By Cliff Dunn
The multi-talented and multi-faceted A.J. Cross, general manager of Johnny’s Club, Bar & Lounge in Fort Lauderdale, is pleased to announce his 9th Annual Birthday Fundraiser (the reputedly 40-something Cross looks like he could pass for a man at least half his age – the little %@#$), to be held at Johnny’s on Thursday, July 14, starting at 9 p.m. Over the past 9 years, his Natal Day Events have helped raise thousands of dollars, with last year’s, “Needs Wheels” fundraiser for Father Bill Collins of Poverello netting enough from individual and corporate donors (including a last-minute Angel from the Outfield pledge from City County Credit Union) to put the good padre behind the wheel on schedule.
This year’s event will be a Masquerade Ball held in conjunction with a reunion of the legendary Cupid’s Cabaret, including former staff, entertainers, dancers and XXX Adult Entertainment Stars courtesy of Howard Andrew from Fabscout (and himself a former GM of Cupid’s), with the possibility of a very Special Guest Appearance. This year’s soiree will raise money for Covenant House of Fort Lauderdale (http://www.covenanthousefl.org/). Costumes or masques are requested of all attendees. For more information, you can visit Cross’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ angelice.cross.
Wall Street Muscle Pushes NY Gay Marriage Win
An unlikely alliance of bedfellows came together in the crucial days leading up to New York State’s historic legislation legalizing same-sex marriage. The New York Times reported last week that critical support for passage came from a cabal of Wall Street heavyweights known for their support for conservative causes.
In the run-up to the vote, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo approached billionaire financier Paul Singer, a deep-pocketed Republican donor (and friend of Rudy Giuliani), along with hedge fund moguls Cliff Asness of AQR Capital and Daniel Loeb of Third Point Capital.
Singer – whose son is gay – along with Asness and Loeb – were known to view gay marriage from a libertarian perspective, as an issue of personal freedom, and had the clout and Republican credentials to provide insulation for skittish New York state senators anxious about a conservative backlash.
Although Asness and Loeb supported Barack Obama in 2008, both subsequently split with the president over matters of policy, with Asness penning a scathing criticism of Obama in 2009 because of his perceived treatment of hedge funds during the Chrysler bankruptcy case, and Loeb similarly raising the cry against the president in writing last year. But Singer and Loeb have supported previous same-sex marriage campaigns, including an event last fall for the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER).
The triumvirate let Cuomo know that they were willing to set aside political differences and each followed through with six-figure checks made out to the lobbying effort in support of the legislation.
Photo: Last year, Father Bill Collins received a Ford Focus purchased for him by Maroone Ford along with the help of many local businesses.
Quotable
“I don’t give a %$@& that I did drag in the 80s. I will cut your %!@#s off if you %$@& this up.” – Local real estate investor to broker, overheard at Georgie’s Alibi in Wilton Manors
By the Numbers
(I’m My Biggest Diva Edition)
In 1997, U.S. News & World Report surveyed its readers as to whether they believed that various well-known figures were “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to go to Heaven. More people (87%) picked themselves as being more likely to get into heaven than anyone else, ahead of people such as Mother Teresa (second place, 79%) or Oprah Winfrey (third place, 66%).
If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director of Sales, Cliff Dunn, with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com