Tampa Epoch - June 2012 by Steven Sapp

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TAMPA

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 7 • JUNE 2012

EPOCH

A Noteworthy Time for the Tampa Community • TampaEpoch.com

The Many Faces of Epoch STREET STORIES

Tommy’s Tales - By Michael Newberger, MNewberger@flagler.edu “It could happen to anyone.” It’s a phrase commonly heard in discussing homelessness. A simple change in fortune can send one’s life in a completely different direction, either for good or ill. Tommy Castellana knows this firsthand. Castellana is 65 years old and has been on the streets of Tampa for six years. Before that he knew a life much different than the one he sees now. His father owned a series of successful bars across the city, including some that hosted some of the biggest names in music at the time. While he says Elvis was a little “too famous” for his family’s venues, other big names dropped in, like Motown legends The Drifters, the Platters and Marvin Gaye. Tommy had the chance to help host the traveling musicians and spend time with them. One he was quick to bring up was Sam Cooke. Castellana says that Cooke was “real cool” and this was two days before he was fatally shot. Life was pretty good for Tommy growing up; his family was well off due to the bars and he always had a stable source of income working for his father. “When I saw someone on the street who needed help and I had a lot of money, I’d give him a hundred dollar bill…because I had it,” Castellana says of his time working the bar scene. “I wasn’t hurting for nothing. I had brand new cars and all that stuff. It just goes to show you.” Castellana later served in Vietnam from 1966-1968 and unlike a lot of veterans, didn’t have the type of struggle finding employment after his service. Just like before he left, he was back to working for his father, at one point managing The Imperial, one of the family’s most successful venues that catered to the country and western scene. Life was going well for Castellana, until his father passed away and the family business became fragmented. Tommy says he had little in the way of job security after working the family businesses. “I worked for my father for thirty years, that’s a good

thing but also a bad thing because after that, I had no security. I don’t have retirement because I worked for him for thirty years. But I’ve lived a great life really; a lot of people don’t live to be 65.” Tommy was able to make a living by working a variety of jobs and was able to live comfortably in a condo in Carrollwood. However, like many homeless people, he fell on hard times financially and found himself jobless and without a home. “Most people live like four checks away from poverty and most people don’t realize that.” Tommy said when speaking of the tough times that had befallen him. Tommy eventually started panhandling, but Epoch gave him an opportunity to earn an income legitimately. Originally selling his paper at Kennedy and Lois streets, which he says was his best location, he currently sells at Kennedy and Westshore Blvd. and has steadily risen to be the seventh highest selling vendor for Epoch. Castenalla has never been without a roof over his head, something that he attributes to his work with the paper. “It’s not the corner, it’s the person selling.” Tommy says of his success with being a vendor. Selling the paper is something that he takes a lot of pride in. He makes sure that the people buying the paper understand that this is a business to him, not just a handout. “If you stay away from booze and drugs it’s a good living.” Castellana says he makes sure to be as friendly as possible and never ask for anything other than the price of the paper. He hopes to move higher on the list of top vendors and is quick to point out to people that he takes his success at the Epoch seriously and that he’s not just doing this for a quick buck. “I never knew I had this talent Thomas Castellana for selling papers.”

Vendor of TOPtheTEN the Month: List April was another successful month for our Tampa Epoch vendors! Thanks to all of you for your dedication, effort and hard work! Here’s a look at our top ten best sellers for the month of April.

Vendor Name 1) Freamon Rowland 2) Terrance Williams 3) Russell Humphrey 4) Thomas Castellana 5) Jimmie King 6) J.P. 7) Phillippe Ouellette 8) Mark Taylor 9) Donald Williams

ID# 286 38 218 93 43 114 189 39 230

Papers Sold 700 550 375 350 250 225 200 160 150

1) Freamon Rowland VENDORS continued on page 11

WHAT’S INSIDE

pg 2.............Homeless Stand Down pg 2............................Youth Forum pg 5...........Champions for Children pg 8....................Burger Challenge pg 10....................Vendor Contract

TAMPA EPOCH WWW.TAMPAEPOCH.COM MAY 2012 TAMPA EPOCH WWW.TAMPAEPOCH.COM MAY TAMPA TAMPAEPOCH EPOCH••••www.TAMPAEPOCH.COM WWW.TAMPAEPOCH.COM••••JUNE MAY 2012 2012 ••• 333

2 • TAMPA EPOCH • www.TAMPAEPOCH.COM • JUNE 2012

Homeless Stand Down and Health Fair Providing a time away from the front lines for soldiers, the military began “Stand Downs” during the Vietnam War. “Stand Down” is a military term that describes an event where troops would assemble in a base camp to receive new clothing, hot food, and a break from the dangers of combat before returning to the front lines. At these safe locations, soldiers could also receive medical care and other needed services. Ultimately, Stand Downs provide soldiers an opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well being. Based on this military practice, the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County and its partners will hold the 2012 Homeless Stand Down and Health Fair on Saturday, June 9, at Hillsborough Community College Ybor City Campus, 2002 N. 17th St., Bldg 205, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 pm to provide homeless veterans and civilians a time of rest from the streets and access to programs and services. This event will educate our homeless neighbors about resources available to meet both their housing and healthcare needs all in one location. At the same time, we will continue the military tradition of a “stand down” by providing our communities homeless men, women and children with food, clothing, showers, health screenings, a safe place to rest and much more, all with the goal of helping them get off the streets. In addition to bringing all these services to one location, we will also have representatives from the VA and other veteran organizations on hand to assist homeless veterans with obtaining their VA benefits, along with local and state agencies to assist all homeless individuals with obtaining other mainstream benefits. Today more than 160 organizations across the country partner with local businesses, government agencies and community and faith-based service providers to hold Stand Downs for the homeless population including homeless veterans and homeless families in the local community. Homelessness can affect anyone including working professionals and veterans. The face of homelessness might not be what you would think. It is the face of mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. It is our friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. These are faces that most have never associated with a homeless person.

On any given night in Hillsborough County, there are at least 17,755 homeless men, women and children. More than 7,300 are ‘literally homeless’ – living on the street, in their car or truck, an emergency shelter. The other 10, 419 are ‘doubled up’ living with friends or family, or in cheap motel rooms. Based on the Hillsborough Point in Time Count in January 2011, at least 5% of those who are homeless in our county are veterans. Based on information from the Department of Veteran affairs, the VA had contact with 1,100 different homeless veterans, which makes up at least 15% of the homeless street population. The Department of Veteran Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) believe that number to be even higher, as many Veterans do not admit to being homeless. While all homeless individuals have the same health concerns and basic needs as those individuals with homes, they experience health problems at rates three to six times greater than those in housing. Without a home, there is no place to recuperate from an illness or to treat an injury, causing their health problems to deteriorate, often never fully recovering. So in response to the health and housing needs of our homeless neighbors, the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County and the Department of Veteran Affairs Homeless Veterans’ program have partnered together to host the seventh annual Stand Down and Health Fair. Organizers expect 40+ organizations to participate to provide haircuts, showers, physical and mental health screenings, programs that offer shelter and housing, substance abuse treatment, employment training, mental health treatment, assistance with obtaining identification cards, accessing food stamps and social security benefits, and more. There will be an area for services specific to veterans and will include VA benefit information, housing and employment training programs, suicide prevention and other veteran programs that can assist homeless veterans. Coffee and pastries will be available for breakfast and a hot lunch meal from Metropolitan Ministries will be provided. Personal care and hygiene kits, socks and more are expected to be handed out to the homeless veter,ŝůůƐďŽƌŽƵŐŚ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ŽůůĞŐĞ ans and civilians who attend. zďŽƌ ŝƚǇ ĂŵƉƵƐ͕ ůĚŐ ϮϬϱ The Hillsborough WƵďůŝĐ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞ dĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐǇ County Sunshine Line ϮϬϬϮ E͘ ϭϳƚŚ ^ƚ͘ will provide free transportation to and from dĂŵƉĂ͕ &> ϯϯϲϬϱ the event. Pick up locations are: Mental &Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ ĞŵĂŝů͗ Health Care, 6220 N. ĐŽƌƌǇΛŚŽŵĞůĞƐƐŽĨŚĐ͘ŽƌŐ Nebraska Ave.; Home less Recovery, 2410 N. Kƌ ǀŝƐŝƚ ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽŵĞůĞƐƐŽĨŚĐ͘ŽƌŐ Tampa St, and Metro politan Ministries, 2301 E ĨŝŶĚ ŽŶ &ĂĐĞďŽŽŬ ƉĂŐĞ Ăƚ N. Tampa Street. The ŚƚƚƉ͗ͬͬǁǁǁ͘ĨĂĐĞďŽŽŬ͘ĐŽŵͬη͊ͬ,ŽŵĞůĞƐƐŽĨ, schedule is posted on the Homeless Coalition’s Web site,www.homeles sofhc.org. ºThe Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County is coordinating the 2012 Stand Down and Health Fair in conjunction with its member and partner agencies. Stand Down financial sponsors include: Mental ,ĞĂůƚŚ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ^ŽĐŝĂů ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ >ĞŐĂů ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ Health Care, Care Plus, x >ĞŐĂů ŝĚ x ŚŽůĞƐƚĞƌŽů ^ĐƌĞĞŶŝŶŐ x >ŝŐŚƚ ƌĞĂŬĨĂƐƚ Θ ,Žƚ >ƵŶĐŚ Molina Health Care, x ǆͲŽĨĨĞŶĚĞƌ x ůŽŽĚ WƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ x DĂƚĞƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ Θ ,ǇŐŝĞŶĞ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ^ĐƌĞĞŶŝŶŐ WƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ Riverview VFW Post x Ăƌͬ,ĞĂƌŝŶŐ ^ĐƌĞĞŶŝŶŐ x ŵƉůŽǇŵĞŶƚ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ 8108, and Ruskin VFW KƚŚĞƌ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ x DĞŶƚĂů ,ĞĂůƚŚ x Ds / ZĞŐŝƐƚƌĂƚŝŽŶ Post 6287. x ,Ăŝƌ ƵƚƐ ^ĐƌĞĞŶŝŶŐ x ,ŽƵƐŝŶŐ ƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ x ^ŚŽǁĞƌƐ x ĞŶƚĂů ǆĂŵ x sĞƚĞƌĂŶ ĞŶĞĨŝƚƐ Your support of the x ,/s dĞƐƚŝŶŐ x &ŽŽĚ ^ƚĂŵƉ ƉƉůŝĐĂƚŝŽŶƐ “2012 Homeless Stand x ůĐŽŚŽůͬ^ƵďƐƚĂŶĐĞ x ^^/ͬ^^ / ƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ Down and Health Fair” x ŝƐĂƐƚĞƌ /ŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ is a perfect opportunity for you or your company to give back to your ^ƉŽŶƐŽƌĞĚ ďǇ ,ŝůůƐďŽƌŽƵŐŚ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ŽůůĞŐĞ ĂŶĚ ŵĂĚĞ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ďǇ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚŝŽŶƐ ŽĨ ŵĂŶǇ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŽƌŐĂŶŝǌĂƚŝŽŶƐ͘ community!

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Editorial

First Homeless Youth Forum Imagine being 16 years old, fleeing from your home because the violence is too severe for you to survive there any longer. Where will you go? What does the future hold for you now? This is just one of the stories that will be shared at the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County’s first Homeless Youth Forum on June 13, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, in the Jaeb Theater, 1010 N. W.C. Macinnes Pl. Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner will co-moderate the forum, which will include a guest panel of homeless and formerly homeless youth, to raise awareness about the struggles faced by homeless youth and inspire a community call to action to develop housing and services for these young people. “Raising awareness is the first step toward creating a solution,” said Beckner. “And only by caring for our youth can we ensure a better, stronger and more livable future for Tampa and the surrounding area.” The forum’s co-moderator, Rayme L. Nuckles, CEO of the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County said “Very few services for unaccompanied homeless youth exist in our community. Because of this, these youth face life on the street, victimization, disruption to their education and a pretty bleak future.” The Lazy Days Homeless Youth Program, The Straz Center for the Performing Arts and Eckerd are joining the Homeless Coalition in hosting the youth forum along with several other organizations in the community. “They (homeless youth) come from all over and each has their own story” said Kathy Wiggins, the outreach coordinator for the Lazy Days Homeless Youth Program, which serves homeless youth between 16 and 22 years old. “Really, they could be anyone’s kids; they just haven’t had the best of luck.” The 2011 Homeless Count in Hillsborough County found nearly 200 unaccompanied homeless youth. However, the number could be much higher. “When you consider homelessness, these young people are probably the most hidden; the most difficult to locate,” said Nuckles. “They hide their homelessness in order to avoid getting in trouble with the justice system or being forced into the foster care system. Many are just afraid of being forced to return to violent or unwelcoming homes.” National studies show that homeless youth come from all socioeconomic backgrounds and find themselves homeless for a number of reasons ranging from fleeing parental abuse to being locked out as a result of repeat delinquency. These youth are more likely to experience violence and exploitation on the streets and are often driven to commit petty crimes for survival. The plight of unaccompanied youth was recognized by the Florida Legislature earlier this year, with the passage of the Homeless Youth Bill (HB1351). Sponsored by Representative Richard Glorioso, Tampa, the bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Scott at Armwood High School sometime in May. This law will provide unaccompanied youth, older than 16, the rights of an emancipated adult and gives them access to their birth certificate, a crucial document when attempting to access services or seeking employment. “We simply cannot continue to ignore the tragedy of youth homelessness,” said Nuckles. “The need is too great in our community. We have to do more.” The Homeless Youth Forum is open to the public. For more information contact Jeremiah Kerr at 813.223.6115 ext. 41 orjeremiah@homelessofhc.org.

PAYING CA$H!

