27 8.6.2014 // soflagaynews // SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com //

WILTON MANORS

According to the Bible, the Children of Israel wandered for forty years before they reached their Promised Land. This year, Congregation Etz Chaim turns 40, making it the third-oldest LGBT group in South Florida (The Sunshine Cathedral is 42 and the Stonewall National Museum and Archives is 41).

Like our Biblical ancestors, Cong. Etz Chaim (CEC) has had many homes in its four decade history. Since 1974, CEC has moved its operations from a Lutheran Church on Biscayne Boulevard to the YWCA in downtown Miami (1976); an art studio in North Miami Beach (1977); and a storefront in Aventura (1978) before it finally crossed the border into Broward in 1995. CEC then settled down at the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Oakland Park for a decade before it moved (2005) to “a home of our own” in Wilton Manors. On June 1, 2011, this “spiritual home for LGBT Jews and our friends” moved west, to the campus of Temple Beth Torah in Tamarac. (Full disclosure: I am a long-time member of Congregation Etz Chaim; and currently serve as President of the Congregation.)

At the time, the move to Tamarac was thought to be a good idea. The Synagogue was strapped for funds and it could not afford to maintain the Wilton Manors storefront. And we believed that the move to Tamarac would attract congregants from West Broward. Unfortunately we were wrong. Not only did the move to Tamarac fail to attract people from the suburbs but it alienated our base in Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale, and Oakland Park. Though the decline in membership was due in part to greater acceptance of LGBT Jews by “mainstream” Reform, Conservative and Reconstruction synagogues, the fact remains that many of our members refused to travel west of the Florida Turnpike

in order to attend services. In a sense this reluctance made no sense: after all, suburbanites like me made the trip east, week after week, for Temple services or other activities. But Wilton Manors was our community’s comfort zone, and few wanted to go out of it.

It was only a matter of time before CEC’s Board of Directors, and our Executive Director, Rabbi Noah Kitty, realized that our Synagogue had to move back east; or cease to exist. Like the Jews who were exiled in Babylonia after the destruction of the First Temple, Congregation Etz Chaim was “exiled” in Tamarac, away from the gayborhood of Wilton Manors. Happily, Rabbi Kitty contacted the Rev. Tita Calzada of Wilton Manor’s Unity Church, who offered to host CEC. The members approved the move at a congregational meeting in May, the same meeting in which they, in recognition of her services, officially elected Noah Kitty, Rabbi of Congregational Etz Chaim. The Board later met to plan the Temple’s return to Wilton Manors, and scheduled the first service for Friday, July 12.

Congregation Etz Chaim’s return to Wilton Manors was a huge success. Over 80 people, many of them former Synagogue members, attended the first service, conducted by Rabbi Kitty and Cantor Jerry Berkowitz. Vice Mayor Julie Carson, representing the City, joyfully announced her intention to renew her membership, as did other people.

“Etz Chaim is home again,” Carson told a reporter. “Tamarac was just too far for me.” Others saw a possibility for Wilton Manors to expand its outreach to include Wilton Manor’s heterosexual Jews. After all, Etz Chaim was and is Wilton Manors’s only synagogue. In addition to the weekly Sabbath services, the Synagogue leadership plans to take

advantage of the Unity Church’s lavish facilities to hold our High Holy Days services there; making it the first time that CEC won’t have to go outside for HHD services since our days at the U-U Church.

Like everyone else, Rabbi Kitty was thrilled by her synagogue’s successful move back to the center of South Florida’s LGBT community: “The move back to Wilton Manors has been exciting and energizing. At our first Sabbath service in our new home we saw folks we haven’t seen in a long time, as well as several people new to our community. We are delighted to open our doors to all those, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who are seekers of a spiritual and social life. We offer a warm and supportive community, a participatory Shabbat service with lots of singing, and an easy way to make new friends and be with the ones you already have.” Congregation Etz Chaim holds services every Friday night, at 8 p.m., at the Unity Church, 1501 N.E. 26 Street, in Wilton Manors. There is ample parking in the back of the building. For more information, contact CEC by phone (954-564-9232) or by e-mail (congregation@etz-chaim.com).

By Jesse Monteagudo

August 6, 2014 Volume 1 • Issue 1

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • WWW.WMGAZETTE.COM • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Etz Chaim Moves Back To Wilton Manors

28 // 8.6.2014 // SFGN.com // soflagaynews // SouthFloridaGayNews

What has been thehappiest point in your life so far?“So far I would have to say moving back to florida and starting my life here, meeting my girlfriend of 2 years now as well as finding a new job to be a flight attendant the whole package”.

What is the favorite thing youLove about the other person the most?“I love that he loves me unconditionally no matter what. I love that she is Intelligent and has a business sense otherwise I would be completely lost without.”

