The District Magazine Winter 2016

CHANNEL DISTRICT / DOWNTOWN / HARBOUR ISLAND / YBOR

TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

Published by

mashedmediagroup.com WINTER 2016

district, noun dis•trict \`dis-(,)trikt\ : an area or section that has some special characteristic or purpose : a region or locality marked by a distinguishing feature

Managing Director Ed Suyak The District Group Publisher Ed Suyak Creative Director Rob Stainback

Happy Holidays to all! As we all celebrate the holidays, it is important to remember what is most important, “Giving." Giving Matters is the theme for The Holiday Issue. We wanted to celebrate local grassroots non-profit organizations and the people behind them. Although philanthropy, donating and volunteering is a 365 day a year mission; it becomes even more relevant during the holidays. Take a little time to learn about the organizations we featured and with any hope one of them will inspire you to get involved in their mission as we enter into the New Year. We will be celebrating just a little more going into the New Year. The District Magazine just completed our first year. We delivered you four full issues of stories and features celebrating the people, businesses, and the area communities that we call Districts. The District is not our magazine; it is everyone’s magazine. We hope you enjoyed being part of it.

Editorial Controller Danielle Topper Associate Publisher CJ Cooper Contributing Writers Mia Lanz Coach John Forbes Vance Arnett Rob Canton Photography by Lindsey Meyer

For 2017, The District will be adding a new issue to the lineup. We will be producing the same four issues with new players and be adding a 5th, Art in Locality. The new issue will be 100% focused on the arts. We have several new contributors that will be offering their perspective on everything from fitness to fashion and new partnerships that will make your experience even better in 2017. Look for new areas the magazine will start servicing as well. It has been a ton of fun being part of this movement we call The District. I am even more excited for next year. Stay Connected and Be Part of the Movement. Happy Holidays and have the best New Year ever. Cheers, Ed “eddy” Suyak Group Publisher

The District magazine is always looking for new article ideas, upcoming events and overall readership feedback. We are currently seeking freelance contributors. Email all submissions, ideas and feedback to publisher@ mashedmediagroup.com Mashed Media Group does not assume responsibility for the advertisements, nor any representation made therein, nor the quality or deliverability of the products themselves. Reproduction of articles and photographs, in whole or in part, contained herein is prohibited without expressed written consent of the publisher, with the exception of reprinting for news media use. Printed in the United States of America.

CHANNEL DISTRICT / DOWNTOWN / HARBOUR ISLAND / YBOR

TAMPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

Contents

08 10

08 Femmes & Follies Burlesque

10 Why I Created Athletes + Causes

12 Special Olympics,

Hillsborough County

14 Thomas, Special Olympics Hillsborough Athlete

16 Holiday Magical Makeover 20 Our Daily Bread Tampa Bay 26 Time-Saving Tips for the Holidays

28 onbikes 30 The Ybor Youth Clinic 32 City Church Gives Back to Tampa

Boards for Bros

Fit District

Instruments 4 Life

The Portico

42 Vets4Pets Charitable Veterinary Clinic

Here Comes a Home Tour!

Rants & Raves

G I V I N G M AT T E R S

Katie James Performer/Producer

Femmes & Follies

Who is the lucky guy on the cover of the magazine? Aiden or Accident prone Aiden – The therapy Dingus. This giant happy guy was found tied to a tree by a Good Samaritan. He weighed 39lbs and had no hair on most of his body due to a medical condition called mange. Before coming to the shelter, Aiden had not had a very good life. Although, if you asked Aiden, he would beg to differ. Aiden seems never to have a bad day! While fostering Aiden, I fell in love with the guy and adopted him! He is now a happy, hefty 85lbs!

Aiden will be running for King of Dogtoberfest 2017. He must raise the most money all year to clinch the title. Rhinestones & Rescues will be Aiden’s first event for his campaign (That’s an election I can get behind). What is Rhinestones & Rescues? Femmes & Follies is Tampa’s largest burlesque production with different shows and themes every other month. Performers from all over Florida and beyond come to perform with the show. Rhinestones and Rescues is a show I create every December at The Honey Pot in Ybor City. All of the proceeds are donated to Suncoast Animal Leagues- a No kill, No time limit Animal Rescue. The showgirls donate their 88

performances and tips from the show, and The Honey Pot donates a portion of the bar sales from that night, as well. It’s a wonderfully sparkly good time and all for a great cause!!

How did you come up with the event? Oddly enough, the performers all love animals and have their own rescue animals, so the show was a nobrainer. And the showgirls all wanted to give back for the holidays! This is our 3rd year! Last year’s event was able to donate $3,500.00, and we are hoping to blow that figure out of the water this year. How do people get involved or donate to Rhinestones & Rescues? That’s the easy part. Come to the show! Admission is only $10 or $20 for seated admission. Tickets can be purchased at www.FemmesandFollies.com

Burlesque How long have you been working with Suncoast Animal League? I have been a volunteer for five years. Two members of my fur family are Suncoast Animal League rescues. I have had the pleasure of doing everything from being a pooper-scooper to driving hours to rescue dogs in terrible situations.

Why is Suncoast Animal League special to you? Suncoast is special to me in so many ways. Many years ago, the executive director Rick Chaboudy stepped in and assisted when my sister’s animal was the victim of a random act of violence. I have had a passion for saving animals ever since. How does Suncoast affect and benefit the community? I like to think Suncoast and the community has a very symbiotic relationship. Without the community’s help and support, Suncoast would not be able to save a single animal. The community has a special place to

support, advocate, adopt, rescue and rehabilitate both domestic and wild animals.

Do they have a volunteer program? Absolutely, there are multiple ways to volunteer! The shelter has three daily dog walking shifts. You can open your home and heart up to foster a cat or dog and help prepare them for adoption. Donate your time to help at our weekly/monthly events! If you are unable to donate time, there is a wish list of items needed to keep the shelter running. Something as simple as sharing the stories on social media helps advocate and educate the public about the importance of animal rescue. What is their most needed resource? Donations!! Donations!! Donations!! Suncoast Animal League is funded entirely by the generous donations of its supporters. http://suncoastanimalleague.org/ THE DISTRICT - TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

