As most of you have heard by name Madame’s in Sunny Isles closed for renovations after 5 years of successful business.  They re-opened under the new name Ruby-J's, and will be open Mon through Sat (6:00pm - 2:00am); closed on Sundays. Mondays will be open dining, Tuesdays Karaoke, Wednesdays will feature Live vocals of Terry Cain (formerly of Madame's Cabaret), Thursdays features Jazz & Blues with Katriva Riggins (an original Madame's cast member), and Fridays and Saturday will be Drag & Dine with the cast of Madame's featuring Nicolette, Nicole, & Franchesque with 3 shows nightly.  Show times will be 8:00, 10:00 & 12:00. The Grand Opening Nights will be Wed and Thurs Oct 24th & 25^th.

Broadway legend Barbara Cook appears in concert one night only, at 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. "An Evening With Barbara Cook" marks the first show of the 22nd season of the highly acclaimed Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus. As part of this special evening of song and dance, the 80-member Chorus will present several popular Broadway standards, Ms. Cook will join the Chorus for several numbers and then will have the spotlight to herself for a portion of the evening. Barbara Cook made her Broadway debut in 1951 as the ingénue lead in the musical "Flahooley." She subsequently played Ado Annie in the City Center revival of "Oklahoma!" followed by a national tour of that show. In 1954 she performed as Carrie Pipperidge in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel," and went on to create the role of Cunegonde in the original production of Leonard Bernstein's "Candide." This was followed by her creations of two classic roles in the America musical theater: Marian the Librarian in the premiere production of Meredith Willson's "The Music Man," a performance which earned her the Tony Award, and Amalia in the Bock-Harnick-Masteroff musical "She Loves Me." She has also had starring roles in "The Gay Life," "The Grass Harp," and the legendary City Center revival of "The King and I." Ms. Cook has enjoyed a sensational second career. The artist, who will turn 80 the week of her Fort Lauderdale appearance, has played to sold-out houses the past few years including her 1997 birthday concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Albert Hall in London, and a succession of triumphant performances in Carnagies Hall, where she made a legendary solo concert debut in 1975. Last year she became the first female pop singer to present a solo concert at the New York's Metropolitan Opera Company. She followed that with a sold-out return to Carnegie Hall to perform her sixth solo concert. Her joint performance with the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus is the latest in a succession of significant steps the Chorus has taken to become one of South Florida's most respected and treasured performing arts organizations. "The concert with Barbara Cook is one more step in promoting communitywide awareness and understanding of what we do," said Chorus Director Todd Wiley. "While we have been an integral part of the gay community for many years, we're pleased that a larger audience is finally discovering what a treasure the Chorus is. People from across South Florida are buying tickets and coming to see us, and we're constantly improving and growing, presenting a product that the entire community can be proud of." Wiley is now in his seventh season as the head of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus. He is an accomplished musician and conductor who has performed with Roger Williams, the New York Philharmonic, the Vienna Boys Choir and at the United Nations and has worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber. The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It is funded in part by Broward Cultural Division. The Chorus is composed of more than 80 performers of all ages and from highly diverse professional, ethnic and economic backgrounds. While many members have previously performed professionally, the Chorus is a volunteer organization that thrives on the continued hard work, dedication and loyalty of its members and numerous supporters. Learn more at www.ftlgmc.com. Tickets for this very special evening with one of Broadway's greatest treasures range from $20 to $150 and are on sale through the AutoNation Box Office, online at www.browardcenter.org or www.ftlgmc.org.

