Florida Agenda

WILTON MANORS – On October 1, Island City Health and Fitness (ICHF) will merge with New York City based Steel Gym, creating a partnership that includes three world class facilities, and plans for a larger network of gyms to come.

“By every possible measure, this is a positive step for the club and for the members,” said Reece Darham, ICHF’s managing director and a partner in the new merger, which will introduce the Steel brand to Wilton Manors and Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Steel—based in Manhattan’s Tony Chelsea area—is owned by fitness authority Ken Hunt, whose purchase last year of Idol’s Gym in Miami brought him into contact with ICHF, and led to the merger discussions. Darham says the benefits for members speak for themselves.

“There will be no price change for existing members,” of ICHF, he says. “These are lifetime rates.” In addition, “I’m not leaving,” Darham insists, with a laugh. His insistence aside, he says the rumor mill has been running at full steam since word of the negotiations leaked.

“I was sitting in the middle of the Mediterranean,” Darham relates, half in laughter, the other half incredulous. “And I get a message, ‘I heard you sold the gym, and have left the country.’ Mind you, I have taken a summer trip every year since before I can remember, and I’m barely packed for a scheduled holiday when the rumors start flying.”

Beginning October 1, ICHF will be a division of Steel Gym. Darham says the goal is to transition to the Steel Gym brand over the next 12 months. “There will be ‘zero’ loss to the members, only gains,” he insists. “We want the members to be comfortable with the transition, and know that their memberships will be responsibly transitioned.”

With that in mind, Darham and Hunt have announced that effective October 1, 2012 and continuing through January 31, 2013, ICHF memberships will be honored at all three Steel locations, Manhattan, Miami, and Wilton Manors. Starting February 1, Miami and Wilton Manors members will pay a nominal charge (“Something like $5 a month” according to Darham) to use Steel Gym’s New York facility. “This just reflects the reality of how expensive it is to work out in Manhattan,” says Darham.

“It’s around $80 a month for a membership to the New York gym.”

Darham, who is also cochair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) and serves as an envoy for the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), says that upgrades to ICHF are set to be implemented. These include an additional 10-ton a/c unit in the aerobics studio, renovations to the bathrooms (with touchless soap dispensers and hand dryers among them), new workout equipment, major exterior renovations, a new color scheme (“red, black, silver, and white”), and an increase in both the number of group training sessions and the way the gym approaches personal training.

“We’re very excited, what can I say?” Darham offers. “One thing that will never change is our community involvement, and our commitment to keeping our promises.”

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!

By Alex Vaughn

Owner of Island City Health and Fitness, Reece Darham, grew up in the UK and moved to South Africa at the age of nine. Reece is now a very active member of the community in Wilton Manors and, through his very popular gym, is trying to make a positive impact on the area and in the community. Agenda sat down with him to find out how the gym is doing and what his latest projects are for the community.

How did you end up in Florida?

I came here to go to school at St. Thomas University. I had every goal of going back to Cape Town, however, after 3 years, I got the studying bug, so I went on to Cornell to do a Masters in Organizational Communication with a specialization in Industrial and Labor Relations with a concentration in organizational behavior. Came back down after that, I kept missing it, couldn’t wait to get away then couldn’t wait to get back.

Why did you choose to open the Island City Health and Fitness center?

It was a great opportunity that Jackson, one of the owners of Alibi, came to me with. We explored it, it was definitely something the community needed. Lots of people were upset when the previous gym closed. We took over the space in October 2008, and opened November 20th 2008.

What are the advantages of gay community?

The community comes together to work for bettering our lives and those of the next generation.

What are the disadvantage

These days, the way business works, its less segregated gay and straight. Tampa is very mixed. You have all walks of life together. I don’t think South Florida is at that stage yet. Being in a community where it is very clearly defined, now limits business rather than improves it. We are not a gay gym; we are a gym in Wilton Manors that services the entire community. We add to the vibe and friendliness here with more women and straight men joining every day.

What do you offer to better the community?

We offer many programs for the mature members of the community. We tailor classes, we go more and more into obesity nutrition and training practices. We have partnered with business here, like Lifeceuticals. I lost 35lbs so clearly it works, its changed my life and attitudes. I personally inspire people, but they insprired me.

Speaking of obesity, you have a project. Please tell Agenda readers more about it.

A young gentleman who at the ripe age of 15 is 400 lbs. He has a misfortunate background; I would hazard to say he is an emotional eater. He is now in a great environment where he can be a young gay teenager AND be comfortable with that. We are getting together with businesses on the drive to change his life around. We are giving him a free membership and training. It’s a grass roots project, all staff working for free and are completely on board – when he has lost 100lbs., Tracy Carroll is going to give him the full make over. We are looking for a local clothing company to donate a wardrobe. We are also using the media. Brian Neal will be helping out with personal training and getting him fit. Stace, formerly of Max Muscle, will be helping him with nutrition. Bruce Bertman of Lifeceutical Group will be creating a non-cosmetic diet to help him lose excess skin, a medically driven diet such hCG – it’s a hormone based diet. Whatever other treatments he wishes to have will be available and the program is medically supervised to make sure he can do them.

