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April 2012 Newsletter                                                                          Visit Ybor.org

Upcoming Events   

Ybor Aficionado Days 

Saturday, April 14th &  

Sunday, April 15th

 

See Chamber Happenings

For More Details 

A Special Thanks For Joining To

 

SBC Signworks, Inc.

Benny Gomez

3422 E. 7th Avenue

Tampa, FL 33605

 

A Note Of Appreciation To Renewed Members

 

1st US Volunteer Cavalry, Rough Riders

Carol Grabowski

P O Box 75892

Tampa, FL 33675

 

Allen Temple A.M.E. Church

Michael K. Bouie

P O Box 76676

Tampa, FL 33675

 

AT&T

Andrew Hall

3405 W. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33607

 

Bright House Networks

Andrea White

4145 S. Falkenberg Rd., Suite 1

Riverview, FL 33578

 

Centro Cantina

Joe Vigliarolo

1600 E. 8th Avenue, Suite D204

Tampa, FL 33605

 

Circulo Cubano de Tampa

Steve Yturriaga

2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba

Tampa, FL 33605

 

Joe Vigliarolo

1600 E. ith Avenue, Suite D101

Tampa, FL 33605

 

Howard Johnson Plaza

Lisa Reilly

111 W. Fortune St.

Tampa, FL 33602

 

Italiano Insurance Services, Inc.

Carla Wuenschel

3021 W. Swann Ave.

Tampa, FL 33609

 

JJ's Cafe & Bar

Joe Vigliarolo

1601 E. 7th Ave.

Tampa, FL 33605

 

Joffrey's Coffee & Tea Company

Jessica Valdes

1600 E. 8th Ave., E-100

Tampa, FL 33605

 

Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago

Selena Huesca-Mattner

P O Box 5037

Tampa, FL 33675

 

McDonalds/J & I Management Co., Inc.

Juan Vazquez

P.O. Box 8589

Clearwater, FL 33758

 

Sign Makers of Tampa Bay, Inc.

Jerry McNeill

501 S Falkenburg Road, C-14

Riverview, FL 33519

 

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

Upcoming Conventions

 

April 2-8

NCAA Frozen Four Men's Ice National Championship

Estimated Attendance: 21,500

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May 3-13 
HQ Hotel: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
Estimated Attendance: 3,000

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May 14-20 
HQ Hotel: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
Estimated Attendance: 1,500


  

Andrea White headshot

Chair's Message

 

 

Greetings Members:

 

It looks like spring has sprung. I just got back from some much needed R & R in Mexico. No, I wasn't anywhere near the earth quake, but thanks for asking. I am nearing the end of my year as Chair of the Ybor City Chamber, but I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet. It has been a very busy and productive year, only wish I had more time.

 

As you know, this is Festival Season for the Historic District. At the end of February, we hosted the largest daytime crowd we have had in years at our 65th Annual Fiesta Day. The entertainment was top notch and we had the largest number of vendors since the Chamber took back management of the event three years ago. Having Florida Blue and BB&T Bank head-up at the top of our sponsors was a first of a kind achievement. And, we advertized on cable television (Bright House Networks, of course) for the first time. Tom tells me that, and the weather, brought out some 20,000 plus visitors from around the region.

 

We are not done yet. Our Chair-elect, Andrea Gonzmart and her Committee are ready for our 6th Annual Ybor Aficionado Days. This event was founded by my predecessor Arturo Fuente, Jr. and has become our most up-scale signature event. The two-day "food fest" features a Tapas Trail on Saturday followed by an After Party/Smoker. On Sunday the Columbia Restaurant hosts a Traditional Spanish Brunch featuring Jazz by national recording artist Les Sabler. GM provides chauffer driven transportation on the trail and an opportunity to test drive one of the fleet if you like - I drove the brand new Camero last year. Tom, our President, tells me we may even have a Corvette this year. Please consider joining us for this most special of special events on April 14th and 15th.