LETTER to the EDITOR By Amy Lassiter ---By ByAmy AmyLassiter Lassiter I’m not native of Tampa, in fact I’m relatively new I’m not I’m notaaanative nativeof ofTampa, Tampa,in infact factI’m I’mrelatively relativelynew new here -but I’ve been fortunate enough to fall in love here -but I’ve been fortunate enough to fall in love here -- but I’ve been fortunate enough to fall in love with the City, with the people I’ve met, and to be honthe City, and -with By an andpeople proud I’ve Epoch Vendor with theanonymous City,with withthe the people I’vemet, met, andto tobe behonhonest, with my job as Editor of Tampa Epoch and South est, with my job as Editor of Tampa Epoch and South … your continuing theSouth est,forwith mysupport job as and Editor of Tampasupport Epoch of and Tampa Community News. Tampa Community News. Tampa Unfortunately, what I wanted to write at TampaEpoch. Community News. I have Bill Sharpe to for that. I have Bill Sharpe to that. this Itime which Ithank find Ifor now must write about haveand Billthat Sharpe tothank thank for that. New to the area, the rst publication that picked up New to the area, the rst publication are New not the same. to the area, the rst publicationthat thatIIIpicked pickedup up happened to be the October issue of South Tampa Comhappened to be the October issue of South Tampa ComNot many months ago theissue City of Council banned happened to be the October South had Tampa Community news. very quickly became my “go to” for munity very quickly became my for panhandling the City of Tampa. However having munitynews. news.inItItIt very quickly became my“go “gointo” to” for information on events, restaurants, people -and well information on events, restaurants, people -and well done so, theyon allowed day a week (Sunday) information events,one restaurants, people -- andwherewell Tampa in general. As writer, decided to reach out to Tampa in As writer, IIIdecided by it would be allowed tolerated. Tampa ingeneral. general. Asaaaor writer, decidedto toreach reachout outto to Bill in search of freelance opportunities. We set up a Bill in search of freelance opportunities. We set up a Atinthat time,ofthe Tampa opportunities. City Police Department Bill search freelance We set up a meeting for the next day. meeting for the next along with made it well known when this meeting forthe themedia, nextday. day. High on the success of his October Bluz and BBQ High on the success of his Bluz and BBQ ban High was going effect the response on theinto success ofand hisOctober October Bluzthat andwould BBQ event, I’ll never forget walking into our old of ce in event, I’ll never forget walking into our old of ce be givenI’ll to never those forget who violated event, walkingthis intoordinance. our old of cein in Hyde Park Village – Bill’s smile and warm greeting Hyde Park Village – Bill’s smile and warm greeting With the Village Police Department enforcing thisgreeting ban on Hyde Park – Bill’s smile and warm were infectious and was hooked hooked on his were infectious and IIIwas hooked ------ONE hooked on the first day it went effect, only warning were infectious andinto was hooked hooked onhis hiswas ideas, his love of Tampa, his dedication to South Tampa ideas, his love of Tampa, his dedication to South issued the rest of the week was quiet.to SouthTampa ideas, and his love of Tampa, his dedication Tampa Community News, and his vision for Tampa Epoch. Community News, and his vision for Tampa Epoch. Due to thisNews, current economy, Community andcontraction his vision in forthe Tampa Epoch. After our brief conversation, was offered the position After brief conversation, IIIwas offered position people have been displaced from their jobs,the homes Afterour our brief conversation, was offered the position of Editor. of Editor. and automobiles, leaving them on the streets at a time of Editor. Bill very quickly became more than an employer; Bill very became more an when available jobs are few and farthan between. They are Bill veryquickly quickly became more than anemployer; employer; he was my mentor, a con dant, and most importantly he was my mentor, a con dant, and most importantly even more acquire when longer hasaaa he was mydifficult mentor, to a con dant, and one mostnoimportantly friend. We didn’t always see to eye of course, but friend. always to transportation, a telephone, or eye aeye residence tocourse, list on but an friend. We Wedidn’t didn’t alwayssee see eye toeye eyeof of course, but as I write, I am smiling at the thought of our brainas I write, I am smiling at the thought of our brainapplication. as I write, I am smiling at the thought of our brainstorming sessions, the advice he offered on both perstorming the on While sessions, being in this situation, these individuals storming sessions, theadvice advicehe heoffered offered onboth bothperpersonal and professional matters, and at his con dence in sonal and professional matters, and at his con dence wonder how they can currently sonal and professional matters,afford and atto hiswash con their dencein in his team to help him ful ll his dream of making Tampa his team to help him ful ll his dream of making Tampa clothes, personal busmaking pass toTampa get his teampurchase to help him ful llproducts, his dreama of Epoch reality. Epoch reality. around, and possibly afford two or three nights a Epochaaafood, reality.

Thank you Tampa

week attothe shelteryou, just that to bethat ablesame to wash the filth off of want reassure team staff, IIIwant you, that team –––staff, wantto toreassure reassure you,that that thatsame same team staff, themselves from having to sleep on the ground. All this friends, acquaintances, homeless advocates will friends, acquaintances, homeless –––will friends, acquaintances, homelessadvocates advocates will in addition to other miscellaneous items. continue to honor Bill’s dream dream -his legacy and will continue to honor Bill’s -legacy –––and continue tothe honor dream --his hisBay legacy andwill will To this, fine Bill’s people ofEpoch Tampa responded by support and produce Tampa inde nitely. Steven support and produce Tampa Epoch inde nitely. Steven support and produce Tampa Epoch inde nitely. Steven investing a lot to create a newspaper that deals with Sapp, Tampa Epoch Distribution Manager, Manager, recently Sapp, Epoch Distribution recently Sapp,Tampa Tampa Epoch Manager, recently upcoming events andDistribution stories on local establishments, founded Tampa Pulse Marketing Company and has founded Tampa Pulse Marketing Company and has founded Tampa Pulse Marketing Company has of while featuring coupons and an insight into and the lives agreed to take over the position of Publisher, Brooks agreed to take over the position of Publisher, Brooks agreed to take over the position of Publisher, Brooks those who arecontinue currentlyhissurviving on these very streets. Morgan will role as Sales Manager, and Morgan will his as Manager, and Morgan willcontinue continue hisrole role asSales Sales Manager, andIII In having done so, they created a business opporwill continue my position as Editor. will continue my position as Editor. will continue mywho position as Editor.could earn a few tunity where one is struggling As Bill wrote in his editorial for the inaugural issue of Epoch: As Bill wrote in his editorial for inaugural issue As Bill wrote in his editorial forthe thebasic inaugural issueof ofEpoch: Epoch: dollars to acquire these minimal necessities and at “We have clear goals to accomplish with Tampa Epgoals totoaccomplish with Epthe“We same timeclear be able to maintain their work ethic until “Wehave have clear goals accomplish withTampa Tampa Epoch. First, we want to share the stories, the personalioch. First, want share the the personalithis once gainoch.economy First,we weexpands wanttotountil sharehopefully thestories, stories, theagain personalities, and the life experience of the thousands of hometies, and of thousands ing and a full time residence. ties,employment andthe thelife lifeexperience experience ofthe the thousandsof ofhomehomeless in Tampa. Second, with thousands of individuals less ininTampa. Second, with thousands ofofindividuals paper has created a significant in lessThis Tampa. Second, with thousandsmoment individuals helping to shelter, feed, and provide other assistance, helping to provide other assistance, time in the lives offeed, thoseand in Tampa Community. helping toshelter, shelter, feed, and provideBay other assistance, we believe the providers have stories to tell as well. we the have stories tototell as well. For those who sell and those support the webelieve believe theproviders providers havewho stories tell aspaper well.– Third, each issue will include a clear guide as to where Third, issue THANK YOU! Third,each each issuewill willinclude includeaaclear clearguide guideas astotowhere where and when services are available. Fourth, we want and when are we are alwaysFourth, those who just andUnfortunately whenservices servicesthere areavailable. available. Fourth, wewant wantdon’t Tampa residents to have better idea of what is like Tampa residents to aaabetter idea get it. Due to those who decided this is aititgreat Tampa residents tohave havehave better ideaof ofwhat what itis islike like on the streets in the community in which you live. Fifth, on streets ininto the community ininordinance which live. Fifth, cover which violate the city panhanonthe theby streets the community whichyou youby live. Fifth, we plan to always provide general information about we always provide general information about dling andto selling we have decided (being sure our weplan plan tonot always provide general information about what is going on in Tampa. what is hard ethical vendors will not mind) to ask the whatworking isgoing goingon onin inTampa. Tampa. Tampa Epoch hopes to make small difference in the Tampa Epoch to Police to enforce this ordinance. Tampa Epochhopes hopes tomake makeaaasmall smalldifference differencein inthe the lives of the homeless and the impoverished in Tampa. But lives ofofthe and the We vendors Epoch understand in that beforeBut lives thehomeless homelessof and theimpoverished impoverished inTampa. Tampa. But mostly we hope to make a difference in the lives of all resimostly we hope make aadifference ininthe ofofall the RNC going to be more than enough mostly wearrives hopetotothere makeis difference thelives lives allresiresidents by helping to provide aabetter better understanding of how dents to understanding of problems associated with amany out of area demonstradentsby byhelping helping toprovide provide better understanding ofhow how sizable and complex a problem we have. sizable and aaproblem tors arriving with no place to we stay. It is our goal to help sizable andcomplex complex problem wehave. have. would be easy to do nothing. With understanding and would be easy to With theItItItfine men women of the Tampa City Police toand would beand easy todo donothing. nothing. Withunderstanding understanding and plenty of working together, we can make a difference.” plenty ofofworking together, we aadifference.” clean the problem so they canmake concentrate on the plentyup working together, wecan can make difference.” Convention and the problems that might arise. We believed in Bill and his vision, we believe in our We believed vision, in WeWe believed inBill Billand andhis hisconsider vision,we we believe inour our at the in Tampa Epoch thebelieve following a vendors and all of our incredible supporters, and we are vendors and all of our incredible supporters, and we are vendors and all of our incredible supporters, and weand are panhandler and not a representative of our business honored to carry on Tampa Epoch. honored honoredtotocarry carryon onTampa TampaEpoch. Epoch. EDITORIAL continued on page 4

IS SEEKING IS IS SEEKING SEEKING VENDORS VENDORS VENDORS Please ask to see our Please Please ask ask to to see see our our Vendor Contract Vendor Contract Vendor Contract Call Brooks Morgan at (813) 247-1757 Call Call Brooks Brooks Morgan Morgan at at (813) (813) 247-1757 247-1757 or email brooks@southtampatoday. or email brooks@southtampatoday. or email at brooks@tampapulsemarketing.com or email brooks@southtampatoday.

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4 • TAMPA EPOCH 2012 EPOCH •• www.TAMPAEPOCH.COM WWW.TAMPAEPOCH.COM •• JUNE MAY 2012

In Remembrance The Outliers

- By Mary Lou Janson - An Argument Piece by Jacqueline French, Lifelong entrepreneur and longtime community jacqueline.french@spartans.ut.edu advocate, Bill Sharpe is remembered as a man who embraced challenge, initiated change and encouraged “We have come dangerously close to accepting the innovation. homeless situation as a problem that Marketing we just can’tCo. solve,” The former president of Tampa and said Linda of Lingle, the former female governor publisher the South Tampafirst Community News, of at Hawaii. According to Maria Mendel, a professor at the age 59 Sharpe became widely known as the founder University of Gdańsk, “The homeless perceive the world and publisher of Tampa Epoch, a monthly publication in an ambivalent manner. One could callofit income a ‘dual reality’ started in 2011 that provides a source for the of the homeless, in which they are part of the common homeless. world, but because they are located on its margin, they are A tireless supporter of community causes, Sharpe also and they look atevents, it fromoften a distance.” was beyond a xtureit at fundraising attending In the last Tampa City Council has passed several in year, a single evening and typically beinglaws the rst that not only criminalize homelessness and dehumanize to arrive at one event and the last to leave at the night’s the alsotoaddress thecauses symptoms of the nalhomeless, stop. Hebut loved supportonly good but also problem to address roots. The adopt a loved to and havefail a good time,its whatever he city wasmust doing. comprehensive plan aimed at addressing root causes of Sharpe knew local to national civic the leaders, business homelessness; the goal be torstgetname the homeless help owners and elected of should cials by and was often to get offby theallstreet than arresting them and/or trying greeted withrather a heartfelt hug, warm handshake or to hide them or runonthem off. affectionate kiss the cheek. He eagerly introduced Tampa urgent creating homelessan problem. According to people to has onean another, ever-widening netwww.TampaBayHomeless.info, Hillsborough County has work of personal and professional connections. the A largest homeless population in Florida. Hillsborough longtime resident of Tampa’s SoHo In (South HowCounty alone there are an estimated homeless on ard) neighborhood, Sharpe initially17,755 got into publishing any given night. out of four of these men by launching theOne SoHoTampa.com webhomeless site in 2001. and women are war that veterans. Worse business still, the Hillsborough Prior to managing web-based full time, County Schools reportedSharpe 3,109 homeless students he sold Public recreational vehicles. also worked as a enrolled on the day of the 2011agent homeless According stockbroker and a real estate in St.count. Petersburg. He to FloridaWeekly.com, 83,957 children are homeless in brie y lived in Key West. Florida. Born in Georgia and raised in Dunedin, Sharpe Whiletothe homeless lack shelter, food he andowned basic moved Tampa fromoften the Ocala area where necessities, they are not the only affected byvenue their and operated a well known bar ones and live music plight. Businesses, residents, and tax payersthat are10-year also hurt in Belleview known as Mr. Pub. During by having large homeless population. Homeless people period, heabecame affectionately known as Mr. Bill. hurtAbusinesses they outside stores and thus veraciouswhen reader andpeddle zealous political activist, turn customers They destroyCounty property, Sharpe played away. a signi canturinate role inand Pinellas and in buildings underpolitics construction, sidewalks, and sleep statewide Democratic in theon 1980s. A and in parks, turnsCounty people away. former chair which of the also Pinellas Democratic Party, areofnot onlyGlenn ones hurt; he Business served asowners, Pinellashowever, chairman thethe John for the homeless negatively This is President Campaign andaffect was taxpayers a delegateastowell. the 1976 especially true when cities like Tampa the of Democratic National Convention andonly pastaddress president symptoms of the problem. to Trevor Hughes, Florida’s Circle K. SharpeAccording was a founding member of an investigative The Coloradoan in Fort Tampa Bay Ad reporter Club 2, for treasurer of the Tampa Interna-

