Florida Agenda

WILTON MANORS – The Pride Center at Equality Park will host its third annual LGBT Senior Health Expo Saturday, October 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The Pride Center campus. According to officials, the Expo will provide LGBT seniors with a unique, comprehensive overview of available healthcare services.

Over 50 LGBT-friendly medical, professional, support and financial providers in the fields of healthcare, aging, and geriatrics will showcase their services and products, including information and resources concerning senior living facilities, insurance coverage, home health care agencies, legal issues, and a wide assortment of other areas affecting seniors.

In addition, free flu shots and medical testing for hearing, sight, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, HIV, and other conditions will be available. The expo also will feature a variety seminars focused on the needs of the LBGT senior population.

POMPANO BEACH – Elected officials, business and community leaders, and school officials celebrated the contribution of more than $36,000 in school supplies for Broward teachers and their students. The donation will help provide enough supplies for one school year for about 90 teachers from the Broward Education Foundation’s Tools for Schools center. Teachers in Broward’s poorest schools are eligible to shop twice a year at the center for a wide range of items, ranging from pencils, paper and glue, to art supplies, tissues and back packs.

More than 50 local businesses displayed contribution bins in their offices for the month of July to collect school supplies. Major sponsors included the Pride Center at Equality Park, Women In Network, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Gay and Lesbian Business Exchange (GLBX), which organized the largest collection drive of all partners in the “Stuff the Bus” event.

The sixth largest school district in the nation, Broward County has more than 172 Title 1 schools, with more than 52 percent of the families struggling to equip their children for the new school year. According to the foundation, teachers spend an average $1,000 of their own personal funds to help equip their classrooms.

For more information, visit browardedfoundation.net.

By Dale Madison

When Robert Boo was Director of Development for what was then called the Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCC) of Fort Lauderdale, he added a number of important programs, working in tandem with thenexecutive director Paul Hyman, who had served in that post for nearly a decade. Boo left his position to work in the private sector in Miami, but somehow, that just didn’t work for him. When Hyman decided to return to his native New York, Boo thought the time was ripe for his own kind of return. Hired to succeed Hyman as Executive Director of the nowbranded Pride Center at Equality Park, he found a whole new “beast” waiting for him.

“With the move to the new campus (located at 2040 North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors), there were a number of changes, and lots of additional programs that we were offering with increased services,” Boo explains. “I knew that I was going to have some very big shoes to fill, as Paul had done an incredible job. Of course, coming back to a non-profit in this economy is not easy. People have had to tighten purse strings at a time when we are expanding service,” he notes. “I can’t see us cutting our services—there are too many people who depend on us.”

One of the Pride Center’s biggest “nuts” is its Capital Campaign, which Boo says is the agency’s efforts “to raise money to help pay off the mortgage, so that we can once again increase our service potential.” Enter local pharmacist Ken Goss, who moved here several years ago from Boston, where he had served on the board of a non-profit, The Attic. “When I moved here, I wanted to get involved,” Goss relates. “I went to the [Pride Center], and saw the incredible work they were doing. One of the first projects that I was involved with was acquiring backpacks for underprivileged kids.”

Goss’ work with the Pride Center inspired him—in his own words—to “really get more involved with the community.” Just how involved wasn’t apparent until he called the agency’s new executive director and requested a meeting. Goss said he wanted to present the Pride Center with a check for its Capitol Campaign—in the amount of $50,000. Boo says that he was in a state of shock.

On Sunday, September 30, Boo and the Pride Center will hold an invitation-only brunch, to say “Thank You” to Goss, and to the board of directors of the agency. “If it were not for having a working board, so much of the services we provide would have to be curtailed,” Boo says with emphasis.

“I never want to see that happen.” For more information on the Pride Center at Equality Park’s Capital Campaign, or its many community services, visit pridecenterflorida.org.

If your non-profit organization is not listed in the Agenda Non-Profit Services Directory, please send your information to Dale Madison at
dalemadison@guymag.net.

Dale Madison

WILTON MANORS – On Friday, the Florida Diversity Council will hold its inaugural Diversity Summit at The Pride Center at Equality Park, on North Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors, for four hours, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The event’s three interactive sessions will include moderators and seminars that address topics of relevance to the future of the LGBT community, including Equality and Fairness in the Florida Workplace, Gender Identity and Expression in the Workplace, and Creating a Strong Ally Culture and Diversity Supplier Relationships. The latter session will be moderated by Keith Blackburn, President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC). Registration for the half-day event is $49.

