02/29/12 V3I9 by South Florida Gay News

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STARTS ON PAGE 28

February 29, 2012 • Volume 3 • Issue 9

SFGN INVESTIGATION:

RAILROADED?

PONZI SCHEME AT WILTON STATION Page 12

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Anti-Bullying Workshop

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Lawyers Respond to ‘Bag-A-Fag’ Story, Tactics

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Part 2 of ‘Marlin Beach’ Series

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Dali Exhibit Comes to Miami

Winner of the 2011 Stars of the Rainbow Media Star Award

Educators Helping Educators with LGBT Bullying

February 29, 2012 • Volume 3 • Issue 9

Editorial Offices 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 FAX: 954-530-7943

Norm Kent Publisher norm.kent@sfgn.com

South Florida group holds workshop Saturday

Pier Angelo Guidugli

By Gideon Grudo

submitted photo

obert Loupo was lying on the sands of South Beach, bleeding from three frontal stab wounds and eight on his back. He thought that his friend, who was lying beside him motionless, was dead. It was April 1992, a month after Loupo had co-founded South Florida Educators Group (SFEG), a collection of teachers who aimed to improve LGBT safety at schools. Loupo and his friend, Jay Vail, the editorin-chief of then still-in-business The Weekly News, had just finished watching the play “Lesbian Vampires from Sodom” at Semper’s lounge, which would occasionally put up a play. After a few drinks,Vail wanted to smoke a cigarette. Loupo had recently quit and suggested they go to the beach, where the smell of smoke wouldn’t be too tempting for him with a breeze. They weren’t romantically involved, but a gang of teens thought they were and, in what Loupo would later learn was a routine hazing ritual for new gang members, stabbed the two. “Everything was going black,” Loupo remembered. “It was a very traumatic time.” The two healed up against all odds and Loupo was more energized than ever to continue his work with SFEG, in light of what he had gone through. “I said ‘I’m going to redouble efforts to try to reduce some of this hate in the world,’” he said. And so he did. The group of teachers expanded their efforts, contacting schools and pushing legislators to adjust non-harassment and discrimination policies. “We just felt that it was important that something be done to make sure that LGBT kids were protected in schools,” he said. “We, as educators, felt that we went into the career — like anyone who goes into education — were on a mission to make a difference in the lives of young people. How could we — as authentic educators — say that without being called to action to make sure that LGBT kids were taken care of?” By 1993, with pressure from SFEG and other groups, Miami-Dade became the first county in the southeastern U.S. to add gender identity to its policies. Before the turn of the century, Broward County followed suit. By the time the new millennium came, the group had renamed itself Safe Schools South Florida (SSSF). It was also around this time that Loupo ended his 14-year track as

Robert Loupo

an English teacher and became a counselor at Cutler Ridge Middle School. What does SSSF do these days? It educates educators on how to deal with the issues that face the LGBT community in their schools. “We’re working to help educators — those that see the stressors that these young people go through everyday,” he said. “Some of that stress is caused by school.” It’s important to Loupo that the members of SSSF are instructors themselves so they are close to the scene. “Through all of these years, I’ve continued to work as an educator,” he said. “That’s so important. We can speak with some authority and confidence about what goes on because we’re there.” Unfortunately, Loupo said, the fact is that a lot of people still need understanding and awareness about these issues. This is why SSSF holds weekend workshops to help raise this kind of awareness.Young people are coming out earlier, so there’s a lot of bullying going on — LGBT-related and not, according to Loupo. “So many educators don’t feel comfortable in dealing with them and haven’t gotten any training for it,” he said. Part of these workshops is a panel of young LGBT members who talk about their experiences and answer questions. One of them is 18-year-old Hector Castaneda. “When I was in high school, I didn’t face bullying, but I was faced with the lack of protection,” Castaneda said, adding that he’d get really depressed seeing LGBT students

get bullied and harassed without any help. That’s why he chose to stay in the closet, and often considered suicide. “I was driving home from school one day and started speeding forward,” he said. “I wasn’t talking to my family. I wasn’t thinking of anything but that. But I didn’t want to hurt anyone else, so I slowed down right before hitting a car.” Castaneda now goes to UM, where he said “things are much better.” “Thanks to the help of my family, I was able to regain my confidence and strength,” he said. “Now I want to fight for people’s rights and not be quiet.” Another panelist is Jamesly Louis, a Haitian-born 20-year-old. He said that he brings diversity into the panel, “You don’t get to see a gay Haitian speak openly and proudly about themselves.” “I used to think that because I’m Haitian, if I get bullied, the Haitian students would defend me,” he remembered. “But it was the opposite, the Haitian students were the first to bully me. It felt like a betrayal.” He joined the panel to help people who might be facing the same hardships he faced without any help. “One time my math teacher — I asked him if he could address the issue of people making fun,” Jamesly said. “He told me if he has to stop his class every time someone made fun of him he’d have to stop his class.” The panels, Jamesly said, give the community an opportunity to hear first-hand what’s happening in their schools. “We give you our stories — we don’t take anything out, we don’t put anything in. We don’t try to be politically correct,” he said. “You’re going to hear the raw and naked truth of what happened to a handful of kids in the U.S.” For more information, go to www.SafeSchoolsSouthFlorida.org

Get educated When: Sat., March 3, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Coral Gables Congregational Church 3010 De Soto Blvd. Coral Gables, FL 33134 (Across from the Biltmore Hotel) How Much: $10 at the door, includes breakfast and lunch.

Chief Executive Officer Creative Director. . . . . . . . . . George Dauphin george.dauphin@sfgn.com Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chance Taffer Online Website Director. . . . Dennis Jozefowicz Office Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Swinford

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Contributing Columnists. . . . Wayne Besen

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February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

February 29, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

‘Bag-A-Fag’ Tactics Not Acceptable, Lawyers Say Entrapment: why the LGBT community should care By Jason Parsley

Paul Domenick

esponses have been mixed to SFGN’s yearlong investigation into a fiveyear undercover operation targeting gay men in public parks by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Purportedly the men were there to have sex. But during the SFGN investigation it was discovered that only four of the 320 arrests examined by the paper actually involved two men having sex. The rest involved an undercover police officer soliciting an otherwise innocent man for sex in a park. As soon as the man took the bait and exposed himself he was arrested. Some readers were outraged at the PBSO behavior. But others were dismissive of it and responded with something like “well the gay men shouldn’t be looking for sex in parks.” “I understand that a lot of people’s first thought is ‘well they shouldn’t be there in the first place looking for sex,’” said attorney Norm Kent. “But the problem is, you don’t prosecute people for what they think or might do – only what they have done.” Kent went on to explain, “If the police are

allowed to be overreaching and overbearing and arrest gay men in public parks for being in a lawful place at a lawful time then the next step will be the police officers pulling you over because they don’t like the length of your hair, or the color of your car, or the neighborhood that you’re driving in. Can you imagine if the police were allowed to do that simply because they think you might do something at that hour, or in that vehicle, or because of the length of your hair?” Kent, along with other prominent attorneys, believe the LGBT community should be concerned with this behavior from any law enforcement agency that uses what is known as “Bag-a-Fag” tactics to arrest gay men. “They approach, lure and entice guys who are sitting alone in their car, start a sexually charged conversation and then look for a way to arrest them,” said Fort Lauderdale attorney Russell Cormican. “By going out and creating the crime, they’re not fighting the problem. They’re creating the entire incident from the beginning to end themselves. It’s an artificially created act. If that police officer was not there that day, the illegal acts wouldn’t have occurred.” Kent added: “Criminal law is designed to interdict acts which have occurred or which are criminal. It’s not created so that officers can sit and speculate who might be the bad.” Kent and Cormican are law partners and have defended upwards of 100 gay men for public sex. Fighting the “problem” is usually a law enforcement agency’s defense, as is the case with the PBSO. Even though SFGN requested a phone, or in person interview, with Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw he only sent a short response that included:

In 2005, PBC Parks & Recreation contacted PBSO requesting assistance with illegal sexual activity occurring in PBC park bathrooms and nature trails. PBSO began to enforce ALL illegal sexual activity in public bathrooms, which were mainly located next to playground areas. This enforcement resulted in numerous arrests over the last few years. The individuals arrested were issued a “notice to appear” in court for the charge of Exposure of Sexual Organs [sic]. (see side bar for full response) Rudy Serra of Michigan, a lawyer, former judge, and expert involving entrapment of gay men in Michigan, took issue with Bradshaw’s response: “The statement by the Sheriff’s Department includes an indication of the very sort of anti-gay hysteria that often infuses these operations,” Serra said. “Even in the shortest of statements they are careful to mention ‘playgrounds.’ In other words, the sheriff believes that gay men are a threat to children. Their statement exploits the most obnoxious, obsolete, and offensive anti-gay stereotype available.” Serra actually authored a report in 2000 called ‘Bag a Fag’ Operations in Michigan: Police Misconduct, Entrapment and Crimes Against Gay Men. He currently has two cases involving entrapment pending in federal court. Serra noted that in his 28 years of practicing law he’s never seen one legitimate complaint from a citizen concerned about gay sex in public. He also pointed out that if “there was so much public sex happening then why do officers have to go undercover to catch the men?” “It’s common sense that if it’s happening in public you don’t need to go undercover to find it,” he said.

Cormican pointed out the hypocrisy as well noting that while it’s quite common for male police officers to set up a sting like this, the opposite isn’t true. “I’ve never ever seen an operation where police utilized a female officer to come on to men,” Cormican said. “If you took an attractive female officer and put her by the restroom in a city park and she walked up to guys as they went in and out and asked them to show their private parts, I think they would arrest a lot of guys.” Another high profile attorney, Jeffrey Weiner of Miami-Dade County, said he couldn’t comment about Palm Beach County, but regardless, he’s seen other police departments in South Florida routinely zero in on gay men. “Many departments unfortunately repeatedly target gay men. It’s disgusting and terrible. Miami Beach is one of the worst in that regard,” he said. “The bottom line is often and usually we are able to get the cases dismissed. But it’s terrible what they put people through. The means they use are really offensive – the games they play. It’s a real problem all over but especially in South Florida. As a lawyer I’m offended by this behavior by the police.” Weiner continued: “One of the reasons they give is that they need to protect the public parks and bathrooms. They like to give the impression that gay men are lurking there to molest underage people. I don’t know of any case where that has happened.” Besides anti-gay bias Serra offers up another theory on why these undercover operations take place. “There’s absolutely a financial incentive,” he said. “When they do these operations they do it because they make tons of money. The City of Pontiac in Michigan made over $400,000 seizing cars from sex criminals.” Serra noted that this type of arrest can destroy a person’s life and tarnish their reputation, and that’s yet another reason the LGBT should take notice. “It’s a big deal being charged. In some cases you could be put on a sex offender registration for the rest of your life,” he said. “You can lose your job. It can cost thousands of dollars to hire a lawyer. [Law enforcement] totally banks on the fact that the public is not going to be sympathetic especially when the police say ‘we’re protecting your children.’ We are not a threat to children. But here is a really important point the gay community needs to hear: ‘Just because the police say people are having sex in public they shouldn’t just accept that as true.’”

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Prominent Entrapment Attorney Analyzes Sheriff’s Response to SFGN By Jason Parsley

cite statutes, while ignoring the constitution and the court opinions that should guide their enforcement of the statutes. The Sheriff’s statement gives only a superficial and improper analysis of the law,” he said. “The courts have defined words like “vulgar” and “indecent.” Legal authorities agree that statutes trying to regulate “indecent” conduct are interpreted using “obscenity” statutes. Obscenity involves more First of all, SEX in public parks, baththan nudity. There is no statute or court rooms, nature trails, etc. is ILLEGAL per decision that makes it a crime for an adult Florida State Statue - 800.03 -- Exposure of to have a conversation in a public place Sexual Organs: with another adult about sex, even if that It is unlawful to expose or exhibit one’s conversation includes an offer or request sexual organs in public or on the private to have unpaid, consensual sex.” premises of another, or so near thereto as Serra went on to explain what exactly to be seen from such private premises, in a can be defined as public sex. vulgar or indecent manner, or to be naked “You can have “public sex” even if you in public except in any place are on private property.You also provided or set apart for that have an enforceable right to purpose.Violation of this section privacy in public places. Where is a misdemeanor of the first two people are on property that degree, punishable as provided belongs to the public, but they in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A take reasonable measures to mother’s breastfeeding of her assure that no one will see them baby does not under any ciror detect them – they can have cumstance violate this section. a right to privacy. The fact that In 2005, PBC Parks & you use a “public” bathroom Recreation contacted PBSO does not give the government Rudy Serra requesting assistance with ilthe right to spy on you without legal sexual activity occurring in PBC park a warrant. The fact that you use a public bathrooms and nature trails. PBSO began phone does not give the police a right to to enforce ALL illegal sexual activity in public listen to the conversation,” he said. “While bathrooms, which were mainly located next ‘public sex’ may be illegal, the fact that to playground areas.This enforcement rean act occurs on property that it owned sulted in numerous arrests over the last few by the government does not make that years. The individuals arrested were issued a act per se ‘public.’ Think about married “notice to appear” in court for the charge of campers inside their sleeping bag in a tent Exposure of Sexual Organs. pitched in a public campground. According PBSO responds to all requests to stop ilto your Sheriff, Mr. and Mrs. Joe America legal activity, regardless of its location, that is commit a crime when they have sex. Such what the public expects from our agency. a position is unreasonable.” Serra concludes with: Serra especially took issue with the men“In other cases where “the Parks and tioning of playgrounds in the statement. Recreation Department” contacts the “The statement by the Sheriff’s Departpolice, they point to used condoms and ment includes an indication of the very discarded pornography as proof of illegal sort of anti-gay hysteria that often infuses sex. It’s actually proof of littering,” he these operations,” he said. “Even in the said. “When the sheriff says he “began to shortest of statements they are careful to enforce ALL illegal sexual activity” I’m sure mention ‘playgrounds.’ In other words, the that’s not exactly what he means to say – sheriff believes that gay men are a threat but again it suggests that the police may use to children. Their statement exploits the language with less precision than the law.” most obnoxious, obsolete, and offensive Serra authored a report in 2000 called “Bag anti-gay stereotype available.” a Fag” Operations in Michigan: Police MisHe also criticized Bradshaw’s use of the conduct, Entrapment and Crimes Against Gay statutes. Men.” He currently has two cases involving “Anti-gay police operations routinely entrapment pending in federal court.

submitted photo

udy Serra of Michigan, a lawyer, former judge, and expert involving entrapment of gay men in Michigan, was asked to analyze Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw’s statement to SFGN regarding their 5-year undercover operation targeting gay men in public parks. Below is the Sheriff’s response:

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Man Donates $25,000 After Watching BSO’s “Bullied”

fter watching the Broward Sheriff’s Office screening of the movie Bullied: a Student, a School and a Case that Made History, a man stood in a long line of people asking questions of an expert panel. Instead of a question, he announced that he so believed in the efforts to spread the word about the dangers of bullying and hate crimes, he would donate $25,000 to the cause. Leonard Solomon, 83, of Fort Lauderdale said there were several things about the documentary film, which chronicles one student’s ordeal at the hands of anti-gay bullies, that inspired him to make the donation. The family of that student filed a landmark federal lawsuit against school officials for failing to stop the harassment. “The movie made me realize the size of the bullying problem,” Solomon said. “There was a lot that struck me about it – the lawsuit, how lax the school administration was. I knew I wanted to get involved.” The money will be split among three

For more information about bullying, visit www.sheriff.org/antibullying online. For more information about the film, contact Capt. Wierzbicki at (954) 849-6422. Schools requesting copies of the movie can visit The Southern Poverty Law Center “Teaching Tolerance” program at www.splcenter.org.

