Florida Agenda

By Brad ‘Scoop’ Casey

One of South Florida’s entertainment success stories is Matty’s on the Drive in Wilton Manors. The club celebrates its 3rd anniversary on Monday, August 22nd. It will be a weekend of festivities leading up to the big night on the 22nd, including the finals of the 2012 Charity Calendar Contest.
The popularity of Matty’s even surprises its owners. “We were looking to have a small neighborhood bar,” said Matt Auslander. “Yes, we were surprised and humbled at the response from the community.”

Matty’s opened as an 1800 square foot, no smoking bar on August 22nd, 2008. Over the past three years, it has grown into two extra bays totaling 3600 square feet and will soon open the long awaited deli.

What are the ingredients of success for Matty’s? Auslander credits its staff, the no smoking policy and its customers. Expect one heck of an anniversary party.

Celebration of Life Get Together

Mona’s bar is having a Celebration of Life get together in memory of the late John ‘Mary’ Lyons on Thursday, August 25th. Mona’s owner, Jerry Schultz, is planning an upbeat and happy gathering for the popular mixologist who passed away recently. “It’s going to be a heavenly celebration and remembrance of John,” said Schultz. An open mic will be available, plenty of drink specials and a cookout. Festivities will begin at about 2PM on the 25th.

Victor Zepka in The Hot Seat

We will roast loveable Victor Zepka of Boardwalk fame on Sunday, August 21st. The Celebrity Roast will be held at The Manor starting at 8PM. Victor is a longtime fixture in the South Florida entertainment scene, having the first Boardwalk in North Miami Beach and promoter of the Miss Florida Pageant.
Victor has legions of friends who are dying to take the stage and tell a few tales. Joe Posa, as Joan Rivers, will be Master of Ceremonies. A pre-fix dinner special will be available at $25.00. We urge you to call in advance to reserve a table.

Congratulations to Bobby Blair

Bobby is one of the hardest working guys I know. He has a positive energy and tends to see the good in everyone and everything. Last week, Bobby Blair’s good fortunes came to fruition when it was announced that Multimedia Platforms, LLC had merged with Cybermesh International, a technology based company based out of California. Bobby’s duties have expanded and he will become the CEO of this company. Congrats, Bobby, and expect some earth shattering news over the next few months.

Short Takes
• Club Entrepreneur Mark Lowe has found a location for his new Miami club. Expect an opening in November.
• Bill’s Filling Station hosts Emmy Award winner Leslie Jordan on Monday, Aug. 22nd, at 9PM. No cover!
• Belated birthday wishes to my good friend Pompano Bill.
• Our very own Electra held over in Atlantic City where she has had a fabulous three month gig. Electra has been playing to packed houses.

Thanks for picking us up this week and remember: To have a friend, you must first be a friend.

If you have a “scoop” for Brad Casey, please e-mail your information to BradC@jumponmarkslist.com

Long time Fort Lauderdale bartender John Lyons passed away, in the early morning hours of Monday, July 11, 2011, after a 7 week battle with lung and bone cancer.

Lyons, affectionately, known as John ‘Mary’ Lyons was a 33 year resident of Broward County and tended bar at such former hotspots as Bus Stop, Everglades bar, Haymarket and 825.

For the last 12 years he worked at Mona’s bar on East Sunrise Boulevard.
A Navy Vetern Lyons was born in Boston, Massachusetts.

Lyons was diagnosed with cancer seven weeks ago. In June Mona’s proprietor and a good friend of Lyons threw a retirement party for Lyons at the bar. Hundreds of people turned out for the event and party goers left behind $9,000 for his retirement.

“You knew John by the way he dressed”, said Schultz, “always a long sleeved shirt and vest. John was the type of person that you just had to love. His heart was as big as he was.”

A private Navy service will be held for Lyons at the National Cemetery in Lake Worth. In honor of Lyons, A Celebration of Life will be held at Mona’s Bar on August 25th, which would have been John Lyons 62nd birthday.