Florida Agenda

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – The 40th annual Winterfest Boat Parade will be held this weekend on Saturday, December 10 starting at 6:30 p.m. This year’s grand marshal is Barry Gibb who will be riding on the Nova Southeastern University bow on the Grand Marshal Showboat (Floridian Princess). The boat parade start on the New River and travels east to the Intracoastal Waterway, then continues north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach.

This year’s parade’s theme is “Rockin’ Boats and Holiday Floats” which embraces the beauty of the Fort Lauderdale waterways during the holiday season.

Private boats to the giant showboats and corporate mega-yachts will be decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights, music, entertainment, decorations, celebrities, musical groups, beauty queens and many other exciting entries expected to be viewed by over one million spectators.

It is free to watch the parade along the parade route or you can wait until Christmas Day and watch the parade on WSVN Fox-7.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Tickets are now on sale for the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus’ holiday spectacular, “The Gift Goes On” to be performed at 8 p.m. on Sunday, December 18 at the First Congregational Church of Fort Laud-erdale/UCC, 2501 NE 30th Street in Fort Lauderdale.

“The Gift Goes On” will help lift your holiday spirits with traditional holiday favorites as well as some fun new songs sure to delight.

Tickets are $40 for premium seating and $25 for general admission and can be purchased at ftlgmc.thundertix.com or by calling 954-832-0060.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – The Florida Public Archaeology Network’s Southeast Region is hosting an exhibit to commemorate Fort Lauderdale’s 100th anniversary. The “Then & Now: Life along the New River” exhibit is a celebration of Fort Lauderdale’s rich past, told through the stories of those who lived along the banks of New River. One of the communities  whose history is presented in the exhibition is the Fort Lauderdale Lesbian and Gay Community neighborhoods that developed  along the New River  (Riverside, Sail Boat Bend, Victoria Park and now Wilton Manors).

The opening reception for the exhibit is Wednesday, November 2, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m, at Florida Atlantic University’s Second Ave Studio, 111 East Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale. The exhibit will run through December 16.

Learn how the New River has shaped the cultures and communities of Fort Lauderdale.  More information can be found at flpublicarchaeology.org.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Evan Darling, a local gay race car driver is taking part in a season-end race in Alton Virginia at the Virginia International Raceway. Paul Newman said of this track, “If there is heaven on earth, it’s V.I.R”

Evan will be racing for the Trevor Project, a charity that he has been supporting since 2007 to put an end to teen bullying in the LGBT community. The Trevor Project logo will be on the car and on Evan’s driving suit.

The race will be held on October 27-29. The thirteen-hour endurance race also goes by the name “Charge of the Headlight Brigade.” Darling is very experienced at endurance racing and has had a number of wins at the Virginia track.

Darling is calling out to businesses in the community to sponsor him. This is a great opportunity to get involved with a good cause and support one of the very few “out” drivers in the pro racing circuit.

Evan started road racing in 1994.  He has won many divisional titles and has raced at all SE Division racetracks and won many sprint races and endurance events.  He is also a driving instructor for many clubs including Chin Motorsports, Ferrari Owners Club and Porsche BMW Owners Club.  Darling is the current SE Division ITA Champion.

Evan can be reached by phone 754-224-0260 or evan@edarlingenterprises.com.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Local attorney and political activist, Ken Keechl, has announced his candidacy for the Broward County Commission, District 7 seat.

The District 7 seat is currently being held by John E. Rodstrom who is forbidden to run again due to term limitations.

District 7 includes the southern portion of Fort Lauderdale, most of Dania Beach and eastern Davie, Florida.

Ken Keechl served four years on the Broward County Commission, including one year as Broward County mayor. During his service to the county, he focused on balancing development with preserving green space. A native Floridian, Keechl, 48, has lived in Broward County for nearly twenty five years and is a graduate of Florida State University. Keechl, a partner at Broward County law firm of Kopelowitz, Ostrow, Ferguson, Weiselberg, Keechl, PA, is taking many cases pro bono in response to current economic conditions.

Keechl, a Democrat, lost reelection to his seat in 2010 during the nationwide Republican sweep in that election. His loss was considered a major upset as he was expected to walk away with being elected for a second four-year term.

“The Broward County Commission needs a seasoned business professional with local government experience,” Keechl says. “I have the ideas, determination and skills to hit the ground running. I will make things happen.”