Carnival Center for the Performing Arts announced today the addition of 10 new shows, augmenting its exciting and star-studded second season with Latin music concerts, provocative new theater, educating and entertaining shows for young people, and the most popular choral work of the 20^th century. New Concerts - Carnival Center and Master Chorale of South Florida present the dramatically thunderous Carmina Burana, a choral work heard in hundreds of movies and commercials, performed live in the acoustically superb Knight Concert Hall. With the vibrant music and dance ensemble troupe Perú Negro already in the lineup, Carnival Center continues to bring the best of Latin America to all its stages. In the Studio Theater, Brazil’s Luciana Souza puts her sexy bossa nova spin on songs by Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Sting, and Randy Newman on January 12. Andy Palacio and the Garifuna Collective turn up the tempo and bring audiences to their feet with Afro-Caribbean beats and moving lyrics that pay tribute to the endangered Garifuna culture of Central America. Theater - Fulfilling Carnival Center’s ongoing initiative to present cutting-edge and thought-provoking works, the Center has added four new and widely diverse plays that explore topics from gender identification and gay rights to mental health and capital punishment. Becoming a Man in 127 Easy Steps, a co-presentation with Tigertail productions, is a comic autobiographical work by FTM (female-to-male) transgendered performer Scott Turner Schofield that challenges fundamental assumptions about gender, sex and identity. 1,000 Homosexuals, a new documentary/fantasy/comedy by Michael Yawney that paints anti-gay crusader Anita Bryant as a musical Joan of Arc battling a powerful and perverse gay mafia, is a Carnival Center commission co-presented with Camposition. On the other end of the spectrum, Last Words is a riveting original play based on the final thoughts emanating from the hearts and minds of death-row inmates performed as a unique and highly stylized series of monologues. Low, a co-presentation with Miami Light Project, is a one-woman floetry-fueled tour-de-force by Rha Goddess that cuts to the core of the harrowing world of mental illness through savage monologues, live-feed video and film projection. Carnival Center’s Education and Outreach Department will soon announce a series of pre- and post-performance discussions, including a partnership with WLRN-FM’s “Topical Currents,” that will accompany these performances. Visit www.carnivalcenter.org/educate for more details. For Young People - The beloved children’s picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar and two other Eric Carle favorites come to life on the Knight Concert Hall stage via black-light illuminated puppets and stirring music – making April 18 and 19 extra special days for preschoolers and parents alike. The Studio Theater gets a big top makeover when El Circo de Enriqueta y Agapito takes little children on an unforgettable Spanish-language adventure to a circus full of puppets, magic, jugglers, and clowns in the colorful entertainment concocted by Argentine theater veterans. And last, but not least, Mayhem Poets – a foursome of hip, young poets – perform a jamming slam of hip hop and theatrical rhythms and then give Miami middle and high school students an opportunity to freestyle on stage, right along with them. To purchase tickets, visit www.carnivalcenter.org or call the Box Office at (305) 949-6722. H.O.T. at Carnival Center offers full-time students, seniors (65 and over), and members of the military Half-Off Tickets purchased on the day of performance. You must present current picture I.D. on day of show at the Carnival Center Box Office Window; 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Downtown Miami and this is subject to availability of seats at time of purchase. Limit 1 ticket per purchase. The Carnival Center Box Office is open 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; beginning at noon on weekends when there is a performance scheduled; and two hours before every performance.

RENT is coming to Miami's Carnival Center for the Performing Arts from November 2- 4. Broadway's Smash-Hit Musical! Now in its 10^th Season of Love! Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about being young and learning to survive in NYC. Its about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize,  RENT has made a lasting mark on Broadway with songs that rock and a story that really resonates. Whether it's your 1^st time or your 100^th time, the time is now for RENT!

Carnival Center for the Performing Arts announced today its new “Arts & Activism” series – a six-part series of public discussions, produced in partnership with WLRN 91.3 FM’s “Topical Currents,” that offers artists, community activists, scholars and the general public an opportunity to examine issues and ideas raised by performances of new works to be presented at the Center this season. WLRN’s “Topical Currents,” the live issues-oriented call-in show moderated by Joseph Cooper, will host an on-air discussion with a featured artist, whose work will be presented at the Center shortly thereafter. Together with community activists, scholars and callers, the artist will discuss the ways his or her work examines and illuminates some of today’s most provocative issues. The first “Arts & Activism” segment, scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24, will examine the world of Bugchasers – communities of men who seek to become HIV positive and the subject of Octavio Campos’ dance-theater meditation on sex, lies, and death-wish eroticism. Joining Campos in the discussion is Dr. Michael Wohlfeiler, a prominent HIV/AIDS doctor at Mercy Hospital. Bugchasers then opens at Carnival Center on Thursday, October 25 (the day after the on-air program) for a three-day run, with free Q&A discussions directly following the performances on October 25 and 26. Future programs will include topics from gender identity and gay rights to mental health and capital punishment. Following the on-air discussion, audiences will have an opportunity to see the performance at Carnival Center and continue the discussions through post-performance Q&A sessions with the artists at Carnival Center. “Arts and Activism is a look into the minds of our artists, at what they believe and what inspired them to create the work that will be seen at the Center.  Our aim is to enrich the experience of our audience by hearing from experts before the show and inviting the public to provide feedback afterward,” said Justin Macdonnell, Carnival Center’s artistic director. Additional details, including information on panelists and post-performance Q&A sessions, will be available soon at www.carnivalcenter.org/educate. To purchase tickets or view information about the Carnival Center performances, please visit www.carnivalcenter.org or call the Box Office at 305.949.6722.

