Florida Agenda

In last week’s column (Open for Business, August 11, 2011: “No West, Young Man”), we reported about the ongoing fallout from the invitation to speak last month by the Wilton Manors Business Association (WMBA, “Wimba”) to Congressman Allen West. Among reactions to the invitation and subsequent cancellation of the planned August 8th meeting, an email to Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick from Dr. Marc J. Romano  outlined the latter’s “objection to” the invitation for West to address the business guild. Of the 22nd Congressional District representative, Romano wrote: “He has made numerous comments that reflect he is homophobic and a bigot.  His views support policies and beliefs that discriminate against the LGBT Community and he is not welcome here.”

The invitation from WMBA drew sharp criticism from a number of gay rights activists, including Michael Rajner, legislative director for the Florida Democratic Party GLBT Caucus. The ensuing controversy led to the decision by the group’s Board of Directors to cancel the event.

Lawyer-activist Dean Trantalis, a former Vice Mayor and city commissioner in Fort Lauderdale, says that a want of prudence may have been a factor. “As the saying goes,” notes the Wilton Manors attorney, “‘the road to Hell is paved with the best intentions.’”
Trantalis believes that “the invitation to Allen West to speak at a WMBA meeting shows great insensitivity to the
community which comprises much of the area in which the organization services.”

As to the House freshman Republican’s opposition to such LGBT issues as repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) and federal recognition for same-sex unions through a repeal of the noxious and wholly un-American Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Trantalis, a WMBA member, offers that “Mr. West is offensive by any standard, and his pretense to wanting to discuss just items of business [at the cancelled WMBA meeting] mocks the very core upon which this community has been built.”

Responding to West’s comments in a letter written to WMBA President Celeste Ellich and the group’s members in which West implies that his critics are “intolerable individuals,” Trantalis protests that “we are not intolerable. Every opportunity West is given to speak condones his actions and his rhetoric. We’ve heard what he has to say, we’ve shown the world his very words. Why should we be once again subjected to his ridicule and condescension?”

(As was noted in last week’s column, Open for Business, August 11, 2011: “No West, Young Man”), Your Kindly Scrivener offers the possibility, or even likelihood, that the Distinguished Gentleman’s usage of the word “intolerable” may have been a malapropism – a la “Slip” Mahoney of the 1930s and 40s Bowery Boys movies, 70s Vegas headliner Norm Crosby, or international comedy sensation George W. Bush – that was meant to place-hold for the more civil “intolerant.” Or maybe he just doesn’t like gay people.)
In response to Romano’s email, Wilton Manors Mayor Resnick replied that “the invitation was extended by … Celeste Ellich, as president of a private business association [WMBA]. She never consulted with or advised the city of the invitation.” Added Resnick: “By the way, I’m a member of the GLBT Democratic Caucus and did not learn of this from them either.”

This Ain’t My First Time at the Rodeo, Fellas
Wilton Drive’s newest dining spot, Rodeo, has some enticements to introduce you to their great selection of Southwestern, Tex-Mex, Barbecue, Cajun/Creole and traditional Southern cuisine. On Tuesdays between 4p.m and 10p.m. they are offering 30% off the price for bottles of wine. Wednesday is Teacher Night; teachers who present a valid teacher ID card between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. receive 20% off their individual bills. And their Happy Hour runs from Tuesday through Friday between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., which includes 30% off all drinks from the bar.

By the Numbers (Hail to the Chief Edition)
A comparison of approval ratings during the third Summer of recent U.S. Presidents’ first terms:
• 42.5%: Barack Obama approval
rating, Summer 2011
• 62.5%: George W. Bush approval
rating, Summer 2003 (won re-election in 2004)
• 47.5%: Bill Clinton approval rating, Summer 1995 (won re-election in 1996)
• 80.0%: George H.W. Bush approval rating, Summer 1991 (lost re-election in 1992)
• 39.5%: Ronald Reagan approval
rating, Summer 1983 (won re-election – by a landslide – in 1984)

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director  of Sales, Cliff Dunn, with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

By Cliff Dunn

Events for Stonewall Pride Weekend are cropping up faster than one of Jonathan Bleiweiss’ victims, with a number of local establishments and watering holes teaming up to support charitable and service organizations, while serving up products to help shore up the summer slows.

To The Depot Cabana Bar & Grill’s Stonewall Saturday Pool Party on Saturday, June 18, you can add the first annual Pride Stride, a Drag Race benefiting Broward House, Broward County’s largest and oldest HIV/AIDS service organization. In addition to Scandals Saloon and The Stable, interested parties can sign up at Bill’s, Sidelines Sports Bar, Matty’s On The Drive, Georgie’s Alibi and New Moon – all of Wilton Manors. The Drag Race includes prizes for the first to cross the finish line (good luck with that one, sisters), the most money raised in donor pledges and the highest heels. There is nothin’ like a dame.

