Florida Agenda

By Dale  Madison

Since 1986, The Poverello Center has provided lifesaving food and living essentials to Broward County residents who are living with HIV/AIDS, and who meet basic specified qualifications.

For Tom Smith, CEO of Poverello, his service to the organization, and the clients whose needs it serves, has spanned more than 20 years. It started when Smith heard about a Roman Catholic priest named Father Bill Collins, who served at St. Coleman Parish in Pompano Beach. At that time, Collins was working to find sponsors to assist a needy family at Christmastime. Smith went to St. Coleman, banged on the door, and asked to speak to Collins, who explained the troubling circumstances: The distressed family had five children, and three were HIV-positive.

Although initially the plan for the assistance called for raising as much money as possible, and using it to purchase clothing and toys for the kids, enough was raised to get the family food, as well. After that inspiring success, the core group of volunteers decided that they wanted to keep the project going. The next year, Smith held a fundraising event at his home, and decided that it would benefit young men who were infected with what many called the “gay flu.”

“We realized that so many of these young men were being shunned by their families, and many were being abandoned by them,” Smith recalls. “That first year, we set up long banquet tables, and charged a minimum $25 per person donation, and each person had to bring a covered dish. About an hour in, there was a knock on the door, and a rush of drag queens poured in, shouting, ‘We’re here to perform and to help.’ We turned the living room into a dressing room with foam rubber, eyelashes, powder, lipstick, and make up of all kinds everywhere. At one point it looked as if a drag queen had exploded. We didn’t have a stage, so we took one of the banquet tables and collapsed the legs, laid it on the ground, and it became the stage. During the evening they blew out the speakers on my sound system, but they just kept going. We raised over $3,700.”

Smith had stumbled onto something: A formula for success. “The next year, Charlie Mielke and Tony Dee, the owners of Chardee’s restaurant in Wilton Manors, underwrote the entire evening. That year we raised enough money to help purchase a new truck for Poverello, because the one they had—you could sit in the cab, and see the street below you, sort of a ‘Fred Flintstone truck,’” he adds.

Times have changed, but the need hasn’t. Today, Poverello serves more than 3,000 clients. This month alone, the group will distribute over 3,000 boxes of food, with a bill running in the neighborhood of $96,000—an expensive neighborhood, as you can see. And next year, county budget cuts are likely to translate to a 50 percent reduction in funding for food banks. “It’s been a tough year so far, but we are doing everything we can to turn things around. Our 22nd Annual Bowl-AThon is coming up [this month], and we are hoping to have a stellar year,” Smith adds. (As a matter of fact, he roped me in to help get items for the event’s silent auction, as well as to emcee—my fourth year, so how could I say no?)

Smith is also proud that Poverello has a new home, located at 2056 North Dixie Highway, with expanded hours, which the upbeat CEO hopes—despite funding cuts from every level of government— will allow the organization to help more clients than ever before.

“The City of Wilton Manors has gone out of their way to help with the project,” he says, noting, too, that once completed, the project will be “green-friendly,” and ready to continue serving the community for many years to come.

For more information, visit Poverello.org.

Anticipation, Expectations Build in Run Up to Delegates Arrival for Summit

Part Two of a Six-Part Series

By Cliff Dunn

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote gay-owned businesses in Broward County, the Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) of Greater Fort Lauderdale is partnering with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) to welcome the delegates for the latter organization’s 28th Annual International Convention – dubbed “Lauderdale Unleashed” – which kicks off on Tuesday, May 10, and continues through Sunday, May 15.

The RBC has planned several activities and events for the delegates, along with a Welcome Guide, which includes maps of Broward County and Greater Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, information and facts about South Florida’s “gay history,” a directory of RBC members and a personalized ID card which doubles as a luggage tag. Several days of educational seminars and classes will culminate in a Friday evening Consumer Expo and Trade Show in Wilton Manors (and a post-expo concert featuring entertainer Christine W headlining and some other performers, to be announced).

Organizers believe a key to the success of the week’s events will be interaction between the local gay community and the delegates from more than 80 countries who will be in attendance. Greg Hardy, Vice President at Solutions Insurance Services in Oakland Park and an RBC board member, says that after all is planned and made ready, getting locals – individuals and businesses alike – excited and involved will be job one.

“Our number one goal,” says Hardy, “is for the IGLTA delegates to feel welcomed to our great city.”

On the business side, “we’d like to see the local tourism businesses register for the convention to network with our global attendees,” notes John Tanzella, President and CEO of the IGLTA. “We hope that [the community-at-large] will extend a warm welcome.” He says that the Friday night Consumer Expo and Trade Show, which starts at 6 p.m., “was specifically created to support and interact with the local community, and the RBC has been instrumental in building a wonderful evening of free entertainment.”

Business and community leaders alike know that these activities will provide the framework for what they hope will be a community-wide effort to make the delegates feel at home.