Death sparks antibullying movement in western Ky.

OPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) – The death of a 14-year-old western girl has sparked a movement against bullying and suicide. The movement started this month after Miranda Campbell fatally shot herself. Angela Felty, who is the director of the Elevation Teen Center in Hopkinsville, told The Kentucky New Era that she started the movement with help from youths who attend the center (http://bit. ly/zO4dwd). She says the Miranda Campbell Challenge has a Facebook page and had more than 1,000 “likes’’ from users just a few days after being set up. Felty and Campbell’s father, Travis Campbell, said the teen was bullied because she was bisexual. Hopkinsville High School principal Demetria Choice said she was

Hughart and Beard Funeral Home

SFGN BRIEFS

agencies – the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Anti-Defamation League and BSO – that will use a portion of it for future public screenings of Bullied. There have been three screenings of the movie in Broward County. BSO will create a new hate crimes/anti-bias/ bullying account that will help pay for future town hall-style hate crimes and bullying forums and information for the public about bullying and hate crimes. “In 2010, the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County donated money on behalf of Sheriff Al Lamberti and BSO’s Hate Crimes/ Anti-Bias Task Force to the Southern Poverty Law Center to help produce the documentary,” said Capt. Rick Wierzbicki of the task force. “BSO was the only law enforcement agency in the nation to help produce the film.” “Thanks to generous donors like Mr. Solomon, SPLC is able to make this documentary film available free of charge to educators and youth workers across the country, said Lecia Brooks of the Southern Poverty Law Center. “The generous gift from Mr. Solomon will enable the Anti-Defamation League to provide our Names Can Really Hurt Us Assembly program at two high schools in Broward County,” said Robert Tanen of the Anti-Defamation League.

not aware of any bullying in the classroom, where she said Campbell was well-liked. She said the school has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying. Felty said Campbell was Miranda Campbell at the teen center on the night before she died. “She would get the same thing every weekend,’’ Felty said. “Orange Crush. She would kind of look at you like, ‘You should know what I want by now.’ I can’t get that look out of my eyes.’’ Felty and Campbell say they hope the movement discourages any type of bullying. “We are going to use (the challenge) to communicate to parents and teachers in the area the price that can be paid from lashing out and bullying,’’ Campbell said. “We are making sure we can turn this into something positive.’’ Felty said she didn’t see any signs that the teen was thinking about suicide. “She was a quiet girl,’’ Felty said. “She hung with her friends every weekend. There were about 10 of them that were her close friends. I never felt like I saw something personally.’’ During a memorial service on Feb. 8 at the high school, Travis Campbell said he will remain committed to the movement. “I’m going to take the tenacity and perseverance that I gave my daughter and feed it into the Miranda Campbell Challenge,’’ Travis Campbell told the crowd. “This challenge is now my child.’’

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

February 29, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Queer Speak

21st Century Quotes on Gay Rights

“I think at least they’re doing it the right way, which is going through voters, giving them a chance to vote and not having a handful of judges arbitrarily impose their will.”

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– Republican Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich on gay marriage passing in Washington State.

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

February 29, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

History In Perspective

The Marlin Beach Affair: When Fort Lauderdale’s LGBT Community First Stood Up By Fred Fejes The Broward County LGBT Community History Project

n November of 1977 Fort Lauderdale Mayor E. Clay Shaw, trying to make the Fort Lauderdale beach “family friendly” vowed to close the openly gay Marlin Beach Hotel. As the Fort Lauderdale News headlined the story: “Mayor Shaw is AdamantThe City’s Gays Must Go.” However Shaw knew that trying to shut down a legitimate business, even if it was gay, was a difficult proposition. Moreover attitudes towards the Hotel, even amongst its straight neighbors on the beach, were generally favorable. The hotel’s clientele spent its money at other beach businesses. And as one 81-year-old widow and 40-year resident of the beach noted, “I can’t object to (the gay clientele). They keep their place neat and clean and they’re respectful.” Rather than target the hotel directly, Shaw set his sights on another problem: the beach’s large population of rowdy, noisy and

unruly street people, drifters, and panhandlers. More specifically he targeted the presence of young gay male hustlers (or “male prostitutes”) who were a very small part of the crowd and stood along the street propositioning the hotel’s guests. In spite of their small numbers, Shaw contended that male prostitution was a major problem on the beach, and was created by the presence of the Marlin Beach. Shaw ordered his aides to investigate the possibility of creating a county grand jury that would investigate not only of the problem of male prostitution on the beach, but of gay owned businesses on the beach. His overall goal, according to the News, was to stop the proliferation of “gays and the businesses they patronized.” The hotel management responded to the mayor’s attacks: they had a six-man security force and strict policy of keeping the street hustlers out of the hotel. Moreover the hotel was an upscale operation with a clientele of “doctors, lawyers, professors, ...mostly mid-

courtesy of outhistory

Part II gally do to stop homosexuals from vacationing in Fort Lauderdale if they want to.” By now the news story about Shaw and the Marlin Beach had become a regularly covered item in both the Fort Lauderdale and Miami newspapers. At its peak, it even garnered national media attention with a story in the Variety, the daily movie industry newspaper. In an editorial The Fort Lauderdale News criticized the mayor for his “hip-shooting on homosexuals,” advising him that he should first think before he acts. Speaking at the dle and upper middle Coalition’s press conference, State Repclass people.” Furresentative John Adams of Hollywood ther, they argued that called Shaw’s actions “dirty politics” and gay tourism did not Original Marlin Beach pledged to support “the preservation of hurt Fort Lauderdale: Hotel marquee your (LGBT) rights.” The Coalition de“Have gay communities ever deterred people from going to manded that Shaw either apologize or resign. But Shaw would not apologize – rather, he Acapulco or Cape Cod or San Francisco? Can he suggest one instance where an influx of now argued that his actions were misunderstood, denying that he or his city adminisgay people has hurt the value of a resort?” Nonetheless they expected an influx of tration ever harassed homosexuals. “If they new inspections by the city health and fire have specific charges of wrongdoing, we’ll officials. “There are many ways they can investigate them,” Shaw asserted. In any shut us down,” said one of the managers. event, he learned a valuable lesson about “But we will not capitulate... we will hold on Fort Lauderdale’s LGBT community. The expected rash of city inspections nevas long as it takes.” And by this time, there was also a new ele- er occurred and the Marlin Beach continued its reign as one of the nation’s most popument in the fight. Joining the hotel management in con- lar gay resort hotels. The Broward Coalition demning the mayor’s actions was a recent- for Humanistic Rights of Gays became the ly formed community group: The Broward Broward Coalition for Human Rights. Shaw County Coalition for the Humanistic Rights went on to be elected to Congress and his of Gays. Members included local activists Bob district comprised most of the beach area in Kunst, Dale Moore, Mark Silber, and MCC Broward and Palm Beach counties with the minister John Gill. It was the first LGBT politi- Marlin Beach as a part of his constituency. For many in the city’s LGBT community, cal organization formed in Broward County to fight for the rights of the LGBT community. this was the first time they publicly stood up They, along with two-dozen other local and demanded to be heard. No longer quietactivists, held a press conference outside the ly content to live in the shadows of this sunmayor’s office and charged him with acting ny resort city, they were beginning the long march of being acknowledged as a legitimate with political motives. “It’s a nice political slogan to get the com- and important part of the larger Fort Laudermunity hysterical over it becoming a gay dale community. mecca,” said Bob Kunst. Accusing Shaw of homophobia, Kunst continued, “These polit- Part one of this story ran last week and can be ical terror tactics are not going to work, ...he’s found in our online archives. Have a comment doing this because he thinks the gay commu- on this story or a memory about Fort Laudernity won’t fight back. We will fight back. We dale or the Marlin Beach to share? Go to the are not going to put up with this nonsense.” Broward County LGBT Community History ProjAdding to Shaw’s discomfort was the con- ect Blog: http://Browardmemory.blogspot.com. clusion of his aides: there were no grounds Fred Fejes is Director of the Broward County for a grand jury investigation. There was no LGBT Community History Project. He is a Proevidence that the activity of male prostitution fessor at Florida Atlantic University and author was organized and as the then city manager of Gay Rights and Moral Panic: The Origins of concluded, “there is nothing the city can le- America’s Debate on Homosexuality.

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

February 29, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Cover Story

Alleged Ponzi Scheme Defrauds Residents of Wilton Station

From lavish cocktail parties to millions of dollars missing, several dozen people may have been ripped off, and the FBI has opened an investigation

By Gideon Grudo

of multiple complaints himself, and has been said he knew who he was talking about, and accused of making the introductions that led said it was no big deal. Ellis reassured him all him Monroe. He was sitting at a bar last Octo- to the subsequent failed investments. How- and told him that it was all getting blown out of proportion. “[Elia] is just a little behind,” ber, sipping his usual vodka cocktail ever, Ellis also claims to be a victim himself. The day after Monroe’s friend alerted him he explained. when a friend approached him and told him Minutes later Elia finally called him back. that their mutual acquaintance, George Elia, of possible wrongdoing back in October, Mon“‘What’s the matter?’ he asked me,” Monwas under investigation for fraud. Monroe, roe said he called Elia, who didn’t answer, and his friend, had both invested large sums and then didn’t call back. This was unusu- roe said. So Monroe told him that he needed al, Monroe said, as Elia had always returned $35,000 back immediately because his son of money with Elia. “We’ve been trying to get money [back calls quickly. He waited a few hours and needed help with a deposit to secure a house. Monroe even promised he’d give it back from] him, but he’s not returning our calls,” to Elia as soon as his son paid up. Elia’s the friend stated. Monroe couldn’t believe response: the once always seemingly upit at the time and his mind started to race. front investor told him he “needed time” “There’s a certain disbelief,” he said. “Then and added that he “wasn’t a bank.” you think, ‘Oh my god, what if it’s true?’” A week later, on Oct. 21, Elia came As the potential ominous reality set in, he to Monroe’s house with a $15,000 cabroke down crying. shier’s check. Over a period of years, Monroe had in“That’s the last I saw him until his vested $125,000 with Elia. He never had deposition,” Monroe said. Monroe atany reason to suspect the statements he tended Elia’s Nov. 21, 2011 deposition received – showing hefty returns – were and said Elia didn’t speak much more fraudulent. He even rolled over his 401k, than his name, before pleading the Fifth which was one of Elia’s ideas. Amendment, and shutting up. According As Monroe sat at the bar, his friend orto court records, during the deposition, dered him a martini, perhaps to console Elia answered 114 consecutive questions him over their mutual loss. It was then he by pleading the Fifth. began to grasp the breadth of his misforThe civil deposition came from the tune. They would both later find out that law firm Sallah and Cox, who is reprethey were not the only ones duped – indeed, senting the Imbesis family, Californians they were the tip of the iceberg. who are also alleged victims of Elia’s, and Monroe is part of a group of 13 people, who have banded together to try to get their This safe is snugly tucked into what seemed to be the whose suit against him seeks more than money back from Elia— claiming close to walk-in closet in George Elia’s house. The alleged ponzi $4 million in damages. schemer sold the house in January. From being able to Daniel DeSouza, attorney for 13 other an astonishing $8 million worth of losses. fit a 75-foot-yacht on the dock behind the house, to They’ve hired the prominent South Florida a bathroom lined in black tile and gold faucets, it’s no alleged victims, including those interviewed by SFGN, said many of them live law firm of Becker and Poliakoff to reprewonder the going rate is $895,000. in Wilton Station. DeSouza said a lawsuit sent them, the same legal team who once called Jim Ellis, the man who first introduced by his firm has not been filed- yet. handled cases for victims of Bernie Madoff. “We’re just now getting into the big things An SFGN investigation has revealed that him to Elia. “I said to [Jim Ellis], ‘Someone indicated to and figuring out the individual clients’ stoa local businessman, Jim Ellis, using venues in Wilton Manors, courted investors for me they’re having trouble getting money out ries,” he said. “At this point, for what it’s Elia’s alleged scheme. Ellis is now the source of George,’” Monroe said, noting that Ellis worth, there’s not much to fill in.” Gideon grudo

OTHER POTENTIAL VICTIMS Jonathan Gonzalez and Linda Accetta of Fort Lauderdale, who also invested with Elia, will be additional co-plaintiffs in the upcoming lawsuit against Elia. The couple, together for 16 years, lives in a comfortable house, with a pool in the back. Their house is immaculate. Perhaps that’s because when Accetta is upset or stressed, she cleans to calm down. And she has had plenty of reasons to be upset over the last several months, claiming a loss of $73,000. She supports an 18-year-old and a 21-yearold in college. But it’s Elia who now has her kids’ college funds. Then there’s a Wilton Station resident, Jefferson (not his real name) who invested upwards of $100,000 with Elia. When he first considered investing he did his due diligence – or so he thought – and ran a $39.95 criminal check on him online. It came back clean, he told SFGN. Even so Jefferson still had reservations, and didn’t immediately invest. “They kept working on me and on other people,” he said. “I finally decided to try it — a small amount.” That small amount was $20,000, and it was only the beginning. Jefferson, who also expects to sue Elia, would get regular statements and “never had an inkling that there were any issues.” Whenever he wanted a portion of his investments back, he said, he’d call Elia and receive his funds within a day. “I was so happy, I put more money in.” SFGN could not reach Elia for comment. Two numbers provided by sources for him had been disconnected as of Feb. 26. But one of the victims, Linda Accetta, had much to say about Jim Ellis. “[Ellis] would wear very nice jeans, colorful silk shirts and keep himself looking good,” she said. Monroe added: “Jim Ellis was selling

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

submitted photo

a lifestyle — and I wanted that lifestyle.” Ellis sported a Rolex and drove a BMW, other sources say, and lived a lavish lifestyle. “[George] Elia would wear white shirts, dress pants, and a Rolex on his arm,” Accetta said about the man she would meet through Ellis one day, adding that he had a Super Bowl ring on his finger, and was a “perfect gentleman.” Monroe met Ellis and his daughter, Janet Ellis, in January 2009 over Bloody Marys to discuss the possibility of their investing. He and his partner quickly became friendly with Ellis. “We started meeting up with Jim at Scandals and at other bars, like Alibi, just for drinks. Jim Ellis was always the one who would buy you drinks, take you out for dinner,” Monroe said. “It’s not uncommon for Jim to take twenty people out to dinner,” he added, recounting an incident in which Ellis took 20 people out to Jaxson’s for his daughter’s birthday. Monroe also said that Jim Ellis would “hang out at the gay bars — would meet guys, [and] get to know them. Once he realized they had money, he would work them. He would wine them and dine them.” Monroe claims Jim Ellis was Elia’s “salesman.” As Ellis was spending more and more time with Monroe and his partner, he started telling them about his investor, Elia, and how Elia was making him $23,000 a month. Monroe said that Ellis told them he’d given Elia a $5 million inheritance he’d recently gotten from his father’s passing and was living off the interest he was receiving. “Every time we got together with Jim, he brought up the idea of having lunch with George,” he said. “This lunch, that was free, would end up costing us $10,000.” Ellis wasn’t only charming Monroe, though. He was a regular at his daughter’s parties in Wilton Station and the area. Janet held these parties as part of her job, a job she incidentally got through Linda Accetta. “My family works for Continental Management Company,” Accetta said about the company who manages the Wilton Station property, among others. “Jim asked if we could get his daughter a job — so we did.” Janet was first working at a property in Palm Beach County, but was soon transferred to Wilton Station. As of yet, Janet could not be reached for comment by SFGN. A number provided by a source for her had been disconnected as of Feb. 26. Janet would have parties like these at local bars on Wednesdays, according to Jefferson.