What is your favorite songfrom the year 1990 and back?“Dancing Queen By ABBA released in 1976.”“Anything from Erasure but to pick one, Chains of Love released in 1988.”

How did all you guys meet?“Rudy!” (blue shirt) who recently was awarded Wilton Manors most sleaziest server.

What was the saddestmoment in your life so far?“The saddest moment in my life was when my father passed away, I was really close with him and I wasn’t able to make it to the funeral in Thailand which was very sad for me.”

29 8.6.2014 // soflagaynews // SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com //

August 6, 2014 • Volume 1 • Issue 12520 N. DIxIe HIgHwAy • wIltoN mANors, Fl 33305

PHoNe: 954-530-4970 FAx: 954-530-7943

PublIsHer • Norm KeNtnorm.kent@sfgn.com

CHIeF exeCutIVe oFFICer • Pier ANgelo guidugli

AssoCIAte PublIsHer • JAsoN PArsleyjason.parsley@sfgn.com

EditorialArt DIreCtor • BreNdoN lies

artwork@sfgn.comoNlINe ProDuCer • deNNis Jozefowicz

dennis.jozefowicz@sfgn.comseNIor CreAtIVe DesIgNer • BoB reilly

sfgn@BoBreilly.comNews INterN • Nicole WieseNthal

CorrespondentsAndreA richArd • donAld cAvAnAugh • Steve Bower

chriStiAnA lilly • deniSe royAl • SeAn McShee

Staff Photographers J.r. dAviS • PoMPAno Bill • Steven ShireS

Sales & MarketingDIreCtor oF sAles & mArketINg • miKe trottier

mike.trottier@sfgn.com

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.

Copyright © 2014 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

Associated Press

sAles mANAger • JustiN wysejustin.wyse@sfgn.com

ADVertIsINg sAles AssoCIAte • edwiN NeimANNedwin.neimann@sfgn.com

sAles AssIstANt • JAsoN goNzAlesjason.gonzales@sfgn.com

DIstrIbutIoN serVICes • BriAn Swinford

ACCouNtINg serVICes by cg BooKKeePiNg

As many of us living here are aware, Wilton Manors has become the epicenter of gay life in South Florida since the year 2000.

What was once a small trailer park greeting visitors with twin towers at Five Points, has now become a thriving same-sex community, home of a dynamic LGBT community center, AIDS foundations, and social service organizations. Our nightlife is thriving too, and The Drive has become home to a host of professionals, from those writing wills, drilling teeth, or pouring beer.

It’s all happening right here in Wilton Manors, home of the Express Gay News in 1999, and birthplace of the South Florida Gay News, in 2009. There is a popular saying that “No matter where you go, there you are.”

There is no question that Wilton Manors has a wealth of gay news in it, but it also

has a plethora of straight lives, families, and businesses supporting growing commerce and communities, integrating and enhancing population cores. We think there is enough growth to publish a twice-a-month newspaper focusing and highlighting not just our diversity, but the breadth and depth of our activities and accomplishments.

Welcome then to our own little ‘Gazette,’ your hometown community newspaper, soon to be standing alone, but today proudly inserted into the SFGN centerfold.

So whether you are interested in country square dancing or city zoning and planning, there’s a good chance the ‘Gazette’ will be here to tell you more about it, from our Green Market to our local and home grown dry cleaners.

On the Dawn of the ‘Gazette’

By Norm Kent

30 // 8.6.2014 // SFGN.com // soflagaynews // SouthFloridaGayNews

More sidewalks, a dog park, a kayak storage unit – these are some of the possible ways city officials could spend the $63,300 in Community Block Grant Funding they received for the Highlands Estates neighborhood.

Before officials can decide what to do with this year’s money though, they will have to hold one more public hearing to solicit ideas from residents.

In addition to more sidewalks and a dog park, resident Michael Rajner said the money might be used to buy hurricane shutters for seniors on a fixed income. The idea of more sidewalks caught the attention of at least two commissioners, Tom Green and Ted Galatis, who agreed with Rajner. Galatis suggested new sidewalks might be built near or around the Kids In Distress complex.

Green added that the possible addition of shade canopy over the playground at Island City Park Preserve. “It’s almost a crime not to provide shade over a play area,” said Green.

Also suggested by residents was a kayak storage shed and fitness equipment for Island City Park Preserve. Residents can submit suggestions on spending the funding during the next commission meeting on Aug. 12. They can also submit ideas to city hall before then.

One of the few restrictions on the money is officials are prohibited from spending it on social programs because the county has already allocated money for that purpose.

The only area in the city to qualify, the Highlands has received Community Block Grant Funding in the past for a drainage system, street resurfacing, the rebuilding

of a sewage lift station and an emergency generator and floating dock at Island City Park Preserve

Recently, Community Block Grant Funding was used to buy an empty lot near Island City Park Preserve.

