FLORIDA DIGEST - February 16, 2009

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~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

Stonewall Library & Archives - Ft. Lauderdale
1300 East Sunrise Boulevard (Note new address in ArtServe Building)

-TONIGHT! POET RICHARD BLANCO TO APPEAR AT STONEWALL LIBRARY & ARCHIVES
READING BY CUBAN-AMERICAN POET RICHARD BLANCO, TONIGHT - MONDAY - FEBRUARY 16 - 7PM
Mr. Blanco's appearance was originally scheduled for February 14 and has been rescheduled for Monday evening, February 16. Richard Blanco's family emigrated from Cuba to Spain two months before his birth and very soon after relocated to Miami. His acclaimed first book of poetry, City of a Hundred Fires, won the Agnes Starrett Poetry Prize from the University of Pittsburgh Press (1998). Blanco has traveled extensively and lived in Guatemala, Brazil, and Connecticut. He has taught at Georgetown and American University. His second book, Directions to the Beach of the Dead continues to explore themes of home, place, and identity.
His poems have appeared in major literary journals and anthologies, including The Best American Poetry 2000, Great American Prose Poems, The Breadloaf Anthology of New American Poets, and he has been featured on National Public Radio.
Jack Rutland, Executive Director - Stonewall Library & Archives
1300 East Sunrise Boulevard - Fort Lauderdale

-Inside the Songwriter’s Studio with: Desmond Child in conjunction with Q-uba
Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 6:00 -7:30PM
Songwriter/producer Desmond Child was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in June of 2008. For nearly three decades, Desmond Child has reigned as one of music's most successful creative forces. His list of accolades includes Grammy awards, 70 Top 40 singles, and songs that have sold over 300 million albums worldwide. Child's career has been highlighted by a stunning array of diversity. His collaborations run the gamut... from Bon Jovi & Aerosmith to Ricky Martin,..from KISS to Kelly Clarkson... from Cher to Alice Cooper. Presented by Stonewall Library & Archives at Broward Main Library Auditorium(1st Floor)
100 S. Andrews Avenue - Fort Lauderdale

-STONEWALL LIBRARY & ARCHIVES LAUNCHES ANNUAL WRITING WORKSHOP
MONDAY, MARCH 2
Stonewall Library & Archives will launch its annual 4-session writing workshop, Write Out Loud. The workshop will give writers, from beginners to advanced, a chance to get immediate feedback on their work: fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. Writing topics will be suggested and will include gay and lesbian subjects as well as general interest subjects. Writers are also encouraged to submit projects on which they have already begun working. The workshop facilitator is Andrea Dulanto, a creative instructor at Florida nternational University. Ms. Dulanto has participated in writing workshops
throughout south Florida and was a 2006 scholarship recipient from Vermont
College for its postgraduate Writers Conference. She was also the chair and
presenter of Poetry Reading at the Women's Studies Conference hosted by FIU
in 2005-2007. Write Out Loud will take place on four consecutive Monday
evenings, beginning March 2 and is free and open to the public. Enrollment is limited to twelve participants. The workshop will be held at Stonewall Library & Archives, 1300 East Sunrise Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
For further information or to register for the workshop please contact:
Jack Rutland, Executive Director - Stonewall Library & Archives
1300 East Sunrise Boulevard - Ft. Lauderdale - 954-763-8565
jack-rutland@stonewall-library.org


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Gay & Lesbian Community Center of South Florida
Jody Watley Stars at STARS OF THE RAINBOW - MARCH 1
HYATT REGENCY PIER SIXTY SIX, VIP 5:00 PM, Gala 6:00 PM
Free Admission


