Florida Agenda

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Dale Madison

Just like Betty White in an episode of “Golden Girls” trying to hold her breath in a hospital elevator so she wouldn’t get sick, many of us disdain even the idea of visiting a hospital for fear we might catch something that’s airborne. It makes the fear of getting sick worse for some than the potential cure! Fortunately, times have changed, and hospitals are no longer the breeding ground for illness they once were. They have also changed when it comes to serving the disparate members of the community. One case in point is Imperial Point Medical Center (6401 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale).

Tom Kester, Regional Director of Surgical Services for Imperial Point—part of the Broward Health system—is a true friend to the LGBT community. He, along with Imperial Point’s new CEO, Abigail Fortey, have established meaningful ties to Greater Fort Lauderdale’s LGBT community, recognizing the relationship between community partnership and trust, and providing health care to that community. “One of the reasons that I joined Imperial Point was that we embrace domestic partnership rights,” notes Kester. “That is huge in the medical field. Of course,” he adds, “all of the Broward Health facilities recognize domestic partnerships.”

Kester points to the region’s changing needs in health care. “At one time we had a huge HIV/AIDS department. Now, thanks to medical treatment advances, we don’t see that need as it was 25 years ago,” he explains. “At that time, Father William Collins of The Poverello Center served as chaplain. He did so much good work, and he still does,” Kester adds, flashing a smile. He goes over some of the essential services Imperial Point provides.

“Women have so many services offered to them, such as mammograms and other health screenings.” And then there’s “the Man Van.”

“That is not the official name of the project,” Kester explains, laughing. “The idea behind it is that men have health issues, and this van will operate like some of the HIV screening vans do. We are eventually looking at the following tests to be done on site, or we will refer the patient to the proper specialist for further testing: Gastrointestinal/ colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, urology and prostate exams, cardiac screening, eye exams, diabetes screening, weight control, skin health, low testosterone, erectile dysfunction, and basic health education—and that’s just scratching the surface,” he adds.

Imperial Point is about to celebrate 40 years of providing uninterrupted service. The medical center plans to mark the occasion on Saturday, October 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with something for everyone including screenings for blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and more. The event will also feature free therapeutic chair massages, a Halloween-themed corner and bounce house for kids, caricature artist and face painting, food, refreshments, all sorts of prizes and giveaways, live entertainment, and the blood bank bus.

For more information, call (954) 759-7400, or visit browardhealth.org/40years.

By Dale Madison

Once upon a time, there was a legendary little watering hole near Sears Town called Lester’s Bar (it had first been called SyLa’s, after the original owners, but it underwent a name change in 1949). Around 1990, the landmark lounge was purchased by a customer, John Hitchcock (who was a big fan of the joint’s freshly-made hamburgers). Re-christening it the Cubby Hole, Hitchcock was the steward of the heritage establishment for 15 years before deciding to put it on the market.

Enter Teri Galardi and Gary Edmiston. “We looked at large clubs in Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale, and Oakland Park,” recalls Edmiston. “We heard about Cubby Hole, so we stopped in to have a drink and check the place out. We really liked it, and so we put the wheels in motion, and next thing you know Teri bought the place.”

There was a lot to attract Galardi and Edmiston to the location. “We really liked the ‘friendly, local watering hole.’ We wanted the bar to be laid back, comfortable feel,” explains Edmiston. He acknowledges there were concerns when they first over. “Local drug dealers were hanging out in the back alley. Teri started going to city council meetings, and we spoke to the local police about more patrols. We also installed more security cameras.” Eventually, the bad element got the message that they weren’t welcome.

Despite those changes for the better, some things have stayed exactly same— including the bar’s reputation for great food (including the burgers that helped “give birth” to it). “Our burger is 1/3-pound of fresh ground sirloin,” Edmiston justifiably brags. “I personally go out and purchase the sirloin every day. Every Friday is hot dog day, so many times I will make a Sloppy Joe sauce to go on the dogs. We really try to show our customers that they are number one to us,” he adds.

“We also have the longest happy hour in town. Seven days a week and customers can use their [free drink] chips anytime. Our philosophy is you should be able to use that chip when you want to use it,” says Edmiston.

