The info on Ali Jenzarli PHD.: Mr. Jenzarli is a long time customer of King Corona Cigars and has lived in Tampa since 1993 having taught at University of Tampa for all of his time here. Ali takes great pleasure in cigar smoking and is what I would call a true connoisseur of cigars, wines, food and life in general. He is one who takes his cigar smoking seriously.

One of his favorite pairings of cigars and drink is as follows: Cigar- Don Barco Drink- double espresso.  He tells us that smoking a Don Barco cigar with a cup of King Corona “Ybor Brand” espresso reminds him of the treat of being a child and drinking a cup of rich Lebanese coffee while dunking his favorite chocolate cookie into it. That’s what he says it reminds him of and who are we to question him?

One of the things I love is a good story and over the years I’ve heard quite a few from the people I’ve been lucky enough to meet. Since most of the stories have been related to me in here in my cigar store, I thought it only appropriate that Cigar Musings be cigar related. That doesn’t mean one has to be a cigar smoker to tell their story, but it should have something to do with cigars. Not all of my friends are cigar smokers, but if they’re telling me a story in my cigar store, well, you get the picture…

My favorite cigar related story involves Jose Marti and Ybor City. For those of you not familiar with Ybor City, a short history lesson is in order.

In the late 1880’s the cigar industry was introduced to Tampa, Fl by one Vicente Martinez Ybor, a cigar manufacturer from Key West by way of Cuba, by way of Spain. He struck a land deal with the City of Tampa and that land eventually became Ybor City. He brought cigar makers from Cuba, Spain and later Italy and Ybor City became a very special place, a blending of different cultures which produced it’s own culture of Tampeno; things indigenous to Tampa, like the Cuban Sandwich and Spanish Bean Soup. The story of Ybor City is a special story and I will tell more of that story at a later date, but now back to Jose Marti.

Jose Marti has been called the “George Washington” of Cuba. He was a very gifted writer who, at an early age got into trouble with the Spanish, who ruled Cuba at that time, for his political views. He was jailed, and later exiled to Spain. In his life he was a poet, essayist, philosopher, as well as the voice of freedom for Spanish Americans. He later lived in New York and wrote for a newspaper there and traveled to South and Central America, writing extensively of freedom from dictatorships for Spanish Americans, and returned to New York.

Growing up in Tampa with so many Cubans, I came to realize that Jose Marti was very important to them. Years later I saw a documentary and was amazed to discover that Marti felt that the Tampa Cubans in particular were extremely important to him. Here’s why.

In Cuba in the latter part of the 19th century, the dissatisfaction with Spanish rule had grown to a boiling point and rebellion was inevitable. Marti was a lightning rod for the rebels and he was committed to the fight for Cuban independence.

Marti visited Ybor City on more than one occasion and was overwhelmed by the support and admiration of the Cuban cigar rollers who worked in Ybor City’s cigar factories. In 1893, Marti returned to raise support for the revolution and on the steps of the V.M. Ybor cigar factory he delivered a famous passion filled speech, that so roused the cigar rollers that they pledged a day’s pay each to the cause of the revolution. The next part of the story is what gripped me and made this my favorite “cigar story”.

The details of when the revolution was to begin were guarded closely, understandably so, as one could be executed if caught sympathizing with the rebels. A clandestine approach had to be employed to insure safety. According to local history, the message to start the revolution was rolled inside a cigar packed in a box of cigars that was made right here in Ybor City! Right here in Ybor City! This is an amazing piece of history that connects my hometown to the life of this incredible man and his loyal supporters!

In my first years in the cigar industry we had a cigar store in the old V.M. Ybor factory. I can’t tell you the number of times I would take a lunch break in the courtyard and think to myself, “if these walls could only speak”. When I read of this marvelous story, it only increased my fascination of Marti and the early Cubans settlers in Ybor City. The walls didn’t speak, but their brave exploits did.
Sadly, Marti and many supporters from Ybor City would die in Cuba’s battle for independence, dying as heroes.

Today in Ybor City, just across the street from the old V.M. Ybor cigar factory, where his famous speech was delivered, is the site of the Jose Marti Park. In the middle of the park is a statue of the courageous Marti, his hand extended, beckoning the call of freedom.

I have greatly condensed Marti’s life, and this is merely a thumbnail sketch of Marti, but by no means should his body of work be diminished. I highly recommend further reading of Marti’s life and work.
There has been much written about him, but for me his own words speak the loudest. His demands for freedom and fairness are still words to be taken seriously and I highly recommend Jose Marti: Writings on the Americas.

That, my friends is one hell of a good “cigar musing”. I plan to offer more of these in the future, and hope you enjoy them as I do.
~Don Barco
Comments are welcome.

On the OFFICIAL Ybor City Ghost Tour you will hear spine-tingling stories about real people, history, folklore, and the ghosts that have made Ybor City their playground.

We are the perfect choice for night time family entertainment with a twist you’ll always remember.  Our tour takes approximately 90 minutes and is an easy walk with frequent stops along the way.  Your guide knows where the bodies are buried.  He will introduce you to:

*The illicit lovers sealed in the basement of the Orpheum Theatre

*The terrifying story of Jose Luis Avellena Jr., who along with his disembodied nurse haunts the basement of the Don Vicente Inn.

*The long-deceased shopkeeper who still visits his office in King Corona regularly.

*The 8-year old boy who drowned in the Cuban Club pool but never left.

Come Along!  It’s a stroll you’ll never forget!

FOR RESERVATIONS AND FURTHER INFORMATION CALL 24 HOURS A DAY:

813–386-3905

www.yborghosttour.com

Ybor City Chamber of Commerce Member

THE EXQUISITE CORPSE POEM

Art Opening and Reading Performance  | FREE

Saturday, June 25th | 2:00 – 5:00p

REMEMBER WHEN?

Storytelling and BS Session about Ybor and All Things Tampa | FREE

1723 East 7th Avenue, Ybor City, 33605 | 813.241.9109

@ King Corona Cigars | June 11th & 25th

FIND FURTHER INFORMATION & THEIR COMPLETE SCHEDULE HERE:

www.cubansandwichshow.com

www.facebook.com/ArtistsWritersGroup

Asthon Taste of Excellence - La Aroma de Cuba - Mi Amor - April 19th, 7-9pm

March 12th | King Corona Cigars & St. Patrick's Parade

Wondering who the Tampa Rough Riders are?  Find out about their history in Tampa with Teddy Roosevelt here, as well as their upcoming events here.

March 1st - Vote - Turanchik for Mayor

SCHEDULE OF GASPARILLA EVENTS

Catch the Krewe of Sant Yago Illuminated Knight Parade @ KING CORONA CIGARS in Ybor City on February 12th, 2011.

Reserve and enjoy “front row seats” to the festivities and superb libations on King Corona’s patio*  ($20/per seat).

Window seating inside King Corona will also be available for $10/per seat.

Outsmart the invading pirates and stock up on

your cigar booty before the event at King

Corona Cigar’s online store!

Please contact Theresa for availability and reservations @ 813.241.9109 – Tuesday through Sunday, after 12pm.

*We truly welcome and appreciate your business.  We ask that you understand that for special events our patio is open only to those who have reserved, and paid for, patio and/or window seating.  The City of Tampa and Hillsborough County Wet Zone Laws are strictly enforced by the King Corona staff and any and all alcoholic beverages purchased at our establishment must remain on premises at all times.