Florida Agenda

WILTON MANORS – Celebrity Chef Art Smith made a surprise visit to Humpy’s Pizza on May 18, stopping by with partner of a dozen years Jesus Salgueiro. The two, who tied the knot in 2010, enjoyed a couple of slices of Humpy’s internationally famous pizza, and sampled the restaurant’s cupcakes that Smith had heard so much about.

Smith, who was private Chef to Oprah Winfrey until 2007, is currently working on a new venture with Lady Gaga— Joanne’s, an Italian trattoria in midtown Manhattan. Smith and his artist spouse were in South Florida to deliver the commencement address at Johnson and Wales University, for its 2012 graduating class. During their sojourn at Humpy’s, Smith logged on to Twitter, and tweeted praise for the restaurant’s garlic shrimp pizza and carrot cupcakes.

WILTON MANORS – On Thursday, June 7, Mayor Gary Resnick will host the Second Annual City of Wilton Manors Small Business Roundtable Breakfast, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Hagen Park Community Center. Topics will include a discussion of the city’s economic development plans, and questions and answers with Resnick and Wilton Manors Community Development Director Heidi Shafran.

Also in attendance will be local business and networking groups, a small business lending expert, and representatives from the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward Alliance Small Business Assistance Program. A light breakfast will be served. To RSVP, contact to Gina Ray at (954) 390-2120.

The Manor Restaurant and Complex in Wilton Manors will once again be the scene this Monday, as the not-for-profit Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation presents the return of “Dancing with the South Florida Stars,” a star-studded gala to benefit persons with HIV/AIDS and other challenging conditions with fitness programs and healthy lifestyle regimens, supervised by licensed and trained professionals.

A “Who’s Who” of local celebrities, glitterati, and business and community leaders have spent the past six weeks preparing their minds and bodies at the dance and aerobics studio at Wilton Manors’ Island City Health and Fitness, building their dance moves and athletic skills to the absolute peak of their individual performances for the main event, the proceeds from which will benefit the Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation, a not-for-profit service organization that assists financially-challenged persons living with HIV/AIDS and other lifealtering conditions, through free gym memberships, group workout sessions, and ongoing lifestyle education classes covering all facets of living a healthy, balanced lifestyle: diet, exercise, physical and emotional well-being, positive life choices, along with coaching and mentoring from licensed and trained professionals.

With a format that is well-known to fans of the hit TV program “Dancing with the Stars,” ten partnered South Florida Star teams will assemble Monday night at 7 p.m.—following a 6 p.m. silent auction to benefit charity—in the main nightclub of The Manor on Wilton Drive to compete for the championship title claimed last December by local businessman Bruce Bogan, the owner of Copy This, and his dance partner, nationally-famous drag performer Electra. Bogan, recuperating from a life-altering event himself—a heart attack earlier this year—retires with Electra as Undefeated Reigning Titleholders. For Season Two, organizers have assembled another star-studded ensemble to rival the superlative Season One cast, including allstar celebrity judges, hosts, and world-class entertainers.

Season Two judges include international recording star and dance diva Pepper MaShay, whose music has been featured prominently on “Queer as Folk” and elsewhere, former “La Cage” performer and internationally-acclaimed female impersonator Marvin Nathan (“Fullsized Cher/Cousin Ira” from the CBS-TV hit “The Nanny”), and superstar entertainer and longtime local favorite, Misty Eyez. Nationally-renowned drag sensation and Florida Continental Elite champion Diva, along with singing powerhouse and former Mr. Continental Philip Alexander host the evening’s star-studded proceedings, with live special performances from the “Dreamgirls” dance ensemble— comprised of Nicole T. Philips, Déjà Devonier, and Velvet Lenore—as well as by internationally-famous Pepper MaShay, the outrageous and often-imitated Marvin Nathan, South Florida’s delightful and delicious Diva, and many others yet to be announced.

