HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN
First up for this month was the annual Corks & Canvas art, food and wine auction to benefit Good Samaritan Project. It was April 27 at the newly added party room at the Boulevard Brewing Company. I knew we were in for a treat when they were turning guests away at the door without tickets because fire codes would only allow 400 participants into the building. What a perfect venue for this event, complete with a third-floor outdoor patio with wonderful views of downtown. Sprinkled among the three floors of silent auction items were wine and beer bars and a plethora of hors d’oeuvres donated by local caterers, including my favorites, Bob Salzman and Dick Siebolt. My dear friend, Evie had to restrain me from devouring everything that they brought out of the kitchen before she could even get a bite! Just kidding, there was plenty of food to go around. This was my first year to experience this wonderful fundraising event, which is one of the main sources of funding for Good Samaritan Project, according to Jimmy Woodcock, the project’s director. This gathering gave me a chance to see some of my old friends from the grassroots “emergency fundraising team” of the ’80s and ’90s. The former director of the Good Samaritan Project, Kathleen Cooper and her husband, Richard attended, and it was good to see them again.
April 28 brought the culmination of a full year of fundraising efforts for the AIDS Walk ’07 team, and what a perfect day for the walk. The air was crisp and the skies were clear. However, during the set-up day on Friday, the crew was deluged by rain several times. According to Michael Lintecum, co-chairman, more than 3,500 participants walked about 3.5 miles and raised more than $350,000 for the four AIDS service organizations. Next year promises to be even more spectacular as this will be the 20th anniversary of AIDS Walk. My contribution will be the complete collection of official AIDS Walk T-shirts from the past 20 years, so be sure to stop by the Memorial tent and see what Terry Newell has in store to mark that occasion. I was privileged this year to be able to carry a banner with the name of one of my partners, Willie M., who passed away in 1996 from AIDS-related complications. If you have a loved one who passed away from AIDS, please consider buying a commemorative banner and walking in next year’s event. Believe me, the experience is quite overwhelming and will leave you with closure and enrichment.
I don’t know what it is about the month of May, but two of my good friends have birthdays that represent the year before the turning point to, shall I call it, “middle age” or mid-life crisis. Eric B, my good friend and team captain for Team GE, the team that I walked with for AIDS Walk, turned 49 and celebrated at Missie B’s. Another AIDS Walk kingpin, Michael Lintecum, turned 49 and celebrated with an outdoor patio bash at Bistro 303. And last but not least, AIDS Walk steering committee member Brian P. turned the decade mark to 40 with a fabulous “Cinco De Brian” celebration at his lovely home which he shares with his partner Stuart W. Brian really does know how to make a “burro” out of himself. I understand that this same burro ended up in bed with the two weary partiers that same evening. Way to go guys, are we into “bestiality” now?
On May 6, just in time to follow one of our myriad downpours, JC cohosted a Pig Roast at his fabulous new Briarcliff digs with Tom and Craig, his good friends shown here in the next pic with the guest of honor, sans head (see photo). Apparently Craig wanted to insert an apple in the pig’s mouth, but the pig would not cooperate. Kind of reminds me of most of my dates! Thanks, guys, for hosting such a fabulous dinner party and for inviting me.
CHANGES AROUND TOWN
Transitions seem to be the norm around Kansas City these days. For those of you who are not regular “bar flies” like me, the building that houses Missie B’s has been sold to the same person who owns NV, the on-again, off-again, ex-gay bar turned straight dance bar down
town. All of us hope that this means a continuation of business as usual for Missie B’s, my “home away from home.” Rumor has it that a restaurant may be ready to move into the space vacated by Nichol’s Lunch earlier this year, possibly an existing restaurant from farther down 39th Street.
Another transition took place quietly this month: Ownership of Outa Bounds Sports Bar and Grill was sold by Doug and Allen to one of their managers, Darren, who is one of the hottest looking bar owners this writer has ever laid eyes on. Darren promises to bring a young fresh approach to the bar with friendly, eye candy in abundance everywhere. If Darren is any example, I will be spending more time bellying up to this bar drinking my signature Bloody Marys and eating those wonderful “Flea Market” inspired hamburgers.
Finally, another change is taking place two doors down from Outa Bounds, at the Boca Boca Restaurant. For those of us old enough to remember when The Other Side Bar was located next door to Sydney’s restaurant and Tootsies Bar was where Outa Bounds is now, there was a tiny restaurant in the middle called “The Grille” on Broadway. The restaurant gained somewhat of a reputation for feeding the bar patrons when they wanted to soak up all the alcohol but did not want to have a cholesterol attack at the same time. The Grille offered a wonderful alternative to Sydney’s standard fare. As it happens, the restaurant transitioned from The Grille to Poco’s and finally to Boca Boca with the same basic ownership. I am pleased to announce that as of this writing, the restaurant will transition back to become The Grille, with many of the same wonderful dishes that we have known and loved -- the sea bass, crab cakes, rack of lamb, just to name a few. One of the owners, Steve H., whipped up some crab cake appetizer and rack of lamb for a photo shoot last week for their ad found elsewhere in this issue of Camp. Of course, someone had to eat the subject of the shoot, so yours truly stepped up to the plate, and I can tell you without hesitation that it was the most succulent lamb I have ever had the pleasure of consuming. The crab cakes were to die for, and, believe me, Steve, I will be back. You will not be disappointed at this restaurant and the atmosphere is very cozy for all you lovebirds courting a spring romance.
FUTURE HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN
Just a quick mention of a special evening planned for May 19 at bar Natasha: the fabulous Marilyn Maye will perform in a special concert. I don’t know how many of my readers will remember her vocal renditions of “Cabaret,” but I am a huge fan and Marilyn is one of the most gracious performers I have ever had the pleasure to meet. This is certain to be a sold-out evening, so call down to bar Natasha and make your reservations today. At 7 p.m. the following Friday night, May 25, bar Natasha again plays host to the Gay Pride fundraiser Dress to Impress. This affair will give you fashion queens the perfect excuse to bring out your finest outfits and enjoy an evening that promises to be jam-packed with great entertainment, eye candy and many more surprises and all for a great cause, Gay Pride ’07. In another vein, mark your calendars for the annual Interfaith Service to be held at Spirit of Hope MCC at 7 p.m. May 31. The Rev. Kurt Kreiger will preside over this service, which brings together many of the participating faiths that will also be represented at the Gay Pride Festival on June 1, 2 and 3. The Spirit of Hope MCC will also play host to the Jason & deMarco concert June 24. You don’t want to miss this chance to not only hear some great music, but as is evident in their ad in this issue of Camp, they ain’t too shabby in the looks department either!
IN CONCLUSION
Since Camp’s launch for Gay Pride in June 2004, we have been a proud media sponsor as well as the official Pride Guide for this annual event. My heartfelt thanks go out to John Koop and his committee members for allowing us to be such an integral part of Gay Pride. Last year was particularly memorable as the mayor of Kansas City, Kay Barnes, graced the cover of Camp exhibiting her “Gay Pride” for all to see. Let us not forget those brothers and sisters who went before us to open the doors and lead us to where we are today, celebrating our heritage openly in one of Kansas City’s most treasured parks, the Liberty Memorial. As the saying goes, “We’ve come a long way, baby!” Please make your presence known on Pride weekend and attend the Street Blast on Friday night and the two days at the festival itself. I look forward to meeting quite a few of you, my wonderful readers, that weekend, so please come by the Camp booth and say hello. Until next time, have a great Pride.
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.