Chicago Hotels in Boystown Have Sweet Winter Deals
Miami’s Annual WINTER PARTY March 2014
Over 10,000 guests from around the world attend this annual six-day extravaganza featuring the most spectacular venues, the most unforgettable parites and receptions and the best international DJ talent.
Launched in 1994 as a one-time charity dance event on the sands of beautiful South Beach, Winter Party Festival has evolved into a week-long series of events benefiting the LGBT community nationally and locally. A portion of the net proceeds of WPF support the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s efforts to take action, build power and create change for LGBT people. The majority of the proceeds are donated to local service organizations through a grant-making process administered by The Miami Foundation.
Houston Employees Win Battle for Benefits
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Texas face legal challenges and discrimination not faced by other people.
- Just last week a gay couple was pulled from the dance floor of the Cactus Canyon and told that club policy prohibits gay couples from dancing to
country music. Justin Meyer, 21, and James Douglas, 30, had already
danced several songs without incident, but a manager intervened when the
music switched to Dustin Lynch’s “Cowboys and Angels.”
But when the city of Houston tried to ignore Federal law and denied spousal benefits for LGBT couples, Mayor Annise Parker spoke up and victory prevailed.
U.S.
District Judge Lee Rosenthal considered the request after the case was
moved from state court to federal court by the defendants — Mayor Annise
Parker and the city of Houston.
Harris County GOP Chair Jared Woodfill, on behalf of taxpayers Jack Pidgeon and Larry Hicks, sued
Parker and the city in December after she extended benefits to the same-sex spouses of city employees who are legally married in other states.
State District Judge Lisa Millard, a Republican, issued a
restraining order halting the benefits, before the city moved the case
to federal court, where Woodfill sought another restraining order.
Following a lengthy hearing on Thursday afternoon in Houston, Rosenthal
denied the request.
Harvey Milk Remembered in San Francisco Today
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 27TH – Harvey and George were the brightest beacons of hope for San Francisco’s disenfranchised and displaced. But more than that, they represented the spirit of San Francisco, a city ofr anyone and everyone, welcoming to all, affordable to all, with justice for all. 35 years later, the time has come again for us to gather, one and all, to remember Harvey and George. More importantly, the time has come to make their vision of a city of hope come alive. Now more than ever, we have to give each other hope.
The vigil will begin at Milk Plaza at 7pm followed by a candlelight march down Market Street to City Hall. A performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus, words of inspiration from Dustin Lance Black, and a recorded message from Harvey Milk will conclude the evening.
ASL Interpretation and Spanish translation will be provided as well as accessible transportation from Milk Plaza to City Hall.
Also don’t miss the 25th Annual World AIDS Day mobilization on December 1st. The Castro Theater is screening the award-winning We Were Here which will be followed by a silent vigil on Castro Street at 9pm.
Gay and Gay Friendly St Louis
We recently made a short trip to St. Louis – what a great city!! EXPLORE ST LOUIS has some great detailed information – here are some highlights -
St. Louis has grown from a 1764 fur-trading village into a major American city made up of distinct neighborhoods. St. Louis’ long history
is reflected in the architecture, personalities, and events of each special part of town. And, it’s not surprising, that the most
interesting areas are also among the most LGBT friendly. Hot spot neighborhoods include:
THE GROVE - Rainbow flags proudly wave along Manchester Avenue in The Grove, the
epicenter of St. Louis’ LGBT nightlife located on between Tower Grove
and Chouteau avenues. Chill at Erney’s 32° – sip chilled Vodka’s in their unique walk in chilled room!;
mingle on the massive patio at Just John and the welcome-to-all
atmosphere prevails at Novak’s Bar & Grill, Rehab and Atomic Cowboy.
Nearby are JJ’s and Bad Dog, popular Levi/leather and bear haunts – however, late at night, EVERYONE ends up at JJs it seems. – They have a late night license.
