Cops on Bikes
When the GaYbor District Coalition learned that police officers patrolling the historic Ybor City area were literally without wheels, it decided to help. According to Carrie West, the coalition's president, police officers spoke at a recent GaYbor meeting and shared that to patrol Ybor City effectively, officers have had to borrow bicycles from other areas of the Tampa Police Department because the Ybor contingent's rides were falling apart. Immediately the board voted to start collecting money for the men and women of the Tampa Police force and also issued a challenge to the Ybor Chamber of Commerce and Development Corporation to help get bikes in the name of public safety. The plan worked and on Tuesday, July 5, the coalition will present two brand-spanking new bicycles to police officers at an event slated for the Hampton Inn Ybor”and rumor has it that Mayor Bob Buckhorn is scheduled to attend.
New Pride, new crowns
St. Pete Pride has new royalty this year after two successful drag pageants in St. Petersburg. Jaeda Fuentes took the Miss St. Pete Pride crown after a pageant on Sunday, June 19 and Aiden Taylor was crowned Mr. St. Pete Pride on June 6. Both pageants were held at Push Ultra Lounge in downtown St. Petersburg”a new venue for pageants. If you missed the pageants, don't worry. Both Fuentes and Taylor will perform at the St. Pete Pride Street Festival on June 25 on the Main Stage and will no doubt show why judges thought they had the stuff to represent Florida's largest LGBT Pride event.
Hallback gym to open in Tampa
Several years back, Watermark introduced its readers to Chevelle Hallback, a lesbian boxer who has made some impressive rounds on the pro circuit. Now Hallback is returning to her roots and opening her Fists of Steel Boxing Academy near downtown Tampa. The gym in at 3020, Suite B., W. Kennedy officially opens on July 5. Hallback gave us a glimpse into her personal and professional life back in 2008 and from the looks of her, she's still ready to kick a butt or two if clients don't listen to her instructions”something many training boxers look for. For more information call 813-270-4375.
