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June 2012  Mid-Month Newsletter
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Upcoming Events 

 

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 See Chamber Happenings

For More Details
Important Notice

Nightclub Regulation Workshop

The City of Tampa will be holding two workshops with city staff to discuss redrafted industry regulations.   Industry representatives from around the city are encouraged to attend.

Meeting Location 
City Council Chambers
Old City Hall

Meeting Dates and Time

Tuesday, June 26th
Wednesday, June 27th
6:00PM to 8:00PM

A Special Welcome To New Members

 

Martz-First Class Coach

Christine Roberts

4783 37th Street North

St Petersburg, FL 33714

 

Row Boat Mediterranean Cuisine & R Bar

Jad Stone

1820 North 15th Street

Tampa, FL 33605

 

Shrimp & Co.

Levent Cilek

2202 East 7th Avenue

Tampa, FL 33605

 

Skin Tampa

Richard Petric

1620 East Adamo Drive

Tampa, FL 33605

 

The Attic on Seventh

Yanett Sabat

2021 East 7th Avenue

Tampa, FL 33605

 

 

Thank You To Renewing Members

 

Betty Dowd

Tampa, FL 33603

 

Allegra Design Print Mail

Nancy Routman

107 North Jefferson Street

Tampa, FL 33602

 

G.J. Betancourt, CPA PA

Will Betancourt

1335 West Cass Street

Tampa, FL 33606

 

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Michael White

4207 East Lake Avenue

Tampa, FL 33610

 

Kristopher Fernandez, Attorney at Law

Kristopher Fernandez

114 South Fremont Avenue

Tampa, FL 33606

 

NueLeaf Business Advisors + CPAs

Kevin Cimino

1402 North 25th Street

Tampa, FL 33605

 

Perez & Company, C.P.A.'s

Frank Perez

201 East Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 420

Tampa, FL 33602

 

Regions Bank

Chris Pedracine

100 North Tampa Street

Tampa, FL 33602

 

Rodriquez & Menendez Cigar Factory & Store

Mike Casale

3608 North Armenia Avenue

Tampa, FL 33607

 

Thomason Creative, Inc.

Kim Thomason

18703 Toadthodka Drive

Dade City, FL 33523

 

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

spotlight

Ybor Chamber  

Member Spotlight

 

Ybor City is home to one of Tampa's most elegant hotels, The Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn. Built in 1895 by Ybor City founder, Vicente Martinez-Ybor, The Don V (as we like to call it here in Ybor) has a fascinating history. It was first used by Vicente Martinez-Ybor as the Ybor Land and Improvement Company. At the turn of the century it became a health care clinic called El Bien Publico, eventually transforming again into the Gonzalez Clinic, serving the needs of thousand of Tampa's residents until 1980. I've talked to many former Ybor residents who were born in that clinic.

 

After sitting vacant for 18 years, renovations began in 1998 by Ybor's own Jack Shiver. The thought and craftsmanship that went into the renovation is truly amazing. It opened in 2000 as a premier boutique hotel, with 16 beautiful guest rooms and an elegant lobby and bar. Run by Jack's children, Damon and Tessa, the Don V is the pride not only of the Shiver family but Ybor City as well.

 

Besides being a wonderful place to spend the night, The Don V is also a great place to hold any special event, from a wedding to a birthday party. Speaking of birthday parties, Tom and I held my big "60" birthday party there awhile back (not saying how far back) and we had a blast. Tessa and her crew know how to throw a party. Everything was perfect and we just crashed in our room after. Now that's how you celebrate a milestone!

 

-Michele Keating

 

Damon Shiver & Tessa Shiver

The Don Vicente de Ybor  

Historic Inn

1915 Republica de Cuba

Tampa, FL 33605

813-241-4545

www.donvicenteinn.com  

 

 

Upcoming Conventions
HQ Hotel: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
Estimated Attendance: 6,500

Tom Keating Head Shot

President's Message

 

Hola -

 

Two weeks ago my dear wife swept me off to Sarasota for a weekend birthday celebration. Michele is very good at finding travel deals on the Internet. And, as you know, I like to do a little comparison shopping with our Florida colleague/competitors.