Why I Created by Rob Canton

After 23 years with

PricewaterhouseCoopers where I led its national Sports & Tourism Consulting Practice where I served clients including the New York Yankees, the Walt Disney Company, and the National Football League, I joined the Tampa Bay Lightning in September 2012 as EVP Finance & Strategy. It was that very same month in 2012 that I began laying the groundwork for the Athletes and Causes Foundation. My passion for giving back started much earlier; however, and getting to this point was a challenge. Mom and Dad were Cuban refugees— fleeing Castro’s oppression in the late 1950’s. I grew up in a household where my brothers and I were raised almost exclusively by my mother while Dad, who never attended high school in Cuba and refused to assimilate during his entire life in the U.S. He was a serial “get-richquick” schemer who traveled the country in search of his fortune, but never escaped the cycle of poverty, due to his non-stop search for the quick buck, as opposed to the hard work and perseverance exemplified by so many Cuban refugees that came to the U.S. around the same time. While my brothers and I grew up in extremely poor conditions, I was fortunate that my father insisted on the rule that education came first—even though that rule may have often been enforced with an iron fist. Unfortunately, Dad’s presence was typically associated with physical and verbal abusive to my mother and siblings. The lessons I learned from my father came from his negative example and my desire to be everything he was not. This early life experience formed the basis for my desire to give back later in life. 10 10

ATHLETES

+ CAUSES My position and travel demands with PwC made it all but impossible to focus any significant time on local community initiatives in Tampa Bay. However, the opportunity to work for the Lightning organization and not be required to travel changed that. It was soon after joining the Tampa Bay Lightning that I was introduced to the local chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF). I myself suffer from Juvenile (Type 1) Diabetes, so it was a natural fit in terms of an organization to align with. Soon after my first meeting with the JDRF staff and board, I was asked to chair their annual Gala. I agreed under three conditions: 1) that Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1991 and a JDRF International Board Member would serve as co-chair, 2) that I would not approach Jeff Vinik for a major Gala sponsorship, and 3) that I would be given the freedom to work “outside-the-box” in coming up with a creative way to raise bring attention to and raise money for the Gala. That creation was the first annual Athletes+Causes event, which would be celebrity-hosted by three professional athletes representing the Tampa Bay Rays, Buccaneers, and the Lightning, each of whose lives were also affected by Type-One Diabetes. The success of the first Athletes+Causes event was evident in that the leveraging of high-profile athletes was the primary driver behind our ability to double the prior year’s Gala revenue. That first event in January 2014 included the support of Tampa Bay Lightning Forward BJ Crombeen, Rays Outfielder Sam Fuld, and Buccaneers Tight End Tom

Crabtree. Sponsors and individuals ticket purchasers took advantage of the opportunity to mix and mingle not only with the three professional sports hosts, but with their dozens of fellow Lightning, Rays, and Bucs teammates that showed up to support their passion. Unfortunately, soon after our first event, all three players were no longer with Tampa Bay teams due to trade, release, or retirement— such is life in professional sports! Without the benefit of local sports celebrities, the event’s first evolution was becoming a celebration of athletes and the wide variety of charities they are passionate about. The event grew significantly in its 2nd year, as in March 2015 Athletes and Causes was granted non-profit status as a 501(c)(3) Public Charity by the IRS and the proceeds of that event were directed to multiple charities including Derrick Brooks Charities, JDRF, Make-A-Wish, and the Toby Hall Foundation. Our 2016 event this past March raised money for the Children’s Dream Fund, Ryan Callahan Foundation, Chris Archer’s Archway Foundation, the Mike Alstott Family Foundation, JDRF, and the Jason Ackerman Foundation. Our second major evolution began in the summer of this year, when our mission focused on support local charities by leveraging the platform of professional athletes and artists/ entertainers. We became an "umbrella" foundation that provides a shared-services model allowing an athlete or entertainer to have their own unique foundation without the need to create their own legal entity (501c3), hire their own full-time staff, pay for their own overhead, and

G I V I N G M AT T E R S

assume the significant risks inherent in running their own foundation. While an independent 501c3 can cost an athlete/entertainer hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in staff and other overhead costs, our shared-services model can accomplish their philanthropic goals, while yielding significantly more donations for their causes by reducing that overhead by as much as 70 to 80 percent. This just our first several months, two of our MLB clients (the Indians’ Carlos Carrasco and Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr.) were nominated as the MLB humanitarian of the year through the Roberto Clemente Award—a testament both to their generosity and our ability to manage their philanthropic organizations. We also helped Ryan and Kyla Callahan with the launch of their foundation focused on pediatric cancer patients and their families, and created a Lightning National Anthem singer Sonya Bryson’s Voices of

Hope Foundation, focused on supporting those afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis. We are in active discussions with Rays and Buccaneer players about creating and managing their charitable foundations. Even with this expanded mission, we not only continue to host our annual signature event, with the 4th

Annual Athletes+Causes scheduled for Friday, February 24th at Amalie Arena in Tampa, and we are early discussions for similar events in Cleveland, Houston, Chicago, and Philadelphia. For information on how you can help, visit our website at www.athletesandcauses.org or contact rob@athletesandcauses. com.

THE DISTRICT - TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

Special Olympics, Hillsborough County Special Olympics Florida – Hillsborough County provides year-round sports training and competition to more than 1,288 children and adults with intellectual disabilities as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be productive, respected, and contributing members of their communities. Neither athletes nor parents/ caregivers are charged a fee to participate in the program, and activities exist for all ability levels, from severely challenged to elite athlete. Special Olympics Florida athletes are given opportunities to participate without regard to economic, demographic, religious, or social factors. Opportunities exist for training and competition from ages 2 and up – with no age limitation. 12 12

In addition to traditional sports programs, Special Olympics Florida also offers the following: • Unified Champion Schools is an education-based project that uses inclusive sports, youth leadership and whole-school engagement to develop school communities where all youth – with and without intellectual disabilities -- work together toward greater respect and dignity for people with intellectual disabilities. • Young Athletes is an innovative sports play program for children ages 2-7 with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities and their peers, designed to introduce them into the world of sports. Children in the Young Athletes program develop cognitive and motor skills at three times the rate of non-participants. • Athlete Leadership allows athletes to explore opportunities in roles previously considered “non-traditional,” such as serving on the Board of Directors or local organizing committees or becoming a spokesperson, captain, coach, or official.

• The mission of Special Olympics Health is to improve our athletes overall health and fitness, leading to enhanced sports experiences and improves well-being through health exams and educational classes. • The Motor Activity Training Program is designed for athletes with severe or profound disabilities and seeks to improve the athlete’s basic motor skills in the following areas: dexterity, striking, kicking, manual wheelchair, electric wheelchair and swimming. In order to provide all of these incredible opportunities to athletes with intellectual disabilities in our community, Special Olympics Florida – Hillsborough County relies on a broad network of volunteers and the generosity of local individuals, civic clubs, and businesses. We need you to help train, support, and encourage our athletes. For more information, please visit http://specialolympicsflorida. org/hillsborough/.

