May 12, 2008
West Tampa Boys' Club Reunion
Alvarez Garcia is pleased to announce a reunion of all West Tampa Boys' Club alumni on February 21, 2009, between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
A cocktail party will be held at the club's new headquarters at 1301 North Boulevard in Tampa and should provide a wonderful opportunity for former members to reunite while seeing how the traditions of support and fellowship continue at today's club.
All alumni are urged to contact Community Relations Director, Ricky Gallon, with their contact information and any information they may have on other members who attended the West Tampa Boys' Club between 1945 and 1985. Mr. Gallon can be reached by telephone at (813) 769-7541 or by email at rgallon@bgctampa.org.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 08:38 PM
May 01, 2008
Hyde Park Village Live Music Series
All friends of the firm are invited to join the fun at the Hyde Park Village Live Music Series. The event takes place in the shade of the shopping district and on the last Wednesday of every month between May and October. The music begins at 6:00 p.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m. although the beer, wine and socializing often continue into the night. Be sure to visit the Alvarez Garcia tent near the fountain and pick up a complimentary "green grocery bag" or college football magnet while they last!
More information and directions are available by clicking www.hydeparkvillage.net/events/.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 07:50 PM
April 15, 2008
Garcia Places in Top Third and "Escapes" from Ft. Desoto
APRIL 2008 - Anthony Garcia overcame the rigors of running, swimming and biking, as well as considerable chafing, to place in the top third of his age group at the "Escape from Fort DeSoto" triathlon. Anthony's success has led to a real interest in Beijing and watching the upcoming Olympics from his living room.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 08:46 PM
January 09, 2008
Alvarez Resumes Service on Boys' Club Board of Directors
JANUARY 2008 - Rick Alvarez has resumed his service on the board of directors for the Boys' Clubs of Tampa Bay, including his additional placement on the board of trustees for the West Tampa Boys' Club. Rick, his brother, Chris Alvarez, and their dear friend, Jeff Bushofsky, were regular members at the West Tampa Branch between 1976 and 1982. Rick's goal in returning to the board is to assure that today's members enjoy the same guidance and opportunities once given to him and his family. For more information about the Boys' Clubs of Tampa Bay and how you might assist in their work, please visit bgctampafl.org.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 09:41 PM
April 13, 2007
Buccaneers' 2007 Draft Day Dash
APRIL 2007 - Anthony and his nephew, Will, participated in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' seventh annual "Draft Day Dash" to benefit The Spring of Tampa Bay. The Spring provides sanctuary and services to abused adults and their children. More than 1,500 local athletes ran in this year's Dash which ended with a dramatic finish at the fifty-yard line in Raymond James Stadium. For Anthony and Will, the fun started much earlier as an NFL photographer captured a wonderful picture of the two before the race. The picture even enjoys prominent placement on the Buccaneers' official website.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 10:35 PM
January 31, 2007
HCBA Law Follies for 2007
FEBRUARY 2007 - The Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) has announced the date and location of its "Law Follies" for 2007. The evening of mirth, music and miscues will be held on March 1st in Fergusson Hall at the Tampa Bay Performing Art Center. The curtain is scheduled to rise at 7:00 p.m. and be preceded by a reception for judges and members of the bar at 5:30 p.m. Rick is expected to join the house band for the event.
Tickets and additional information can be found at HCBA Follies 2007.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 04:15 PM
November 12, 2006
Shop 'Til You Rock Show
NOVEMBER 2006 - Rick and his friends returned to Ybor City on the day after Thanksgiving to remind shoppers of the reason for the Season. "The Shop 'Til You Rock Show" was held on the evening of Friday, November 24th, at the Market on Seventh in Ybor City. Rick brought solo sets of rock and frankincense in between those offered by the wise men of "The Molotov Cockatiels." Donations to the Salvation Army were accepted in lieu of a cover charge or entry fee.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 07:34 PM
October 28, 2006
Second Annual Costumes and Cocktails Extravaganza
OCTOBER 2006 - "Anchorman" Anthony once again opened his home and arms to friends and fiends this Halloween for the "Second Annual Costumes and Cocktails Extravaganza." The event attracted over 125 attendees and creatures of the night of every stripe.
There was McKay "Tennenbaum" socializing with "Miss Piggy" Humbertson, "Kitty Kat" Kaczowka, and Stacy "Miranda." Some saw "Father" Ficarrotta attending dutifully to the needs of "Witch" Meghan and her unlikely beau, "Bubba" Garcia. "El Jugador" Aldazabal enticed the naive and unsuspecting with his flashy ways and dance steps. And in a similar manner, a mysterious hound named, "Pongo," roamed the property with a large bone.
As the witching hour passed, "Count Chocula" arrived to remind everyone about the importance of a balanced breakfast that morning and to note all of the "delicious marshmallows."
No arrest were made although one or more "police officers" seemed to pay close attention to the host.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 04:22 PM
October 17, 2006
Making the "Social Seen" in Tampa Bay Illustrated
Rick has been recognized in the "Social Seen" section of Tampa Bay Illustrated for his efforts to host "The Concert Before the Storm" to benefit the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund. The coverage includes photographs of Rick taking the stage and of a variety of friends who thoughtfully supported the Fund through their attendance.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 11:00 PM
July 22, 2006
The Concert Before the Storm
Alvarez Garcia proudly sponsored "The Concert Before the Storm" to benefit the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund on July 22, 2006, at the historic Italian Club in Tampa, italian-club.org. This was the first of what likely will become an annual event to benefit the Fund.