The purpose of the parties was to invigorate social camaraderie and act as an icebreaker for the community, Jefferson said. Janet’s father, Jim, was a staple at these parties, which Jefferson remembered thinking was a little “weird” but not alarming. “He was friendly with everybody. One of the things these two always did was be very

Jim Ellis and George Elia good about asking about how your family’s doing, how your kids are, how your day went — they were very slick,” Jefferson said. “[Ellis] was almost like a father figure, he was believable — I never picked him out to be a crook. I really didn’t.” Apparently no one else did, either. “Jim will take you out to a $500 lunch at Capital Grille, and pay for it with your own money,” Jonathan Gonzalez said. “Ellis had once recognized a client of mine and kept pressuring me, ‘Can you hook me up with her? Can you hook me up with her?’” But the signs weren’t apparent enough – not until people started asking for their money back,” he adds.

The alleged victims want revenge – not only do they want their money back, they want to ensure no one else falls victim to the alleged scam-artist.

SFGN attempted to interview Jim Ellis, but he had only one thing to say before abruptly hanging up: “I have no involvement with [Elia] except for the fact that he stole my money.” Indeed, Ellis claims he too is one of Elia’s victims, having also fallen prey to the alleged schemer’s fraudulent activities. But Jonathan Gonzalez, Accetta’s boyfriend, isn’t buying it. “I think George took the lion’s share, but

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Ellis must have been making money,” he said. Gonzalez added that Ellis offered him a percentage if he could bring new investors into the ring. “[Ellis] is claiming he’s going into foreclosure, which must be a lie.” SFGN tried to give Ellis an opportunity to defend himself and deny any accusations made against him, but he refused. Around September of last year, in a similar case to Monroe, a chance meeting with a friend at a bar alerted Jefferson to Elia’s alleged misconduct. The next day, Jefferson called Elia and asked for $30,000 of his money back. Elia said he couldn’t give him that much so quickly. He asked for at least 10 days, but Jefferson was adamant in sticking to his request. They negotiated and compromised on five days. Those five days came and went, with no money and no correspondence from Elia. Indeed, he wasn’t the only one and Jefferson said he knew of other people who couldn’t reach him as well. “I was calling everybody — I was out of my mind,” Jefferson said. Not everyone fell for the scam. One Wilton Station resident, Washington (not his real name) refused a buy-in. “[Janet] introduces her dad [Jim Ellis] to you at these parties,” he said. “Then he invites you to lunch and talks about his investor.” But Washington wasn’t comfortable with the presentation, and declined further participation after discovering that George Elia was not registered with the SEC. “I just smelled something – I just couldn’t trust him,” Washington said, adding his theory about how the whole scheme worked. “I think that [George Elia] takes the money, [Jim Ellis] gets you to give the money, and Janet is the one who gets you to meet her father.” As the story unfolds, the handwriting on the wall seems to be growing increasingly evident. The alleged victims want revenge – not only do they want their money back, they want to ensure no one else falls victim to the alleged scam-artist. Some people believe Ellis might have been a ‘shill’ for Elia. “We trusted [Ellis]. That was our downfall. He made everyone we’ve met so far do the same thing,” said Jonathan Gonzalez. Later, Accetta would add: “All of [Elia’s] closest friends end up being victims. Wherever George goes, there’ll be more victims — someone has to stop him.” “The emotional stress, looking around to find other victims, I don’t even want to deal with it anymore,” Gonzalez said. “It was like that for months.” Monroe had planned on retiring in the next few years — but that hope is now gone. “I haven’t been the greatest at saving money. I thought this would be an easy fix,” he said. “I looked at Mr. Ellis’ lifestyle and thought that’s what I want. I figured if I gave [Elia] my money,

I’d have enough to live on. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is — it just wasn’t true.” The scariest part of the ordeal for him in hindsight, Monroe said, is when he started pushing people he knew to invest with Elia. He wanted to spread the wealth, not knowing he’d just be spreading agony, despair, and deceit. “Thankfully, only one person I ever talked to went to Capital Grille and had lunch with [Elia],” he said. “But they ended up not investing — I’m so thankful.” A lot of people though are not so lucky. If you have been approached by Jim Ellis, Janet Ellis and/or George Elia and want to share your story with SFGN, contact Gideon Grudo at 918.991.8481 or email him at ggrudo@gmail.com. Editor’s Note: At press time Tuesday, SFGN was contacted by yet an additional alleged victim, Sandra Rich, a 79-year-old tenant of Wilton Station. With her lawyer present, she claimed that she was defrauded out of her life savings of $30,000. She stated the FBI has interviewed her, but doesn’t know the status of their investigation. However, she believes that both Ellis and Elia are responsible for her loss. She also said she gave her checks directly to Jim Ellis. She too has retained the law firm of Becker and Poliakoff to initiate a civil claim against the responsible parties. More on this story as it develops.

SFGN Editorial

February 29, 2012

A Message about Fighting for Gay Rights

Norm Kent, Publisher

s our paper goes to press on a Tuesday evening, Republican voters are choosing between four candidates who have spent six months antagonizing the LGBT community of America. In features our paper ran just a few weeks ago, we demonstrated that very few good things for gays are coming out of Republican camps this year. Supporting any of their potential nominees is anathema to equal rights. Each one seems to be a choice of who dislikes us less. But Rick Santorum is flat out frightening. What part of the 21st century is he uncomfortable with? The Republicans should be more than embarrassed, embracing a candidate who would be one hundred years ahead of his time if the year were 1778. Whether you happen to be gay or straight, black or white, the reality is our country is still fighting a foreign war abroad and an economic war at home. Unemployment remains high, homes are still being foreclosed, and across all economic levels, credit mobility is being crushed. We have so much to fight for just to survive, it is remarkable that candidates from either party would stress themselves out about marriage equality. What is there about equality that they do not like? Faced with so many issues at different levels, the LGBT community is fortunate to have had a President on our side for the past four years. Maybe he has not spoken the words gay marriage, but he has been here for us when it counts, from keeping his promise on DADT, to refusing to defend DOMA. President Obama has done more than make scores of LGBT appointments; he has embraced us as equals. We all want more, but in politics, we sometimes lose sight of the fact that ‘Perfect is the enemy of the Good.’ Accordingly, we read with dismay a letter criticizing Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom last week. What else does she have to do to support LGBT rights, leave her husband John and partner up with Robin Bodiford? Commissioner Rodstrom has enlisted LGBT members in her inner circle, supported domestic partnership benefits within the city, and spoken out against discrimination in employment and bullying in schools. For many politicians, these notions engage new terrain. Let us work towards gaining their vote, then their trust, and then form a lasting partnership. Let us show them that from the gay community they have friends to forge, not fear to hide from. It certainly has

worked with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and county commissioners. We even elected a gay one, Ken Keechl, our mayor last year. It would be great if public office holders embraced everything we do every day we do it, but ripping them a new body part every time they do not is inappropriate. Last year, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler was chastised for failing to attend the opening of gay pride, when he was conflicted out with a St. Patrick’s Day Rally and his daughter’s out of town athletic meet. Sometimes, we ask for too much, and are too foolish ourselves. If we are going to be a community, we have to advance a common good. We have to demonstrate that our rights, too, are inalienable, and that we, too, are citizens, empowered to act and live as freely as all other citizens. We abide by no restrictions or curtailments of our rights by anyone, anytime, anywhere. Thank goodness we have people within our own community holding everyone in office to task. They are to be congratulated, not criticized. Our paper’s growth is in large part because straight venues recognize the vitality and equal, powerful, and economic strength of the gay community. We buy homes, go to the theater, eat out, use lawyers, own pets, and do pretty well for ourselves. Come see us next week at gay pride in Fort Lauderdale at Holiday Park or celebrate with us at the Winter Party this weekend in Miami Beach. You will find we is you, and you is us; that we all have more in common than we do apart. For the century-challenged Rick Santorums who don’t want to partner with us, let them be mindful of the Irish saying: ‘May those who love us, love us; and those who don’t love us, may God turn their hearts; and if He doesn’t turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we’ll know them by their limping.’ For those politicians still timid about jumping into the debate on marriage equality, domestic partnership issues, or those matters important to the LGBT community, be not afraid. You will find friends here and celebrations at home. You will be on the right side of history, because eventually, all of America embraces those who embrace the rights of others. Those days come too slowly, for sure, but come they have and come they will. Our duty is to embrace our friends and bring them within the circle, not antagonize them and boot them out.

Letter to the Editor

Reader Response to Pier Angelo’s column “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Town Center (Feb. 1) We received a print copy of your Feb. 1 edition of SFGN in the mail in which Pier writes about his shopping experience in our Kay Jewelers store in Boca Town Center. We were very pleased to read how happy Pier was, and proud of the service he and his partner received, and how they were treated by our store team. We pride ourselves on superior customer service as an important differentiator, especially when customers have so many shopping choices today. I have shown Pier’s column to our Executive team and we would like to acknowledge the recognition by Pier of our team member, Aviva Zinberg, in our company newsletter and wanted to make sure that was okay with you. We hope you’ll share our appreciation with Pier, and forward our very best wishes to him and his partner.

David A. Bouffard Vice President, Public Relations Kay Jewelers

Response to South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble’s New Youth Band I wish I could play the triangle. It really doesn’t seem that hard. Sunday night, I sat with amazement, happiness and maybe some moist eyes watching and listening to the Youth Pride Band and South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble’s performance at Broward Center. In their inaugural performance, the Youth Pride Band showed us a wonderful side of our next generation. I don’t know if all, or any, of the some two dozen young performers are gay or lesbian and, in fact, it doesn’t matter. They came to develop their skills as musicians under the mentoring of the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble and to provide a show that stepped so beyond what most high school bands might present. At a time when the news shows young people using a can of spray paint and graffiti as their instrument of expression, I saw glowing faces, disciplined in their music and shining instruments leaving notes of joy for their families, friends, and an audience gathered in support. Many hearts were touched. As the parents stood to be recognized, I saw one man salute the Youth Pride Band. Was it to his son or daughter, gay or straight, or was it to the simple fact something new was born in an evening. Some of the show and expression had to do with bullying in the schools, particularly of GLBT youth. I applaud Dan Basset, Adam DeRosa and all the members of the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble and all those in attendance for reaching out and providing a supportive place for young musicians. They should always know, there are people everywhere ready to help those that are facing a tough time in school or at home for simply being who they are. If you are being bullied, reach out. You will find friends and, you never know, you may just learn to play the triangle….it really isn’t that hard.

Steve Champion

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

McNaught’s Notes

Don’t Let Our Stories and Histories End Up in a Yard Sale

hroughout time, the artifacts of LGBT history have been burned in shame by shocked family members, or tossed away without knowledge of their significance. Our courageous accounts of our first awareness of our sexual and romantic feelings, our love letters and poems to the intimate occupants of our hearts, and the personal objects we used or collected, have been thrown into the trash or buried in the dumps. This cultural cleansing of the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of our ancestors is a tragedy. Only a small handful of the stories of our family’s lives have survived, and they must be treasured and guarded vigilantly. For many years, I lived in fear that if Ray and I died unexpectedly together, well-meaning family members would have a yard sale and put our personally-edited book of Walt Whitman’s work, and Susan B. Anthony’s handwritten letter, in a box of other gay and feminist treasures and be glad to get $20 for them. These pieces of our history might then be stuck by an unknowing straight person, either on a bookshelf because the binding was pretty, or on a wall because it created a good look. Our love letters would be dumped into black plastic bags, and put street side for garbage pick-up. Last night, the start of that dispossessing almost happened. Ray and I looked in horror at one another as we sat in our stationary car, waiting to turn left onto our street, when we saw a car headed straight at us at 60 miles an hour. We braced ourselves just as it swerved seconds before crashing into us. It was the closest either of us can remember feeling that we were at the end of our lives. Had we died as expected there would have been an initial period of shock and sorrow by survivors, and then the process would have begun to get rid of all that we owned. Coincidentally, we had arranged to sign papers today that ensured that all of our possessions would go to an LGBT community fund, called appropriately, “Our Fund.” The fund will distribute the assets of our estate to the group of our designation. At this time, it’s the Stonewall National Museum & Archives. We’ve instructed our attorney that our money and historic memorabilia go to our family of choice, which is the LGBT youth of today, tomorrow, and the day after. They need to see, and to be able to appreciate, the pieces of our history that have been found and preserved by us and others. Some LGBT people may think, “That’s

nice, but it doesn’t relate to me because I don’t own a rare book.” But every Valentine from their beloved that they’ve tucked away in a desk drawer is as valuable to today’s youth as an artifact from the 1860s. The wellchosen words in a card from one woman to another on their anniversary are an invaluable piece of our history. Every ticket stub from a gay play or film, every flyer from a Pride March, every photo from a vacation, are pieces of our history that need to be preserved and presented to others. Throw nothing away, and be sure that your intentions are clear that the mementoes of your life be donated to a LGBT archive and museum. A few nights ago, I welcomed a group of people who had assembled in Stonewall’s facility for the first reading of a new play by my friend, Tony Adams. A Letter from the Bishop deals with the struggle of gay priests to obey their bishop’s order to read a letter against marriage equality at Mass. My opening remarks, as a representative of the board, said how appropriate it was that this play was

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

submitted photo

By Brian McNaught

Stonewall Library Desk being heard “in this sacred space.” From the quizzical looks I received from some people, I knew I needed to explain. “You’re sitting just inches away from a case containing the gavel, donated by Congressman Barney Frank, that signaled the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” I told a man at the end of the first row of chairs “And you’re sitting next to Martina Navratilova’s signed tennis racket,” I explained to the woman behind him. “It’s my hope that Tony will sign his play and leave it for good care here at the museum. This is its home. Here it will be honored.” When you go into a church, the windows of colored glass depict scenes from the lives of the religion’s heroes. Statues, similar to those of the Roman gods, line side altars to remind the congregants of the lives of their holy ancestors. Such spaces, filled with flickering candles and incense, are referred to as sacred.

