Florida Agenda

By DALE MADISON

Personal trainer Dean Yanakis found more than a home when he moved to South Florida: He found a calling. He relates that his move to South Florida from the northeast—first to Fort Lauderdale, and then eventually to Wilton Manors— landed him a great condo, which doubles as a home-training facility, where he works with about 30 clients a week. The move also brought him into contact with the Poverello Food Bank, which was having problems feeding clients.

When he heard about the center’s Open Arms, Open Hearts food drive, Yanakis requested that a drop-off box be placed at his condo. Within one week, he had not only filled the box, but needed to call three times to have it emptied and replaced. That’s when he decided, “If I can do this with just my clients, what could I do if I made the entire complex aware?” The New York State-native called the agency, and asked that collection boxes be placed at all of the master mail boxes in his Wilton Manors condo. Since this was at the end of season, many of the snowbirds were heading north, and in the process of cleaning out their pantries. With so many grocery items to collect, Poverello required the space of an entire van for the pickup.

After Yanakis returned from a business trip to New York, he decided to immerse himself in a cause that would put those in need with work that enabled them to earn their keep. “I’d watch how so many of the charities hand out money or food, but don’t really ask for help in return. I love Poverello and the amazing work that they do. With all of those people coming in for help, why are they not volunteering to help in the food bank, in the sorting room, or in the retail store?” he wondered.

“I wanted to help those who want to help themselves. So a group of friends and I got together, and we scoped out a plan to help those who are willing to put forth an effort to jump start their lives,” Yanakis explains. “We all have special talents that we can direct to help others,” he adds.

Yanakis outlines the application process for Less Fortunate. “When a person applies, we ask for all of their income—everything, none of this working under the table. We want people to be honest with us, and then we take all of their legitimate expenses—rent, utilities, car expenses, including insurance and fuel to and from work only, food—all of the basics.

No alcohol, no smoking, no drugs, nothing recreational. We will then do a spread sheet.

“As an example, if someone has income of $1,800, and expenses of $2,200, we will work with them to find an additional $400 to get them through the month. We partner them with someone who can help them. We recently had a man who needed someone to walk his dog, because he had had knee replacement surgery. He was willing to pay $20 a day, which made up the difference for what a young dog walker needed in order to meet all of his monthly expenses,” Yanakis proudly notes, the perfect winwin scenario.

For more information about Less Fortunate, email fldean2012@aol.com.

By DALE MADISON

While still a young man living in Dayton, Ohio, Dr. J. Michael Heider (“Jay” to his friends) was impressed by the big difference he saw his hometown dentist making in the lives of people in his community. Although only one man, that dental practitioner had a positive impact on many people— including the future Dr. Heider, who earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at Ohio State University in Columbus, and completed his general practice residency at Miami Children’s Hospital.

“I really loved South Florida, so I decided to stay here and begin my practice,” recalls Heider. “This was not too long after the Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCC) [now the Pride Center at Equality Park] opened.

I read an article about the GLCC, and decided to check it out. I showed up one day, looked at the services, and decided to volunteer.”

Heider had been introduced to the future Pride Center during a difficult time. “Unfortunately, I volunteered at one of the Center’s darkest periods,” he relates. “I continued to volunteer, because I believed in the Mission Statement of the Center.” Heider explains: “At that point, there was lots of internal politics involved [in the organization]. There was a lot of controversy surrounding the person who was Executive Director. I was asked to serve on the Board of Directors.”

As Heider, who became president of the non-for-profit’s board, recalls, “During this dark time, local businessman Ed Nicholas took the reigns as the GLCC’s executive director, and donated his time to clean up and begin aggressive fundraising efforts to get the Center back in the black. It worked. During that year, money began to flow in, and the board tried to get Nicholas to stay on. He said, ‘No, I’ve given it a year and helped to turn it around.’ So we began the search for a new executive director. The Board interviewed several candidates—and then enter Paul Hyman. It was a great decision,” Heider adds.

Dr. J. Michael Heider (“Jay” to his friends)

With a professional executive director to take the reins, Heider says that as president, “My personal mission was to keep it up and going, and continue its vital services to the community.” The GLCC would soon experience major changes. “In 2007, Tarragon Development purchased the property on which the Center was located, to build a large complex, so the Center had to move. We occupied a couple of locations while we continued the search for a permanent site,” Heider remembers.

The Pride Center at Equality Park on North Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors was the ultimate fruit of those labors of love and hard work.

In recognition of those contributions, the Pride Center at Equality Park (under its new executive director, longtime community activist Robert Boo), will honor Dr. Heider and other board members, past and present, at an event on September 30.