The non-profit Florida Diversity Council was established in 2008, with a mission to establish and disseminate best practices, and to establish and promote policies that foster diversity and inclusiveness. It has regional chapters in Jacksonville, Orlando, Southwest Florida, Tampa Bay, and South Florida. The GFLGLCC is a 501 C (6) Non Profit organization, which promotes business and economic opportunities for the LGBT and LGBT-friendly community.

For more information and online registration, visit glbtsummit.com.

WILTON MANORS, FL – Women in Network (WIN) will hold a Monday Night Women’s Group every Monday at 7 p.m. at The Pride Center at Equality Park, room 206, 2040 Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. This meeting is a place where women can come and make friends, talk about lesbian issues, feel safe, come out, get support from other women, laugh, have fun and perhaps meet your future partner.

It is a great way to spend a Monday night. Only $4.00 for an evening of women. For more information, email: monday4women@gmail.com.

SENIOR Health EXPO

The LGBT Senior Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22 at The Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 N Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. The event will provide LGBT Seniors with a comprehensive overview of healthcare services available to benefit the elder LGBT community. The event will feature a trade show with various LGBT-friendly medical, professional and financial services providers, who are eager to assist our community. Please RSVP to the Florida Assisted Living Coalition (please provide name and contact telephone number) at 800-939-2650.

For more information, contact Pride Center Deputy Director Kristofer Fegenbush at 954-463-9005 ext. 111.

an evening in paradise

An Evening in Paradise, a benefit for the Pride Center at Equality Park, will be held on Saturday, November 5 from
7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Paradise Point in  Fort Lauderdale. Open bar, great food, deejay and other entertainment, valet parking. Tickets are $100 per person (limited to 300 people so get your tickets early). For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.glccsf.org.. Tickets will not be sold at the event. Special guests include Michael Holtz (Mr. Gay USA 2011) and Logan Voxx (Out 100 for 2011).

“GAY RIGHTS AND MORAL PANIC”

Florida Atlantic University LGBTQA Resource Center is holding a special event, “LGBT History at FAU and Beyond: An Evening with Dr. Fred Fejes” on Tuesday, October 25, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the FAU Student Union, Sugar Palm Room, sponsored by the LGBTQA Resource Center and Lambda United. There will be a lively discussion, presentation, book reading and signing with FAU Professor Fred Fejes, author of “Gay Rights and Moral Panic: The Origins of America’s Debate on Homosexuality” and FAU’s first advisor to Lambda United GLBTQIS Alliance.

MANORS MASQUERADE

Two Halloween events are being held on Sunday, October 30, in Hagen Park in Wilton Manors. From 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., “HOWL-O-Ween,” a Halloween party for your pets and their best friends. This event includes a pet expo, various pet activities, entertainment, trick or treat bags for people and their pets, food and beverages plus the highlight of the afternoon, a HOWL-o-Ween pet-costume contest starting at 2:30 p.m. Admission and parking in Hagen Park is free for this event. From 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Hagen Park is transformed into “OUTrageous Fantasy,” this year’s Manors Masquerade theme with DJ Roland Belmares. This event includes dancing, a lounge tent with food, beverages, raffle and café seating, and trick or treat bags. The costume contest will be judged by celebrity host and judge, fashion designer Jay Carroll, the winner of the first season of the television series, “Project Runway.” Admission is free, close-in VIP parking in Hagen Park is $10.

WILTON MANORS, FL – Rainbow Ladies-Our Space, Beta Phi Omega Sorority, ARROW, Inc. (Area Resource and Referral Organization for Women: Targeting LBT Women’s Health) will be holding a Women of Color Health Expo on Saturday, September 24 at the Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 N Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This health expo offers education and screening resources for lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (LBT) women of color, an underserved and at risk population for many health challenges.

This is an historic event as there has been no prior health promotion activity undertaken within Southeast Florida explicitly for this population. Federally-funded research has shown that LBT women experience barriers to health care which create many high risks including: breast cancer, gynecological cancers, heart disease, lung cancer, diabetes and impaired mental health.

Organizations which will offer health promotion education and screenings at the event include: Broward County Department of Health, Memorial Regional Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, Broward Community and Family Health, YWCA Family Wellness Program, Community Life Support, The Beautiful Gate plus others.

