11/19/14 v1i8 by The Gazette

Volume 1 • Issue 8

November 19, 2014

Island City Art Walk Under New Ownership Photo: artwalkonwiltondrive.com

By Michael d’Oliveira When it comes to art on Wilton Drive, Thomas Alford likes to joke, “I’m kind of taking over the whole street.” Earlier this month, Alford, an artist and Wilton Manors resident, purchased the rights for the Island City Art Walk from Krishan Manners and Tony LoGrande. And Alford, who already organizes monthly street cleanings of Wilton Drive through the county’s Adopt A Street program, says it’s just the start of his plan to make Wilton Drive and the city as a whole more of an artistic destination. “I want to see Art Walk more community involved. Tony and Krishan did a wonderful job . . . [but] I want to carry it to its next stage.” During the event,

sponsoring business along the street host an artist and their work and many serve wine and hors d’oeuvres. Under Alford, the Art Walk has already undergone changes – a move from the Third Friday of the month to the third Saturday and VIP passes good for discounts to participating businesses – and more are on the way. He envisions a music festival, more money from businesses because of increased foot traffic, utility boxes made colorful with artistic decorations and working with guest houses and using Art Walk to attract tourists. He also wants to expand the event beyond Wilton Drive and recruit artists from the

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Local Wilton Manor Resident Hopes to Fund Upcycle Project on Kickstarter By Natalya Jones They say a man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Cindy White, a Wilton Manors resident for the last 23 years, lives by that saying. “A couple of years ago, I began upcycling furniture as a hobby and a way to redecorate,” White said. “I have found really great furniture pieces thrown out in the bulk trash or that friends have given me before they put it out for bulk pick up. I repair, sand, repaint, and reupholster when needed to bring the pieces back to life, making them beautiful once again.” White even manages to fix items seemingly damaged beyond repair. “Some pieces that can’t be

repaired I turn into something completely different and new (For example, dresser or desk drawers),” she explains. “If the dresser or desk is no longer repairable, I will keep the drawers and I will make pet beds with them.” White has always crafted as a hobby, from painting ceramics with her mother at the age of 7 or 8 years old to teaching others how to scrapbook to handpainting toy soldiers and holiday trains made by putting terracotta flower pots together and more. However, White’s hobby extends far more than just a mere hobby.

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“Island City Art Walk Under New Ownership”

November 19, 2014 • Volume 1 • Issue 8 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305

art walks in Hollywood, FAT Village in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere. “Wilton Drive is our main leg but there’s a whole other art community that surrounds us [including Eucalyptus Gardens] that needs to be included in this.” One local artist already involved is Tom Rossetti. “The idea really is to bring more culture to Wilton Manors . . . really make it much more of an artsy community,” said Rossetti, owner of one of only three art galleries on Wilton Drive. By working with Alfrod, Rossetti hopes foster an arts scene here similar to Provincetown, Massachusetts. “It’s just weeks of art and you come back here to Wilton Manors and there are no sculptures, no murals.” LoGrandeand Manners agree. “There really isn’t a lot of art represented in the Arts and Entertainment District.” That’s one of the reasons he and Manners decided to keep Art Walk going by selling it to someone who has the time to organize it. “We actually think it’s in pretty good hands,” said LoGrande who, along with Manners, purchased the Island City Art Walk from Mary Ellen Charapko three years ago. “This would have been our third season running it.” Manners said he and LoGrande are both working in Miami and felt they no longer had the time to run the event. So they sold the rights. “We just felt like it was important for us to keep this moving,” said Manners. “It really requires a lot of attention,” said LoGrande. The Island City Art Walk is held November through April from 7 to 10 p.m. the third Saturday of every month. WMG

Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943

Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com

Chief Executive Officer • Pier Angelo Guidugli

Associate publisher • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com

Editorial

Art Director • Brendon Lies artwork@sfgn.com Online Producer • Dennis Jozefowicz dennis.jozefowicz@sfgn.com

Correspondents

Michael d’Oliveira • Christiana Lilly • Denise Royal • Natalya Jones • John McDonald

Staff Photographers

J.R. Davis • Pompano Bill • Steven Shires

Sales & Marketing

Director of Sales & Marketing • Mike Trottier mike.trottier@sfgn.com Sales Manager • Justin Wyse justin.wyse@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Associate • Edwin Neimann edwin.neimann@sfgn.com Sales Assistant • Jason Gonzales jason.gonzales@sfgn.com Distribution Services • Brian Swinford Accounting Services by CG Bookkeeping South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law office, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs.

