Florida Agenda

By Dale Madison

It is hard to believe that it’s been six years since Laurie Whittaker and her partner of 18 years, Jennifer Morales, took over the space once occupied by the defunct Club Circuit on Wilton Drive.  Even more difficult to believe is how they reformed the failed dance club into Sidelines—one of the most popular sports bars in all of South Florida, and into a nationally-known LGBT destination spot.

“Once Circuit closed, we contacted the owner of the property, because we wanted to make a plan [to occupy the space],” says Morales, who in addition to being Whittaker’s significant other, is the marketing guru behind the club.

“We wanted a State of the Art sports bar,” Whittaker added. “Something like no one else would have. We also knew that we were going to be involved in the LGBT community. We were not just going to sit here to serve drinks—we really wanted to serve the community.” That has translated over the course of six years to close to $500,000 that the pair and Sidelines have donated back into the local community.

Those dollars have been poured into local charities and service organizations, including the Florida AIDS Walk, the Smart Ride, The Poverello Thrift Store and Food Bank, Tuesday’s Angels, and many other causes. “The community becomes your family and, frankly, you have to take care of your family,” says Whittaker.

Morales, who, as previously noted, tackles the job of promoting and marketing the concept bar to the outside world, says that her and Whittaker’s efforts have paid off with respect to branding and name recognition. “We’ve been featured on ‘Deco Drive,’ and we’ve had local news anchor Adam Kuperstein, who had a great time,” Morales brags. “We’ve been featured on the Bloomberg Business Report, too. We’ve been very blessed with great press,” she adds.

Whittaker is equally proud of the House that Time and Patience Built. “Do you realize that when we opened, there were only six LGBT sports bars in the country? Now there are more than 30,” she notes proudly. “We sort of set a standard for part of the industry.”

That standard includes providing lots to do for the bars valued patrons, including 16 widescreen televisions, three pool tables, darts, and other amusement activities that keep guests having fun and coming back. Add entertaining bartenders to the mix, and you have a formula for success.

Morales and Whittaker note that it isn’t just LGBT patrons who come to Sidelines to enjoy a “gay old time.” “We have one group of Green Bay Packers supporters whose mix is roughly 70 percent straight,” says Morales. “They come in for every Packers game, and they have a blast. Fred Belgie heads this group—and they pack the place”—but what would you expect from Packers fans? The bar also reaches out to other local groups, as well as to those who are “just visiting.”

“This year during ‘Fleet Week,’ we had at least 12 men in uniform come in, and they commented ‘What a great place,’” Whittaker reports. “Of course, they all took turns showing how butch they were at the boxing machine, which has become one of our most popular amusements,” she notes.

Morales says that hospitality is the key to Sidelines’ warm, friendly, and convivial vibe. “All we really want at the end of the day is for people to come in, relax, talk with each other,” she offers, adding with a smile, “and of course it’s always nice to turn a little profit so that we can continue to support our community.”

BY BOB KECSKEMETY

Halloween, the unofficial gay national holiday, is upon us.

Your costume is all ready. Each stitch has been crafted with the care of Susan  B. Anthony or Martha Stewart. The BeDazzler is all but worn out making sure all the bling is in the right place. Each feather has been carefully placed in the proper position and correctly fluffed. And, if you’re planning on showing a lot of flesh, you’ve already visited your favorite tanning salon for “just the right look.”

You may even have accidently glued your glue gun to the coffee table. You’ve been planning your costume for this year since November of last year and now it’s all come together nicely. The best part of Halloween? The more trailer-trashy you look, the more fashionable you are so put away those designer labels for the weekend.

There has been much confusion this year as to when Halloween will be  celebrated – or if Halloween will be celebrated at all. For the last two years, Halloween has fallen on a weekend evening but this year, it’s falling on a Monday. Some places are celebrating on Saturday, others are Sunday, some more are celebrating on both nights. However, a party is a party so many are celebrating all three nights which means three nights of costume contests.

Then there are the other pertinent questions. Will there be a large block party? The answer is yes. Will Wilton Drive be closed? The answer is no. However, as last year proved, you can have a great and safe time on Wilton Drive without closing down the street.