The following are areas of specific focus:

1) breast and cervical cancer, 2) hypertension, 3) diabetes, 4) STDs and HIV infection.

In addition, alternative and complementary medicine practitioners will be present. Free clinical breast exams will be provided, as well as screening for HIV infection, plus blood sugar and cholesterol. As special opportunities, “stress busters” and self-defense workshops for women will also be presented.

All women are welcome to attend this event and receive health promotion information plus free prevention screening.

WILTON MANORS, FL – Women in Network (WIN) will be holding a Metaphysical Fair on Wednesday, September 7, at 7 p.m. at the Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 N.

Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Here’s your chance to ask what you never dared to ask before and your chance to learn more and speak to people who are experts in reiki, psychic ability, yoga, acupuncture and more. Admission is $5 for WIN members and $10 for non-members.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – The Pride Center at Equality Park, in association with Lambda Men’s Brotherhood, have created a new social networking program called Youth Gay Meth Free (YGMF). YGMF caters to the young GBTQ men in South Florida who struggle with crystal methamphetamine addiction – commonly known as “Crystal,” “Tina” or “Ice” – along with other substances.

YGMF is currently available on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, with the goal of grabbing the attention of young GBTQ males with these tragic addictions.

“I’m very excited about this new program because there are so many young men struggling with additions,” said Mitchell Jerus, Youth Coordinator running the YGMF Program. “We already have much of our online social networking programs in place and very soon we will have a peer counseling program both online and offline.

“These young men often feel alone with no one to talk to about their problems,” continued Jerus. “That’s why we’re here, so they know they’re not alone and that someone is there to help. We anticipate this program will be very successful and we’re using the slogan ‘Get Your Shine Back’ showing these young men that they can emerge from their dark places.

“Numerous indicators confirm problematic crystal methamphetamine use among some sexually active men who have sex with other men. GBTQ/MSM young people’s questions regarding sexual identity and sexual behavior need to be addressed. These young men need skills to address and resist using substances as they become exposed to new behavioral options in the gay community.”

“In my experience catering to LGBTQ youth and their families, many of the young men I’ve met that use crystal meth are young sex workers: dancers, go-go boys, adult film performers, escorts, etc.,” said Listron “Blue” Mannix, Expanding Testing Initiative Manger overseeing the YGMF program.

“We’re reaching out to other organizations that can help this program flourish and become the hope for a better future to others that it’s supposed to be,” concluded Jerus. “We feel that by collaborating with programs such as Meth and Men, the Sunserve Youth Group, MProject and other treatment centers, that young men struggling can get the help that they need and deserve.”

The core of this program is located at the Pride Center at Equality Park on Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors, or by going online to Facebook and looking for “YouthGay MethFree”.

For additional information, email youthmethfree@pridecenterflorida.org or call (954) 463-9005.

Task Force to Honor  Rugby Star

MIAMI, FL – The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force announced that straight rugby star Ben Cohen will receive its Humanitarian Award on October 15th, at the 15th annual Miami Recognition Dinner at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Cohen is the first straight sports star to dedicate his philanthropic efforts to the benefit of LGBT people. One of the world’s greatest athletes, Ben recently founded and serves as chairman  of The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, the world’s first foundation dedicated to raising awareness about the long-term, damaging effects of bullying and raising funds to support those who are doing work to stop it.

The Miami Recognition Dinner is the premier annual celebration of South Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force produces the event and donates the majority of the net proceeds to other nonprofit organizations serving the Miami-Dade LGBT community.

Pride Center Expands Efforts to Reach GBTQ/MSM with Addictions

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – The Pride Center at Equality Park, in association with Lambda Men’s Brotherhood, have created a new social networking program

called Youth Gay Meth Free (YGMF). YGMF caters to the young GBTQ men in South Florida who struggle with crystal methamphetamine addiction – commonly known as “Crystal,” “Tina” or “Ice” – along with other substances.

YGMF is currently available on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, with the goal of grabbing the attention of young GBTQ males with these tragic addictions.

“I’m very excited about this new program because there are so many young men struggling with additions,” said Mitchell Jerus, Youth Coordinator running the YGMF Program. “We already have much of our online social networking programs in place and very soon we will have a peer counseling program both online and offline.