This season’s cast features many names and faces familiar to the LGBT community, both in South Florida and worldwide: Nightclub promoter and event mega-producer Gary Santis of The Manor teams up with the talented Erika Norell, the Sunshine Cathedral’s Corrie Boyd partners up with the lovely Nicole T. Philips, former federal prosecutor and current candidate for Broward County State Attorney Chris Mancini will trip the light fantastic with popular singer Kevin Aviance, local musical icon Richard Cortez (who just had an album release) and teammate (and longtime Palace headliner and SoBe celeb) Noel Leon, Genesis Health Institute founder Dr. Ferdinand Cabrera (dance) partners with (life) partner Dimitri Bakoulis, Dr. Alan Shafer of Island City Eyewear and local celebrity performer Jennifer McClain, hot, smart, and charming Billy Rowan of Mona’s Bar dances with Palm Beach drag sensation Velvet Lenore, South Florida celebrity photographer Michael Murphy and Lips Sunday Brunch drag host Nicolete, Fun Maps publisher Alan Beck and the fiery Déjà Devonier, and—unique to Season Two—the dancing “threesome” of drag diva legend Tiffany Ariagus, sultry Boardwalk Bar hostess Krystal K, and Boardwalk dance promoter (and former TV anchor) Robby J. Brian Neal, founder of the eponymous Foundation which sponsors the evening’s entertainment, says that guests to this year’s gala fundraising night will not be disappointed.

“Inasmuch as last year’s ‘Dancing with the South Florida Stars’ exceeded every possible expectation, I am very happy about the lineup of celebrity entertainers, and the cast members themselves, who have devoted a lot of time—and sweat—to making this a fun and rewarding night for everyone, especially the beneficiaries of the Foundation’s grants,” Neal said. In addition to the other benefits, recipients of grants also receive an online training program to document their journey to healthy living—through exercise, diet, and a good emotional outlook—as well as materials to document their ongoing success. Last year’s proceeds from “Dancing with the South Florida Stars I” totaled just over $10,000, which went to fund the not-for-profit’s ongoing mission.

WILTON MANORS – What began as an interim arrangement that turned into a two-year partnership and “living arrangement” ended on Monday as Multimedia Platforms, LLC (MMP), publisher of the Agenda and its sister publication, Guy Magazine, bade a fond farewell to its former publishing offices at 2157 Wilton Drive, to take up residence just around the bend—literally and figuratively speaking—at 2435 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors.

From its inauguration in 2010, MMP took up residence in half of the bay space occupied by Copy This and Planet Press. “This was going to be a temporary arrangement, with Bruce [Bogan, owner of Copy This] giving up half of his operating space to accommodate us while we built up the newspaper and entertainment magazine into what both publications have become,” according to Bobby Blair, Managing Partner and CEO of MMP, and publisher of the Agenda and Guy.

“It has been such a rewarding partnership, and we were so sad to leave, but we are going to always be grateful to Bruce and Billy [Sands, Bogan’s partner] for their hospitality and for being such gracious ‘roommates’,” adds Blair. “I know it was sometimes crazy.” Bogan, who suffered a heart attack earlier this year, is expanding his successful Copy This and Planet Press operation, and needs the office space formerly occupied by the publishing offices of the Agenda and Guy Magazine, which received the 2011 “Bestie Award” for Best Publisher and the 2012 “Bestie” for Best Entertaining Magazine (the Besties are hosted annually on Academy Awards night at The Manor Restaurant and Nightclub Complex and are awarded based upon the results of online community voting via social media).

On Monday, May 14, 2012, the sister publications formally took possession of their new publishing offices, located within the Sterling Accounting and Tax Services suites, just south of Five Points on Dixie Highway’s antique row. “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Agenda and Guy to our suites,” says Jeff Sterling, president and owner of Sterling Accounting. A three-day move supervised by project manager Silas Thebert, MMP’s online administrator, was undertaken over an event-filled Mother’s Day weekend, one that incurred no disruption to operations or publication schedule for either weekly print platform.

“Mission accomplished,” said Thebert with a wink. “We loved our experience on Wilton Drive and are equally excited and honored to be welcomed as we have been on the Dixie Highway side of town,” notes Blair. “This part of Wilton Manors and Greater Fort Lauderdale is undergoing a Renaissance, and with the offices of SFGN across the street, we are building our own version of London’s Fleet Street,” he joked, referring to the historic former location of Britain’s major newspapers.

