Florida Agenda

By Brad ‘Scoop’ Casey

One of South Florida’s entertainment success stories is Matty’s on the Drive in Wilton Manors. The club celebrates its 3rd anniversary on Monday, August 22nd. It will be a weekend of festivities leading up to the big night on the 22nd, including the finals of the 2012 Charity Calendar Contest.
The popularity of Matty’s even surprises its owners. “We were looking to have a small neighborhood bar,” said Matt Auslander. “Yes, we were surprised and humbled at the response from the community.”

Matty’s opened as an 1800 square foot, no smoking bar on August 22nd, 2008. Over the past three years, it has grown into two extra bays totaling 3600 square feet and will soon open the long awaited deli.

What are the ingredients of success for Matty’s? Auslander credits its staff, the no smoking policy and its customers. Expect one heck of an anniversary party.

Celebration of Life Get Together

Mona’s bar is having a Celebration of Life get together in memory of the late John ‘Mary’ Lyons on Thursday, August 25th. Mona’s owner, Jerry Schultz, is planning an upbeat and happy gathering for the popular mixologist who passed away recently. “It’s going to be a heavenly celebration and remembrance of John,” said Schultz. An open mic will be available, plenty of drink specials and a cookout. Festivities will begin at about 2PM on the 25th.

Victor Zepka in The Hot Seat

We will roast loveable Victor Zepka of Boardwalk fame on Sunday, August 21st. The Celebrity Roast will be held at The Manor starting at 8PM. Victor is a longtime fixture in the South Florida entertainment scene, having the first Boardwalk in North Miami Beach and promoter of the Miss Florida Pageant.
Victor has legions of friends who are dying to take the stage and tell a few tales. Joe Posa, as Joan Rivers, will be Master of Ceremonies. A pre-fix dinner special will be available at $25.00. We urge you to call in advance to reserve a table.

Congratulations to Bobby Blair

Bobby is one of the hardest working guys I know. He has a positive energy and tends to see the good in everyone and everything. Last week, Bobby Blair’s good fortunes came to fruition when it was announced that Multimedia Platforms, LLC had merged with Cybermesh International, a technology based company based out of California. Bobby’s duties have expanded and he will become the CEO of this company. Congrats, Bobby, and expect some earth shattering news over the next few months.

Short Takes
• Club Entrepreneur Mark Lowe has found a location for his new Miami club. Expect an opening in November.
• Bill’s Filling Station hosts Emmy Award winner Leslie Jordan on Monday, Aug. 22nd, at 9PM. No cover!
• Belated birthday wishes to my good friend Pompano Bill.
• Our very own Electra held over in Atlantic City where she has had a fabulous three month gig. Electra has been playing to packed houses.

Thanks for picking us up this week and remember: To have a friend, you must first be a friend.

If you have a “scoop” for Brad Casey, please e-mail your information to BradC@jumponmarkslist.com

By Brad ‘Scoop’ Casey

Richard Gray, founder of the Royal Palms and member of the Broward County Tourist Development Authority, has resigned his position as marketing and promotions director for Pan Capital. He is also finishing his term with the Broward County Tourist Development Authority and will not seek his seat on the board again.

Pan Capital is a corporation of Swedish businessmen who have been gobbling up beach property at an unprecedented rate recently, purchasing the Schubert Resort, Orton Terrace, The Dunes, The Flamingo and Blue Dolphin guest accommodations. The group has also purchased a number of straight motels and hotels on the beach. Gray declined to discuss his resignation.

The news of Gray’s resignation has shocked members of Fort Lauderdale’s tourist industry. Gray was instrumental in developing Fort Lauderdale as a gay tourist destination worldwide. He joined tourist development authority in 1996 and persuaded the County to set aside $35,000 for marketing to the gay traveler. Last year’s budget for gay tourism was $500,000. He is also Vice President of the International Gay and Lesbian Tourist Association (IGLTA).

In 1991, Gray founded the Royal Palms Guest Accommodations that has won 5 Star Travel Awards numerous times over his 17 years of ownership. The Royal Palms set the standard for future upscale gay guest accommodations in South Florida.

At Pan Capital, Gray also acted as  consultant on properties to purchase and set the decor of remodeled properties.
Gray says he will spend time between Dallas, Texas, and Fort Lauderdale. “Fort Lauderdale is in my blood’, says Gray. “I will always want to be a part of Fort Lauderdale.”

Pompano Bill Roasted

It was a power house roast for lovable Pompano Bill at Boardwalk this past Monday night. Pompano was in the hot seat all night as roaster after roaster told Pompano Bill stories. Pompano was all smiles from the stage and loved every minute of it. From my perch, I spotted a number of movers and shakers. There was Sideline’s Laurie Whittiker and Jennifer Morales, Jerry Schultz of Mona’s, Toni Barone, Father Bill Collins, founder of Poverello, Father Joe Gallant, Jackson Padgett, Mark Negrete, Vincent Frato and Ron Woolery of Alibi, Eric Lawrence of LeatherWerks, real estate super star Robert MacNamera, Chuck Nichols of Tuesday’s Angels, Terry DeCarlo and Bill Huelsman of Broward House, The Manor’s Paul Hugo, Ramrod’s Steve Whitney, attorney and politico  Dean Trantalis, publishers Bobby Blair and Norman Kent, and exercise guru Brian Neal to name a few.

Entertainers Tiffany Arreagus, Nikki Adams and Miss Kitty performed and Russell from The Stable did a fabulous job as MC and keeping the night rolling.

Pompano Bill is probably our community’s most recognized face, and the entire evening was a love fest for our dear friend of 20 years.

Matty’s Planning 3rd Anniversary

Matty’s, the watering hole that’s taken Wilton Manors by storm, is in the final stages of planning for its 3rd anniversary on August 22. It promises to be a blowout as the club opens phase three of the operation. Also on that night, a battalion of hotties will battle it out on stage to see who will be chosen to participate in the 2012 Model Calendar. There also maybe an appearance of a golden girl. More on this later.

Thanks for picking us up this week and remember: To have a friend, you must first be a friend.

If you have a “scoop” for Brad Casey, please e-mail your information to BradC@jumponmarkslist.com