Bear Bones

Thanks to Patrick and the folks over at OutOnTheNet.com for their IBR coverage . . .

Rendezvousing With Bears  

by Patrick Letellier

OutOnTheNet.com - Published 2/27/07

Bear home furnishings are what’s hot, says Mike Doherty, of The Complete Bear, which caters to “the bear, his cub and their den.” Think Grizzly Adams meets Pottery Barn and you’re in the ballpark.

Sets of handmade, salt-glazed dishware emblazoned with large brown bears are Doherty’s best-sellers. As are Christmas ornaments, undeniably cute little bears wrapped in holiday lights, or riding reindeer.

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Freshly home from IBR 13, today is a good time to pause and take note, as my impressions and experiences already begin drifting into memory. 

Whoever, back in the 1980s, would have thought? What began as not much more than a night of hanging out with friends at the Lonestar, an evening of play at a Bear Hugs party, or picking up a copy of that funky, one-handed ‘zine full of personals ads, would grow into such a vast community, a global-sized community? Bears today are in instantaneous, and frequently constant, touch with each other. Bears have pioneered the Internet, built up a social network of clubs, interest groups, weekend events, bear bars, contests, and cruises, spanning the globe.
 
Today IBR is one stop – granted, a big one, and one of the longest running – on the international bear circuit. IBR and similar events are important, not just because they are times of celebrating the bear lifestyles. As the 21st-century bear circuit emerged, IBR was alive and well, with a long record of doing good works. For those who did not know, IBR’s primary purpose is as a charitable fund-raising event, the instrument through which the Bears of San Francisco provide charitable service to the communities of San Francisco, bear, GLBTQ, and others in need. (Check out their website for the current year’s worthy recipients.)

IBR continues a wonderful tradition of the bear community – having fun and being of service at the same time, all the while providing community space. We grow and prosper by such means.
Thank you to all those who volunteered to put on another successful, mammoth weekend. Thanks to all the members of the Bears of San Francisco, and to the BOSF’s hard-working leadership for your example, your vision, and your commitment to the bear community and the GLBTQ community as a whole. And, of course, thank you, San Francisco -- part sophisticated lady, part raucous Forty-Niner, part bearishly down-to-earth, openhearted, and unsated rover -- for your legendary hospitality.

On a related note, you read it here first. The Bear History Project is being restored to active status. After a three-year hiatus of the BHP history archives and related bear art and cultural work (under the Nashoba umbrella), this grassroots “bearstorian” is settling in back home in San Francisco and ready to answer the call. (Is that a phone in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?)

In a mere five years, the bear community has grown and transformed exponentially. As we all venture forth in a much-changed 21st century, bears continue to forge the way. And often do it with a great deal of style and taste. As I said earlier, who knew?

It’s good to be back, and it’s good for the BHP to be in its new home in San Francisco.

Thank you!
Papa Bearstorian
(Les Wright)

 

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Congratulations to Mr So Cal Bear 2006, Steve Finch, who took home the title of International Mr Cub 2007 at IBR in San Francisco last weekend.

Congratualtions to Todd Bennett, who took home the title of International Daddy Bear 2007 at IBR in San Francisco last weekend.

Congratualtions to Mr. Oregon Bear 2006, Steve Strong, who took home the title of International Grizzly Bear 2007 at IBR in San Francisco last weekend.

Congratualtions to Mr International Mad Bear 2006, Andres Piedehierro, who took home the title of International Mr Bear 2007 at IBR in San Francisco last weekend.

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Yes, we survived IBR - but we're a little tired. 

There's lots to tell, so stay tuned this week and we'll fill you in, but right now we are going to put our paws up and take a little snooze.  It was a great weekend, the sun was shining (an IBR first), and the fur was flying!!! 

We want to thank all the volunteers at IBR for doing an amazing job. 

WOOF!!! 

 'IBR the 13th': Bears scared silly

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On the Chinese calendar, 2007 is Lunar Year 4704-4705 -The Year of the Pig.  Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on February 18th and ends on the full moon 15 days later. This is a very superstitious time of the year. Many believe that whatever you do on the first day of the year will dictate the year's fortune. 

In other traditions, by this time in the year, most resolutions - made on December 31 - have been subtly forgotten. However, all hope is not lost, as there's a second chance to start afresh with the celebration of Chinese New Year.

So, you have been granted a second chance. While most of your family and friends have long since forgotten their healthy goals, you have a fresh start. How will you use it? Is this the year you start a new walking program? How about an apple a day? or orange?, or something green on your plate?

Scientific studies have shown that routinely including fruits and vegetables - which are rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals - along with exercise can promote better health and reduce cancer risks.

Although celebrations of the Chinese New Year vary, the underlying message is one of peace and happiness for family (however you define it) members and friends.

The Complete Bear wishes you much peace and happiness in the New Year. . .

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On behalf the staff of The Complete Bear, I want to personally welcome all of our furry friends from around the world to the 13^th International Bear Rendezvous.  

One of America’s “Gayest” cities awaits you.  From the Golden Gate Bridge to the Historic Castro Theatre to The Lone Star Saloon, we hope you enjoy your stay.  San Francisco offers a diverse offering of fabulous restaurants and eateries, unique retail stores you won’t find anywhere else in the world and probably the on Starbuck’s in the world commonly referred to as “Starbears.”

We appreciate your decision to hold your event here in San Francisco.  Thanks to the support of groups like the Bears of San Francisco, we are proud to the “gay friendliest” city.  We are also honored to be the home of the fist publicly traded LGBT Corporation – Planet Out (NYSE:LGBT).  We recently celebrated the third year anniversary of Mayor Newson’s decision to grant the right marriage to all.  And trust us when we say that fight is far from over.