CENTRAL WEST END - perhaps the original gayborhood? A LGBT favorite since the 1960’s, The CWE is arguably St. Louis’ most cosmopolitan neighborhood and beckons you to linger at sidewalk cafés, exciting galleries, trendy boutiques and cozy pubs. Take the St. Louis
LGBT History Walking Tour created by The St. Louis LGBT History Project. It seems many gay businesses were out in the early 1980′s as the neighborhood raised rents and attracted high priced restaurants. – But still a great spot .”The Central West End would become one of St. Louis’ prominent gay
neighborhoods with its disproportionately large and visible LGBT
population vis-a-vis the rest of the metro area. Indeed, the
CWE was a growing hub of queer social life throughout the 1960s, and by
the 1970s—was the epicenter of Gateway City LGBT politics.” says Colin Murphy at Vital Voice.
BestGayCities.com will be hosting the 1st Annual OUT IN THE PARK at SIX FLAGS ST LOUIS in September 2014! It will be a private night for charity! More details Soon!
(Photo Right – Vital Voice)
SOUTH GRAND is a wonderful neighborhood that hosts St. Louis’ annual PrideFest and Pride parade. The area’s diversity is on full display as block after block
along Grand Boulevard is alive with Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Latin and Chinese restaurants, ethnic groceries, boutiques, vintage clothing stores and Asian import centers. Popular LGBT-owned businesses include
MoKaBe’s, the venerable coffee house at Arsenal and Grand; Absolutli
Goosed, where mixologists make magic with martinis and Cheap TRX, the
funky and fabulous LGBT shopping experience.
THE LOOP is named for an old streetcar turnaround, the always-changing neighborhood
is home to one-of-a-kind stores and boutiques and more than 40 ethnic
and American restaurants.
SOULARD AND CHEROKEE aka the French Quarter. Just a few minutes south of the Arch, St. Louis blues music takes the stage in the Soulard neighborhood’s clubs and restaurants. Home to the
second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the nation.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE is Another longtime LGBT favorite, this elegant neighborhood is a blend of historic and contemporary. B&B-lodgings, including gay-owned and operated Napoleon’s Retreat, provide luxurious resting places.
Find out more at EXPLORE ST LOUIS and VITAL VOICE is the Voice of St Louis covering all that is new, now and next!
BEST GAY CITIES – The Commercial Drive – In LGBT Vancouver
Neighbourhood Stroll: Commercial Drive
Locally known as “The Drive,”
this ‘hood has long been popular with lesbians, and plenty of gay men
love it too, particularly as the neighbourhood holds its own Pride
festival each June. Originally the hub of Vancouver’s Italian and
Portuguese communities, on Commercial Drive
you will meet an eclectic bunch: from skater dudes, to trans folk, to hand-holding lesbians to Italian immigrants drinking a cappuccino al fresco. Easily accessible by Skytrain (Vancouver’s light-rail network), the area to explore is the 23 small-ish blocks between Venables Street and 12th Street.
Arts & Culture.
Commercial Drive is home to a large collection of public murals. An often popular LGBT photo-op is the rainbow mural on the side of Joe’s Café. The Vancouver East Cultural Centre (“The Cultch”) plays host to an array of edgy and interesting performing and visual arts.
Eating.
Foodie goodness—including lots of organic—abounds on The Drive. Vegetarians have bountiful options—standouts include the clever Mexican cuisine at Bandidas Taqueria; the East Indian cuisine at Sweet Cherubim; and the raw “burgers” at Eternal Abundance. For old-style pizza, the
goods at busy Marcello are outstanding, and nearby newcomer Famoso gets raves for their Neapolitan-style pizzas. Or have a true Vancouver cultural experience and shop for a make-it-yourself-picnic at old-school Santa Barbara Market (be sure to take a number!) and dine on the grass in Grandview Park.
Shops that pop.
Folks who live around The Drive aren’t your big-box types, and the neighbourhood supports a
large number of small, independent shops. As you stroll along, watch for period fashions at Little Miss Vintage, mid-century furnishings at Attic Treasures, irresistible gifts and cards at Urban Empire, upscale consignment clothes at Give & Receive, and vinyl at Highlife World Music. Of special note is the sex toy shop Womyn’s Ware; delving beyond their interesting selections for all genders, ask about their role in improving the industry’s product offerings.
Caffeine.