The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida (GLCC) proudly announces a celebration of “YOU!” honoring all volunteers, both past and present, with a fantastic event in your honor.  The appreciation event will be held at the beautiful home of GLCC Founder Circle Member, Michael Trost on Wednesday, October 24^th from 6-8 pm.  The event has been aptly named “YOU!” to recognize and thank each and every one of these remarkable people who contribute so much. "The GLCC is grateful beyond words for all of our volunteers, from our Board of Directors and HIV testing program volunteers, to over 40 volunteers that staff our switchboard - we simply could not operate without YOU," reported Nicole Martin, Operations Manager, GLCC. "At the national equivalent rate of pay for volunteers of $18.77 per hour, our volunteer program is valued at over $500,000 annually.  This is a very significant donation of time from each and every one of YOU!,” adds Martin.  All About Food Catering has graciously donated a fantastic buffet, and Crown Wine & Spirits, along with Boardwalk Bar, will generously be providing liquor and other beverages with a complimentary bar.  “It is promised to be a night filled with good people, fun, and is a cherished opportunity for your GLCC to thank “YOU,” our volunteers, and the community” shares Paul Hyman, Executive Director, GLCC.  Volunteers and their guests, Board members past and present, and the press are invited to attend. They ask that everyone RSVP by October 22nd to nicole@glccsf.org or 954-463-9005.  For more information about volunteering at the GLCC please visit our website at www.glccsf.org.

For the second year in a row, Sidelines Sports Bar was selected as one of the “Best Of Gay South Florida” businesses by Express Gay News’ South Florida edition. This year’s distinction doubled to two awards, the “Most Friendly Bar”, as chosen by the editors of Express Gay News and the “Best Happy Hour”, the readers’ choice. “Best of Gay South Florida 2007”, an annual online survey conducted by Express Gay News, asked its readers and editors to select the best of South Florida’s gay dining venues, nightlife, the arts, people, retailers, and community organizations. Among the many respondents, an overwhelming percentage singled out Sidelines Sports Bar in not one, but two separate categories.  The owners of Sidelines are both proud and grateful for this honor and wish to thank the readers of Express Gay News and the gay community for their continued support and patronage. “We are thrilled that Sidelines Sports Bar fulfills a niche in this community and are amazed as to its success after only eighteen month”, stated Laurie Whittaker, co-owner of Sidelines Sports Bar. “We vow to continue to provide our customers with a comfortable, relaxed and fun place to enjoy themselves.”  

Sidelines Sports Bar, with its 16 flat-screen TVs, 3 pool tables, 3 dartboards, and other video games, continues to provide a fun, friendly and comfortable environment for gay men and women who enjoy all kinds of sports. Sidelines Sports Bar is located at 2031-A Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, Florida, 33305. Their telephone number is (954) 563-8001 or you can also visit them online at www.sidelinessports.com.

The Palm Beach Board of County Commissioners and the Gainesville City Commission are currently in the process of amending their equal employment and fair housing ordinances to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity.   Efforts are also under way in Broward and Pinellas Counties to convince elected officials there to do the same.  Enacting prohibitions against discrimination based on gender identity became a legislative priority for Florida civil rights activists after the Largo City Commission fired its city manager last spring after 14 years on the job.  The action was taken after the St. Petersburg Times revealed the city manager intended to transition from male to female. "What happened in Largo could happen to any of the transgender people living and working in Florida," warned Hoch. More than 230 major corporations have established policies prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity. "In the 2007 legislative session, Senator Deutch and Representative Skidmore introduced bills to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation," said Hoch.  "However, since insurance and taxes were at the forefront of the legislative agenda, the bills did not move forward." In the last legislative session, Senator Dave Aronberg (D-Greenacres) and Representatives Mary Brandenburg (D-West Palm Beach), Susan Bucher (D-West Palm Beach), Faye Culp (R-Tampa), Keith Fitzgerald (D-Sarasota), Richard Machek (D-Boca Raton), Ari Porth (D-Coral Springs), Scott Randolph (D-Orlando), Elaine Schwartz (D-Hollywood), Priscilla Taylor (D-West Palm Beach), Shelley Vana (D-West Palm Beach) and Jim Waldman (D-Coconut Creek) co-sponsored the Deutch-Skidmore civil rights bills. Since no action was taken by the legislature, Governor Charlie Crist never went on the record concerning amending Florida's anti-discrimination laws. Even so, some activists are optimistic. "Governor Crist has been a leader on civil rights throughout his career," said Council Vice President Deidre Newton.  "We hope he will consider this an issue of fundamental fairness." Earlier this year, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council asked Governor Crist to issue an executive order prohibiting discrimination in state employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, or marital status.  However, no action has yet been taken on the Council's request. Across the nation, thirteen states (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington) and the District of Columbia have enacted laws prohibiting discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. Seven more states (Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York and Wisconsin) have laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. 