WilMa’s finest will be out in force making sure the traffic yields to the ghosts and goblins and peacocks that are certain to line “The Drive.” (But it is still your responsibility to cross the street with care.) The WilMa City Commission even voted NOT to charge for parking on Monday night. The city has also extended drinking hours to 3 a.m. It can’t get any sweeter than that.

The following is perhaps the most complete list of parties, costume contests, and themes available anywhere.

THE PRIDE CENTER

Halloween at The Pride Center will be held on Saturday, October 29 with both day and night time events.

During the day will be a Sheriff’s Department Community Outreach Day and a Kid’s Costume Contest. The Broward Sheriff’s Office will be out to show off their finest equipment to the kids from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be a fire truck, snow cones, a bounce house, MacGruff the Crime Dog, music, food and a sketch artist. Come out to meet BSO personnel and Quiggley, the BSO mascot.

Free child fingerprinting will be provided by Crime Stoppers of Broward.

While BSO activities are being held outdoors, a Kid’s Costume Contest will take place inside the Main Hall. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes at 2 p.m!

From 7 p.m., to 11 p.m., there will be a Halloween Youth Bash titled “Halloween Madness.” In addition to the dance, there will be a costume contest, food and drinks, music, prizes and more. Admission is $10 per person, $15 per couple ages 14 – 21.

“A LITTLE NAUGHTY”

“A Little Naughty” is the annual art exhibit and fundraiser to be held at the Broward Art Guild Gallery, 3280 NE 32 Street in Fort Lauderdale, FL. “A Little Naughty” is a one-night-only, multi-discipline erotic art event, with alluring art and installations, tantalizing treats, provocative performances, and an audacious raffle to benefit the programs of ArtsUnited on Saturday, October 29 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Costume contest judging starts at 9 p.m. with a $100 prize for Best Naughty Costume sponsored by LeatherWerks.

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. Include 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. Includes dancing, a lounge tent with food, beverages, raffle and café seating, 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, closed-in VIP parking in Hagen Park is $10.

“WICKED WEEKEND”

Alibi – Proving that you can’t have too much of a good thing, Alibi’s Halloween festivities begin on Thursday and continue through Monday. That’s five full days of fun using the theme “Horror High.” Thursday night, Alibi is having a theme party called “Guy Spy.”

GuySpy.com is the newest cross-platform, all male location-based mobile social networking app for iPhone and Android. Users who download the free mobile gay dating app are able to find, meet and chat with men seeking men faster, easier and with more features than any other dating app. Friday night is the “Pep Rally from Hell.” Saturday is “Horror in the Halls,” costume contest at 10 p.m. hosted by Nichole Halliway as Elvira, 1st place $500, 2nd place $300, 3rd place $200. Sunday night’s theme is “Detention” with a costume contest at 10:30 p.m. hosted by Nichole Halliway again as Elvira. Finally, on Monday, Halloween night is “Prom Night,” with a costume contest at 8 p.m. hosted by Florida’s own Dame Edna, 1st place $500, 2nd place $300, 3rd place $200.

Bill’s – Bill’s on Wilton Drive will be celebrating Halloween for four nights, Friday through Monday with the blanket theme, “Cirque de Freaks” where anything can happen. Friday night is “Growl O’Ween” in conjunction with GuySpy.com. Saturday night is “Sideshow Freaks” with a costume contest at midnight. Grand prize $350, 1st runner up $250, 2nd runner up $150. Hosted by Nicole Halliway as Elvira. Sunday is Misty Eyez’s “Trannie Palace – Nightmare on the Drive.” Show and costume contest at 11 p.m. Grand prize $250, 1st runner up $150, 2nd runner up $100. The big night, Monday is “Cirque de Freaks” hosted by Jennifer McClain. Show and costume contest at 10:30 p.m., Grand prize $250, 1st runner up $150, 2nd runner up $100.

Boardwalk – Friday through Monday is “Angel Rock” at Boardwalk presented by JetSetMen.com. On Monday, Halloween night, is a fundraiser for Bernadette from 7 p.m. to midnight with a drawing for the Allure Cruise at midnight.

Boom – Boom will be celebrating Halloween on Monday, October 31 with a “Haunted Forrest” theme and a costume contest at 8 p.m.
The Depot – “Hallo-Bear-Ween” T-Dance/Costume Contest poolside as special guest DJ Barry Thomas Huffine spins the spooky hits for our first “Hallo-Bear-Ween T-Dance” on Sunday, October 30 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with the only poolside costume contest in Ft. Lauderdale with cash prizes. Hosted by guest Anita Barr.