Associated Press

Visit ArtWalkOnWiltonDrive.com for more information.

Photos: artwalkonwiltondrive.com

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SouthFloridaGayNews

NEWS

Commission May Call for Increased Liquor Tax to Help Homeless By Michael d’Oliveira

As Fort Lauderdale’s restriction on feeding the homeless in public parks grabs national headlines, the Wilton Manors Commission may propose a resolution to help fund programs aimed at helping the homeless. At the next commission meeting on Nov. 25, Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Scott Newton said he would propose a resolution to call for Broward County to pass a one percent sales tax on drinks sold in bars and restaurants and use the money to fund programs that help the homeless. “To me [one percent] sounds pretty reasonable.” He said more should be done to help homeless individuals who are mentally capable of working and improving their situation. “That’s the long term goal, to get them back into society because nobody wants to be homeless.” Miami-Dade already has a one percent Homeless and Domestic Violence Tax on food and beverages, which it uses to assist homeless individuals and victims of domestic violence and abuse. Broward, under state statute 212.0306, could also pass a sales tax to help pay for emergency homeless shelters, food, clothing, medical care, counseling,

alcohol and drug abuse treatment, mental health treatment, employment and training, education, and housing. Businesses that generate less than $400,000 in revenue per year would be exempt. For the first 12 months, the funds raised would have to be used to help individuals who are homeless or about to become homeless. After that, no less than 15 percent of the funds can be used for the construction and operation of domestic violence centers. Mayor Gary Resnick calls Newton’s proposal “a nice idea” but expressed doubts that it would be approved by the county. He also cited the county’s existing homeless outreach programs. The multimillion dollar Homeless Initiative Partnership Administration, which has homeless assistance programs funded in part by the state and federal governments. Commissioners Justin Flippen, Julie Carson and Tom Green expressed support for the idea of helping the homeless but wanted to know more before agreeing with Newton’s proposal. “It might be what he’s suggesting is not necessary,” said Green. Carson said she’s not sure if taxing liquor sends the right message “but I’m glad he’s thinking outside the

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box. I’d like to explore what other people are doing. I will certainly entertain and appreciate any idea to deal with the homeless problem.” At the same meeting, Wilton Manors commissioners are also expected to hold their second and final vote on the anti-panhandling ordinance they approved on Oct. 14. If passed, the law would make it illegal for anyone to panhandle, sell or solicit in the roadway within 200 feet of any intersection on Wilton Drive, Dixie Highway, Northeast 26 Street, Oakland Park Boulevard, Andrews Avenue, Northeast 6 Street and Powerline Road. Michael Rajner, resident and local activist, said the law was a criminalization of the homeless population and said other solutions need to be found. Police and city officials say the law intended to improve public safety, not target the homeless. Carson was the only one to vote against the proposal because she worries the cost to prosecute individuals who break the law could become “exorbitant.” If the city prosecutes someone who breaks the law it would be responsible for funding that person’s defense. Officials are unable to provide an estimate of what that would cost. WMG

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

NEWS

Wilton Manors Voters Re-elect Habitual Liars

The recent re-election of Mayor Resnick and Commissioner Newton indicates that repeating a lie causes it to become truth to the majority of voters in Wilton Manors. Resnick and Newton have told Wilton Manors residents for years and years that there’s no money available to take over operating Wilton Drive to cut down on the number of traffic lanes to make it more pedestrian friendly, create more parking spaces with angled parking and landscape the Drive so it will be closer in appearance to shade tree lined Las Olas Blvd. and downtown Hollywood. Since that song about no money for the Drive began to be sung by Resnick and Newton, money became available to tear down the old city hall building and a new city hall building was built on prime commercial real estate land owned by the City on the Drive. More money has been spent to move the recycling station off the Drive, to construct a grass lined drainage ditch where there was no drainage problem where the recycling center was located, to install technologically primitive coin operated parking meters along the

