The invitation from WMBA drew sharp criticism from a number of gay rights activists, including Michael Rajner, legislative director for the Florida Democratic Party GLBT Caucus. The ensuing controversy led to the decision by the group’s Board of Directors to cancel the event.

Lawyer-activist Dean Trantalis, a former Vice Mayor and city commissioner in Fort Lauderdale, says that a want of prudence may have been a factor. “As the saying goes,” notes the Wilton Manors attorney, “‘the road to Hell is paved with the best intentions.’”
Trantalis believes that “the invitation to Allen West to speak at a WMBA meeting shows great insensitivity to the
community which comprises much of the area in which the organization services.”

As to the House freshman Republican’s opposition to such LGBT issues as repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) and federal recognition for same-sex unions through a repeal of the noxious and wholly un-American Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Trantalis, a WMBA member, offers that “Mr. West is offensive by any standard, and his pretense to wanting to discuss just items of business [at the cancelled WMBA meeting] mocks the very core upon which this community has been built.”

Responding to West’s comments in a letter written to WMBA President Celeste Ellich and the group’s members in which West implies that his critics are “intolerable individuals,” Trantalis protests that “we are not intolerable. Every opportunity West is given to speak condones his actions and his rhetoric. We’ve heard what he has to say, we’ve shown the world his very words. Why should we be once again subjected to his ridicule and condescension?”

(As was noted in last week’s column, Open for Business, August 11, 2011: “No West, Young Man”), Your Kindly Scrivener offers the possibility, or even likelihood, that the Distinguished Gentleman’s usage of the word “intolerable” may have been a malapropism – a la “Slip” Mahoney of the 1930s and 40s Bowery Boys movies, 70s Vegas headliner Norm Crosby, or international comedy sensation George W. Bush – that was meant to place-hold for the more civil “intolerant.” Or maybe he just doesn’t like gay people.)
In response to Romano’s email, Wilton Manors Mayor Resnick replied that “the invitation was extended by … Celeste Ellich, as president of a private business association [WMBA]. She never consulted with or advised the city of the invitation.” Added Resnick: “By the way, I’m a member of the GLBT Democratic Caucus and did not learn of this from them either.”

This Ain’t My First Time at the Rodeo, Fellas
Wilton Drive’s newest dining spot, Rodeo, has some enticements to introduce you to their great selection of Southwestern, Tex-Mex, Barbecue, Cajun/Creole and traditional Southern cuisine. On Tuesdays between 4p.m and 10p.m. they are offering 30% off the price for bottles of wine. Wednesday is Teacher Night; teachers who present a valid teacher ID card between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. receive 20% off their individual bills. And their Happy Hour runs from Tuesday through Friday between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., which includes 30% off all drinks from the bar.

By the Numbers (Hail to the Chief Edition)
A comparison of approval ratings during the third Summer of recent U.S. Presidents’ first terms:
• 42.5%: Barack Obama approval
rating, Summer 2011
• 62.5%: George W. Bush approval
rating, Summer 2003 (won re-election in 2004)
• 47.5%: Bill Clinton approval rating, Summer 1995 (won re-election in 1996)
• 80.0%: George H.W. Bush approval rating, Summer 1991 (lost re-election in 1992)
• 39.5%: Ronald Reagan approval
rating, Summer 1983 (won re-election – by a landslide – in 1984)

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director  of Sales, Cliff Dunn, with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

In this column last week (Open for Business, August 4, 2011, “Go, West!”), Your Kindly Writer advised you, Gentle Reader, to “Stay tuned for the fallout,” a reference to the after effects of what began for some as a polite invitation to a Member of Congress to address the monthly meeting of a local business guild.

Following a firestorm of protest  (and now, the counter-protest), U.S. Congressman Allen West was dis-invited from speaking at the August 8 meeting of the Wilton Manors Business Association (WMBA, or “Wimba”), a meeting he had been invited to address. The de-invitation came after gay rights activists threatened a boycott of the Island City association’s member-businesses.

The announcement about two weeks ago that West, who represents portions of Wilton Manors as part of Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, would address WMBA on matters related to business and the economy, drew protests from a number of vocal LGBT activists.

Among them was Michael Rajner (seen in photo), Legislative Director of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, who wrote to WMBA members with an ultimatum: if the invitation for West’s planned visit wasn’t rescinded or declined by the Distinguished Gentleman, “community leaders and other social justice advocates” would “boycott any and all businesses” belonging to WMBA.