“These young men often feel alone with no one to talk to about their problems,” continued Jerus. “That’s why we’re here, so they know they’re not alone and that someone is there to help. We anticipate this program will be very successful and we’re using the slogan ‘Get Your Shine Back’ showing these young men that they can emerge from their dark places.

“Numerous indicators confirm problematic crystal methamphetamine use among some sexually active men who have sex with other men. GBTQ/MSM young people’s questions regarding sexual identity and sexual behavior need to be addressed. These young men need skills to address and resist using substances as they become exposed to new behavioral options in the gay community.”

“In my experience catering to LGBTQ youth and their families, many of the young men I’ve met that use crystal meth are young sex workers: dancers, go-go boys, adult film performers, escorts, etc.,” said Listron “Blue” Mannix, Expanding Testing Initiative Manger overseeing the YGMF program.

“We’re reaching out to other organizations that can help this program flourish and become the hope for a better future to others that it’s supposed to be,” concluded Jerus. “We feel that by collaborating with programs such as Meth and Men, the Sunserve Youth Group, MProject and other treatment centers, that young men struggling can get the help that they need and deserve.”

The core of this program is located at the Pride Center at Equality Park on Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors, or by going online to Facebook and looking for “YouthGay MethFree”.

For additional information, email youthmethfree@pridecenterflorida.org or call (954) 463-9005.

Johnny’s Plans Entire Labor Day Weekend Schedule

FORT LAUDERDALE/MIAMI, FL – Both locations of Johnny’s is planning a Labor Day Weekend schedule. What a way to end the summer!

• There will be a Labor Day strip show night at both locations starting at 6 p.m. Friday in Ft. Lauderdale and Saturday and Sunday in
• Miami. Hosted by Sol Delight. No cover Sunday through Thursday in Fort Lauderdale and no cover seven nights a week in Miami.
• T.P. Lords and D.J. Robby Sky present “Drag On” Mondays at Johnny’s Miami. No cover. Drags and Trans drink free from 10 p.m. to midnight. Everyone else $3 drinks all night long.
• Thursdays are Latin Night (18+) at Johnny’s Miami and no cover all night long. Shows by Teresita La Caliente and Marytrini. D.J.
• Lannier Alvarez spins. Sexy underwear contest at 1 1 p.m. with $1,000 in cash and prizes. Free Cuba Libres from 10 p.m. to midnight, $5 after.
• Fridays are GRINDR night at Johnny’s Miami – 18+ college night. No cover all night long. With hot male dancers and D.J. Miik spinning.
• Labor Day Weekend Countdown featuring the Beyonce mix tape on Friday, September 2nd at Johnny’s Fort Lauderdale. Free CD giveaways all night long. Free drinks (well and domestic) from 11:30 p.m. to midnight. Reduced cover after with text “B@MFL” to 31313. $39 Moscato D’Asti bottles, $12 huge big bucket drinks all night. With D.J. TPromix.
• “The Spot” on Saturday, September 3 – “Fire” the hottest in pop, hip-hop and Latin with D.J. TPromix, 40 hot dancers and no cover all night at Johnny’s Miami.
• South Florida’s largest Amateur Strip Contest at Johnny’s Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday nights. No cover all night long. Karaoke from 9 p.m. hosted by D.J. Miik Emceed by Gemini Stone. $3 Margarita Madness all day and night. $1,000 in cash and prizes, but must sign up by midnight.

Paolo Pincente Named Executive Producer Miami Beach Gay Pride

MIAMI BEACH, FL –Veteran event director and producer Paolo Pincente has been named executive producer of the Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade & Festival for 2012, announced Babak Movahedi, president of the Pride Board of Directors.   “Miami Beach Pride is fortunate to have someone of Paolo’s diverse background and experience as next year’s executive producer,” Movahedi said. “In three short years, Miami Beach Pride has grown from a hometown celebration to one that captures national, if not international, attention.

For the fourth event, we look forward to having Paolo add his distinctive touch and take Pride to a whole new level.”

In his new role, Pincente will help plan and oversee all elements of next year’s Miami Beach Gay Pride event as well as related activities leading up to Pride.  Now in its fourth year, Miami Beach Gay Pride will take place Sunday, April 15, 2012, along Miami Beach’s famed Ocean Drive.