For me, a statue of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas holding hands would create a much greater feeling of reverence than one of St. Christopher. For me, the bullhorn used by Harvey Milk to rally the troops in San Francisco would be much more a relic than a chip of bone from the body of St. Theresa. For me, a photo of the Rev. Troy Perry would inspire more awe than one of Pope Benedict XVI. When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” gavel to Barney Frank, she may have had some sense of its historic significance, but she didn’t likely understand its sacred nature. When coupled with the other artifacts that represent our history and culture, it helps make our home feel safe, and us feel valued. I get tingles down my spine in an LGBT museum as I once did so regularly and easily in a church. Don’t let our stories and our histories end up in a yard sale. Brian McNaught was named “the godfather of gay diversity training” by The New York Times. He works with corporate executives globally, is the author of six books, and is featured in seven educational DVDs. He and his spouse Ray Struble divide their year between Fort Lauderdale and Provincetown. Visit Brian-McNaught.com for more information.

P e r s o n a l I n j u ry • f r e e c o n s u ltat I o n

Corrections and Reader Feedback

Correction on February 22 Cover Last week SFGN misidentified the man throwing the ball on our cover as Ray Wilhelm. He is in fact Guillermo “Willie” Gonzalez. We regret the error.

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February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Dali Miami:

Gaga Dada for

By J.W. Arnold

Flickr / robert baldwin

South Florida art lovers will get a rare opportunity to examine the largest exhibition of works by surrealist dada artist Salvador Dali opening March 7 in Miami’s Design District.

‘Venus de Milo with Drawers’ by Dali

ore than 200 works, assembled from private collections around the world, will be on display at the iconic Moore Building, 4040 NE 2nd Ave., through March 11. Dali Miami was the brainchild of Michael Rosen, president and CEO of Colored Thumb, a driving force behind many of the area’s top art exhibits, including Art Basel, Art Expo and RedDot Fair. For years, he was the publisher and dealer for Miami pop artist Romero Britto. It took more than six months for Rosen to convince private collectors in London, Spain and New York to lend their works and the show may eventually travel to Los Angeles, New York and Toronto. The 30,000 sq. ft. space in the Moore Building will house the collection of lithographs, original oils, sculptures and “literally every aspect of Dali,” Rosen says. He points out that the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Fla., owns just two sculptures by the surrealist master, but his exhibit will include more than 65. “Dali is the father of surrealism,” Rosen explains. “When anyone is the first, that is significant. Today, any artist can make a website and get their work

out, but you couldn’t do that 50 years ago.” Among the rare treasures collected for the show are Dali’s seminal bronze, “Venus de Milo with Drawers” (1964), the gouache original “Spring Rain” (1949), the full set of “Dix Recette d’Immoralite” (1973), and his Daum glass masterpiece, “Montre Molle” (1971) depicting the quintessential melting clock. Reed V. Horth, president and curator of Robin Rile Fine Art, a specialist in Dali’s prodigious output, was recruited to curate the collection. “People love Dali because it’s crazy,” says Rosen, recounting episodes where the artist would drive his friends around Paris in a Rolls Royce filled with thousands of pounds of cauliflower. “He was nuts.” In addition to the pieces, Rosen has taken his vision for the exhibit one step further with the continuous showing of the 1929 film, Un Chien Andalou, a 17-minute surrealist French film that became a collaboration with friend and director Luis Buñuel. The film explored the destructive elements of the psyche and clearly expresses pure surrealism and its relationship to the unconscious mind, according to Rosen. For opening night, Rosen also enlisted celebrity chef Adrianne Calvo to recreate recipes inspired by Cali’s cookbook, in an effort to immerse guests in a totally surreal experience. He can’t promise this will be the last time such a significant collection of Dali’s works will be assembled, but he does say, “Never say never, but for Dali lovers, they’re really going to enjoy this experience.”

Dali Miami Wednesday, March 7 – Sunday, March 11, Exhibit hours vary The Moore Building, 4040 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Admission $20 at DaliMiami.com or $25 at door For more information, call 720-771-0600

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

February 29, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

By Brian Swinford

Have an event you want to list? If so send me an email at Calendar@sfgn.com.

Theater Broward County *Trey McIntyre Project

Considered “one of the hottest choreographers in the dance world,” according to The Boston Globe, Trey McIntyre Project advances the form of contemporary ballet in visually exciting, innovative, and emotionally charged dances that defy categorization -- and often gravity! At the Broward Center on March 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. Visit BrowardCenter.org

*Forbidden Hollywood

Forbidden Hollywood comes hot on the heels of its longrunning predecessor, Forbidden Broadway, with guns blazing and smokin’ with attitude on March 11 at the Parker Playhouse. The show cuts through Tinseltown’s bombast and star power with surgical precision. Recent classics like Titanic, Star Wars, and Harry Potter all receive the comic once-over from the cast. Visit BrowardCenter.org

Top Gun! The Musical

Come to the Empire Stage on Feb. 9 through March 4 for this this new satirical musical. For anyone who’s ever cringed through Cats, scratched their heads at Legally Blonde the Musical, felt the need for speed or wondered, “who thought THAT would be a good idea?”, comes this new satirical musical. Writer Billy Palmer is about to crash and burn. Visit TopGunFtl.com

Billy Elliot

This musical will be showing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Feb. 29 to Mar 11. This show is about one boy’s journey to make his dreams come true. The story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising passion that inspires his family and his whole community. Visit Browardcenter.org

Community Calendar Broward County

*Kathleen Turner in High

Feb. 29 - March 4 come to the Parker Playhouse and see Kathleen Turner in High. When Sister Jamison Connolly (twotime Golden Globe winner, Academy Award & Tony Award nominee Kathleen Turner) agrees to sponsor a 19-year-old drug user in an effort to help him combat his addiction, her own faith is ultimately tested. High explores the universal themes of truth, forgiveness, redemption, and human fallibility. Visit BrowardCenter.org

Sex and Love Anonymous

S.L.A.A. believe that sex and love addiction is a progressive illness which cannot be cured but which can be arrested. It may take several forms such as a compulsive need for sex, extreme dependency on people, or a chronic pre-occupation with romance, intrigue, or fantasy. More information at The Pride Center at Equality Park in Bldg A, Room 200 Fri, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visit Slaafws.org

Palm Beach County *Capitol Steps

America’s most hilarious political satirists inject a muchneeded dose of humor and musical madness into the serious business of politics on March 1 at the Kravis Center at 7:30 p.m. Since they began, the Capitol Steps have recorded 31 albums. Visit Kravis.org

Exhibit of Nudes and Nature Studios

Mangum Gallery will host the first South Florida exhibit of critically acclaimed New York photographer Kelly Grider, involving 30 original works of romantic nudes and nature studios. The exhibition runs Feb. 17 to March 15. Grider’s work is a mix of the romantic and ethereal. “Grider blends sensuality, eroticism, awe and power.” Call Greg Mangum at 954-514-7149. Visit MangumGallery.com

*Peppino D’Agostino, Guitar

This Italian born virtuoso acoustic guitarist has been praised by the San Francisco Chronicle as “a poet among the best talents around;” voted “Best Acoustic Guitarist” in Guitar Player Magazine’s 2007 Readers’ Choice Awards, and will be at the Kravis Center on March 1 at 7:30 p.m. Paraguayan Carlos Reyes made his debut on harp with the Oakland Symphony and his debut on the violin with the Oakland Youth Symphony at just 14 years of age. Visit Kravis.org

*The Pink Floyd Experience

See the Pink Pig fly and let the music and audio effects embrace you on March 4 at the Kravis Center at 8 p.m. Echoing everything that made Pink Floyd one of rock and roll’s greatest bands, The Pink Floyd Experience celebrates the music, themes and, theatrics that built millions of fans around the world. Visit Kravis.org

An Evening with Kate Clinton

Stonewall National Museum & Archives presents legendary comedian Kate Clinton on March 17 at The Parker Playhouse. Kate Clinton is a faith-based, tax-paying, America-loving political humorist and family entertainer. Visit ParkerPlayhouse.com

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival submitted photo

*denotes new listing

Kathleen Turner in High South Florida Symphony Orchestra

The 55-piece orchestra, under the music direction of Sebrina Maria Alfonso, will perform Shostakovich: Festive Overture; Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, featuring pianist Jeffrey Chappell; and Ellen Taafe Zwilich: Symphony No. 5. Come see this 55 piece orchestra set on March 11 at 2 p.m. Visit Oldshool.org

Miami-Dade

*Miami Made Festival 2012

The Arsht Center’s thrilling, free festival of work made in Miami, about Miami, and by Miami artists returns on March 1-4 at 7 p.m. at the Arsht Center. This year’s festival includes showcase presentations of innovative new work in theater, dance, visual art, and live music. For more Information visit Arshtcenter.org

*Verdi and Prokofiev

The triumphant trumpets of Verdi’s AÏda celebrate an ancient Egyptian victory at the Arsht Center on March 2 at 8 p.m. This eclectic concert concludes with Prokofiev’s stirring Fifth Symphony, written to summon the rallying strength of the Russian people during the darkest hours of the Second World War. Visit Arshtcenter.org

*The Long and Winding Road starring Jim Witter

Get ready to take a trip down The Long and Winding Road and explore the sometimes tumultuous relationship of John Lennon and Paul McCartney on March 1 at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Jim Witter and his incredible band are your tour guides on this audio and visual “Magical Mystery Tour” into the minds of the legendary creators behind the Beatles biggest hits including “Yesterday”, “A Hard Day’s Night,” and “Hey Jude.” Visit BrowardCenter.org

Pilobolus

On Friday March 2 at 8 p.m. come to The Adrienne Arsht Center for Pilobolus. Celebrating 40 years of defying gravity, this incomparable dance company has delighted, dazzled and amazed audiences across the planet with their superhuman flexibility and fascinating forms that challenge the limits of the human body. Visit Arshtcenter.org

Key West

*The Look of Love: Carmen Sings Burt Bacharach

Carmen Rodriguez, Key West’s own conch diva (along with guest stars Bobby Nesbitt and Danny Weathers) will deliver music from the legendary composer/lyricist, Burt Bacharach. Saturday, April 21 at the San Carlos Institute. Visit Waterfrontplayhouse.org

On Saturday, March 10, Downtown Fort Lauderdale will transform into a sea of green for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority and the City of Fort Lauderdale. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. along East Las Olas Boulevard and end at Huizenga Plaza. Visit GoRiverwalk.com

TacoStock

It’s here! The first annual Taco Cook-off with craft beer and local music, all at beautiful Esplanade Park in Downtown Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. For the pre-sale price of $25, you will receive 6 tickets that can be used for either tacos or craft beer, or both. Brewers such as Cigar City, Magic Hat and others will be showcased. Visit GoRiverwalk.com

Love, Desire, & Relationships: Transform Your Life

Love is the most important thing in our lives. We want to love better, and we can if we stop thinking so much about what others can do for us, and start thinking more about cherishing them. $10/class or $23/series includes vegetarian food after class Feb. 16 - The Meaning of Life: Learning to Cherish Others; Feb. 23 - Connecting with Gratitude: The Kindness of Others; March 1 - The Source of Happiness: Benefits of Cherishing Others. Call Elizabeth Jurado at 954-537-9191

2012 Duck Fest Derby

The Duck Fest Derby presented by JM Family is one of Fort Lauderdale’s signature events as 15,000 rubber ducks make their way to the finish line down the New River to win the Grand Prize of a six night Hawaiian getaway, complete with volcano and surfing experience. Will take place Sat, Feb. 25. at Esplanade Park located at 400 S.W. 2nd Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Ducks can be “adopted” for $5 each by visiting www.duckfestderby.org

A Survivor Support Group

A Survivor Support Group is being held on the first and third Wednesday of each month at the 211 Community Center, 250 NE 33rd Street, in Oakland Park. The Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention (FISP) is sponsoring this free support group and is open to all family members and friends of those who have died by suicide. Call 954-384-0344 to register. The group meets from 7-8:30 p.m. Visit Fisponline.org.

Grief Support Group

Grief Support Group led by Heartland Hospice meets every 3rd Tuesday at American Burial & Cremation Center @ Jennings Funeral Home 1801 E. Oakland Park Blvd. from 2-4 pm. Call 954-731-4321. If you need support in your time of loss they invite you to attend.

Eating Disorder Support group

This group will meet Friday evenings from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At Sun Serve’s Wilton Manors location at 2123 Wilton Drive, second floor. This is a “drop-in” psycho-educational support group. No registration required, free- however donations are welcome. Call 954-764-5150

Florida Renaissance Festival

Journey back to the 16th century, Feb. 11 to March 11, as you step through castle gates and into the days of yore. Explore the artisans’ village and view live demonstrations of glassblowing, steel-fighting, archery, and more. Weekends only, plus President’s Day, 2/20. Visit Broward. org/Parks/QuietW

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February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

To Submit Listings Email: Brian at Calendar@sfgn.com Fax: 954-530-7943. Please include a brief description, address, phone number, date, time and cost. Stage Door: Highlighting the Arts

By J.W. Arnold Terribly Twisted Theater More than a decade after her suicide, British playwright Sarah Kane continues to perplex audiences and critics with her twisted, but compelling plays. Two years ago, GableStage in Coral Gables presented a disturbing, if brilliant, production of Blasted, a surreal commentary on war set in contemporary England. Next week, Thinking Cap Theatre will open Cleansed, Kane’s unique, passionate and gripping play about the limits of love, set in a university-turned-concentration camp. The play, according to Thinking Cap Founder and Director Nicole Stodard, features a seven-person cast, including Tinker, a Mephistopholean anti-Cupid; siblings Graham and Grace; gay lovers Rod and Carl; suicidal in-patient Robin; and a peepshow dancer merely called “Woman.” Cleansed will begin previews on March 8 at Fort Lauderdale’s intimate Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Dr., with opening night on March 10. Tickets are $30 at the door ($25 for previews) and, due to violence and nudity, no one under 17 will be admitted.Visit ThinkingCapTheatre.com.

Made in Miami This weekend, the Arsht Center showcases works by local artists, March 1 – 4 in the Carnival Theatre. The Miami Made Festival – When the Sun Goes Down – will feature 10 artists, including five interdisciplinary theatre performances

and two world premieres, and highlight the evolving arts scene in the county. Participating companies include the Rosie Herrera Dance Company, Paul Tei’s Mad Cat Theatre, TM Sisters, and a new one-man show from Mark Della Ventura. Local bands will perform concerts throughout the weekend and a special photograph exhibit by multimedia artist Richard Martinez will be debuted.Visit ArshtCenter.org.

Politically Incorrect As if the never-ending series of Republican presidential debates hasn’t turned into a circus already, head up to West Palm Beach’s Kravis Center for some real political satire from the Capitol Steps. This troupe got its start years ago when a group of former Congressional staffers decided to poke a little tongue-in-cheek fun at their former bosses and two decades later, there’s still plenty of fresh material. Through March 11, show times vary. Tickets are $40 at Kravis.org.