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Dolphin Democrats open a Get Out The Vote office for the local municipal elections for March 10th.
The Dolphins have leased space inside the GLCC at 1717 N. Andrews Avenue , Ft. Lauderdale , in the room formerly occupied by the Stonewall Library & Archives. The purpose is to improve voter turnout and elect GLBT* and GLBT friendly** candidates that remain in the following races:
*Dania Beach – city wide run-off election March 10th for city commissioner.
[Derrick Hankerson]
*Ft. Lauderdale – district 4 run-off election March 10th for city commissioner. [Coleman Prewitt]
*Oakland Park – city wide elections March 10th for city commissioner.
[Anthony Niedwiecki, Seat 4] [Anne Sallee**, Seat 1] [Suzanne Boisvenue, Seat 5]
Volunteers are needed to staff the office. If you have a couple of hours during the week available in the afternoon or evening, or noon to 5 on weekends, that would be helpful. Please contact JD at (954) 802-2202 or email him at CampJdFtL@gmail.com for more details. The more hours we can have the office open then the more effective our efforts will be. JD is putting together a schedule now. The more we can cover the office while activities are going on at the GLCC would be the best coverage.


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From Florida GLBT Democrats

-President's Day GLBT Stimulus Package!
In Honor of President Obama's victory in passing the National Stimulus package through congress, the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus has decided to offer our own financial stimulus to conference attendees by extending advance registration through Tuesday, February the 17th. Fees will remain only $35 for Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus** or Stonewall Democrats of SW Florida members** and $25 for seniors (62+) or students (ID required). Non-members are welcome to attend for $50. Your registration fee covers includes a full Continental Breakfast, a full agenda covering a wide variety of speakers and topics, a deli-style lunch buffet and, while they last (limited supply of complementary tickets)*, Saturday night at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre enjoying a buffet dinner and the new musical 'All Shook Up'. *Thanks to a special and generous donation to the Stonewall Democrats of SW Florida from the Lee County DEC Chairman and Broadway Palm owner, Will Prather, the first=2 076 people to register on-line will each qualify to receive 1 complimentary ticket to the Broadway Palm's rocking production of "All Shook Up!" - A new musical comedy featuring many of your favorite Elvis hits with hilarious twists (a $53 value). These tickets are going fast and are almost gone so don't delay, or you could be spending the weekend in Heartbreak Hotel... If you want to register at the member rate, just join (or renew) with either the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus:
http://floridaglbtdemocrats.org/membership.html


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The Galt Mile Community Association Proudly Welcomes Florida State Governor Charlie Crist
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 11:30 AM - Registration
Town Hall Meeting
This is your opportunity to meet and ask questions directly to the "People's Governor".
Arrive early space is limited. Free On site Parking
For further information please Contact: Pio R. Ieraci, President
Galt Mile Community Association - 954-489-9430


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Dear LGBT Community Partners, Friends, Families and Sponsors,
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (The Task Force) Winter Party Festival is coming up soon. There are many diverse events planned for the week of February 21 to March 2, 2009. You and your members are invited to join us in the park for an afternoon of food, fun and activities!
LGBT Family Picnic on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - Noon to 4:00 PM
Topeekeegee Yugnee Park (TY Park) - Shelter #8
3300 North Park Road - Hollywood, FL 33024
This is a FREE event. The park charges an entrance fee of $1.50 per person (6 years of age and over) - Children 5 years of age and under are free.
There will be a bounce house, rock climbing wall, slide, obstacle course, clown with face painting and animal balloons, some board games, good food and cotton candy.
Thank you!
Luis A. Rodriguez
Family Picnic Chair


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Congreagation Etz Chaim - Wilton Manors

-Congregation Etz Chaim Welcomes Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum (March 13)
Congregation Etz Chaim (CEC), Wilton Manor's only synagogue and Florida's only synagogue with a special outreach to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Jews, welcomes Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum to speak at its regular 8 p.m., Shabbat service on Friday, March 13. Since 1992, Rabbi Kleinbaum has been the Senior Rabbi of New York City's Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST), the world's largest LGBT synagogue. Under her leadership, CBST has become an important voice in Judaism and in the movement for LGBT rights. Perhaps the best-known LGBT Rabbi in the world, Rabbi Kleinbaum will deliver the weekly drash (Torah commentary) at CEC's March 13, service. Congregation Etz Chaim, which is currently celebrating its 35th Anniversary, is located at 1881 N.E. 26 Street, Suite 101, in Wilton Manors. In addition to its 8 p.m., Friday night services, CEC offers a variety of religious, educational and social programs along with its Sisterhood and Men's Club. For more information contact CEC at (954) 564-9232 or congregation@etz-chaim.com.


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