In addition to his responsibilities for Pride, Pincente currently works and produces events for top-tier venues and well-known brands including, Space Nightclub, Miami, as general manager; Mova Lounge, Miami Beach, as operations and marketing consultant; Svedka Vodka, throughout Florida, as event producer; Source Events, Miami, as event manager; and the Surfcomber Hotel, Miami Beach, as event producer.  His previous experience in the hospitality industry has also included Crobar Nightclubs in New York City, Chicago and Miami Beach; Mia Biscayne, Miami; Exit 66 Nightclub, Ft. Lauderdale; and Cameo Nightclub in Miami Beach, where he has served in diverse operations, management, marketing, training and event-related capacities.

The mission of Miami Beach Gay Pride is to bring together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, their friends, allies, and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBT community by producing free, safe, quality mass-appeal events that are open to all, including the Parade, Festival and allied Miami Beach Pride sanctioned events. For more information; www.miamibeachgaypride.com.

Teacher Suspended for  Being Gay Porn Star

MIAMI, FL – In January, Shawn Loftis, a Miami-Dade County substitute teacher, was suspended from his position. In April, Loftis’ teacher’s certificate was revoked despite his insistence that his porn days were over.

Loftis also worked as a citizen reporter for CNN.

Loftis, who went by the stage name Collin O’Neal, resigned his porn career in 2010 but is still widely known for his porn work. His video work included Mirage, Lord of the Jungle, Humping Iron, Crossing the Line, Rising Sun, Desperate Husbands, Scorched, The Hard Way, Mo’ Bubble Butt, Perfect Fit and Skuff II: Downright Filthy.

However, Loftis/O’Neal also produced and directed his own series, known as “World of Men,” where, as O’Neal, he visited various exotic locations looking for sex. These locations included London, Lebanon, São Paulo, Miami, Spain, Edinburgh, Berlin and Serbia. O’Neal’s videos not only served as sex films, but were also travelogues showing some of the famous sites in the various cities. It is from these locations that, as Loftis, he submitted some of his iReport segments for CNN.

O’Neal’s hard-core performances won him several awards. The “World of Men” series has been nominated many times for awards and World of Men: Lebanon has won a GayVN Award for Best Pro/Am Release and a Grabby Award for Best Videography jointly for Collin O’Neal and Dan Fox, again for Lebanon.

O’Neal said that CNN knew about his porn past and didn’t have a problem with it, but can’t believe that the Miami-Dade School Board would, since he gave up the business.

Symposium on Aging

MIAMI, FL – The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC) will hold a Symposium on Aging with the objective to educate and explore the needs of the LGBT community. The Symposium will be held on Saturday, September 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Miami, 400 SE 2nd Avenue in Miami.

The Symposium on Aging seeks to open a discussion and create an understanding of the needs and expectations of this powerful and growing segment of the LGBT community.

The fee for admission, which includes seated lunch and refreshments throughout the day, is $35 for members of the MDGLCC and $55 for non-members. The event is open to the public. Limited space is available. RSVP required.

For complete details, visit www.gogaymiami.com (“Symposium on Aging” tab), call (305) 673-4440 or email mdglcc@bellsouth.net.

Jon Peterson to Appear at Miami Beach Stage Door Theater

MIAMI BEACH, FL – Starting on Saturday, September 10th, the Miami Beach Stage Door Theatre presents “Song Man Dance Man,” a one-man show about one-man shows created and performed by Jon Peterson, emcee from Broadway’s revival of “Cabaret” and Drama Desk Nominee for the title role in the off-Broadway production “George M. Cohan Tonight!”

“Song Man Dance Man” is about seven performers who captured the eyes, ears and hearts of their audiences. They are Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, whose unique styles transformed the movie musical; Donald O’Connor and Sammy Davis, Jr., both geniuses who had to struggle for appropriate recognition; Bobby Darin, who made the leap from ‘50s pop-star to sophisticated concert artist; the eccentric, brilliant Anthony Newley, whose pulsating, emotional style reverberated throughout the musical theater world; and, of course, George M. Cohan, who invented the song and dance man.

“I wanted to remind people of just how good it can be; of how magical the world of show business was in those golden days because of these performers,” says Peterson about why he was motivated to create the one-man show. “The dazzling talent and charisma of these artists inspire life-changing devotion.”