AIDS Health Foundation (AHF):Taking the Fight Locally

By Dale Madison

When Mark Martin was tapped in December 2010 to take over the local branch of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), he knew there were some pretty big shoes he had to fill. His predecessor, Mark Bode, was recognized for doing an amazing job in opening the Out of the Closet Thrift Store in Wilton Manors, and was well on his way to the second Broward County store on East Sunrise Boulevard.

Suddenly, Bode made the decision to move back west to be near his family, and Martin was moved up to Regional Director of Community Relations and Development. Now at the helm for nearly two years, Martin is preparing for his group’s Seventh Annual Florida AIDS Walk, Sunday, May 20, beginning at South Beach Park on Fort Lauderdale Beach. “When I took over, I tried to analyze every aspect of the organization,” says Martin. One of the first things he analyzed was the dynamics of the Florida AIDS Walk.

“While Bode had the vision of a 10-K walk, I listened to many of the participants and many of them said that it was just too long of a trek from Las Olas [Boulevard] up to the beach and then back. That’s why this year, it will be a 5K walk,” notes Martin. He also decided that the event needed more curb appeal.

“I heard that there was not enough—for lack of a better word—‘celebration’ for the day. This year, I am making an effort to make it more entertaining,” he added. “It’s going to be much different this year. Working with the City of Fort Lauderdale, we have a stage on the beach. It’s gonna be a kick.” While AHF is a nationwide foundation, “One hundred percent of the money raised by Florida AIDS Walk stay in Florida,” according to Martin.

“Florida is ground zero [for the HIV/AIDS epidemic], and it is my mission right now to make everyone aware of this fact. Broward County has the dubious distinction of being number one in new teen infections. As an organization, we have three testing vans that are out in the community holding testings for HIV/AIDS. Unlike some organizations, we help to get counseling for anyone testing positive.”

In December 2010, AHF donated over $1 million in Broward County as a direct result of the Florida AIDS Walk. While Martin wouldn’t reveal the name of this year’s top entertainment performer, he did mention that Miami’s Y-100 radio station and IHeartRadio’s DJ Elvis Duran will be onstage this year. With two Broward locations and two Miami-Dade locations, AHF’s Out of the Closet Thrift Stores are continuing raising money and awareness for the cause of HIV/ AIDS treatment and prevention.

The organization just announced that they have opened their first store in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. When the Florida AIDS Walk kicks off on Sunday, the event will include a special walled area for refreshments.

“We have done this special area to protect sea turtle nesting that’s in the area,” Martin says. In addition to AHF, this year’s Florida AIDS Walk will benefit Broward House, the Center for Positive Connections, the Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Latinos Salud, Minority Development and Empowerment, Inc., the Pride Center at Equality Park, South Beach AIDS Project, and SunServe.

For those interested organizing a team or walking as individuals, and for more information, visit floridaaidswalk.org.

By CLIFF DUNN

Part 2 of a 2-part Series

WILTON MANORS – In the aftermath of his nearly three-hour ordeal with a man whom he says held him against his will in his own apartment, Robert Jacobs, a seeingimpaired part-time resident of Wilton Manors, describes a twilight period of anxiety, confusion, and conflicting emotions which ended in a restless sleep after being held against his will after a home invasion.

As we reported in last week’s Agenda (“Violent Predator Assaults Sight- Impaired Man”), a local drifter and suspected hustler who was known to Jacobs by voice (and who we’ll call “Jim” for the sake of this article), met the Boston-native in the early morning hours of March 17, as Jacobs returned home from a visiting a friend a few miles away in Fort Lauderdale’s city limits.

It was the beginning of a harrowing experience, recounted in the May 3 Agenda (the complete story can also be read online at floridaagenda. com/2012/05/03/violent-predatorassaults- sight-impaired-gay-man). Following Jim’s departure at around 5:30 a.m., his victim fell into a fitful sleep that was broken by the ringtone of Jacobs’ iPhone.