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Thomas Special Olympics Hillsborough Athlete

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Why is Special Olympics important to you?

It provides me a platform to play sports, my dad to coach, my mom to be my cheerleader and I'm able to make lifelong BEST friends.

What sports do you play?

Currently, I play soccer and bowling. However, I played basketball and softball last year. I have also participated in bocce, tennis, and golf previously.

How did you become involved with Special Olympics?

Some friends of mine at TOP Soccer told my mom about tennis and basketball. I started with those sports and then kept adding more. My involvement with all the sports got my dad to start coaching as well.

Do you have a role model and if so why did you choose them?

William Corsi, Chris McDarby, and Maryann Gonzalez. They have been involved with Special Olympics forever and inspire me to become an Athlete Leader and Global Messenger.

What do you inspire to become?

A inspire to be a leader and an inspiration to others. I want to help other people get involved with Special Olympics and help change their lives.

If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

My wish would be for my dad to come home from Afghanistan.

G I V I N G M AT T E R S

H O L I D AY Magical Makeover

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Every girl deserves the right to feel like a princess. Nine Tampa Bay well-deserving girls received just that. The collaboration and compassion of several area companies created a Holiday Magical Makeover on December 3rd, 2016 for nine participants between the ages of 3-9. The Bay area girls were nominated and chosen via Facebook. Each girl received complimentary makeovers included hair styling, makeup, and manicure, followed by the donning of a princess costume, new shoes, a runway walk, presents, and a glamour photo shoot.

Two years ago, friends Alicia Henry and Lindsey Meyer came up with an idea to give back. Alicia is the owner of Jazzy Jewels, a local beauty and hair salon catering to Kids (ages 2-12), Teens (13-17) and adults. Lindsey is the owner of Meyer Inspired Photography, an on-location photography company specializing in family portraits, events, corporate images, and most recent, The District Magazine's photographer. With the compassion for giving back, Lindsey and Alicia put their giving hearts and businesses together to create The Holiday Magical Makeover.

Congratulations to Riley age 7, Samaya age 9, Paola age 8, LoriMarie age 5, Salani age 4, Tianna age 3, Sienna Age 8, Zaina age 8, and Gia age 6 for being chosen to participate in the 2016 Holiday Magical Makeover.

With the idea of using the expertise of both companies, the Magical Makeover became a reality. The powerhouse Tampa-based ad agency, MCA Russell Johns made the package complete by donating gifts for every girl.

The three companies joined forces to provide the group of young ladies a day to feel like princesses. With the generosity of a several other Tampa businesses, it made the 2016 Holiday Magical Makeover even more remarkable. Janna Cantero with Pineywoods Realty LLC provided new shoes to every girl, and Hannahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ShoeBox donated gifts. Mini Doughnut Factory generously supplied Tampa's yummiest donuts, and Mashed Media Group donated the space to feature the article in The District Magazine. Salute to Meyer Inspired Photography, Jazzy Jewels and MCA Russell Johns for understanding the gift of giving matters. Thank you to Janna Cantero, Hannahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ShoeBox, Mini Doughnut Factory and Mashed Media Group for supporting a great cause.

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G I V I N G M AT T E R S Our Daily Bread Tampa Bay is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization with a mission to eliminate hunger and homelessness in Tampa Bay permanently. Veturia Preston is the Founder and President of Our Daily Bread Tampa Bay, which was born in 2012 as a response to an unexpected turn of events in Veturia’s personal life. Her motivation to feed the hungry and underprivileged is personally founded and roots in honor of her Grandmother whose spirit continues to guide her heart through all her charitable and personal life’s journeys. Veturia’s early childhood in Romania was deeply impacted by the love and care of her loving and faith-filled Grandmother whose name she carries, who helped raise and teach her the immeasurable value of sharing and caring for others in the community.

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Veturia’s mission is to contribute to creating a world (and specifically a community in Tampa Bay) where generosity and goodness still prevail. She truly believes and has seen how one act of generous nature can help restore faith, hope, and dignity in a person’s life and assist in creating a future free of hunger. Veturia dedicates most of her time and efforts toward her charitable organization as well as to raising her family and teaching her children her life’s mission of loving and sharing with those in less fortunate positions.

Since the beginning, the Board at Our Daily Bread has been collecting food, raising funds and providing other vital resources to those needing the most in Tampa Bay. With an all volunteer team and an increasingly strong network across the Bay area, this organization is making a large impact that is spreading quickly. Although their corporate and private partners are very generous, they almost always tend to find that the need in our community is greater than they can meet on any given week.

Our Daily Bread was founded entirely out of a heart to give. With very limited resources at their disposal to begin such an endeavor, Our Daily Bread simply began meeting the needs of our Tampa Bay families and Veterans wherever there was a need. Since then, Our Daily Bread Tampa Bay has delivered food and provided resources to help house and care for thousands of people in need over the past few years. Many major outreach programs now count on their consistent support and assistance each week and month.

Currently, they are collaborating with local, regional and national corporations to develop relationships that facilitate consistent food donations which in turn allow Our Daily Bread to support other non-profit organizations that feed the hungry directly. The Ronald McDonald House Charities, Metropolitan Ministries, The Salvation Army, RCS Food Bank, The Homeless Empowerment Program, The American Legion, The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and a multitude of CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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churches throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas County are some to mention amongst the list of organizations and shelters Our Daily Bread Tampa Bay is blessed to be able to support.

Through a relationship created with a close fundraising partner (Obsidian International), Our Daily Bread has raised over $180,000.00 in the past 24 months for other local non-profits, including: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay, American Heart Association and St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital which has led directly to care for families in need here in Tampa.

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To date, through their weekly corporate partner programs and local food drives they have collected and distributed more than 250,000 pounds of food to multiple organizations who feed and care for the homeless population and families in need throughout Tampa Bay. Our Daily Bread Tampa Bay is proud to state that there is no financial compensation received by the President or any of the board members, and the organization has no paid employees. This organization is here 100% to serve for the betterment of our Tampa Bay community.

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To donate to Our Daily Bread Tampa Bay is a rewarding experience. You can get involved in many ways. Donations can be made in the form of food or monetary support. Your donations will provide low-income families, our homeless population and impoverished individuals with emergency food assistance, resource support and the most invaluable resource of all, hope. Your donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.

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time-saving tips for the holidays The holidays are magical, but all that fun and festiveness can eat up a lot of your time. Don't let the joy of the season be overshadowed by a hectic schedule and too many todo's. These 10 simple tips and tricks will help you save time so you can focus on what really mattersâ&#x20AC;Ś friends and family.

