Florida Agenda

By DALE MADISON

Three years ago, the City of Wilton Manors opened a monthly “Green Market” at Hagen Park. The market was a success until the sweltering days of summer arrived, and many of the vendors decided that it was time to either find an air conditioned venue, or wait until the cooler winds of fall and winter swept into South Florida once again.

Then entrepreneurs Frank Altieri and Ron Leonard came up with an idea. “What if we featured a ‘green market’ that wasn’t just all fruits and vegetables?” Altieri wondered. Thus the Wilton Manors Green Market was born.

“We researched and reached out to others in the community and wow, what a difference,” Altieri explains. “We are here whether its ‘hot or not’ every Saturday and Sunday, opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 2 p.m. The crowds keep growing every week.”

Altieri says that it was just a matter of demographics. “There was indeed a niche in the community for a Farmers Market, and I feel we have filled that,” he says. “On any given weekend, we have between 10 and 20 vendors, and of course, we are always looking for more, and more varied vendors. We want unique individuals.”

Among his current “crop” of merchants, Altieri notes, “we have an incredible vendor with fruits and vegetables—items that you won’t find in a supermarket. We have organic items, which so many people in this community really want.” What about guilty pleasures? “[We have] homemade cookies that you just can’t beat. Olive oils and vinegars, orchids that you won’t find anywhere else, New York pickles, fresh herbs, and of course, the best soups on the planet,” he adds, shamelessly, I might add, since he’s the one who makes the soups.

“Every week I make about six different homemade soups with all fresh ingredients for the market,” he quips. At the same time we were speaking, Carmine Martorilli and his partner, Bob Foster, popped in to make a few purchases. With apparent “paisan” solidarity, he seconded Altieri’s vote on the soup.

“Oh my God, you will never find better soups, even if you try to make them yourself,” he offered in praise. “These are the best.” Chimed in Foster, “His matzo ball soup is over the top.”

Ladles aside, Altieri stresses his and Leonard’s commitment to bringing in new vendors and offerings, and to see the event blossom, especially now that the cooler weather is coming. “We are always looking for new vendors to join, and it’s very simple: You must sign for at least four days, and it’s $25 per day, so we really make it affordable,” he notes.

“Of course, parking during those hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. is free [at the city parking lot adjacent to Wilton Manors City Hall], so that is never an issue,” Altieri explains. “The City of Wilton Manors has been great to work with. They want to see more and new events coming to the area.”

For more information, visit greenwilton.com.

WILTON MANORS – The Stonewall Museum and Archives will host America’s most prominent gay elected official, at The Manor on November 17. During this year’s “Stonewall Stars: Turning the Tide,” U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), will discuss marriage equality and other relevant issues in the postelection cycle. The event is organized to celebrate the achievements of local and national individuals who further the cause of the LGBT community.

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Tickets for “Stonewall Stars: Turning the Tide” start at $75 for general admission and $150 for VIP. A limited-attendance brunch with Rep. Frank and his partner, James Ready, will be held at a private residence on Sunday, November 18 for $500.

For more information, visit stonewallnationalmuseum.org.

WILTON MANORS – The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) will hold a double-decked event on Saturday, at The Pride Center at Equality Park (2040 N Dixie Hwy., Wilton Manors). “Operation Medicine Cabinet” is an effort to encourage citizens to bring unused, unwanted, and expired medications for safe disposal, as a means of helping prevent prescription drug abuse. BSO will also conduct a “Shred- A-Thon” for Broward residents to safely dispose of documents, check stubs, receipts, credit card offers, and other material that could contain personal data, and put individuals at risk to identity thieves.

Both events are free to the public, and will take place September 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit sheriff.org.

For some, life can seem like a roller coaster ride. Others compare their experiences to different carnival attractions. “I served in that Merry-Go-Round called the hospitality industry for more than 25 years,” recalls Jackson Padgett, co-owner—with his life and business partner, Mark Negrete—of Georgie’s Alibi and Bill’s Filling Station, both in Wilton Manors. As to his most lasting achievement (prior to laying down stakes in the Gayborhood) Padgett points to a familiar South Florida landmark. “I loved helping to build and establish the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino,” he says. “That was truly one of those things that may only happen once in your life, what I would have to say was the crowning of my career.”