It’s a community based thing, so many people are jumping on to help him out. It’s wonderful. I just made a few phone calls.

What is the future for Island City?

I see it expanding and continuing to improve. I see it becoming more of a, inclusive community-based social health and fitness club.

Would you like to open more?

Yes, that is the plan. Soon.

Since you opened the Gym have there been any surprises?

With any new business, there are surprises both good and bad. The best surprise of it is getting to really know the people of Wilton Manors and it has also allowed me to get to know the city people who are truly wonderful. I has also been able to get involved with cross promotion with other businesses; it doesn’t avail itself if you aren’t in business level.

The bad surprise is I’m not a politician and don’t plan on being one, so sometime I don’t say the right thing to the right person at the right time. I’m not mean and horrible, it’s simply the double-edged sword getting to know people.

How do feel working in the gay community has changed your social view of it?

Honestly, I think that many people put business owners on a pedestal which they are all to glad to swipe out from under us. I’m just an average Joe and I happen to own a business. I am no one different; however, when I go out with one too many glasses of wine in too many establishment on the drive, the next day I hear through all mediums I was a wreck and from people I don’t know – it becomes a little tiring, as I was just on the drive an hour! It can be challenging, but it won’t stop me supporting family and friends on the drive; if they can drink, I can, too!

In your support of the community, you work with the Rainbow Business Coalition. Tell readers more about that.

I am chairperson, of what is really an incredible organization. 100 businesses in Broward County have united to really promote and enhance our business and our community. We recently did the hugely successful IGLTA event, which was great for the Convention and Visitors Bureau and for the community.

We got together to promote Broward County as a leading LGBT community for businesses and tourism. Miami is seen as the gay mecca, and many haven’t heard of Wilton Manors or Fort Lauderdale and that’s what we are changing – and in this economy we have to pull all stops out, as well as for the city Oakland Park and Fort Lauderdale, we need additional revenues.

What events is the RBC involved with?

Celebration of Friends, which arrives this week, is a 1000 people strong organization that is celebrating its 10th anniversary. They generate $200,000 per day stimulating economy. It’s an organization of mature individuals who are coming here to socialize and be friends with our mature individuals from Australia. All the way from small group of friends to a very strong convention, they come here every year. RBC is supporting behind scenes, next year we will be front and center. We must acknowledge what they do for our community.

Thursday night is the welcome reception. They have given $150,000 to local charities like the Pride Center and Tuesday’s Angels. What has the community done for them in return? This is what RBC is trying to change: acknowledge them on a public scale. We show our city as friendly and welcoming. We are a cohesive community, and that will bring more business to our doors – all businesses, not just bars and restaurants!

By CLIFF DUNN

You may not have gotten your invitation to attend the Royal Nuptials between His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and his future consort, Kate Middleton (bear in mind the couple sent out 1,900 invites, so yours may just be lost in the mail), but Cliff Mulcahy and John Zieba, the owners of Rosie’s Bar & Grill in Wilton Manors, have your ticket to a “Rehearsal Dinner” for the Royal Couple fit for a Queen (or Drag King, for that matter).

Tonight (Thursday, April 28, just hours away from the real wedding), Rosie’s commands the attendance of every Queen, Princess, and Lady-in-Waiting from 7 to 11 p.m. for their faux wedding rehearsal dinner, which will include an Ugliest Bridesmaid Dress Contest, hosted by entertainer Joe Posa performing as Joan Rivers.

Although Prince Wills and Lady Kate will be decked out in their finest (and veddy British) duds, the Lords and Ladies of Rosie’s mandate that guests attending the Rehearsal don ugly dresses, big wedding hats, and whatever passes for your “crown jewels.” And while a Vanity Fair/60 Minutes poll earlier this year found that 65% of Americans said they could care less about the Royal Wedding, clearly none of them lives in the gayborhood, where the world’s largest concentration of Queens and wanna-bees may be found.

Rain Man Can’t Dance,  But He Is An Excellent Driver

Miami is poised for the grand opening of Johnny’s Club, Bar & Lounge’s new location South of the (Broward) Border and, while Open for Business has it on the best authority that impresario Sean David is pulling out all the stops to bring hot dancers, great music and a VIP vibe to the Magic City, in spite of what you may have read elsewhere, there’s no apparent truth to the rumor that he is employing the best “autistics” money can buy. On the other hand, we hear that the sound system will be kicking – taking full advantage of the venue’s superlative acoustics. Is there a Copy Editor in the house?

Gary and Reece’s Peaces

An interesting exchange between Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick and Reece Darham, owner of Island City Health & Fitness (ICHF), during the April 20 General Meeting of the Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) of Greater Fort Lauderdale: Darham, who serves as the chair of RBC, had just complimented and thanked Wilton Manors officials for waiving city license and permitting fees for the upcoming Consumer Trade Show in Hagen Park, which the gay business and community group is sponsoring as part of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association‘s (IGLTA) 28th Annual Convention, coming to Greater Fort Lauderdale May 10 through 15. Darham, feeling waggish, enquired of His Honor if the city would likewise suspend fees for the June 19 Stonewall Wilton Manors Street Festival and Parade and the Halloween-themed Wicked Manors in October. The mayor’s rejoinder: would the fitness club owner be willing to waive gym membership fees at ICHF for city employees in exchange for this consideration? Less than a beat later, Darham responded in the affirmative, to the applause of the fifty-plus RBC members and guests in attendance.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the Children of God.” Matthew 5:9.
(Disclaimer: Open for Business can’t even spell quid pro quo, much less know what it means.)