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Host a decorating party: Decorating can be extremely time-consuming, but not as much when you have help. Invite friends and family over, turn on some festive tunes and deck the house to the nines. Everyone will be in a festive mood and you'll save numerous hours you'd otherwise spend decorating.

Don't cook: When you want a warm, comforting meal but don't have the time or energy to cook, use a catering or prepared meal service like HealthE Gourmet.

Take shortcuts: There's no harm in taking shortcuts when necessary. Need holiday cookies for your next book club meeting? Swing by the bakery instead of making them yourself. Stick to your priorities and consider convenient shortcuts for the rest.

4 5

Plan backwards: Set "due dates" for yourself and plan in reverse to ensure you get all steps completed on time.

Limit lists: The giving of gifts make the holidays magical, but sometimes the gift lists can get out of control. This year, have a focus on three main things: one item they want, one item they need, and one gift you both will enjoy Shop early: Whether you need gifts for all your loved ones or you're stocking up on groceries for the next couple weeks, shop ahead of time to reduce stress. Shopping ahead means you won't get stuck in long, last-minute lines and instead can go home to relax and enjoy some classic comfort food with friends and family.

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Wrap as you go: Whether you love or loathe wrapping gifts, if you do it all at once, you'll be up half the night. Instead, if you wrap gifts as you buy them, you spread out the work, plus you get to display those gifts to keep loved ones guessing as to what awaits them in the future. Pack light: Heading out of town to celebrate this year? Opt for gift cards in order to streamline your shopping and lessen your load. If you must bring wrapped gifts, try shipping them to the destination ahead of time. Secret Santa or Hanukkah Harry: Instead of shopping for every family member or coworker, propose drawing names and conducting an exchange. That means you buy and receive one gift and don't know who it's from until the day it's unwrapped. Bonus: You save money.

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Get it delivered: So many companies offer delivery, it's much easier to shop for holiday items from the comfort of your own home and get them delivered than battle the crowded malls. Always look for free shipping promotions that retailers often offer during the holiday season.

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onbikes G I V I N G M AT T E R S

onbikes, a Tampa-based non-profit organization whose mission is to provide at-risk and foster children their first bicycles during the holiday season. Each year usually the first Sunday of December they turn Amalie Arena into the equivalent of “Santa’s Bike Shop” as their annual Bike Build.

onbikes was formed in 2011 when a group of friends organized a community bike ride during the winter holiday season to raise funds so at-risk kids could receive their very first bike. It was an incredible success, and it was then that onbikes was born. The onbikes team is simply doing their part in restoring the selfconfidence, health, and overall well-being of at-risk kids in our community. In the last two years, they have doubled in size. The size of their event has doubled, the funds raised to provide bikes has doubled, and the number of bikes donated to at-risk kids in the Tampa Bay area has doubled many times over. This year hundreds of volunteers assembled nearly 800 bikes, the largest build day in the organization’s history. Bike Build has become a festive day of service; bike

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technicians guide corporate teams and community volunteers through every step of the assembly process. Once the bicycles are ready to go, they are delivered throughout December to organizations supporting Tampa Bay area families, including Eckerd Community Alternatives, Metropolitan Ministries and the Tampa Police Department. “Over the years, we have seen how a bicycle can play a small, yet vital, role in making a child’s life better while promoting a stronger and healthier community. We are grateful for the hundreds of volunteers and teams of co-workers who join us in fulfilling our mission,” said Julius Tobin, executive director of onbikes. onbikes and their volunteers say the reward is the expression the kids have on their faces when they receive a bike. It might sounds simple, but something as small as a bike has proven to make a real difference in the world of a child. The week after the Bike Build, onbikes host their Annual Winter Wonder Ride, which has been their primary fundraising event for six years. The family celebration on wheels brings thousands of cyclists to Curtis Hixon Park, who all ride through downtown Tampa and along Bayshore Boulevard in celebration of the holidays, community and providing many Tampa Bay kids their first bike.

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G I V I N G M AT T E R S

The Ybor Youth Clinic Ken Kavanagh was a Psychiatric ARNP who cared for HIV-positive youth when he was working in the USF Pediatric Infectious Disease Division. An openly Gay man who took care of young gay men newly diagnosed with HIV, Ken was a fierce advocate for and well-loved by his patients. As he was caring for these youth in the Children’s Medical Services Clinic on the USF campus, he brought attention to the desperate need for a more appropriate space for youth and young adults, a safe place for LGBT youth to come where they feel welcomed and accepted. Ken knew the challenges these youth were facing as he was kicked out of his home when he came out to his family. At the age of 16, he found himself on the street facing the big question of how he would survive. Despite remaining estranged from his family for many years, Ken, being the pragmatist that he is, could not drown in self-pity or resort to survival sex, drugs, or other undesirable ways to put a roof over his head. His situation fueled him with the motivation he needed to go to school to help others like him. When the USF Peds I.D. Division won the PreExposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Protocol for Young MSM (Men who have Sex with Men), Ken knew the time had come to find this special venue. He went out into the community and single-handedly spearheaded efforts to 30 30

bring his dream to fruition. The Ybor Youth Clinic will be forever grateful for his vision and efforts that led to the opening of the only brick-and-mortar destination for homeless youth in Tampa, and the second clinic of its kind to specialize in serving LGBTQ and other disenfranchised youth in Florida. The Ybor Youth Clinic opened October 15, 2012. During the first year in operation the clinic served as 1 of 12 nationwide sites for the young men’s PrEP study under the Principal Investigators Dr. Patricia Emmanuel and Dr. Diane Straub. Terri Berger, ARNP, was onsite full-time, providing care to their first “free clinic” patients, both HIV-positive with Ryan White funding and uninsured youth who were not HIV positive. Their services have expanded and now and Dr. Diane Straub and Amy Weiss, USF Division of Adolescent Medicine, Dr. Pat Emmanuel, and Dr. Rachel Rapkin, USF OB/ GYN, now provide in-kind service at the clinic each week. Medical directors of the clinic are Dr. Diane Straub, Chief of Adolescent Medicine, and Dr. Carina Rodriguez, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Dr. Emmanuel, Endowed Chair of Pediatrics, remains very involved clinically. Justice Gennari is the current Chair the the Ybor Youth Clinic Advisory Board.

and drug abuse; and linkage to other youth programs within the community.