Reaction in Wilton Manors’ business community was mixed. Two individuals who asked not to speak on the record said they agreed with a July 30 South Florida Sun-Sentinel opinion piece in which that publication’s editorial board chides Rajner and others for “pressur[ing] the business group to drop its invite to Rep. West.”

Commercial photographer Michael Murphy of Oakland Park, a member of WMBA, said he was “pleased” with the board’s decision. “As a business owner and a member of WMBA, I want to do things that bring business to us rather than drive it away,” Murphy offered. “Although the decision to bring a sitting member of Congress to speak was probably made with good intentions,” he reasons, “the moment it created a firestorm, the decision needed to be rescinded; period.”

As to the congressman’s opposition to a number of issues which concern a sizable minority of residents of his district, Murphy is unambiguous. “As a gay man, I find his opinions un-educated and his words hateful. Congressman West does not even attempt to represent all of his constituents. He panders to a fraction of the people in his district, then insults the rest with his bigoted comments towards women and gays.”

West, who serves on the House Committee on Small Business, did not go gently into that good night, either. In a letter to Ellich written prior to the August 1 board vote in which he defends his right to speak at the WMBA meeting, West wrote: “I am concerned about individuals or organizations that would call upon a boycott and try to hurt hard-working small business owners only because an association wants to be better informed on business related issues that are taking place in Washington, D.C.”

After the meeting was cancelled, West emailed Ellich thanking her and WMBA for the invitation. He also cited the Sun-Sentinel editorial, objecting, as the newspaper wrote, to Rajner’s “demand that the business group withdraw its invitation to Rep.

West. One form of intolerance simply does not justify another.”

Taking up the refrain, West spoke of his support for “public discourse,” even when individuals don’t always agree with his, or other Members’ of Congress’, policy positions. “These are the foundations of our nation and what makes the United States of America an exceptional nation,” he wrote.
He has a point. But whatever goodwill West may engender by beating his breast and calling for a more tolerant and “civil society” would seem to be squandered by his caustic parting shots in last week’s letter to Ellich and WMBA. In what reads like equal parts truculence and petulance, West seems
to sneer from the page: “Clearly, we have learned who really are the intolerable individuals in South Florida.” (Presumably the Distinguished Gentleman meant intolerant rather than “intolerable.”)

As for the fallout over “Wimbagate,” Murphy remains sanguine, even philosophical. “I am glad it’s almost over; [now] we can get back to helping our local businesses in these difficult economic times.”

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director  of Sales, Cliff Dunn, with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

The Dale Russell Network, part of the Atlantic Properties International realty empire, is the exclusive listings agent for Forest Trace, the luxury senior living resort community in the Lauderhill subdivision of Inverrary (does the name Jackie Gleason ring a bell, or is Open for Business getting old? – don’t answer that). According to realtor Dale Russell, whose credentials as an LGBT business and community leader include past Presidency of The Pride Center at Equality Park, the adult retirement community offers “luxury resort-style amenities and services for active adults who want more out of life.” For a monthly rental fee, residents experience an active lifestyle with meals, activities – including access to the Inverrary Golf Club – and entertainment all converging to give every day an almost vacation-like feel. And Russell says that the owners, who have historic ties to the Catskills’ legendary Grossinger’s resort, are hoping to make inroads into the LGBT market, opening their amenities to a diverse community of residents.

Russell’s partner (and, you know, partner), Jan Carpenter, says the gay community isn’t the only group Forest Trace is friendly towards. “They are very Realtor® friendly,” says Carpenter, noting that the management of the senior living community is paying renewals to Realtors® in a very timely manner. “We are talking three year, five year renewals – a residual income that they are very consistent in paying.” Open for Business can’t help but think how pleasant it is that there is someone else with a vested interest in the good health and long life of Forest Trace’s residents: their real estate professional.

Feelin’ Groovy

From our Get Well Soon Department (and Don’t Gimme Any Lip About It): Sidelines Sports Bar co-owner Laurie Whittaker has been somewhat speechless of late. After recent episodes of recurring laryngitis, an ear, nose and throat specialist discovered that the Wilton Manors saloon owner and North Miami attorney had two large polyps growing on her vocal chords. Following surgery that went without incident, biopsies found no signs of cancer. Asked by Open for Business how she was feeling, Whittaker responded in her usual soft-spoken manner (and with tongue planted firmly in cheek): “Why does anybody care?” Laughs her partner (and Sidelines marketing director), Jennifer Morales: “I guess that’s the modesty that I fell in love with thirty-plus years ago,” then adds, impishly, “Imagine, a bar owner and an attorney with no voice!”

