Congratulations William Pollard of Ann Arbor, Michigan for winning a FREE 3 night stay at The Cabanas Guesthouse & Spa. Not
only did William win a 3 night stay at this beautiful gay Wilton Manors guesthouse, he also won a $100 gift certificate to The Cabanas’ own European style men’s day spa.
Don’t forget, the drawings are quarterly. So be sure to register to win here.
As if they weren’t amazing enough, let’s add some fundraising action into the mix. This coming Thursday join Juiceblendz at their
gay Wilton Manors location as they raise money for our local gay Fort Lauderdale Pride Center.
This Thursday, 20 percent of the proceeds that Juiceblendz makes will be donated to The Pride Center. Between 6 and 10 that night, the event will come to a head with something special going on (oh lala).
This really is a great event for a really amazing community establishment dedicated to spreading pride throughout gay Fort Lauderdale. So come on out and grab a smoothie, it’s for a good cause!
If there were ever a night to eat out, it’s April 28, 2011. Join Dining Out For Life (DOFL) at a participating restaurant and a portion of
your bill will be donated to support local services in the fight against AIDS.
DOFL is a one-day international fundraiser that benefits non-profit service agencies in over 55 metropolitan areas across the United States and Canada. The Miami New Times and New Times Broward are co-hosting the fundraising event and on April 29 all of the participating businesses will hand over the donations to Care Resource, South Florida’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS service organization.
The donation will help Care Resource continue to provide services like intensive primary healthcare, testing, clinical trials and comprehensive support services.
DOFL is one of the best fundraising events that the LGBT community has ever seen in Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors and Miami and it’s a short drive to many of the the participating restaurants from The Cabanas Guesthouse and Spa.
For a full list of participating restaurants click here.
Okay, I cannot be the only one who walks into the Starbucks on 26th street in Wilton Manors and feels like
I walked in to my high school cafeteria…but, ya know, in a good way.
Seriously, we have the athletes in one corner, the intellects in another, the token artist drawing in a booth and the overly tanned girls waiting for their drinks at the counter. Typical.
But in all seriousness, this is probably my favorite place to be during the day. The staff is super nice and SO perky. You might walk in having an off day, but you’ll more than likely leave with a reason to smile.
You really can’t beat the entertainment factor either. In, like, the 20 minutes that I’ve been sitting here writing this blog I’ve overheard a discussion about feet, Grindr, and the ability to be rude without being rude (whatever that really means). And I love the guy in the corner of the bar pretending to read a powerpoint print-out. I say pretending because every time I look up his eyes are peeking over the paper at the super cute guy about 2 feet away from me. Again, typical.
Such is Starbucks in Wilton Manors.
This Starbucks is located near The Cabanas Guesthouse and Spa.
When people participate in a fundraiser, they like to know where their money goes and with Pride Center at Equality Park’s annual
Stars of The Rainbow this year, there will be no doubt.
“This year we sought sponsors to underride all of the cost of the event which will allow 100-percent of the $150 ticket to go to the vital lifesaving services that the Center offers,” said Deputy Director Kristofer Fegenbush.
Fegenbush said that he thinks it’s important for the community to know this.
“In this economy, they want the way they invest their money to make a difference,” he said.
The Pride Center does so much for the GLBT community. It was founded in 1993 by philanthropist Alan Schubert who recognized the need for a comprehensive program of services to support the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, primarily in Broward County. The Pride Center, a not-for-profit organization, was established and now serves as a source for information, education, advocacy and support.
Their mission statement is “We provide a welcoming, safe space — an inclusive home that celebrates, nurtures and empowers the LGBTQ communities and our friends and neighbors in South Florida.”
To keep their programs going, they need to raise money and Stars of the Rainbow is their biggest annual event. With the sponsorship of Wachovia, they are sure to meet this need.
AWESOME HONOREES
In addition to its fundraising goal, Stars of the Rainbow is also a time when the community can come together and honor those who donate their heart and soul to it. Stars of the Rainbow honorees represent individuals, businesses and organizations that exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and/or activism — those who represented the GLBT community in a positive light, and have supported the efforts of the Pride Center. This year’s honorees are: Board Member Star of the Year: Pastor Leslie Tipton; Community Stars of the Year: Nikki Adams, Broward House and Donna Markland, Broward County Health Department; Non-Profit Star of the Year: Trevor Project; Media Star of the Year: South Florida Gay News – Norm Kent, Publisher; Public Official Stars of the Year: Congresswoman Ileana Ross-Lehtinen, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Tyler Healis; Sustainability Award: Arthur Smith; Volunteer Star of the Year: PALS Project Volunteers; and Alan Schubert Humanitarian Award: Will Spencer.
“This group that’s being honored — they’re really a great group of people,” Fegenbush said. “I’m really excited about them. The people honored have made such a difference. These are people who have invested blood, sweat and tears. You look at these people and you think, ‘Wow.’”
“I feel humbled to stand with them next month and applaud,” he added.
COCKTAIL FOR A CAUSE
Stars of the Rainbow used to be a sit down event, but as of last year, they changed the concept — it’s now a two hour cocktail party with delicious food, drinks and entertainment.
“It’s really a fun, classy cocktail party,” Fegenbush said. “People responded to it well last year — they had a blast!”