Coffee culture is strong on The Drive. Choose between ultra-hip, local spots like Turk’s Coffee featuring two espressos “on tap”, the fresh lighting of Renzo’s, or the always-bustling Continental. Or hang out and watch soccer on TV with Italian or Portuguese folks at classic coffee houses harkening to a bygone age: Abruzzo Cappuccino Bar and Joe’s Café both fit the genre, and Joe’s not only advertises the best cappuccino in the city but also offers pool tables by-the-hour.
November in Palm Springs
2nd weekend
in November following the Greater
Palm Springs Pride Festival so that
guests who
wish to may bookend their vacation to
Palm Springs and enjoy BOTH
celebrations.
Holidays in Chicago in and Around Boystown
FALL
is upon us and the holiday season is right around the corner!
Boystown, Lakeview and North Halsted areas all have lots going on, PLUS
there are 3 great hotel choices to pick for accommodations, that are
conveniently located near everything! AND you can save so much over the downtown hotels. Plus you can be in the heart of Boystown, filled with restaurants, bars and local businesses with great clothes and gifts!
City Suites , The Majestic and the The Willows .
The historic City Suites Hotel
in Chicago offers the upscale traveler an unmatched degree of service
with upgraded premier amenities to compliment its beautiful Art Deco
interior. Accenting the architecture details of this 1920’s “Roaring
Twenties” gem, the City Suites Hotel exudes a sleek Art Deco
architecture style, inviting ambiance and striking visual detail. The
hotel exudes a sleek Art Deco architecture style, inviting ambiance and
striking visual detail.
Judge Orders Counties in New Mexico to issue Same Sex Marriage Licenses
The clerk for New Mexico’s most populous county planned to begin
issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples Tuesday after a
state district judge declared same-sex marriage legal.
State District Judge Alan Malott on Monday ruled New Mexico’s
constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation, ordering Bernalillo County to join the state’s other two
population centers in recognizing the unions.
The decision comes on the heels of an order last week from a judge in
Santa Fe that directed the county clerk there to begin issuing marriage
licenses to same-sex couples. That followed a decision by the clerk in
the southern New Mexico county of Dona Ana to recognize same-sex
couples.
But Malott’s ruling was seen as more sweeping than the temporary
Santa Fe order because he directly declared that gay marriage was legal.
No Reason to NOT Pick up your Dog’s POOP!
Is there anything worse, then walking down the street, minding your
own business, and step in some business! Dog Poop. It stinks and it’s
messy, it’s nasty, there is NO REASON for it and Dog owners need to
take responsibility. (Did you knowrats LOVE it?!)
they don’t bother to pick up their dogs poop! If you own a dog, clean up after it!
The island of Capri (Italy) is going high-tech to deal with an age-old problem: dog
poop.They have solved the problem and more cities are talking about it.
The mayor of the island, located off the coast of Naples, is determined to
rid Capri of the rather distasteful predicament by using DNA testing.
The small island is a large tourist destination and is home to 7,305 people
owning 1,000 dogs. Unfortunately, some of the residents seem unwilling to scoop
up poop. In order to maintain the pristine setting Capri is famous for, the city
is using technology to track down pet owners who befoul the town by leaving
piles of scat behind.
The mayor plans to take advantage of a law that requires dogs to undergo a
blood test for canine diseases. The city will use the blood to perform DNA tests
on puppy excrement and identify the source of the smelly mess.
EVERY dog owner needs these! The BEST Poop bags ever invented!
If your dog poops in Brunete, a small town just west of Madrid, Spain, the city will box it up like a gourmet confection and post it back to you straightaway.
this is the first we’ve heard of a country’s postal service stepping
into the fray by dispatching canine excrement through the mail.
Best Gay Cities Highlights Las Vegas for September Fun!
Gay Days Las Vegas is back September 3-9th
in conjunction with Las Vegas Pride. This multi day event spans
multiple properties including Tropicana Las Vegas, Luxor and Rumor
Boutique Hotel. Events include pool parties, expos and special events at
the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip! Click here to Learn More…
People from all over the world will gather to celebrate the 30 years of Las Vegas Pride September 5-6.
The staple Light Parade is unique to our city and takes place in
downtown Las Vegas at night! Events throughout the week lead up to to
the day long Pride Festival with food, vendors entertainment and much
more! Click here to Learn More…
The Official Women’s Events of Pride take over the Palms Casino Resort the weekend of September 5-8th.
