Instinct Magazine, the largest gay men’s magazine proudly celebrates 9 Years of publishing with the debut of its November 2006 Leading Men issue.  Tim Gunn, from Project Runway, was chosen as the cover leading man of 2006 and given the title of THE MENTOR. In his exclusive interview with Instinct, Tim Gunn states, “…I don’t make assumptions about people’s sexuality.  I will say that working, living and breathing in the fashion industry, men are gay until proven otherwise.” November’s issue of Instinct also features an additional twenty-three leading men honored for their accomplishments within the gay community. These honorees include (in alphabetical order):  Bruce Bastian, Derrick L Briggs, David Bromstad, Wes Combs, Bleu Copas, Ryan Fournier, Darren Hayes, Edward Hibbert, Phil Jimenez, Al McAffrey, Chance Mitchell, Jerry Mitchell, Justin Nelson, Patrik–Ian Polk, Jacob Reitan, Walter Schubert, Chiun-Kai Shih, Joe Solmonese, Todd Stephens, George Takei, Trent Vanegas, Phill Wilson and Bob Witeck.  Keeping Instinct’s humor intact, an honorary gay mention also goes out to Johnny Depp for his prance-about portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean.  Instinct readers are also asked to submit their nominations for a deserving gay man they feel should round out the 25 Leading Men of 2006.  A winner will be announced in an upcoming issue. Instinct celebrates its nine years of accomplishment with two gala parties in Los Angeles and New York. VIP attendees at the Los Angeles party, which was held on October 26, at the W Hotel, included Instinct Leading Men, Hollywood celebrities and media of all reaches.  Instinct’s New York party is scheduled for November 16, at Home Nightclub. VIP invitations were mailed today. About Instinct Magazine: Instinct Magazine was established in 1997 and has grown to become the leading independent gay national print media.  Audited by BPA Worldwide, Instinct readers are young, gay trendsetters who are affluent, highly educated, brand loyal consumers with high disposable incomes.  Through joint ventures with Wilderness Media & Entertainment (Matt Farber, Founder of Logo), Instinct media partnerships include Radio with a Twist, as well as, GLEE.com.  Together, the Instinct media family entertains million of gay consumers each day.

The GLCC will once again host a community potluck on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23. The event is free and open to the entire community, you may also bring a potluck dish but it is not mandatory.  Volunteers are needed from 11am to 5pm. Dinner will be served from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. “This year we have been very fortunate to receive covered dishes donated by the Church of the Holy SpiritSong, which include: turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes and veggies,” reports Nicole Martin, Operations Manager of the GLCC.  “The Church meets at the Center weekly on Sunday mornings at 10am and we are very grateful for their generosity.” Suggested potluck items are salads, side dishes, beverages and desserts. Anyone interested in volunteering may contact Nicole at 954 463-9005 x227 or via email at nicole@glccsf.org. The Center Switchboard, Admin Offices and Group Meetings will be closed on Thanksgiving

The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of South Florida (GLCC) is accepting honoree nominations for “Stars of the Rainbow”.  This premier event will be held at the Hyatt Regency on Pier 66 aboard the Grand Floridian Yacht on Sunday, January 21. “Last year’s Stars of the Rainbow gala was the GLCC’s largest fundraiser to-date and we plan to surpass its success this year!” states Paul Hyman, Executive Director. “The theme SPLASH will top the party-style BASH of 2006 with an elegant venue, great entertainment and superb cuisine!” Deadline for nominations of 2007 honorees is Friday, November 17.  Please submit your nomination(s) suggested categories are as follows: Community Group Agency, Foundation, Nonprofit or Organization Individual Volunteer Business or Body of Government Other and briefly explain how they have made an outstanding contribution to the community and/or the Center and why they should be recognized. Nomination Forms are available at the GLCC and online at www.glccsf.org. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, volunteering on the committee or more information please contact Robert Boo, Development Director at 954-463-9005 or via email at rboo@glccsf.org. 