He said that it gives people a time to network and mingle with the honorees.
“And they can maybe even get a date,” he said.
Stars of the Rainbow is on Sunday, April 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in the Crystal Ballroom. Tickets cost $150. For tickets and more information on the event, visit www.PrideCenterFlorida.org
Stars of The Rainbow
Sunday, April 3, 2011
4 to 6 p.m.
Crystal Ballroom
Hyatt Regency Pier 66
2301 SE 17th Street Causeway, Fort Lauderdale
Source: Hotspotsmagazine.com
This is awesome! After over 150,000 people signed the petition at Change.org and intense media coverage
worldwide, Apple has pulled the iPhone application launched by Exodus International that claimed gay people could be “cured.”
This is an epic win for the gay community especially with the dangerous myth circulating that young gay people can be “turned straight.” It’s these falsehoods that are perpetuating depression and suicides among children and young adults.
Truth Wins Out, the organization that started the petition on Change.org, is thrilled.
Apple did the right thing because an incredible 151,125 Change.org members stood together to demand it.
On Sunday February 27th, in conjunction with the nationally televised Oscars, The Manors Entertainment Complex hosted the 2nd Annual Besties Awards, a ceremony recognizing the best of the best local businesses that cater to the gay consumer.
The awards, which are broken down into categories (like The Oscars), offer not only bragging rights for the winners, but a genuine claim to the exceptionally high standards of service that are provided by their businesses.
Over the past five years alone, the continual investments into The Cabanas amenities and services have generated quite a following within the global gay community, resulting in over 70% of their bookings coming from return guests, year after year. Even through the harsh and extensive economic downfall, The Cabanas Guesthouse & Spa has maintained their growth by providing a truly remarkable experience coupled with unprecedented customer service.
Other nominees within the “Best Guesthouse” category included Aragon Inn, Ed Lugo Resort, Orton Terrace, Pineapple Point, The Royal Palms, and The Worthington.
Hosted by Joe Posa (in drag as Joan Rivers) and his equally interesting sidekick, Mikey Verdugo, the ceremony drew in a packed house. The Oscars were displayed live on numerous oversized screens for those in attendance, while The Besties Awards were presented during each commercial break. The classy, red carpet atmosphere, along with the issuance of awards made for a genuinely exciting and equally entertaining evening.
Upon acceptance of their award, John Dorry and Bill Barnish (owners of The Cabanas Guesthouse & Spa) thanked the community, their loyal and ever-expanding customer base, and Lary Arnett of Times Ten Creative Marketing Solutions for his outstanding work which has helped them achieve the status of “The Best Guesthouse in Fort Lauderdale.”
“On behalf of Bill, myself and the entire staff at The Cabanas Guesthouse & Spa are very grateful and thankful for all of the support we have received over the past 10 years and happily look forward to many more years of offering our guests a joyful and memorable experience at our Guesthouse & Spa”.
For more information, a virtual tour, or to book reservations at the multiple-award-winning Cabanas Guesthouse & Spa, visit them online at www.TheCabanasGuesthouse.com today. To book by phone or to inquire about special requests, contact The Cabanas by phone at 954.564.7764 or 866.564.7764 (toll-free). As the Besties Award implies, there isn’t a finer place to stay during your next visit to Gay Fort Lauderdale.
Join us this Friday, Saturday or Sunday for the opening of Fort Lauderdale’s newest gallery, ‘The Art of Communication’, featuring a variety of mixed media pieces composed by both local and international artists, including a work by the prominent American artist Robert Rauschenberg .
The ‘Art of Communication’ offers an upbeat, mod-contemporary feel in a vibrant yet relaxed setting. With an assortment of varying works in many different styles and mediums, the gallery provides a well-rounded display sure to spark the interest of any art fan, whether admirer or aficionado.
Founder and owner Beau Arnold has contrived a collection of quality work from a diverse group of artists in an effort to promote communication between the public and the artists. The gallery is open to all styles and influences, with focus put forth on both contemporary and cutting edge art.
For the grand opening, ‘The Art of Communication’ will be showing original paintings, printed work, sculptures, photography and custom creations. Be sure to drop by for complimentary champagne & truffles as you acquaint yourself with the owner and other visitors at one of the area’s most promising new galleries. For more info, visit their website at www.theartofcomm.com
The 5 W’s
Who: ‘The Art of Communication’ by Beau Arnold
What: Grand Opening Display
Where: 943 NE 19 Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33334 (off Sunrise Blvd. near Gateway Theater)
When: Friday March 4th, Saturday March 5th from 7-10pm and Sunday March 6th from 5-7pm
Why: To experience, appreciate and socialize over complimentary champagne & truffles
No, this is not a movie about a man’s addiction to cigarettes, but rather one man’s (Jim Carrey) unending love for another man (Ewan McGregor), although he’s definitely someone who should come with a big warning label.
This comedy-drama is based on a true story and, like some true stories, it is not only stranger than fiction, but also less believable. Yet it actually happened.
Steven Russell was a police officer in Georgia, an organist at a conservative church and, according to his wife, “a devoted Christian family man.” In addition, he was gay and deeply closeted until a near-fatal car accident convinced him he should be true to himself. The problem is that he was also a consummate conartist whose insurance fraud…. Read More at Wilton Drive Online