 

We got down to Sarasota Saturday morning just in time to check-out their version of the "fresh market." They actually close the street for their market, but it only runs till noon in the summer. However, the big hit with us was the Sur La Table. We both love cooking and collecting kitchen gadgets. So, I bought cr�me brulee ramekins and Michele bought a Bobby Flay cookbook on sale.

 

Next, we checked-out Sangria Tapas Restaurant - their sangria was a little too sweet for "M," but the tapas were quite savory. Not bad, except that a bunch of folks dressed in bright orange were yelling and screaming at top of their lungs. Turned-out the Netherland's national team was playing in a World Cup qualifier - who knew we had so many Dutchmen in our midst.

 

After early check-in at the Ritz, we went up to the room to settle-in. To our surprise, we heard a knock on the door and room service delivered a bottle of chilled-Champagne with a few, choice chocolate-covered strawberries. It's nice to know you raised your kids right. We wandered around the grounds and had a couple of G&Ts pool-side (pricey, but potent).

 

I changed into "Florida formal" long-pants instead of shorts - dark shirt instead of light. We walked across the Tamiami Trail to our restaurant and had our only "ugly moment" of the trip, when a truck-full of local gentlemen seemed to speed-up just as we were crossing the street. Since we were out-of-town, I gave them the universal sign that I thought their behavior was inappropriate. Fortunately, we all went our separate ways.

 

I made Michele promise not to let the restaurant know it was my birthday. However, I let it slip to the waiter and he promptly sold me the "birthday special" - the most expensive entree on the menu. Oh well, it was my birthday. Michele is the family's social director, so she had planned for dancing at Gators after dinner. I've got to say the group "Yesterdayz" was just my "cup of tea" - Motown, Southern Rock and Disco - so late 60s'/early 70's. The weird thing was that the band members all looked like me - you know, sixty, silver and sexy.

 

We slept-in, but got up in time to have brunch at Marina Jack's - one of my favorite places on the coast. Next, it was off to St. Armand's Key for a little browsing and a final stop at the Ritz Lido Beach Club for a Cuba Libre and just a touch of Florida sun before heading home to attend the Ybor City Round Table's - Annual Award Dinner. Congrats to Sal Guagliardo on winning this year's Sam Leto Award!

 

Ciao, Tom Keating

June Membership Luncheon

6-12-12 luncheon pic nunez/goers
Steve Nu�ez (Left), General Manager of Hampton Inn & Suites Ybor, opened June's membership luncheon with some news about his hotel before handing over the microphone to Randy Goers (Right), City of Tampa Urban Planning Coordinator and Project Manager for the InVision: Tampa master plan project.
Chamber Happenings

July 10-Ybor Chamber Summer Business Expo, Tues. 11:30AM- 2PM-  The Ybor City Chamber will hold its Summer Business Expo at the Columbia Restaurant.This event features many of Ybor's top businesses and is a great opportunity for businesses to share their products and services with fellow chamber members and the community. Contact Anna Ramos immediately to sponsorship, exhibit or attend. 813.248.3712 x22

August 14- Ybor City Chamber Monthly Membership Luncheon, Tues. 11:45 am- Join the chamber for an informative luncheon with guest speaker Michael Brown, Senior Group Vice President of the Tampa YMCA. The luncheon will also feature the presentation of the Dr. Lois Gaston Motion Media Scholarship, and the Ybor Chamber Golf Tournament winner's traveling trophy.  For luncheon reservations contact Anna Ramos at 248-3712 x 22.   

Events and Announcements by Tom Favata 

Click on the highlighted event name for more information.
    