Alfred Phillips has been nurturing his talent for as long as he can remember, but his formal introduction to art began with a full scholarship to the Art Center School in his native Louisville. Phillips moved to Florida in October of 2003 fulfilling his life-long dream of having his own painting studio. Alfred prefers painting with acrylics as oils are too slow for his liking. His work begins by quickly sketching ideas on paper relying on imagination, personal observation and memory. He may paint directly on the canvas without sketching or he may painstakingly draw the image in exact detail. Alfred Phillips has received more art prizes and accolades than most artist accrue over a lifetime. The artist won eleven awards in one year alone, including four Best In Show awards. In the Broward Art Guild’s 55 years of existence, no artist had won first and second place prizes in the same show until he took honors in landscape and still life categories in 2004. The art community in South Florida is happy to know that Alfred Phillips is still around and Never Gone. Art Expressions Gallery proudly invites you to join them through November 27th at 1212 NE 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Info: 954-527-7700. Admission is free.

Carnival Center for the Performing Arts and Concert Association of Florida (CAF) jointly announced today the appointment of Albert Milano as chief executive officer of Concert Association of Florida. Milano has worked closely with the Carnival Center Foundation over the past ten years, including the past two years in which he has served full-time as executive director of the Carnival Center Foundation.  “Al has been tremendously instrumental in the success of Carnival Center’s capital campaign and recent grand opening,” said Sherwood “Woody” Weiser, chairman of the Foundation’s board.  “Now, with the Center successfully launched, we feel this is a wonderful opportunity for him, the Concert Association and the Center.” In his new role at CAF, Milano will work in partnership with Judy Drucker, president and artistic director of CAF, to develop increased support for CAF’s presentations and strengthen the financial health of the organization.  Judy Drucker commented, “I’ve admired greatly for the past few years the wonderful work that Al Milano has done, and we are absolutely delighted that he will be joining us.” Bob Hudson, chairman of the CAF board, added "The combination of Al’s extensive national experience and past success here in South Florida will give us a tremendous new asset as we move into Carnival Center and the important new opportunities this presents to us." Milano’s experience in the performing arts began at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in the 1970s where he rose to the position of managing director.  He subsequently managed the Dallas Theater Center and Cleveland Play House before joining C.W. Shaver & Company, a leader in fundraising in the performing arts.  Subsequently, he formed the firm of Milano, Ruff and Associates, which counted the Performing Arts Center Foundation of Greater Miami as one of its clients.  He was founding producer of the Dallas Jazz Festival and producer of various concert and theater series in different parts of the nation. “This is definitely a win-win-win situation for Al, Carnival Center and the Concert Association,” said Michael Hardy, president and CEO of Carnival Center. “Al is one of the best people in his field in the country, and we believe that he and Judy Drucker will be a great team which will not only stabilize CAF’s historically challenged finances, but take it to new heights as a major resident company here at the Center.”  In addition to his work with CAF, Milano will continue to consult with the Carnival Center Foundation on matters such as annual and endowment fundraising.

Michael Hardy, president and CEO of Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, announced today the appointment of Richard G. Miller to vice president of development. Miller had served as associate director of the Performing Arts Center Foundation since 2002. Reporting directly to Michael Hardy, Miller’s responsibilities as vice president of development include the management of the Center’s fund-raising programs, including the endowment drive, membership program and all other fund-raising activities, as well as the supervision of the Center’s development staff. “Rich has been an enormous asset to the Center over the past four years. The expertise he has gained over his 40-year career as a professional fund raiser and his deep roots in the South Florida community have been and will continue to be invaluable to the Center’s development activities. We are pleased to welcome him to this new position at Carnival Center,” said Hardy. Since 1966, Miller has specialized in providing effective and efficient fund development for non-profit organizations, including many arts and educational institutions. Prior to joining Carnival Center, Miller was an independent fund-raising consultant as well as vice president of the NY-based consulting firm C.W. Shaver and Company. During that time, he served a number of high-profile arts clients, including Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, Kraviz Center for the Performing Arts, Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, and Goodwood Museum and Gardens. During his career, Miller has held senior development positions at Nova Southeastern University, Center for the Fine Arts (now the Miami Art Museum), University of Miami, Case Western Reserve University, and Philadelphia College of Art. Miller holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree from Eckerd College.