TGIF is a monthly happy hour in South Florida which will be held on August 17, September 21, and October 19.  GLAAD is looking for Host Committee Members in South Florida. What does it mean to be a Host Committee Member? You need to Purchase a TGIF Pass and attend the three events (each event provides two hours of hosted ABSOLUT drinks), market the event by agreeing to forward the TGIF Event Evites to a minimum of 10 friends and colleagues to help support ticket sales for each event, maintain regular communication with GLAAD’s Membership Event Coordinator regarding event details and logistics, and keep bringing friends and telling people!! As a Host Committee member you become a critical force behind the success of the TGIF events and help GLAAD to stay in the forefront of the media. If you are interested in becoming a Host Committee member, please contact Paul Backlund at www.glaad.org

In 2002 Central Bark Doggy Day Care, a division of Barkley Ventures, designed a tribute T-shirt and dog bandana called Dog Bless America.  Central Bark Doggy Day Care donated 100% of the proceeds from the sales of the exclusive Dog Bless America T-shirts and bandanas to Atlas Guardian Angels and Operation Military K-9. These donations helped to provide our nation's service dogs with the proper equipment, body armor and protective gear to keep the dogs safe.  At that time there were over 300 military service dogs working in Iraq and Afghanistan and more supporting security forces in airports and city streets right here at home. Now, Central Bark has kicked off another fundraiser that will provide the necessary dollars to provide severely injured and handicapped veterans of the Iraq War with service dogs.   Through the combined efforts of Barkley Ventures and the Central Bark Doggy Day Care Centers around the nation, their Dog Bless America Program, Pathways to Hope ‘s Prison Dog Program, and the American Veteran’s Association,  handicapped veterans and trained service dogs will be matched.  “There are already a large number of injured veterans returning from Iraq and recovering in Military Hospitals and Fisher House locations across the country and, unfortunately,  there will likely be many more to follow.  “It takes time and dollars to train service dogs and unless action is taken now, not all who need a service dog will get one early on.” commented Chris Gaba, co-founder of Barkley Ventures, INC and owner of Fort Lauderdale’s Central Bark Doggy Day Care.   “Through Pathways to Hope and the Prison Dog Program, we will also ultimately be able to place more shelter dogs into a good home, saving many of their lives. It’s a win-win for all.” Sister Pauline Quinn began the Prison Dog Program in 1981, rescuing shelter dogs and bringing them into the prison where inmates trained them to assist the handicapped. The inmates learned responsibility through the care and training of these special dogs.  Today, Prison Dog Programs are in many states and some think it is one of the most successful rehabilitation programs in the American prison system. Through the help of many branches of the Veterans Administration, awareness will be created among the injured Veterans within the VA system, so that they will self-identify the need and desire to be matched with a Service Dog.  It is our hope that as Central Bark Doggy Day Care locations are successful with our matching, more and more areas will join. An estimated $12,000 is needed for the housing, veterinary care, food and supplements, and training of each dog. Funds will be raised through a combination of Dog Bless America T-Shirt sales, donations, and sponsorships that are available at Central Bark Doggy Day Cares throughout the nation.  Donations will offset the costs housing, veterinarians, food and supplements to prepare and train these special dogs for service. For more information about Dog Bless America and how you can help, please visit http://www.centralbarkusa.com to learn more about Dog Bless America.

A “Who’s Who” of gay and straight culture have come together to create a national memorial to honor LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people who have been murdered because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Led by Scott Hall, Frank Kameny, US. Representative Barney Frank and Chip Arndt, the idea for Gay American Heroes was born on March 13, 2007, when Founder and President Scott Hall learned about the brutal murder of Ryan Keith Skipper. Ryan was a 25 year-old Floridian who lived in Polk County, not far from Hall. Ryan was viciously stabbed more than 20 times and was left to die; for one reason --- Ryan Keith Skipper was gay. Hall had twice been the victim of hate crimes and was quickly spurred into action. Within days he contacted longtime friend Frank Kameny, pioneering gay rights activist, who immediately recognized the importance of Hall's project. James T. Sears, noted writer and historian, also voiced his early strong support of the project. The group then assembled a team to create the Gay American Heroes Foundation, a not-for-profit organization. With Founding Board Members Chip Arndt, Jack Rutland and William J. Iannarelli leading the way, Gay American Heroes’ mission was established:  1) to honor and remember LGBT people who have been murdered because of there sexual orientation and/or gender identity; 2) to engage and inform the public about hate crimes against LGBT persons; and 3) to inspire compassion and greater appreciation for, and acceptance of, diversity. Hall traveled to New York City where he met with Cyndi Lauper to discuss the project. Ms. Lauper immediately offered to help in any way that she could. Hall also met with “Grey’s Anatomy” T. R. Knight, who expressed his heartfelt support for the project. The first phase of the Foundation’s plan is to assemble a traveling memorial and exhibition constructed of six individual rainbow-colored, multi-dimensional panels bearing the photos, names, ages and occupations of LGBT hate crime victims. The eight-foot tall memorial will stretch more than 100 feet. Expected completion date for the exhibit is December 2007. Once completed, Gay American Heroes volunteers will transport the display throughout the country to college campuses, LGBT events and to communities where anti-gay murders have occurred. An informational welcome tent will include guest speakers and educational materials.  At each venue, the volunteers will enlist local community leaders to present informative programs. "We want to reach out to communities as soon as possible following a deadly anti-gay hate crime," adds Hall. "We want to support the family and friends of the victim, as well as to work with local officials, law enforcement and service organizations to provide counseling and outreach." In addition to U.S. Representative Barney Frank, Gay American Heroes’ Honorary Board members include Elke Kennedy, whose son Sean William Kennedy was murdered on May 16, 2007 and U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Eric Alva, the first American wounded in the war in Iraq. Several local and national organizations have already declared their support for the Foundation, including Equality Florida, Freedom Democrats of Miami-Dade, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Pridelines Youth Services, Safe Schools South Florida, Stonewall Library & Archives, The Trevor Project and Unity Coalition of Miami-Dade. The ultimate goal of Gay American Heroes Foundation is to establish a permanent memorial in Washington, DC. Gay American Heroes Foundation will be funded through private and grant donations, offline and on-line fundraisers and partnership donations. The Dade Community Foundation is currently managing the Foundation’s contributions and is fiscally sponsoring Gay American Heroes. This gives the Foundation all the tax benefits afforded to 501(c)3 organizations, pending its own independent designation as a 501(c)3 organization. For further information, please visit www.GayAmericanHeroes.com or call (321) 506-8738