Justice Gennari

Chairman of Board of Directors, Ybor Youth Clinic Why is the Ybor Youth Clinic (YYC) special to you? Joining the Board provided me a chance to give back to the community while helping the youth receive the care they deserve and need. I have been through a few struggles growing up so I can relate. I didn’t always feel as if I could be myself and felt I had to lie about who I was. As a patient, The YYC has always provided me the highest quality, innovative, compassionate and non-judgmental healthcare. Dr. Diane Straub and the entire YYC medical team are true heroes. They treat me and all the patients with respect. How did you first come in contact with the clinic? I heard through a board member, who was a friend they needed volunteers at their March 2016 Sponsor Cocktail Party. While I was volunteering I realized I wanted to become involved on a larger level and felt my strengths could possibly help them. In June, I was appointed as a board member, and slowly moved into my current role as the

Chairman. When did you become the YYC Board of Directors Chairman? 3 years ago. Can anyone walk-in and is there a cost? As a youth clinic, under the pediatrics division we can only treat patients ages 13-24. Additionally, a minor may request confidential services at no charge. Uninsured adults (18- 24) are charged a $30.00 flat fee for visits. However, no patient will be turned away for the inability to pay and we accept insurance. Why is the clinic’s mission important to the community? The YYC provides judgement free comprehensive care specifically for youth and young adults, including sick visits and preventative medical care; sexual/reproductive health care, including birth control; HIV and STI testing, treatment, prevention counseling, and referrals; referrals to specialized care for physical and emotional trauma including sexual assault, abuse, domestic violence

What is the biggest misconception about the Ybor Youth Clinic? Many young patients in need and at risk think they must be accompanied by an adult in order to be seen by our doctors. Most do not know we treat patients regardless if they can afford to pay for the services or not. The misconception often is the result of no care. What is your organizations largest hurdle and could use the most assistance? Funding and community awareness! Does the YYC have a volunteer program? We are often challenged to have volunteers behind the clinic doors while maintaining HIPPA guidelines. We do have a few volunteer opportunities for USF Health Students. This year we are looking to expand in volunteering outreach programs. We are currently seeking new members for our board and Annual Giving Campaign committee. The Annual Giving Campaign Committee is responsible for leading our fundraising efforts for the clinic and our two annual fund raising events. How do people donate money? Visit our website www. yboryouthclinic.health.usf.edu to donate direct and keep up to date regarding our fund raising events.

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City Church Gives Back to Tampa

Before City Church launched in January 2016, the boots were on the ground in the streets of downtown Tampa feeding the homeless inhabitants of Gaslight and Curtis Hixon parks. John Leslie, the church Pastor, was first introduced to the homeless population of downtown Tampa in October of 2014. At the time he was personally looking for a practical way to get out of the church pew and into some form of genuine service to the community. Pastor John found several like-minded young people downtown doing the same thing every Wednesday night. As they went out week after week with whatever food they could muster, a feeling of compassion transformed into a sense of vision and purpose for the downtown community. The group's vision was simple; go to where the homeless are and meet their most basic need, food. Out of that desire grew a gathering of people called City Church Tampa, most under the age of 30, who share in this sense of commitment to our homeless neighbors. There has also arisen a collection of local businesses and church groups that take turns weekly in producing enough food to feed the roughly 100 homeless people they encounter each Wednesday night. 32 32

“There’s no judgment, no requirement, just warm smiles, good food and friendly conversation,” said Pastor John. One of their first recipients of the Wednesday night blessings was a man named Jason. When Jason heard that the group was going to begin offering a church service in the community on Sunday mornings, he was thrilled and said he’d be there every Sunday. Since that day, Jason has been there every Sunday. He even comes early to help with the set up at the Stage Works Theater location and stays late each afternoon, until every piece of equipment is put away. City Church is more than just a church to Jason and the residents that attend on Sundays; it has become a collective movement of hope, fellowship, and community. “All are welcome, and out of Sunday mornings has grown a contingency of people of faith committed to helping their fellow man with whatever God has put in our hand,” said Pastor John.

City Church is … a church at the Heart of the City with the City at Heart!

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Boards For

34 34

Bros

In 2006 at the Skatepark of Tampa a group of local skateboarders started to collect and refurbish broken and old skateboards to distribute to the neighborhood kids who could not afford their own. In 2014, they took their generosity to the next level and became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The group became fully committed to providing high-quality equipment, safe skate spots and youth mentoring in the community. Why skateboards? The magic of a skateboard in addition to being a method of transportation for young people, it is a tool for play, discovery and develops physical skill, while teaching to interact with others who share the same common interest. Skateboarding teaches problem solving and perseverance and is good for the mind and body. It is fun and can change someone’s life. Boards for Bros partners with local youthcentered non-profits and institutions to enable

them to use skateboarding in their efforts to help shape the lives of young people. In 2016 they worked with Pasco County and Pinellas County Schools, Tampa Police, A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay, Joshua House, Current Initiatives, University Area Community Development Corporation, St. Pete Skatepark Alliance, Positive Spin, XO Factor, and James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital. Not only does the gift of skateboarding enrich the lives of the skateboard recipients, but it also empowers local skateboarders to feel that they can make a difference in their community. Boards for Bros have introduced over 100 local skateboarders to the acts of volunteering and donating. All of their skater volunteers experience an increased sense of belonging in their community and feel empowered to take on projects that help B4B share the profound personal benefits of skateboarding with their peers. THE DISTRICT - TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

Michele Box Executive Director Boards for Bros

Why is Boards for Bros (BfB) special to you? B4B is special because I witnessed the transformative power that skateboarding had on my son. He was always a very physical child and was interested in trying every sport he ever encountered, but he disliked team sports. Skateboarding was something he could do on his own, wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted with the support of a community of skaters who made him feel a part of the “family”. I want all kids to have access to that outlet - I want to tear down all economic barriers to being a part of the skate community. How does BfB affect the community? It is commonly accepted that recreational opportunities have an enormous positive impact on youth. We break down the economic and social barrier to recreation for young people who are often forgotten. We provide an affordable and impactful activity for kids who don’t get covered by traditional team sports based recreational programs. We take care of the kids who don’t want to/can’t afford to join a team or don’t live in one place long enough to commit to a “season.” With skateboarding, you need your skateboard and some pavement - that’s all! What is your favorite memory from BfB? I organized a distribution with a local foster group home. There was one kid who was a natural and looked like he had been skating his whole life. He appeared distant and sad during the event, but at the end of the day, he gave me a big hug and said he had always borrowed other people's boards and dreamed of having one of his own one day. Over a year and a half later he came to watch Tampa Am at Skatepark of Tampa and hung out with us in the Boards for Bros tent. He very proudly told me he had purchased his own skateboard using the money he earned at a part-time job and he had passed along his Boards for Bros board to another kid in foster care. A lasting and meaningful impact on kids’ lives - we see it every day. How are the boards donated? Boards come from skaters and skate industry partners. Locally, skaters drop off their gently used equipment in the shop at Skatepark of Tampa or other regional drop off locations. Often board companies and other shops will also ship us donations from across the country. How can someone become a volunteer? People can sign up for our volunteer list by sending us an email at info@boardsforbros.org. For our Build Days (we do three a year at Skatepark of Tampa), volunteers can just show up and help us assemble boards - no need to sign up in advance and we train you on the spot. 36 36