For a Few More Laughs The South Beach Comedy Festival returns to The Fillmore Miami Beach and Colony Theatre, Feb. 29 – March 3. In addition to headliners Lewis Black, Amy Schumer and Aziz Ansari, the festival will include open mic nights, free shows and the Shaquille O’Neal All Star Comedy Jam. Visit SouthBeachComedyFestival.com

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

To Submit Listings Email: Brian at Calendar@sfgn.com Fax: 954-530-7943. Please include a brief description, address, phone number, date, time and cost. SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch

First Sunday of every month. An ideal way to relax and enjoy Fort Lauderdale’s scenic Riverwalk. Live, outdoor concert series bringing the area’s best local jazz artists. Listen to the soulful sounds on four different stages. Everyone is welcome to attend, including well-behaved, leashed pets. There is plenty of room to set up chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to experience the fabulous entertainment.

Conquering Anxiety: Life & Death, Self & Others

We suffer a lot from anxiety. Anxiety over our wishes and plans, our successes and failures, reputation, finances, etc is the source of most of our mental pain. We need a fresh perspective that will get us out of our obsession with our own problems of the moment. $10/class or $23/series; Feb. 12 - Starting with Joy: Our Precious Human Life; Feb 19 - Overcoming Worry: Death Meditation; Feb 26 - Changing Our Focus: Exchanging Self with Others. Call Elizabeth Jurado at 954-537-9191

Young Adult GLBT

A social group open to all LGBT people ages 18-35. This group meets Fridays at the Pride Center in Wilton Manors from 7:15-9 p.m. Meeting starts with a discussion on current events followed by introductions and then a group activity. Visit PrideCenterFlorida.org/contact-us

Boardwalk Friday Fest

Come out to Hollywood Beach Theatre East of A1A at Johnson St and the ocean. Admission: Free every Friday of every month. Live jazz, blues, pop and everything in between along Hollywood’s signature 2.5 mile Boardwalk. Charming oceanfront cafes and restaurants serve up delicious innovative cuisine while you enjoy the best array of live music and tropical ocean breezes. Visit Hollywoodfl.org or call 954-924-2980

Safe “T”

Safe “T” is a new support group for gender variant adults 18 plus that meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Sunserve’s Wilton Manors location at 2123 Wilton Drive, second floor. This is a “drop-in” psycho-educational support group. No registration required, free- however donations are welcome. Call 954-764-5150.

Toastmasters

Most Toastmasters meetings are comprised of about 20 people who meet weekly for an hour or so. Participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role, ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian. Toastmasters meet at the GLCC/Pride Center Monday at 7:15 p.m. Call Ted Verdone at 954-599-7916 or email: Tedverdone@comcast.net

GreenMarket Pompano Beach

At the corner of Dixie Highway and Atlantic Blvd. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Includes the freshest fruits and vegetables, juices, baked goods, seafood, gourmet teas and coffees, as well as orchids, plants, and health-related products and services. Held every Saturday through April 28. Also features art shows, antique automobile shows, and environmental exhibits. Visit GreenMarketPompano.com

Alternative MC Tuesday night Eatin Meeting

Tue Nite Eatin’ Meeting will be held at The Alternative MC Clubhouse at 4322 NE 5th Ave in Oakland park. There will be fun, food, and fellowship. There will be hamburgers, hotdogs, all the fixins, cold drinks, desserts, and snacks. The meeting will begin at 8pm and end around 9pm. For more information Visit Alternativemc.com/events/florida-events

Gay Men’s HIV+ Long Time Survivors’ Group

This is a support group that gives men who have been HIV+ for a long time (5 yrs +) the opportunity to give and receive support around topics of interest and issues for concern that are raised by the members. This group meets on 1st and 3rd Thursday at Sunserve 2312 Wilton Drive from 6:30 – 8 p.m. There is no cost, but donations are welcome.

Fusion Wilton Manors - Connections

Gay men’s group discussion. Different subject every week. Dr. David Fawcett, a gay therapist, who has been in private practice in Fort Lauderdale for the last ten years, leads the event. No charge with no commitment to attend every week. Starts at 7 p.m. Call Fusion Monday-Friday at 954-630-1655.

PUT ON YOUR WALKING SHOES. Because they no longer can. Victims of ALS often lose the ability to walk before ultimately losing the ability to dress, speak, eat, breathe and survive. Join the walk to defeat ALS and help us come one step closer to striking out Lou Gehrigs disease. Sign up at walktodefeatals.org

South Florida Walk to Defeat ALS Sat Mar 3 | Check-in 8:30 am Topeekeegee Yugnee Park

Palm Beach County

Gay Male Empowerment Group

The Third Annual Gay Polo Tournament

Topic discussions include issues and concerns about being a gay man in South Florida. Meets on Thursdays at the Pride Center from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Call 954-353-9155 or e-mail info@sunserve.org.

The Third Annual Gay Polo Tournament will be held April 14 at the Grand Champions Polo Club located at the corner of Lake Worth Road and South Shore Boulevard in Wellington from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature top polo players from the Gay Polo League (GPL). Visit GayPoloTournament.blog.com/tickets/ or call 561-753-3389. Cost: $20 General Admission. Please bring chairs. $175 Tailgate space – Includes 8 general admission tickets & one tailgate parking space.

PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

New Alternatives

Meets on the 2nd and 4th Tues. of the month at the Sunshine Cathedral at 1480 SW 9th Avenue to support the parents of LGBTQ youth in Broward. No charge. Visit Community.pflag.org/pflagfortlauderdale for more information.

SunServe Therapy Groups

Provided for the LGBT community at SunServe on a regular basis. Groups require an intake interview. Call the Intake Coordinator at 954-764-5150 to learn which therapy groups have openings. Visit SunServe.org

Women4Women Personal Growth Support Group

This is a safe and loving place to explore all the concerns and topics raised by group members. This open drop-in meeting is held Wednesdays at 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the New Sun Serve Building at 2312 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Call 954-764-5150

Man2Man Discussion Group

Man-2-Man talk is an informal discussion group of gay men, with all age ranges and backgrounds welcomed. Bldg A, Room 206. Visit Glccsf.org/calendar/

Social group with regular outings and social mixers for LGBTQ ages 18 to 30. This meeting will take place at The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Palm Beach County. For more information on this group please email matthew@compassglcc.com or Visit Compassglcc.com.

Victory After Party

Dinner and dancing, featuring renowned DJ, Adam West, at the Victory After Party to celebrate the International Gay Polo Tournament sponsored by The Rotary Club of Wellington at Graffito at 3410 Equestrian Club Road, Wellington, FL. on Sat. April 14 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 each and include twohour open bar, buffet dinner and fun. Contact: Maggie Zeller at 561 715- 9262. Visit Wellingtonrotary.com

Palm Beach State College’s Drama Club

Palm Beach State College’s drama club, the Palm Beach State Players Club, will be hosting a night of play readings on March 2nd and March 3rd at 8 p.m. at the Lake Worth Campus in the Humanities Building in the HU114 Black Box Theatre. The plays are originals works from students and alumni. The proceeds will benefit the drama club. Tickets are $5 cash only! e-mail Melissa Betterly at Betterlm@ palmbeachstate.edu

Celebrate Pride South Florida with Equality Florida

Are you ready to celebrate Pride this March 10-11? Pride is an incredible opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate our strength, our diversity, and (of course) our pride. It’s also our best chance to build the grassroots power to win equality in 2012. Join Equality Florida members from across South Florida at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale as we all celebrate Pride South Florida 2012.

Sober Sisters AA

Support group is dedicated for lesbians who are recovering from alcoholism. This meeting happens every Monday at 7 p.m. at the beautiful Lambda North Clubhouse. Visit LambdaNorth.net

PBC Gender Support Group

All ages support group dedicated for transgender individuals. This meeting happens the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:30 pm. These meeting will take place at The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Palm Beach County. Visit Compassglcc.com

Good Orderly AA

These meetings now take place at Lambda North at 18 S J Street, and geared toward recovering alcoholics. Every Tues. and Thurs. at 7 p.m. and on Sat. at 5:30 p.m. These meetings will help recovering alcoholics cope with the stress of everyday life without the use of alcohol. Email tcamie@aol.com

Seniors vs. Crime

Seniors vs. Crime is a free service that provides help to seniors who have been victimized by businesses or service providers and need assistance. This event will take place at Mae Volen Senior Center at 1515 W. Palmetto Park Road. By appointment only so call 561-736-3820 or 561-395-8920.

Yoga On The Waterfront

Lake Pavilion at 101 S. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL / Yoga On The Waterfront in downtown West Palm Beach on Wednesday Evenings at 5:45 PM. Residents $40 per 8 week session, Non-Residents $50 per 8 week session, Drop-ins $10 per class. To register, please call 561-804-4902.

MS Walk – The Palm Beaches

Presented by: Quantum Rehab

(A Division of Pride Mobility Products)

Sign up for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 2012 MS Walk on Sunday Feb 26 at 7am. Help raise awareness and funds for research, programs, services and advocacy. MS Walk is the rallying point of the MS movement; a community of friends, family and co-workers coming together with a shared commitment and determination to create a world free of MS. Visit Walkfls.nationalmssociety.org

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

To Submit Listings Email: Brian at Calendar@sfgn.com Fax: 954-530-7943. Please include a brief description, address, phone number, date, time and cost. YOGA Among the Orchids

It’s time for Yoga Among the Orchids at the American Orchid Society, 16700 AOS Lane, Delray Beach. Relax and replenish the flower inside with an hour of breathing exercises, toning, and yoga poses under a canopy of lush orchids. Classes are Wed. at 9 a.m. Cost is $20 and RSVP is suggested. Call 561404-2011. Visit OrchidWeb.org

Jazz on the Palm

Jazz on the Palm - Downtown West Palm Beach Waterfront - Gather with friends and family to enjoy the diverse vibrant sounds of jazz under the stars every 3rd Friday of month at the new Downtown West Palm Beach waterfront concert series. Free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visit Wpbgo. com/2010/06/jazz-on-the-palm

Sunday on the Waterfront

Sunday on the Waterfront is a free concert series, which takes place the third Sunday of most months in the beautiful downtown West Palm Beach Waterfront area. Bring blankets, chairs, and coolers or purchase treats at the concert. Free parking in all city lots and at city meters. 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. May through October. Visit OnTheWaterFront.com

BrothasSpeak

This group is a black gay men’s discussion group that is held at the Compass in West Palm Beach. Every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. this group will be directed toward issues for and about black men. Visit Compassglcc.com

Paths

Paths is a social/discussion group held at Compass in Lake Worth. This men’s group takes place every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Paths men’s group will be discussing relationships, coming –out, safer sex issues and more. Visit Compassglcc.com

Yoga

Yoga with Deborah will change your life. Bring a mat and get ready to stretch the stress away every Tuesday at The GLCC in Palm Beach from 6 to 7 p.m. This yoga experience will uplift and transform your life. $6 Entry Fee. You must bring your own mat. Visit Compassglcc.com

Living Buddhism

On the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. Compass in Lake Worth will be holding a discussion group for overcoming obstacles and obtaining happiness. This group is great for getting internal enlightenment. Release your inner stress, and become free. Visit Compassglcc.com

Miami-Dade

Miami Beach International Fashion Week March 21 - 24, 2012, Miami Beach Convention Center at 9 p.m. Emerging Designers Prelude & Miami Style Showcase featuring Florida’s Fashion Stars. Prelude Designers: Lisu Vega, Zula Studio, Crystal 4 U, By Misha, K. Hendrik, Erin Healy. Miami Style Designers: Viviana G. for Petit Pois, Kayce Armstrong for Art of Shade, Ema Savahl Couture. For more information visit Miamifashionweek.com

Celebrate the ‘Month of Love’ with A Wine Appreciation Class

Pride After Party - Poolside SwimWear Fashion Show & Auction

You’re not going to want to miss this super sexy after party event co-sponsored by The Depot Cabana Bar, Pride Factory and Pistol Pete Swim wear. Performances by Signal 2 and special meet & greet with The Voice Finalist Beverly McClellan. Email Marc Scharphorn at Marc.ftltrainer@gmail.com

Winter Party

From Feb. 29 to March 5 come to party at the Winter Party, which has grown into one of South Florida’s premier events. The Beach Party is set to be held on Sunday March 4th and attracts over 6,000 people to dance on the sands of Miami Beach every year. Visit Winterparty.com

Lambda Dade Clubhouse

A meeting place for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender communities and friends in recovery. Hosts Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Al-Anon, Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA), Debtors Anonymous (DA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), meetings. (305) 573-9608. 212 NE 24th Street. Miami. Visit Lambdadadeclubhouse.org

Aqua Foundation’s Second Annual Family BBQ

The Aqua Foundation for Women will be having their second annual family BBQ on Feb. 26 from noon to 4 p.m. This event is the perfect opportunity for LBT families to connect with one another in a fun, social place. The beach and playground will be available for your use, there will be delicious food on the grill, and there will be fun activities for all ages. Visit Aquafoundation.org

Key West

Key West Pride

On June 6 - 10, come show your pride in our tropical paradise, and you’ll find yourself in the midst of a celebration unlike any other. From the opening party to the closing parade, you’ll discover quickly that the best place to show your pride is on an island whose official motto is “One Human Family.” The welcoming island invites you to join us at Key West Pride! Visit Gaykeywestfl.com *52nd

Annual Key West House & Garden Tours

Tour five elegant and unique homes of Key West on March 17-18. Proceeds help benefit the Old Island Restoration Foundation. Presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, this house and garden tour offers a rare opportunity to see inside some of Key West’s magnificent, charming and tropical residences. Call 305-294-9501 or email tickets@oirf.org

nightlife Broward County 321-Slammer

For true passion and a long-lasting love, why not treat yourself, or someone you love, to a six-week wine appreciation course? Join other sympathetic souls every Monday from Feb. 20 to March 26 from 6:00pm to 7:45pm. $275.00 per person. Limited to 16 people. Call 305-442-4408

Bathhouse. 321 W Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33311. Slammer sex club the best place to cruise for the hottest gay men. Thursday’s is leather night, Fri-Sat night live dj’s, Monday & Tuesday -- $9 entry fee

Business Builders Luncheon

2232 Wilton Drive ,Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 630-3556 Best Sound & Light Show in Broward County. Mondays Porn Bingo with Desiree Dubois. $3 Margaritas, $1 Draft

MDGLCC presents its monthly networking program held on the last Thursday of each month. This month it will be at City Hall the Restaurant. Registration at 11:30 am with luncheon/ networking from noon to 1 p.m. Includes seated style lunch limited to 25 people. Please bring a friend. RSVP requested: 305-673-4440 or mdglcc@bellsouth.net

Aqua Girl 12

There will be 14 diverse events for everyone to choose from. Aqua Girl is more than a party…it’s a week for a cause. Aqua Girl there is something for everyone including dance parties, a comedy show, live music, pool parties, a bowl-a-thon, a jazz brunch, a dine-out event, a VIP reception, and celebrity meet-and-greets. From May 2 - 6 in South Beach.

