Florida Agenda

“Thriving In South Florida With Bobby Blair” is designed to empower and inspire readers. In each interview, I will be featuring members of our community who share their real stories of bravery, tenacity and a strong will to survive. Their dilemmas and hardships are ones to which we can all relate. Yet, in the end, these leaders came out on top. Combining our print edition with our strong online presence, I will be bringing the community inspirational stories in a whole new way. In addition to the print version of the column, we will also feature an Internet talk show segment through guymag.net and floridaagenda.com. You’ll be able to see episodes of the talk show “Thriving In South Florida With Bobby Blair,” exclusively through our sites. I hope that you enjoy both the talk show and the feature below.

Laurie Whittaker and Jennifer Morales, owners of Sidelines Sports & Video Bar in Wilton Manors, gave been together for 33 years now (last week was their anniversary). Thirty-three years together is what’s kept their business alive, coupled with their passion for sports of course.

“I feel both privileged and pressured when people ask ‘how did you make it last so long?’” says Whittaker. “One thing [is that] Jennifer and I were very fortunate to grow up together. I was 19, almost 20, and she was 21. When you’re that age you think you know everything, but you get older you realize you really didn’t know anything at all.”

Though they were happy, the couple struggled at times.

“There was a time that Jen and I were on food stamps, and I remember at that time feeling embarrassment.”

But through it all, Morales stood by Whittaker’s side – even when Whittaker’s own family wasn’t. For ten years, Whittaker’s relationship with her family became nearly nonexistent, until she moved down to Florida to pursue a career in law in 1989.

After the many years, her family became a part of her life again.

“They thanked me for allowing them back in my life, even though they had cut me off, and that I didn’t rake them over the coals and give them such a hard time. I’m not going to lie to you, there was still some lingering feels of hurt and pain,” Whittaker says openly. “It’s better for you to forgive than to hang on to the anger and the resentment, because in the end, you’re the only one that hurts, not the person that you’re angry with, because it’s not affecting their life, it’s only affecting your own.”

“Most people don’t know that I have a moderate hearing disability. I have to read lips. If you’re standing behind me, I can’t hear you.”

“Jen, when I first met her, was not that much into sports,” says Whittaker. “She goes absolutely nuts now [for games]. Even when we’re at home. I’ve created a monster!” she jokes.

After her dad passed, Whittaker decided she wanted a change of pace.

“When your whole day is doing nothing but solving people’s problems, it gets to be a little bit difficult,
explains Whittaker. “To be honest with you, I’m the type of person that really cares, so sometimes I made it a little too personal. As a lawyer, that’s very dangerous, because it can really burn you out.”

She always liked being around people and the idea of opening a bar seemed like the right idea.

Going seven years strong, Sidelines is still bringing in sports fans by the numbers. In addition to that, the bar now offers a VIP bottle area, where groups of friends can watch the game in a reserved space. With 24 flat screen TVs, two pool tables and dart boards, the bar is aiming to bring the action to you.

None of the success would have been possible if it wasn’t for the determination, passion, and love that Whittaker and Morales found within each other.

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Butternut squash also known in Australia and New Zealand as Butternut pumpkin. It has a sweet, nutty taste similar to that of a pumpkin. It has yellow skin and orange fleshy pulp. When ripe, it turns increasingly deep orange, and becomes sweeter and richer. It grows on a vine. The most popular variety, the Waltham Butternut, originated in Waltham, Massachusetts.

It is a good source of fiber, vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, and potassium. It is also an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin E.

This recipe is so easy you’ll laugh !

• 1 (2 to 3 pound) butternut squash, peeled and seeded

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or extra virgin olive oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 6 cups chicken stock

• Nutmeg (a pinch)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. In a large pot melt butter or olive oil.  Add onion and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the squash and the stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until the squash is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Place in a blender and puree. Taste. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. You are a chef.

Thursday 10/24

Reflektor Concert (Arcade Fire) at Little Haiti Cultural Center
Arcade Fire’s successful prior album Suburbia not only one the hearts of a multitude of critics, yet it also shocked the music world by winning the Grammy for best album of the year. Opening the door for the current hipster cultural landscape (re: the success of the TV show Girls and Bansky’s current popular New York installation), Arcade Fire has released another widely acclaimed album entitled Reflektor. This hidden (though not so hidden) show under the moniker Reflektor brings the multi-instrumentalist ensemble to the Little Haiti Cultural Center to sing all their hits including selections from the new album. Their success caused an added date for Wednesday 10/23 at Mekka Nightclub. 8 p.m. Mekka Nightclub. 950 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, 33132.