Speaking of Scandals and The Stable, co-owner Ken Kelley is proud that his venerable flagship bar on N.E. 6th Avenue in Wilton Manors is the only official kick-off party for 2011 Stonewall Pride. The bar, which opened in 2003 and landed in its present digs in 2005, will hold its Stonewall kick-off event on Friday, June 17.

Let the SunServe In

The non-profit SunServe is the recipient of a three-year federal grant for their Promoting LGBTQ Youth, Self-Esteem, Self Advocacy and Self-Resiliency (SSR) program. The 501(c)(3) social service agency serves South Florida’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) community – with a special emphasis on those in financial need, minorities, youth, seniors, families and those with life-challenging physical or emotional conditions.

The grant in question, totaling around $222,000, is geared towards preventing or minimizing teenage suicide. SunServe’s other community efforts – many of which benefit straight as well as gay persons – involve numerous educational and outreach projects, counseling, support groups and a Senior Center.

Stonewalling Wilton Drive

The Gables Wilton Park luxury apartments on Wilton Drive will be hosting an exhibit by Fort Lauderdale’s Stonewall National Museum & Archives the week of June 13 to 19, during the run-up to the Stonewall Festival and Parade on Sunday, June 19. The free exhibit will focus on the history of the LGBT rights movement (or the Gay Agenda, if you’d rather), leading back to New York City’s Stonewall Riots. Find more info on the exhibit at StonewallNationalMuseum.org. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

It’s a Gay World, After All

The forward-thinkers at the Florida Family Association (FFA – an anagram with an entirely different connotation among the LGBT Levi’s and Leather Set) spent $7,000 last weekend to charter a banner plane “warning” the groundbound about Gay Days events being held in and around Walt Disney World. Operating in ten-hour shifts on both Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5, the plane towed airborne banners that read: “WARNING GAY DAY AT DISNEY 6/4” and “WARNING GAY PRIDE DAY AT DISNEY 2DAY.” The FFA, which bills itself as an organization dedicated to “improving America’s moral environment,” posted on its Web site: “30,000 children along with their unsuspecting parents will be confronted with the reality of witnessing over 15,000 Gay Pride Day revelers when they enter the Magic Kingdom on June 4, 2011.” They added: “Florida Family Association wants to warn these families about this offensive event before they arrive at the Magic Kingdomon Saturday.” (This puts me in mind the words of the Great Mouseketeer himself, Walt Disney, who said – appropriately enough: “We are not trying to entertain the critics. I’ll take my chances with the public.”)

Overheard

“We will want to take out a $2 million life insurance policy against the possibility you die before the five years are over. Does that work?”

“Yes, I’m good with that. Just don’t kill me.” – Conversation between potential business investors with local Captain of Industry at Rosie’s Bar & Grill in Wilton Manors (names withheld)

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director of Sales, Cliff Dunn with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

The Mayor and City Commission of Wilton Manors are inviting business owners and concerned citizens to a chat-and-chew on May 17 at 9:00a.m., in the city’s Hagen Park Community Center. The Small Business Roundtable will include coffee and refreshments as well as presentations by officials about recent business-friendly initiatives, business incentives offered by Broward County’s Economic and Small Business Development Office and updates from local business organizations. Part of the time will be devoted to discussing the current State of the City economy and brainstorming best practices, ideas and initiatives to help the businesses of the Island City.

RSVP Gina Ray at Gray@wiltonmanors.com, or call 954.390.2120.

(Thanks to Krishan Manners of Wilton Manors Main Street for the heads up.)

The View from the Sidelines

Laurie Whittaker and Marty Kildea, proprietors of Sidelines Sports Bar in Wilton Manors, are celebrating the 5th Anniversary of their destination establishment beginning Thursday, May 12, and continuing through that weekend, with contests, prizes and drink specials from open to close. Five years is an impressive number, and a tribute to
the hard work, perseverance and fine attention to detail the bar owners demand for their customers. (An arguably even more impressive count is the number of years Whittaker and her long-time partner, Sidelines marketing director Jennifer Morales, have been together, having met during their salad days on the campus of Florida State University: 30-plus years and counting.

(Do you think it will last?)

Sidelines also recently began offering valet parking service both for their customers and visitors to Wilton Drive who are looking for a safe, secure place to park. The sports bar teamed up with Gelato Station owners Nick Berry and Shawn Bombard and other neighbors to pool their resources and offer valet.

$5 gets you parked all night, with the service offered seven days a week starting at 4 p.m.

Sarah Palin Need Not Apply

“What America needs is a good five cent Tea Bag.” – Attributed to Congress-woman Michele Bachmann.
It’s been over a decade since the halcyon days of summer when Club Caribbean Resort (now long defunct and formerly located on the site of the present day Original Pancake House on North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale) rocked Sundays poolside with a T-Dance sans pareil, with great music, great people and great fun (and a much younger version of Your Kindly Writer throwing down to Kid Creole and the Coconuts). The rumor mill (What? A gay rumor mill? Shocking!) has it that we are mere weeks away from the launch of what could be a slamming summer poolside T. To be continued.