“After Mark and I met, I decided it was time to leave corporate America. We wanted something that we could do together, have a couple of drinks, and then go home, prepare dinner, and let the staff do the work until it was time to lock the door at 2 a.m.,” Padgett recalls, then pauses before adding, “Let’s put it this way, if anyone ever comes up to you and asks if you’d like to buy a bar—RUN in the opposite direction.” He lets loose with a hearty laugh.

“We purchased Bill’s Filling Station—the original by the railroad tracks [on Northeast 13th Street in Fort Lauderdale]—and we truly did have a blast there,” says Negrete. “But we also knew that we were off the beaten track, and the building really needed upgrading, so we began the search for a new location.” Their search took them to the heart of the Gayborhood, Wilton Drive. “Chardee’s dinner club had recently closed, so we called Tony Dee,” recalls Negrete. “We inked the deal and started the renovations to transform the former dinner club into our vision. We renamed the piano bar the ‘Mustang Lounge,’ and we still have the baby grand piano there.

Each week, we have a great team [Andy Fiacco and Ric Ducosin] host our Karaoke night, and we are consistently packed,” he adds, smiling. Not long after, the couple acquired nearby Georgie’s Alibi, a Wilton Manors staple located right across the Drive, in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors.

“We work hard to make people feel welcome,” Padgett says. “We have strived to make people feel at home, and without sounding cliché, we want to be where everyone knows your name, that is the bottom line: If people are happy and have a great time.”

Negrete says that along with great service, they add to the mix great entertainment, including their house VJ’s Barry Browder and Robert Frye, and performers like Nikki Adams, Dame Edna, and (when she’s in town) Cashetta.

“An absolute winning combination,” Padgett calls it. “We are in the process of expanding the Manchester Room, taking part of the former Bottoms and Tops [retail location], which will make that side of the bar explode. Couple that with award-winning Chef Ron and our catering division—we are very proud of the Alibi,” he adds with a contented smile.

For more information, visit georgiesalibi.com/wiltonmanors, or facebook.com/alibi.wiltonmanors.

WILTON MANORS – The owners of the new Infinity Lounge have announced their Grand Opening, which will be held on Saturday, September 15, from 6 to 8 p.m., in its location at 2184 Wilton Drive (in the Gables Wilton Park building).

“I’m from a small town in Washington State,” says Ken Hill, owner of Infinity Lounge, “so I was attracted to Wilton Manors for its small town feel with a big city vibe. It was the perfect location for the lounge I have spent ages conceptualizing, where cocktails and conversation mix with casual sophistication.”

To officially launch the new venture, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m., with Wilton Manors Vice-Mayor Tom Green and City Commissioners Scott Newton and Julie Carson presiding. DJ Chuck Knowles will provide entertainment, and happy hour pricing will be in place for the event.

“I really wanted a lounge that welcomes everyone—men, women, gay or straight, local or visitor to the area—to relax in an environment that’s sexy, cool, and sophisticated,” says Hill. “In appreciation of our clientele, even our well liquors are notable brand names.”

“I’m thrilled to welcome Ken Hill and Infinity Lounge to Wilton Manors,” said Krishan Manners, President of the WIlton Manors Development Alliance. “Ken has found a niche in the local market that was under-serviced and created a business around it. That’s exactly the entrepreneurial spirit that makes our city thrive.”

Infinity Lounge is open Sunday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 2a.m., and Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. Happy Hour is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with all drinks at half price.

WILTON MANORS – The Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC) will present a symposium, “Transition Solutions for LGBT Seniors,” Thursday, September 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pride Center at Equality Park, in Wilton Manors. The event, presented by the GFLGLCC at no cost, will focus on practical issues facing LGBT seniors, and will feature three experts offering information to assist the attendees and others in planning a safe and secure future.

Speakers and topics will include: Wanda E. Gozdz, “Aging in Place: Adapting Our Space to Meet Our Changing Needs,” a discussion of the aspects of aging, and how it impacts families psychologically, spiritually, and physically; Ryan Schultz, “Living Comfortably in Retirement: Financial Tools to Help You Age Gracefully,” which will cover investment strategies to pay for affordable in-home care; and Stephanie L. Schneider, Esq., “Navigating the Maze: Estate and Long Term Care Planning Issues Unique to the LGBT Community,” including “ Creating a Management Plan for Incapacity,” and “Strategies for Passing on Wealth and Minimizing Estate Tax.”X

While focusing on the needs of mature LGBT individuals, the sessions are open to persons of all ages and concerns. Coffee and pastries will be provided by Starbucks. For more information about the symposium, or to become a member of GFLGLCC, visit gogayfortlauderdale.com.