TAMPA EPOCH

Collins, Colorado, we apay for homelessness higher tional Trade Council, graduate of both the “in Leadership insurance rates when local hospitals treat people whoof wait St. Pete and Leadership Tampa Bay programs, chair until they’re really, really sick to get help in the emerthe Pinellas County Soil and Water Conservation District gency room.asWe pay for of it when we fund the Chamber jail, whichof and served president the Davis Islands in many cases has become the place where the chronically Commerce. homeless go because there’s nowhere else. We pay for An outdoor enthusiast, Sharpe enjoyed camping as it well when tourists feel threatened by men and women hanging as canoeing hundreds of miles of Florida waterways with around Old Town don’t astop to shop.cycling We close friends. He businesses particularlyand enjoyed seven-day pay for it when children who sleep on couches and don’t event called the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride eat rightIowa do poorly in school and wenearly pay for when that their Across (RAGRAI) covering 500it miles parents don’t have a job and don’t pay taxes.” he participated in many times. His love of travel included Tampa residentslike arehiking payingthe forInca the homeless in the exotic adventures Trail in Peru, climbways noted above because Tampa City Council policies ing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and spending a month in do address the root causes of homelessness. Instead thenot Himalayas in Nepal, near Mt. Everest. Tampa City Council has passed laws that criminalize and Evenings and weekends were spent in the company of dehumanize the homeless. Not only did the Tampa City friends or leading local and national paranormal investigaCouncil panhandling, is now beginning to tions thatcriminalize he organized for TampaitGhost Watchers. “sweep” the homeless out of the public’s sight. The council has specifically targeted areas where groups of homeless gather for food or to sleep. Police tell the homeless to leave the area or face consequences. The Tampa City Council needs to help get the homeI amstreet not sure howoftojust answer who For have lessBill, off the instead tryingthe topeople hide them. asked how I know you and why you left us as you have. example, according to Tampa Bay Online, “For the past I am years, sure that for asand long as I knew you aand by theorganized nature of six Dennis Nancy Holt and loosely our conversations and interactions, the following is what I group of church volunteers have been feeding homeless choose to believe of you. people on Saturday mornings in a city lot in downtown I choose to believe ever-optimistic thathas Tampa. In recent years,that thethe number of mouths Bill to feed Igrown, knew might have simply grown tired and weary of the to more than 150 men and women, but they’ve ght. Your weapons of choice were the mighty pen and never had issues and the city has always looked the other ink. Your justiceawhen there werepeople wrongs be set way.” Nowcause: they needed permit to feed ontocity right and all for the good of humanity. property. They had to discontinue their service there and If this was your move elsewhere. goal, then you have succeeded. I have learned in your passing more people Many people believeof themany city ordered thesewhom sweepsyou to have touched and helped, who will continue to t keep the homeless out of site for the Republicanbene National from havingcoming known in you (myself Convention August andincluded). compare these sweeps Some of these people are hard today, continuto ones Tampa did when it hosted at thework Super Bowl. ing the good work that you have started. Your tag Creating a policy to ban panhandling, or asking theteam homewas to waiting in themselves your cornerfrom and has come out swinging. less remove public property may hide Whilehomeless we may never know sure not the reasons thatsolve you Tampa’s problem butfor it does ultimately left us as you have, your actions have set into play a series the problem. The Tampa City Council is making a mistake of events connections, the “Friends Bill,”have that by dealingand with the problemthru passively. Otherofcities will insure that the good work you did for Tampa and it’s discovered that addressing the root causes of homelessness residents, from all walks of life, will never be forgotten. ultimately costs the city less. You haveconducted left someby mighty big shoes to ll. that, “In A study the Coloradoan found 2008, a collaboration of local government agencies and Jim Webb OUTLIERS continued on page 5 FOB

A Letter to Bill Sharpe:

EDITORIAL continued from page 3

Friends of Bill Step Up

should be given a warning and if not heeded, a ticket upon second violation:

- By Jack Wyatt • If A one does group not display a vendor ID badge while workshaken of mostly strangers sat around my ing, he or she is not a representative of Tampa -dining table after the publisher of EPOCH, BillEpoch Sharpe, this is panhandling. died. Bill did not leave us much, but by some epoch •alignment If one does a minimum inventorygroup of fiveof of not fate,have he did leave an amazing newspapers (these five cannot be sold and will people that calls itself Friends of Bill (FOB). be exchanged a new provided issue upon the new month publicaThe rstfor meeting a guideline of what we tion), he or she is not a representative of Tampa Epoch not only wanted to do for our good friend Bill Sharpe, -but - this panhandling. the is270+ vendors of EPOCH. The FOB was keenly •aware If oneofisBill’s holding a sign withfor anything that states deep passion his work with the he un-or she is homeless, a vet, a father supporting a dozen hunemployed in Tampa. gry Responsibilities children, anything other than an unaltered, official quickly were assigned with Bill’s Epoch sign – this is family’s blessing forpanhandling. the Memorial at Hyde Park Methodist Church, Celebrate Bill at McDintons, and the VENDORS, AN OPEN and WINDOW IS NOT an that preparation of an obituary all the other tasks invitation for you to stick your face in the vehicle and kept coming up. tell Then the drivers why they have to buy this paper. As the FOB agreed to ask the community to a customer, this happens, please the vendorFOB ID# help themifpublish the May issuenote of EPOCH. and LET US KNOW. realized, without doing something, that EPOCH Hopefully with these changes, the Tampa BayFOB would not exist after April 30. Within 5 days, Community will continue to fully support Epoch along with the EPOCH staff, had an outline of a paand who are responsible. This is a business per, those article deadlines, a print deadline, a budget, and designed to help the vendors, including myself, confidence the May issue of the EPOCH would be on HELP THEMSELVES the street by May 1. and it is not a vehicle for simply theSharpe illegalMemorial act of theTrust annoying FOBcamouflaging set up the Bill to fund, Panhandler. in priority, funeral expenses, ONE issue (only) of the Thank you again Tampa Bay! Hopefully the next Tampa Epoch, with the remaining funds, if any, donated time I write will be more along the lines of a personal to the Hyde Park UMC Homeless Programs and equally note of Child thanks. to The Abuse Council. Donations can be made at any Bank of Tampa of ce. - Epoch Vendor name # withheldto what EPWithin this issue youand willbadge read testimony OCH has accomplished. Please consider donating so we can prove to the community, the EPOCH should continue. Look around Tampa. What other employer in the last six months has provided over 270 jobs? Perry Ellis, Loris ris i Azzaro, Azzaro, Bill, my good friend, gave us the vision, we Dolce & Gabbana, G i B B t and show the country during Gucci, Bora Bora, should take theHHeart hint & Dagger, Issey Mayakei, the Republican National Convention in Tampa this Pink Sugar and more August that we recognize the unemployed are a part 100% Quality (no alcohol ofadded) our these fabric we get it; not with a hand out but a oilsand can be worn or burn. The oils are hand up.

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We need your help now as an individual, company, or organization. If we all work together we can make a difference in the lives of many individuals and in the quality of life in our community. Please help us to help others by placing your ad or by sponsoring a vendor for a minimum of $25. The funds will provide the individual with instructions, training, an initial inventory, identi cation, and supervision. Your sponsorship will be acknowledged in the print issues of Tampa Epoch according to your sponsorship level. Get information or sponsor a vendor online with your credit card at www.TampaEpoch.com.

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Child Abuse Council Now Champions for Children The Child Abuse Council is pleased to announce its new name, Champions for Children, to the community and the families we serve. While our mission remains the same, the nature of our agency has transitioned from treatment based services to child abuse prevention and family education programs. We focus on the importance of prevention and how prevention will lend itself to insuring every family in Hillsborough County can become a good, FOOD, FUN, MUSIC better and best family. We envision a world without child abuse and believe strengthening the bonds between parents and children is a vital step in realizing that vision. But why change names? Quite simply, Champions for Children better reflects who we are and what we do. It highlights our shift from helping families in crisis to helping every family, any family. The name change brings empowerment and encourages everyone to be a “champion” for children. It reinforces the importance of investing in our community, our families and our children’s future. The staff, Board of Directors, volunteers and supporters of Champions for Children are eager to reinforce our identity within the community and roll out our new name. “It simply enhances the programs in place for the prevention of abuse for our children,” said Lois Zardinskas, a long-time volunteer and current member of the Board of Directors. “This is why the name change has such a positive feel to it.” Since 1977, our agency has been working towards the betterment of families. As an accredited agency, we operate in accordance with nationally defined best practice standards and consistently strive to deliver superior services to our children and families. Each year, our highly trained and educated staff strengthens more and more throughout the county, providing valuable and measureable services that help children grow and reach their fullest potential. In 2011 alone, Champions for Children served 36,650 children and their families. With so many valuable programs in place and through the generosity of funders such as the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and United Way, Champions for Children has something to offer to every member of the community. A brief description of each of our programs in included below. For more detailed information on Champions for Children or our programs, please visit our website at www.championsforchildrentampabay.org. • ABC PROGRAM: A comprehensive prenatal education program offering free and low cost classes to women enrolled in the Healthy Start Program, as well as the community. Childbirth classes and breastfeeding help are examples of the type of new mom support this program provides. • BABY BUNGALOW: An early childhood resource center for parents and caregivers of children from birth to age five. The Bungalow offers parent support groups, infant massage classes, children’s developmental playgroups, music classes and a variety of other services in multiple locations. Baby Bungalow is a collaborative effort of the Champions for Children, HealthyStart Coalition of Hillsborough County and Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. • BREAKAWAY: A special developmental childcare center that offers supportive, therapeutic care to children while their mothers attend parenting classes and drug treatment programs offered by the Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office (DACCO) and the Centre for Women. • DIMPLES PLAYLAND: This childcare center is located in Palm River and offers quality childcare services to children ages six weeks to five years old, Monday through Friday, year around. In addition, out-of-school-time care is provided for school-aged children.

Once a Week Water Restrictions That prompted the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s executive director on Thursday to declare an emergency order to increase water restrictions including limiting lawn watering to once per week in the Tampa Bay area due to continued drought conditions. Blake Guillory has declared a Modified Phase II emergency water shortage order for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. That means that lawn and landscape watering schedule is reduced to once per week on a specified day based on address. Last month Swiftmud’s board imposed once-a-week watering restrictions on Hernando and Citrus counties, In Tampa, Water Department Director Brad Baird said

BRING THE KIDS (ARTS AND CRAFT TABLE)

• FAMILY INVOLVEMENT CONNECTIONS (FIC): A family involvement and support program that works off the belief that “it takes a village to raise a child.” Family Involvement Connections offers educational activities that engage parents, teaching them to bridge the child’s home and school learning environments. The program is funded by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. • FAMILY RESOURCE CORNER: A comprehensive website, www.FamilyResourceCorner.com for all families and professionals seeking research-based answers to a vast array of questions surrounding child development and parenting. • FATHERS RESOURCE AND NETWORKING CENTER (FRANC): FRANC is a program dedicated to dads and community-wide fatherhood initiatives. Boot Camp for New Dads, Nurturing Dads Course, and educational outreach are available to all fathers, father figures and families. • INTENSIVE TEENAGE PREGNANCY AND PARENTING PROGRAM (ITPP): A direct, in-home visitation service designed to provide help to pregnant teenagers who may be at risk for poor birth outcomes. Operated in collaboration with the Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County and Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, ITPP offers support from social service coordinators and mental health counselors who target maternal health and healthy birth outcomes for baby. • KIDS ON THE BLOCK (KOTB): An educational puppetry program designed to teach 3rd graders to recognize and prevent child abuse by learning to say, “NO”, and tell a trusted adult. 4th graders learn to recognize and report bullying while learning the importance of respecting others. Performing since 1994 and reaching over 25,000 Hillsborough County students per year, KOTB is an unforgettable, educational experience. • PARENTS AS TEACHERS (PAT): Parents as Teachers believes that parents are a child’s first and most influential teacher. Certified Parent Educators provide in-home parent education and family support to families during each stage of development. PAT helps parents understand what to expect as their children grow and different ways to enhance a child’s language development, intellectual growth, social development and motor skills. • VOLUNTEER HEART TO HEART PROGRAM: At the heart of every great organization, you have a group of supporters who believe in your mission and volunteer their time to works towards it. Champions for Children’s Heart to Heart Volunteer Program has a variety of hands-on activities that are available for individuals and groups interested in volunteering their time and talents. Please contact Jessica DuChene at (813) 673-4646 x.225 for more information. “As we transition to a once-a-week irrigation schedule, we encourage all residents, businesses, and visitors to voluntarily reduce water consumption and eliminate unnecessary and wasteful water use.” Tampa locations may irrigate using the following schedule:

• Addresses ending in 0 or 1 may irrigate on Mondays • Addresses ending in 2 or 3 may irrigate on Tuesdays • Addresses ending in 4 or 5 may irrigate on Wednesdays • Addresses ending in 6 or 7 may irrigate on Thursdays • Addresses ending in 8 or 9 may irrigate on Fridays

ngers in so many difhad it. ferent pies I could never The freedom Bill gave me to wri keep track of what went job is rarely found outside of an aca into a single day’s work •inwww.TAMPAEPOCH.COM • JUNE 2012 • 5believed i believed in me, just as he his world. He shortco ness, m and pe at it no feel lik never like Bi to acce you are to be b He econom tential area, w do his South into so all be p ing lar to host and ne the ma town a withou a fortu all.