Most Americans know the bullet points of Darren Hayes' pop career.  They begin with two words: Savage Garden.  As the lead voice and co-songwriter of those two massive Billboard Number One singles 'Truly Madly Deeply' and 'I Knew I Loved You' he enjoyed global sales of over 25 million records. After just two multi platinum hit albums, his band Savage Garden parted ways and Darren decided to do his own thing.  This included two solo albums, the first being 2002's Poptastic 2 million selling UK and Australian top 5 album Spin.  His 2^nd solo album, a deep, dark and broodingly electronic confessional The Tension and the Spark featured collaborations with experimental programmers Robert Conley, the renowned Marius De Vries (Rufus Wainwright, Bjork) and mixes by Mark 'Spike' Stent (Madonna, Mirwais, Massive Attack).  He spent 2 years touring the U.K, Australia and Asia with variations of a stage show created with long time U2 show designer Willie Williams (U2, Rolling Stones, We Will Rock You).   In fact last summer he played to over 30 thousand Brits and triumphantly filmed two sold out and stunningly reviewed shows at Australia's prestigious Sydney Opera House. Darren will be a special guest star in the Macy's Cloud Nine Casino at the Villa Vizcaya on Saturday, November 24th and will be performing at 9:30 pm. This is Darren's re-emergence into the U.S. market after a six year absence and Care Resource and The White Party are especially proud that he has picked the White Party at Vizcaya to do his re-launch in the United States. That same evening International Superstar Cyndi Lauper will be performing on the main stage.

Bill’s Grand Opening

The Grand Opening of the latest addition to the Wilton Manors scene, Bill’s Filling Station, is this weekend, Friday October 19th & Saturday 20th and will include performances by Cashetta and Sean Ensign. According to Jackson Padgett, “Bill’s is growing up.” All of the memorabilia from the location on 13th street has made the move, including the old time gas pump, license plates and photos. There’ll still be pool tables, a few more dart boards and plasma TVs all over the place. Drink prices stay the same, everyone is welcome and the parking is always free. So what’s changing? Well, a popular painting from the old location depicting cowboys at a marble bar has been digitally captured and blown up to cover an entire wall. There will be a live VJ and the videos will be displayed on a “tower of power” similar to the center bar in Hard Rock's Casino. Patrons will be served from three bars inside, with one serving high end Cognac’s, wines and other upscale liquors. Also look for a small dance floor, special events stage, banquettes made out of car seats, the return of finger foods, and even a photo booth where you can capture your good times, or snap a quick photo with that “friend” you just met. The interior was designed by Yamir Studio, another recent addition to Wilton Drive. “We want it to be sexy, fun and exciting and at the same time respect the tradition of Bill’s”, said Jackson. When asked if we could sneak a photo of the construction the answer was, “We’d like everyone to be completely surprised.”  And after seeing the soft opening this past monday, I assure you; this is going to be one fantastic addition to the drive. 

