Florida Agenda

By DALE MADISON Jeff Forrest and Richard Hyatt say they have never met a pet they didn’t like, although Forrest admits that “there have been pets that really didn’t care for us,” and lets out a hearty laugh. His partner, the quiet Hyatt, reflects, “Can you believe that we have never had a fight?” It’s [...]

By DALE MADISON Three years ago, the City of Wilton Manors opened a monthly “Green Market” at Hagen Park. The market was a success until the sweltering days of summer arrived, and many of the vendors decided that it was time to either find an air conditioned venue, or wait until the cooler winds of [...]

By DALE MADISON Of all the things that Krishan Manners, President and CEO of Wilton Manors Development Alliance (WMDA), finds striking about his adopted city, one of the most notable is that so many things to see and do are packed into such a small geographic space. “You know the city is only two square [...]

By DALE MADISON You can’t help but pick Andy Kress out of a crowd: His infectious smile is unmistakable, and his Asian body tattoos are featured each week in ads for his Kress Fitness Studio. In a town that isn’t lacking in personal trainers, Kress has left his mark by taking a different approach to [...]

Monkey Business drag hostess Amanda Austin has a driving ambition to bring aspiring, talented female impersonators into a venue where they can hone their craft. “It’s not easy to transform yourself from a young man to look like a young woman,” Austin admits. “It’s not just about putting on a dress: You need to know [...]

For some, life can seem like a roller coaster ride. Others compare their experiences to different carnival attractions. “I served in that Merry-Go-Round called the hospitality industry for more than 25 years,” recalls Jackson Padgett, co-owner—with his life and business partner, Mark Negrete—of Georgie’s Alibi and Bill’s Filling Station, both in Wilton Manors. As to [...]

By DALE MADISON While still a young man living in Dayton, Ohio, Dr. J. Michael Heider (“Jay” to his friends) was impressed by the big difference he saw his hometown dentist making in the lives of people in his community. Although only one man, that dental practitioner had a positive impact on many people— including [...]

By DALE MADISON Wilton Drive will soon welcome its newest watering hole, when the Village Pub makes its “rebut” (pronounced “raybyoo,” as in, second debut) during the next few weeks. Business partners Greg Phelps, Mark Byard, Alex Sadeghi, and Jerry Yerich say they plan to revolutionize the bar business. The owners say they are both [...]

By DALE MADISON Is it going to be John, Gino, Michael, Paul, or Don? (Sounds a lot like the beginning of “Ghostbusters!”) Make no mistake, though, when you go to 78 Degree Spa, you won’t have to worry about ghosts. In fact, your biggest worry may be about getting addicted. After a day there, all [...]

By Dale Madison In 1864, Henry Wells, founder of Wells Fargo Bank said, “We have one very powerful business rule, it is concentrated in one word: Courtesy.” It’s nice to see that, 144 years after the death of Wells (who also started American Express), that watch word is still very much alive in the bank [...]