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“Local Wilton Manor Resident Hopes to Fund Upcycle Project on Kickstarter”

“I would love to make pieces available to young adults who are ‘aging out’ of the foster care system,” she explains. “After speaking with a friend who is a social worker, she explained the difficulties her clients run into when it comes to moving, finding or buying furnishings. They often end up with furniture that comes in a box and has to be assembled because in most cases, it’s the social worker helping them to move and there isn’t always a truck available. I would really like to use my hobby to help these young adults. It could truly benefit them if I could collect more furniture. As a bonus, a big bonus my hobby would also be helping our environment, it would mean a lot less furniture headed to our landfills.” In hopes of getting funds to rent a storage unit for her already collected furniture pieces, White has promoted her upcycle project on the trendy fundraising site Kickstarter.com. Kickstarter projects are easy, fun and usually successful. A Kickstarter project allows users to post creative projects online and try to get funding for it. A description along with the deadline and goal completion are posted. Popular Kickstarter campaigns include Zach Braff’s movie “Wish I Was Here” funds

Drive that people are wont to use because they have to keep returning to the meters to add more coins before their time expires, to purchase land and construct a parking lot off 26th Street that most people aren’t aware is there as no signage has been installed on the Drive to direct people looking for parking to that lot and money was spent just before the most recent election to repave the Five Points area and it’s also been announced that the area of Dixie Highway south of Five Points is going to see city paid for landscaping and street improvements. The No Money for the Drive Song that Wilton Manors voters seem to enjoy dancing to is again being sung as Wilton Manors prepares to charge Wilton Drive businesses special operating fees that will supposedly go to making improvements to the Drive since, “the City has no money for improvements to the Drive.” La, La, La. In most places people who repeatedly tell untruths are called Liars. In Wilton Manors, they’re called Mayors and Commissioners.

White has until November 30 to reach her goal. Those interested in helping out can go to Kickstarter.com and search for “Reduce, Recycle and Relove, Vintage White Upcycled Décor” or visit directly at http://kck.st/1tSdqt5. The project can also be found at Facebook.com/VintageWhiteUpcycledDecor.

- Richard Claycomb

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for bands and the infamously raunchy Cards Against Humanity. Other items White hopes to acquire with funds are an electric sander, a personal sprayer for larger pieces and handcarts and professional marketing materials and advertising. The most important item needed, however, is a truck as White can only fit smaller items in her car. “I’m doing good if I can fit 2 chairs and a smaller sized table in my car at one time,” she says. “I’ve had to pass up on a lot of great donations, leave some nice pieces to be picked up by bulk trash or to be picked up by others and pieces that get left out in the weather to be destroyed because I wasn’t able to pick them up.” Although she does mention that she would like to sell certain items, White’s ultimate goal is helping those less fortunate. “I hope to be able to not just help those young adults in Broward County and Fort Lauderdale but in other areas of the state as well,” she says. “At the same time, I hope to create a few jobs, possibly for some of the same young adults and keep a lot of good, sturdy, well made furniture out of our landfills where it can be ‘re-loved’ [aka reused] for many years to come.” WMG

SouthFloridaGayNews

NEWS

Metropolitan Breaks Ground in Wilton Manors Press Release

Ascend Properties groundbreaking ceremony with elected officials including Wilton Manors Mayor, Gary Resnick; Wilton Manors Vice-Mayor Julie Carson and Wilton Manors Commissioners Ted Galatis, Tom Green and Scott Newton and Kaufman Lynn Construction executives.