LEGAC OUTLIERS continued from page 4 non profits picked twelve chronically homeless men and women living in the city and got them housing, mental health and substance abuse health. During the course of the year, emergency room costs for those twelve people dropped from $90,000 to $48,000, and jail costs went from almost $40,000 to $15,912, according to the groups.” The Tampa City Council needs to get to the root cause of homelessness in Tampa and create a system that specifically meets the needs of Tampa’s homeless. There are hundreds of different stories as to how someone may become homeless, but a look at the larger picture suggests some common major causes behind homelessness. In Hillsborough County, during the 2011 homeless count, employment/financial reasons were the biggest problem for the homeless at 49.38%. Another problem faced by the homeless is a lack of a social network: family problems were second at 12.72%. Research studies consistently show that the homeless lack strong ties to social networks and 7.91% of the homeless in Hillsborough identified medical/disability problems as the reason for their homelessness, making it the third biggest problem. Admittedly, the homeless problem is not easy to solve. No single system throughout the world has abolished homelessness or can one hundred percent effectively deal with it. But many cities have created different systems designed to meet the needs of their unique settings and address the causes of homelessness in their area. For example, a Collaborative Plan to End Homelessness in Chicago created a blueprint to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless in the first place, to place individuals and families in permanent housing as quickly as possible when they do become homeless, called “Housing First”, and to provide wraparound services when appropriate to promote housing stability and self-sufficiency. The plan provided Chicago with great results as well: between 2007 and 2009, the total number of people homeless in Chicago decreased by ten percent and from 2005 to 2009, the number decreased by forty nine percent. Over the past eight years, the city has added 3,000 new units of permanent supportive housing, for a total of 6,600 units, one of the largest stocks in the country. This is what Tampa needs to do. Ninety percent of the homeless in Tampa were residing in Florida at the time they became homeless. Therefore, the Tampa City Council needs to call forth a blue ribbon commission to further investigate the causes of Tampa’s homeless problem and create policies that affectively deal with the issue not just for the image of Tampa, but also for Tampa’s citizens, including Tampa’s homeless. Tampa could become an example for other cities around the United States and even the world. Homelessness is a real problem. History has taught us that we cannot leave people stranded. We ignored the American debt which turned our economy upside down, we ignored a failing Iraq at the end of the Gulf War and this came back to haunt us on September eleventh, we ignored the Occupy Wall Street movement, calling the protestors hippies, or homeless, and now it is a worldwide movement, and we even ignored segregation until a man named Martin Luther King Jr. and many others stood and spoke up for their rights. Let’s work to fix homelessness the right way, the first time, because they need help. Margaret Mead once said, “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.”

2012 6 • TAMPA EPOCH • www.TAMPAEPOCH.COM WWW.TAMPAEPOCH.COM • JUNE MAY 2012

TAMPA TAMPAEPOCH EPOCH• •www.TAMPAEPOCH.COM WWW.TAMPAEPOCH.COM• •JUNE MAY 2012 • 7

EPOCH PROV VIDERSMAP MAP EPOCH EPOCHPROVIDERS PROVIDERS MAP

BEBE SAFE! THANK U SAFE! BILL!

Amazing LoveMinistries Ministries 1.1.Amazing 1. Love Amazing Love Ministries 2801N. N.17th 17th St. (Cornerstone Bldg) Bldg) 2801 St. Bldg) 2801 N.(Cornerstone 17th St. (Cornerstone (813)969-0395 969-0395 (813) (813) 969-0395 www.amazinglovemin.org www.amazinglovemin.org www.amazinglovemin.org Lunch:M,W, M,W, Th:2-8pm 2-8pm Lunch: Th: Lunch: M,W, Th: 2-8pm Dinner:M: M:7pm 7pm M: 7pm Dinner: Dinner:

BETHANK SAFE! U BILL! BE SAFE!

19. Lighthouse Love 19. Lighthouse of Love ofof 19. Lighthouse Love Outreach (Revival(Revival Outreach Center) Center) (Revival Outreach Center) 225 N.Rd., Dover Rd., Dover 225 N. Dover Dover 225 N. Dover Rd., Dover (813) 681-2250 (813) 681-2250 (813) 681-2250 Breakfast: Sat: arrive before 9am Breakfast: Sat: arrive before 9am Breakfast: Sat: arrive before 9am

I-275

4 24 13 4 13 4 24 13 24 TO TO TO

Bethel2. Temple Assembly God of God 2.2.Bethel Temple Assembly ofof God Bethel Temple Assembly 1510W. W.Hillsborough Hillsborough Ave. 1510 Ave. 1510 W. Hillsborough Ave. (813)237-4160 237-4160 (813) (813) 237-4160 Dinner:T:Dinner: T:6:30-7:30pm 6:30-7:30pm Dinner: T: 6:30-7:30pm

Ave Ave FletcherFletcher Ave Fletcher

Mt. Olive Baptist Church 20. Mt. 20. Olive Baptist Church 20. Mt. Olive Baptist Church 604 W. Ball St., Plant City 604 W. Ball St., Plant City 604 W. Ball St., Plant City (813) 754-3834 (813) 754-3834 (813) 754-3834 & Th: Lunch: Lunch: T Lunch: & Th: T12-1pm T& Th:12-1pm 12-1pm

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Mt. Sinai A.M.E. Zion Church 21. Mt. 21. Sinai A.M.E. Zion Church 21. Mt. Sinai A.M.E. Zion Church N.N. Nebraska Ave. 2909 N.2909 Nebraska Ave. 2909 Nebraska Ave. (813) 229-3573 (813) 229-3573 (813) 229-3573 W:W:11-12pm Lunch: Lunch: W:Lunch: 11-12pm 11-12pm

38. Heaven's Kitchen Oak Grove United Methodist Church 2702 W. Waters Ave • Tampa, Fl. 33614 813-935-4471 Office Serving dinner on Wednesdays from 6-7:30 PM

New Beginnings 22. New22. Beginnings 22. New Beginnings E.E. Chilkoot Ave. 1402 E.1402 Chilkoot Ave. 1402 Chilkoot Ave. (813) 972-5220 (813) 972-5220 (813) 972-5220 www.newbeginningscctampa.org www.newbeginningscctampa.org www.newbeginningscctampa.org Lunch: Lunch: M-Sat: 11:30-12:30pm Lunch:M-Sat: M-Sat:11:30-12:30pm 11:30-12:30pm Daily, 5-6pm Dinner: Dinner: Daily, 5-6pm Dinner: Daily, 5-6pm

39. St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 4450 County Road 579 Seffner, FL 33583 813-681-9115 www.stfranciscc.com Dinner - W: 5pm, Th: 7pm

New Beginnings 23. New23. Beginnings 23. New Beginnings N.N. Tampa St. 1312 N.1312 Tampa St. 1312 Tampa St. (Army/Navy Store parking lot) (Army/Navy Store parking lot) (Army/Navy Store parking lot) www.newbeginningscctampa.org www.newbeginningscctampa.org www.newbeginningscctampa.org Sat: 10-11am Lunch: Lunch: Sat: 10-11am Lunch: Sat: 10-11am

40. Tampa Crossroads 5120 N. Nebraska Ave Tampa, FL 33603 813-238-8557

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Brandon Churchofof God of God 3.3.Brandon God 3. Church Brandon Church 406Kingsway Kingsway Rd.,Brandon Brandon 406 Rd., 406 Kingsway Rd., Brandon (813)681-2125 681-2125 (813) (813) 681-2125 www.brandonchurch.cc www.brandonchurch.cc www.brandonchurch.cc Breakfast: 2nd Satof2nd ofMonth, Month, Breakfast:Breakfast: 2nd Sat Sat of Month, 10-11am10-11am 10-11am

Blvd Blvd Busch Busch Blvd Busch

(Formerly Northside) 4.Celebration Celebration Church(Formerly 4. Church (Formerly Northside) 4. Celebration ChurchNorthside) 16235Lake Lake Magdalene Blvd. 16235 Magdalene Blvd. 16235 Lake Magdalene Blvd. (813)961-0910 961-0910 (813) (813) 961-0910 www.celebrationchurchtampa.com www.celebrationchurchtampa.com www.celebrationchurchtampa.com Lunch: Sat: Sat: 11:30am-12:30pm Lunch: 11:30am-12:30pm Lunch: Sat: 11:30am-12:30pm (Meal&&Toiletries. Toiletries. Must Bring ID) (Meal Must Bring ID) (Meal & Toiletries. Must Bring ID)

31 37 35

9.FaithCafé Café 9.Faith 9.Faith Café 3702W. W.Kennedy Kennedy Blvd. 3702 3702 W. Blvd. Kennedy Blvd. (813)348-0497 348-0497 (813) (813) 348-0497 www.faithcafetampa.com www.faithcafetampa.com www.faithcafetampa.com Lunch: M-S: M-S: 11:30am-12:30pm Lunch: 11:30am-12:30pm Lunch: M-S: 11:30am-12:30pm

Kennedy Blvd Blvd Kennedy BlvdKennedy

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11.First FirstBaptist Baptist College Hill 11. ofof College 11. First Baptist ofHill College Hill 3838N.N.29th 29thSt. St. 3838 3838 N. 29th St. (813)248-6600 248-6600 (813) (813) 248-6600 www.fbcch.org www.fbcch.org www.fbcch.org Lunch:M-F: M-F: 12-1pm Lunch: 12-1pm Lunch: M-F: 12-1pm 12.Good GoodSamaritan Samaritan 12. 12. Good Samaritan 3302N.N.Florida Florida Ave. 3302 Ave. 3302 N. Florida Ave. (813) (813)224-9722 224-9722 (813) 224-9722 www.goodsamaritaninn.info www.goodsamaritaninn.info www.goodsamaritaninn.info Lunch: 11am-1pm Lunch:Sat: Sat: 11am-1pm Lunch: Sat: 11am-1pm Dinner: Dinner:T:Dinner: T:6pm 6pm T: 6pm

36 36

N 34 Street

21 25 2125 125

5 527 27 27 11 11 15 15 15 N 34 Street

Orient Road Orient Road

Orient Road

N 22nd Street

Nebraska Ave

24. New Dawn Restoration 24. New Dawn Restoration Center Center 24. New Dawn Restoration Center 14413 N.N. Nebraska Ave. 14413 N. Nebraska Ave. 14413 Nebraska Ave. (813) 413-7037 (813) 413-7037 (813) 413-7037 www.newdawnrestoration.org www.newdawnrestoration.org www.newdawnrestoration.org F: F:6:30-7:30pm Dinner: Dinner: F:Dinner: 6:30-7:30pm 6:30-7:30pm

6 6 I-4

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25. Open Arms Church 25. Open Arms Church 25. Open Arms Church E. 18th Ave. (813) 248-2595 1314 E.1314 18th Ave. (813) 248-2595 1314 E. 18th Ave. (813) 248-2595 www.openarmschurch.org www.openarmschurch.org www.openarmschurch.org Breakfast: Sat ofof Month, Breakfast: 2nd Sat2nd of2nd Month, Breakfast: Sat Month, Arrive at 9am && Clothes) Arrive at 9am (Meal &(Meal Clothes) Arrive at 9am (Meal Clothes) 26.26. Portamento Hope Café 26. Portamento of Hopeof Café Portamento of Hope Café 107 Mason St., Brandon 107 Mason St., Brandon 107 Mason St., Brandon (813) 493-9644 (813) 493-9644 (813) 493-9644 www.portamentoofhope.com www.portamentoofhope.com www.portamentoofhope.com Lunch: M, W,W, F:F:12-1:30pm Lunch: M,Lunch: W, F: 12-1:30pm M, 12-1:30pm

CITY CITY YBORYBOR 34 34 34 30YBOR 30 CITY

N WN N TOW TO TOW

N WN WN O DO OW D23 D23

29 16

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10.Faith FaithCommunity Community Haitian Church 10. Haitian Church 10. Faith Community Haitian Church 6522N.N.43rd 43rdSt. St. 6522 6522 N. 43rd St. (813) 899-2845 (813) 899-2845 (813) 899-2845 www.hbumc.com www.hbumc.com www.hbumc.com Lunch: Sun: 1-2pm Lunch: Sun: 1-2pm Lunch: Sun: 1-2pm

I-275 I-275 I-275

9 9

10 10

32 32 32 33 33 33 36

To Clear To Clear water water To Clearwater

Nebraska Ave

N Florida Ave

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Cynthia Pickney Ministries 8.8.Cynthia 8.Pickney CynthiaMinistries Pickney Ministries 12006E.E.MLK MLKBlvd, Blvd, Seffner 12006 Seffner 12006 E. MLK Blvd, Seffner (Able Body Parking Lot) (Able Body Parking (Able BodyLot) Parking Lot) (813)571-1556 571-1556 (813) (813) 571-1556 www.cynthiapinckneyministries.org www.cynthiapinckneyministries.org www.cynthiapinckneyministries.org Lunch: 3rd 3rd Satofof Month, 1-3:30pm Lunch: Sat Month, 1-3:30pm Lunch: 3rd Sat of Month, 1-3:30pm

Dale Mabry Ave

Christlike Ministries 7.7.Christlike Ministries 7. Christlike Ministries 3011Orient Orient Rd. (813) 623-1099 3011 Rd. (813) 623-1099 3011 Orient Rd. (813) 623-1099 www.christlikeministry.org www.christlikeministry.org www.christlikeministry.org Breakfast: M-F:7am 7am Breakfast: M-F: Breakfast: M-F: 7am Lunch:M-F: M-F: 12pm Lunch: 12pm Lunch: M-F: 12pm Dinner:M-F: M-F: 5pm Dinner: 5pm Dinner: M-F: 5pm

Dale Mabry Ave

Hillsborough Ave Ave Hillsborough Ave Hillsborough 2

ChristUnited United Methodist Church Church 6.6.Christ Methodist Church 6. Christ United Methodist 3304E.E.Columbus Columbus Dr. 3304 Dr. 3304 E. Columbus Dr. (813)248-2175 248-2175 (813) (813) 248-2175 Lunch: Sun: Sun: 11:30am-12:30pm Lunch: 11:30am-12:30pm Lunch: Sun: 11:30am-12:30pm Dinner:Th: Th:5:30-6:30pm 5:30-6:30pm Dinner: Dinner: Th: 5:30-6:30pm

NNebraska Florida Ave Ave

Center5. for Manifestation 5.5.Center for Manifestation Center for Manifestation 3703N.N.30th 30thSt. St. 3703 3703 N. 30th St. (813)241-6919 241-6919 (813) (813) 241-6919 www.centerformanifestation.com www.centerformanifestation.com www.centerformanifestation.com Lunch:Sat: Sat: 2-3pm Lunch: 2-3pm Lunch: Sat: 2-3pm

TO TO TO 3 8 31838 818 18 19 20 19 1920 20 26 28 26 2628 28

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27.27. Riverhill Church God 27. Riverhill Church ofChurch God ofof Riverhill God 34th St. && MLK Blvd. Corner Corner of Corner 34th of St. &34th MLK Blvd. of St. MLK Blvd. (813) 985-2388 (813) 985-2388 (813) 985-2388 www.riverhills.org www.riverhills.org www.riverhills.org 6pm Dinner: Dinner: W: 6pm W:W: Dinner: 6pm