Keechl believes it is critical to implement government accountability that ensures the residents of Broward County are served ethically, efficiently and respectfully.

In announcing his candidacy for Broward County Commission District 7, Keechl said, “I pledge to continue to have an open door to District 7 residents, to seek out our community leaders for guidance, to listen to neighbors’ concerns, and together to find solutions.”
Keechl also vowed to increase jobs in Broward County and work on improving the county’s infrastructure without raising taxes. Keechl is on record as having never voted for a tax increase while in office.

“I will run a people-powered campaign – walking, knocking on doors and meeting residents and business owners of District 7,” Keechl said. “The people of District 7 will always be my main focus.”

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – “How to Be Gay in the 21st Century,” a book-musical in two acts, starring David Leddick and Kley Tarcitano, is being performed at the Rising Action Theatre, 1480 SW 9th Avenue in Ft.

Lauderdale on Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, October 16 at 7 p.m.

“How to Be Gay in the 21st Century” is a theatrical review of major gay changes in the 21st century. There is nothing wrong with being gay … but there’s plenty wrong with the way a lot of people are gay. In this musical romp, you’ll find that in this new century there are new ways to do everything, and being  a 21st Century gay is foremost among those new things.

Tickets are $25 for general admission and $20 for seniors and students. You can purchase tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/190681 or by phone at 1-800-838-3006.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – The Stonewall Distinguished Author Series presents Cool Limbo by Michael Montlack on Saturday, October 15 at the Stonewall National Library and Archives, 1300 E Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Montlack is joined by Maureen Seaton and Neil de la Flor to celebrate his first collection of poetry.

Cool Limbo navigates a lavish parade of constantly shifting sexual codes, zeroing in with wit and precision on such topics as the pursuit of beauty, the lure of indifference, the gaudy charm of the suburbs and mortality. Even the somber pieces maintain a tone that celebrates subversive pleasure.

In addition to being the editor of the non-fiction anthology “My Diva: 65 Gay Men on the Women Who Inspire Them,” which was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award, Montlack is the author of three poetry chapbooks: “Cover Charge.” Girls, Girls, Girls” and “The Slip.”

This event is free and open to the public.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders (SAGE) announced this week that Miami resident Jerry Chasen has joined its Board of Directors. SAGE is the country’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older adults. Chasen, a fixture in the Miami-Dade County philanthropic community, is the third Board member in SAGE’s history from outside of New York City, signaling SAGE’s evolving national presence as a leader in the LGBT and aging fields.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – A new non-profit organization has been formed to assist persons dealing with breast cancer including obtaining financial assistance, risk-reduction information and other forms of well-being support services.

Bernadette Zizzo, who was diagnosed with breast cancer a short time ago, is the founder of “Knock Out Cancer.” Zizzo underwent surgery for a double mastectomy. Due to this country’s lack of health insurance coverage, she was forced to pay out-of-pocket for the removal of her second breast as that was considered elective surgery. She is still in the hospital and fighting for her own health and medical issues.  She remains confident and is looking forward to helping other persons via this new organization.

Sidelines Sports Bar is lending assistance to “Knock Out Cancer’s” fundraising efforts, so beginning on Friday, October 7 through Sunday, October 9, “Knock Out Cancer 4 the Cure” and Sidelines Sports Bar will be hosting an outdoor Boxing Tournament in the parking lot next to Sidelines. The boxing matches will take place in a blow-up boxing ring with blow-up boxing gloves.

MyGayRadio.com has agreed to stream the event live on their internet radio station as well as enlist resident deejays, such as D.J. Jared Michael, D.J. Soundgirl Rock, D.J. Dublin, and more to provide the music. Prizes, betting games and even a VIP Ringside Area will be available for purchase ($35 per night or $70 for the entire event). Tickets for the “Knock Out Cancer 4 the Cure”’s Boxing Tournament are available at Sidelines Sports Bar, The Pride Center and at the main office of Mark Magazine at 2157 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305. All profits from the Boxing Tournament will go directly to “Knock Out Cancer 4 the Cure.”

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Hon. Scott Herman has announced that he was planning to run for the Florida State House, District 92. District 92 runs from Ft. Lauderdale north to South Boca Raton (mostly west of Dixie Highway and, depending upon the city, west of U.S. 1.

Scott resides in Wilton Manors, is a long-time supporter of Log Cabin Republicans, often attends City of Wilton Manors Commission meetings, and is a vet who served in Iraq.