Celebrities, DJs and go go dancers will entertain the ladies for a
“Sinful” women’s weekend! Events include pool parties, club events and a
poker tournament! Coinciding with PRIDE these ladies will have a
presence in the parade and more! Learn More…
celebration features experiences across all MGM Resorts International
destinations during Las Vegas PRIDE week. From hotel, entertainment and dining discounts, the package provides ”Fabulous” guests exclusive access to the parade along with discounts and deals for PRIDE events throughout the week! Learn More…
CHICAGO is VERY GAY and GAY FRIENDLY!
Stay at one of these hotels in the heart of BOYSTOWN!
OUT IN THE PARK Private LGBT Night at SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA
Out In The Park at Six Flags Great America
Returns in 2013 with a BANG!
A Spectacular Night of Amusement and Entertainment to Help Benefit Chicago House!
Out In The Park is an annual private LGBTQ Saturday night event featuring unlimited riding of ALL Six Flags Great America’s amazing rides and live music!
Top DJ Matthew Harvat, will deliver a complete 4 hour party-celebration dance area, so you can dance, or ride, or do both!
New this year is a laser light show to dance above the crowd and some go-go gods to dance with the crowd.
Plus live musical performance by national recording artists Eli Lieb, Jess Godwin and Isaiah Grass.
In an interview with ChicagoPride.com: “We are very excited to be asked to present this event annually by the executives at Six Flags Great America based on last year’s success and their excitement in allowing us this unique fundraising opportunity at such an awesome private venue inside their park for our community” said Derrick Sorles, owner of BestGayChicago.com. “We are proud to have Chicago House benefiting from this year’s event and we are so excited to have Mini Cooper of Chicago co-presenting with us!”
In 2012, over 3600 people came out to support this event and nearly $12,000 was raised for TPAN. For 2013, over 7000-8000 people are expected to come out and BestGayChicago.com hopes to raise close to $20,000 for Chicago House. It will be a full weekend of fun and LGBT travelers are expected to come in from the 4 surrounding states!
“What’s great about the event is that it is closed to the general public, ” explains Michael Snell. “The LGBTQ attendees and their friends and family can enjoy the park with little or no lines (no Flash Pass needed) and no hassle’s from anyone. It will be like a fall gay pride celebration!”
Last year there were comments from the community that people who did not enjoy rides, had no reason to come. So this year, more entertainment has been added. Singers Eli Lieb, Isaiah Grass and Jess Godwin will play on a stage, separate from the dance area.
The park will once again be serving beer and specialty drinks, at reduced drink prices, just for us! And we will be planning events on Friday night, Saturday daytime, Saturday after the park, and Sunday recovery things to do! We’ll be announcing events at Scarlett, Taverna 750, Charlies and Hamburger Marys in Chicago and Milwaukee! Making a whole weekend of fun for everyone.
“The other thing that makes this event is so great, is the fact it is supported by everyone.” says Derrick Sorles. “We are so happy and humbled that our peers GRAB Magazine, Chicago Pride.com, and Wisconsin’s QUEST Magazine are also involved in helping to make this a huge success and special thanks to our other Community Partners Walgreens and Mini Cooper of Chicago.
Ticket Prices —-Advance ticket price is $38 for this private event. There will be FREE parking! (A $22 savings!) Tickets are available now online at GaySixFlagsChicago.com.
Unfortunately, you can NOT use a smart phone to order tickets.
You will need to use a computer and printer.
Doors open at 9pm promptly. Ride and enjoy music until 1am.
Drinks are served until Midnight.
Hotels —if you are coming to Chicago for the weekend, we have 3 hotel choices in the heart of boystown! More information below!
Chicago House
Chicago House and Social Service Agency serves individuals and families by providing housing, employment services, medical linkages, HIV prevention services, and other supportive services to those who are disenfranchised by HIV/AIDS, poverty, homelessness, and/or gender nonconformity. All Chicago House services are provided without discrimination and are explicitly designed to guide people towards wholeness and self-sufficiency.
The first HIV/AIDS housing provider in the Midwest, Chicago House has continuously evolved its services to meet the changing needs of those who are living with HIV and AIDS.