Johnny’s/Ft. Lauderdale – Friday, October 28 is a “Scorpion Halloween” hosted by Cire Citron, Mr. Situation, Sushiman and others. Free admission before midnight, free drinks 11 p.m. to midnight, $5 drinks all night, $69 Moscato Bottles, DJ TPromix spinning. Sunday, October 30 is “Super Hero Halloween Event,” no cover all night long, MC Gemini Stone, $5 Margarita Madness midnight to closing, Florida’s largest strip contest, $1,000 prize.

The Manor Entertainment Complex – The Manor is planning their own block party which includes their newly paved parking lot on the west side of the building. On Friday, October 28 at 10 p.m., “Lost in the Devil’s Triangle,” $1,000 cash & prizes for best costume contest, DJ JPS, M.C. Daisy Deadpetals, $3 drinks 10 p.m. to midnight, $100 Rokk Vodka VIP bottle service all night, live band at 9 p.m. in the lounge. Saturday, October 29, it’s “Mutiny” with DJ Oren Nizri. Sexy pirate dancers with big shows and surprises. Noche Latina Room hosts Salsa music and drag shows. Live band entertainment at 9 p.m. No cover, extended liquor hours. Costume contest at 1:30 a.m., $500 in cash and prizes. Free raffle for a basket valued at $500 with DJ Larry Larr. For Sunday, October 30 at 9 p.m., it’s “Survivor Island” with DJ David Knapp, no cover. Finally on Halloween, Monday, October 31, 6 p.m. it’s “Pirates of the Manor” an indoor/outdoor block party. $2,500 cash and prizes, best costume contest, MC Daisy Deadpetals, DJ Kidd Modonny, no cover, extended liquor hours.

Matty’s on the Drive – Saturday, October 29 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., don’t miss DJ/comedian, “Cazwell Live!” performing his hits, “Ice Cream Truck” and “I Seen Beyonce at Burger King.” With DJ Jared Michael, mixing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday, October 30 and 31, costume contests both nights at 10 p.m., $250 cash and prizes each night.

Mona’s – For Halloween, Monday, October 31, Mona’s presents its “Halloween Extravaganza,” karaoke with Freak Boy Freddy at 9 p.m. “Burlesque or Cabaret,” dig into your closets and put together your most fabulous outfit. “Hallow Weenee Cookout” from 6 p.m. 11 p.m.

New Moon – Saturday, October 29, 8 p.m. don’t miss “Night of the Living Dead,” get your Zombie on or any other costume your rotting little brains can come up with Saturday night for a down right creepy Halloween Weekend. $500 in cash and prizes. Sunday, October 30, another costume contest with $500 in cash and prizes.

Ramrod – Monday, October 31, costume contest at midnight. Two categories: best costume and butchest costume.
Rosie’s Bar and Grill – Monday, October 31, “Villains & Vixens.” Costume contest at  9 p.m.

Royal Palms Resort – For fun on the beach, the new Royal Palms Resort will be celebrating on Friday and Saturday. On Friday, October 28 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. they are having a “Best of Rio Headdress Contest.”  Bring your best headdress and you can win $200 cash. With DJ Jason Gonzalez and hosted by Nikki Adams. Giveaways all night long. Saturday, October 29, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., don’t miss “Zombie Lane” hosted by Twat LaRouge with DJ Lydia Prim and giveaways all night long. Enter their costume contests and you can win a two-night stay at The Royal Palms.

Scandals Saloon – On Saturday, October 29 don’t miss “Muppet Ranch” with your favorite bartenders dressed as your favorite Muppets. Lady Fancy will be holding her “Gospel Jubilee” on Sunday, October 30 starting at 6 p.m.

Shoppes of Wilton Manors – The parties at Boom and Alibi spill into the parking lot with music and shows on Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights. The block party includes outdoor costume contests, bars and food and all the great stuff as Java Boys, Humpy’s and the other stores and restaurants in the shopping center join in the fun. Festively decorated, outdoor stage and plenty of good times.