Everyone Knows its Wendy

The Depot Cabana Bar and Grill has secured the legendary DJ Wendy Hunt to spin poolside this Sunday, July 31, for their Sunday T Dance. Featured at LegendsofVinyl.com, Hunt is known as the Queen Mother of DJs, and is among the longest (and hardest) working of her profession, beginning her thirty-sixth year at the (electronic) tables, and a diverse music playlist featuring everything from Disco to Electronica. Hunt was also pivotal in turning Provincetown into a legendary gay party Mecca. Foregoing nursing school for the turntables in the 1970s, she had her first gig in Boston at Club 1270 (“known as the 12 to regulars,” she reminisces). “You have to have a passion for the music,” says Hunt. Depot co-owner Marc Scharphorn says “that passion will be on display for all to hear and enjoy this Sunday. We are VERY excited to have Wendy spin at The Depot.”

Bless Me, Father, for I have Sinned (Correction)
A photo caption appearing in this column three weeks ago (Open for Business, July 7, 2011: “Cross to Bear”) incorrectly identified Maroone Ford as having purchased a car for Father Bill Collins of Poverello Thrift Store and Food Bank as part of A.J. Cross’ 2010 fundraising event; the caption should have stated that the Ford Focus was purchased thanks to a sizable donation from City County Credit Union. We regret the factual error (but not as much as Florida Agenda creative director Dave Griffiths, who got taken out behind the wood shed by publisher Bobby Blair and editor-in-chief Alex Vaughn, but not in the way he prefers).

By the Numbers (Governor Rick Scott Edition)

According to estimates based upon American Community Survey data, among the states, Florida has the second highest population of LGBT residents, with a +/- 609,219 gay population (representing nearly 5%, or slightly less than 1-in-20, of statewide population), and the Miami/Fort Lauderdale metro area comes in at Number 8 among cities with the highest percentage of LGBT residents within city limits (representing +/- 183,346 person or, again, nearly 5% of total population statistics).
According to data collected by City-Data.com and the U.S. Census Bureau, total spending of LGBT individuals was $712 Billion in 2008.

That same data also revealed that average adjusted gross income for Florida’s LGBT population was $50,523 per annum; median household value was $218,699; median age was 38.7; and average household size was 2.5.

In Broward County’s predominantly gay zip codes (33301, 33304, 33305), those numbers are $87,812 per annum for average adjusted gross income; median household value was $522,158; median age was 40.0; and average household size was 1.9.

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director  of Sales, Cliff Dunn, with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

Club members at Island City Health & Fitness may recall a few days last month when their gym’s facilities (showers, bathrooms) were without water due to the theft of the backflow valve connection behind the club and its mutual backyard with the now-former location of the Poverello Food Bank. Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) officials, headed up by Oakland Park District lead detective Armando Hernandez, say that all told, twenty four (24) thefts of backflow valves occurred in the City of Oakland Park. The suspects, Gannon Wing and John Martin, charged with twenty three (23) of the crimes, are believed to have been active in Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties, fencing their loot at a scrap business in Collier County (Greater Naples/Fort Meyers).

Wing, 20, and Martin, 29, are charged with 197 and 163 counts each, respectively. Among their mutual counts are twenty seven (27) grand thefts, twenty three (23) for criminal mischief, twenty three (23) for possession of burglary tools, and twenty three (23) for tampering with utility services. In addition to BSO/Oakland Park, the World’s Muckiest Quinella has charges pending from ten other law enforcement agencies, including BSO/Tamarac, BSO/North Lauderdale, BSO/Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Wilton Manors Police Department, Sunrise Police Department, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), Boca Raton Police Department, Port St. Lucie Police Department, and Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).
Investigators are developing leads concerning a Miami-Dade County-area scrap yard, where the suspects may have also been peddling their stolen parts. Anyone with information is asked to contact any of the aforementioned agencies.

Friends, Lovers, Fruit Flies  and Strange Bedfellows
(Or, New York Gay Marriage, Part 2)
Readers may recall from last week’s Open for Business that the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) is the organization that led the legal battle – conducted famously through the efforts of attorneys Ted Olson – a conservative stalwart, Bush-43 Justice Department mandarin and widower of a 9/11 victim – and David Boies, a Democratic power broker – which challenged California’s gay marriage ban (a trial court judge struck down the law last month, but the decision is being appealed).

As mentioned last week, an unusually large number of Wall Street whales and captains-of-industry-types have stepped up in recent years to show their support for (and willingness to donate heavily in the support of) same-sex marriage initiatives.