BestGayChicago.com
Since 2007, BestGayChicago.com has been providing the best of everything gay and gay-friendly in the greater Chicago area. Owned and operated by Best Gay Inc., their sites provide news, information, travel tips and entertainment for the LGBT community.
this post sponsored by…
Best Gay Cities in Minnesota
MINNESOTA is gearing up for Gay Marriages!
same-sex wedding the minute gay marriage becomes legal in Minnesota.
A same-sex couple is scheduled to be wed at the chapel at 12:01 a.m.
on Thursday, Aug. 1. Holli Bartelt and Amy Petrich of Wykoff have been
together for two years.
Now BETTY CROCKER is lending support. Three of the first same-sex couples who will legally marry in Minnesota on August 1st visited the Betty Crocker Kitchens
at General Mills Headquarters in Golden Valley, Minnesota to taste-test
wedding cakes for their ceremonies. The company has kindly donated the
cakes to the couples for their celebrations, which will take place this
Thursday at midnight. The couples will be wed at Minneapolis City Hall and the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul.
Margaret Miles and Cathy ten Broeke, the first couple who will be
married, were joined by Reid Bordson and Paul Nolle, the second. Both
will be married on Thursday by Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.
The third couple was Al Giraud and Jeff Isaacson, who will be the first
couple married in St. Paul. The three couples tasted three Betty
Crocker cakes, designed specifically to their tastes, in order to select
one for their ceremony.
Betty Crocker is performing this donation as a part of The Families Project. The company states that it wanted “to celebrate with these families and mark this moment in the state’s history.”
Best Gay City Vancouver celebrates Pride Parade and Festival now thru AUGUST 4th
The “big day” is Sunday, August 4,
with the parade rolling through city streets and ending at Sunset Beach
where the festival takes place.
nights with outdoor screenings, a Pride pavilion at the Vancouver Public
Library, a Pride Run, and dance parties for everyone including youth
and clean/sober communities.
.
Running alongside Pride, the numerous events of the QAF bring out the
best and queerest in performing and visual arts held at various downtown
venues. Everyone’s welcome to join in the Vancouver Men’s Chorus’ “Big
Gay Sing,” view the Pride in Community Art Show, take in the play Bi, Hung, and Fit, and more.
Matt Oliver leads this “easy” cycling tour focused on Vancouver’s LGBT
scene and history, and strives to answer the question, “how did the
Davie Village become the gayest and my most favorite place to live in
the world?”
The weekend before the Pride parade, get your fetish on during this
three-night extravaganza at a variety of venues. With event names like
Sin City Confessional and Scarlet Harlot’s Ball, this sexy weekend is
not for the bashful.
Held at the indie-popular Cobalt bar on Main Street, this organization
hosts two back-to-back gender-bender drag king and queer dance party
events on Pride weekend.
Gay Marriage Comes to the UK! Great Britain to Celebrate next!
The whole freaking world will have gay marriage before the US does!
repressed ways in matters of the heart. But when it came time to debate
same-sex marriage, it was France that betrayed a deep conservative
streak in sometimes violent protests — while the British showed
themselves to be modern and tolerant.
With little fanfare or controversy, Britain announced Wednesday
that Queen Elizabeth II — hardly a social radical — had signed into law
a bill legalizing same-sex marriages in England and Wales. France has
also legalized gay marriages, but only after a series of gigantic
protests attracting families from the traditional heartland that
revealed a deeply split society.
Best Gay Friendly City – Anaheim Unveils Amazing Packing House
The Anaheim Packing District is
targeting October of this year as the Grand Opening for The Anaheim
Packing House, the final segment of a multi-faceted restoration project
pioneered by the City of Anaheim more than 10 years ago. This
historic landmark, commonly known as the Sunkist Packing House, will
soon be home to approximately 20 local culinary artisans sharing a
communal eating and entertainment area, in the tradition of global food
halls.
