Florida Agenda

Primrose (ID# A463816) is a one year old, 51 pound American Staffordshire terrier mix who is sweet, affectionate and loves to be with people.  This beauty is smart, eager to learn and will try to curl up in your lap.  She likes people of all ages and gets along with other dogs…she would just prefer a home without felines.  Can she be part of your family?

Luna (ID# A397783) is a 2 year young, Bengal feline who is looking for a quiet home.  This exotic beauty has gorgeous blue eyes and a coat as soft as velvet.  Luna will do best in a home where she is the only pet, that way she can have your undivided attention.

All pets are spayed or neutered before going home.  In addition they receive preliminary vaccinations, a microchip, heartworm test for dogs over seven months, feline leukemia test for cats, a limited 10 day health care plan courtesy of VCA Animal Hospital, a bag of Purina ONE food and more.  For more information call the shelter today at 954-989-3977.  The Humane Society of Broward County is located at 2070 Griffin Road, just a block west of I-95.  Renovations are in progress and the shelter remains open seven days a week and opens daily at 10 a.m.  To see who else needs a home visit www.humanebroward.com

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Cherie Wachter

Vice President of Marketing

Humane Society of Broward County

2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

www.humanebroward.com

954-266-6831 Direct

954-989-3977 Adoption Desk

spayneuter@hsbroward.com   Spay/Neuter Hotline

Adopt A Friend for Life!

Help me help the animals.  Please visit my 2013 Walk for the Animals web and make a donation in memory of Twiggy.

http://humanebroward.donordrive.com/participant/Cherie2013

By Joe Harris

Longtime Fort Lauderdale legal advocate, human rights activist, and former City Commissioner Dean Trantalis filed his notice last week that he’ll seek the District II commission seat, being vacated by Charlotte Rodstrom. Trantalis has practiced law in Broward County, and lived in Fort Lauderdale, since 1982.

He served as co-chair of Americans For Equality in 1995, and helped successfully enact and defend passage of Broward County’s Human Rights Ordinance, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Trantalis kicks off his campaign tomorrow at 6:30 p.m., during an event at ArtServe, on East Sunrise Boulevard.

“I am eager to return to public service,” he said. “My focus will be to revive our neighborhoods, especially those emerging communities that are most at risk from crime and neglect,” he added. “We need to redirect our resources to helping those most in need.”

FORT LAUDERDALE – This month, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC) sent representatives to attend the annual ITB Travel show, in Berlin, Germany. Keith Blackburn, president and CEO of the GFLGLCC reports that more than 113,000 trade visitors and nearly 60,000 consumers were in attendance at the Messe Berlin Convention Center.

The attendees had come to see 10,644 exhibitors from 187 countries, including those representing Greater Fort Lauderdale and its LGBT community. The chamber reps had set up an exhibition area in coordination with the Greater Fort Lauderdale-based International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), a stand that ranked Number 13 among NGO/Non-Profits by the Cologne Business School for their annual ITB “Best Exhibitor Award.” Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit paid an official visit to the booth.

The GFLGLCC was formed last year by members of Broward County’s LGBT business community, with a mission that includes promoting business and economic opportunities for the LGBT and LGBTfriendly community, promoting tourism with a unified approach, and serving as an advocate and resource for all equalitypromoting member businesses. It is a 501c (6) non-profit organization.

The GFLGLCC’s mission to Berlin was endorsed by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). For more information about GFLGLCC, visit gogayfortlauderdale.com.

If you like big kitties, stop by the shelter and meet Cromwell (ID# 429498).  This fellow is 4 years young, weighs 13 pounds and has a very long coat.  Sadly he has not been brushed enough and his coat is in need of a makeover so it can free him of the knots.  Cromwell is very sweet and front declawed.  Can he come live with you?

I need a home too.  I’m Prancer (ID# 429526) and I’m a 15 week old, male German shepherd mix puppy who is playful and fun and ready to be part of your family for many years.  I want to go to doggie school and learn all kinds of things, so I hope you’ll have time to devote to me.  Please stop by and meet me, you won’t be disappointed.

