One of the highlights of putting together the Creative Loafing Ybor Issue (out tomorrow) was the chance to speak to Augustine "Marty" Martinez, 88, who was born and raised in Ybor City, the son of a cigar-factory worker. Marty's son, Rick Martinez, is the executive director of Sweetwater Organic Community Farm; ironic, because his father says he couldn't even get Rick to mow the lawn.
We taped our conversation for podcast. Listen as Marty talks about living next door to the Mafia (they were very good neighbors); getting his tonsils out in what is now the Don Vicente Inn; and socializing on 7th Avenue, which was different in some respects (no bars) from the way it is now, but in others (everybody knew everybody) not so much.
He also tells the story of meeting a beautiful woman from Tampa Heights named Mary Fernandez (pictured). He thought she was out of his league ("I was on the wrong side of both tracks!"), but she thought differently — and married him.
Listen to the Marty Martinez podcast after the break.