An event last fall in support of New York State same-sex marriage was held  at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Columbus Circle, and was chaired by three Republicans: Ken Mehlman, the openly gay former Republican National Committee chairman and current head of Global Public Affairs for private equity giant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company (KKR); Peter Thiel of hedge fund Clarium Capital; and billionaire Paul Singer, founder and CEO of hedge fund Elliott Management Corporation and the philanthropic Paul E. Singer Family Foundation, which supports numerous charitable works, including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, the Food Bank of New York City, the New York City Police Foundation, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education Singer Prize for Excellence in Secondary Teaching.

(Singer, whose gay son married his partner in Massachusetts, gave close to half a million dollars of his own money, and raised another $500,000 to support legalization of gay marriage in the Empire State.)

The New York Times reported last year that financiers who either attended the fundraiser or made a donation to the campaign included KKR principal Henry Kravis, as well as associates Sir Deryck Maughan, Alex Navab, Scott Nuttall, John Pfeffer, Lewis Eisenberg, and David Sorkin.

“Other Wall Street executives,” The Times reported, “included Blackstone Group’s Garrett Moran; Daniel Loeb of hedge fund Third Point Capital; Jay Sammons of the private equity shop Carlyle Group; Seth Klarman of hedge fund Baupost; Nick Stone of TPG; Todd Malan, in-house lobbyist at Goldman Sachs; and media investor Leo Hindery of InterMedia Partners.”

During the AFER fundraiser, billionaire Singer related the story of paging through the wedding album of “my son and son-in-law,” after they were legally married. “At the moment they are pioneers,” he said, “although I felt like a loving father and father-in-law, not a pioneer, as we were looking at the pictures.”

Overheard

“I’d like to hear directly from the gays who love Santorum despite Santorum’s belief that gay people are no better than dog %#@!ers and child rapists, his promise to repeal the DADT repeal, his desire to write anti-gay bigotry into the U.S. Constitution, his opposition to gay adoption and his belief that consensual gay sex should be a felony. If Santorum’s gay friends love Santorum as much as Santorum loves his gay friends, I’m sure they would be only too glad to speak to the media about their love of Santorum.”

– Syndicated columnist Dan Savage, speaking about the former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and 2012 Republican presidential candidate.

The multi-talented and multi-faceted A.J. Cross, general manager of Johnny’s Club, Bar & Lounge in Fort Lauderdale, is pleased to announce his 9th Annual Birthday Fundraiser (the reputedly 40-something Cross looks like he could pass for a man at least half his age – the little %@#$), to be held at Johnny’s on Thursday, July 14, starting at 9 p.m. Over the past 9 years, his Natal Day Events have helped raise thousands of dollars, with last year’s, “Needs Wheels” fundraiser for Father Bill Collins of Poverello netting enough from individual and corporate donors (including a last-minute Angel from the Outfield pledge from City County Credit Union) to put the good padre behind the wheel on schedule.

This year’s event will be a Masquerade Ball held in conjunction with a reunion of the legendary Cupid’s Cabaret, including former staff, entertainers, dancers and XXX Adult Entertainment Stars courtesy of Howard Andrew from Fabscout (and himself a former GM of Cupid’s), with the possibility of a very Special Guest Appearance. This year’s soiree will raise money for Covenant House of Fort Lauderdale (http://www.covenanthousefl.org/). Costumes or masques are requested of all attendees. For more information, you can visit Cross’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ angelice.cross.

Wall Street Muscle Pushes NY Gay Marriage Win

An unlikely alliance of bedfellows came together in the crucial days leading up to New York State’s historic legislation legalizing same-sex marriage. The New York Times reported last week that critical support for passage came from a cabal of Wall Street heavyweights known for their support for conservative causes.

In the run-up to the vote, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo approached billionaire financier Paul Singer, a deep-pocketed Republican donor (and friend of Rudy Giuliani), along with hedge fund moguls Cliff Asness of AQR Capital and Daniel Loeb of Third Point Capital.

Singer – whose son is gay – along with Asness and Loeb – were known to view gay marriage from a libertarian perspective, as an issue of personal freedom, and had the clout and Republican credentials to provide insulation for skittish New York state senators anxious about a conservative backlash.

Although Asness and Loeb supported Barack Obama in 2008, both subsequently split with the president over matters of policy, with Asness penning a scathing criticism of Obama in 2009 because of his perceived treatment of hedge funds during the Chrysler bankruptcy case, and Loeb similarly raising the cry against the president in writing last year. But Singer and Loeb have supported previous same-sex marriage campaigns, including an event last fall for the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER).
The triumvirate let Cuomo know that they were willing to set aside political differences and each followed through with six-figure checks made out to the lobbying effort in support of the legislation.