The $85 adoption fee for felines over 6 months is currently being waived and for kittens it has been reduced to $50!  The adoption fee for dogs over 6 months is $100 and under 6 months is $135. The fee includes spay/neuter surgery, preliminary vaccinations, microchip and registration, heartworm test for dogs and feline leukemia test for cats and more. The adoption fee for rabbits is $20.00.  For more information call the shelter today at 954-989-3977.  The Humane Society of Broward County is located at 2070 Griffin Road, just a block west of I-95.  Adoptions open daily at 10 a.m.

Help the HSBC win $100K and register to win an iPad.  Learn more by visiting www.humanebroward.com/challenge ; you can also view the pets waiting to be adopted.

If you have a pet that needs to be spayed or neutered please call the low-cost spay/neuter hotline at 954-463-7729 or email spayneuter@hsbroward.com. Prices start as low as $15 and kittens can be as young as 8 weeks!

Cherie Wachter

Vice President of Marketing

Humane Society of Broward County

2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

www.humanebroward.com

Direct:               954-266-6831

Adoptions:       954-989-3977

Spay/Neuter:  954-463-7729

spayneuter@hsbroward.com

Adopt A Friend for Life!

Have a pet that needs to be spayed or neutered?  Contact us at spayneuter@hsbroward.com.  Prices start at $15.

Looking for a great dog to be part of your family?  If so, stop by the Humane Society of Broward County and meet Scooby (ID# 418888).  This 1 ½ year old, 46 pound Labrador mix was given up because no one wanted him in the divorce.  Scooby is great with kids and other pets and he loves to go to the dog park.  He also likes to play fetch and will bark when he has to go outside.

If you prefer a feline friend, stop by and meet Bella (ID# 284662).  This 4 year young gal is front declawed and has an amazing temperament.  She is great with other pets and loves to play with cat toys!

In honor of “National Adopt

a Cat Month” the shelter will be waiving the $85 adoption fee for all felines six months and older.  The fee for felines under 6 months is being reduced to $50.

The adoption fee for dogs over 6 months is $100.  All pets are spayed/neutered, receive preliminary vaccinations, microchip and registration, heartworm test or feline leukemia test, 14 day health care plan courtesy of VCA Animal Hospitals, a bag of Purina ONE and a friend for life.  For more details call the Humane Society of Broward County at 954-989-3977 and press 3.  The shelter is located at 2070 Griffin Road, just a block west of I-95 and adoptions open daily at 10 a.m.  To see who else needs a home visit www.humanebroward.com

If you have a pet that needs to be spayed or neutered please call the low-cost spay/neuter hotline at 954-463-7729 or email spayneuter@hsbroward.com. Prices start as low as $15 and kittens can be as young as 8 weeks!

###

Cherie Wachter

Vice President of Marketing

Humane Society of Broward County

2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

www.humanebroward.com

Direct:               954-266-6831

Adoptions:       954-989-3977

Spay/Neuter:  954-463-7729

spayneuter@hsbroward.com

Adopt A Friend for Life!

Have a pet that needs to be spayed or neutered?  Contact us at spayneuter@hsbroward.com.  Prices start at $15.

By Rick Gibson

We appear to be very fortunate here in Broward County compared to the rest of the United States. One reason (aside from the weather) is there is no question our real estate market is on the “mend,” and quickly. Similar to almost any product, including the stock market, most things change in “cycles” of “ups and downs”. When the real estate market is “up” (meaning prices), then sellers are happiest and are able to get higher prices because there is more “demand” than there is “supply” (more people wanting to buy than there are properties available).   The bad news for those sellers in this situation is when they sell they often cannot afford to buy anything else. When supply is flooding the market, as it has been with foreclosures and short sales in the past few years, prices drop as a result and that is considered more of an opportunity for buyers than sellers, so is considered a “buyer’s market”.

This is to me a very interesting time in our history and in our market. We currently, in my opinion, are in the rare time of being in both a buyer’s and a seller’s market … this will not last. The reason we have both at the same time is a little complex, but many things in our economy have contributed to this status. The number of foreclosures seems to be slowing down, short sales are speeding up (and becoming more efficient), and overall inventory is down considerably. There are not nearly as many listings (especially good ones) as there were a year ago or six months ago.

So, for sellers with a great property and a realistic price, this is both an excellent time to sell their property and to buy another one. Buyers who are waiting for the “bottom” are missing out, and I predict going to be very frustrated with themselves as they start to see less choices and higher prices.