Little Nicky’s Knows the Bear Necessities

One of the area’s newest Italian ristorantes, Little Nicky’s, knows that a growing Bear (or Cub, or Otter) needs to eat, and they have a menu that will please the most voracious Kodiak appetite. Less than two months old, their Dixie Highway and Commercial Blvd. location (two doors down from Publix on the northwest corner) is jumping with a crowd that means business when it comes to il mangiare.

Little Nicky’s has a terrific ambience and a welcoming atmosphere, whether one is mezzo-soprano or Tony Soprano. Owners Jeffrey and Bobby (one of whom is gay, the other very gay-friendly; we leave it to you to figure which is which) offer free delivery to all places in the gayborhood and parts beyond, and if you’re in training for Bear Nation, Open for Business recommends their Hungry Bear Special, which includes two of their signature 16” cheese pizzas, two salads (even a Grizzly has to watch his mid-section on occasion), 12 garlic knots, and a two-liter of soda for $19.95. Leave room for dessert? Yeah, right.

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

Island City Health and Fitness Care about “Challenge” Participants

By BOB KECSKEMETY

“It was a great chance to give back to the community,” said Reece Darham owner of Island City Health and Fitness, home of the 2011 Brian Neal Fitness Challenge in which Darham donates the use of the gym. “When I fully understood the concept of it, I thought it was an excellent idea. And the plan to have a non-profit for people in need and who want to get fit and healthy made a lot of sense to me. I thought it was a great idea, a great concept.” Darham has owned Island City Health and Fitness since October 2008.

The Brian Neal Fitness Challenge is a boot camp style workout session limited to 50 participants in which there are three 1- hour workout sessions a week for 12 weeks. There is no cost to join the Challenge. Working along side Neal is personal trainer Melissa Binkley who is also Director of Fitness at Island City Health and Fitness where she works continuously with the fitness staff and Certified Personal Trainers.

“I think it’s necessary, even for people that don’t have money or can’t necessarily afford a trainer, still have access to fitness because fitness is for everybody,” said Binkley.

“She is wonderful, I absolutely adore Melissa,” says Darham. “She has such a burst of energy. She’s an absolutely pleasure and a true professional and incredibly knowledgeable and I’m so glad she’s part of the team.” Binkley is a dedicated fitness professional with a degree from Ohio State University and has several national certifications. She has been inspiring healthy living and fitness for most of her life. She is a National NPC Figure Competitor and fitness model and has traveled the country competing and being an ambassador for fitness. Binkley is also an avid athlete and loves all sports and is featured on RxMuscle.com, MuscularDevelopment.com and BodTv.

Binkley has worked with clients ranging in age from 8 to 80, planning individualized programs for each of her clients based on their current level of fitness, their health needs and goals. She believes children are the next step to the fitness revolution and has worked with organizations such as HeroUSA.org to establish fitness programs for children. She is also SilverFit-certified and has taught classes to senior citizens.

“[Brian Neal] came to Reese and talked to him about using the facilities as part of the program. Reese introduced me to him and they told me about how it was going to be non-profit and how they wanted to help people and were going to make it a free. I’ve always done volunteer work, helping vets and older people — anything that is fitness-related that helped people and it was something that was close to my heart. I thought it was a wonderful concept so I was really happy to help with it and do anything I could to help him and give him some of my expertise. After meeting the people the very first time I decided it was an amazing project and I’m really happy to be working with them.

“I think Brian is a big teddy bear,” said Binkley. “He is really a nice guy he’s a lot of fun and he knows what he’s talking about and he’s really driven. I think he’s got a great idea and it will be a big help to our community.”

Binkley went on to say that obesity in America is at crisis levels and people need access to health information. She said that for the general population, the Challenge is such a necessity to get the community into a healthy lifestyle and it’s going to make a difference for generations to come. She said that America has the highest obesity rates in the world and that by allowing people to see a healthy way to live and do things in a different way, it’s going to be a force that’s going to spread.

Binkley herself practices a holistic lifestyle and believes nutrition is a vital part of a healthy life. She is currently working towards expanding her field in holistic nutrition and health. Binkley also enjoys being part of the Brian Neal Fitness Challenge. “The [participants] are amazing and they all have wonderful stories. We have a cancer survivor; we have some that have weighed over 300 pounds who have lost weight. They all have a good fire to them and are all really excited. It’s really nice to work with people that really want to be here because, a lot of time, you get people that don’t always really enjoy what they are doing or they really don’t want to learn to work for change.

And everybody in this program is really on fire about what they are doing and they have a passion about it and that’s really exciting.”

Bob Kecskemety is the News Editor of the Florida Agenda. Bob can be readed at editor@FloridaAgenda.com