Heider, who is celebrating 28 years with his partner, realtor Thom Carr, says he is glad to have been a part of the Pride Center’s past and present accomplishments, and anticipates a bright future for it, and the community it serves. “I am honored that the Pride Center has seen fit to recognize me.

The time I donated came from my heart, and there is such a need for the services it provides,” he adds. We might say the same about him.

Robert Darrow’s official title is “New Internet Sales,” but you will typically find him in Lipton Toyota’s newly-remodeled showroom, located at 1700 West Oakland Park Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. “One of the things that impressed me when I started is that 80 percent of all Toyotas sold in the past 20 years are still on the road. I think that speaks volumes about the quality of this worldwide brand. And Lipton is one of the top five Toyota dealers in the United States,” says Darrow. “There is a reason that Toyota is number one,” Darrow explains. “The Camry is number one in the U.S., and the Corolla is number one worldwide, with over 4 million units per year.”

Closer to home, Darrow says, “One thing that I have to say about Lipton Toyota is they are reaching out to the LGBT community, and they are sensitive to our issues.”

In addition, “Toyota has a special nationwide program called ‘Celebrating Volunteers,’ which has a goal of maintaining our natural, cultural, and historical sites. All of the teams at every location across the country are encouraged to participate.”

The master salesman, and Chicago native, says that his odyssey from the Land of Lincoln to the Land of Lipton wasn’t a straight line. “I had a solid career in real estate in Chicago, and then, of course, the market collapsed,” he recalls. “My partner, Steve, had an offer on South Beach—he’s a property manager for a 700-unit complex—and we both loved to be near the ocean.” (This may help explain his Facebook-posted motto: “I’d rather be sailing.”)

“We were tired of cold and snow, and so we located a home, and packed up last April 11—and here we are,” he adds. “I first took a position with Keller-Williams real estate in Fort Lauderdale, and then one day I received a phone call from a head hunter. I took a drive to Lipton Toyota, and I was taken around the entire facility. I was very impressed, and when they made me an offer, I accepted. ‘Sales’ is ‘sales,’” says Darrow, “whether you are selling cars, appliances, or whatever. If you have a passion for sales, you can sell ice to Native Alaskans, it just doesn’t matter,” he offers, while noting that the sales cycle in car sales is much quicker than it is in real estate.

The car answer man has some suggestions for people considering a new—or “preloved”— automobile purchase. “Come out Tuesday through Thursday, because those are less busy days, and you will get much more individual attention. Treat the salesperson as a source of information—we have so many specialized programs to help people get into a car and drive away,” he offers.

Robert Darrow

Like the cars he sells, Darrow comes fully loaded with great advice on leasing and buying, and invites you to take advantage of his expertise and experience. To set an appointment, call Robert Darrow at Lipton Toyota at 954-446-9001, and tell him you read about him in Agenda Newspaper.

By Dale Madison

At a time when LGBT Rights and empowerment are at the forefront of the national debate, one local organization has taken the reins to make empowerment more than a watchword. Since 1987, Women In Network (WIN) has been dedicated to building skills in personal and business development, leadership, and empowerment for lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women (the “L-B-T” in LGBT).

The non-profit group organizes business and professional networking events, advocacy efforts, health and educational programs, philanthropic and scholarship support, along with social and recreational events. All of these are devised with a goal that involves helping others and empowering themselves.

“We started watching the show, ‘Extreme Couponing,’ and a group of us got the idea to work for a local non-profit,” recalls Julia Landis. “So we did our research.” That research led them to a strategy for benefitting those less fortunate, and having a great time in the process. “It’s pretty amazing if you get a local grocery store to have a buy-one-get-one special, and then you find a manufacturer’s coupon and match them up—all of a sudden, you are actually walking out with money in your hand,” Landis adds. “One of my favorites is CouponMom.com, but there are many out there that really can double or triple your buying power.”

How does this great enthusiasm translate into helping others? Landis explains: “A few months ago, we started a food drive for Poverello. We didn’t know that there are certain items that Poverello cannot, due to laws, provide for their clients. Things like barbeque sauce are considered a luxury, and therefore government money can’t purchase these. We found that we could purchase the barbeque sauce with our couponing, and got the price down to less than fifty cents per bottle. The first delivery, we took over 3,500 pounds of groceries to Poverello. Terry Sommerville, the food bank manager at Poverello, was nearly in tears, because he was able to give clients things that they would never be able to have.”

As well as the homeless, WIN has a soft spot for kids. “Many people don’t realize that over 125,000 Broward County children can’t afford the basic supplies for school,” says Landis.