If you are considering a change and wish to trade “up” (buy the waterfront home of your dreams, or a larger home, etc.), “down-size” (realizing that you cannot use 7 toilets at a time), or invest, this is the best time I have ever seen to do so. If you are content in your home or property and it is worth what you feel it should be relative to what your mortgage may be if you have one, then maybe you should do absolutely nothing. If you do not like your property and cannot afford it, that’s easy. Contact a Certified Distressed Property Expert and/ or your accountant right away. If you are an investor, it may make sense to sell your property for less than you thought you would, only

in order to buy other properties now while you can, for less than you will ever be able to again. You end up ahead potentially if you do it right. In these cases, contact an investment specialist and, as always, keep your accountant’s advice close to you.

In times of tremendous economic change like we are experiencing now, there are incredible opportunities but to “freeze” up (do nothing) because we do not understand something could be a mistake. Reach out to someone you trust and get some sound advice so you can make your lives and those around you the best they can possibly be.

Real estate is not really about properties but the people who live in the properties, and their happiness and well-being. Focusing on the people, including yourself, will usually guide you to take action and not “settle” for mediocrity when you deserve better.

Rick Gibson is a Realtor®, Re/Max Preferred and Managing Member, Gibson Group Property Management, LLC. He can be reached via email at rickginfla@aol.com

Record low incidents for state as a whole

Photo: Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti says BSO planning town halls meeting to educate public on hate crimes. Courtesy, allamberti.com

By DMITRY RASHNITSOV

For the fourth year in a row, Broward County leads the state of Florida in the number of reported hate crimes, but officials say the numbers aren’t as dire as they seem for the second largest county in South Florida.

Attorney General Bill McCollum released the 2009 Florida Hate Crimes Report, which indicates that reported hate crimes in Florida are at their lowest level since 1990. During the 2009 calendar year, 148 hate crimes were reported by law enforcement agencies, well below the annual average of 262 reported hate crime incidents since reporting began in 1990.

“Floridians must continue working to ensure that everyone is free of intolerance and hate,” said McCollum. “Even one hate crime is one too many.”

Broward County had 22 reported hate crimes, while Miami-Dade County reported 17 hate crimes, Palm Beach County reported nine hate crimes, Orange County also had nine hate crimes, Pinellas County had three hate crimes and Osceola County had one reported hate crime.

The Broward County Sheriff ’s Office believes the numbers continue to be the highest in Broward County because the agency has made a concentrated effort to educate constituents on what a hate crime is and encouraged them to report it.

“Sheriff Al Lamberti and I are glad to see the numbers are down statewide, but at the same time we here in Broward County investigate any reports of hate crimes very seriously until the evidence shows otherwise,” said BSO Commander Richard Wierzbicki of the Hate Crimes/Anti-Bias Task Force. “We have done a successful job of not only spreading the word, but also going into schools and educating kids at a young age to respect all people no matter their race, ethnicity or disability.”

Of the 262 reported hate crimes, 33 were based on sexual orientation, about 13 percent, with Broward and Miami-Dade counties leading the way in that category – each with eight hate crimes based on sexual orientation. Those two counties account for nearly 50 percent of the sexual orientation hate crimes reported in the state.

Wierzbicki said that, although many LGBT community members live in Broward and Miami-Dade, no minority group should have a false sense of security just because they think they are in a safe neighborhood.

“Always be aware of your surroundings, walk in groups and in well-lit areas,” Wierzbicki said.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the LGBT community is still the most targeted group among minorities.

The SPLC has a list of 18 anti-gay hate groups all across the United States including three in Florida: Coral Ridge Ministries in Fort Lauderdale, Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville and Liberty Counsel in Orlando.

“There is a tremendous amount of hate out there,” Wierzbicki said.

The Attorney General’s Office of Civil Rights, which compiles the report, also conducts hate crimes training for law enforcement throughout Florida and has developed programs for elementary, middle and high school students to teach them how to recognize hate crimes, how the law protects victims of hate crimes, and how such crimes affect Florida communities.

McCollum continues to support better protection for victims of hate crimes and was recently involved in obtaining the support of State Attorneys General for federal hate crimes legislation approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Anti- Defamation League commended the attorney general for his leadership as a principal signature on a letter in support of The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act (HCPA), which became law last year.