Get Me to the Church on Time

Inside Baseball: A sincere and heart-felt congratulations to Chris Hamel, office administrator at Multimedia Platforms, LLC (publishers of MARK Magazine and the Florida Agenda, and operating partners in JumpOnMarksList.com), on his recent engagement to partner Banning Hendriks. The couple – known collectively as, ahem, “Channing” – will tie the knot on Labor Day, September 5, in Provincetown. (Noteworthy: Prior to this achievement, Chris’s most notable “honor” was making it to Week Eight before being the last gay contestant voted off the 2004 Fox reality series Playing It Straight; could there be a guest spot on The O’Reilly Factor in the none-too-distant? Stay tuned.)

Quotable

“I don’t want you to be easy; I just want you to be good.” – Local real estate mogul, to the object of his (momentary) attentions, at Georgie’s Alibi.

“He has a slab he wants to put in my downstairs bathroom.” – Employee of said mogul, in an unrelated conversation.

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can contact Business Writer and Director of Sales, Cliff Dunn, with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com

By Cliff Dunn

It Must Be Gelato, ‘Cause Sorbetto Don’t Shake Like That

To officially mark the most recent expansion of their comfort food empire, Shawn Bombard and Nick Berry – of the eponymous Shawn & Nick’s Courtyard Café, Shawn & Nick’s Courtyard Café at the Saloon, and Shawn & Nick’s Gelato Station – are celebrating the latter establishment’s Grand Opening on Mother’s Day weekend. The ubiquitous restaurateurs, who acquired the Wilton Drive frozen treat shop from its previous owner, Guy Le Houx (currently of Gelati Martini, just a couple of doors down), are combining the event with a fundraiser for the Pet Project. On Friday, May 6, diners at Courtyard Café who purchase dinner will receive a coupon for a free scoop at Gelato Station, and 10% of food sales that night will be donated to the animal-and-owner welfare agency. They will follow this with a Saturday dog wash and Sunday car wash, with price specials and more opportunities for giving.

You Can Fight City Hall

In a move that was hailed by many Island City business owners as a victory for commerce and a positive move forward, the Wilton Manors City Commission recently reversed an earlier decision regarding the permitting and facility use fees for the upcoming “Celebrate Fort Lauderdale” event sponsored by the Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) for the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) 2011 Global Convention, being held May 10 through 15 at various locations around Greater Fort Lauderdale.

The RBC, consisting of gay men and women business owners from the spectrum of service and professional industries around Broward County, had requested – with the approval of the city manager and department heads – that the city waive the $2,000 permit fee and $1,000 facility use fee. According to the Commission’s March 22 Agenda Report, the “event consists of a consumer trade show, a concert and a parade of nations, which anticipates attracting 2,000 participants.” The Report went on to commend the RBC event as supporting a number of Wilton Manors’ strategic planning aims for the next several years, including building a “Strong Community Identity and Pride Objective,” establishing “Strong Work-ing Partnerships and Relationships [between] Citizens, Community Organ-izations, Businesses, [and the] City,” and creating “More ‘Community Building’ Events and Festivals.” In spite of the overwhelming support for commissioners to waive the fees, which were paid for by the businesses that comprise the RBC, the Commission originally voted against the waiver.

That changed when the panel reversed its decision. With a still-struggling economy

and many local businesses holding fast in the face of dwindling profit margins, many are wondering when the next doors on Wilton Drive will close. RBC members are hopeful that the influx of IGLTA conventioneers will pump up local businesses in the short-run, and lead to long-reaching economic benefits in the future. “This convention of around 800 international travel professionals is paramount to the growth and sustainability of the LGBT business community of Greater Fort Lauderdale,” insists Jennifer Morales, secretary of the RBC and Director of Marketing of Sidelines Sports Bar in Wilton Manors.

Location, Location, Location

There’s an old adage about it being easier on the back to just get new friends than to help the old ones move. The
relocation of Atlantic Properties International from one office suite to the one next door may have been just a stone’s throw, but the new digs are a world apart in terms of style, comfort, and space. With a state-of-the-art conference room and Client Suite (with soon-to-be-added flat screen TV and conference capabilities), not to mention I.T. department and in-house legal and finance units, the 6,000 square foot space has plenty of room to accommodate the growth CEO and broker Carl Marzola envisions over the coming months.

“We’ve been very fortunate with the core members of our team who make this such a success,” Marzola offers from the comfort of his new office. As part of his aggressive campaign to recruit, reward, and retain the best personnel, Marzola offers perks other brokerages don’t. “We’re very proud to offer health insurance and other benefits to our people. I am looking for high performers and high producers who want to fly their flag in a highly motivated environment.” With local realty stars including Scott Rouda, Dale Russell, Steve Marcus, Eric Ackerman, and Kip Reynolds manning the fort, Marzola & Company are readying themselves for the next changes to come in South Florida’s recovering real estate market.

If you’re “Open for Business”, you can  contact Business Writer and Director  of Sales, Cliff Dunn, with your story at Business@FloridaAgenda.com