“In the long term, the delegates’ opinions and reactions to our destination and our people will surely determine our future,” offers Jennifer Morales, who serves as the RBC’s secretary and is also the Director of Marketing for Sidelines Sports Bar, which is co-owned by her partner, Laurie Whittaker. “Whether it’s a year from now, five years or even ten years from today, these delegates have the power to ensure that our city flourishes and grows to be the number one LGBT tourism destination,” she adds.

Tanzella says that IGLTA is grateful for the opportunity to meet, socialize, and play under the sunny South Florida skies. He notes, too, that his organization makes an effort to reciprocate to its host cities.

“We always give back to a local charity,” says Tanzella. “This year we’re presenting a donation to Father Bill Collins and The Poverello Center at our gala dinner and party on May 14.” The gala is another way for locals to mix with the visitors, with tickets available for purchase by non-attendees.

Of the convention and its effects, Chris Dunham, President of Fort Lauderdale-based Dunham Insurance Services, has his eye on the long view.

“This is like dropping a pebble into the water,” Dunham offers. “What’s under that stone feels only the first impact. Those ripples go on even beyond your ability to see them.

One conventioneer this year comes back with three friends next year, and buys a house off the beach the following year, that’s money in the bank for all kinds of businesses for years come.”

“Let’s not screw this up,” he adds sagely.

WILTON MANORS, FL – Gary Yamnitz, branch manager of the Wilton Manors office of the City County Credit Union, helped close the gap to purchase a previously owned automobile for Father Bill Collins, founder of the Poverello Center and Thrift Store.

Last December, Johnny’s Bar general manager and promoter, A.J. Cross, heard Father Bill lost his car in a car accident and, recognizing that the humanitarian and Jesuit priest needed a car in order to continue his work, held several fundraisers. The efforts fell far short of the $18,000 needed to purchase a new car from Maroone Ford. At th at time, Y

amnitz made a donation for the car in the name of the credit union.
Yamnitz contacted the Vice President of the Credit Union, Jennifer Burns who, in turn, discussed the situation with the credit union’s CEO, Lloyd Gill. The three put together a plan to get the priest into a 2009 Toyota Camry at no additional cost using just the money collected by purchasing the car though one of the credit union’s subsidiaries, AutoBranch.

The City County Credit Union waived all fees and covered the difference of almost $6,000 for the car.  They also purchased a 3-year warranty on the vehicle.

Fort Lauderdale

VEGAS NIGHT—CHIPS FOR CHARITY

Wilton Manors Council and Gay & Lesbian Business Exchange (GLBX) announces its first fundraising reception. Vegas Night – Chips for Charity, will take place on Thursday, Jan. 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors. Admission is $40 per person and includes tastings from local restaurants, five hours of gaming, live music, and open bar service. The event will raise money for the Chamber and Kids in Distress. For more information, call 954-462-4911 or e-mail Dan@FTLChamber.com.

TONY TRIPOLI: I SH*T MY PANTS

Comedian/actor Tony Tripoli, who has shared on-screen laughs with Kathy Griffin, Charlie Sheen and Bo Derek, will perform his newest show, “I Sh*t My Pants,” Dec. 17-19. The show will take place at 23 NW Fifth St., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $20. For more information, call (954) 647-2409 or visit www.andrewslivingarts.com.

“NEEDS WHEELS” BENEFIT FOR FATHER BILL COLLINS

Join the South Florida community on Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. for the “Needs Wheels” It’s a Wonderful Benefit for Father Bill Collins of the Poverello Center. The benefit will take place at Johnny’s, 1116 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Monies raised will be used to purchase a new car for Father Bill. Dale Madison and Russel of Stable will host the benefit. There will be incredible performances from some of the most well-known local celebs in the business and a silent auction with over $8,000 in items from our sponsors. For donations, call (954) 554-4912 and make all checks payable to Poverello Center, memo New Car.

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

What would Christmas be without Charles Dickens’ beloved tale. The Empire State Theater at 1140 North Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, is presenting a oneman version Thursdays – Sundays until Dec. 25. Scott Sowers, who recently appeared in HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire,” plays all the parts. For showtimes, tickets and information, call (954) 678-1496 or visit www.empirestage.com

Miami

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR

It’s time for the Miami International Art Fair (MIA) in Miami Beach, Jan. 13-17, 2011 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall D, 1901 Convention Center Drive. Come experience America’s most exciting mid-winter contemporary art fair. MIA will be an inaugurating, intriguing and unique new model this year, combining a highly selective art fair with a strong, central curatorial vision, in addition to independently curated projects. Highlighting MIA in 2011 is the special installation Museum of Modern Ice, bringing Canadian artist Gordon Halloran’s dazzling paintings in ice to sunny South Florida for the first time. Tickets are $50 in advance and $75 at the door. For more information, call (239) 949 5411.