A sampling of
Anaheim Packing House gourmet eateries coming soon includes: The Kroft
(gourmet sandwiches and specialty fries), Popbar (gourmet popsicles),
Cafectio Organico (Guatemalan-style coffee), The Chippy (fish and
chips), ADYA (unique Indian cuisine), Iron Press (waffle sandwiches),
Ecco Pizza Shoppe (pizzeria), Wheat & Sons (local butcher), Orange
Tei (gourmet sushi and Ramen), Rolling Boil (hot pot restaurant),
revolutionary new bakery, Korean barbeque, surprisingly fresh juice bar,
artisan cheeses and grilled cheese sandwiches, and more to follow.
The Anaheim brewing tradition also continues within The Packing House with bars The Blind Rabbit (speakeasy) and The Tool Shed (featuring unique organic wines).
The
exterior warehouse loading docks have been transformed into dining
porches and open top railroad cars have been parked on the original
railroad tracks used to transport the citrus crops as additional outdoor
seating.
LAB
Holding, LLC, known for the acclaimed community based projects such as
The LAB, The CAMP, The Casino San Clemente, SOLO and others, was engaged
by the City to revive the cultural aspects and design of the project.
“The
Packing House, built in 1919, is an authentic icon of Orange County’s
agricultural past,” states the LAB. “We honor this tradition by hand
selecting food and beverage purveyors to repurpose this grand hall into a
community gathering place with live music and seasonal celebrations. We
were inspired by Anaheim’s rich history and culture and the photos of
Anaheim’s early immigrant farmers who settled on these very streets.”
Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait summarizes The Anaheim Packing District project: “The
Anaheim Packing House is a beautiful community asset that will serve
all of Anaheim’s residents and guests,” said Tait. “My thanks go to a
multitude of community leaders who, over time, made the renovation of
this historic building and Packing District even greater than we could
have imagined. The Packing District will be a neighborhood place for
the community to gather with family and friends, as well as giving us a
place to celebrate our agricultural and entrepreneurial heritage. My
congratulations to all.”
The Anaheim Packing District consists of three contingent parcels along Anaheim Blvd. near City Hall: The Packard Showroom, Farmers Park, and soon to open Packing House.
First to be redeveloped was The Packard (Car) Showroom, built in 1925. It now houses the Anaheim Brewery, a commercial brewer and tasting room, and the gourmet burger sensation, Umami Burger. The
outdoor patios of these two establishments face the second phase of the
project, Farmers Park, a greenbelt designed by award-winning landscape
architect, Ken Smith. The Park opened on June 29th with
a lively Farm Folk Festival and more than 1000 residents exploring the
grassy knoll, redwood boardwalk, community gardens and olive grove. A weekly Farmers Market opens at Farmers Park on Saturday, July 27th with many other community events to follow.
ABOUT THE ANAHEIM PACKING DISTRICT
The Anaheim Packing District,
located at 400 S. Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, a unique gathering place for
local food, drinks and music, includes the Packard Showroom, Farmers
Park and The Anaheim Packing House. Built
in 1919, the restored Packing House will serve as a culinary center
that brings together artisan food producers and purveyors in a public
market type setting. The Packard Showroom houses Anaheim Brewery and
Umami Burger, now open. Farmer’s Park, an outdoor marketplace, will soon
host an array of community activities such as outdoor concerts, movies,
and seasonal festivals. Contact info@
keep abreast of Grand Opening details and upcoming events at the
Packing House, or follow us on Facebook at AnaheimPackingDistrict or on
Twitter @PackingDistrict.
Best Gay Cities?
Who are the best gay cities. and says who?! Being a great LGBT city doesn’t just mean having a raucous nightlife, so
if you expected to see Hell’s Kitchen, Boystown or the Castro, you’re reading the
wrong list.
and San Francisco nabbed the top spot in both the “most scenic” and
“most pride” categories. It earned runner-up status in several others.
readers. The annual America’s Favorite Cities survey asks readers to
rank 35 cities in categories such as walkable streets and great ethnic
food. This year, they added gay-friendly travel, and while cities with an
obvious connection to the gay rights movement–such as San Francisco and
New York–ranked near the top, so did some less obvious places that
have clearly made a point to welcome the LGBT community.
but that doesn’t mean they don’t have plenty to offer gay travelers.
Many of us end up passing through smaller or less glamorous cities,
perhaps on business, visiting friends or relatives, or enjoying a quick
weekend getaway. It’s always a pleasant surprise to discover that a
destination you had modest hopes for fosters a vibrant gay social scene.