Victor Zepka and Gary Santis Annual Miss Florida Contest

Believe it or not the time has flown by and the annual Miss Florida and Miss Florida at Large pageants will be held on Sunday October 21st and Monday October 22 at 8pm both days at the beautiful Deauville Beach Resort. This year celebrates the 35 Anniversary of the world’s longest running and most prestigious Female Impersonation Pageant in the entire country. Many contestants from around the state of Florida will arrive on Miami Beach to compete for the coveted Crown to be relinquished by Female Impersonators Miss Florida 2005 Ft. Lauderdale’s own Champagne Bordeaux, and Miss Florida At Large 2005 Sasha Summers. You won’t believe your eyes as these beautiful female impersonators take the stage for this lavish grand finale to the 2007 pageant season for both Miss Florida and Miss Florida At Large. The contestants will be judged on Evening gowns, Talent, Q&A and the Swimsuit competition is always the crowd’s favorite. The competition will be very exciting. Over 20 former pageant winners will be present, one of which will be the incredibly talented Nikki Addams (1981), celebrating her 25^th year anniversary!  This is the most anticipated event of the year so please make your reservations to ensure good seats!  The Deauville Beach Resort is offering an exclusive pageant rate starting at $99.00 a night!  To make reservations please call Victor Zepka at 305-502-6000.

We aren’t sure if you have been hearing the buzz about the Black Banana club coming to Fort Lauderdale, but I got the inside scoop on what this excitement is all about. Owner, AJ Cross, whom most of you probably know best from his days at the legendary Cupids Cabaret in West Palm Beach, in conjunction with Express Entertainment, LLC, has purchased the location formerly known as Manhattan South, located on the border of Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. The building has been completely gutted out and any of you that may have been to Manhattan South would never recognize this new space soon to inhabit The Black Banana. What is The Black Banana? The Black Banana was a legendary club from the late 70’s, located in Philadelphia, made famous not only as an exclusively minority based night club and lounge, or by the many famous people that performed there, but more importantly because of the hundreds of gay minority artists that were able to receive or continue their education through grants awarded by the clubs owner Gary Melmick. The club was burned down in a hate crimes related incident in the mid 80’s and was inducted into the GLCC Hall of Fame, as well as the building, after being rebuilt deemed a historical landmark in Pennsylvania. AJ Cross after many months of negotiations and the commitment to bring the legendary club to the South Florida market purchased the rights to the name, brand, logo and gay minority artists fund which he stated was the most fantastic piece of this whole project.  The Black Banana will be unique, from the cascading waterfall at the entrance, to the plasma dance floor, state of the art lighting visual effects and sound, and a virtual museum of local gay minority artwork all throughout the urban environment. One of the things you will notice first when you arrive at The Black Banana to be located at 6890 Powerline Road, will be the Valet Parking, available to everyone.  As you enter the club you will be greeted by a professional and courteous Security Staff and you will be surprised that you NEVER PAY A COVER…instead you will pay a DONATION.  The Black Banana will take 12% of its annual revenue and award grants to gay minority artists to continue the legacy of the original club.  AJ, as many of you know is extremely well known for his generosity and being community minded, and The Black Banana Gay Minority Artists Fund, (BBGMAF) has a board comprised of investors, South Florida elite and community leaders, that will review grant submissions by gay minority artists and award grants for education. The Black Banana will be a venue for anyone who enjoys Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz and Rhythm & Blues Music. The Black Banana will provide employment opportunities for minorities in the South Florida whom often times are not given the same opportunities elsewhere. Many charity events showcasing minority based artwork will be hosted at the club to raise money for the BBGMAF, as well as quarterly concerts with well-known recording artists and local bands. The interior of the club was designed to mimic a New York City alley, infused with the same lofty feeling of some of the most historical buildings in New York.  The VIP Lounge, exclusively for VIP PASS holders, showcases a private restroom, 42” Plasma Screen, Butler Service and a lavish design and is also enclosed unlike many other VIP areas in clubs in South Florida, to ensure privacy.  VIP Passes are actually being sold through a jumponmarkslist.com sponsorship in which you will be able to download and print a coupon taking off $500 for the annual pass, but here is what VIP Pass holder are getting.  FREE VALET,  FREE ACCESS to VIP Lounge, Pre-concert/Live Event VIP Party, Recording Artists Meet & Greets, and the most amazing benefit to being a Black Banana VIP is that you NEVER PAY FOR DRINKS…(bottle service not included) all of that for an astounding $1,000 for the year.  WHY so much for so little? The VIP Members will be the core of the success of The Black Banana because they will help to share the message of how important this club will be to the community and the 50% of the money raised from the sale of VIP passes will be immediately deposited into The Black Banana Minority Artist fund. Keep checking here for more information the legendary Black Banana.