In cooperation with the Pride Center, McDonalds, Auto Nation, Power 96 FM, Waste Management, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Broward County schools, the Creative Summer Art Academy, and the Museum of Art, the “Tools for Schools Broward” program collects school supplies for disadvantaged children.

“Some of the things that we need most are glue sticks, crayons, pens and pencils, pink erasers, paper—just the simple things for kids to have for learning,” Landis says. “We have several drop off locations, including right here at the Pride Center at Equality Park [2040 North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors], or people can go online and make a donation at browardedfoundation. net. Thanks to ‘Tools for Schools,’ Broward teachers from low income schools now have a chance to help their students to not just learn, but to excel.”

or more information about Women In Network, visit womeninnetwork.com, or contact Julia at julia@lgbtcenters.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.

By Dale Madison

For more than 70 years, United Way of Broward County has acted like a kind of community glue for local non-profit and service organizations, uniting resources, donors, and volunteers to identify the community’s most pressing needs, and creating the building blocks that lead to measurable results. Some of the efforts United Way focuses on relate to such vital community issues as education, income insecurity, health services, and substance abuse treatment—many of the building blocks for a better life.

So it was natural when the service agency was looking for someone with experience and a proven record of service to others to serve as president and CEO through the uncertain Twenty-Tens and beyond, they turned to Kathleen Cannon, one of South Florida’s iconic individuals in the local notfor- profit landscape. A graduate of FIU with a Masters Degree in Social Work, Cannon served as Chief Operating Officer of Broward House—the county’s oldest and largest HIV/ AIDS community service organization for 10 years. As COO, Cannon oversaw an intricate web of services provided to residents at 13 South Florida locations. Her decade at the helm saw an expansion of Broward House services, a growth that has made it one of the region’s go-to agencies for many in need.

As she explains it, about two months ago, Cannon decided that she had done much that she had set out to accomplish with Broward House, and that it was time to set her skills, and passion, to a new task—a realization that coincided with the recent decision of United Way of Broward County officials to instill new vigor into that venerable agency. So Cannon says she took that leap of faith, and became the new CEO for one of the largest agencies in Broward County.

“I guess I am sort of a macro-practitioner, and while I loved all of the time I spent at Broward House, the United Way gave be a new opportunity, and a larger platform,” Cannon explains. “We help to fund over 60 agencies. One of my favorites—and I don’t like to choose favorites—is our Kids Literacy project. To watch these kids learning is very gratifying. Another is our mission to assist the families of our military service members who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan,” she adds.

“Our Women’s Leadership Council is coming up at the Hyatt Regency at Pier 66. We work to inspire women with their careers. On September 22, we are sponsoring Rock United at Revolution: LIVE (100 SW 3 Ave., Fort Lauderdale),” she says.

Cannon notes that the work of United Way affects people in need for a variety of causes. The community impact fund helps thousands who are struggling to survive. The consequences of local companies failing, and others cutting jobs and work hours, means that a growing number of families are facing hunger, homelessness, and other challenging, lifealtering circumstances. “United Way of Broward County mobilizes the power of local businesses and government agencies, education leaders, non-profits, faith-based groups, and volunteers to make a muchneeded impact in our community,” Cannon explains.

Like others in the non-profit field, Cannon and her colleagues have experienced the downward shift in government funding and private contributions. But she says the work—and the dream—doesn’t stop because of leaner times. “We at United Way have felt the pinch as most every charity has, so we work to make every dime count,” she says. The organization couldn’t have found someone more able to do just that.

For more information, visit unitedwaybroward.org.

Your favorite virtue?
Authenticity.

Your favorite qualities in a person?
A great smile.

Your chief characteristic?
Determination.

Your favorite occupation?
Librarian.

Your idea of happiness?
Being with my partner and daughter at Disney.

Your idea of misery?
Cloudy days.

If not yourself, who would you be?
“Be yourself everyone else is
taken…”

Where would you like to live?
On the water…in the Keys… somewhere between mile marker 68 and 46. (Yes, even my daydreams are organized and direct.)

Your favorite color?
Purple.

Your favorite authors?
Fran Lebowitz, Betty Friedan, Julia Child.

Your favorite heroes (male or female) in fiction?
Nancy Drew, Mickey Mouse, Belle.

Your heroes in real life?
Hillary Clinton, Jane Jacobs, Margaret Sanger, Walt Disney.

What characters in history do you most dislike?
Those who follow instead of lead.

Your favorite food and drink?
Cheese and Pinot Noir

What do you hate the most?
Disorganization.