Ascend Properties’ founders and principals Dean Borg, Richard Finkelstein and Michael Wohl

A trio of South Florida real estate developers with an eye for transforming underutilized properties into vibrant new communities have joined forces as Ascend Properties and currently have two new, luxury in-fill projects valued at $100 million underway. Dean Borg, Richard Finkelstein and Michael Wohl have successfully collaborated on numerous projects for the past three decades, collectively delivering approximately 10,000 units consisting of multi-family rentals and for-sale housing collections throughout Florida. Ascend Properties is the next chapter building on their track record of success. Groundbreaking for Metropolitan, an innovative

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179-unit, rental apartment development in Wilton Manors, took place on October 28 and construction already is underway at Pointe 100, an upscale, for-sale housing community in central Boca Raton. “In our current real estate cycle, there is strong competition for quality rental communities, particularly in desirable neighborhoods like the City of Wilton Manors,” said Richard Finkelstein, principal and cofounder of Ascend Properties. “City officials and residents have very high standards and expectations for the finest community project available, which is what Ascend Properties will deliver.” Metropolitan was previously

the site of a dated mobile home park, damaged during Hurricane Katrina after serving as the setting for the blockbuster movie Striptease starring Demi Moore and Burt Reynolds. Located at 1224 NE 24th Street, it is only three blocks from the trendy restaurants and shops of Wilton Drive. With its modern architectural design, Metropolitan will be a distinctive residential community with studio, one-, two- and threebedroom apartments featuring resort-style amenities, including an arts park and a dog park. Its contemporary appeal is designed to meet the expectations of Wilton Manors’ avant-garde residents who demand new, cutting-edge and stylish apartments. WMG

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Photos By David Replogle Humans of Wilton Manors is an attempt at capturing the exhaustive, diverse community of Wilton Manors. The project was inspired by Humans of New York, a Facebook page, which uses photographs and quotes to provide strangers with a view of the daily life of people in New York. Humans of Wilton Manors is posted at Facebook.com/ SouthFloridaGayNews every day at noon or check out SFGN.com/HOWM to see them all. WMG If you could have a super power what would it be? “To be able to be invisible, that way I can check people out without them knowing and check out other “things” without them knowing what I am staring at.”

What is something not many people know about you? “Well I am from New York and I was a studio 54 gal, going to countless party’s, having a lot of fun and just living life to the fullest, and as you can see I have continued being fabulous throughout the years.”

What is your favorite memory together? “Well first of all we are brother and sister, and I would have to say sharing the same grade and having some of the same classes at school growing up it was nice knowing that there was always someone there, and No we are not twins.”

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What is the ONE thing you regret the most? “The first time I ever smoked crack, which created an addiction and couldn’t live without it, Thankfully I realized that I was an addict and I got help and now I am clean and without my addiction.” What are you most proud of? “I just started my own artist studio (Twisted Vinyl Studios) where I take old vinyl records and heat them up bend them, resin them and turn them into trays, orchid planters or I am even working on an abstract design piece now.”

With Thanksgiving right around the corner what are some things you are thankful for? “I am very grateful for my shop, (Cigar Boutique & Vape Love) and how it has turned out and also for all my customers throughout the community who have made it amazing and have welcomed me with open arms I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

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November 9

Wilton Manors Green Market, 9 a.m. at Wilton Manors City Hall

Preschool Story time, 10:30 a.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library Zumba Fitness, 7 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve

16 Wilton Manors Green Market, 9 a.m. at Wilton Manors City Hall

17 Preschool Story time, 10:30 a.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library

Zumba Fitness, 7 p.m. at Brains and Balance Past 60, 10 a.m. at Hagen Park Island City Park Preserve Zumba Fitness, 7 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve

Wilton Manors Green Market, 9 a.m. at Wilton Manors City Hall

Zumba Fitness, 7 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve

30 Wilton Manors Green Market, 9 a.m. at Wilton Manors City Hall

Dog Obedience Class Nov. 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 6:30 p.m. at Hagen Park (Basketball Court) All Breeds Welcome Beginners Obedience Class. Registration at 6:30 p.m., class begins at 7:30 p.m. Rally Obedience Class - Skill Building, Drill Class - Class starts at 8 p.m. $5 per

