November 19- Fire It Up!: The Official Kick-Off Party for The Ybor City Heritage and Cigar Festival, Fri. 6:30- 11PM- Complimentary premium cigars and libations, live music by the Hot Sun Quartet, traditional Cuban-style dinner, the Smokin' Cigar Girls, silent auction, and "longest ash" contest. Advance tickets $35, at door $45. www.oursmokinevents.com

November 20- Verizon Ybor City Heritage and Cigar Festival, Sat. 10AM- 5PM- The 12th annual Verizon Ybor City Heritage & Cigar Festival (formerly Cigar Heritage Festival) has a new name and a new look. Join heritage and cigar enthusiasts and enjoy a day of activities celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Ybor City. (Admission $5, children 12 and under Free)

Bioscrip Pharmacy to Open inYbor City- Ybor City's own local community specialty pharmacy is opening Monday, November 8, 2010 in the historic San Souci building located at 1315 E. 7th Ave. Bioscrip Pharmacy can fill all of your prescription needs, and wants to be your local pharmacy. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30PM. Their telephone number is 813.247.4324.