Photo: Last year, Father Bill Collins received a Ford Focus purchased for him by Maroone Ford along with the help of many local businesses.

Quotable

“I don’t give a %$@& that I did drag in the 80s. I will cut your %!@#s off if you %$@& this up.” – Local real estate investor to broker, overheard at Georgie’s Alibi in Wilton Manors

By the Numbers
(I’m My Biggest Diva Edition)

In 1997, U.S. News & World Report surveyed its readers as to whether they believed that various well-known figures were “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to go to Heaven. More people (87%) picked themselves as being more likely to get into heaven than anyone else, ahead of people such as Mother Teresa (second place, 79%) or Oprah Winfrey (third place, 66%).

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director of Sales, Cliff Dunn, with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

A Fistful of Burritos

Heidi Shafran, Community Develop-ment Services Director for the City of Wilton Manors informs Open for Business that a new Mexican restaurant is getting ready to open its doors on Wilton Drive (the glacial speed of the city’s inspection and other processes notwithstanding – Author’s quote, not Ms. Shafran’s). Pinche Taqueria is part of a New York City –based chain and will occupy the space once planned as a hot dog joint in the same retail spaces as Sidelines Sports Bar and Gelato Station.

Meeting in  The Men’s Room

MoJo’s The Men’s Room, the new  boutique barber shop scheduled to open its doors on June 17 on Wilton Drive (on the opposite side from The Manor Complex) has been forced to postpone its opening accounting for the reportedly glacial speed of the City of Wilton Manors’ inspection process (see previous entry). Co-owner Joe Sansone says there’s “no question” the city’s inspection force is understaffed.

Still, he and business partner Morgan Stamler are both looking forward to bringing their unique business model, which includes deejays spinning live music in a high energy environment that includes a cappuccino bar, a juice and energy drinks station, and a vibe that they hope will make the Home of the Hot Towel Shave the Drive’s next Scene spot.

Rick Scott:
Not Available for Your Next Gay Wedding Party

We’re not 100% certain about Governor Rick Scott’s feelings concerning gay divorcees, but he wasn’t making a subtle point in Broward County this week when queried (perhaps an unfortunate choice of words) about his views on same-sex unions.
The Gov was at an appearance on Monday at the North Broward Academy of Excellence in North Lauderdale touting his new legislative agenda to expand charter schools in the Sunshine State.

Changing the subject (how rude!), a reporter from WPLG Channel 10 asked Scott if he would consider signing legislation similar to the law that now legalizes gay marriage in New York state.

Flexing his constitutional scholar muscles, His Excellency reminded the assembled that the Constitution defines marriage as “between a man and a woman.”

The chief executive then moved on to the next question.

The Empire State, Marriage, and the Gay Male, Part 2

Former Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl and his domestic partner, Realtor Ted Adcock, have announced plans to tie the knot in New York state, following last week’s signing by Governor Andrew Cuomo of legislation legalizing same-sex marriage.
Via Facebook, Keechl posted: “Ted and I are going to New York to get married. I am a very blessed man!”

Following the New York senate’s passage of the law, Keechl, a partner at the law  firm of Kopelowitz Ostrow in Fort Lauderdale, wrote: “I love New York!” Six states now allowed same-sex marriage; Florida is not among them (see previous entry).

By the Numbers

Before 1974, the numerical value of a  billion in the U.S. was different from that  of a billion in Great Britain. A U.S. (or short scale) billion was a thousand million (1,000,000,000), but a British (or long  scale) billion was a million million (1,000,000,000,000). Other designations for large numbers also differed between the U.S. and U.K. In 1974, however, the short scale numbers started to be used exclusively in Great Britain.

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director of Sales, Cliff Dunn, with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

Invoking the legendary 1970s and 1980s T-Dances at Fort Lauderdale’s long-dead Marlin Beach Resort, and the 1990s version at Club Caribbean Resort, The Depot Cabana Bar & Grill on Federal Highway has launched its Sunday T with a cross-promotion at the adjacent America’s Best Inn & Suites, which makes for an affordable Summer Staycation. The hotel – less than a mile from Wilton Drive and Fort Lauderdale’s beaches – is offering a $149 weekend special (Friday through Sunday night stay) when guests mention The Depot. Says Depot owner Jim Babb: “This is a great and very affordable alternative to some of the more costly choices for accommodations elsewhere in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors. Instead of spending $150 to $200 a night in another establishment, you can spend a third of that and bank the difference or spend it shopping and dining – and having a great time at The Depot.”