In May, Wierzbicki and Lamberti helped make Florida the second state in the nation to add the homeless as a protected group in the state’s hate crimes law.

Wierzbicki also spoke in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee in September about the need to add homeless to nationwide hate crimes reports.

BSO plans on holding town halls all around the county beginning in the spring to continue to educate people on what a hate crime is and making sure they know its ok to report it. “It’s a double-edge sword for us,” Wierzbicki said.

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!

by BOB KECSKEMETY

The last television show to regularly shoot in Broward County was “Caribe” starring Stacy Keach in 1975. The last television comedy shot in South Florida was “The Jackie Gleason Show” in the mid-sixties. That all may change soon.

On Tuesday, July 20, a video crew was shooting a pilot for a situation comedy at the Poverello Center Thrift Store and Java Boys.

The “production title” for the show is “Bummed Out.”

“It’s about two executives who lost their jobs in today’s economy,” said Rose Warner, co-producer and director of “Bummed Out”. “They tried the freelancing and unemployment routes when they realized that bums on the street are making more then they were. So they turned to being bums.” The other co-producer is Alan Darnay who also stars in the show.

The show will be based in Broward County using an all local cast and crew. Warner used to live in this area and knew how much character the area has. She also recognized that so many movies and television shows are shot in South Beach meanwhile, Broward County is virtually an untapped location. She was already familiar with Poverello but found Java Boys when scouting locations and saw that a many people were always patronizing the coffee shop. “The production team came in and asked if they could shoot a scene in the store,” said Nicki Rose, owner of Java Boys. “Then they asked me to be in the scene — which I hesitantly accepted.”

As regular customers showed up at Java Boys while the crew was setting up the lights, camera and microphones, they were asked if they would like to be extras for the shoot. Many of the regular Java Boys customers signed releases and are part of the scene.

“I’m very excited,” said Karlos Lofton, a regular customer of Java Boys-turned- TV-star, “Wilton Manors needs this.”

Realtor Robert Cieslak, another Java Boys customer chosen to be an extra said, “This is great and it would be amazing for the community [if the show succeeds].”

The Florida Film Commission took away the incentives for shooting in South Florida which was a multi-billion dollar business. Many shoots planned for South Florida were cancelled. When the legislature was shown a study that for every dollar spent on film production, $7 is returned to the community’s economy in goods and services, State representatives voted fund the film industry $242 million over the next five years. “Bummed Out” is one of the first new projects.

Shooting for the “Bummed Out” pilot is scheduled to be completed by August 1 with post production finished by mid- October. At that time, the producers will be pitching the show to two broadcast networks which have shown interest. The entire cast, including the extras and crew, will be invited to a wrap party and viewing of the completed pilot at Java Boys.

If picked up, “Bummed Out” should premier in the winter 2011 television schedule.

By Dmitry Rashnitsov

The Women’s Theatre Project in association with The Pride Center at Equality Park proudly present it’s Second Annual Lesbian Play Reading Festival, June 25-27 in Wilton Manors.

The festival was created to give lesbian playwrights a voice.  After the Broward New Times named the TWTP “The best place to meet intelligent lesbians” in their 2008 Best Of issue, the festival seemed a perfect match for their mission.  Lesbian themed short plays were submitted for consideration from all over the United States, Canada and Australia and 16 were selected for this year’s festival.

The plays will be directed by Genie Croft, Marjorie O’Neill-Butler, Steven Chambers and Kim Ehly.  A team of professional actors from across South Florida will be participating on stage.

Cocktails and music will begin the program at 7 p.m. on all three nights with show times starting at 8 p.m. June 25 and June 26 will feature two different programs and June 27 will feature the best of the fest, audiences favorites from the previous days.

Tickets are $15 for each show or $35 for all three days. All shows will be at the Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit http://www.womenstheatreproject.com or call 866-811-4111.

The Women’s Theatre Project continues to be the only professional theatre company in the country dedicated

to producing theatrical work written by women with all-female casts. The Women’s Theatre Project creates an environment that explores the female voice. Spanning the generations, they are forging community partnerships to develop a legacy – by Women, about women and for everyone. They began presenting staged readings throughout Broward County in the fall of 2001 and built a strong following throughout the entire South Florida region with this outreach.