“I went to sleep and woke up when the phone rang,” Jacobs relates. When the phone rang a few hours later, it was mid-morning on March 17—St. Patrick’s Day—but Jacobs was anything but cheerful. Jim’s violent assault had left Jacobs’ ribs badly injured and bruised, and it was with both relief and shame that Jacobs answered the phone and relayed the events of the past few hours to a sympathetic friend. That person came to Jacobs’ apartment, where he found his sightless friend demoralized and injured. Although another friend, who is a doctor, came to check on Jacobs’ injuries, the victim was more interested in reporting the crime to the Wilton Manors police.

Unfortunately, Jacobs felt his complaint was not being taken seriously when he first reported the crime. It was only after the detective currently assigned to the case, Det. Biagio Balustreri, learned the details of Jacobs’ ordeal, that he began to be heard. “He overheard the original detective and asked to be assigned,” remarks a grateful Jacobs. “He called me and said ‘I want to hear your story,’ and he did—e interviewed me for over two hours and took down every detail.”

According to Jacobs, the man we refer to as Jim is well known to the case detective as someone with a history of preying upon vulnerable men. “Look at the guy whose apartment he took me to before he came to my place,” Jacobs says about the man who referred to Jim as his “master.”

Although he wouldn’t comment about an open case, Wilton Manors Police Chief Paul O’Connell advises that anyone out on the city’s streets after dark must be judicious in whom they are engaging. He also told the Agenda “I’m a firm believer in the ‘wolf pack’ theory. Travel like a wolf. Travel like a pack.”

Jacobs himself is looking forward to the prosecution of Jim. Because of the peculiarities of Florida law, Jacobs—as a sightless man—s not eligible for the state’s criminal law definition of an “eyewitness.” “This is why anyone who has any information about being attacked, or held against his will, or threatened by a person who sounds like [Jim], should contact Wilton Manors Police,” urges Jacobs. “We have to help them put this guy away.”

In the May 3 Agenda (“Wilton Manors Officials Take on Public Enemy Number One: PARKING”), we reported that the Wilton Manors City Commission had entered a “long-term lease with Kids in Distress for three lots located on NE 8 Terr.” The city will actually be leasing one lot from Kids in Distress, purchasing two other individual lots from private owners. We regret the error.

WILTON MANORS – The end of an era of sorts came this week, with the phasing out—or “sundowning”—of the Wilton Drive Task Force (WDTF), which was built into its 18-month mandate to review the two-lane initiative. The seven-member task force presented its report and recommendations to Wilton Manors City Manager Joe Gallegos and city commissioners on Tuesday.

The task force recommended that the city move ahead with the plan, offering, in its words “a set of nearterm actions to help the City ‘get its ducks in a row’ in anticipation of taking action to achieve the longterm vision for Wilton Drive.”

The 27-page report “prioritizes the elements needed to ensure the success of the project,” said a person close to the process who requested anonymity.

Foremost in those criteria is “pedestrian safety,” says the individual, “with an eye to marketing Wilton Manors as a pedestrian-friendly community, particularly on the Drive. There’s a reason there are so many night spots within a short-block radius.”

The introduction of a full-blown Arts and Entertainment District will require the ability of foot traffic—n the form of shoppers, diners, and clubgoers—to move unimpeded, “creating a destination, not a thoroughfare,” explained the person.

As recommended by the task force, the criteria for moving forward includes spreading the $5.5 million total cost over several phases, in order to introduce those changes incrementally.

These include a one-to-three year (“Near Term”) recommendation for the city to encourage business development by “address[ing] the zoning along Wilton Drive to create a predictable environment for private investors to redevelop properties along Wilton Drive. The zoning should continue to encourage development that enhances the pedestrian environment along the Drive, allow for parking behind the buildings, and provide appropriate buffering for the residential neighborhoods.”

The task force also recommended the use of “parking revenues to the enhancement of Wilton Drive through the funding of parking facilities. The Wilton Drive Task Force recommends that ALL net income generated by the parking program be placed into the Parking Revenue Fund.”