Edmiston’s emphasis on service and quality date back to his days in uniform, military and culinary. “In 1975, I left the United States Air Force and joined Big Boy Restaurants. I was a manager for years,” he remembers. “I then went to work for a private club in Las Vegas, and then became Assistant Executive Chef at Vegas World Casino.” In Las Vegas, Edmiston began his professional association with Galardi.X

“I went to work for Teri at the Back Door Club, which was one of the largest gay clubs in Vegas. It was typical for us to have 500 patrons on any given night. Then Teri and I found Cubby Hole, and this has been home for me for the past three years,” says Edmiston. “I’ve had one day off in that time,” he adds with a smile, “but this has been a labor of love, so it makes it worthwhile.”

The Cubby Hole Bar is located at 823 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit thecubbyhole.com, and tell Gary and his staff that you read about them in Guy Magazine.

By Dale Madison

Tom Kauffman’s life is, in many ways, like the Beatles’ song, “The Long and Winding Road.”

Growing up in Rochester, New York (home of Eastman-Kodak), the talented BOOM Nightclub bartender dreamed of working for the world leader in film and camera production, and following graduation, he saw his dream fulfilled, being hired to join the industry giant’s construction and maintenance team.

“Some of the projects we developed had to be within 200 thousandths of an inch, to make sure that everything ran correctly. One project took nearly five years to complete,” remembers Kauffman. After the technological revolution of digital photo production, Kauffman found himself looking for gainful employment. “After 28 years [with Kodak], I started my own construction business. I was married—but was always ‘curious.’ I decided to go into a gay bar, and I realized that I was gay.”

Kauffman’s acceptance of his sexual identity brought him to patronize the largest leather bar in Rochester, the Bachelor Forum, a local LGBT landmark for 30 years. “I was there one night, and they were short-handed, so I started helping out with bar backing,” Kauffman recalls. “At closing, the owner asked, ‘What time can you be here tomorrow?’ I ended up on the bar very quickly, and was there for two years.”

The warm, intoxicating breezes of South Florida had been calling his name for some time, so in 2004 he packed up a U-Haul, and embarked for Fort Lauderdale. Arriving, he found employment in the local Levis-andleather scene at Scandals Saloon. “It was a great ride,” says Kauffman, “but then I had to have surgery on my wrists, and was no longer able to do the high/fast production that’s required at Scandals.”

It wasn’t long after his convalescence that Kauffman says he got a call from the management team at Boom. “They were beginning an early morning shift, opening at 9 a.m.,” he explains. “I am very much a morning person, and I enjoy that early morning crowd because I actually have an opportunity to converse, and I love getting to know the customers—so I jumped at the chance.”

Kauffman says his bar regulars— and new patrons who stroll through the Shoppes at Wilton Manors in the morning—are a big part of what makes his days consistently fun. “I have a great nucleus of regulars. Someone once asked me, ‘Who goes into a bar at 9 a.m.?’ I responded, “What if you are a night auditor, or work security and you get off at 7 a.m.—you stop and grab a bite to eat, and then it’s Happy Hour. Not everyone works from 9 to 5.”

You can catch Tom Kauffman behind the bar at Boom Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. His signature drink is the “Cocksucker.” (You can giggle.) He says to mix one ounce of Bailey’s® (or other Irish Cream), one ounce of butterscotch schnapps, and a splash of Southern Comfort. Bottoms up (or whatever your pleasure)!

By DALE MADISON

Personal trainer Dean Yanakis found more than a home when he moved to South Florida: He found a calling. He relates that his move to South Florida from the northeast—first to Fort Lauderdale, and then eventually to Wilton Manors— landed him a great condo, which doubles as a home-training facility, where he works with about 30 clients a week. The move also brought him into contact with the Poverello Food Bank, which was having problems feeding clients.

When he heard about the center’s Open Arms, Open Hearts food drive, Yanakis requested that a drop-off box be placed at his condo. Within one week, he had not only filled the box, but needed to call three times to have it emptied and replaced. That’s when he decided, “If I can do this with just my clients, what could I do if I made the entire complex aware?” The New York State-native called the agency, and asked that collection boxes be placed at all of the master mail boxes in his Wilton Manors condo. Since this was at the end of season, many of the snowbirds were heading north, and in the process of cleaning out their pantries. With so many grocery items to collect, Poverello required the space of an entire van for the pickup.

