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November 2013 Newsletter
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Upcoming Events 

For More Details
 

 

A Special Welcome To New Members

 

Big Bite Events

Gail Oliphant

2080 Tustin Avenue, Suite A

Santa Ana, CA 97205

 

 

Thank You To Renewing  Members

 

813Area

Scott Conlon

9206 Sienna Moss Lane

Riverview, FL 33578

 

AAA Travel

Peggy Thibault

1515 N. Westshore Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33607

 

Chancey Design Partnership

Walt Chancey

1228 E. 7th Avenue

Tampa, FL 33605

 

Elmer's Sports Cafe

Randy Levin

2003 E. 7th Avenue

Tampa, FL 33605

 

Long Ash Cigars

Sandra Cincunegui

1728 E. 7th Avenue

Tampa, FL 33605

 

New Urban Suites

Angela Hagerman

1228 E. 7th Avenue

Tampa, FL 33605

 

The Reservoir Bar

Devin Norton

1518 East 7th Avenue

Tampa, FL 33605 

 

Tampa Steel & Supply, Inc.

Bill Curnutte

1301 N. 26th Street

Tampa, FL 33605

 

University of Tampa-Naimoli Inst for Bus Strategy

Dr. Jody Tompson

401 West Kennedy Blvd, Box O

Tampa, FL 33606

 

Ybor City Lions Club

John Centinaro

2704 W. Juneau St.

Tampa, FL 33614

 


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

spotlight

Ybor Chamber Member Spotlight

 

One of the Chamber's newest members, UNation, describes itself as the "Events & Branding Network: Connecting the World Through Meaningful and Relevant Events." They did just that this past weekend for the Chamber. Going live for the first time last week, UNation facilitated the promotion of Guavaween as our Social Media Sponsor. You should check out their Ybor Chamber link for some great Guavaween photos. http://www.unation.com/YborChamberofCommerce/events/4294992132/

 

Relatively new to Ybor City, UNation is located in the historic Corral Wodiska y Ca Cigar Factory on North 19th Street, occupying almost one floor of the building. What I find interesting about UNation, is that they service both business and individuals. Just think, you can promote your class reunion on UNation, as well as your upcoming corporate events. Pretty cool if you ask me.

 

- Michele Keating

 

George Beardsley

UNation

1302 N. 19th Street

Tampa, FL 33605

813-349-2020

www.unation.com

 

Upcoming Conventions 
__________________________________

 
November 1-8   
Estimated Attendance: 4,000
Exhibit Location: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina 

__________________________________

November 8-17
Estimated Attendance: 2,500
HQ Hotel: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
 

   
Tom Keating Head Shot

President's Message

 

Hola -

 

Our fall schedule of events - The Chamber's 48th Gala, 4th Annual Ybor OktoberFest and 28th Guavaween are all behind us.  Each event celebrates a different aspect of our community and each, in its own way, was a success in doing so.  I am proud that Ybor City and its Chamber, "the little engine that could," are getting a little well-deserved recognition.

 

Our Chair David Alvarez and I went to Creative Loafing's "Best of the Bay" awards last month.  David and I were literally overwhelmed with the recognition that Ybor City received from the Bay Area.  Ybor City received two "Critic's Pick Awards" and three "Reader's Pick Awards:"

 

Best Place to People Watch
- Runner's-up - Beach Drive, International Plaza
Best Place to Take an Out-of Towner
- Runner's-up -Downtown St. Pete, Clearwater Beach
Best Party District
-Runner'-up Downtown St. Pete, SoHo/Hyde Park



In the eight and a half years I have been here, I have learned that Tampanians are not as proud of their community as I would have expected.  We have great weather, beautiful waterfront vistas and very friendly people.  However, these elements, for the most part, are gifts of nature. 

 

Our "man-made efforts" fall short of creating a strong local identity.  Bay Area politicians and planners have not been able to create the momentum necessary to establish rail (light or not), build an iconic new pier for St. Pete or keep Tampa's Channelside Bay Plaza a viable destination.