The new parcel, located at 811 NE 28 Street, has 14 parking spaces, a passive recreation area, estate-style fencing, solar lighting, landscaping and irrigation improvements. Commissioners held a grand opening event on July 29 to officially open the new lot.

Patrick Caan, director of the leisure services department, said it will be an additional park space for residents to enjoy but it will also serve as overflow parking for Island City Park Preserve. It will also give the city more parking for special events, including Stonewall. On July 29, city officials held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the expansion.

Recently, commissioners added more parking closer to Wilton Drive. In April, they cut the ribbon on the 42-space parking lot located on the corner of Northeast 26 Street and Northeast 8 Terrace.

At the ribbon cutting, Mayor Resnick said the new lot cost an “inordinate” amount of money but was necessary to help relieve the parking problems on Wilton Drive, especially on the north end. According to the city’s finance department, the cost of buying the land and paving it was about $788,000.

The funding came from the city’s $1.1 million parking fund. In 2011, commissioners borrowed that money specifically to pay for parking improvements along Wilton Drive.

With $1.4 million in city money set to be allocated to improving Mickel Field, Mayor Gary Resnick promised the park would be the “gem” it once was. “This is going to benefit the whole city.”

Recently, commissioners agreed to spend $1.4 million to make improvements to Hagen Park, located on Powerline Road, over the next two years.

Plans include: new bathroom, walking trail, shade canopies, fitness equipment, pavilion, estate-style fencing, volleyball court and police substation. The small baseball diamond will be removed but the large one will remain. Originally, city officials discussed the possibility of spending about $2.1 million.

For months, residents have demanded improvements to the park – improvements they say will increase its use by residents and visitors and decrease its use by drug dealers and criminals. One resident said the park, which is often empty, was even used as a

staging ground by burglars to break into his home more than once. Officials and residents, including Westside Association of Wilton Manors President Sal Torre, also believe Mickel’s redevelopment will help spur other improvements in the area.

Officials have also asked the Florida Department of Transportation to reduce the width of Powerline Road in order to make it more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly.

The park, which may be renamed Mickel Park, was originally used by the city’s youth baseball leagues. But changing demographics and competition from baseball programs in Fort Lauderdale, including nearby Mills Pond Park, has meant fewer and fewer

children using the facility.Patrick Caan, director of the Leisure

Services Department, said it’s been decades since Mickel has seen significant improvements.

“We’ve let [Mickel Field] go to hell. It’s time to fix it,” said Commissioner Ted Galatis to applause from residents in the audience.

Galatis drew applause again when he criticized his fellow commissioners for hesitating to spend money on Mickel when they approved $390,000 on two residential properties. The properties, located next to Hagen, may be used in the future to expand the park. Galatis and Commissioner Scott Newton were the only no votes against the Hagen properties. Vice Mayor Julie Carson, who supported the purchase, said the city could always sell the properties if it didn’t find any use for them.

Borrowing half the estimated cost – from a bank, such as the commission did when it

borrowed to pay for parking improvements – was the chief concern amongst commissioners. Finance Director Bob Mays said the other half of the money would come from a mix of general funds, grants and impact fees.

Said Carson, “Maybe get the money a different way.” Resnick suggested more grant money, some possibly from the county’s $400 million parks bond, could be used and the amount of money borrowed could be reduced. City Manager Joseph Gallegos assured commissioners that more grants would be obtained - $55,000 has already been secured.

The interest payments over the span of the 15-year loan are about $40,000. Mays said he might be able to negotiate a better interest rate than 2.95 percent he submitted to the commission. “A $5,000-a-month loan payment is very doable for this city,” said Resnick.

Mickel Field to Get $1.4 millionBy Steve Bower

Wanted: Feedback onHighlands ImprovementsBy Steve Bower

Plans include new bathroom, walking trail,

shade canopies, and fitness equipment

City Commission Budget Workshop #3August 12, 6:30 p.m. at City Commission Chambers located at 2020 Wilton Drive

City Commission MeetingAugust 12, 7 p.m. at City Hall Commission Chambers located at 2020 Wilton Drive

Planning and Zoning BoardAugust 11, 7 p.m. at City Commission Chambers located at 2020 Wilton Drive

Dog Obedience ClassAugust 7 and 14 - 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 class

Square DancingAugust 7 and 14 - 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 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 MarketAugust 9, 10 and 16, 17 - 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 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 954-531-5363.

Preschool StorytimeAugust 11 and 18 - 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library500 NE 26th St.

For ages 2 - 5. Caregivers must remain with their children.

Zumba FitnessAugust 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 - 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 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!

Brains and Balance Past 60August 13, 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.

Calendar Of Events