After Yanakis returned from a business trip to New York, he decided to immerse himself in a cause that would put those in need with work that enabled them to earn their keep. “I’d watch how so many of the charities hand out money or food, but don’t really ask for help in return. I love Poverello and the amazing work that they do. With all of those people coming in for help, why are they not volunteering to help in the food bank, in the sorting room, or in the retail store?” he wondered.

“I wanted to help those who want to help themselves. So a group of friends and I got together, and we scoped out a plan to help those who are willing to put forth an effort to jump start their lives,” Yanakis explains. “We all have special talents that we can direct to help others,” he adds.

Yanakis outlines the application process for Less Fortunate. “When a person applies, we ask for all of their income—everything, none of this working under the table. We want people to be honest with us, and then we take all of their legitimate expenses—rent, utilities, car expenses, including insurance and fuel to and from work only, food—all of the basics.

No alcohol, no smoking, no drugs, nothing recreational. We will then do a spread sheet.

“As an example, if someone has income of $1,800, and expenses of $2,200, we will work with them to find an additional $400 to get them through the month. We partner them with someone who can help them. We recently had a man who needed someone to walk his dog, because he had had knee replacement surgery. He was willing to pay $20 a day, which made up the difference for what a young dog walker needed in order to meet all of his monthly expenses,” Yanakis proudly notes, the perfect winwin scenario.

For more information about Less Fortunate, email fldean2012@aol.com.

By DALE MADISON

While still a young man living in Dayton, Ohio, Dr. J. Michael Heider (“Jay” to his friends) was impressed by the big difference he saw his hometown dentist making in the lives of people in his community. Although only one man, that dental practitioner had a positive impact on many people— including the future Dr. Heider, who earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at Ohio State University in Columbus, and completed his general practice residency at Miami Children’s Hospital.

“I really loved South Florida, so I decided to stay here and begin my practice,” recalls Heider. “This was not too long after the Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCC) [now the Pride Center at Equality Park] opened.

I read an article about the GLCC, and decided to check it out. I showed up one day, looked at the services, and decided to volunteer.”

Heider had been introduced to the future Pride Center during a difficult time. “Unfortunately, I volunteered at one of the Center’s darkest periods,” he relates. “I continued to volunteer, because I believed in the Mission Statement of the Center.” Heider explains: “At that point, there was lots of internal politics involved [in the organization]. There was a lot of controversy surrounding the person who was Executive Director. I was asked to serve on the Board of Directors.”

As Heider, who became president of the non-for-profit’s board, recalls, “During this dark time, local businessman Ed Nicholas took the reigns as the GLCC’s executive director, and donated his time to clean up and begin aggressive fundraising efforts to get the Center back in the black. It worked. During that year, money began to flow in, and the board tried to get Nicholas to stay on. He said, ‘No, I’ve given it a year and helped to turn it around.’ So we began the search for a new executive director. The Board interviewed several candidates—and then enter Paul Hyman. It was a great decision,” Heider adds.

Dr. J. Michael Heider (“Jay” to his friends)

With a professional executive director to take the reins, Heider says that as president, “My personal mission was to keep it up and going, and continue its vital services to the community.” The GLCC would soon experience major changes. “In 2007, Tarragon Development purchased the property on which the Center was located, to build a large complex, so the Center had to move. We occupied a couple of locations while we continued the search for a permanent site,” Heider remembers.

The Pride Center at Equality Park on North Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors was the ultimate fruit of those labors of love and hard work.

In recognition of those contributions, the Pride Center at Equality Park (under its new executive director, longtime community activist Robert Boo), will honor Dr. Heider and other board members, past and present, at an event on September 30.

Heider, who is celebrating 28 years with his partner, realtor Thom Carr, says he is glad to have been a part of the Pride Center’s past and present accomplishments, and anticipates a bright future for it, and the community it serves. “I am honored that the Pride Center has seen fit to recognize me.

The time I donated came from my heart, and there is such a need for the services it provides,” he adds. We might say the same about him.

Robert Darrow’s official title is “New Internet Sales,” but you will typically find him in Lipton Toyota’s newly-remodeled showroom, located at 1700 West Oakland Park Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. “One of the things that impressed me when I started is that 80 percent of all Toyotas sold in the past 20 years are still on the road. I think that speaks volumes about the quality of this worldwide brand. And Lipton is one of the top five Toyota dealers in the United States,” says Darrow. “There is a reason that Toyota is number one,” Darrow explains. “The Camry is number one in the U.S., and the Corolla is number one worldwide, with over 4 million units per year.”