Krishan Manners, President and CEO of Wilton Manors Main Street and a member of the WDTF, is a strong proponent of the two-lane initiative, and points to the success of other cities which have adopted similar plans for downtown revival.

“Delray Beach,” for one, “has experienced a renaissance along Atlantic Avenue and elsewhere,” Manners notes, citing Oakland Park, Hollywood, and other examples. The report notes that “the City will [need to] set aside funds annually for future repaving and maintenance of Wilton Drive and Dixie Highway.”

WILTON MANORS – Nearly one hundred business and community leaders attended the first Multimedia Platforms (MMP) Networking Luncheon on Wednesday, April 25 at Gables Wilton Park on Wilton Drive. Co-hosted by Wilton Manors Main Street, Inc., the event was catered by Stork’s Bakery and Coffee House in Wilton Manors.

Krishan Manners, President and CEO of Wilton Manors Main Street, said that the turnout didn’t disappoint. “It is always good to see so many individuals who have a stake in the good and welfare of this community coming together to network, catch up with one another, and help each other’s businesses through best practices and mutual support,” said Manners. Rev. Jamie Grace of WIG Ministries said, “I felt so uplifted and inspired. I didn’t realize that Bobby Blair [the publisher of Florida Agenda and Guy Magazine] was such a motivational speaker.” Marvin Nathan, world-class drag performer and emcee, attended. “I thought that the food by Stork’s was delicious,” he said, adding “I am looking forward to next month’s event at Matty’s on the Drive.”

Blair, who in addition to publishing Agenda and GUY is CEO and Managing Partner of MMP, announced that the Gay Tea Cruise—originated by the late Peter Burke, who died earlier this year— will return on June 3 with entertainers Deja Devonier from Lips Cabaret, and the talents of Marvin Nathan, whose television credits include CBS’ hit series “The Nanny” and “The Maury Povich Show.” A July 4 cruise will feature the Greater Fort Lauderdale fireworks display as well as a performance by Nathan, who will mark 37 years in show business. Blair also announced the return of “Dancing with the South Florida Stars” to the Manor Restaurant and Complex on Monday, May 21.

For its second entry—the first having packed the stands to the rafters—an all-star panel of judges has been assembled, including Pepper Mashay (famous for—among other things—the “Dive in the Pool” theme song from Showtime’s “Queer as Folk”), Misty Eyez and Marvin Nathan, as well as DJ Scott Mann and the “Dreamgirls” dance ensemble of Nicole Phillips, Deja Devonier, and Velvet Lenore.

Like the inaugural event in December, DWTSFS: Season Two will benefit the Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation which is working to provide free gym memberships and nutrition and lifestyle programs to persons living with HIV/AIDS. Tickets are on sale now at GuyMag.net and briannealfitness.org: general admission is $10, and VIP seating is $40.

WILTON MANORS – For a city with a population of less than 12,000 (Source: 2010 U.S. Census data), Wilton Manors has big city parking woes. “Believe it or not,” offers Heidi Shafran, the city’s Director of Community Development, “this isn’t actually a bad thing”—what some might refer to as a “high-class problem.” She is referring to the growth of the Island City’s business in the past nine months, which (as any traffic engineer will attest) brings with it an increase in the vehicular population, along with the need for more parking.

To meet this need—demand, really—about three months ago the city commission approved a $1.1 million bank loan to address “parking solutions.” These include, says Shafran, “a long-term lease with Kids in Distress for three lots located on NE 8 Terr.” These lots, which are within walking distance of Five Points as well as shopping and dining on Wilton Drive, should accommodate approximately 40 parking spaces—much needed as more businesses open along the Island City’s main thoroughfare.

Shafran acknowledges that there are concerns about the growth of business on the Drive, but offers that solutions are part of the “ongoing process and action plan” that she and other officials—elected and hired— are employing to assure that growth is managed.

Says Shafran: “We are also taking a look at parking on the other side of the Drive,” near Rosie’s, Matty’s, New Moon, and Bona Italian Café, as well as for “a better parking solution near Hagen Park” across from Tropics and Gelato Station. “By season,” she adds, “we should have more than three dozen new [parking] spaces on the north end of the Drive.”