30. Tampa Underground Church Church 30.30. Tampa Underground Tampa Underground Church 1500 E.1500 7th Ave., Ybor E.E. 7th Ave., Ybor 1500 7th Ave., Ybor (Across(Across from Hampton Inn) from Hampton Inn) (Across from Hampton Inn) www.tampaunderground.com www.tampaunderground.com www.tampaunderground.com Dinner: Dinner: Th: 5:30-6:30pm Th: Dinner: Th:5:30-6:30pm 5:30-6:30pm 31. The31. Well & Truth Outreach The Well & Truth Outreach 31. The Well & Truth Outreach Ministries (Good Samaritan Inn) Ministries (Good Samaritan Inn) Ministries (Good Samaritan Inn) 3302 N.3302 Florida Ave. (813) 224-9722 N.N. Florida Ave. (813) 224-9722 3302 Florida Ave. (813) 224-9722 www.goodsamaritaninn.info www.goodsamaritaninn.info www.goodsamaritaninn.info Breakfast: W & Sun: 7:30-8:30am Breakfast: WW & Sun: Breakfast: & Sun:7:30-8:30am 7:30-8:30am Dinner: Dinner: T:Dinner: 6-7pm T:T:6-7pm 6-7pm

15. A.M.E. Zion 15.Hood HoodTemple Temple A.M.E. Zion 15. Hood Temple A.M.E. Zion 3606 3606N.N.26th 26thSt. St. 3606 N. 26th St. (813) (813)248-3363 248-3363 (813) 248-3363 Dinner: Dinner:T:Dinner: T:5-6pm 5-6pm T: 5-6pm

33. Trinity Cafe 33. Trinity Cafe 33. Trinity Cafe (uses the Salvation Army dining room) (uses the Salvation Army dining room) (uses the Salvation Army dining room) 1603 N.1603 Florida Ave. (813) 865-4822 N.N. Florida Ave. (813) 865-4822 1603 Florida Ave. (813) 865-4822 www.trinitycafe.org www.trinitycafe.org www.trinitycafe.org Lunch: Lunch: M-F: Lunch:M-F: M-F: Arrive at 10:45am for a food ticket Arrive at at 10:45am forfor aa food ticket Arrive 10:45am food ticket

16. United Methodist Church 16.Hyde HydePark Park United Methodist Church Church 16. Hyde Park United Methodist 500 500W. W.Platt Platt St.Platt St. 500St. W. (813) (813)253-5388 253-5388 (813) 253-5388 www.hydeparkumc.org www.hydeparkumc.org www.hydeparkumc.org Breakfast: Sun: Breakfast: Sun:8:30-9:30am 8:30-9:30am Breakfast: Sun: 8:30-9:30am

34. True Love M.B. Church 34. True Love M.B. Church 34. True Love M.B. Church 1908 N.1908 36th St. N. 36th St. 1908 N. 36th St. (813) 247-7909 (813) 247-7909 (813) 247-7909 Dinner: Dinner: M-F: 5-6pm M-F: Dinner: M-F:5-6pm 5-6pm

(First Baptist Church of of Mango) (First Baptist Church Mango) (First Baptist Church of Mango)

Café - Brandon 18.I IAM AMHOPE HOPE Café - Brandon 18. I AM HOPE Café - Brandon are available on Listings available on Listings are available on 18. (Nazarene Church) (Nazarene Church) Church) (Nazarene Rd., Brandon 114N. N.Kingsway Kingsway Rd., Brandon 114 N. Kingsway Rd., Brandon a first available basis available basis --basis(813) a first available - 114 www.iamhopecafe.org (813)689-5992 689-5992 www.iamhopecafe.org (813) 689-5992 www.iamhopecafe.org Call 813-283-0760 813-283-0760 Call 813-283-0760 Breakfast: Sat: Breakfast: Sat:9-10:30am 9-10:30am Breakfast: Sat: 9-10:30am

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L 29.29. St.St. Andrew's Episcopal 29. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Church Andrew's Episcopal Church 509 E.E. Twiggs 509 E. Twiggs 509 Twiggs (813) 221-2035 (813) 221-2035 (813) 221-2035 www.saintandrewstampa.org www.saintandrewstampa.org www.saintandrewstampa.org M-F: -12:30pm Lunch: Lunch: M-F: 11:30am -12:30pm Lunch: M-F:11:30am 11:30am -12:30pm (Bagged Lunches) (Bagged Lunches) (Bagged Lunches)

32.Thy 32.Thy Will Be Will Done Ministries Be Done Ministries 32.Thy Will Be Done Ministries 1603 N.1603 Florida Ave. (Parking Lot) N.N. Florida Ave. (Parking Lot) 1603 Florida Ave. (Parking Lot) (813) 221-3587 (813) 221-3587 (813) 221-3587 www.thy-will-be-done.org www.thy-will-be-done.org www.thy-will-be-done.org Lunch: Lunch: Sat: 1-2pm Sat: Lunch: Sat:1-2pm 1-2pm

11619 Seffner 11619E.E.MLK MLKBlvd., Blvd., Seffner 11619 E. MLK Blvd., Seffner (813) www.iamhopecafe.org (813)689-1423 689-1423 www.iamhopecafe.org (813) 689-1423 www.iamhopecafe.org Breakfast: Sat: 9-10am Breakfast: Sat: 9-10am Breakfast: Sat: 9-10am Lunch: T,T,F:F:6-7pm Lunch:M, M, 6-7pm Lunch: M, T, F: 6-7pm

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14. ofof Christ 14.Church Church Christof Christ 14. Church 2800 2800N. N.Highland Highland Ave. 2800 N. Ave. Highland Ave. (813) (813)223-3170 223-3170 (813) 223-3170 www.church-of-christ.org www.church-of-christ.org www.church-of-christ.org Dinner: Dinner:WDinner: W&&Th: Th:5-6pm W5-6pm & Th: 5-6pm

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28.28. St.St. Mary's Community 28. St. Mary's Community Church Church Mary's Community Church 904 E. E. Renfro, Plant City 904 E. Renfro, Plant City 904 Renfro, Plant City (813) 754-1616 (813) 754-1616 (813) 754-1616 www.stmaryscommunitychurch.com www.stmaryscommunitychurch.com www.stmaryscommunitychurch.com W:W:12-1pm Lunch: Lunch: W:Lunch: 12-1pm 12-1pm

Gandy Blvd Blvd Gandy Gandy Blvd

13. Family Church Soup Kitchen 13.Grace Grace Family Church Soup Kitchen 13. Grace Family Church Soup Kitchen 14751 Ave. 14751N. N.Nebraska Nebraska Ave. 14751 N. Nebraska Ave. (813) 265-4151 (813) 265-4151 (813) 265-4151 www.gracefamilychurch.org www.gracefamilychurch.org www.gracefamilychurch.org Dinner: Dinner:MDinner: M&&T:T:6-7:30pm 6-7:30pm M & T: 6-7:30pm

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35. The35. Salvation Army Army The Salvation 35. The Salvation Army Tampa/Hillsborough Area Command Tampa/Hillsborough Area Command Tampa/Hillsborough Area Command 1603 N.1603 Florida Avenue, Tampa, FLTampa,FL N.N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, 1603 Florida Avenue, FL 33602 Mailing Address: P. O. Box 33602 Mailing Address: P.2839, O.O. Box 2839, 33602 Mailing Address: P. Box 2839, Tampa, Tampa, FLTampa, 33601 FLFL 33601 33601 Phone (813) 226-0055 Phone (813) 226-0055 Phone (813) 226-0055 36. Homeless Coalition of 36.36. Homeless Coalition ofof Homeless Coalition Hillsborough County,County, Inc. Hillsborough Inc. Hillsborough County, Inc. Phone: Phone: 813.223.6115 813.223.6115 Phone: 813.223.6115 P.O. Box 360181 Tampa, FLTampa, 33673-0181 P.O. Box 360181 Tampa, FLFL 33673-0181 P.O. Box 360181 33673-0181 Fax: 813.223.6178 Fax: 813.223.6178 Fax: 813.223.6178 Email: info@homelessofhc.org Email: info@homelessofhc.org Email: info@homelessofhc.org

We your totobebe listed in in thethe PROVIDERS MAP. Listings are are available on aonfirst Wewelcome welcome yourorganization organization listed EPOC CH PROVIDERS MAP. Listings We welcome your organization to be listed inEPOCH the EPOCH PROVIDERS MAP. Listings areavailable available ona afirst first available basis atatthe perper year. CallCall 813-283-0760 or email bill@southtampatoday.com available basisbasis the rateofrate of$150 $150 year. 813-283-0760 or or email bill@southtampatoday.com available atrate the of $150 per year. Call 813-283-0760 email bill@southtampatoday.com

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TAMPA EPOCH • WW TAMPA EPOCH WWW.TAMPAEPOCH.COM MAY 2012 9 TAMPA EPOCH WWW.TAMPAEPOCH.COM MAY TAMPAEPOCH EPOCH••••www.TAMPAEPOCH.COM WWW.TAMPAEPOCH.COM••••JUNE MAY 2012 2012 ••• 9 9 TAMPA

8 • TAMPA EPOCH • www.TAMPAEPOCH.COM • JUNE 2012

No Burger Too Big!

Epoch Vendor Mike Gentry Takes Down The Green Iguana’s Monster Burger Challenge

- By Michael Newberger One of the main factors of living homeless is worrying about if you’ll have enough food to eat. On Wednesday May 16th, Mike Gentry had the opposite problem. Gentry, who has been homeless for 14 years, had decided to accomplish what no one in Tampa had been able to do: finish the “burger challenge” at The Green Iguana in Ybor City. The challenge consists of three full size burgers combined into one behemoth and a pound of potato wedges. If someone is able to finish the meal it’s on the house and their name becomes the stuff of legend. Gentry, however, wasn’t phased by the seemingly massive amount of food, saying that he could “eat a house.” Judging by the speed in which he was able to finish the tower of hamburgers that just may be a claim that he could back up! Mike was able to hold conversations in the process of eating four pounds of hamburgers. He barely broke a sweat and completed the first burger in about five minutes. Mike Gentry says that he’s always been able to eat a staggering amount of food. Originally from Indiana, he played football at the University of Texas El Paso and worked a variety jobs from engineering for the Marriott to security at bars and nightclubs. Gentry moved to Florida in 1992 to work, and moved to Tampa after his divorce. He’s been homeless for 14 years now. Gentry joked that when growing up, his folks would sometimes worry that he would eat through their money! He’s become known around various all you can eat establishments around town for his appetite; some love him, others not so much. “The guy from ABC gave me my money back and a medium pizza if I left”. Gentry said about one particular “all you can eat” restaurant. Mike is one of the Epoch’s most well-known and loved vendors, and last month was the paper’s tenth best vendor, selling 150 copies. In the process of taking on the challenge many people stopped to say hello to him, recognizing him from his selling of the Epoch. He takes a lot of pride in his selling of the paper, and focuses on being friendly while making sure his business is doing well. Gentry has seen a large change in people’s attitudes towards him since he’s started selling the Epoch. “One of the most interesting things experiencewise I’ve seen on these streets is that in the past, I’ve been ostracized for being homeless. Now most people respond to Epoch real nicely. They’re real supportive of the paper. They understand that that myself and the other vendors have something to bring to society instead of something to take away from it.” Gentry also says that the profits help him afford a motel room on occasion. This gives him some of the comforts that most of us take for granted on a daily basis, like sleeping on a bed as opposed to on the ground, and being able to watch television. Hygiene is also a big factor to Gentry and he says the chance to take a shower and clean up help him represent himself better in selling the Epoch to passer-bys. “I’m doing something that’s cherished to me and I’m doing something to make people proud of me including the owners of the Epoch. Besides giving me self-respect, it’s given me a way to win respect from people too.” Seeing Gentry in person, it’s easy to understand why some owners would try to cut their losses. But the challenge was a walk in the park for him! While most would give up about half-way through, Mike was pretty non-plussed by the obstacle. After completing the entire hamburger, Mike still had a sizable amount of fries to plow through, which he at first seemed a little worried about and joked that the Iguana was “throwing those on top just to make me tap out.” However, he made it down to the last fry in good time and when asked how he felt, he said that “he was looking at it and thinking of the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” The owner of the Green Iguana came out to congratulate Mike with a T-shirt to commemorate the event and his feat. Even after consuming the monster burger and fries, Gentry’s main focus was still on selling Epoch and was impatient to get back to his usual corner on Scott and Jefferson Street. “I’m ready to go sell some papers, I need to make some bread.”