10/25

Cristian Castro
Born in Mexico City, Cristian Castro is the grammy-nominated Latin romantic with pop hits ranging from ballads to upbeat tunes. Castro has been in the entertainment industry since the age of five, starting out as an actor (having a renowned actress and singer Veronica Castro as a mother helped). His many albums include the seductive Lo Mejoy de Mi, Mi Vida Sin Tu Amor, and the all-dance remix album of his songs Re-Mixes. 8 p.m. Fillmore Miami Beach. 1700 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, 33139.

Pilobolus
Inhuman bodily contortions typifies the dance group Pilobolus who makes their way to the Adrienne Arscht Center for the Performing Arts. Using interlocking bodies and intricate movements, Pilobolus astounds with topsy-turvy entanglements defying anatomical logic. You may remember them from the 79th Annual Academy Awards where they gamboled into various poses representing films of that year such as Happy Feet, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Departed. Maybe most interesting to our community, Pilobolus signified a change in contemporary dance in which the male dancers are brought into closer physical contact with each other. While expecting a gay Dirty Dancing may be stretching it, PIlobolus’ homoeroticism is implicit in their style. 8 p.m. Adrienne Arscht Center. 1300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, 33132.

10/26

Sophisticated Ladies
The title may suggest a 2-hour gay Sunday brunch, but Sophisticated Ladies is actually a brash and brassy musical revue tribute to the legendary jazz great Duke Ellington. The show moves from Ellington’s early years to his later life abroad. The Tony-winning show includes classics such as “Mood Indigo,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” “Black and Tan Fantasy,” “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Satin Doll” and, of course, “Sophisticated Lady.” The show starts at 8pm at the Broward Stage Door Theatre. 8036 W Sample Rd, Coral Springs, 33065.

10/27

Spooky Symphony
Old Halloween childhood adventures include trick or treating, Friday the 13th films, and, of course, “Night on Bald Mountain”. The Greater Miami Youth Symphony and the Alhambra Orchestra team up for free family concert featuring not-scary but beautifully spooky orchestral favorites such as “Symphonie Fantastique”, “Totentanz”, and the aforementioned “Night on Bald Mountain”. Gay parents delight: kids are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween costumes. The show starts at 4pm at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. 174 E Flagler St Miami, 33131.

Halloween Tea Cruise
Tourists and local gay men delight: the Halloween Tea Cruise takes off at 5 p.m. for an evening of drinks, drag performances, and beautiful views on the water. Come in your best Halloween costume—this year’s theme is Dead Celebrities. Dj Maximus 3000 will be spinning as drag queens perform as some of your favorite dead celebrities. Scantily clad boys gyrate while hiding from ghosts aboard the haunted Yacht Musette. Free hors d’oeuvers, cash bar, drawings, and a 50/50 raffle add to the evening. Tickets are on sale for $30 in advance ($40 day of cruise) and are limited to the first 300 people. The event takes off on the Dock on the South Side of River Walk. While costumes are encouraged, they are not required! Tickets can be purchased online at gayteacruisesfl.eventbrite.com. Boarding from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. River Walk. 540 SE 5th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, 33301.

Alice Cooper
In Alice Cooper’s stage shows it’s not just the women who bleed but also boa constrictors and baby dolls. The indisputable king of horror hard rock in the early ‘70s, mainstay songs such as “I’m Eighteen” and “School’s Out” solidified his notoriety and place in music history. His old music became the quintessential anthems of aggressive, male teen discontent. A show by Alice Cooper usually contains gross-out antics on par with anything Gwar spits out. Oddly, Cooper’s been more of a crooner in the latter stages of his caree. His latest is entitled “Welcome 2 My Nightmare”. The show starts at 7 p.m. at Hard Rock Live. 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, 33314.

10/28

Dudes
Despite the long drive from Wilton Manors, across the inter-coastal, and then nestled in the corner of a mini-mall, Dudes has the right mix of beefy strippers and alcoholic refreshments. Wind down after that long first day back to work with a lap-dance, a martini, and a roll of dollar bills. A happy hour from 4-9 includes 2-4-1 drink specials. The best part is that if you get too wasted, you can sober up a few blocks away on the beach. 4 p.m. Dudes. 3270 NE 33rd St, Fort Lauderdale, 33308.

10/29

Selena Gomez
The recently single (from a certain famous blond-haired d-bag) Disney princess performs her catchy music at the BB&T Center. Gomez has had a tumultuous young career beginning with her infamous role of Gia in the hit TV show Barney and Friends. Her breakout performance came on the critically and commercially successful Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place. A recent role in Spring Breakers signified a break into more adult territory. Of course, her relationship with the Bieber may be the most important aspect of her career so far. 7:30 p.m. BB&T Center. 1 Panther Pkwy, Sunrise, 33323.