Miami City Ballet 26th Anniversary Gala

Three of the world’s biggest artistic sensations come together for one spectacular evening when Miami City Ballet, Florida’s Internationally Acclaimed Company. The performance and gala take place on Thursday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center. Call 305-929-7010

Atomic Boom

Bill’s Filling Station

2209 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 567-5978. Large Bar/ Nightclub, Amazing. Drink Specials in Wilton Manors. Wednesday’s After 9pm $10 Miller Lite Beer Bust

Boardwalk

1721 North Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. (954) 463-6969. A Cute Little Hangout in Fort Lauderdale PoolRoom/Game Room on one side and a bar-strip club on the other. Mondays $3 Well & Dom, after 9pm $3 U-Call-It Shots

Clubhouse II

Bathhouse. 2650 E. Oakland Park Blvd , Fort Lauderdale, Florida (954) 566-6750. A Private Club for Bi/Gay men. Bear and Cub Thursday $4 Off For Bear & Cub. Tuesday Leather Night - $4. off wear any type of leather.

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February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

To Submit Listings Email: Brian at Calendar@sfgn.com Fax: 954-530-7943. Please include a brief description, address, phone number, date, time and cost. The Club Fort Lauderdale

Smarty Pants

Corner Pub Bar

The Stable

Cubby Hole

Torpedo

The Depot Cabana Bar and Grill

Palm Beach County

Bathhouse. 110 Northwest 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL ,(954) 525-3344 Good. Clean. Fun. 1/2 price rooms...Tuesday Nights and 1/2 price Lockers. Thursdays Nights. Always busy. 1915 North Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311, (954) 564-7335. Redefining What a Bar Should Be. Thursday’s Margarita. Madness $4, Monday’s Underwear Night. 2 for 1 until 9:30 p.m. 823 North Federal Highway ,Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 7289001. The Cubby Hole is one of Fort Lauderdale’s Most Unique and Popular Neighborhood Bar for Men. Underwear Wednesday’s. Boxers n’ Briefs get 2 for 1 on drinks 9 p.m. till Close 2935 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 537-7076. Voted the “Friendliest” Gay Bar in Fort Lauderdale. Monday’s $1.99 Drinks and $.50 Wings Open to Close

Georgie’s Alibi

2266 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305,(954) 565-2526. Fort Lauderdale’s Best & Longest Happy Hour. Wednesdays $2 Domestics & $1 Schnapps after 9 p.m. Wednesdays

Johnny’s

1116 West Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, (954) 5225931. Monday Dragon with TP Lords, Daisy D. and DJ Rob Sky Some of the hottest Guys around with great happy hour drink specials. Bring all your friends to this sexy Bar.

The Manor

2345 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 626 0082 - Come Dine, Dance, Drink, Mingle and of course Relax. 2 for 1 happy hour Tues-Fri 3-9pm. Indoor/Outdoor Dining. Dance the night away Thursday - Sunday. Live Music Weds, Fri, Sat, Sun - Visit themanorcomplex.com FOR MORE DETAILS.

Matty’s on the Drive

205 East Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park, FL 33334, (954) 565-4506 A neighborhood bar with a different theme every night, from drag shows and bingos, to bears and underwears. 2829 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, (954) 587-2500. Your Dance Destination Till Dawn. Open Late for You To Devour The Night. Open 7 nights a week till 4 a.m.

The Cottage

522 Lucerne Ave, Lake Worth, Fl, 33414. (561) 586-0080 Great Service, Great Food, Full Stocked Bar, Great Professional Tea-Dance every Sunday

Fort Dix

6205 Georgia Ave, West Palm Beach, Florida 33405 Directions, (561)533-5355. Mostly local crowd looking to mingle and relax. Place rocks with a Fabulous DJ on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday T-Dance.

H.G. Rooster

823 BELVEDERE ROAD, WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA 33405, (561)-832-9119. H.G. Roosters is West Palms oldest gay club. Sunday’s Complimentary BBQ 5pm, Hot Male Dancers 6 p.m., Karaoke 11 p.m.

The Lounge

1132 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth FL $3 Drinks No Cover open till 5AM New location Better than Ever.

2426 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 564-1799. Matty’s is one of the few bars in Wilton Manors that’s just that – a bar. Wild Wednesday’s $.75 Drinks, 13 Drinks for less than $10. 5 p.m.

The Mad Hatter

Mona’s

*The Bar Lake Worth

Monkey Business

Tag Bar

Naked Grape Wine Bar

Miami-Dade

502 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 525-6662. The eclectic décor and a friendly staff makes Mona’s a great place to have fun in Fort Lauderdale. Thursday’s College Boy’s Night 8pm Enjoy College Boy’s Choice 2 for 1 2740 North Andrews Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33311, (954) 514-7819. The Monkey Business Bar is a Small Outdoor Bar Among The Shops Just off Marina Blvd. No Frills But Comfortable and a Great Place to Stop and Meet Good People. Happy Hour 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. 2039 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 563-5631 A Casual, Hip, Fun Experience and if You Have a Taste for Deliciously Unique Wines, You Need to Make This Your Next Stop! Happy Hour All Night on Thursday

New Moon

2440 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 563-7660 Your neighborhood lesbian bar in the heart of Fort Lauderdale and just minutes from Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Wednesday All the fun, half the price 2-4-1 All Day, All Night

PJ’s Corner Pocket

924 North Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 533-0257. One of the most diverse bars in Fort Lauderdale. $2 Drinks Every Wednesday, Spades Every Thursday

Ramrod

1508 NE 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 763-8219 South Florida’s Leading Levi, Leather and Uniform Bar/Club. Every night is Bear Night. Bear Happy. Hour Every Thursday. Caged Hunks Sat Night

Rosie’s Bar and Grill

2449 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, (954) 567-1320 Wilton Manor’s Best Burger in Town. Try the Fat Elvis. Happy Hour 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Scandals Country Western Bar

Oakland Park, FL 3334, (954) 567-2432. Scandals Gay and Lesbian Country Western. Dance Bar in Wilton Manors. Tuesdays Pool League, and Free Dance Lessons

Sidelines Sports Bar

2031 Wilton Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305, (954) 563-8001 Sidelines Sports Bar and Billiards is a unique, friendly, and accepting place to relax with a cold beer, great drinks, and Martinis. Happy Hour M-F 4pm to 2am

3038 North Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306, (954) 561-1724. Great Local Hangout in Fort Lauderdale with Great Drink Specials. Saturday’s Free Breakfast to Order – 8 a.m.

1532 North Dixie Hwy, Lake Worth, FL 33460. (561) 547-8860. Cheap drinks, friendly bartenders, and free pool SundayThursday. Stop by and relax at this no-attitude haunt. 2211 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth. (561) 370-3954 Thebarlakeworth.com. Men and women share this mostly-locals space as a calm and friendly watering hole. The bar often features live music which can be a nice break from thumping bass. 25 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483 954-801-3247. Delray Beach’s only gay bar. Mon - Sun: 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. Awesome Drink Specials.

Club Space

34 NE 11th St, Miami, Florida, 33132, (305) 350-1956 Space Miami Voted Best US Club IDMA 2011. The go-to venue for any nightlife enthusiast in the nation, the club is proudly marching on into its second decade of operation.

Club Sugar

2301 SW 32nd Ave, Miami, Florida, 33145, (305)443-7657. All the sweetness you’ll need in one club. Every Thursday “drag wars” with TP Lords. $5 house drinks & $4 Domestic beers all night.

Discotekka

950 NE 2nd Ave, Downtown Miami, Florida 33132,(305)350-9084. One of the best night clubs In Miami. Every Saturday the hottest DJ’s from the top performers. Drink Special Every Saturday

Johnny’s

Miami 62 NE 14 Street Downtown Miami Florida (305)640-8749. No Cover 7 nights a week. The hottest men in the universe strip shows nightly from 6 p.m. sexy from wall to wall. Saturday Sept. 3 in Miami. FIRE & ICE at the SPOT…The hottest Pop, Hip Hop and Latin alongside the COLDEST electro and house beats all on Miami’s best sound system.

Score

727 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, Florida, 33139,(305)561-5521. Score is located in the heart of South Beach in the thriving and infamous promenade, Lincoln Road. Bigger Saturday’s sexy male dolls.

Twist

1057 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, Fl, 33139. (305)538-9478. Never a Cover…Always a Groove. Resident star DJ Mika spins tribal. Every Saturday TWIST is full of the hottest men in Miami. Muscle boy dancers taking it off in the Bungalow Bar.

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

AFTER DARK

By Brian Swinford Swinging Richards

17450 Biscayne Blvd, N Miami Beach, Fl 33160 954-357-2532 Tuesdays-Saturdays from 6p.m. to 6 a.m. Come and enjoy fully nude guys dancing to the best music in South Florida.

Key West

801 Bourbon Bar

801 Duval St. , Key West, Florida,(305)294-4737. Cabaret shows upstairs with nightly performances by famed performers Sushi, Kylie, RV Beaumont, Margo, and others. Happy hour specials daily from 11a.m.- 8 p.m.

*The Bourbon St. Pub

724 Duval St. (305)296-1992. Key West’s premier video bar with LIVE DJ’S nightly. A taste of N’Awlins in the heart of Old Town – Enjoy Key West’s hottest music videos on the large screen while the boys entertain on the bar. No Cover.

*La Te Da

1125 Duval St. 305-296-6706 Fun Gay-Friendly atmosphere. Cabaret entertainment during season including Randy Roberts and Chris Peterson. Enjoy great live music Tuesday thru Sunday with Lenore Troia. Cover charge may apply. Great outside bar if you just want to enjoy a cocktail and chat while people watching on Duval Street.

Club Aqua

711 Duval St., Key West, Florida, (305)294-0555 Monday’s Dueling Bartenders. Your Bartender’s sing, shake, and stir their way through happy hour 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Kwest

705 Duval St.,Key West, Florida, (305)292-8500 Key West All-Male Strip Club. Daily Happy Hour from 3-8 p.m., And a piano sing-a-long every Wednesday night.

Pearl’s Patio Bar

525 United Street, Key West, FL(305)293-9805 ext. 156 Pearl’s Patio is a great place to enjoy a drink and relax. Happy Hour – every weekday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday’s are Extended Happy Hour 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Wednesday Feb 29 his Wednesday come to Bills Filling Station for woofy Wednesdays Leap Day Party. Featuring bartenders extraordinaire Bob Fedak & Eddie Heller for your libations pleasures. $1 sliders & $4 wings from 9-11 p.m. $10 all you can drink Miller Lite Draft, and $4 Svedka Cocktails & $5 Martini’s.Visit BillsFillingStation.com

Thursday Mar 1 n March 1 come to Score nightclub for the Winter Party Festival party called Ignite. This awesome party starts at 10 p.m. opening DJ Willy G and ending with DJ Phil Romano. Profits from this party will be going to benefit The National Task Force.Visit Scorebar.net

Friday Mar 2 he Manor complex is the place to be on Friday nights at their beautiful Epic nightclub. A combination of vintage style and cosmopolitan sophistication engulfs the Epic Nightclub. The two level Nightclub is adorned with an abundance of crystal chandeliers, a covered outside arcade with a modern flair, a large performance stage

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

& the best of the best in sound & lighting.Visit Themanorcomplex.com Saturday Mar 3 ew Moon 7th year anniversary is this Sat starting at 7 p.m. There will be live music, crisp drinks and the friendliest bartenders around. There will also be a special DJ spinning most of the night. Don’t miss out on this outstanding New Moon anniversary.Visit Newmoonbar.com

Monday Mar 5 ome to club Mekka for the Winter Party Festival Afterglow Party. It’s the legendary Monday marathon. DJ Paulo will be spinning the hottest music with his remix partner Alain Jackinsky. Tickets and passes can be purchased at Winterparty.com.

Tuesday Mar 6 winging Richards has partnered Sunday Mar 4 Birthday Party at Johnny’s with FAB2GO, a gay owned and operated ohnny’s Fort Lauderluxury transportation company. FAB2GO dale is a great place to bring your will take you and up to 10 of your friends birthday party and celebrate with free champagne and free admission for you and from Fort Lauderdale / Wilton Manors area to Swinging Richards and back for your guest. Reserve your space now. $3 $100 each way. It’s based upon availabilearly bird drinks and $99 bottle specials ity. Contact FAB2GO at 954-606-6FAB all night. Oh and don’t forget about all the (6322) or info@thefabconcierge.com for hottest boys in the state trying to please reservations and information. your ever need.Visit Johnnysbarfl.com

Triumphant Home Coming for Beverly McClellan Will perform at PrideFests around SoFla

By Jason Parsley

submitted photo

inger-songwriter Beverly McClellan, 42, has had the year of her life. After appearing on the first season of NBC’s hit show The Voice and making it to the top four she’s been catapulted to national fame and has been playing gigs she could only dream about in the past. Her latest: playing with blues singer Jonny Lang and opening for legendary blues guitarist B.B. King. She released a new album this year, Fear Nothing, and cleared up one misconception about it during the interview. Christina Aguilera is not featured on one of the songs despite what Wikipedia says online. “She’s not on my album I don’t know where that came from. We do have future plans to do something,” she said. “Not sure if we’ll put it on hers, or mine, or what. But that’s on the table so it’s pretty cool.” Despite Aguilera’s absence, though, her album is certainly not short on popular talent: the band of the late Etta James is featured, which McClellan says ranks just behind opening for B.B. King as the biggest moment of her career since The Voice. James is McClellan’s idol. And for those that didn’t watch The Voice here’s a little recap. The show premiered last year on NBC and was an instant hit. The singing competition’s twist is that when the musician initially auditions, the judges are turned away from them and must judge them only on their voice. If a judge pushes their button and turns around they will automatically be added to that judge’s team. If more than one judge turns around the contestant gets to choose among those judges. Two judges, Aguilera and front man for Maroon 5, Adam Levine, both turned around for McClellan. She chose Aguilera. “Hands down she has more of an involvement in the gay community and her voice is flawless. She’s like lipstick on fire,” she said. “It was very fun being on Christina Aguilera’s team.” Besides the talent, the show was also

applauded for its LGBT friendliness. Several LGBT contestants were featured during its inaugural season and two, including McClellan, made it to the final four. Being true to oneself is what McClellan walked away with from the show. “Staying true to myself was the right decision. That’s what I learned from The Voice,” she said. “They gave me a chance and opportunity to show it to the world. I could have folded and tried to have been somebody else but I didn’t. I’ve been too long being me and that’s ok.” McClellan said she’s always stayed true to herself and never hid whom she was. “I have never let anybody tell me one way, or the other, how I should or shouldn’t be,” she said. “I’ve been a strong little bitch all of my life. That’s the truth.” Still calling Fort Lauderdale her home, she’s excited about coming back to her roots to perform at Pride South Florida, March 10 in Fort Lauderdale, PrideFest of the Palm Beaches March 24 in Lake Worth, and PrideFest of the Treasure Coast April 1 in Port St. Lucie. There are two words that sum up Beverly McClellan – Cool Chick. See SFGN’s special Pride Issue distributed March 10-11 at Pride South Florida in Fort Lauderdale at Holiday Park, 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive, for the complete interview with McClellan. Visit BeverlyMcClellan.com for more information about the singer.