 

If you are a golfer, the new Ybor Chamber "traveling trophy" is at stake. Won last year by Ybor's Radiant Group, the trophy is up-for-grabs at the Chamber's Annual Golf Tournament to be held at the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club on Monday, May 21st. And, while this event officially occurs after my term is over - I will always be a "Past-chair" of the Ybor City Chamber.

 

Until next time, Andrea White

Aficionado Days Tribune Ad

Chamber Happenings 

 

April 10- Ybor Chamber Membership Luncheon, Tues.11:45AM- 1PM- Rick Hamilton, the new Director of the Tampa Convention Center, will get a formal introduction to his neighbors at the Ybor end of the streetcar tracks next Tuesday. The luncheon is sponsored by the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa/Ybor City. 813.248.3712 x 22 

 

April 14 & 15- The 6th Annual Ybor Aficionado Days- Sample the best Ybor has to offer in tapas, hors d'oeuvres, antipasti and mesa during the Aficionado Tapas Trail, and cap the night at the After-party/Smoker at the Italian Club.  Sunday, enjoy contemporary jazz and a lavish traditional Spanish Brunch buffet at the Columbia Restaurant, while witnessing the annual Tapas Cooking Challenge judged by local celebrities & food critics.You can get your tickets at www.ybor.org. For more information call  813.241.8838.   

 

May 21- The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, Mon. 11:00AM-The Ybor Chamber will once again be  spending a day out on the green at the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club with our member golf player in a shot gun start, four person scramble. Get in on the fun by registering a team or sponsoring the event. For more details call 813.248.3712 x21   


Events and Announcements by Tom Favata
Click on the highlighted event name for more information. 

 

April 7- Art on 19th Street: Spring Edition, Sat. 10:00AM-  Join the shops of 19th Street in celebrating the arts for a Saturday outing with your friends and family. The event runs at the same time as the Saturday Ybor Market, making it a convenient trip out to support the local economy.  813.247.2787

April 14- Race For Sight: 11th Annual 5K Roar Through Ybor, Sat. 6:30AM- The Race for Sight raises funds to make sight-saving corneal transplants possible and to support those in our community who are visually impaired. Join the Lions Eye Institute for a morning filled with fun, food, prizes, and awards.www.lionseyeinstitute.org

May 12- Tampa Union Station Centennial Celebration, 10AM- 5PM- Join the Friends of Union Station in celebrating the landmark anniversary of Tampa's Nationally Registered Historic Place. The event is highlighted by  the 5th Annual National Train Day and features displays, exhibits, history, entertainment, family fun, trains and more birthday fun! www.tampaunionstation.com

May 26- Cuban Sandwich Festival Of Tampa Bay, Sat. 10:30AM- 4:30PM-  Restaurants will be put to the test as to who has the Best Cuban Sandwich in town.  Join the Ybor City Saturday Market for a day dedicated to "Tampa's original sandwich." 813.241.2442

Every Saturday- Yoga In Ybor, 9:30AM- 10:30PM- Starting March 24th, Yoga Loft Tampa will be offering "open-level" yoga classes in the the courtyard of The Ybor City Museum State Park's Garden. Licensed yoga instructors will be on hand with a limited number of mats to get things started. 813.248.9642

Third Thursdays- Latin Nights at Maestro's Restaurant, 8PM- 1AM- Is your leg kicking around and you don't know why?  Maybe it is because it wants to Salsa. Head over to Maestro's Restaurant at the Straz Center for an evening of live salsa and dance lessons. The cover charge gets you in the door, and a cash bar and tapas menu are ready for you when you are ready to cool down. 813.229.STAR (7827)
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Vote for the Cuban Club By Midnight Tonight- The American Institute of Architects is conducting a competition to identify the Top 100 Buildings  to be included in their "100 Years 100 Places" contest.  Vote  for the  Cuban Club and help them capture the "Historic" category.