Here are some under rated cities.
Chicago’s Famous Northalsted Market Days in August
AUGUST 10-11, 2013!
Cool Deals from Palm Springs this Summer
Sure, it can get a little HOT in the desert in the summertime. But so what? That’s why God made pools, right?! Our fitness friend DAVEY WAVEY told Gaytravel.com, “Interestingly, the high temperatures bring in a different crowd. Instead of attracting the usual crowd from San Diego and Los Angeles, This trip, I stayed at INNdulge—a clothing-optional resort for gay men.
BY THE WAY, INNdulge has a $99 Summer Special till September 15th, 2013 Davey continues, ”
1. Bring a car. If you don’t drive to Palm Springs, be
2. Prioritize the pool. Needless to say, the pool is
3. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Every half
4. Shop at the Thursday street fair. Each Thursday—and
5. Drink lots and lots of water. Because it’s so hot
many of the tourists were from Eastern Europe. For the international
visitors, discounted hotel rooms and hot weather are a huge draw—and
much of Europe closes down later in the summer. It’s why the Palm
Springs locals affectionately refer to the summer months as “Foreskin
Season.”
Though there is no shortage of clothing-optional or gay hotels in Palm
Springs, INNdulge is different. The owners of INNdulge, Sandy and Jon,
go out of their way to build a real sense of community. Each evening,
for example, the owners hold a social hour to let the guests mix and
mingle. It’s a great way to connect with other visitors and to make new
friends.”
Having said all of that, here are my best tips for visiting Palm Springs—and staying cool—during the summer months:
sure to pick up a rental car at the airport. While walking is fine
during the cooler winter months, the summer heat is oppressive—and
dangerous. Get a car and take advantage of the air conditioning.
more important than the room. Stay at a hotel or resort with an amazing
pool. With temperatures as high as 120 degrees, you’ll want to spend
much of your downtime in the water.
hour, a cable car departs for a mountain peak 6,000 feet above Palm
Springs. The views are stunning—and, it’s usually 30 degrees cooler at
the top. It’s generally 70 – 90 degrees at the summit—thereby providing
some much-needed natural A/C.
after the hot sun goes down—the city comes alive for a weekly street
fair. Packed with local arts and crafts, food and jewelry, it’s a great
way to spend the cooler evening hours.
and dry, sweat tends to evaporate very quickly—and you might not realize
how dehydrated you really are. Make sure you drink plenty of water—and
take extra bottle with you while you venture out (especially during the
day).
THE NEW F WORD – An Exciting Anti Bully Photo Campaign
After nearly a year of passion, dedication,
and development coupled with the unwavering support of our family,
friends, and some of our favorite celebs …
Friend Movement proudly presents:
“THE NEW F WORD -
GIVING BULLYING THE BIRD”
An edgy anti-bully campaign and brainchild of producers Ronnie Kroell
& Elliot London, photographer Ryan Forbes, and branding guru Bianca
Kosoy. The New F Word aims to keep the conversation about bullying
alive, but more importantly it was designed to empower individuals and
inspire all of us to take ACTION.
Our goal is to shoot …
10,000 Photos in 90 Days, across 40 Cities
Fresno, Sacramento, Reno, Eugene, Seattle, Portland, Spokane,
Billings, Fargo, Minneapolis, Madison, Rockford, Chicago, Detroit,
Cleveland, Rochester, Boston, Provincetown, Philadelphia, DC, Raleigh,
NYC, Savannah, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Tallahassee, Mobile,
Montgomery, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville, Birmingham, Jackson, Little
Rock, Kansas City, Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas. – I like how they are choosing cities that are a target for bullying!
When someone is being bullied, we want them to have an inner
monologue of “F-U I’m amazing … I don’t need your approval.” By doing
so, they can reclaim their power and rise above the fear that can
prevent them from being the diverse, confident, and beautiful
individuals they were meant to be.
While we may not be able to fully eradicate
bullying, we can commit to being better friends to one another – to
ourselves. So, get those middle fingers ready because THE NEW F WORD is
FRIEND.
Thank you for your time and support!!
Ronnie & Elliot