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

February 29, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Celebrity Groomer Helps Pets, Owners Avoid ‘Groom & Gloom’ By Jason Parsley

efore Jonathan David, 38, moved to Florida he was making house calls to the likes of Mariah Carey, Ralph Lauren and Julie Andrews – to groom their dogs. The celebrity dog groomer wanted a warmer climate so he moved to the South and decided to open up his own dog salon. David became a household name when he was the runner up on Animal Planet’s first season of Groomer Has It. He’s also been featured on the Dogs 101 and on The View where he showed Joy Behar how to groom a dog. He opened up Lap of Luxury Dog Spa a year and a half ago in western Delray Beach near the border of Boca Raton. He chose the location because it was surrounded by million dollar gated communities. And there’s a reason ‘Luxury’ is in the name. He admits his salon is probably the most expensive anywhere in Florida, but insists that the experience is worth it for dog and human alike. “We’re probably double than what most people are,” he said. David caters to a higher end clientele. “Some of the owners send their dogs here by chauffeur. Some of these dogs live a more grand life than I could ever dream of.” He said his clients come from all over the South Florida area. One-third of the 2,200 square foot salon is dedicated to grooming. What makes his place stand out? “A lot of places don’t have glass, the grooming takes place behind a wall.You give your dog to somebody and you don’t’ know what’s going on,” he said.

“All of our grooming is done by hand. All of our products are green. We use all natural shampoos and conditioners.” Besides the glass wall the boutique also carries a lot of unique and high-end dog items from around the world. Their retail section sells everything imaginable including high-end collars, carriers, leashes, doggie beds, strollers, and even doggie high chairs. “The pet industry is a booming industry,” he said. “It’s a market that continues to grow despite the economy. People never cut corners with their dogs.” The future of Lap of Luxury includes additional locations and their own line of products. “We still need to build up this location, but our grooming is almost at capacity,” he said. Eventually he said he’ll expand the grooming as well. “The retail market has taken a real hit over the past few years,” said Stefen Nelson, David’s business partner. “We are expensive and we don’t shy away from that. Haircuts are 80 or 90 dollars on average and that’s a lot of money for a haircut on a dog. But our retention rate is incredibly high. It’s a lot of money but it’s worth it. It’s not just a dog grooming, but a dog styling.” “We’re trying to bring in new and exciting items that people haven’t seen before,” David said.

Services They Offer Aqua Spa Bath - Beginning at $40 A relaxing bath using mild, hydrating shampoos and conditioners to revitalize the skin and coat. Included: nails trimmed, ears plucked and clean, sanitary cleaning and anal glands expressed. Afterwards, pet is fluffed dry, brushed and combed.

Deluxe Mini-Groom - Beginning at $65 Includes everything in the Aqua Spa Bath, as well as sanitary cleaning and a trim of the dog’s face, feet and loose hairs. The Deluxe Mini-Groom will help to prolong pet’s Elite Full-Body Groom. Perfect for the long, full-coated dog.

Elite Full-Body Groom Beginning at $80 The Full-Body spa session starts with the features of the Aqua Spa Bath and concludes with a hand scissored cut over the entire body. Also provided separately or as add-ons include Brush Outs, De-matting, De-Shedding, Flea & Tick Baths, Teeth Brushing, Hot Oil Deep Conditioning Treatments, PlazClnz Dental Treatments and Nail Trimming and Polishing. (Pricing for grooming is individualized on the breed and the level of work involved.)

Lap of Luxury Dog Spa is located at 16850 Jog Road. Call 561-637-3856; visit DogsJustKnow.com; or email LuxuryDogSpa@gmail.com for more information.

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

February 29, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Wanted: LGBT Dog Owners for Pet Therapy By Donald Cavanaugh

submitted photo

an’s best friend doesn’t carry such a distinguished title for nothing. Not only are dogs applauded and sought after for their loyalty, but their skills outside the lending of simple companionship are becoming increasingly sought after. “We’re trying to reach the gay community and their dogs,” said Debra Berger, Executive Director of Canine Assisted Therapy (C.A.T.). “We learned that gay people don’t volunteer more because they’re not asked. Well, we’re asking.” C.A.T. recruits dogs and their owners to be volunteers and perform animal assisted activities and animal assisted therapies. The activity is sometimes as simple as visiting a nursing home to help cheer up the elderly and sometimes more involved, like assisting someone with their motor skills or helping them walk using a walker. Berger said most similar organizations only work with animal assisted activities. C.A.T. however also works with animal assisted therapy. “Animal assisted activities have no goal except to make people feel good,” she said. “Animal assisted therapy, however, is a goal directed interaction.” While C.A.T. is based in Oakland Park they have volunteers all over South Florida from Palm Beach County to Miami-Dade with some volunteers as far north as Orlando. Volunteer teams may work in physical, recreational, and occupational therapies as well as healthcare-related support services. A special “Pack Reader Program” helps children build reading skills by reading to a

C.A.T. Dog, Chance, listens carefully while students at Bennett Elementary read stories.

canine companion. C.A.T. currently works with about 50 kids in public and charter schools and educational tutoring systems. Another child-focused program is B.A.R.K. (Behavior, Affection, Responsibility, and Kindness toward animals), which not only helps encourage proper treatment of animals but also serves as an anti-bullying message to children. “It’s extremely rewarding work,” Berger said. “What better experience than to share your pet to help another human being live more fully?” Berger continued: “We have over 100 therapy teams in the field right now and we have a waiting list. We need pets and owners and we know there are lots of empathetic gay pet lovers in South Florida. We just need to figure out how to reach them and ask.”

Berger, who co-founded the agency in 2009 with Joanne Jurgle, described the two women’s experiences with other agencies that led them to create the system they have in place today. According to Berger, lots of agencies do pretty cursory jobs of screening and training their volunteers and their pets. In fact, with many agencies the volunteers have to find their own places to work with their pets, often leading to unsatisfactory outcomes for pets and people – an issue Berger says, the organization is trying to combat. “We do thorough background checks on pet owners and their pets. We require volunteers to obtain the FBI Level II background checks and their dogs must have passed the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Certification within the past two years,” she says. In fact, C.A.T., which currently operates exclusively in South Florida, is insured and registered in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. So snowbirds can get registered while vacationing here and can take their dogs and skills anywhere in the country. Once candidates are accepted, they are put through orientation programs. The human gets two intense hours of education on pet therapy and what’s required to be successful in a wide range of situations. The dogs are engaged in a series of activities to

test their abilities to work with children as well as adults. “Not every dog can work with kids,” Berger said. “We have to be sure that dogs assigned to kids are ready to take screaming, bouncing around, and horseplay of all sorts. Dogs are natural predators and sometimes children’s behavior can make the child look like prey. We have to be sure that won’t happen to our kid-trained dogs.” “Dogs also get a lot of information from humans by studying our faces,” Berger said. “Stroke patients and kids exhibiting autistic behavior often don’t provide facial feedback so we work with the pets with face masks to be sure they can deal with that.” The human volunteers also have to be ready to deal with a variety of conditions, physical or otherwise, that they and their pets may encounter. When a new pet and owner are brought to a therapy session they are accompanied by a mentor who works with them until everyone is comfortable. C.A.T. is funded through annual volunteer dues, donations from individuals, corporations, and grants for funding operations. Volunteer dues are $75 per year and volunteers pay for their own background checks, currently $60 to $70 and good for five years. Visit the website at CatDogs.org or call 954-9905175 for more information or to volunteer. Gay readers: consider yourselves ASKED.

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

‘Pet Project’ Keeps Pets and Their HIV Positive Owners Connected Through Thick and Thin By Donald Cavanaugh

xecutive Director of the Browardbased Pet Project, Sue Martino, calls it the most rewarding work she’s ever done. “Helping people who otherwise could not keep their animal companions, at a time when they most need that unconditional love from a pet, is an incredible feeling,” she said. It all started in 2002 when Robert N. DeBenedictis launched the Pet Project to help people with HIV/AIDS keep their pets. Modeled after similar programs in New York and San Francisco, the Pet Project offered everything from pet food to walking services, medical assistance, and transportation to a vet. The Pet Project also arranged for care and placement of pets if their owners passed away. “We still do all of that and more,” Martino said. “And now we provide these services to a wider range of people who otherwise can’t afford or aren’t physically able to maintain their animals, including those with disabling illnesses, the elderly, and people living below the poverty line.”

The agency currently serves more than 600 clients in Broward and over 200 in Miami-Dade. They’ve also added a new temporary assistance program for people out of work. Temporary assistance is offered for three months and then the client’s need is re-evaluated. There are currently about 100 clients on temporary assistance in Broward, and while not yet available in MiamiDade County, the agency hopes to offer the program in the near future. Individual applicants and their pets go through a thorough evaluation to ensure that they qualify for assistance. Once they’re approved, services are provided in a variety of ways. The Project has a food bank where clients can pick up 3 months of pet food on the first Saturday of the month in Broward and the second Saturday in Miami-Dade. Volunteers deliver the food to clients who are unable to travel. “Our volunteers are extremely important to our success,” Martino said. “We have two employees and about 25 consistent volunteers. They’re the ones who deliver the food and pick up pets for transportation to

medical facilities, etc. Our reach would be much smaller without them.” Volunteers also do data entry, list maintenance, and outreach. They help raise much needed funding and do most of the needed administrative work. “We are also working to build our board,” said Martino who signed on as executive director in 2009 at the invitation of her long-time friend, Pet Project founder DeBenedictis. “We need a strong group of dedicated visionary people who are committed to people and their pets,” she added. The Pet Project’s annual budget, in excess of $200,000, is funded through a variety of sources. Three major contributors are the Bachelor Foundation, The Community Foundation of Broward and Broadway Equity Fights AIDS. “Jerry [Schultz] at Mona’s Bar holds fundraisers for us, too,” Martino said. “They have a major July 4 event. We do our best to keep up visibility. People can check our Web site for monthly events.” The Project also solicits contributions by mouth and mail and recently launched

a thrift store in their building at 1164 E. Oakland Park Blvd in Oakland Park. Saleable items are donated by supporters and proceeds are used to purchase pet food. “I want to make sure people understand that we don’t have a connection to a pet food manufacturer who provides us with free food,” Martino said. “These sources don’t currently recognize us because we’re not a rescue center or a shelter. Keeping pets and people together is not on their radar yet. We hope to change that in the future but for now we have to buy the food ourselves and that’s a large part of our expenses.” People who want to know more about the Pet Project can visit their website at PetProjectForPets.org or call 954-568-5678.

Eat. Be Merry. Support the Pet Project. What: Man’s Best Friend Breakfast; $2 doggie breakfast with free coffee; dogs welcome! When: Sunday, March 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Victoria Park Diner, 1730 East Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale Why: To support the Pet Project

Central Broward Animal Hospital Unique patient care and exceptional customer service since 1987 Jonathan R. Wald, DVM, owner r of t e n n Wi ’s Lis e ie Ang r Servic 1 e 1 Sup ard 20 w A

We offer affordable premium accredited health care... Modern medical care practiced the old fashioned way... OUR WINNING FORMULA An animal hospital • Minimal wait time • Lots of personal attention • Affordable fees/Easy payment options that cares! COMPLIMENTARY PHYSICAL EXAM WITH THIS AD new clients only

• Exceptional caring staff • Modern/spotlessly clean/odor free office • Large comfortable waiting room • Extensive Complimentary Courtesy Bar with snacks/refreshments

Conveniently located near the Broward Mall

200 NW 70th Avenue, Plantation, FL 33317

954.792.6323 CENTRALBROWARDVET.COM February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

The

Fitness Guy By Peter Jackson, CPT

TRY THIS EXERCISE: Chest-Supported Incline Rowbbell Triceps Extension Set

Chris Johnson

45-degree

angle and lie face down with a pair of

demonstrates the

dumbbells in your arms .

Chest-Supported Incline Row. Photography by Toby’s Photos.

1) Allow

your

arms to hang straight down , palms facing each other .

2) Bend your elbows and raise the dumbbells , squeezing your shoulder blades together . 3) Return to the starting position . Complete three sets of 12, 10 and 8 reps , respectively,

Weighing the Benefits: Cardio vs. Resistance Training

Q: Which is more effective in burning fat – running on my treadmill or lifting weights? A: Resistance training plays a vital role in burning fat and should be a central part of your weight loss program – even though high intensity cardiovascular activities such as running burn more calories than an equal amount of time spent lifting weights. Here’s why: Strength training builds lean muscle tissue which increases your metabolism (meaning it burns fat and calories) over time. Strength training also keeps your metabolism elevated (again, burning fat and calories) for hours after you have exercised while your muscles are being repaired. This is called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption or “afterburn.” My general recommendation – without having the benefit of knowing your fitness level or goals – would be to engage in a program of resistance training at least twice per week and cardio exercise two to three times per week for about 40 minutes. There are four components to successful weight loss: nutrition (which is 80 percent of the battle), exercise (both resistance training and cardio exercise), sleep (strive for at least 7-8 hours), and stress management (the stress hormone, cortisol, has been shown to promote weight gain). Addressing each of these will lead to success in your weight loss program. We burn fat when we expend more calories (energy) in our physical activities than we consume with food and drink. Creating a calorie deficit and dropping weight by dieting alone (calorie restriction) doesn’t work longterm. When you diet and drop weight in this manner, you also lose important lean muscle because your body will break down muscle for energy. Rather than focusing on losing weight, make it your objec-

an incline bench at a

increasing the weight of the dumbbells with each set to ramp up the challenge .

➊ tive to live a healthier lifestyle overall by learning and practicing healthy eating habits, exercising regularly, and generally becoming more active.You will find the weight will fall off and your life and outlook will change in a most positive way. Q: Is it best to do my cardio before or after I do my strength training? A: Aside from a light cardio warm-up, I believe that cardio is best done after a strength training routine for two reasons: 1) An intense cardio workout prior to your strength training program depletes your stored glycogen (energy) levels, leaving you fatigued and unable to perform an aggressive weight training routine; 2) After your body depletes its glycogen reserve, it must turn to excess fat for energy. Another approach is to schedule strength training and cardio workouts on different days, or separate these activities by four or more hours (cardio in the morning, weight training in the afternoon) to maximize performance in both areas. Remember, it takes 20 minutes of aerobic activity for the body to begin to burn fat, so aim to complete three to four 45-minute cardio sessions for best results. Meanwhile, I do recommend a quick, 10-15 minute cardio warm-up before weight training to get the blood flowing to the muscles.

➋ TIP OF THE WEEK: Many Benefits to Dumbbells Incorporating the use of dumbbells into your exercise program allows your wrists to be pronated (palms down) and supinated (palms up), changing the angles at which a particular exercise is performed. This is great for hitting muscles not always reached through the use of machines or other equipment. Using dumbbells also allows you to train each arm individually, identifying and improving strengths or weaknesses of a particular arm. Peter Jackson is a certified personal trainer and the owner of Push Fitness, a private, full-service personal training gym in Oakland Park which offers a variety of fitness programs for individuals, couples and small groups. Peter welcomes your questions: e-mail peter@PushFitnessFTL.com or visit him online at www.PushFitnessFTL.com.