What reform do you admire the most?
The 19th Amendment.

The natural talent you would like to be gifted with?
Carry a tune.

How do you wish to die?
A grandmother

What is your present state of mind?
Lucid.

For what fault are you the most intolerant?
Apathy.

Your personal motto?
“Live the life you imagined.”

Heidi Shafran is the Community Development Director for the
City of Wilton Manors, a position she has held since March 2011.
Prior to that, she was the Community Planning Director for the
Seminole Tribe of Florida, from 2004 to 2011.

By DALE MADISON

Remind realtor Gary Lanham that the real estate market has changed and he will look at you and laugh. “No joke, Dale, where have you been?” he asks with mock astonishment. After Hurricane Wilma in 2005, things have not been good for most real estate professionals.

Yet, some agents and realtors have found a way to turn things around. Real Estate broker Gary Lanham is one of those. After working in the health care industry for most of his life, several years ago—in Lanham’s words–“I got burned out.” A longtime friend of local realty mogul Carl Marzola, he was approached by the realtor in 2004 about obtaining his license and “hanging it” at Marzola’s Atlantic Properties International.

“Things changed dramatically after Wilma,” recalls Lanham. “Sellers were abundant. It was the height of the market. Buyers were skittish to say the least,” he adds. “While buyers–and sellers, for that matter– were the higher end of the market, everyone in real estate felt the pinch.”

L a n h a m decided that it was time to start his own brokerage, and 14 months ago he did, with a twist. Viewing the market, he realized that there was a segment that was not getting much attention: those who were in trouble. “Upside-down is how most see this unlikely phenomenon,” Lanham admits.

A market that was once doubling or tripling in value is now shrinking, with banks camped out on door steps waiting to foreclose. Lanham saw an opportunity. “Let’s help people by working with the seller, the bank, and , and hopefully a buyer, to make it so that everyone is a winner, rather than someone losing all that they have worked for years to obtain,” he offers. With that knowledge, he founded Real Estate Recovery. According to Lanham, the banks became far more willing to work with owners in 2011, and so far in 2012, they have remained willing to work with those who are struggling.

“Most of our clients are coming from New York, Boston, Brazil, Columbia, and Venezuela,” Lanham reports. He has also focused on South Florida’s LGBT market, utilizing Realtor.com, among other media. “Let’s face it, who wants to be in the snow up north when you could be spending time on the white sands of South Florida?” he asks. Lanham’s philosophy starts at home.

“I really watch out for my agents,” he says. “Keeping them busy and happy is a priority.” Several months ago, Lanham’s mother became ill. When he went north to care for her, he monitored the business online. “Anytime a lead came in, I would rotate it through and ask ‘can you make contact with this potential client?’ If they said ‘yes,’ great. If not, no problem, I would move it on to the next agent, but the agency ran just as if I were there. We are technology-driven.” notes Lanham.

Lanham advises homeowners to consider all of their options should the specter of foreclosure loom over their home and property. “Many of those who are in foreclosure think they can just walk away with no repercussions,” he reports. But this is not the entire story.

“Banks have up to 20 years to come back to collect any shortfall if you don’t work with someone on an ‘approved’ short sale. And they will do everything they can to enforce that.”

During the 19th and early-20th Centuries, intellectuals and community leaders shared their ideas and thoughts in the form of a parlor game that spoke, truthfully, about the innermost them. This week, we speak CANDIDLY with former mayor of Broward County and current candidate for Broward County Commission, Ken Keechl:

Your favorite virtue.
Compassion.
Your favorite quality in a person.
Sincerity.
Your chief characteristic.
Loyalty.
Something you appreciate most in your friends.
Their support.
Your main fault.
I don’t have enough patience.
Your favorite occupation.
Being an elected official.
Your idea of happiness.
Spending time with my spouse, Ted,
and our two dogs, Tasha and Missy.

Your idea of misery.
Listening to right wing nuts argue
against marriage equality.
If not yourself, you would be:
My dogs: they have a great life.
Your favorite food and drink.
Cheese and wine, say no more!
Your ideal place to live.
I love Broward County. I wouldn’t
want to live anywhere else.
Your favorite color.
Blue.
Your favorite author(s).
David McCullough.
Your heroes in real life.
My mom and my dad.
Your favorite food and drink.
Chicken wings and white wine (but
not at the same time)
Your favorite names.
“Kenny.” That’s what my mom always
called me.
Something you hate.
Intolerance and bigotry.
The reform you admire the most.
The slow but steady progress being
made to reform America’s marriage
and adoption laws to be inclusive of
the gay and lesbian community.

