Hola -

One of the best features of the Holiday Season is that things slow down just a bit, so we get time to reflect on the past and make plans for the future. The last few years have been a troubling time for many - the most serious recession in a life time, a glacially slow recovery and a still uncertain future. Most of us have been asked to do more with less... and many of us have. As we come to the end of the calendar year at the Ybor City Chamber, we have had several unique opportunities to get together.

First, we celebrated "Navidad en Ybor," our Membership Committees new name for our Annual Holiday Party. Hosted by the Hampton Inn & Suites, we had over 75 members come out to network and celebrate. 60 toys and $150 in donations were split equally between the Salvation Army and the East Ybor Historic Civic Association. Thanks to all of our sponsors for the wonderful food and beverage: La Segunda Central Bakery, New York New York Pizza, Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches and Yuengling Brewing Co., with wine donated by the Chamber's Board.

Our Annual Holiday Membership Luncheon, held at the Columbia Restaurant, was another great opportunity for folks to get together to celebrate the season. The Hillsborough Community College - Jazz Ensemble, led by Professor Robert Winslow, provided a program of live music during the lunch hour that consisted of both big band jazz and familiar holiday tunes. An extra treat was the stilt-walking toy soldier and the rockette dressed in Santa attire provided by Event Show Productions. And of course, you can't beat roast pork with black beans & white rice and all the trimmings served by the Columbia.

A very special celebration for the Chamber was last Friday's Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for new member Buffalo Wild Wings. Wild Wings ownership has renovated a historic building on 7th Avenue and 17th Street that was mostly vacant for over half-a-dozen years. This nationally-known franchise will be a destination within the District and their advertising will help bring customers to other businesses within Ybor City.

Next on our collective agenda is the 27th Annual Outback Bowl. We have two great "travel teams" coming this year - the Michigan Wolverines and the South Carolina Gamecocks. Join us in the "City" for the Outback Bowl parade and pep rally December 31, 2012 - or any other day of the year!