Following a six-month nationwide search for a new artistic director, South Florida Lambda Chorale has hired Brad Olesen, a former board member and soloist with the famed Turtle Creek Chorale in Dallas, Tex., who is beginning work on a PhD in music education/choral conducting at the University of Miami. “Brad has exactly the kind of experience, musical ability, charisma, and vision that we were looking for,” stated Michael O’Byrn, Lambda’s chairman. “As choral director and/or fine arts director of three different middle and high schools, he proved to be a pied piper as a recruiter, beginning with small programs and quickly building them into large, high-quality organizations.” “He has also demonstrated an ability to motivate and teach, as is evidenced by the fact that 35 of his former students are now choral directors, three at the university level.” Olesen hold master’s (choral conducting) and bachelor’s (piano performance) degrees from Texas Tech University.  As a member of the Turtle Creek Chorale, one of the nation’s largest and best known gay choruses, he has been a frequent soloist, a member of the chorale’s small group ensemble, a board member, and member of numerous committees. “I am incredibly happy about this opportunity to lead the South Florida Lambda Chorale,” Olesen said.  “Its goals of using music both for our own enjoyment and personal fulfillment and as a bridge of understanding between the gay and straight communities coincide totally with my own objectives.  I believe strongly in the power of music to entertain, educate, uplift, and ultimately unite.” South Florida Lambda Chorale, now in its 16^th year, takes pride in its diversity.  Like its audiences, Lambda’s membership includes gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and straight men and women, with a wide range of ages and ethnicities. Upcoming concerts include “Up Close and Personal—The Stars We Love,” Saturday, September 22, in the ArtServe auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, and “Put on Your Antlers and Sing,” a holiday show Friday and Saturday, December 14-15 at the auditorium of Fort Lauderdale’s Main Library.  In 2008, one of the most highly anticipated performances will be at the International GALA (alliance of gay and lesbian choruses) Festival in July in Miami’s Carnival Center. The chorale practices Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 2501 NE 30 Street, Fort Lauderdale.  Potential new members are invited to audition.  For further information, call 866-937-4644. “Our search for the right person to lead Lambda was time-consuming and extensive,” O’Byrn observed.  “Fortunately, our founder, Gary Keating, stepped in as interim director in January and led us until this summer, when Roger Rundle, our former accompanist, also helped out.  We’re highly appreciative of their dedication and support during what would otherwise have been a very difficult period.” Funding for South Florida Lambda Chorale is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council, and by Pride South Florida, Inc.

The Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival presents a special retrospective screening celebrating the re-release of MALA NOCHE on Wednesday, August 29^th at Byron-Carlyle Theater 500 71^st Street, Miami Beach at 7:30 PM.  The first feature from acclaimed director Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Drugstore Cowboy, Last Days ) , Mala Noche is a hauntingly beautiful black-and-white meditation on lust, love, obsession, and class. Stuck behind the cash register of a convenience store in Portland’s skid row, young-ish Walt (Tim Streeter) becomes infatuated with Johnny (Doug Cooeyate), a Mexican teenager and illegal immigrant who is willing to reciprocate Walt's attentions to a point. Although Walt subsequently turns to Johnny's friend Pepper (Ray Monge), he is unable to shake his fixation, and finds his crush becoming an all-consuming amour fou. Screened intermittently since 1985, but never given a proper theatrical release, foreign and classic film distributor Janus Films presents a new 35mm print. The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is proud to bring you this seminal work of cinema from one of the art forms most important living artists. To purchase tickets call 305-534-9924.

The Poverello Center will hold it's 17th Annual Bowl-A-Thon on Saturday August 18. Have Fun & Be Proud that Poverello is able to support over 3000 clients
with much needed food, clothing and household items. Forty Teams of Bowlers will come together at Manor Lanes Bowling Center, along with their friends and families totaling over 300 Poverello Supporters. Plan now to attend. Admission is FREE. Raffle prizes are great with over $10,000 in prizes, 50/50 raffle, win dinners tickets, gift certificates for travel, and house decorating, bowlers only raffle, the high five raffle, all kinds of great prizes. They are reaching out once again to the generous community of South Florida and asking you to help make their "17th Annual Bowl-A-Thon" a success. The Forty Bowling Teams are competing for the new "Highest Dollar Award" This new award and trophy will stay with the team that raises the most donations for the next twelve months. Join them at Smarty Pants after the bowling where they will be awarding prizes and trophies with Food, Fun & Entertainment! The "17th Annual Bowl-A-Thon" is the longest running fund raisers the Center has, 100% of the money raised goes to purchase food for the  Poverello Food Bank  "Serving the Nutritional Needs of People Living with HIV /AIDS". For more information call Sam or Tom at 954-561-3663.