10/30

MIX Networking Event
The finest gay businessmen of South Florida meet up once a month to discuss new ideas, curry clients, and make important deals for the city. Sponsored by this very magazine, the October MIX networking event takes place at 13|Even — an intimate restaurant highlighting craft beers, wine by the glass, and tapas. Located in Wilton Manors, the intricately designed space seems to be the perfect venue for the event. Each participant enjoys one complimentary drink, hors d’oeuvres, and the chance to win a $500 advertising campaign in Guy Magazine. 6:30 p.m. 13|Even. 2037 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305.

NIN
Has it really almost been twenty years since Nine Inch Nails’ Downward Spiral and over-played music video “Closer” captured the attention of disaffected teenagers everywhere? Trent Reznor’s ground-breaking band comes to the BB&T Center to explore themes of dissatisfaction, devastation, and bitter betrayal. The newest album Hesitation Marks continues Reznor’s signature self-loathing lyrics paired with harsh electronic beats. Even if latter career Reznor included forays into the film industry (most notably the brilliant soundtrack to The Social Network), the edge has never been lost. 7:30 p.m. BB&T Center. 1 Panther Pkwy, Sunrise, 33323.

10/31/13

Wicked Manors 2013

A parade of gay men, dead inside, aimlessly wandering the streets of Wilton Manors. No, this isn’t just your typical Thursday on the Drive. On October 31st of this year, Wilton Drive will be shut down for Wicked Manors, and this year the theme is Walking Dead on the Drive. The party starts at 7:00pm with costume contests, drag performances, and dancing in the streets. There will be eight total costume contests: kid’s costume, pet costume, dead celebrity lookalike, best sex appeal, best drag, most unique, best group, walking dead, and grand theme prize. Wicked Manors will also hold its first annual Thriller flash mob. An added bonus – the night itself is a charity event with proceeds benefiting The Pride Center. Emcee Mistey Eyez gets things started on the main stage while DJ Pedro Rocha spins high energy dance classics. Gaybies can trick-or-treat at the various stores from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Participants can sign up for the costume contests by showing up to the main stage 15 minutes before the category.Visit the websit at www.wickedmanors.org for more information and to sign up for the “Thriller” flash mob. See below for a breakdown of the total crash/prize listings.   7 p.m. Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305.

Boomerangs Thrift Store’s Best Costume Contest for Kids ($50) – 7:00 p.m.  2365 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305

Boomerangs Thrift Store’s Best Pet Costume Contest ($50) – 7:30 p.m. 2365 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305

Courtyard Dead Celebrity Lookalike ($100) – 8:00 p.m. 2211 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305

Rumors Bar & Grill’s Best Sex Appeal Contest ($100) – 8:30 p.m. 2426 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305

Rumors Bar & Grill’s Best Drag/Crossdressing Contest ($100) – 9:00 p.m. 2426 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305

Bill’s Filling Station’s Best Group Costume Contest ($500) – 10:00 p.m. 2209 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305

New Moon’s Costume Contest ($500 in cash and prizes) – TBD time. 2440 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305

The Manor’s Costume Contest ($2,500 in cash and prizes) – TBD time. 2345 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305

Grand Prize: Walking Dead Theme ($1,000) – 10:30 p.m. at Alibi 2266 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, 33305

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL 23rd District) recently sat down with SiriusXM Radio to discuss various issues, including how she explained homosexuality to her children.

Wasserman Schultz told a story about the year her son was in 4th grade. After seeing a commercial that alluded to homosexuality, her son asked what it meant to be gay.

“I [was] standing on a crossroads here in my child’s life,” she said. “This is the moment when people either turn their children into bigots and narrow-minded individuals or they have an opportunity to open their eyes to tolerance. Of course, I had always intended to choose tolerance and understanding. And so I explained to [my son] that there are some people who are born, and they are attracted to the opposite sex, like your mom and dad, and there are other people who are born that are attracted to the same sex. Neither is preferable – they’re both normal.”

A few years later (two years ago), when same-sex marriage was a topic on virtually every radio and television station, Wasserman Schultz and Jake were driving in the car, listening to a news broadcast. Of course, it involved gay marriage and equality. As the program played, Jake blurted out “Who really cares who people marry?!” Wasserman Schultz says that she knew her job was done.

Explaining gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues to a child may appear difficult, but Wasserman Schultz proves otherwise. Sometimes taking the more simple route is the best route. Honesty is key, and informing children of social issues is no exception. Why should parents explain heterosexuality to their children so young, but homosexuality and transgender are subjects that are too murky to navigate through? While in kindergarten, I gave a girl a kiss on the cheek. It was harmless. There was clearly no sexual attraction. I thought she was pretty and I wanted her to know it. I immediately learned (from everyone standing around me) that I apparently had a “crush” on the girl.