JUMP! SUNDAYS

Edison Farrow, Omar Gonzalez and Tony Ferro present JUMP! Sundays, South Beach’s new hot spot on Sunday nights. Doors open at 10 p.m. with free Svedka vodka drinks until 11 p.m. Admission is $10. JUMP! takes place at Lux (formerly Liquid Niteclub), 1439 Washington Ave., Miami Beach.

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S “THE NUTCRACKER”

Miami City Ballet presents George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 17-23 at the Adrienne Arsht Center Ziff Ballet Opera House, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. This production is a magical treat for young and old. Miami City Ballet’s production boasts beautiful sets, lavish costumes and magical special effects. A large, talented cast present a holiday treat for the entire family. For ticket information, call (305) 949-6722. Prices vary.

MDGLCC TOY DRIVE & HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

Please join the Miami Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for a toy drive and holiday celebration on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the LGBT Visitor’s Center, 1130 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Please bring an unwrapped toy to benefit the Miami Beach Police Toy Drive. There will be an open bar, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a DJ, a visit from Santa Claus and other special surprises. Please RSVP to Stephanie@tma-pr.com or call (305) 673-4440.

Bay Area

UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER PARTY

On Saturday, Dec. 18, Flamingo Resort presents its first Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. If you haven’t received one already through the years, hit the thrift stores, craft stores, hardware stores and find (or make) the most hideous Christmas sweater you can imagine for a chance to win cash and prizes.

Prizes in three categories: Overall Ugliest Sweater, Most Creative Ugly Sweater and Sexiest Ugly Sweater. Contest runs from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Flamingo Resort, 4601 34th St. S., St. Petersburg. Come out and celebrate in an ultra-festive environment and share your holiday cheer.

POST- CHANUKAH HOLIDAY MIXER & WINE TASTING

Mindy Solomon, of the Mindy Solomon Gallery, is holding a mixer to bring together Jewish LGBT community together for a post-Chanukah Holiday Mixer on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at her gallery at 124 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Sponsoring the event are: The JCC Suncoast, myQmunity.com, Blue Heron Café and PRP Wine International. There will be light food and a wine tasting. Admission is free. The mixer is designed to get people meeting, sharing and having fun.

FUNDRAISER FOR THE ST. PETERSBURG MEN’S CHORUS

The GayStPete House will he holding a fundraiser for the St. Petersburg Men’s Chorus on Thursday, Dec. 23 at the GayStPete House, 4505 5th Ave. North, Saint Petersburg. Enjoy a relaxing evening poolside with incredible eats, full open bar, live entertainment and plenty of holiday cheer. No gifts but please make a donation to the Chorus. All of your donation goes to the chorus. For more information, visit www.stpetemenschorus.com.

STEAM FRIDAYS CHRISTMAS PARTY

DJ Manny Lehman will headline at the Steam Fridays Christmas Party to be held at The Honey Pot, 1507 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. The party will be held on Friday, Dec. 17 from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. Lehman is one of the biggest DJ’s in the world and will celebrate the holiday in style. The club will be transformed into the “Nutcraker Suite” and will come to life with aerialists performing and so much more. Doors open at 10 p.m. with no cover until 10:30 p.m. and $10 after. Drinks are $1 from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Central Florida

“BROADWAY CHRISTMAS 4”

Blaze Adonis and Kai’ja Adonis present “Broadway Christmas 4,” a benefit for The Trevor Project on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 9 p.m. to midnight at Revolution Nightclub, 375 S. Bumby Ave., Orlando. The evening will be filled with music and comedy from many of your Broadway favorites, old and new. There will be a VIP reception starting at 8:30 p.m. with wine and hors d’oeuvres. Showtime begins at 8:30 p.m. and is hosted by Baby Blue. There is also a cast of over 50 of your favorite LGBT entertainers. All of the proceeds will benefit The Trevor Project, the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ youth. A $10 donation gets you into the VIP reception, show and Revolution for the after-party.

WINTER BEACH PARTY

The Winter Beach Party will be held at Revolution on Saturday, Dec. 18 from 10 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. at Revolution, 375 S. Bumby Ave., Orlando. The Winter Beach Party is a night for girls who love girls and the friends that love them. Ladies of the Majestic Theater Show at 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. featuring Baby Blue, Desiree Demornay, China and special guest Poison Ivy, direct from South Beach. There will also be a sultry burlesque show with the sexy Les Vixens at midnight. Drinks are $1 from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., no cover until 11 p.m. for those 21 and over (18+ welcome).

“GOD HELP US, EVERYONE”

Ashton Kutcher, Lucille Ball, Joan Crawford, Miss Piggy and Cher (or at least their impersonators) present “A Glittering Star- Studded Christmas Carol” on Saturday, Dec. 18 starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Footlight Theater at the Parliament House, 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando.