Why is giving a skate board so impactful? It transforms the person who receives the skateboard and the skateboarder volunteer. The new skater gets immediate access to a tool that teaches perseverance, promotes exercise and provides an outlet for personal expression. Our skateboarder volunteers are empowered to solve problems within their communities through skateboarding. Collecting and assembling a stack of skateboards as well as Identifying, teaching and engaging kids is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. They all see that they can have a positive impact on their community while doing what they love to do. It’s a winning formula - healthier kids plus more youth involved in community betterment. Where does the organization need the most help? We are always in need of cash donations to fill the gaps in our equipment donations. We always have to purchase trucks and bearings for our skateboards since skaters tend to use those parts until they are garbage. We are very lucky that our industry partners sell us these parts at deeply discounted prices so a donated dollar has a lot of purchasing power. Also, we would love to partner with local businesses looking for community service projects to sponsor Board Build Days. Individual donations can be made at boardsforbros. org/donate or donation jars at Skatepark of Tampa and The Bricks.

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Fit

by Coach John Forbes

Ha, yes that is a play off of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and it really is how my clients used to see me (well, probably still do see me) when it came to the holidays and workout and food and trying to keep them on track. “Mister Coach” was like the Grinch, plotting a way to take all the food and sweets and other trimmings that do everything except trim up your waistline. And man, was I ever good at it. How fitting that one of my top three favorite cartoon characters is really The Grinch, and I’m sure you can feel my malevolent eyes looking at you as you see my curling smile; my brain plotting what I’m going to say to you, the reader. Well, ladies and gentlemen I have been reformed just like The Grinch was back in his 1966 heyday and I’m a little kinder than what I used to be. And to your delight you’ll be happy to know I’ve drafted a list of five things 38 38

You’re a mean one, Mister Coach; your thoughts are vile and cold. Your workouts try to kill us, and a dead fish is your soul, Mister Coooooach! You have the compassion of a green, old witch with one leaky, hairy, purple mole!

that can help you keep up your health and fitness efforts during these sugar-laced sunsets in winter wonderland. No more stealing the show with my serenading skills, lets jump into it.

1. They are called holi-DAYS, not holi-MONTHS.

Ok, the end of October is when things normally start to kick in. Halloween has the candy, Thanksgiving has the big feast, Christmas has the cakes and cookies and January has the drinking. Before you know it you’ve turned your holidays into holimonths… Stop it. I know its tough, but try limiting your festival picnicking to the eve of and the day of the given holiday. Stay on your normal diet regimen because the only thing eating all

better. Its taken from a drinking game I heard of and now it has the “Mister Coach” touch to it. Here it is: 1) Pick a show that has a dramatic theme where there is plenty of conversation and the show has three main characters that show frequently. (In honor of the holidays and my grandmother, I’m going to pick law and order) 2) Assign an exercise to each character and small to medium number of repetitions (10 or lower) and place a Santa hat on the corner of your television set. 3) Whenever the camera angles show one of the three main characters “wearing the Santa hat,” you must do that assigned exercise for the number of repetitions. Do this until the end of the show. those merry muffins will do is give you a glorious gut like Saint Nick himself.

This will be interesting and depending on the exercises you picked and number of times to do them, you make slightly dislike me or think I’m deranged. I’d like to think The Grinch had something to do with that

2. Follow Holiday themed workouts

4. Stagger you calories

Yes, I know it’s difficult to workout and train already. The holidays, however, can be used to jumpstart new and creative ways to get in shape. There are creative and clever workouts (I believe the term that you female gendered individuals love to express is “cute”) designed for the holidays. 25 days of Christmas is a popular one for example. Google or Pinterest that term and pick a new one that you see each day for 25 days. Use the holiday spirit to continue your awesome fitness goals.

3. Substitute a night of indulging for an evening of a quick workout challenge.

Alright, this may actually be fun and the more people you have doing it with you like family or friends, the

There are days when you know you’ll have a pretty big meal. The holiday parties, the cousins coming over, the actual day of celebration, these days are already on the schedule and you know mostly what they’ll have for you to eat. With this knowledge, try staggering your calories; eating less during the few days leading up to these events. On the day or evening of celebration, enjoy your food without the guilt. Just remember No.1 on this list (insert wink emoji here). Also, stay away from Jim and Jacquelyn’s donut treats they bring to the office. No… just, no.

5. Start you day with a quick burn

Honestly, the easiest thing to me on this list would be this one. Find fifteen minutes in your morning to do a small exercise routine. That’s all you need and sometimes less. The morning workout session will get your body burning calories from the start, and it will continue to do so throughout the day, helping you burn more calories than you normally would without that morning sweat. And because I’m in a non-Grinch giving mood, here is a workout to help you. (refer to No.2) I hope you all have great holidays and feel free to share your rants after trying my listed hacks. Email me coachjohnforbes@gmail.com

12 Days of Christmas Morning workout – repeat for 15 minutes 1 – 30 second plank

7 – Situps

2 – Burpees

8 – Dips

3 – Hand Release Pushups

9 – Plié squats

4 – Supermans

10 – Tuck Jumps

5 – Box/Bench Jumps

11- Bicycle Crunches

6 – Alternating Lunges

12 – Jumping Jacks

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G I V I N G M AT T E R S

Instruments 4

Life

Instruments 4 Life is a Tampa-based 501c3 non-profit that formed in 2011 by four-lifetime friends. They have worked with numerous organizations to provide music lessons & instruments to underprivileged and deserving children. “We’re trying to make the world more musical,” said co-founder John Soler. “Life is nothing without art, and we are working to make sure that all kids who may have never had the opportunity are given a chance to experience the joy of playing music.” The founders all grew up in Tampa and have played music together for years. “Dane Gilbert & John had a garage band in middle school. I used to go over and just listen,” said David Diaz, “finally they let me hold a guitar one day, and I never put it down again. They were the ones to teach me the gift of playing music, and now we are all able to pass that along to others.” Instruments 4 Life, I4L for short, has devoted the most time to working with group foster homes around the local area, providing not just music lessons but mentorship as well. “It’s not just about the notes, making a connection is important if you want to make a lasting impact on these kids,” 40 40

says Todd Nanni. “We’ve stayed longer after lessons to play sports, help with studies, or even just to chat about life. Music is just one way that we can help them grow confidence.” The group has also set up lessons with after school programs, churches, children cancer centers, & more. “Every kid, every person for that matter, needs an outlet. For us, that’s music. We love being able to share that and make it a possibility,” says Dane Gilbert. “We don’t see ourselves as the best musicians or greatest teachers, but we can do what we can to hopefully make a difference and give back.” Instruments 4 Life is grassroots funded. Help make the world more musical by connecting with them at facebook.com/instruments4life or emailing john.instruments4life@gmail.com.