Now don’t get me wrong, the birds and the bees talk is a horse of a different color, but basic sexuality should be a topic explored when the child asks, not when the adult is ready to talk about it. Anyone with a child should take notes from Rep. Wasserman Schultz – homosexuality should be celebrated not condemned.

Wilton Manors, FL – Daisy Deadpetals and Kitty Meow are two of South Florida’s well-known drag queens. Now, the two are coming together to put on a show like you’ve never seen before. Mostly, because the two are bringing the show to a bowling alley, instead of a traditional bar, club, or lounge.

“I’ve been doing drag for 20 years now (Kitty a bit longer),” Daisy told us. “In that time we’ve never seen anyone do a night in a bowling alley – that’s why we picked it! We’ve both been bowling of course, and since it’s always fun, [we] thought ‘what if we could add our crazy creativity and years of experience to an already fun event?’ It’ll be like Gay Bowling at Disney World!”

Daisy will be DJ’ing as well, spinning 80′s and 90′s, Hip  Hop, Pop, Rock “and everything in between.” The night will also feature DJ Rob who will be on hand so that Daisy can run around, host and perform along with Kitty.

“We’re rolling a red carpet down the center bowling lane and that’s gonna be the girls stage,” explains Daisy. “It’s like a drag queen’s wet dream. That long runway in the middle of the action! There will be performances popping up all night long. We’ll also be giving away prizes. We have a giant wheel that folks can spin and win things, like free drinks or free bowling. Also, at every lane you can order bottle service!

With a full bar and kitchen, the two performers want everyone to be happy. They’re even offering a free bottle per week to an attendee who’s celebrating a birthday.

“With Kitty’s over the top grand fabulousity (which by the way- comes from her stunning fashion) and my comedy, [I] think it’s a perfect combo.”

The party will take place every Tuesday (starting this Tuesday the 29th) at the recently remodeled Diamond Strike in Pompano Beach.

Wilton Manors, FL – Jackson Padgett, owner of the popular Wilton Manors bars, Alibi and Bill’s, was arrested last week after being pulled over on Dixie Highway, just south of the five points intersection.

Padgett was arrested in Wilton Manors early Friday morning (at approximately 12:40 a.m.), and is now facing the following charges: improper right turn, disobeying a stop/yield sign, DUI (first offense), DUI with damage to property or person and possession of cocaine.

Padgett has since been bailed out and is currently awaiting a court date.

Photo by Big Dewitte of Padgett and partner Mark showing their support for the community during last year’s Stonewall Pride.

Tallahassee, FL – After meeting with Equality Florida, Representative Dennis Baxley has issued a public statement reflecting on his recent comments that compared homosexuality to alcoholism:

“Please let me thank Equality Florida leadership for coming to visit with me concerning the remarks in the K-12 Education Committee discussion. I am very sorry anyone was offended. It certainly is not my desire to disparage anyone. The context on the open discussion which turned to “parental involvement” was to recount a teacher’s challenges expressed to me and to express my encouragement to teachers who often provide the stabilizing place for many students who come to school with many life challenges. It is tough for teachers to be accountable for learning gains, but we are showing children can learn no matter their life situations. We all need to thank a teacher.”

Trenton, NJ – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie dropped a legal challenge on Monday that would oppose same-sex marriages within the Garden State, making New Jersey the 14th state to allow same-sex marriages.

“Although the governor strongly disagrees with the court substituting its judgement for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a vote of the people, the court has now spoken clearly as to their view of the New Jersey Constitution and, therefore, same-sex marriage is the law,” said Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for Christie. “The governor will do his constitutional duty and ensure his administration enforces the law as dictated by the New Jersey Supreme Court.”

Many are speculating that Christie stopped pursuing his legal efforts in order to secure votes for his alleged run for Presidency in 2016, despite the fact that Christie publicly admits his disapproval for same-sex marriage.

Asheville, NC – Drew Reisinger, a North Carolina county official, says he will accept marriage applications from same-sex couples and seek advice from a highly-esteemed lawyer locally.

An amendment made to North Carolina’s Constitution in 2012 forbids same-sex couples from marrying, but Reisinger said that he will hold the licenses he receives and then ask state Attorney General Roy Cooper for advice in pursuing the case.

After Buncombe County Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger had to deny “upstanding citizens” that just so happened to be gay, he felt that he had to change things in North Carolina.

Reisinger’s statement came just hours after Cooper revealed his support for same-sex marriage. Cooper has said that his personal beliefs won’t prevent him from defending the state’s current law.