The Florida Hurricane Relief Fund, flahurricanefund.org, was established in 2004 to meet the recovery needs of Floridians impacted by the devastation of hurricanes and tropical storms.
"The Concert Before the Storm" generated considerable awareness for the newly-established Fund. Over 125 tickets were sold for an evening featuring performances by Citizen Kane, citizenkaneband.com, Affiniti, affinitirocks.com, A Band Called Drone, and our very own Rick Alvarez. All acts agreed to play without compensation thanks to the benevolence of Jane McKee of Jane's World Entertainment, janesworldtalent.com.
In addition to these entertainers, special thanks must be given to Krista Heavilin and Jay Anthony of the Italian Club, Lee Kercher of 97X "Tampa Bay's New Rock Alternative,"97xonline.com, and Mike Gunn of Gunn Printing, gunnprinting.com, all of whom joined in making the event a success and a certainty in the future.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 02:37 AM
February 07, 2006
20th Annual HCBA Law Follies
FEBRUARY 2006 - As unlikely as it seems, Rick and his guitar have left the popular "gin joints" of Ybor City for an appearance at one of the city's bigger and more prestigious venues, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. The 2000-seat hall is ideal for what Alvarez calls his unique, "scotch and wah wah" sound.
"It's definitely blooze-laden," explains Alvarez. "Frankly, I'm surprised a group of noteworthy folks like the Hillsborough County Bar Association would even associate themselves with it. I can only imagine how the popular showtunes will sound filtered through the peat of Marshall stacks."
The show, scheduled for the evening of Thursday, February 23rd, is billed as the "20th Annual Law Follies." Judges and lawyers alike come together for a night of laughs at the expense of current events and local personalities. According to Ernest Hooper, a columnist from the St. Petersburg Times, "It [is] a comedic shish kebab, skewering just about everything relevant and current. In years past, the follies have featured material that was borderline offensive and, occasionally, downright tasteless. Although the 2005 effort seemed a bit muted, [this] year's show, the bar association's 20th, promises to be one of the liveliest because they will bring back the best songs from past productions. If it's edgy and pushes the envelope, I think that will be a good thing."
It is perhaps for this simple reason that Alvarez and his guitar have been added to the bill.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 07:29 PM
October 17, 2005
First Ever Costume Extravaganza!
OCTOBER 2005 - In the spirit of Halloween, Anthony graciously opened his home to friends and fiends alike for the "First Annual Costume Extravaganza!" The event was well attended by many from Tampa's professional community, including Robert "Witchie Poo" Santos, "Phantom" Joe Ficarrotta, Derek "Silk 'n Satin" Alvarez, "Leatherneck" Rob Genders, Dave "the Demon" Gonzalez, "Father" Michael Lundy, Rico Iavarone and his ostrich, Andy "Thriller" Spicola, and, of course, the host as the not heretofore seen, "Disco Dr. Phil." Surprisingly, no arrests were made.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 07:56 PM
September 12, 2005
Premier Issue of Cigar City Magazine
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SEPTEMBER 2005 - Be sure to pickup the premier issue of Cigar City Magazine at your local newstand or bookseller this Fall. The magazine will fondly recall the culture of Ybor City and West Tampa in the early 20th century and allow its readers to remember the colorful people and events which coontinue to influence life in the Bay Area today. Alvarez Garcia is proud to support the magazine and its interests in what is truly the ancestry of Rick and Anthony. For more information, visit www.cigarcitymagazine.com.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 02:28 PM
September 09, 2005
Relief Effort in New Orleans
SEPTEMBER 2005 - Alvarez Garcia has humbly donated hundreds of dollars towards the relief effort in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. The firm strongly urges you to do the same by visiting www.redcross.org or by dialing 1 (877) LOVED-1S.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 10:09 PM
August 14, 2005
Alvarez Plays to Capacity Crowd
NOVEMBER 2004 - Rick Alvarez played to a capacity crowd at the Market on Seventh in Ybor City. The Friday after Thanksgiving was the perfect night for many to simply unwind from the demands of the holiday season. Or maybe it was the dulcet tones of Rick and his twelve-string guitar. Whether it was David Bowie, Radiohead or Kiss, Rick made every song distinctly his own.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 04:17 PM
August 13, 2005
Cameo Appearances as Men-About-Town
OCTOBER 2004 - Anthony and Rick made cameo appearances in the recent television commercial for Iavarone's Steakhouse in North Tampa. They were approached by Rico Iavarone, a dear friend and an owner of the popular eatery, and asked to play the role of men-about-town who enjoy fine wines, handrolled cigars and the company of beautiful women. According to Vanity Fair, "the two were absolute naturals with the aplomb of maybe Sinatra and a young Cesar Romero." The commercial continues to be aired on various cable channels in the Tampa Bay Area.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 03:27 PM
August 12, 2005
Monthly Meetings During Fall and Winter of 2004
SEPTEMBER 2004 - The firm had the great pleasure of meeting with friends and prospective clients at Ciccio & Tony's Restaurant during the Fall and Winter of 2004. The monthly meetings provided an excellent opportunity to relax and discuss legal matters in an environment less formal than the office or courthouse. Each meeting was announced by the delivery of a electronic postcard designed by Fourth Door Creative Group, below.
Posted by alvarezgarcia at 04:12 PM