“THE NEARLYWED GAME”

… at Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 18. This is a fun and new twist of the classic TV game show, “The Newlywed Game.” Each month, six couples (same-sex and opposite sex couples) will compete to see who knows, or thinks they know, each other the best. The couple with the most matching answers will win fabulous prizes. No subject is off limits — mature content and not for the faint of heart. The 8 p.m. show this month will be a normal couples’ round, and the 9:30 p.m. show will consist of gay men coupled with their best female friends (a.k.a. fag hags). For more information, visit www.hamburgermarysorlando.com

Photo: A.J. Cross along with Michael Albetta and Tony Schoonover of Maroone Ford. They are standing with the car which will be purchased for Father Bill Collins.

Fundraiser results in new car for community icon

By BOB KECSKEMETY

The community is coming together for a fundraiser to purchase a new car for Father Bill Collins, founder of the Poverello Center and Food Bank. The “Need Wheels” fundraiser will be held on Monday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. inside the Rainbow Lounge at Johnny’s Bar, 1116 West Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.

Collins, who was hospitalized last month following a car accident, has been taking taxis or catching a ride from volunteers to the Poverello from his home in Lauderdale By The Sea. His vehicle was totaled in the accident, and the money from his insurance company was used to pay off his car loan and some of the medical expenses. A.J. Cross, general manager of Johnny’s, decided to bring the community together to help out Collins after learning of the accident on Nov. 30. Within 24 hours, Cross had received more than $8,000 in pledges, and 37 gay-owned businesses offered to help purchase the new car. The goal is to pay for the car, taxes, tags and registration.

“Everyone I’ve called has offered assistance — it’s been amazing,” said Cross. “Father Bill is so revered in the community. For most people, I didn’t even have to say why. As soon as I would say ‘Father Bill’ people responded with ‘whatever you need.’” In the mid ’80s, Collins, then a priest at St. Coleman’s Catholic Church, became chaplain in the Imperial Point Hospital chapel from St. Coleman’s Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale. This is where he first learned about the victims of the early AIDS crisis and found out that many could not work to purchase money for food. Collins started using his pay from the church to purchase food and made deliveries from his car. When his pay was not enough to cover those stricken by the epidemic, he spent his entire pension fund to purchase more food. Soon, that too ran out and he got a second job teaching at Broward Community College.

Word quickly spread about his work with AIDS patients and by the late ’80s, acquaintances familiar with his work opened the Poverelo Food Bank in Pompano Beach and a thrift store to assist in purchasing food. A few years later, Poverello outgrew its Pompano Beach space and moved to its current location in Wilton Manors.

Now, 24 years later, Poverello is planning to move to it’s new location next year, which is currently being remodeled next to the Pride Center at Equality Park on Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Collins often credits Poverello’s volunteers for the center’s success in serving more than 12,000 clients through the years. Poverello currently has 135 volunteers on its roster and serves 4,000 clients.

To this day, Collins has refused to take any money for his work with the Poverello Center and lives off his salary from the church.

Cross also reached out to Michael Albetta of Maroone Ford and the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus to see if he could get a new car for Collins at dealer cost. Albetta offered to purchase the car for Collins from Ford Motor Company at dealer cost, minus any rebates and using his Ford employee discount. Together they chose a 2010 Ford Focus, fully-equipped, for $18,500 and valued at $23,000. Albetta explained that he is permitted to use his discount twice a year but is forbidden to give the car away; however, he will sell the car to Collins for $1.

“It’s like the movie, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’” said Albetta, “and we’re right in the middle of the holiday season.

It overwhelmingly shows how much the community loves Father Bill.”

Some of the businesses involved in the benefit for Collins include: Bottoms & Tops; Boom; Island City Health & Fitness; Living Room; Sidelines; Java Boys; Georgie’s Alibi; Mark Magazine; Florida Agenda; Island City Eyecare; Chic Optique; Gaymart; Humpy’s Pizza; Ramrod; Copy This; Best Buy; City/County Credit Union; and the Wine Cellar Restaurant.

So far, scheduled entertainment for the benefit include Misty Eyez, Richard Cortez, Mia Sangria, Gemini Stone and an appearance by the Sisters of the Rising Sun. The fundraiser will also include a silent auction with sponsorship baskets, prizes and a 50/50 raffle. The performers will be donating all their tips received that evening to the benefit.

Johnny’s will be donating 100 percent of the door proceeds and 50 percent of all bar sales to Collins, and the valet company at Johnny’s will be turning over 50 percent of the money collected from valet to the new car fund. “My goal is to make this a huge event,” explained Cross. “I want people to walk into Johnny’s and see everybody who’s anybody there for Father Bill. If Father Bill would permit it, Poverello would buy him a car, but he [Collins] won’t do that. He has never taken a penny from Poverello and never will.”