STREET continued continued from page page 1 STREET STREET continued from from page 11 20 or or 30 dollars, dollars, other days days we don’t don’t make very very much,” 20 20 or 30 30 dollars, other other days we we don’t make make very much,” much,” says Phillip’s wife, Bonnie Elliot. The couple, and their their says says Phillip’s Phillip’s wife, wife, Bonnie Bonnie Elliot. Elliot. The The couple, couple, and and their daughter Suzanne, sells EPOCH along Dale Mabry bedaughter daughter Suzanne, Suzanne, sells sells EPOCH EPOCH along along Dale Dale Mabry Mabry bebetween Spruce and Cypress. “A lot of people close their tween tween Spruce Spruce and and Cypress. Cypress. “A “A lot lot of of people people close close their their windows,” Bonnie Bonnie says, “like “like they don’t don’t even want want to windows,” windows,” Bonnie says, says, “like they they don’t even even want to to see or hear of us…to me it makes me sad and upset.” -Byor Maddux, and Gregory M. Ludtka see hear me itit makes me upset.” see orMichael hear of ofP.us…to us…to me Esq. makes me sad sad and and upset.” Phillip saysP.he’s he’s counting onand EPOCH to keep keep the the famfamof Michael Maddux, P.A.,on W.F. “Casey” Phillip says counting to Phillip says he’s counting on EPOCH EPOCH to keepEbsary, the family home. “We’d go back in the red again. The paper Jr.,home. Esq. of“We’d The Law Office W.F. Ebsary, Jr., ily go red again. paper ily home. “We’d go back back in inofthe the red“Casey” again. The The paper has been helping us quite a bit; it helps us pay some of Tampa, FL has has been been helping helping us us quite quite aa bit; bit; itit helps helps us us pay pay some some of of the bills I’ve got and to keep my home. I don’t make As the Republican National Convention approaches, the I’ve got keep home. make the bills bills I’ve got and and to to keep my my home. II don’t don’t make a enough to live live on on my my pension.” pension.”about the appropriate way healthy to public enough enough to livedebate on mycontinues pension.” “In ve months EPOCH sustained 300 people,” people,”consays to protect speech while also addressing “In months EPOCH sustained 300 “In ve vefree months EPOCH sustained 300 security people,” says says Steve Sapp, the paper’s Vendor Coordinator and trainer. cerns.Sapp, In a year policeVendor clearingCoordinator the sidewalks of trainer. “OcSteve the paper’s and Steve Sapp, theof paper’s Vendor Coordinator and trainer. Six mornings week in the the country, months it since EPOCH cupy” protestors around is hard not to smile Six mornings aaa week in EPOCH Six mornings week in the the months months since since EPOCH started, Sapp and Bill Sharpe were out at seven am, at the, perhaps accidental, honesty of local government started, started, Sapp Sapp and and Bill Bill Sharpe Sharpe were were out out at at seven seven am, am, distributing papers, signing up new vendors and staging officials-originally their choreographed distributing papers, signing up new and distributing papers,calling signing upcarefully new vendors vendors and staging staging training sessions. Sapp has forged a special relationship controlled speech zone Zone. training sessions. Sapp has forged aa special training sessions. Sappthe hasClean forged special relationship relationship withRestricting his vendors. vendors. “They look to you you as as their biggest free“They speech at the conventions with look to biggest with his his vendors. “They look to national you as their their biggest social contact of the day, the week, the month,” Sapp of either political party is nothing new. theSapp 2004 social contact of the the month,” social contact of the the day, day, the week, week, theDuring month,” Sapp says, “because they’re so used to being shied away in Democratic National Convention, the City of Boston says, in says, “because “because they’re they’re so so used used to to being being shied shied away away used in

Clean Zone Out, Event Zone In

Sheron Alves Bass Attorney at Law

10320 North 56th Street, Suite 220 Temple Terrace, FL 33617 (813) 988-4040 sheron@basslawgroup.com

STREET continued from page 1 a special demonstration zoneusing (DZ).the The DZroom, was “a public at businesses, businesses, or when when rest andheavits public at or using the rest and public atdollars, businesses, ordays whenwe using themake rest room, room, and its its 20 30 other don’t very much,” ilyor secured space, approximately 90 feet by 300We feet, usually ‘get out of here we don’t want you here.’ gave usually ‘get out of here we don’t want you here.’ We gave usually ‘get out of here we don’t want you here.’ We gave says Phillip’s Elliot. The couple, and their located thewife, most part underneath unused rail tracks,” them thefor dignity andBonnie respect they deserved. deserved. We didn’t them respect they We didn’t them the the dignity dignity and and respect they along deserved. We didn’tbedaughter Suzanne, sells EPOCH Dale Mabry according to the United that States of Appeals forhave the know the circumstances circumstances gotCourt them there, there, it could could know that got them have know the the circumstances that“A gotlot them there, ititclose couldtheir have tween Spruce and itCypress. ofthe people First bad Circuit. been choices, could have been bad economy, but been ititsays, could have been the economy, been bad bad choices, choices, could“like havethey beendon’t the bad bad economy, but windows,” even want tobut From the allBonnie accounts, it appears that Tampa and its are whatever case may be, they got there. And if they whatever the case may be, they got there. And if they are whatever the case may be, they got there. And if they are see or hear ofthe us…to it makes me course sad thinking andbyupset.” concerned citizens areme taking theobviously right contrying to sell sell paper, they are about trying the they are obviously thinking about trying to to sellhe’s the paper, paper, theyon are obviously thinking about Phillip says counting EPOCH to keep the famfrontingback the sometimes overly restrictive security meacoming on the right track, and they need to be treated coming back on the right track, and they need to be treated coming back on the right track, and they need to be treated ily home. “We’d go back incan the redtheir again. The sures employed those with political power to paper ensure with respect so at atby least they do best.” with respect so least they can do their best.” with respect so at least they can do their best.” has been helping awas bit;dramatic it helps us pay some their own comfort.usimpact Inquite the weeks and months ahead all of The EPOCH’s Sapp says. The impact was dramatic Sapp says. The EPOCH’s EPOCH’s impact wasmy dramatic Sapp says. the bills I’ve got and to keep home. I don’t make of us should stay alert andstarted make sure thatthe even our they most “When the vendors vendors rst selling paper “When rst “When the thelive vendors rst started started selling selling the the paper paper they they enough to onthe my pension.” unpopular opinions do not end up behind razor to wire and were looking at ground, they didn’t want look were at ground, they to were looking at the theEPOCH ground,sustained they didn’t didn’t want want to look look “Inlooking ve months people,” says under railroad tracks. After all,ofitweeks is not 300 enough that all of at the person. After a couple they’re building at person. After aa couple of weeks building at the theSapp, person. After couple of Coordinator weeks they’re they’re building Steve the paper’s Vendor and trainer. us becon allowed to speak; we should also demand oureye, right their dence, now they’re looking you in the their con now looking you in their con dence, dence, nowinthey’re they’re looking youEPOCH in the the eye, eye, Six mornings a week the months since to be heard. they’re smiling, and they’re they’re interacting. And II think think its its they’re smiling, and interacting. And they’re smiling, and they’re interacting. And I think its started, Sapp information and Billback Sharpe were out atP.seven am,buildFor more contact Michael Maddux, P.A. key to getting them into the general society, key to getting them back into the general society, buildkey to getting them back into the general society, builddistributing papers, upthat’s new one vendors and staging at (813) orsigning visit news.protestzone.com. To read ing con 253-3363 dence again. think of the the biggest ing dence III has think that’s of biggest ing con con sessions. dence again. again. think that’saone one of the biggest training Sapp forged special relationship more about to thethem legalbeing controversy over the 2004 Demohindrances able to get a job is that they hindrances to being able aa job isisbiggest that hindrances to them them beinglook abletoto to get getas job that they they with his vendors. “They their craticso National Convention in theyou United States Court of feel down about themselves.” feel so down about themselves.” feel so down about themselves.” social contact the day, theOak week, the United month,” Sappv. Appeals for theofFirst Circuit, see Bl(a)ck Tea Society Pastor Norm Coffman of Grove Methodist Pastor Norm Coffman of Oak United Methodist Pastor Normthey’re Coffman of OaktoGrove Grove United Methodist says, “because so used being shied away in City of Boston, 378asF.a 3d 8 (2004). Church spent time time child in an an inner city city mission. RisRisChurch Church spent spent time as as aa child child in in an inner inner city mission. mission. Rising out of homelessness, Pastor ran a homeless shelter in ing ing out out of of homelessness, homelessness, Pastor Pastor ran ran aa homeless homeless shelter shelter in in San Francisco. He says of Bill Sharpe, “his work enabled San San Francisco. Francisco. He He says says of of Bill Bill Sharpe, Sharpe, “his “his work work enabled enabled people to to have aa sense sense of self self worth and and being able able at people people to have have a sense of of self worth worth and being being able at at the same time to eke out subsistence and he didn’t let the the the the same same time time to to eke eke out out subsistence subsistence and and he he didn’t didn’t let let the powers that be deter him, he wasn’t arrogant about it, but powers powers that that be be deter deter him, him, he he wasn’t wasn’t arrogant arrogant about about it, it, but but he was driven to see a dream come true to see others help he he was was driven driven to to see see aa dream dream come come true true to to see see others others help help themselves, and and you just just have to to admire that”. that”. themselves, themselves, and you you just have have to admire admire that”. And Coffman, asked about Sharpe’s legacy, turned turned And And Coffman, Coffman, asked asked about about Sharpe’s Sharpe’s legacy, legacy, turned to George Bernard Shaw, “People see things as they are are to to George George Bernard Bernard Shaw, Shaw, “People “People see see things things as as they they are and they always wonder why. Then there are others that and and they they always always wonder wonder why. why. Then Then there there are are others others that that see things things that never never were and and ask why why not.” The The Pastor see see things that that never were were and ask ask why not.” not.” The Pastor Pastor added, “Bill “Bill was one one of those those guys asking asking why not. not. He added, added, “Bill was was one of of those guys guys asking why why not. He He was one of those guys”. was was one one of of those those guys”. guys”.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 2011 STREET SURVIVAL GUIDE

Guide created by the Homeless Guide Guide created created by by the the Homeless Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County Coalition Coalition of of Hillsborough Hillsborough County County

Guide created by the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County

Note: Many services require proper and documents. Note: Note:Many Manyservices servicesrequire requireproper properIDIDIDand anddocuments. documents. Calling ahead of time or checking websites is highly recommended. Calling Callingahead aheadofoftime timeororchecking checkingwebsites websitesisishighly highlyrecommended. recommended.

Note: Many services require proper ID and documents. Calling ahead of time or checking websites is highly recommended.

public at businesses, or when using the rest room, and its usually ‘get out of here we don’t want you here.’ We gave them the dignity and respect they deserved. We didn’t know the circumstances that got them there, it could have been bad choices, it could have been the bad economy, but whatever the case may be, they got there. And if they are trying to sell the paper, they are obviously thinking about coming back on the right track, and they need to be treated with respect so at least they can do their best.” The EPOCH’s impact was dramatic Sapp says. “When the vendors rst started selling the paper they were looking at the ground, they didn’t want to look at the person. After a couple of weeks they’re building their con dence, now they’re looking you in the eye, they’re smiling, and they’re interacting. And I think its key to getting them back into the general society, building con dence again. I think that’s one of the biggest hindrances to them being able to get a job is that they feel so down about themselves.” Pastor Norm Coffman of Oak Grove United Methodist Church spent time as a child in an inner city mission. Rising out of homelessness, Pastor ran a homeless shelter in San Francisco. He says of Bill Sharpe, “his work enabled people to have a sense of self worth and being able at the same time to eke out subsistence and he didn’t let the powers that be deter him, he wasn’t arrogant about it, but he was driven to see a dream come true to see others help themselves, and you just have to admire that”. And Coffman, asked about Sharpe’s legacy, turned to George Bernard Shaw, “People see things as they are and they always wonder why. Then there are others that see things that never were and ask why not.” The Pastor added, “Bill was one of those guys asking why not. He was one of those guys”.

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10 10 •• TAMPA TAMPA EPOCH EPOCH •• WWW.TAMPAEPOCH.COM www.TAMPAEPOCH.COM •• MAY JUNE2012 2012

Job Seekers are Getting to Work Charlie’s Corner Bill’s Memorial… - By Warren Elly

Florida’s 24 regional workforce and the nearly 100 one-stop career cenHi there. My name is Charlie and boards I Bill Sharpe maymy beto best remembered for strong creatingcommitment the EPOCH and giving unemtersWhile they oversee continue demonstrate their to helping have waited years to put story on hundreds of people self-respect and income they desperately need, he was also one of ployed You Floridians getold to work. April, nearly 30,000 job placements of Floridians paper. know the saying,In“if Tampa’s most proli c community activists and fund-raisers. He also would never shyjob who were by thehow boards walls couldassisted talk?” Well, aboutwere if reported. Since January, nearly 124,000 from a political ght or cause that he believed in. placements havethe been reported statewide including about 27,500 job seekers who cats could speak human language? I been doubtyou, I ever attended awould meeting public hearing on issues concerning his beloved receiving unemployment compensation. Ihad promise our stories lineor SOHO, South Tampa and Davis Islands Billin wasn’t there. placements an indicator of hiring Florida as the state’s economic rethe These pages of novels andare make millions where It seems he gave away more ads in his South Tampa Community News than hegrowth colcovery continues. Governor Rick Scott has made job creation and economic at the box of ce. We are quiet, lected payment for, constantly trading out with restaurants and businesses to provide the the top priority for his administration. cunning and sometimes pretend to be diners, nights out, wine tastings and vip tickets to concerts and events that he’d raf e “The work of regional to connect job seekers with employers lookingto aloof…but believe me….weboards are busy raise money for scores of local charities. to hirenotes is instrumental to our our ongoing efforts to to. retain and grow jobs in Florida,” taking on what mischief humans are up It Governor would takeRick much more “We than the three minutes I’ve got here tomagazine’s list all his contribusaid recent Cats are supposed Scott. to have ninecan livestell andfrom that Chief is true Executive as far as I can tell. My tale goes tions, all his good deeds, but any of you who knew Bill knew that somehow, someway, he improved like ranking from the 3 spot thatyears our state becoming something this: ofI Florida was wandering theNo. streets for to theNo. rst2few of myisexistence. was everywhere trying to help, trying to do what he thought was the right thing. You also knownI as placeI took for businesses expand In up light thesethat When wasthe onebest or two, a wild ride to in the backand of a create van andjobs. ended at aofplace knew he’d put his causes rst, and his own wallet and well being last. job opportunities, we will remain focused on outcomes such as job placements performed a minor surgery on me. When the van drove me back to where it found methat (on The most list, astoI say, is long… matter Florida familiesletand the streets), my feral cat friends me businesses.” know that my hopes of making any more kittens Collecting food donations the Christmas HolidaysReport each year on Davis continued Islands; the results from April’sfor Monthly Job Placement underscore wereThe dashed. annual holiday party he and his South Tampa Community News threw each year; Pets progress with 29,514 placed in jobs. Of these individuals, 6,754heart, weretheir Oh well, I was readyindividuals to take it easy anyway and purr my way into someone’s about Town, an event where folks would hang out at MacDintons with their leashed pets receiving unemployment compensation. home anddonations eventually… their refrigerator. So, when thatand vanother cameanimal aroundrelated again,charities I jumped to gather for the humane society one month; “With everytojob placement, are advancing andnew economic in was in taken amonths. shelter, givenwe a cozy blanket andworkforce met so many people. developin and rotation future ment goals to strengthen Florida’s economy,” said Chris Hart IV, President/CEO of Then, one day about 12 years and ago a ghting kind man, with a warm smile and bright eyes opened Most recently, raising for restoration oforganization. the historic Roy Jenkins Workforce Florida Inc., money the state’s chief workforce policy “Economic my and to gently me. As soon as I smelled him, I knew this human was Poolcage withstarts hisbegan Bluz and BBQ pet events. month Bill reported that Davis success at the regional level Just and last I commend boards statewide andIslands their frontmine… all mine. I could just picture our future together. residents to allowathe use of a half line staffhad for voted maintaining strong focus onmillion jobs.” dollars in funds form the sale of city Iproperty think hetoknew our fatecombined as quicklywith as Iadid. In about tenfrom minutes, I wasfunds out of cage TGH to be million dollars tothat restore The Monthly Job Placement Report was developed byCity the CIT Florida Department of with the cozy blanket and was sitting in the back seat of a car with my human at the wheel. and reopen Opportunity the Jenkins pool. Bill didn’t stop there. He put another 25-thousand Economic and But Workforce Florida in response to Governor Scott’she’d call Whofrom wasprevious my new events Dad you ask? Well, none one and othercontinued than the legendary BilltheSharpe, raised the restoration operation and of pool. for enhanced performance towards measurement to support economic recovery growth. founder of EPOCH newspaper and the South Tampa Community News. My Dad had his Bill’s Celebrate Tampa Bay monthly networking receptions and fundraisers always It highlights job-placement achievement and facilitates the identification and sharing aimed ngers in a lot of pies; as you can imagine our lifeThe wasSpring, a colorful indeed. to local charities…just Theone Child abuse council, of bestcontributions practices. The report also providesa few; another measurement of Florida’s ecoWe were able to travel and live in new places…the last one being my favorite, Autism Speaks, Easter Seals of Tampa Bay, Heartbeat International – which provides aa nomic activities. sprawling warehouse with lots of places to hide andthem, thingsQuantum to chase.Leap Well, “chase” isn’t bankAnother for those who need pacemakers but can’t afford Farms economic indicator is employment data from the Department of with Eco- its exactly the right word. I am now in my teens you see and my favorite place to be was horse therapy programsLabor for wounded called ‘horses for healing.’ nomic Opportunity’s Marketveterans Statistics Center. Florida’s 9-percent unemploywrapped around mythe dad’s legs or sitting on his lap while he of typed story events after story for And don’t forget MacDonald’s Training Center, Wheels Success, for the ment rate in March was the largest over-the-month decline since 1992. Nonagriculhis newspapers. Florida Orchestra, andbynumerous community cleanups. tural jobs increased 10,800 over the month and 89,800 jobs over the year. Seven My Dad taught me, Charlie, a street cat at heart, howthe to deeply lovecompany and some-Bill And who kept things moving at the newspapers and marketing while industries delivered over-the-year job growth: trade, transportation andtrust utilities; one. Now, my dad Bill has gone to be with the angels in the sky and I am learning love was out fund raising and organizing charity and great causes??? professional and business services;foreducation and health services; leisure and to hosmy new Mom and Dad. They have a porch where I enjoy sitting and a backyard that I - Brooks financial Morgan worked tirelessly on advertising events …and Growth Brooks volunteered pitality; activities; manufacturing; andand other services. primarilyam claiming own. have heardvenders… rumors of an RV just waiting to take us on a cross to get up as before dawn meeteven EPOCH occurred inmy food andIto beverage stores, employment services; ambulatory health care country trip. My paws could get used to this lifestyle. -services; Steve Sapp worked on training and supplying EPOCH venders…along with event work food services and drinking places; real estate; fabricated metal product miss my Bill but he has leftand me laundry in good hands. And, I know that whenmarket I cross that andI occasional adand sales… manufacturing; personal services, according to labor inforrainbow bridge EPOCH in the skyand oneSouth day, he will Community be waiting with his editor, warm smile, eyesjack and -mation. Amy Lassiter Tampa News’ writer,bright reporter, arms wide open. of allFor trades…she even brought in ad sales… more information on Workforce Florida or its state and local workforce - Debbie Petrowski…who worked as Bill’s secretary assistant… partners, visitWorkforceFlorida.com. Please visit and EmployFlorida.com to list a job Warmest purrs, opening or search for jobs and access a wide array of workforce resources. MEMORIAL continued on page 11 Charlie the Cat (Translated by Jenn Fadal, www.jennfadal.com)