Closer to home, Darrow says, “One thing that I have to say about Lipton Toyota is they are reaching out to the LGBT community, and they are sensitive to our issues.”

In addition, “Toyota has a special nationwide program called ‘Celebrating Volunteers,’ which has a goal of maintaining our natural, cultural, and historical sites. All of the teams at every location across the country are encouraged to participate.”

The master salesman, and Chicago native, says that his odyssey from the Land of Lincoln to the Land of Lipton wasn’t a straight line. “I had a solid career in real estate in Chicago, and then, of course, the market collapsed,” he recalls. “My partner, Steve, had an offer on South Beach—he’s a property manager for a 700-unit complex—and we both loved to be near the ocean.” (This may help explain his Facebook-posted motto: “I’d rather be sailing.”)

“We were tired of cold and snow, and so we located a home, and packed up last April 11—and here we are,” he adds. “I first took a position with Keller-Williams real estate in Fort Lauderdale, and then one day I received a phone call from a head hunter. I took a drive to Lipton Toyota, and I was taken around the entire facility. I was very impressed, and when they made me an offer, I accepted. ‘Sales’ is ‘sales,’” says Darrow, “whether you are selling cars, appliances, or whatever. If you have a passion for sales, you can sell ice to Native Alaskans, it just doesn’t matter,” he offers, while noting that the sales cycle in car sales is much quicker than it is in real estate.

The car answer man has some suggestions for people considering a new—or “preloved”— automobile purchase. “Come out Tuesday through Thursday, because those are less busy days, and you will get much more individual attention. Treat the salesperson as a source of information—we have so many specialized programs to help people get into a car and drive away,” he offers.

Robert Darrow

Like the cars he sells, Darrow comes fully loaded with great advice on leasing and buying, and invites you to take advantage of his expertise and experience. To set an appointment, call Robert Darrow at Lipton Toyota at 954-446-9001, and tell him you read about him in Agenda Newspaper.

By DALE MADISON

Wilton Drive will soon welcome its newest watering hole, when the Village Pub makes its “rebut” (pronounced “raybyoo,” as in, second debut) during the next few weeks. Business partners Greg Phelps, Mark Byard, Alex Sadeghi, and Jerry Yerich say they plan to revolutionize the bar business.

The owners say they are both intrigued and encouraged by an unexpected occurrence during the construction of the bar (which will be at 2283 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors), was once the location for J.J.’s Otherside and, more recently, The Mix: The contractor discovered that back in the 1970s the bar had been named “The Village Pub.”

“When Mark and I created the name and the logo we had no idea that this was the original name,” said Phelps, a veteran behind a bar for nearly 20 years. “With help of Wilton Manors’ the Grande Dame Diane Cline, we even found photos of the location’s original façade. Diane is helping create our ‘Wilton Manors Wall,’ which will include historic photos, memorabilia, and facts about our great little town,” he adds.

“We will have six separate sound zones that can be independently controlled,” notes Byard about their plans for the interior. “One will be for the sports bar, one on the dance floor, one for the main bar, and the others will be for the outside areas.

If you look at the building from the front you will notice first all new doors. We are also removing the covered windows, and installing what will appear to be garage doors, so that during good weather they will be opened with a slatted air wall inside,” to help regulate sound going onto the Drive. Phelps added that the position of the VJ booth will include a full view of the entire bar, so that the sound and videos can be adjusted at a moment’s notice.

Along with individual video monitors around the bar, there will be a 76-inch screen located at the main bar. “In the center of the main bar will be a retractable stage for performances, so that anyone at any place in the lounge will be able to see from any vantage point,” Phelps explains, adding, “We want to make this a real destination in Wilton Manors.”

Concerning the ever-present Wilton Drive parking issue, Byard says that in addition to a dedicated back lot, “we have already contracted for valet service, so no one will need to worry about getting a ticket or getting towed. We don’t want anyone to worry about that.” Phelps and Byard say they are shooting for an opening before Halloween.

You can view images of the bar construction’s work in progress at villagepubwm.com.

By DALE MADISON

See George Knittel’s face, and you instantly recognize him as one of South Florida’s iconic bartenders who continues to please crowds with a smile that is just as big as his heart. “I moved here 26 years ago, having grown up in Philly,” Knittel says. “My grandparents owned a bar, and I sort of grew up in the industry.”