Dog Obedience Class, 6:30 p.m. at Hagen Park

15 Wilton Manors Green Market, 9 a.m. at Wilton Manors City Hall

Beginner Israeli Dance Class, 7 p.m. at Hagen Park Community Center

Island City Book Club, 6:30 p.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Zumba Fitness, 7 p.m. at Public Library Brains and Balance Past 60, 10 Island City Park Preserve a.m. at Hagen Park

Beginner Israeli Dance Class, 7 p.m. at Hagen Park Community Center

Family Storytime, 6:30 p.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library

Square Dancing, 7 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve

City Commission Meeting, Brains and Balance Past 60, 7 p.m. at City Hall 10 a.m. at Hagen Park Chambers Zumba Fitness, 7 p.m. at Zumba Fitness, 7 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve Island City Park Preserve Family Storytime, 6:30 p.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library

class Beginner Israeli Dance Class Nov. 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 7 p.m. — 9 p.m. at Hagen Park Community Center Dance with Dan & Jack, where every class is a special event! This program includes great middle eastern music, featuring the latest/best choreography and songs that will lift your spirit and touch your heart. Square Dancing Nov. 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve The South Florida Mustangs is the first GLBT International Square Dance Club organized in 1980. Positively no previous experience required. We’ll teach you the ropes beginning with an

Dog Obedience Class, 6:30 p.m. at Hagen Park

22 Wilton Manors Green Market, 9 a.m. at Wilton Manors City Hall

Beginner Israeli Dance Class, 7 p.m. at Hagen Park Community Center

29 Wilton Manors Green Market, 9 a.m. at Wilton Manors City Hall

Square Dancing, 7 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve

vendors. The Market gives residents and visitors to Wilton Manors an exciting shopping alternative and a chance to view, sample and purchase products. For more information on The Market or to become a vendor, visit GreenWilton. com or contact Frank and Ron at 954531-5363. Preschool Story time Nov. 10, 17, and 24 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library For ages 2 - 5. Caregivers must remain with their children. Zumba Fitness Nov. 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 & 26 from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve Are you ready to party yourself into shape? Forget the workout, just lose yourself in the music and find yourself

allemande left and a do-si-do. All you need is a desire to have fun. Questions? Feel free to call Ken 305-343-1710; Randy 305-458-1649; Tom or Chris 954-525-8365. Dance fee only $5. Visit Caller4u.com. Wilton Manors Green Market Nov. 8, 9 & 15, 16 & 22, 23 & 29, 30 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Wilton Manors City Hall / Hagen Park Wilton Manors Green Market every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.– 2 p.m. in the Wilton Manors City Hall / Hagen Park parking lot. The Market features Organic Produce, Regular Produce, International Baked Goods, specialty items, spices & herbs, soups, cheeses, coffees & tea, bagels, Nuts & dried fruits, baked goods, and various other international and local

Dog Obedience Class, 6:30 p.m. at Hagen Park

Zumba Fitness, 7 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve

24 Preschool Story time, 10:30 a.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library

Family Storytime, 6:30 p.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Square Dancing, 7 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve Public Library

Zumba Fitness, 7 p.m. at Island City Park Preserve

in shape at the original dance-fitness party. Zumba classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats. Before you know it, you’ll be getting fit and your energy levels will be soaring! It’s easy to do, effective and totally exhilarating. Join the Party! City Commission Meeting Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. at City Hall Chambers (Nov. 11 meeting cancelled) 2020 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Brains and Balance Past 60 Nov. 12, 19 & 26 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Hagen Park Brains and Balance Past 60 is designed for the unique needs of active older adults who know the importance of staying mentally sharp and physically

stable. Researchers no longer believe that falling or losing your mental capacity are inevitable parts of the aging process and this fascinating class series operates based on the premise that specific exercises will decrease the risk of falling while increasing mental acuity. Family Storytime Nov. 12, 19 & 26 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library Island City Book Club Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library The Island City Book Club gathers at the library on the third Wednesday of each month. Reading selections include current and classic novels as well as popular nonfiction. All are welcome to join and help select our next book!

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