SURVIVAL GUIDE PAGE 2 - CONTINUED from OTHER SIDE

A Fresh Look into the PULSE of Tampa

SUPER VENDOR

Bill, reported that “two months of dawn interactions with others…” Karen Goss Marc Kinsburg Castillo Jason Gerardi people layered in sweatshirts and wool caps in a gravel Beth Bell: “Bill was a man with many dreams and a Maria Lewis Rosemary Hendera Sheila Waddill Sheila Wigent parking lot on N. Tampa Street have caused some kind of soft heart. His vision was always more than his reality. 8realignment.” • TAMPA EPOCH • WWW.TAMPAEPOCH.COMEveryone • MAY he 2012 Ralph I. Dunne met was his friend…. Perhaps his efforts have EPOCH • www.TAMPAEPOCH.COM • JUNE&2012 • 11 Will TAMPA Crabtree Charlene Hargett Charley Mary Months before, after the panhandling ban and EPmade each of us look at the world a little differently” Barb Izzi Michelle Fineberg Brooks Palmer Greacen OCH’s rst issue, Reporter Jodie Tillman of the Times Speaking of Bill and what he did for the Community, VENDORS continued is not aNorm tool allowing homeless and impoverished quoted those who disparaged the newspaper as some kind Lisa Reeves Pastor Coffmanthe of the Oak Grove United MethodAngela Furney Karen Simmons Marcia Biggs Bill Sharpe Memorial from page 1 Vendor among us towas skirt the law.ofPublic is Shaw… transformed of threat to the greaterContract good. Some urged advertisers to ist Church reminded Georgeopinion Bernard who as Epoch continues tosee grow month afterare month, and alcritiboycott EPOCH. who would support this with Speech“Those - Linda Karson wrote: “some people things as they and they -By Brady dollars,” Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn It was a bright spring day when he contacted me to cism a backseat to support. theirJosh advertising waystakes wonder why. Then there’s others that see things that NAME:_______________________________ Bill’s reason for being was to bringVENDOR people together. He was andBill still is greatertogood.” When I learned that Sharpe was preparing meet. He greeted me with his usual smile and the words Consider what The Contributor has accomplished told Tillman, “are doing aapparently disservice to the never were and ask why not. And Bill was one of those a great community builder. Look around you today. Bill Sharpe wanted to include evI came to love and fear: “I got a new project for you.” unveil a street paper called Tampa Epoch, I knew what In the Mayor’s view, EPOCH was nothing more than an in Nashville. When The Contributor launched in 2007, VENDOR ID #:__________________ guys…always asking why not?” eryone in his Tampa celebration – he loved it our city be. and in Billonaispanhandling. beamingas anSharpe He had himself elected the president of a Chamber of could Ieveryone had watched from distance acBy David Rice attempt to circumvent theit.ban vendors were informed during training that selling the Vendors the following basic code-of-conduct: today thatmust we agree are and all adhere here totogether. Commerce on a whim and immediately planned to use Wading through the crowd at a busy South Tampa quaintance in good Nashville, Tennessee, built a astreet paper would call it Republican Capitalism, chance to paper alone would not be enough to lift them up out of Bill Sharpe cared deeply for people in need. Tampa now has the highest homeless its non-pro t license to acquire the necessary permits bar I looked for exactly what I was instructed to look called The Contributor from the ground up in 2007. buy MacDonald’s and a motel room for the night. poverty. Five years later, and The Contributor has been 1. I will buy Tampa Epoch from the staff for $0.25 and sell it for for $1.00. I agree not to ask for more than $1.00, solicit tips, or to stage a major downtown concert called “Blues and rate of any cityforinTampa the Epoch country. Wemeans. haveLikewise, 17,785 homeless men, women children oncontracts for. The happy fella Not at the of the bar with a South solicit donations by any other I will not ‘panhandle’ by selling with only issue of theContributor, Tasha French is thewent founder of The and Bill The story ononeand to describe the (Up to $4.00 Value) Validcorner For Delivery so successful that vendors are no longer told that during paper. Limit One Coupon Per Customer. BBQ” featuring many of the bands from his days as the Tampa Community News hat on was busy, people apany given night in Tampa. These numbers have cast a dark shadow on Tampa’s aspiraSharpe consulted with her as he laid out his plans for Sharpe was having vendors sign. It had them pledging, training. The city of Nashville has embraced the paper Expires 6.30.12 2. While vending, I agree not to sell any other goods, services, or products. Exp 5-31-2012 owner of Mr. Pub in Ocala. proaching him two and three at a time as he squeezed in tions3.to be NOT an SELL evenTAMPA greater than is already. I WILL EPOCHcity UNDER THE it INFLUENCE OF DRUGS AND/OR ALCOHOL. LIKEWISE, WHILE UNDER Epoch. French’s leadership, inpermission, only ve years The “to stay Under off private property without not sell and as a result 1/3 of The Contributor’s vendors nd THE INFLUENCE I WILL NOT SET FOOT ON ANY PROPERTY WHERE TAMPA EPOCH MEETS OR HAS OFFICE SPACE, That wasn’t unusual in my experience with Bill. a drink and a smile. ACONDUCT new commission has been formed to address the problems facing so many of the Contributor has grown into perhaps the country’s most papers while under the in uence of alcohol or drugs, secure, consistent housing. ANY BUSINESS WITH TAMPA EPOCH, OR DISPLAY ANY TAMPA EPOCH LOGO. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS It wasn’t two weeks later he announced to me that he The rst time I met Bill Sharpe is something I’ll growing number of our neighbors suffering, but even most competent comtreat motorists with respect and not solicit customers for prominent street paper withTHE monthly sales sometimes NOT LIMITED TO, MEETINGS, PHONE CALLS,who OFFICEare VISITS, DISPLAYING PAPERS, ORthe WEARING EPOCH Why shouldn’t we expect similar results here in SHIRT. take time to reach conclusions andexceeding planned to hold the Tampa Bay Seafood Festival, a never forget. He slurped down a pint of lager and talked missions even than longer to implement more a $1.” 100,000 copies. their ideas. Tampa? 4. I agree to stay off private property without permission. I will abide by any requirements set by law that restrict my proximity to sister event to the fall BBQ event that would ll Curtis my ear off about the World Cup, an event I was ready Tillman quoted Bill Sharpe saying, “I came probably Bill knewplace, thator thing. people needcomplains don’t about havemytime toornews wait. wethat had 1,500 The ofHe sudden passing as a never shock Epoch holds so much potential for good in our city. any person, And, ifin someone presence my activity ISharpe’s willknew attempt tothat educate person Hixon Park. about my rights as a newspaper vendor and the mission of Tampa Epoch. If there are more concerns that my presence may be to share my knowledge of over a series of articles he made a decision do something as cruel good twist about shelter beds in Tampa ten years ago, and that’s how many wetohave today. to the entire community. It seemsthat likeIafeel most The key to unlocking that potential lies in the efforts illegal I will move on or have them contact the Staff of Tampa Epoch at 813-283-0760. He steadily found a new project for himself and me would hire me to write in the coming months. as I do this one.” was andthe theshortly campaign fate Sharpe’s life November, came to curse an inend so after He Chinese It of is better to light a Itcandle than to of those who have rallied around Epoch since Sharpe’s 5. I followed will respect the the spaceold of other vendors andproverb: remain one linear block awaythat from other vendors whenever I am engaged and had more work for me each month than he could Perhaps the best part of that 2010 World Cup for me, selling the newspaper. If I am selling in a location that is another vendor’s official territory while they are absent, I will move on if to kill in some people’s minds, wasEpoch already Adults haveBehind it! the he sawEPOCH, Epoch take ight. It is of myhope hopeinto that can darkness. Well, he sure did electrify our community, and shined a beacon passing to20-25% maintain its of forward momentum. they arrive. pay for. I suppose we could have squabbled over money was that it was a springboard for the most meaningful underway. Those closest tofromSharpe knew was losing carry on and to serve the hundreds vendors the lives soany many founded the street paper the Tampa Epoch. Thank you he of scenes, a group of people who knew and loved Sharpe 6. I will of handle conflict when with otherhe vendors in a professional and mature manner – continue completely refraining violence. more than we did, but I thought: “What’s a few dollars professional relationship I’ve had with anyone in the Should I need to contact Tampa Epoch staff regarding another vendor, I will refer to the vendor by name. advertisers not just on EPOCH, on his rely onand it living asbusiness a source ofstreets. both income hope. And to all of our vendors. Bill loved you and allwho of the people in the He hadand but are scrambling to take what he started and to keep it Buy 3 Cupcakes and Get a 4th One 7. I AGREE TO TREAT ALL OTHERS – CUSTOMERS, STAFF, OTHER VENDORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC – between friends, especially a friend like Bill?” news business to date. whole stable of publications, web endeavors and promoYou are NOT alone!! also my hope that Epoch grows into a lasting legacy yourRESPECTFULLY, back. going. On the streets, vendors are wondering what the AND WILL NOT “HARD SELL” THREATEN, it ORis PRESSURE CUSTOMERS. When he hired me to write for STCN, I was a 26With his passing, Bill leaves behind a legacy of car8. I will only purchase the paper from Tampa Epoch staff, and I will not sell or give papers to to other vendors or non-vendors tions. He’d put everything he worked for on the line to for Sharpe. in our city from getting even The Epoch has prevented the statistic of homelessness future holdswww.JustGetTestedNow.org for them and for Epoch. In between the who intend to sell them. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION OF THE VENDOR CONTRACT. year old struggling young writer and bartender drinking ing. He cared about community, about people and about keep EPOCH publishing. ($3.50 value) Exp 5-31-2012 (Limit One Per Customer start,money Epochfor hasfood, facedelectricconsiderable criticism worse. One of ourIS THE vendors me, “Sometimes From I havethe enough many questions surrounding the future of Epoch, there is REINSTATEMENT OPTIONtold OF THE STAFF. Per Day. Max Discount Per Coupon is $3.50) his way through his mid twenties. It was Bill who often the big picture. A socialite with a heart of gold, his After Bill’s passing, Times Columnist Sue Carlton, 9. I will not wear clothing that may mislead or provide advertising that could mislead customers into believing I work for or locals. rst Iissue ity and rent, but not often, because if a family from member takesThe ill, then don’twas havepublished enough.”in December, an air of respect for what Sharpe created and a hope that challenged me to be something more than a mediocre represent another organization. friends were so wide under theme headline, “Missing the manpassed with aan plan to 2011, shortly after the city of Tampa ordinance Without the Epoch to not supplement her income, told she’d be “up Epoch will ourish. 10. I understand that I am a legal employee of Tampa Epoch she but a contracted worker responsible for a mycreek.” own wellbeing and sports writer and to think bigger. He tasked me with ranging, so diverse, you’d help the homeless”, from histhis news confer- isincome. panhandling. timing of inaugural As a community, collectively we should recognize Bill Sharpe felt the pain of our suffering prohibiting neighbors more thanquoted mostThe ofBill the people TAMPA EPOCH • WWW.TAMPAEPOCH.COM MAY 2012 • 11 Free Brake projects I didn’t want to tackle, but•by the end of every never meet them all and 11. As an independent contractor, I understand my badge and official Tampa (bags, aprons, shirts etc.)distributed what Bay Area Automotive Services WINTER MAINTENANCE ence theEpoch daygear EPOCH was rst tothat venders. sue may have helped to create aare perception it is not a Check Epoch as a shared asset worth nurturing and growing. who identify knewmehim realized. as a vendor, and I will not deface, alter or change them in any way. I must always present my badge when one was glad that I did. SERVICE SPECIAL certainly never guess how ($10 Value) “Homeless people,” Sharpe said wished toused the TV cameras, newspaper, but instead a we gimmick to around“are the purchasing papers and always wear my badge plain view I care am selling Epoch. Epoch has only scratched the surface of its potential. One of the Epoch vendors toldinme, “Hewhenever took of Tampa us so much, just heget From writing about local politics to columns about “We Cana Fix he knew orpricewhat 12. Tampa Epoch strives to be a paper that covers issues surrounding homelessness and povertyand – while providing a source of Savehe $30them NOW! Reg. $69.99 he brothers and sisters sons and daughters – they’re not LEGACY continued pageonward 5 “I think it’s saving lot That” of people,” said. ordinance. Epoch is a far cry from a gimmick. Epoch In memory of Billfrom Sharpe, and upward. took income better care of himself. We would have done anything to help him, but we had no Free A.C. for homeless and formerly homeless individuals. I will try to help in this effort and to spread the word about the paper’s the current social state of man kind, Bill dared me to meant to each of them. Check just people standing out there. I think people forget that Unfortunately, there was nothing and no one who could goal. idea.” In another one of those Bill moments, he called me ($15 Value) write things I’d never considered myself quali ed to do In my time getting sometimes.” toldyou another “they (the vendors) return the favor. Well, Epoch you helped him every dayHe when camereporter, to buy newsto his of ce last year and asked if I had been following How canto we our best contact you ?vendors, ________________ Telephone:_______________________________ before. He put me in a