Grape Expectations

Following the closing of The Painted Pickle delicatessen on Wilton Drive this spring, its business space was briefly occupied by the briefly open Drive Café, which marked its own swansong last month with an auction of its accoutrements (tables, chairs, food cases, et al.). The now-empty bay won’t remain long unoccupied, as the owners of The Naked Grape Wine Bar have plans to move from their current location (2039 Wilton Drive) just up the street to the 2163 spot vacated by Pickle and Café. Owners Caleb Ben-Avram and Tim Slivinski say they are looking at an August 1 opening at their new digs.

Federal Court Judges: DOMA is Bankrupt

Yet another panel of jurists has found legal flaws within the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the 1996 law that bars federal recognition of same-sex marriage, declaring that the law is unconstitutional.

In a decision last week of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, Judge Thomas B. Donovan wrote: “In this court’s judgment, no legally married couple should be entitled to fewer bankruptcy rights than any other legally married couple.”

And, in an extremely rare action, 19 other judges, comprising the vast majority of the 24 judges of the Central District, also signed the ruling; the presence of the other judges’ names suggests that they would rule similarly to Donovan in their own courtrooms.

The case involved two men, Gene Douglas Balas and Carlos A. Morales, who were legally married under California’s marriage equality law. The couple wanted to file jointly for bankruptcy, but federal officials moved to dismiss their petition under DOMA. Balas and Morales requested that the court allow them to file jointly, and last week’s ruling was the result.

In his decision, the judge notably quoted a letter sent in February by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to members of Congress. In that letter, Holder announced that, while the Obama administration would continue to enforce DOMA, it would no longer defend the law in court. In his 26- page opinion, Judge Donovan wrote: “The Holder Letter demonstrates that DOMA cannot withstand heightened scrutiny.”

Ciao, Pasta!

One of the area’s newest eateries is hosting a getting-to-know-you party at Fort Lauderdale Beach this Saturday, June 25. Oakland Park’s Ciao Pasta & Grill is inviting everyone (and they mean everyone) to their first annual Pre-July 4 Beach Party. Co-owner Brian Allan Harris promises “a great American Summer BBQ menu.” The soiree begins at 10 a.m. and costs $20 per person, which includes the aforementioned full American BBQ meal, water, assorted Drinks, and the like. Harris & Co.’s party will be held on Fort Lauderdale Beach where the parking starts ocean side on A1A. “This is a great spot, not as crowded,” says Harris, “we should have a nice space for our group and the water is absolutely beautiful there.” Attendees are requested to bring their own coolers and ice, beach chairs, towels and sun screen.

By the Numbers

• 29,000: Approximate number of words used by William Shakespeare in his plays

• 10,000: Approximate number of words invented by Shakespeare (never previously used in any surviving English literature)

• 6,000: Approximate number of words that only appear once in Shakespeare

• 2,026: Number of words attributed to Jesus Christ in the New Testament

• 2,262: Number of times the word “You” appears in songs by The Beatles.

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director of Sales, Cliff Dunn with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

With a Subject Line that reads “May 2011 New Business Update,” and addressed to Wilton Manors City Manager Joe Gallegos, the memorandum from Heidi Shafran, the city’s new Director of Community Services reads: “During the month of May, twelve (12) Business Tax Licenses were issued for new businesses within the City of Wilton Manors. The licenses are for the following types of businesses: Financial Institute; Restaurant; Real Estate Broker; Spiritual Healing; Recycling Franchise; Church; Bondsman; Massage/Spa; Retail Store; Psychiatrist; Attorney (two).”

The memo continues: “Additionally, I personally met with potential business owners or their representatives for the following types of new business: Gas Station/Convenience Store (Oakland Park Boulevard); Rehabilitation of Buildings for Two New restaurant Spaces (Wilton Drive); Yoga Studio/Coffee House (Dixie Highway); Community Theater Company; Dog Daycare (Dixie Highway); Gourmet Food Cart (Wilton Drive).”

Says Krishan Manners, the President and CEO of Wilton Manors Main Street, “I think these numbers tell a part of the story that hasn’t been accurately or fairly portrayed. Wilton Manors is like many other small and medium-sized cities across the country, which are experiencing the normal contractions of an economy that’s still very much in flux.”

