By Cliff Dunn
Tonight, May 12, Juiceblendz hosts its Pride Center Night from 6 to 10 p.m. The event will be held at the Juiceblendz store in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors, 2248 Wilton Drive, with 20% of all proceeds from the purchase of smoothies, wraps, or sandwiches benefiting the Pride Center at Equality Park. Order up – it’s for a good cause.
There’s Life in the Old Girl Yet
One of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s few unchanging landmarks – no, not Miss Kitty from Bill’s – celebrated its 61st Anniversary last month. While most of us have noted the passage of time upon our own visages, the heritage Gateway Theatre – at the curve where Sunrise Boulevard meets Federal Highway – has remained (largely) unchanged through the decades. (Yes, she’s showing her wrinkles and there are sights and scents only to be found in a building designed during the Truman Administration, but still…)
Opened in 1950 by the once mighty Miami-based Wometco Enterprises as a single screen venue, its acquisition in the 1980s saw its conversion into a four-theater Cineplex, although much of its original style has been preserved. Among other cinematic events past and present, the Gateway was the site of the 1960 world premiere of “Where the Boys Are”, the movie that helped put Fort Lauderdale on the cultural map.
Georgie’s Alibi Fights to Keep its “Burger King” Crown
A year ago, Georgie’s Alibi in Wilton Manors brought home the gold when the restaurant and bar was voted “Best Burger in Fort Lauderdale” during the Riverwalk Trust Burger Battle. This year’s Slaughter on the Water – sorry, Burger Battle II – takes place on Friday, May 13, from 7 to 10 p.m. on the lawn at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. As with last year, Alibi is the competition’s only gay restaurant (unless you count the majority of servers who work at the other competing eateries). Best of luck to the Big Kahuna Burgers themselves, owners Jackson Padgett and Mark Negrete, and Georgie’s G.M., Vince Frato.
Mars Needs Men
Camp Mars, South-central Florida’s premier private membership campground for gay men, is swimming – literally – with events and activities to make your May more memorable. The camp, opened in 2002, is just two hours from most large Florida cities and attractions. Owners Tom Costello and Dale Dunston host guests with 40 acres of green pastures, lush tropical foliage, nature trails, ponds, creeks, oak hammock and heated in-ground pool, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the campgrounds.
Among the events and activities happening through the rest of this month are Prom Weekend, May 13 through 15, Spring Camp Weekend, May 20 through 22, and wrapping up the month, Memorial Day Weekend on Mars, May 27 through 30.
Tom and Dale invite you to enjoy a true camping experience, from primitive tenting to unique rental cabins, as well as huge 30 and 50 amp full hookup R.V. sites.
Passages
Our deepest condolences to South Florida Gay News CEO and principal Piero Guidugli on the loss of his partner of many years, Jack, who passed last month after a lengthy illness. A gentleman and a gentle man in all senses of the words, his loss is felt by many, and our thoughts go out to his loving partner and family. “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller
Quotable
“Osama bin Laden. Unless we think he’s dead by now, in which case that guy who holds up the ‘GOD HATES FAGS’ sign.” – Tina Fey, in the May issue of Vanity Fair, asked “Which living person do you most despise?” (This interview occurred months before bin Laden’s much-deserved Exit-Stage-Dead: is Fey psychic – and if so, can she get Open for Business this week’s winning LOTTO numbers?)