“Song Man Dance Man” Performances: Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. on September 10, 17 and 24.  Tickets are $38 for the matinee and $42 for the evening performance and are available at the box office at Miami Beach Stage Door Theatre at the Byron Carlyle, 500 71st Street, Miami Beach, by calling (305) 397-8977 or purchase online at www.stagedoorfl.org.

Hamilton Gallery to  Host GLBX After Hours

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Hamilton Gallery at 615 East Las Olas Boulevard will be hosting the Gay and Lesbian Business Exchange (GLBX) After Hours Networking event on Thursday, September 22, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. GLBX is a Council of The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.  Exchange events are free for members.

“We plan our socials at various members’ businesses so we can enjoy a variety of venues and also give everyone the opportunity to learn first hand about that member’s business,” said Julian Cavazos, GLBX Chair. “We’re looking forward to meeting at Janice Hamilton’s Gallery.”

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce is the first Chamber in the State of Florida and one of the first in the nation to recognize the LGBT community as a major component of their membership. “The contributions of the Gay and Lesbian Community within our city and surrounding area is major driver to our local economy. The mission of the Chamber is to drive economic growth for the Greater Fort Lauderdale community; it was recognized that the Gay and Lesbian Community needed to be included in a manner to unite and connect, giving an inclusive voice to continue to attract new Gay and Lesbian businesses,” Mr. Cavazos explained.

For information or reservations, contact Drew Miller at (954) 462-6000 ext 8775.

South Florida Cities Rank Highest LGBT Households Concentrations

OAKLAND PARK, FL – Both Wilton Manors and Oakland Park ranked in the top-ten nationwide in the concentration of same-sex households in the United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Wilton Manors ranked second in the nation with, 140 same-sex households per 1,000, and Oakland Park ranked tenth in the nation with 8.8 same-sex households for every 1,000. Provincetown, Massachusetts, came in first place, in front of Wilton Manors.

Sidelines Announces 3rd Round Cook-Off Winners

WILTON MANORS, FL – Sidelines Sports Bar held its last round of their Summer Cook-Off Competition before the Finals. The category for this round of the cook-off competition was Summer Salads.

The recipes included a candied pecan salad tossed with greens and a homemade dressing, a cauliflower and chicken salad, a couscous salad, a chicken salad with grapes and apples, to name just a few. However, Randy Harmon’s black-eyed pea pasta salad earned him first-place; John Woodward came in second-place and was also awarded the People’s Choice honor; Sonia Aguero came in third for her “Mama’s Potato and Chicken Salad”.

The top three winners are now eligible for the “Finals Challenge,” scheduled for Sunday, September 4th (Labor Day Weekend), at 5:00 p.m.

WIN to Hold  “Metaphysical Fair”

WILTON MANORS, FL – Women in Network (WIN) will be holding a Metaphysical Fair on Wednesday, September 7, at 7 p.m. at the Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Here’s your chance to ask what you never dared to ask before and your chance to learn more and speak to people who are experts in reiki, psychic ability, yoga, acupuncture and more. Admission is $5 for WIN members and $10 for non-members.

Rescue & Rejoice

WILTON MANORS, FL – Abandoned Pet Rescue will be holding Rescue & Rejoice, an event to raise funds since the organization is run solely on donations they receive. The fundraiser will be held at Allied Kitchen and Bath on September 13, from 6 to 8 p.m., and is co-sponsored by The Cabanas Guesthouse & Spa.

Abandoned Pet Rescue takes abandoned pets off the streets of South Florida and gives them veterinary care and places them in permanent, loving homes. APR is the only “no kill” shelter in Broward County and all contributions made are tax-deductible and all the proceeds go towards the shelter.

Suggested donations include gift certificates and other merchandise that will hold a value in an auction environment.
For more information on the Rescue & Rejoice event, or if your donation is something that needs to be picked up, please call Geri at (954) 581-6423 or send email to apr954@aol.com.

Florida Teacher in Trouble for Anti-Gay Facebook Posts

MOUNT DORA, FL – Jerry Buell, a Florida-based teacher, was suspended from the classroom while the Lake County School Board investigates Facebook messages in which he said he “almost threw up” when he heard about New York’s marriage equality, which he said was also part of a “cesspool”. Buell had been Mount Dora High School’s “Teacher of the Year”.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Buell told them that his posts, which were visible to his friends and his network only, were not made out of hate but instead on how he interprets things.