I’m Not Your Babe, Alejandro

While spearheading the Commercial Property and Casualty division at Fort Lauderdale’s Dunham Insurance Services, Alejandro Kalaf III – who is known to friends, co-workers and the occasional romantic interest as “Chachi” – has also managed to build a dance card that is brimming with the names of service organizations and activities that benefit South Florida’s LGBT community. In addition to volunteering for the Florida AIDS Walk, the Smart Ride and Tuesday’s Angels, he also contributes time to the Pride Center at Equality Park while simultaneously building business contacts through Business Networking International and the Gay and Lesbian Business XChange (GLBX). His boss, Dunham Insurance Services President and CEO Chris Dunham, says Kalaf’s efforts are a tribute to his character and person, and represent his own philosophy of protecting the lifestyle to which his clients have grown accustomed. “Chachi is precisely the face of what business should be about: someone who takes his work as seriously as his extra-curricular activities, with both building a stronger and better community.”

By the Numbers

(“We’re Here, We’re Queer” Edition)

According to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation’s (GLAAD) online Advertising Media Program, “it is always difficult to determine sexual minorities through surveys because of the complexities of self-identification, definitions, survey methodologies and stigmas.”

The group’s site cites that “it is estimated by Harris Interactive that in the U.S. only 2% of self-identified lesbians and gays will respond to telephone surveys (compared to 3% of general population), but between 6% and 7% will do so on Internet surveys.

Confirming this finding, a Yahoo survey of its users found 7.1% of adults over age 18 identified as GLBT, totaling 18 million in the U.S.”

Reports GLAAD: “Various studies have estimated that between 4% and 10% of populations are homosexual, meaning between 12 million and 30 million in the United States alone.”

Furthermore, a 2002 study, ”Sexual Behavior and Selected Health Measures,” of 12,571 Americans aged 15-44 (by computer interviews conducted by the University of Michigan) for the National Center for Health Statistics found 6% of men and 11% of women had same-sex sexual experiences by age 44. Among men 18 to 44, 2% identified as bisexual and 4% as “something else” than heterosexual or bisexual. When looking at younger women, aged 18 to 29, 14% reported a sexual experience with a woman at least once.”

GLAAD says that “lesbians are estimated at over 6 million in the U.S.; data  from Voter News Service and Zogby International consistently measure 4% to 5% of the American voting population as self-identified gay or lesbian.

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director of Sales, Cliff Dunn, with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

Events for Stonewall Pride Weekend are cropping up faster than one of Jonathan Bleiweiss’ victims, with a number of local establishments and watering holes teaming up to support charitable and service organizations, while serving up products to help shore up the summer slows.

To The Depot Cabana Bar & Grill’s Stonewall Saturday Pool Party on Saturday, June 18, you can add the first annual Pride Stride, a Drag Race benefiting Broward House, Broward County’s largest and oldest HIV/AIDS service organization. In addition to Scandals Saloon and The Stable, interested parties can sign up at Bill’s, Sidelines Sports Bar, Matty’s On The Drive, Georgie’s Alibi and New Moon – all of Wilton Manors. The Drag Race includes prizes for the first to cross the finish line (good luck with that one, sisters), the most money raised in donor pledges and the highest heels. There is nothin’ like a dame.

Speaking of Scandals and The Stable, co-owner Ken Kelley is proud that his venerable flagship bar on N.E. 6th Avenue in Wilton Manors is the only official kick-off party for 2011 Stonewall Pride. The bar, which opened in 2003 and landed in its present digs in 2005, will hold its Stonewall kick-off event on Friday, June 17.

Let the SunServe In

The non-profit SunServe is the recipient of a three-year federal grant for their Promoting LGBTQ Youth, Self-Esteem, Self Advocacy and Self-Resiliency (SSR) program. The 501(c)(3) social service agency serves South Florida’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) community – with a special emphasis on those in financial need, minorities, youth, seniors, families and those with life-challenging physical or emotional conditions.

The grant in question, totaling around $222,000, is geared towards preventing or minimizing teenage suicide. SunServe’s other community efforts – many of which benefit straight as well as gay persons – involve numerous educational and outreach projects, counseling, support groups and a Senior Center.