We hope you take some time while in our city; cruise the Castro, take a steam in Berkeley and nibble some chocolate at Ghirardelli’s.  Once you do, we think you’ll agree with Rudyard Kipling , "San Francisco has only one drawback. ''Tis hard to leave."

WOOF!!

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SAY IT!! 

Anticipation!

So come up to the lab
and see what's on the slab
I see you shiver with anticipation
But maybe the rain
Is really to blame
So I'll remove the cause but not the symptom.

---------------------------------------

I had coffee this afternoon with Rich Tramontozzi - President of BOSF.  IBR is just days away and Rich promises all kinds of ghoulish delights for this year's attendees.  A must not miss will be the Midnight Movie Madness screening of Young Frankenstein at the Castro Theatre.  

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Igor, would you mind telling me whose brain I did put in?
Igor: And you won't be angry?
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: I will NOT be angry.
Igor: Abby someone.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Abby someone. Abby who?
Igor: Abby Normal. 

 -------------------------------------

Also, new this year will be a Bears Bath & Beyond at Steamworks in Berkeley.  Let's just say it's a very intimate Meet & Greet.  Towel, anyone?

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Hard to believe it’s been three years.  On this date three years ago, San Francisco began marrying same sex couples.  The very first couple married was Dell Martin and Phyllis Lyon - long time activists in the LGBT community.  The pair had been together for over 50 years.

Approximately 4,000 couples were married before the State Supreme Court intervened and put a stop to same sex marriage in California.  The case continues to make its way through the appeals process.  Our very own Liza Sibley presided over 400 plus ceremonies.  We couldn’t be prouder.

As we continue the pursuit of equality, it’s heart warming to remember the days of married couples streaming out of City Hall.  And we will not rest until they are streaming out again.

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Freedom to Marry Week
10th Annual Observance
February 11-17, 2007

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The South of Market Bare Chest Calendar is a San Francisco institution. Every year 12 hot men are chosen for the Calendar. These 12 men then spend the rest of the year raising money for The Positive Resource Center and The AIDS Emergency Fund.

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Many of you are venturing off to IBR for the first time next week and have asked us for a little advice . . .

OOOHH - they grow up so fast . . . 

Bear Run Etiquette

Remember that bears represent the top of the gay food chain. It's their home you're visiting when attending a Bear Run. I hope the following tips help you behave like a well brought up cub.   If not, there's always the paddle when you get home!! 

Never in a million years would I have predicted that I would be getting up at the crack of dawn to go worm shopping.  Yes, worm shopping, and no I don’t fish.

As a truly domesticated bear, I have become the housekeeper, the cook, and now the gardener.  Of all my wifely duties, I actually like the garden.  It doesn’t hurt that in San Francisco everything grows regardless of my lack of a green thumb. 

Being a Type-A Bear, I never do anything half assed.  My gardening is no exception.  Not content to simply plant a few geraniums, I am now trying to produce my own compost.  It is N. California after all, and all my lesbian friends produce their own compost in between breast feeding and golf.   So in my organically inclined universe, I am now off buying worms.

Please don’t tell my NY friends, who remember me as the bar owner who rarely made it home before 8am.  I have retired the late nights and such goings on for a huzbear, two dogs, a cat and an organically challenged garden.  OK, so like when I see a scary bug, I still reach for every chemical I can find to send it onto the next life.  If there is karma, I am sure I will be a bug in the next life being chased by a crazed, dust buster wielding maniac.  But, I digress.

Back to the worms.  I have decided my compost is not composting fast enough.  How do I know this?  I have no idea, but I do.  So my new friends (the worms, not the lesbians) have been called to duty.  Apparently, they will cut my composting time in half, as they munch their way through last week’s lawn clippings.  Then – why do I read the Internet – they will poop fertilizing nectar of the gods.     For those of us garden types – worm poop is called “castings” and are high in Nitrogen.  Apparently, this is a good thing.

So, I have launched 400 or so of my new friends off to work. 

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The weathervane is fully functional and is precisely balanced so that it will turn into even a light breeze to tell you the direction of the wind. Easy to follow assembly instructions are included with the weathervane and it can be assembled in minutes. 

Shop today!

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Bears?  Topic de Jour?  Who knew?  My own view is that the minute you start taking Andrew Sullivan too seriously, you've lost it (LOL).  Well, he is WOOFY!

Bear-y Gay
A subculture of hefty, hirsute gay men is attracting the attention of academics and social critics.
LA Times: February 4, 2007

Studying Bears
by Andrew Sullivan
The Atlantic Online, January 6, 2007

My own view is that the minute you start taking bear culture too seriously, you've lost it. It's fun and unpretentious and easy-going. And slovenly masculinity has always been integral to male homosexuality; it has just often been eclipsed by heterosexual obsession with gender-nonconformism among homosexuals.

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In a mere twenty years, bears have evolved from small clusters of buddies, playmates, and guys recognizing a tacit bond of kindred spirit to the largest, and fastest-spreading, new expression of gay (queer, bi, lesbian, trans, and even straight) identity. Bears today come in all shapes and sizes, across the socioeconomic spectrum, and across the range of sexual self-expression.

We're Everywhere Now
by Les Wright © 2006

We've Come a Long Way, Cubsters
by Les Wright © 2006

The Wired Network: Bears in the 1990s
by Les Wright © 2007

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