Full Charge Bookkeeping Services

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

February 29, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

To place an ad, call Sales Manager

954.530.4970

or fill out form online at SouthFloridaGayNews.com/classifieds ACCOMMODATIONS

EMPLOYMENT WANTED

SHARE CORAL RIDGE HOME $800/month. Share beautiful 4700sqft hom e. 1.5 mi fr beach. 1.5 mi to Wilton DrMstrBdrm w/pvtmstrbth.jacuzzi, pool. pvt yard. 954-609-9405 ------------------------------------------------PERFECT VACATION RENTALSLOW SUMMER RATES.From $69/Night & $395/Week.Beautiful Studio, 1 & 2 BR Apts.with Full Kitchens.Clothing optional heated pool, laundry, parking.Close to Gay Dania & Nude Haulover Beaches. Incl. Cable, Tel. & Wi-Fi Internet. Pets Always Welcome. Call (954) 927-0090 or visit www.LibertySuites.com

HIGHLY QUALIFIED INFORMATION technology professional and Veteran seeks IT position. 10+ years experience in help desk and desktop support. Will consider other career opportunities in South Florida. Please call Michael at 954.243.7175 ------------------------------------------------ALL FOOD HANDLING EXPERIENCE. I can prepare all seafood. Sauté, Sous Chef, Line Cook, Short order Breakfast, Baker, Prep, and also Catering.With over 23 Experience. Please contact Butch at 754-204-8463. ------------------------------------------------LOOKING FOR HONEST WORK 5+ years experience in fencing, tile, shingle roofing, drywall, concrete, RV detail, food service, paint prep. Call Christopher 954-839-5473 ------------------------------------------------EXPERIENCED ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL Familiar with all office duties, Including personal assistant and organization. Computer literate. Billing, invoicing and collections. Call Jim 954-303-5355 ------------------------------------------------COOK POSITION WANTED Cook with 27 years experiencee. All foods such as organic, Italian, Mexican, Jamaican, Spanish and all types of BBQ and pizza maker. I am willing to work anytime and can start ASAP. Call William 754-204-8463 ------------------------------------------------CONSCIENTIOUS, RESPONSIBLE, EDUCATED NICE GUY SEEKS P/T: Here through Mar. 31st, Seeking (almost!) anything P/T: 16-20 hrs wk. Tony: 607 727 3894 tvtenor@aol.com Tony Villecco tvtenor@aol.com ------------------------------------------------REGISTERED NURSE - PRIVATE DUTY 15 years experience in medical care, seeking assignments hourly or daily, call John for more information 954-918-5410

BODY TREATMENTS MALE MASSAGE & MORE, Massage, bodyscrubs,bdygrooming, haircuts, Facials, companions, housecleaning, and Just about “everything’’ you might need Ph 954-522-0849/954-522-0849 info 11am ?

CLEANING SERVICES BEST CLEANING SERVICE.Short Notice Cleaning. Due to great quality work we charge a flat rate. Pet and Children Friendly. Call 954-548-9138 ------------------------------------------------NINA’S CLEANING. Exceptional Cleaning Service. If honesty, integrity and experience are of utmost importance to you, you’ve come to the right place. Your home will be treated with respect and attention to detail. 12 yrs of experience/ references (954) 601-6141 or e-mail me at jabn1999@yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------NUDE CLEANING Nudecleaning123@ yahoo.com Honest, Reliable, Quality cleaning for your home. Attractive, personable, guy. Email for pic and price. Very Reasonable rates. Serving Broward Area.

COMPUTER/TECH FAST, RELIABLE SERVICE, AT YOUR PLACE or ours! New PC’s and Laptops • Virus Removal.Hardware Repairs • Telephone Systems.PCLauderdale • 279 E Oakland Park Blvd. 954.636.3322. www. pclauderdale.com ------------------------------------------------COMPUTER/NETWORK SUPPORT FOR HOME OR OFFICE. Personable and Reliable Computer Network Support.Professional with over 15 years of Enterprise Level Experience.Affordable Rates. Contact Peter at (954) 816-4126 Or peter@netechsystems.com

HANDYMAN SERVICES INEXPENSIVE ELECTRICIAN. Electrician 55.00 an hour or set price. Residential,Commercial& Industrial work Fans,Outlets, Service changes Licensed and Insured, EC0001777. 954-931-5121 ------------------------------------------------LOCKSMITH & GLASS SERVICES All Pro Locks & Glass, Inc..24/7 Commercial & Residential.954-780-5188 office / www. aplag.com. Servicing Southeastern Florida

HELP WANTED EXPERICENCED WAITER. Italian Restaurant seeking a professional and experienced waiter.PT/FT time position available. Fort Lauderdale area. Call 505-554-7103

1BD/1BA FORT LAUDERDALE

2nd Floor, 1142 NE 4th Avenue, Redone, $700/Mo. Yearly lease. Call 954-764-0212 or 954-581-2573 -------------------------------------------------

WOMEN’S SHOES UP TO SIZE 16!

We have Sexy & Stylish shoes and boots with heels up to 6 inches. To view our footwear, go to www.carringtonshoes. com. Like Us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter for updates on sales & specials. -------------------------------------------------

FOR SALE – 2 TIX ATLANTIS SO CARIB CRUISE

2 tickets to sold-out Atlantis South Carrib Cruise March 17-24. Large C2 room with patio. $1819 each plus $150 change fee. Call Jim at 619-992-9973 -------------------------------------------------

BARTENDERS WANTED

TWIST, the popular gay bar and club in South Beach seeks bartenders to join our team. We look for bartenders with experience working in high volume situations that are fun, friendly and outgoing people with a positive attitude. Candidates should be responsible, accurate and honest, team players that can work late nights and weekends. Interested persons can send or email resume or apply in person Mon–Fri from 2pm to 6pm. TWIST,1057 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139 / www.twistsobe.com / valentino@twistsobe.com

------------------------------------------------SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS IS HIRING If you are retail and customer focused, computer literate and proficient, web knowledgeable, have outside or Inside sales experience…then you’re hired! Advertising Sales Representative. Call on clients, guide their advertising campaigns and make a good living. Fax your resume to 954-530-7943 or email norm.kent@sfgn.com ------------------------------------------------MAC EXPERT NEEDED. Looking for an expert Mac user. Come to my Ft. Lauderdaelhame and show me how to use my Apple products correctly and efficently.Please Email qualifications, hourly rates, and availability to: macxprt2011@yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------COMPANION FOR ELDERLY GENTLEMAN with dementia; full/part time, experienced, clean background check, mature, good natured, in good health. Submit resume, including references and pay requirement to: PO Box 2213, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33303 ------------------------------------------------HOUSEKEEPING POSITION AVAIL. Cheston House accepting applications/ resumes, must have resort exp./friendly/ reliable/responsible Apply in person at 520 N. Birch Road or send resume to chestonhouse@bellsouth.net ------------------------------------------------SALON MANANGER & STYLISTS NOW Hiring Talented, Strong Leaders for our Miami locations. Must have a FL Cos. Lic. and Management Experience. Unlimited income potential, Benefits, REDKEN Partnership FREE Advanced Education, & MORE! Call Melissa at 754-484-4885 or apply today www.careersbyhaircuttery.com EOE

INSURANCE & FINANCIAL ALLSTATE DIRECT: PERSONAL auto, home,condominium,boat and life insurance. For a free quote call Joe Mier 305-754-7414 ------------------------------------------------FIVE STEPS TO FINANCIAL SUCCESS: 1. Prove to us that you have the personality to talk to people on the phone and keep their interest. 2. Do this successfully for one month at $10 per hour. 3. We will sponsor you to take the 215 Florida Insurance License course. 4. We will sponsor your fingerprints to be sent to the insurance department. 5. We will sponsor you to take the state insurance license test pass and you will begin earning up to $100,000 per year selling health and life insurance over the phone as a licensed insurance professional. Are you up to the challenge??? Call Brian at 954-200-0140 to get started today! ------------------------------------------------HEALTH INSURANCE Major Medical, Hospital-Surgical, Rx’s, also guaranteed issue. Reasonable rates. Call DSR Associates 954-922-278

LEGAL SERVICES PROUDLY SERVING THE SOUTH FLORIDA GLBTX COMM. since 1993. Law office’s of Robin L. Bodiford, PA specializes in Bankruptcy, Probate, Wills&Trust. Call 954-630-2707 ------------------------------------------------KENT & CORMICAN, PA Sometimes the road of life brings trouble…We are here for when that happens. Criminal & Constitutional Law. Call 954-763-1900 www.NormKent.com ------------------------------------------------SELZER & WEISS, ATTORNEYS AT LAW Last Will & Testament, Living Will. Health Care Power of Attorney (POA) w/ HIPAA release, Durable Financial POA, for $399.00. PERSONAL INJURY: Free consult, if no recovery, no fee or cost to you. 954-567-4444. ------------------------------------------------DAVID L. JACOVITZ - ATTORNEY AT LAW Revocable Living Trusts, Last Will & Testament, Durable Financial & Medical Powers of Attorney, Cohabitation Agreements, Living Wills. Advising the South Florida LGBT Community for 19 years. Call 954-630-8847 ------------------------------------------------RAY & KOLNER LAW Immigration, Deportation, Family Petitions, Asylum, Sexual Orientation, Divorces, Adoptions, Criminal, Sex Offenses. Call 305-377-9000 www.RayAndKolnerLaw.com

------------------------------------------------SHAWN C. NEWMAN, PA Helping you protect what matters to you. Estate Planning, Domestic Agreements, Wills & Trusts, Estate Administration, Probate Administration, Wealth Preservation, Powers of Attorney. Free initial consultation. Available weekends and evenings by appointment. Call 954-563-9160 710 NE 26th Street, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 www.ShawnNewman.com ------------------------------------------------CREDITORS CALLING? Call Us! The Law Offices of GeorgeCastrataro, PA. Serving Clients With Integrity and Compassion 954-573-1444 ------------------------------------------------GREGORY W. KABEL, ESQ. We can’t marry, but many of the rights of marriage may be achieved through contract. Let me help. Wills & Trusts, Estate Planning, Probate, Domestic Agreements, Business Formation & Transactions, Real Estate. 2312 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Call 954-761-7770 gwkesq@bellsouth.net

LICENSED MASSAGE AFFORDABLE, AWESOME MASSAGE BY JIM Offering Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports and Lomi Lomi Massage; All in a very comfortable, relaxed and Private Massage Studio conveniently located on the SE corner of Oakland Park Blvd and Federal Highway. Nationally Certified & Licensed. Call Jim Libonati at 954-600-5843. info@massagebyjim. com #MM22293 SPECIAL: First Time Client Rates ------------------------------------------------THE BRITISH POUND John Maroussas LMT Sports Massage, Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular, Trigger Point, Swedish, Salt or Sugar Scrubs. Private Studio w/ Shower. Wilton Manors Location near Bill’s Lic#MA51123 954-999-2240 ------------------------------------------------CHAIYA - TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE & MORE… ThaiMassageFlorida.com The Luxury You Deserve! 954-732-1473 MA56806

MOVERS ALWAYSS MOVING know what you’re paying before you move! Licensed & Insured MC/ Visa/ Discover Accepted Family owned 20 years. Complete moving Services. Flat Rate& Free Estimates Call 305-650-9080

PERSONAL TRAINING IF YOU ARE READY TO MAKE A HEALTHIER you a lifestyle call Christy Fritch,BS CPR certified 954-445-2540

REAL ESTATE KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY- Ted Adcock, Realtor Cell: 954-609-4393 tedftl@aol.com ------------------------------------------------COLDWELL BANKER - In a tough market, you want a tough Realtor. In this market you need Andy Weiser. Call 954560-9667 AndyWeiser@aol.com www. AndyWeiser.com ------------------------------------------------RAINBOW REALTY Wondering what your home is worth? I offer a FREE online market analysis and more at www. SunnyHomesForSale.com Call Keith Blackburn 305-798-5455 KeithSellsFlorida@gmail.com ------------------------------------------------LUSH 2 BEDROOM HOME FOR SALE Oasis close to restaurants & highway Private & landscaped yard for relaxing Hardwood flooring in living room Call Ana Salazar @ Keyes 954-593-3089

------------------------------------------------LAKE HOME FOR SALE 2 bd, 1 ba, mod. kit w/grnte, den, open floor plan good for parties, gay neigh., mins. to Wilton Manors, Priced to sell @$86,000. Won’t last!!! 954-448-9446

RENT/LEASE MIDDLE RIVER &LAKERIDGE 1BD/1BA $680/Mth. $175/week w/ a 12 month lease. Pay your deposit and you are in* for more details call 954-527-9225 ------------------------------------------------HUGE 3/1- HALF DUPLEX NEW KITCHEN, Tile Floor throughout, Huge Fenced yard, washer/ dryer, pets ok, pet owner, $1100. / mo 954-791-4195 ------------------------------------------------1/1 FRENCH DOORS/PRIVATE PATIO Middle River Terr, lg. 1/1, tile floors, walk-in closet, your own fenced patio/ garden, pets OK, coin W/D, quiet mostly gay bldg, $795./mo. 954-791-4195 ------------------------------------------------VERY PEACEFUL RESIDENCE LAKERIDGE HOUSE: very private, immaculate XLg 1BR, private gated entry, CAC, WD, tile flooring, walk-in closet, ample storage off street parking, fenced patio ZEN meditation/orchid gardens front/rear VERY quiet. Minutes to Publix, $985/mo. Call Joe: 954-610-6712. ------------------------------------------------TWO BEDROOM MIDDLE RIVER HOMES CONDO. Two bedroom, two bath condo in pet friendly building with wash/ dryer in unit. Close to Wilton Manors. First and second floor units available March 1. $975 f/l/s. Jimmy Cunningham licensed Real Estate Agent Castelli RE Services 954-303-7380. ------------------------------------------------GAY ANDREWS AVENUE Large 1/1, all utilities incl, granite, d/w, private fenced tropical yard, all tile, vaulted ceiling, adt security. $750. Call 772-626-1345 ------------------------------------------------BEAUTIFUL 2/2 HOME FOR RENT Beautiful and totally renovated large 2 bedroom 2 bath private home with parking and large yard. New appliances, Jacuzzi tub in master bathroom, stone flooring, crown moldings, tall kitchen cabinets, impact windows, alarm, etc. Located near Wilton Manors; $1,200/month. Contact Ilan @ 561-330-0688 ------------------------------------------------RIVERLAND CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN Duplex 2BD/1BA or 4BD/2BA also available efficiencies and 1BDs. Large pool, new A/C units, 1 or 2 kitchen, large living room/family room/screened in porch, private back yard. Call Butch 954-632-6639. ------------------------------------------------FOR RENT Studio $700, 1BD $800 (all utilities included & pool) in Oakland Park. Call 786-546-0533 ------------------------------------------------SENIOR COMPLEX – WYNMOOR VILLAGE 2BD/2BA, 3 golf courses, 20 tennis courts, 17 pools, $850/Mo. Yr. Larry 347-907-3665. Avail April 1st.

ROOMMATES ROOM 4 RENT IN 2 BED/1 BATH. Clean! $500 mo. includes utilities. North of Sunrise/East of Andrews.Walk to Wilton Manors.Must be gay friendly male/female. Call 954-297-9270 ------------------------------------------------ROOM FOR RENT in immaculate 2 bedroom 1 bath single family home. Fully fenced backyard, new granite/cherry kitchen. Close to public transport and Wilton Manors. Pets welcome. $500 includes utilities. 201-696-8752

February 29, 2012 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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February 29, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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February 29, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ SouthFloridaGayNews.com