Now thru June 24- A Streetcar Named Desire at HCC Ybor- Hillsborough Community College's Ybor Campus plays host to Tampa Repertory's production of Tennessee Williams' classic. Visit HCC's Studio Theatre in their Performing Arts Building for your seat to this very special theatrical experience. Get more info by emailing [email protected]

June 23- Alexander & The Grapes Album Release Party, Sat. 8PM- Crowbar hosts an evening of up and comers as Alexander and the Grapes rollout their new album along with the Happiness Machine, and Bachelors in English. 813.241.8600

June 24- Ybor City Museum Society: 28th Annual Legacy Awards, Sun. 11:30AM- 1:30PM- Lisette Campos of ABC Action News will emcee the YCMS's award brunch as they honor the Fuente Family (Ybor Award), Elaine Illes (Pizzo Award), and Tony LaColla (Adela Gonzmart Award). Register by calling 813.247.1434

June 24- El Nombre de Espa�a, Sun. 12PM- 4:30PM-Centro Asturiano and the Spanish Lyric Theatre present an afternoon dedicated to the songs and dances of Spain. Tickets to the show are good for the performance and lunch. 813.936.0217

June 28 thru July 15- Stageworks Presentation of Sylvia- It's the story of a man, a woman and a dog, and mid-life struggles and how Fido fits into our lives. 813.251.8984

June 28- Cigars At The Grotto, Thurs. 7PM- 10PM- How does mojo roasted pork dinner, a complimentary cigar, samples of whiskey and rum and unlimited craft beer samples sound to you? Join Cigar City Magazine and Gaspar's Grotto and Pin Up America's Le Teaze Burlesque Troupe for an evening celebrating the finer things in life! Get your tickets at gasparsgrotto.ticketleap.com/gasparsgrotto.

July 4 thru September 1- Handmade in America- Singing Stone Gallery will be showcasing a juried multi-media exhibition featuring handmade fine art and contemporary crafts expressive of regional craft artisans.  View their contributions to America's cultural heritage at this independent exhibition running concurrent with the RNC's visit to town. 813.247.2787

July 12,19,& 26- The 3rd Annual Ultimate Band Series, Thurs.- The Ritz is holding their 3rd annual competition this summer.  Get in on the contest and compete for cash, prizes and a chance to open for a national touring act!  This competition has found some talented gems the past few years. Join the ranks by emailing [email protected] 

July 14- Sleepy Vikings At New World Brewery, Sat. 9PM-  Join Sleepy Vikings as they bid their drummer farewell.  They will be joined by fellow "sleepy-heads" and friends Sleepy Eye Giant. 813.248.4969 

July 28- The Art of Eastern Cuba At Union De Marti Maceo, Sat. 7pm- 11PM- The US national tour of contemporary paintings from eastern Cuba will be the highlight of this gallery. Attendees will enjoy complimentary light hors d'oeuvres and live jazz by the Freddie Montes Trio. For tickets call 813.377.6161
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HCC To Offer Job Skills Assessments To Area Employers- HCC's Institute for Corporate & Continuing Education is looking for 20 companies to run skills assessments on employees enrolled in the study at no cost.  Participants will be assessed based on the National Career Readiness Certificate qualifications created ACT. The end result is an employee profile that will help secure a pipeline of talent for the future. 813.253.7074

ChappellRoberts Receives National Award Honors- Ybor's ChappellRoberts, one of the largest advertising agencies in Tampa, has done it again.  The firm was able to come home with two full hands worth of awards this year being honored with six Telly Awards and four national Healthcare Advertising Awards. The awards represented projects for clients including the Dali Museum, Florida Hospital- Tampa Bay Division, Lions Eye Institute for Transplant And Research, and Verizon FiOS. Congratulations neighbors! 813.281.0088

Help The Lions Eye Institute Win A Car- Toyota is holding a competition to benefit one of five non-profits by giving away a new vehicle. One of the contestants still in the running is Ybor's own Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & research.  Help them secure the win by voting on Sunday June 24th. Learn more about what you can do by going to www.facebook.com/LEITR