During the 19th and early-20th centuries, intellectuals and community leaders shared their ideas and thoughts in the form of a parlor game that spoke, truthfully, about the innermost them. This week, we speak CANDIDLY with former Fort Lauderdale vice mayor, Dean Trantalis, Esq., who is a practicing attorney in Wilton Manors:

Your Favorite Virtue. Honesty.

Your Favorite Qualities In a Person. Loyalty.

Your Chief Characteristic. Willing to make a decision.

What You Appreciate Most In Your Friends. Their humor.

Your Main Fault. Laughing at dumb jokes.

Your Favorite Occupation. Political engagement.

Your Idea of Happiness. No Aggravation.

Your Idea of Misery. Dealing with aggravating people.

A Person You Would Be, If Not Yourself. Someone smarter.

A Place You’d Like to Live. I’m fine right where I am.

Your Favorite Color. Chinese Yellow.

Authors You Love. [Leo] Tolstoy; [Christopher]  Hitchens.

Your Heroes in Fiction. There are no heroes, just heroic efforts.

Your Heroes in Reality. Those who try to succeed on behalf of others despite all odds!

Historical Figures You Dislike. Destructive people.

Favorite Names You’ve Heard. “De Luxe” and “Carte Blanche.”

That Thing You Hate the Most. Hate.

A Reform You Admire. Equality for LGBT persons.

A Food and Beverage You Like. Watermelon. And I’m addicted to Diet Coke®.

A Talent You Should Have. Clairvoyance.

How You Wish To Die. Old and at peace.

Your Present State of Mind. Young and Restless.

The Fault You Can Least Tolerate. Violation of trust.

Your Motto. No matter how convincing it sounds, there’s always another side.

During the 19th and early-20th Centuries, intellectuals and community leaders shared their ideas and thoughts in the form of a parlor game that spoke, truthfully, about the innermost them. This week, we speak CANDIDLY with Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) chair and Island City Health and Fitness managing director Reece Darham:

Your favorite qualities in  a person.

Honesty! I really appreciate it when one says what’s actually on one’s mind. No mincing of words, just plain old, in-your-face-here-it-is: the truth. It does tend to get me in trouble from time-to-time, though.

Your chief characteristic.

I’m a matter-of-fact kind of person who likes to cut the crap and get down to the issues at hand. I love to problem solve (and make people happy, too).
What you appreciate most in your friends.

My closest friends are my family, and just like with family, I know there is mutual loyalty, respect, compassion, and “Come-to-Jesus” moments that we all need to experience in life.

Your main fault.

Where do I begin? I guess I could learn to use my mouth better–wait! (Don’t get ahead of yourself.) I mean that I have the remarkable ability to insert my own foot into my mouth  on a regular basis. I need to learn  to just shut up at times, or at least  be gentler with my words.

Your idea of happiness.

Being on safari surrounded by a herd of 200+ elephants, knowing that any moment I could be toast. That exhilaration and angst is incredibly humbling and spiritual; it impacts my soul!

Your idea of misery.

Petty gossip. I find it’s the miserable people who have the most of it, and they love to share it! Uurgg!

Another person you would be if not yourself.

Either of my parents. They are incredible people (and they have a fabulous son).

Somewhere you’d like to live.

As much as I love Fort Lauderdale, there is a piece of me that yearns for Africa. I’ll always keep a home there, and would like to go back to living at least three months a year in Cape Town. Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika!

Your heroes in real life.

Take Aung San Suu Kyi, for example: what an incredible inspiration for leading his people to democracy in Myanmar even though under house arrest for so many years. Another true hero is Nelson Mandela, who  led a nation through such turmoil and political and social change without letting the country spin into civil unrest. These precious people are heroes.

Your favorite food and drink.

Cheese and wine, say no more!

Your favorite names.

Poops, Boobee, and Darhling! LOL! I seem to use them often…unless I don’t remember your name, and then there’s a good chance I’ll call you “Trouble.” (“Hey, Trouble, how’s it going?” Sound familiar?)

The natural talent you’d like to be gifted with.

I really wish I could sing!

How you wish to die.

Quickly and painlessly. And I want my ashes spread over the Timbavati (in Limpopo province, South Africa).
Present state of mind.

Here!

A fault you can’t tolerate.

Lying! Don’t freakin’ lie to me–just don’t! I’ll call you out on it every  time. Fortunately, the truth always comes out in the end, so why bother lying? I told you my mouth gets me into trouble.

Your personal motto.

We all make mistakes. Geez, I make them every day! But, it’s not about the mistake: it’s about what we do to correct it!