You can find out more about the Black Banana on Mark's List, http://frontpage.jumponmarkslist.com/bars/black_banana_gay_bar.htm

Florida's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has implemented a policy allowing Florida Department of Financial Services ("DFS") employees to use sick leave to care for their domestic partners. DFS currently employs 2,560 Floridians. As stated in the DFS employee handbook, which will be distributed to new employees on October 16, the department's sick leave policy was revised "to be responsive to the changing needs of society, and to treat all persons fairly and equitably." Sink's policy change was initiated at the request of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, a non-profit organization that has been in the forefront of domestic partnership issues in Florida. On the day Sink was sworn into office last January, a letter from Council President Rand Hoch was hand-delivered to James Cassady, Sink's Chief of Staff.  In the letter, Hoch asked Sink to consider granting DFS employees with domestic partners the same family benefits as married employees. DFS staff began working on the Council's request last April. "CFO Sink's pro-family policy recognizing domestic partners is a significant first step for Florida," said Hoch. “Hopefully, Governor Crist will direct Department of Management Services Secretary Linda South to investigate the possibility of offering domestic partner benefits to all state employees.” Currently, the University of Florida, Florida International University, Broward Community College, Florida Keys Community College, Hillsborough Community College and Miami-Dade College are the only state employers offering the full range of domestic partner benefits. Those benefits include health insurance, as well as sick leave and bereavement leave. "In light of CFO Sink's new policy, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council will soon ask Attorney General Bill McCollum and Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson to revise their sick leave policies to allow employees with domestic partners the same benefit as they offered to married employees," said Hoch.

This past week, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County voted to insure the domestic partners of its employees. Commissioners Effie Grear, Richard Machek and Jonathan Satter voted if favor of adding the benefits.  Commissioners David Goodlett and Stanley Pierce voted against."Despite the close vote, it is encouraging that one more public employer in Palm Beach County has taken steps to recognize domestic partners as members of their employees'  families," said Rand Hoch, President of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. Other public employers in Palm Beach County offering domestic partner health insurance include the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, the School District of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, the Office of the Clerk and Comptroller, the Office of the Property Appraiser, the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, the Office of the Tax Collector, the Port of Palm Beach, Palm-Tran, the Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority, the Cities of Delray Beach, Lake Worth and West Palm Beach, and the Town of Jupiter. In November 2006, the Council sent Health Care District Commissioners a comprehensive report on domestic partner benefits. After a year of consideration, Heath Care District Commissioners brought the issue to a vote at their October 10 meeting. While much of the debate focused on cost, ultimately, a majority voted to provide the benefits despite the increase cost to the Health Care District. Commissioner Satter, the leading proponent of adding the benefits told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, "This is the agency where one of its largest missions is to make sure everyone has coverage.  Everyone should be entitled to health insurance, if it's appropriate, and I believe it's appropriate."

2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of The AIDS Memorial Quilt, and to honor this occasion in observance of World AIDS Day 100 % of the 47,000 panels which equal 6,000 12 ft. by 12 ft. sections will be blanketing the country with love, understanding, and compassion. When the NAMES Project South Florida chapter announced its plans to host a display of 80 12 x 12 sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt at Hagen Park on December 1^st, they were inundated by requests from South Florida panel makers. Many people had not seen their loved ones panels since they made them and they were overjoyed at the opportunity to bring a portion of the AIDS Memorial Quilt home. Given the enormity of the circulation of Quilt this year we found it very difficult if almost impossible to be able to fulfill these requests.  As panel makers they know how much it means to be able to view and remember those we held dear to our hearts.  They have made the decision to postpone the display and although this was not an easy decision it gives us the opportunity to make the majority of those requests possible. The display will take place during Pride on April 12 & 13^th 2008.  They invite your participation, to request a panel, assist with the display or make a panel for a loved one please e-mail Panels123@aol.com or call the South Florida chapter at 954-599-7782.

The Naked Grape Wine Bar is pleased to welcome Oscar to the Naked Grape Wine Bar. Oscar comes to us from the former Vincent Restaurant. He is pleased to join the Naked Grape family. Oscar comes to us with a love and knowledge of wine. He will be working behind the bar a couple nights a week. We hope that you will stop in soon and meet Oscar and welcome him cordially to The Naked Grape. In addition, Oscar is an artist, so we will be featuring some of his original works of art at the first Wilton Drive Art Walk of the season on Friday, October 19. As you stroll the Drive this Friday, make it a point to stop in at The Naked Grape Wine Bar and have a glass of your favorite vintage or microbrew and enjoy the vibrant colors of Oscar's beautiful paintings.