WILTON MANORS – The organizers for the August 26 “Wilton Manors GET OUT THE VOTE Bar Crawl” have announced the featured gueststarring entertainment for the event, a community-wide effort to register as many LGBT voters as possible, and to draw awareness to issues of political importance to the gay community.

Local drag performers Nikki Adams, Nicolette, and Jersey Dion will lead a crowd through eight local watering holes, where, beginning at 2 p.m., volunteers, entertainers,, and the interested public will meet voter registrars and Democratic Party officials. The crawl will commence at Sidelines Sports Bar, and then move to Bill’s Filling Station, The Manor, Rosie’s Bar & Grill, New Moon, Matty’s On the Drive, The Alibi, and Boom. “This idea has taken off and you will see such an energized coalition of LGBT movers and shakers getting out the vote,” said Michael Albetta, Vice Chair of the Florida Democratic Party Campaign Committee.

Although set up as a pro-Obama re-election event, the organizers want all eligible voters and concerned citizens to participate. “Regardless of your party affiliation, it is your country’s given right as a citizen to make your voice heard,” said Jennifer Morales, Sidelines’ Marketing Director and one of the organizers, adding, “whatever, or whomever their choice may be.”

WILTON MANORS – On August 26, eight local bars will take part in the “Wilton Manors GET OUT THE VOTE Bar Crawl,” in an effort to register as many LGBT voters as possible, and to draw awareness to issues of political importance to the gay community. Starting at 2 p.m., volunteers, entertainers, Democratic Party officials, and the interested public will gather at Sidelines Sports Bar on Wilton Drive, the event’s starting point.

According to the organizers, the crowd—with South Florida entertainers serving as guides—will move along the Drive, in 45-minutes intervals, to each bar, where voter registrars and Democratic Party officials will speak to potential voters. As well as Sidelines, Bill’s Filling Station, The Manor, Rosie’s Bar & Grill, New Moon, Matty’s On the Drive, The Alibi, and Boom will participate.

“This idea has taken off, and you will see such an energized coalition of LGBT movers and shakers getting out the vote,” said Michael Albetta, Vice Chair of the Florida Democratic Party Campaign Committee.

Although the event is organized by many who support President Obama’s re-election, the organizers want all eligible voters and concerned citizens to attend, irrespective of political philosophy. “Regardless of your party affiliation, it is your country’s given right as a citizen to make your voice heard,” said Jennifer Morales, Sidelines’ Marketing, Advertising, and Promotions Director.

Morales says there are a number of important issues facing LGBT Americans this year, but the most important one is retaining the gains we have made in civil rights. “The single biggest issue for LGBT voters in 2012 is that we retain these rights and not go back to a closeted and discrimination-filled way of life,” she says, adding, “This cannot happen!”

Although she has concerns that Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican nominee, “will push to remove most of these rights and achievements,” Morales thinks there is something more important than party, and says that the bar crawl is a way to “remind LGBT voters of their duty as citizens to make sure that their voices are heard—whatever, or whomever their choice may be.”

WILTON MANORS – Matty’s on the Drive will host Lady Kier—the lead singer and songwriter from 90s group Deee-Lite—on Saturday, August 25. The American house and club/dance group had its best-known single with 1990’s “Groove Is in the Heart.” Matty’s kicks off its four-year anniversary weekend Thursday, August 23, with a Money Machine sponsored by Skyy Vodka, filled with over $1,000 in cash and prizes.

For more information, visit mattysotd.com.

WILTON MANORS – City commissioners approved a resolution to permit local businesses use of temporary signage to attract foot traffic. Wilton Manors Community and Business Development Czar Heidi Shafran says short-term regulations call for businesses to adhere to simple requirements, with an eye to easing the restrictions on use of temporary signage, like the a-frames that dot the commercial district on Wilton Drive. Safety is one issue, particularly during the rainy season, and Shafran notes that once a Hurricane Watch is issued, all temporary signs must be removed immediately.