Stonewalling Wilton Drive

The Gables Wilton Park luxury apartments on Wilton Drive will be hosting an exhibit by Fort Lauderdale’s Stonewall National Museum & Archives the week of June 13 to 19, during the run-up to the Stonewall Festival and Parade on Sunday, June 19. The free exhibit will focus on the history of the LGBT rights movement (or the Gay Agenda, if you’d rather), leading back to New York City’s Stonewall Riots. Find more info on the exhibit at StonewallNationalMuseum.org. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

It’s a Gay World, After All

The forward-thinkers at the Florida Family Association (FFA – an anagram with an entirely different connotation among the LGBT Levi’s and Leather Set) spent $7,000 last weekend to charter a banner plane “warning” the groundbound about Gay Days events being held in and around Walt Disney World. Operating in ten-hour shifts on both Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5, the plane towed airborne banners that read: “WARNING GAY DAY AT DISNEY 6/4” and “WARNING GAY PRIDE DAY AT DISNEY 2DAY.” The FFA, which bills itself as an organization dedicated to “improving America’s moral environment,” posted on its Web site: “30,000 children along with their unsuspecting parents will be confronted with the reality of witnessing over 15,000 Gay Pride Day revelers when they enter the Magic Kingdom on June 4, 2011.” They added: “Florida Family Association wants to warn these families about this offensive event before they arrive at the Magic Kingdomon Saturday.” (This puts me in mind the words of the Great Mouseketeer himself, Walt Disney, who said – appropriately enough: “We are not trying to entertain the critics. I’ll take my chances with the public.”)

Overheard

“We will want to take out a $2 million life insurance policy against the possibility you die before the five years are over. Does that work?”

“Yes, I’m good with that. Just don’t kill me.” – Conversation between potential business investors with local Captain of Industry at Rosie’s Bar & Grill in Wilton Manors (names withheld)

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director of Sales, Cliff Dunn with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

Open for Business has learned that the reports are based upon an idea recently floated by a new Wilton Manors city official about building a new hotel on Wilton Drive (this idea should not be confused with the slew of plans which have been discussed, shelved, tabled, resurrected, etc., over the past three years about a new resort coming to the Island City – or possibly Oakland Park, Fort Lauderdale, etc., etc., etc.). The official had reputedly approached Rivercrest to sound them out about their interest in converting the north end of the Shoppe’s parking area into a fullsized parking LOT to accommodate a hotel complex.

Reece Darham, owner of ICHF, confirms that his lease runs through the end of Spring 2012, and of larger concern to him and other merchants is not the parking for an increasingly- hypothetical resort on the city’s main drag, but the use of the Shoppes’ existing (and very limited) parking by staff and employees of other Wilton Drive businesses who park at the Shoppes, then walk to work across the street or down the Drive.

Help Wanted: Publicist; Must Hate Fags

Pastor Bradlee Dean has a P.R. problem (that’s as in Public Relations; Open for Business is unclear as to his worldview on Puerto Rican persons). The Minnesota preacher – who in the past has called for the imprisonment of LGBT individuals and claimed that Osama bin Laden and President Barack Obama were allies – is calling on supporters to donate money in an effort to hire a professional image-maker. The Minneapolis-based minister, founder of the You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International Youth Ministry, is claiming that the “liberal-biased media [is] … attempting to inflict serious damage to my ministry and my reputation. While we are putting up a good defense with the resources we have readily available, we are in serious need of a publicist on a short-term basis.” And years of intense psychotherapy probably wouldn’t hurt, either.

It’s Summer – So Why are there So Many People in South Florida?

Open for Business enjoyed an interested exchange with Naked Grape owner Caleb Ben-Avram and his partner, Tim Slivinski, at last week’s kick off of Sunday T-Dance at The Depot Cabana Bar & Grill on US1 in Fort Lauderdale. In spite of the presence of large numbers of people at Memorial Day Weekend events across South Florida, Slivinski noted that there is still a belief that the town goes dark during the summer months.

“We live here year ‘round,” notes Slivinski. “We are here in July, too. I have never understood why so many of the clubs, bars and restaurants insist on conducting themselves as if the drawbridge gets pulled up between May and October every year. This area has so many dynamic venues and a great yearround population that needs to be more closely targeted and catered to.”

His partner, Ben-Avram, agrees. “We love and need the tourism business, and want the tourists to feel a part of the action and the community. But we see South Florida like a native does, and there needs to be more care and feeding of the locals.”

By the Numbers

• 18%: Amount of income spent annually on transportation by the average American

• 13%: Amount of income spent annually on food by the average American

• 5 Million: Total human population on Earth in 8,000 B.C.

• 7 Million: Total human population on Earth in 4,000 B.C.

• 1.6 Billion: Total human population on Earth in 1900 A.D.

• 6.92 Billion: Total human population on Earth in 2010 A.D.

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director of Sales, Cliff Dunn with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com