The Portico

What is happening at The Portico? Whether you are a millennial hipster, minimalist gen-Xer or a mindful baby boomer, The Portico in downtown Tampa, offers gathering spaces that foster Conversation, Connection, and Community change. With all of the exciting urban development coming to downtown, the social offerings of this new Tampa gathering space aims to disrupt the hustle and bustle of Tampa urbanites and compel them to congregate, converse and connect for a greater good. The Portico was born out of a desire to participate in the renewal of the city. It was a former church that is being thoughtfully transformed by Hyde Park United Methodist, designed to be a space for downtown residents and workers. The Portico’s purpose is to enhance the social, artistic and spiritual fabric of the downtown urban core. It accomplishes these missional goals by launching The Portico Café, organizing service opportunities

for the civic-minded, providing a quiet space for meditation in the renovated chapel, incubating a notfor-profit that addresses poverty and opening a hub for artists that foster creativity and expression.

The Portico Café, projected to open January 2017, is a café with a mission. It will employ adults experiencing life transition who otherwise might not get an opportunity. Each purchase makes an impact by supporting the livelihood of people transitioning out of difficult situations. Along with excellent coffee and delicious menu items, there will be open mics, live music, artistic works and other special events. Arts: Evidence of the property’s dedication to the arts has taken form through the installation of two thought-provoking art pieces: For the Love of THIS City mural and the Homeless Jesus sculpture. Silence fosters connection. Contemplative practices such as

meditation, yoga, Lectio Divina, and centering prayer will be offered all throughout the week. These provide a relation to other people and the Divine presence. Hyde Park United Methodist has launched a new 5:30 p.m. Sunday evening worship service at The Portico. This experience is open to people from all walks of life. You’re invited to come-as-you-are for this casual, welcoming worship service including elements of music, Scripture, a message, silence, discussion and Holy Communion. On the fifth Sunday of each month, this faith community gathers for prayer and then heads out to “Serve the City” together, making God’s love real in tangible ways. For more information on how to get plugged-in to the art, events and service opportunities at The Portico, visit theportico.org, call 813-254-5139 or email Justin@ theportico.org.

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Vets4Pets Charitable Veterinary Clinic

Vets4Pets Charitable Veterinary Clinic is nonprofit 501c3 that is owned and operated by the 40 plus profit veterinarians within the Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation. Its mission is to provide wellness & emergency veterinary care to the portion of the population in Tampa Bay on a very limited income, that would not be able to afford care for their pets otherwise. Vets4Pets uses means testing to determine their client base as well as referrals from the member veterinary hospitals and other nonprofits.

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At 5010 E. Broadway Ave, just outside of Ybor, this veterinary clinic opens two days a week, only charging a $10 exam fee, to the elderly, disabled, veterans and many times the homeless. To most, that $10 is all they walk in the door with. But for these clients, their pet is the reason they keep going each day. For many, their pet is the only family they have. It is important to Vets4Pets that these clients are treated with respect, given as much help as possible, and sent out the door feeling like someone cared about them. Part of the way this is done is by keeping a food pantry stocked and sending food home with those that need. Another important part of the Vets4Pets mission is to help rescue groups care for their fosters by providing them with high quality, low cost care. Vets4Pets realizes the importance of rescue groups in keeping animals out of the county

shelter, facing being euthanized due to overpopulation. Spaying, neutering and wellness for foster animals is a priority, and they support and help their rescue partners as much as possible. How does the clinic operate by giving so much away? Vets4Pets relies on grants, donations and fundraising to enable them to say yes to the continual stream of clients walking through their Broadway doors. All monies received through fundraising events go directly to the medical care of animals needing help. Fundraising events are always on schedule, like the monthly Suds on Sunday Charity Dog Wash at Ferg’s Live Channelside. For a $10 donation, your pup can get a bath and a Sprinkles “Pupcake”, while you enjoy a Tito’s Cocktail.

Sponsors like Ferg’s Live, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Sprinkles Cupcakes have made it possible to help so many animals needing medical attention and Vets4Pets is truly grateful for the continual support. There are also many business vendors that provide support and help to the clinic, knowing the importance of what Vets4Pets does for the community. Volunteers are also an important part of the success of Vets4Pets. There are Vet Techs that donate their time each week as well as students in Veterinary Programs needing hands on experience. Vets4Pets also has a wonderful core of friends that help not only at the clinic, but at fundraising and outreach events. Vets4Pets is always in need of volunteers, and guarantees that volunteers

leave feeling good about what they have done, and who they have helped. Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact karen@hahf. org or by posting a message on their Facebook page Vets4Pets Charitable Clinic. This holiday season is a great time to give and help Vets4Pets provide food and medical care to Tampa Bay residents needing help for their pets. Their Holiday Fund and Food Drive is underway, with boxes throughout Hillsborough County collecting dog and cat food. Monetary donations may also be made through their Facebook page or by mailing to 1050 E. Broadway Ave, Tampa Fl. 33619. Vets4Pets appreciates your help and support in making a difference for those in need.

THE DISTRICT - TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

Home Tour! HERE COMES A

On November 6, 2016 the Channel District Community Alliance (CDCA) conducted their second annual home tour. It was a great success for this neighborhood association and fell right in line with a long tradition of home tours throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Home tours, particularly those run by neighborhood associations, give citizens both in and outside the community a glimpse inside the interiors and of those who volunteer to showcase their homes.

Supporting the individual homeowners are a set of committee members and volunteers who help guide participants through the neighborhoods and answer questions related to the area. In the case of the Channel District Community Alliance Home Tour, there was a group of over 50 volunteers who helped during the day of the event. That is a great community building process.

