By Brad ‘Scoop’ Casey

One of South Florida’s most philanthropic businessmen is celebrating a birthday on Sunday, July 31. Jerry Schultz, owner of Mona’s Bar on East Sunrise Boulevard, by the tracks, is celebrating his 64th birthday and, at the same time, celebrating the bar’s 14th anniversary.

Mona’s is probably South Florida’s most eclectic bar, with the decor of the bar made up of church pews and other unusual odds and ends collected by Jerry at yard and garage sales. A visit to Mona’s is a trip.

Jerry Schultz has a BIG heart. Over 14 years, Jerry estimates the bar and its customers have raised at least $200,000 for local charities. Recently a retirement party for the late John ‘Mary’ Lyons raised $9,500.00. On July 4th weekend, over $7,500 was raised for the Pet Project, and an American Red Cross South Florida Disaster benefit collected $2,000. When Jerry and Mona’s get behind a benefit, it raises money. Mona’s customers are most generous.

On Sunday, beginning at noon, Jerry and Mona’s celebrate birthdays together. There will be T-shirt giveaways and hundreds of gift certificates that will entitle the bearer to a $14 bar tab on his or her birthday. But more importantly, it will be a celebration of the life of a kind, gentle and generous man. Happy birthday, Jerry and to Mona’s bar.

Joseph Green Joins Sidelines

Sidelines bar announces that Joseph Green has joined its staff, and they could not have chosen a better person. Joe is a good friend. We worked together at the former  411 magazine and Express Gay News. Joe is savvy, smart and knowledgeable of the club business. Sidelines will definitely benefit from this appointment. Congrats Joe and I’ll see you soon.

We Roast Pompano Bill
We get a chance to see Pompano Bill walk on hot coals on Monday, August 1st, 8PM, at the Boardwalk as we gather to roast the old fart! Lol … I will be one of the roasters and I have 20 years of stories to tell. It will be a loving moment

as we gather to show our love for a good man.

Debate in  Key West
A heated debate is going on between Key West business people and residents over whether to pursue widening its main shipping channels to accommodate new and bigger cruise ships. Many residents feel Key West has lost its charm to the cruise ships that drop off tourist who buy a t-shirt, tour the island and then return to the ship for drinking, eating and sleeping, thus leaving no dollars to the local community. The city does get a port tax, however.

Hobnobbing
• Living Room’s Mark Lowe, scouting for space for a new cutting-edge Miami night club, seen partying all weekend at Twist, Score, Discotekka and Sugars …
• Florida Agenda’s Alex Vaughn dining at Padrino’s in North Miami and dancing the night away at the BOOM TOGA Party last weekend …
• Smarty Pants owners Fritz Ann and Mark Tyson enjoying the country-western sounds at Scandals …
• Paul Hyman, executive director of Pride Center at Equality Park, enjoying a smart designer coffee at Java Boyz …
• Multimedia Platforms, LLC Publisher Bobby Blair and friends cocktailing at Rosie’s  for the MyGayRadio.com Live Stream on Sundays…
• Ramrod boys Zak Enterline and Steve Whitney noshing at Tropics Restaurant & Lounge …
• George Kessinger seen in town this week …

Thanks for picking us up this week and remember: To have a friend, you must first be a friend.

If you have a “scoop” for Brad Casey, please e-mail your information to BradC@jumponmarkslist.com