Sidelines Sports Bar – Sidelines typically enjoys a “Parade of Costumes” for Halloween and his year will be no different. This year is no different as, Sidelines presents “A Ghoulish Weekend at Sidelines” on Sunday and Monday, October 30 and 31. Costume contest on Sunday, October 30 at 10 p.m. Don’t miss out on the prizes and games and drink specials.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – A new non-profit organization has been formed to assist persons dealing with breast cancer including obtaining financial assistance, risk-reduction information and other forms of well-being support services.

Bernadette Zizzo, who was diagnosed with breast cancer a short time ago, is the founder of “Knock Out Cancer.” Zizzo underwent surgery for a double mastectomy. Due to this country’s lack of health insurance coverage, she was forced to pay out-of-pocket for the removal of her second breast as that was considered elective surgery. She is still in the hospital and fighting for her own health and medical issues.  She remains confident and is looking forward to helping other persons via this new organization.

Sidelines Sports Bar is lending assistance to “Knock Out Cancer’s” fundraising efforts, so beginning on Friday, October 7 through Sunday, October 9, “Knock Out Cancer 4 the Cure” and Sidelines Sports Bar will be hosting an outdoor Boxing Tournament in the parking lot next to Sidelines. The boxing matches will take place in a blow-up boxing ring with blow-up boxing gloves.

MyGayRadio.com has agreed to stream the event live on their internet radio station as well as enlist resident deejays, such as D.J. Jared Michael, D.J. Soundgirl Rock, D.J. Dublin, and more to provide the music. Prizes, betting games and even a VIP Ringside Area will be available for purchase ($35 per night or $70 for the entire event). Tickets for the “Knock Out Cancer 4 the Cure”’s Boxing Tournament are available at Sidelines Sports Bar, The Pride Center and at the main office of Mark Magazine at 2157 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305. All profits from the Boxing Tournament will go directly to “Knock Out Cancer 4 the Cure.”

WILTON MANORS, FL – Fans of college football are heading over to Sidelines Sports Bar on Wilton Drive where, from now through December, they will show all of the NCAA scheduled college football games. Games are typically played on Saturdays and everyone is encouraged to dress in their team’ s color

s and cheer them along.

WILTON MANORS, FL – Sidelines Sports Bar held the second round of its Summer Cook-Off Competition, in which the best recipe for chicken wings was the challenge of the day. The judges selected Robin Rotellini’s chicken wing recipe as the first-place winner and Steve Scott was voted as the second-place winner.

Both Rotellini’s and Scott’s recipes now earn them eligibility for the final round of the contest, to take place Labor Day weekend on Monday, on September 5, 2011.

Sidelines Sports Bar sees revenue increase after going smoke free

It has been four months since Wilton Drives’ Sidelines has gone smoke free.  How has it affected profits? Positively, according to Jennifer Morales, the marketing director of the famed sports bar. She said, “While the economy still seems to create a challenge to small businesses in our area, we have noticed an incremental revenue uptick since we went smoke-free.

We are optimistic that this trend will continue in the coming months.”

The announcement to go smoke free was announced last year and went into effect on the January 5^th of this year. At the time, Sidelines owners Laurie Whittaker and Marty Kildea stated that, while a number of small businesses across the country face difficult and challenging times due to the nation’s harsh economic conditions, Sidelines has remained unaffected and has been able to ride the storm and remain solvent. They recognized, however, that in order to sustain economic health and continue to grow, Sidelines must continue to improve and evolve. Whittaker and Kildea said that they held discussions with their staff, customers and other business people and decided to “bring a breath of fresh air” to Sidelines.

“It must be reiterated that these changes in no way affect the ‘sports theme’ that has made Sidelines the repeated award-winning entertainment venue of Fort Lauderdale since their opening in 2006,” said the bar in a statement. “The only things that will not change are the fun and friendly staff, the demand for a high level of customer service and a passionate desire to provide Fort Lauderdale’s LGBT community a pleasant and comfortable environment in which gay sports enthusiasts can come together in a place where they can feel at home.”

This has clearly worked.  As Jennifer Morales said, “We are so delighted by the response received from our customers thus far. We have seen new faces come to Sidelines – and even seen some old ones that are returning – because of the changes we’ve made. The outdoor patio area is very popular amongst our smoking friends, and they have welcomed the change. “