Like Woody Allen’s “Zelig,” Knittel has seen his share of landmark happenings. “I actually started bartending in the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel [in Philadelphia], which was where so many fell ill in 1976 to Legionnaires’ disease. I started working there once the complete remodeling took place,” Knittel adds. “I had always been ‘curious’ about being gay, but in the 1970s you just didn’t act on it,” Knittel recalls. “My first gay bartending job was at Steps in Philly, on Delancey Street, and I walked around with a tool belt around my waist for two months.

“One man came up to me and asked if I was a bartender or a construction worker,” he remembers, laughing. “I did that job working Happy Hour for two years. Then a man by the name of Alan Kachin came to me and asked me to work for him in a new bar called Equus, and I worked for him for the next 10 years.” Equus became one of the city’s hottest disco night clubs of the 70s and 80s.

“Kachin then moved,” to South Florida, Knittel recalls, “and opened Hombre in South Beach, and then later The Eagle in Fort Lauderdale, and we have been good friends ever since. My first bartending job here was at the Breakers Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, and I was there for five years.”

Locals may remember the original Georgie’s, on West Sunrise Boulevard, in the location now occupied by Slammer. They may also recall seeing a familiar face slinging drinks behind the bar there.

“I was at the original Georgie’s on Sunrise, along with entertainer Tony Griffin and the late Lee McCall. Following that stint, I opened Every Nook and Cranny, a restaurant, but after eight years I got the itch for bartending again, so I went back to a little bar on Wilton Drive simply called the Martini Bar, and then over to the original Bill’s Filling Station on 13th Street.” His own personal “bar crawl” would lead him to Matty’s on the Drive, where friends and fans can now find him. “Now I feel like I am home at Matty’s,” he beams.

Knittel’s signature cocktail is a “Goose Cosmo.” “Start by chilling the glass, and in a shaker, mix two-and-a-half ounces of Grey Goose vodka, a dash of Stoli Orange, a dash of Cointreau (triple sec), a dash of cranberry juice, and garnish with an orange slice. Try one!”

Catch George Knittel weekends at Matty’s on the Drive, 2426 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, and tell him you heard about him and Matty’s in Agenda.

By DALE MADISON

Ken Hill resembles nothing so much as a proud father as he surveys the progress that contractors have made on his soon-to-open Infinity Lounge (2184 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, in the Gables Wilton Park condominium), which he plans to unveil soon. Considering that he just signed the lease in June is a tribute to that progress. “The City of Wilton Manors has been superlative,” Hill says. “They have worked with us so graciously. I know I have heard stories about how difficult they can be, but they have just been amazing for me to work with.” His praise extends to the contractor he chose. “Believe me, you have to be very selective—but they have just been here when they say they are going to be, and have been phenomenal,” he adds.

Hill has applied that selectiveness to every facet of the build-out, not least in the décor and environment he plans to invoke. “I picked the deep blue color for the walls, as I feel it’s very relaxing—to almost a ‘Zen’ type of feeling,” he says. “The Tiffany turquoise blue adds another great accent color.” He describes the painstaking detail, including an upholstered banquette and chandeliers. “I think we’re going to have one great upscale place,” Hill predicts, paternal pride in evidence.

Of the service and libations, Hill calls to mind “Martinis and old fashioned drinks. It’s going to not be your regular bar.” He describes the upscale, casual-formal vision for Infinity Lounge: “I wanted something that people would want to dress up for to go out—somewhere that you would want to put on a pressed shirt and nice slacks, or—if you’re a lady—a dress or skirt,” he chuckles at the Gayborhood irony. “Sorry I just had to say that.” Hill also plans outside, alfresco seating.

“There are enough eateries along the Drive that do a great job—I want to provide great drinks, and great music, and an environment that other locations don’t offer,” he explains. “I am trying to target a different segment of the market,” Hill adds. “I want my own niche, and I want to add to the Drive. To me, that’s what makes our community as great as it is, let’s ‘add to,’ and not take away from.”

Hill plans to open Infinity Lounge within the next few weeks. “I am hoping within two weeks, but as we all know, it depends on the final Certificate of Occupancy.”

For more information, visit infinityloungefl.com, or facebook.com/infinityloungefl.