room with high ranking of cials, to know Bill, I came to Premium Oil Change with Tire Rotation, The last time I saw Bill will forever haunt me because could be us, and we’re at scared of heart that.” Point Tampa Crossroads recently received an award from the Brake Inspection and Complete the city’s plans to ban panhandling. Little Free did I27know papers, and you stood tall as business people, not panhandlers. You made Bill’s Tampa, FL 33606 minor celebrities and people you could call the movers Inspection understand just how much Maintenance Analysis - Includes Premium of the news that followed the next morning, it at Tampa City Hall, Carlton Bill Synthetic-blend just Oil (up toas 5 qts incl.), Hillsborough County-City Planning Commission. The ($25 Value) that what he was about to say would soon have his face sing,Email: and________________________________________________________ I can tell you, we will always believe Even in your quiet courage as you standreported, on OE-spec Oil Filter, Chassis Lubrication (as and shakers of Tampa Bay and left the questions up to 5802 S Dale Mabry one person could achieve will haunt everyone who cared about him. But how we applicable),Fluid Top-off, Full Under-Car Sharpe was remembered. Council member Yvonne Yolie PH (813) 254-0699 newly completed apartment complex called Eco-Oaks on every newspaper in town that wasn’t his own. and Under-Hood Inspections, and a our Organization corners. that you are most closely associated with: ______________________________ me. in a day. The extent of his 10% Off Factory Maintenance Analysis. remember him now is more important than how we ever Hwy Tampa, Fl 33611 FX (813) 250-0890 Capin called for a moment of silence saying, “I just felt hasHe received a Platinum certificationinfrom “I’ve got some research to do yet, but I Any think I’ve Repair Bill connected Tampa, Florida to the network of over 40 other street newspapers in *CODE: Plus shopwaste supplies and tax. sent me over the L.E.E.D.S. edge of a skyscraper one the ability toEPOCH; never a Who should we contact in the event of an emergency:_______________________ knewBayAreaAS@hotmail.com him. Work Additional quarts extra. Expires 05/31/2012 that he wanted to do right by Tampa, and we will miss United States Green Building Council for the unique degot an idea to help these homeless people that’s going 813-374-2153 our nation, and to 140 others worldwide. Tampa: we should be proud, and we have our issue and taught me more about a local state representamoment came to laugh be one For me, I will always remember his infectious him.” And how:_________________________________ to be a huge project,” he said. “I think we can do it and sign of this affordable housing for homeless veterans andI city and vendors to thank for this. tive than I really cared to know in the next. He knew the things I admired and his ability to see the good inofpeople. He was a mentor, I think it needs to be done.” families. The Eco-Oaks project was a partnership with Please remember that it is just plain wrong to drive wasn’t an expert, but he had a genuine respect for me,the This Vendor is assigned to ______________________________________ location.by people on our corners and the good most person. about him, his friend, boss, inspiration and a truly I hope Just like that, the Tampa Epoch was born. City of Tampa-NSP purchase a foreclosed property pretend that they don’t exist. Each one of them has a story, many not much different something he madeto sure you knew he had for you, ifand he ngers in so Epoch, many difthat together, we can remember him through if for Additional Comments: He would do his research, create his plan of how it help remove slum and blight from the identified neighborfrom our own. And Bill Sharpe wanted the stories of all of our citizens to be told and had it. ferent pies I could never no other reason than he was a man worth remembering. would work and as it was documented by every news hoods. The Tampa Port Authority, in conjunction with NOAA’s The freedom Bill gave me to write and learn on the listened to. of what His legacy can’t be about hiskeep deathtrack or what led towent it, outlet in town, Bill would go onto pour his heart into This project is theoutside first Platinum LEEDS certified job is rarely found of an academic setting. afHe National Weather Service and other key partners, have Bill Sharpe has passed the torch to each and every one of us. It is our turn to run into a single day’s work it has to be about his life. That legacy is a glass half full Vendor Name: ______________________________________ Epoch. Over some chicken wings and beers just a week fordable housing in the State of Florida. Not have the believed in me, just as he believed in all ofonly his people. launched an initiative called “Weather-Ready Nation,” a in his world. with it, and start an epic journey. Let us all open our hearts and minds, and illuminate story that can’t be wrapped up in a few words or even an or so before his death, he told me that creating this efforts been recognized by the USGBC, but with they my led to the entire article. He was complicated at times, a temper as highly collaborative project in he’s Tampa to provide enhanced our Vendor lives Signature:_________________________________ when we begin to learn about theDate:_____________________________ people that Bill loved most. He dealt paper was the best thing that ever done. He talked award for “Outstanding Contribution to the Community fervent as his passion for making things happen. He was shortcomings, my lazi- support services and rapid information Bill, I think that everyone in this room could honestly say it was anBadge honor and a Approved/interviewed by:________________________________________________ T-Shirt _______ ID________ about the difference you see in a mansharing who is before, on the corSustainable and Affordable Housing.” a memorable guy and if there is something that we can ness, my jaded attitude during and after weather and marine All weather deep privilege to have had you in our lives. ner working andsevere the man who is onother it begging. over Eco-Oaks has incorporated all the Green Technolall share, a medium for remembering a man who saw the andofperception. Looking events. this city, Bill’s latest project is lifting people up, even if ogy available to reduce its carbon offset over help 50-Tons potential in us all, it’s the pages you hold in your hand at it now,by I can’t but Of particular importance it was just the difference in seeing a man carry himself right now. annually, harvest rainwater, reduce electrical consumption feel like many of us may to thepride port instead authority isshame. the with of Guide created by the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County As the future of his vast amount of work hangs in more bills friend to near -by For Bill,than By 90% Rainetherefore Torres reducing never electric nd another maritime aspect, asmade this new Bill and I often fun of ourselves for our money the balance, those of us who knew Bill hope that Epoch zero for working families, and set new standards for aflike Bill again, one willing pilot project go beyond problems andwill towards the end we often joked that the survives and continues to have the impact that we’ve seen Peace be with you William Joseph Sharpe. fordable housing in our community. to accept, work with who the domain twotraditional of us should be out there selling Epoch as encourthus far. His story ended tragically, but his work was his May God give you rest. you are and challenge you Those part of the Eco-Oaks community are pleased to aging of Weather Tampa’s homeless earning a decent of the stories National legacy and that legacy must live on through these pages You are an amazing child of God. to be better. be a part of the “greening” of the Nebraska Ave. corridor days wage from the paper poured in. Service and address impacts for years to come. It only took $1, but today, by reading Forget the rest He truly believed in the and to help provide safe and affordable housing for workthat cross both ecological it you help those who knew Bill Sharpe keep his legacy Because today is your day and economic you’re notand thatcultural far away. poing families in our community. and economic boundaries. alive. From the people in the of ce to the vendors on the Heaven is just a phone call away and I’d rather laugh tential of the Tampa Bay The waters of Tampa FOOD, FUN, Bay MUSIC BRING THE KIDS (ARTS AND CRAFT street, that $1TABLE) keeps alive in all of us, a little piece of an than cry today. area, working tirelessly to play host to an extremely incredible guy who loved this town. So stop please and get out yourdo lighters his part in building the busy, 42-mile cargo ship And hold a ame for this awesome ghter South Tampa community andTampa the journey He is an angel for sure, he wasinto one something here. -channel, From The Bay Times, Edited by Warren Elly we could for the vessels can vary, MEMORIAL continued from page 10 So pick up your glass and yell all andbe cheer, proud of. From stagweather-wise, along thatwhat drove Bill Sharpe to end his Be it water, soda or a beer. We will never know - And Derek Reusser who did ad design and layout for the ing large scale concerts path.All Therefore, and of what became his very perI know you’re watching from up life. we have timely are echoes papers by remote control from Pennsylvania… to above, hosting ghost tours accurate weather informaSo Ill lift it up in the name of love. sonal battle to keep EPOCH going for the people who’d All of them made it all happen for Bill… and for us…. and networking events, tion and supporton can be and a his newspaper. So respect and listen to what I’m come to depend him thesaying! man helped make this critical Because tonight I know that I’lltown be praying. Here,factor. thanks to the Tampa Bay Times, are some snapAnd a few quotes from Bill’s FACEBOOK page help anything but boring I’m from Texas too! And I’ll get it done shots. Tampa is one of six tell the tale of what he did for us all… without costing the patron Expires 6.30.12 Because William Sharpe was number one! The headline writers Weather-Ready Nation declared in January, “In cold light Ann Marie Repko MaGuire: “Bill lived under constant a fortune, if anything at So bow your head, head bangs, or nod. of dawn, publisher sees reality of homelessness.” Times areas, along with Washingcriticism over his events, his projects and every other all. Reporter piece ton D.C.;John NewBarry’s Orleans; Fortwas one of Bill’s favorites. aspect of his life. Guilty of one thing, trying to please all LEGACY continued on page 11 He’d posted it Charleston, on his of ce wall after moving his beloved the people all the time. He elded a ton of complaints Worth, Texas; cat, business and his MD. belongings into a West Tampa everyday. Everyone knew how it could be done better, but WV;his and Silver Spring, warehouse he’d call home. I didn’t see anyone else doing it. How many of us took the The project will engage “He was neither newspaper crusader nor do-gooder.” time to say, that was GREAT…” multiple agencies, emerBarry wrote, “He never liked giving money to panhanKaren Simmons: Bill always knew how to connect gency management and the dlers. He knew as much about the homeless as the next people for good times. He was a generous man with a good media to provide the best guy.” Barry, sensing what so many of us had seen in heart…He championed for what he thought would help possible weather and enviFree and Open to the Public Bill, reported that “two months of dawn interactions with others…” ronmental service. Other people layered in sweatshirts and wool caps in a gravel Beth Bell: “Bill was a man with many dreams and a partnering agencies are the parking lot on N. Tampa Street have caused some kind of soft heart. His vision was always more than his reality. National Marine Fisheries realignment.” Everyone he met was his friend…. Perhaps his efforts have 8:30 a.m. - Networking and Breakfast • 9:30 - 11 a.m. − Forum Service, the National Months before, afterOcean the panhandling ban and EPmade each of us look at the world a little differently” Service, rst theissue, OfficeReporter of Re- Jodie Tillman of the Times OCH’s Speaking of Bill and what he did for the Community, Thekind Straz Center for the Performing Arts (Jaeb Theater) sponse those and Restoration, and the newspaper as some quoted who disparaged Pastor Norm Coffman of the Oak Grove United Method1010 MacInnes Place • Tampa, FL 33602 Mote Marine in Some urged advertisers of threat to theLaboratory, greater good. to North W.C. ist Church was reminded of George Bernard Shaw… who Sarasota.EPOCH. Some of“Those the benboycott who would support this with wrote: “some people see things as they are and they alSpace is limited and advance registration is recommended their advertising Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn efits of this joint dollars,” partnership ways wonder why. Then there’s others that see things that Visit www.homelessofhc.org for more information told “are doing will Tillman, be the mitigation of a disservice to the greater good.” never were and ask why not. And Bill was one of those In the Mayor’s nothing moreBY than an future risk and view, impactEPOCH from was SPONSORED guys…always asking why not?” attempt to storm circumvent hurricane surge the andban on panhandling. Sharpe would call it good Republican Capitalism, a chance to the provision of safety and buy MacDonald’s and a motel room for the night. high-impact marine weather The story went on to describe the contracts Bill (Up to $4.00 Value) Not Valid For Delivery information for the safety of Limit One Coupon Per Customer. Sharpe was having vendors sign. It had them pledging, marine navigation through Exp 5-31-2012 Expires 6.30.12 “to stay off private property without permission, not sell the port. papers while under the in uence of alcohol or drugs, treat motorists with respect and not solicit customers for more than a $1.” Tillman quoted Bill Sharpe saying, “I probably never

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More shots of BIll as well as some of his devoted Epoch vendors

Travels with Bill

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Community Forum on Homeless Youth Wednesday, June 13, 2012

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