 

So let's make the most of what we have... come on down to the Historic Latin Quarter and celebrate what makes Tampa great - culture, cuisine and diversity.

 

Ciao, Tom

Chamber Happenings   

 November 12- Ybor Chamber Membership Luncheon, Tues. 11:45AM-1:15PM-  November's luncheon speaker will be Jim Shimberg, Executive Vice President & General Counsel for the Lightning organization. He will be on hand to speak on the wide range of impacts of the Forum, their teams, and the overall organization. 813.248.3712 x22 

Events and Announcements by Tom Favata 

Click on the highlighted event name for more information.  

Nov. 1- The 12th Annual Richard's Run For Life 5K, Fri. 7PM- Help find a cure for cancer at Richard's Run for Life 5K.  Runners and walkers are welcome. Participants will enjoy post-race music, food and drink in Centennial Park.  100% of the proceeds will benefit the Adolescent Young Adult (AYA) initiative for sarcoma research at Moffitt Cancer Center.  Register online at: www.richardsrunforlife.org

Nov. 3- 12th Annual Picnic With The Past & Memorial Mass, Sun. 11AM- The Italian Club of Ybor is gathering members for their annual mass and lunch celebrating the lives of those resting in the club's cemetery. Kites, bocce balls and blankets can be brought out to the event. 813.248.3316

 

Nov. 5 thru Nov. 27- War Music at the HCC Ybor City Campus Visual and Performing Arts Gallery- Hillsborough Community College Ybor plays host to a celebration of native American heritage.  The display kicks off with a special concert the evening the display opens. 813.253.7674

 

Nov. 6- Fall 2013 Annual Fund Society Mixer, Wed. 6PM- 8PM- Academy Prep invites everyone to a Fall evening with complimentary beer, wine, hor d'oeuvres, and raffles hosted by the Ybor City State Museum. Find out more about the school and how to get involved while you network! 813.248.5600 x1138

 

Nov. 8- Stageworks Presents Venus in Fur, Fri. 7PM- Visit the Stageworks Theatre for opening night of Venus in Fur- one of the sexiest, most intelligent, and most acclaimed new plays in recent Broadway history! It is the story of a young actress and a demanding director and what becomes an electrifying game of cat and mouse that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex. Runs thru November 24th. 813.251.8984

 

Nov. 9- The Eye Ball: An Evening At The Speakeasy, Sat. 7PM- Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Lions Eye Institute in a night of revelry dedicated to passing on the gift of sight! There will be table games, cocktails, savory cuisine, stage shows and a cigar bar...just think Tampa during the prohibition...so expect cops to raid the party at some point.   Get your password, make that your ticket by calling 813.289.1200 x247

 

Nov. 14 & Dec. 12- Magic & Meatballs, Thurs. 7PM- Gather the family for a special night of magic and Italian cuisine at the Spaghetti Warehouse.  Be careful your meatballs just might disappear. 813.248.1720

 

Nov. 30- GameTime Gives Thanks, Sat. 10AM- 6PM- Visit GameTime Thanksgiving weekend and enjoy 8 hours of free game play while you do your holiday shop with the family.  There will be vendors and other family friendly activities during the event, so stop in and enjoy some time with the family courtesy of GameTime. 813.241.9675

 

 

Master Cigar Roller, Tour Operator,  and Doctor- Wally Reyes will be releasing his book Once Upon a Time in Tampa on November 15th.  It will be a book that Ybor Aficionados will want to pick up. We would like to congratulate him on this grand accomplishment!

 

HART now has real-time updates via Google Maps.  Scheduling your next trip just got quite a bit easier!

 

Celebrate the Grand Opening of Tequilas: Tequila Bar & Taqueria on Wednesday, November 13th with an hors d'oeuvres and cocktail reception starting at 5PM running until 8PM. This will surely be another gem in Historic Hospitality's crown! RSVP by calling 813.241.9555