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Most home tours such as the ones in South Tampa, Hyde Park, and Seminole Heights have been around for years and like most the tours serve as a method to raise funds for community-wide projects. The CDCA home tour was no different, and for the past two years, the proceeds from ticket sales and door prizes contributed by local businesses have helped to fund the art and community enhancement

projects. The proceeds from the inaugural tour last December were used to install the first full wall art installation in the courtyard at Grand Central at Kennedy. That piece by district artists Meghan Scalise and Rebekah Lazardis is entitled Waves of Change. Last year the home tour likewise made a donation to StageWorks Theater. The proceeds from this year will be utilized to install a sculpture in the Central part of the district, another wall mural on a building on 11th street depicting the history of the Channel District. So how did this all happen in the Channel District? In 2012 there was an exodus of four families that relocated to the Channel District from Old Seminole Heights. All of these families had been active with the annual Seminole

Heights Home Tour including Eric Krause who had led the Seminole Heights home tour committee for several years and Jane and Vance Arnett who had participated and volunteered in their tours. They were joined by at least two other major volunteer families who relocated to the Channel District from Seminole Heights. The idea was posed to the Board of the CDCA and immediately adopted. The unique nature of the “Channel District Lifestyle” was an added feature to any home tour and the curiosity of how we live in our high rises was one that was regularly mentioned by visitors to the first tour. Bolstered by a great set of volunteers the 2016 tour and block party was enjoyed by not just those who participated but those who just showed up to have fun. The music provided by Josh Walther and the Phase 5 Band was an added benefit this year and provided the music that matched the tempo of a great neighborhood event. Join us next year and visit those other association sponsored home tours to get a feel for what Tampa living is all about. You can get additional information on the home tour at CDCATampa.org. under the event drop down.

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S &

A V

The Dignitary Ian Beckles, a former Buccaneer with a nineyear NFL career and co-hosted iHeartRadioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly rated The Ron and Ian Show on WDAE 620 AM and 95.3 FM. Today Beckles is doing his own thing with a show of his own, The Ian Beckles Show with 102.5 The Bone on Sundays from 11:00am-1:00pm. The Ian Beckles Show has become the platform for Beckles to talk all things Tampa

to Channel District residents that they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get their now and create a signature event for years to come. The event grew from a small gathering in Washington Street Park to a full street closure of 12th Street that grants artist and residence to take over the street and flow freely; allowing residents to have a sense of ownership of their community and not just a place where they sleep.

Art On 12th

The Vision of Nick Buchanan Art On 12th was created to help bring the community together through the arts and recreate the artist community that once thrived in the warehouse Channel District before the area had high rises and redevelopment. The event is a direct collaboration of several community leaders. However, it was developed from 46 46

the creativity and vision of local area Realtor, Nick Buchanan with Buchanan Portfolio Group. Art On 12th is an annual free Event to the public that features local Djs, bands, live performances, pop-up art shops and live art creations. The group is hoping to provide something

The businesses are an intricate part of the ever growing Channel District neighborhood. Art On 12th leveraged the event to showcase several of them by having art featured throughout their locations. The businesses that showed support from the beginning were the Dance Project Studio and City Blue Digital Imaging. Other businesses include Bamboozle Tea Lounge, Duck Weed Grocery, Opes Health, Riley Animation Studios, Victory Coffee, RAJEUNIR Medical Center, Sky House, and District Tavern. Art On 12th has a bright future with collaborations among other organizations like the CRA (Channel District Redevelopment Agency), Tampa Bay Design Week, CDCA and The Downtown Partnership.

Bay and sports with a variety of celebrity guest he brings on every Sunday. It is even serving a larger role for the area businesses and local leaders he invites to be part of the conversation. Every Sunday the show goes live from local Tampa Bay businesses. Last month he was live at The District Tavern. Beckles had celebrity guest, Quentin Aaron and brought on District Tavern owner, Allison Dougherty. Beckles gave much love to the Channel District. Beckles is known for being local loyal. Which it is no surprise he

created the exclusive membership program, Dignitary. The Dignitary card is host to an amazing collection of unique member benefits carefully curated in cooperation with their partners. Members are immediately acknowledged as high priority clientele and have access to a diverse network composed of industry-leading restaurants, hotels, airlines, consultants and more. The mystery of obtaining the card or becoming a member is in the hands of Beckles selective process.

was able to identify it and make it mine.” After decades of being a photographer, designer, stylist and fashion junkie, Abby decided that it was time to find a commercial space where all of her passions could be housed under one roof. In 2014, Abby found the perfect space to do just that and became a coowner of the appropriately named salon, The Station. Shortly after, that same space became home to her photography studio, The A. Griff, and her clothing boutique, The Store, making her creative space a one-stop shop for all things she is the most passionate about. Abby is now determined to expand her artistic reach by cultivating a brand that inspires those to reach outside of their comfort zone and try something that they haven’t before. A daring new outfit, a trendy hairstyle and creative photoshoots are only a few of the many things Abby is doing to take her brand further. “Sometimes I think that I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing,” Abby explained, “but I do know that I am where I am because I said yes to as much as I could. That’s really how my entire life happened. I just said yes; to it all.”

Abby Griffith Creative 3.0

All artists, photographers, designers, and other creatives strive to have a style that is recognizable and unique, and Abby Griffith’s style is definitely that. So what’s her job, you might ask? What isn’t her job? If you tried to put your finger on what Abby is the most passionate about, it’s likely you’d drive yourself crazy trying. So what came first; the hairdresser, the photographer or the fashionista? Ironically Abby is asked

that question often by her clients and friends, and the only answer she can give them is that she’s not entirely sure. She simply knows that she was born to create and to share that side of her with others. “My style is constantly evolving, and I have only been able to recognize it more over time,” Abby expressed. “Style wasn’t something I found. It was always there, but it wasn’t until I opened my businesses that I

With an abundance of tenacity and passion, Abby continues to say yes and is always moving forward and expanding her business reach. By collaborating with and co-hosting social events with other local businesses and artists, she has been diligent in her efforts to broaden the booming creative scene in Tampa and explore her successes as a young, creative, multi-business owner. “Eleven years ago I probably thought that I would be living somewhere in the suburbs with my husband and kids by now,” Abby said. “I would never have imagined that this life could have been mine,” she continued, “but I worked so hard to get here, and I am grateful for every success and failure."

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CHANNEL DISTRICT / DOWNTOWN / HARBOUR ISLAND / YBOR

TAMPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

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1208 EAST KENNEDY BLVD. TAMPA, FL 33602