HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN
Well, Halloween in Kansas City certainly lived up to the name “Gay Christmas”! This reporter roved from Missie B’s to Buddies to Sharp’s and back again. I took so many pictures my poor old camera finally gave out on me. Missie B’s opted to hold its party on Sunday night, October 28th, with festivities and costume contests both downstairs and upstairs. Being more traditional, I opted to remain downstairs with the established queens (that means older, for those new in town). At one point I thought I was seeing double, although I was sure I hadn’t been over served.
On Tuesday, Halloween itself, I attended the festivities at Sharp’s restaurant and bar, which were a way for owner Marty and manager Ken to thank their loyal patrons from over the years. A delicious buffet greeted us, and the food just kept coming. The place was packed and the costumes were very original. My hat is off to Marty and the boys for a delightful evening. And just wait for their “New Year’s A Go Go” Disco Party on Dec. 31. I decided to finish off the evening with a night cap at Buddies, but was just a bit disappointed. I had anticipated some very original outfits from this group, but I guess they partied too hard over the weekend. I understand that Buddies now has a new owner, Michael S. who has plans for some changes. I will try to inform you of changes as they occur.
One of my dear sisters, Leron H., blew into town from Boonville on Nov. 1st and we decided to take in lunch at Bistro 303. Let me tell you, this was a wonderful dining experience. Not only was the food terrific, the server, Andy, was equally yummy! I really wanted to ask if I could get the waiter “to go“ but Leron made me think better of that idea! Seriously, next time you want to treat yourself, take in a meal at Bistro 303; they have a great brunch on Sundays as well.
The Fox Bar on the Kansas side, will be celebrating the holidays in traditional style. Marsha is planning on holding her famous Egg Nog Party on Friday, December 22nd from 2PM on and Marsha and Butch will hold their traditional Christmas White Elephant Party on Christmas Day so save up all those garage sale items and bring them down to The Fox to exchange for another white elephant gift to take home and put in your next garage sale. And just a little friendly competition with Out A Bounds, The Fox will open at 3PM on December 17th for the Chiefs vs. San Diego football game. They have even brought in a 128” TV especially for the game.
On November 11, my friend George R. and I attended the Creating Change Conference at the Crown Center Hotel. I wanted to go to seminars on aging in the LGBT community. One we both found particularly interesting was a lecture on the financial aspects of being gay and approaching retirement. The speaker was excellent and pointed out the fact that gays are very much discriminated against when it comes to the laws that regulate inheritance and social security. I was surprised to see a number of younger attendees taking copious notes. Although we did not stay for the entire session, I was totally impressed with the way the conference was organized, even down to the gender neutral bathrooms. My hat is off to the organizers of this event.
On November 19th, John Long and I were privileged to be invited by our good friend John Koop to the Annual Body Art Ball at the Uptown Theater, sponsored by Tuaca Liquors. There were about 15 gorgeous models entered in the contest, which consisted of artists painting costumes on the scantily clad boys and girls. Unfortunately, I cannot show you any pictures of the models, but believe me, every one of them looked great. I don’t know how Flo and the judges were able to decide on a winner!
While hanging around the buffet table (I seem to be doing a lot of that this month!) I ran into Hearne Christopher Jr. of the Kansas City Star. I told him that I loosely modeled my column after his column “Cowtown Confidential” and after I picked him up off the floor, we chatted and I introduced him to my publisher. As a result, Hearne did a mention in his next column about the Bartender’s Review Thanksgiving night at Missie B’s.
Speaking of Bartender’s Review, yours truly was a participant in this annual event that raises money for the Angel Tree Fund, which each year gives money for Christmas gifts for the children and families of Dr. Sharon Lee’s Southwest Blvd Family Health Care Clinic. If you have never attended, you are missing the opportunity to witness the switching of roles from bartender to drag queen. Many of the bartenders and employees of Missie B’s are made up by real entertainers like Sandy Kaye and perform for a packed house of eager contributors.
You might ask how I fit into all of this madness. Well, several years ago my friend Rick F., who is straight with seven kids, decided to put on a dress and drug me screaming and kicking (ha! ha!) along with him. We’ve been performing ever since! Jan A. informed me that so far Missie B’s has raised over $6,885 for the Angel Tree Fund and it isn’t even December yet! This is a wonderful opportunity for holiday giving, so next time you’re in Missie B’s, drop a few dollars in the jar for the Angel Tree Fund.
FUTURE HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN
As you pick up this issue of Camp, several World AIDS Day events are probably taking place, including a reception at the Hotel Phillips on December 1st at 5PM. Hope to see you there. Also right on the heels of World AIDS Day are the holiday concerts of the Heartland Men’s Chorus, “Everything’s Coming Up Christmas,” at the Folly Theater, Dec. 1st thru the 3rd. This will be the first time the chorus will have three performances, so let’s show our support by filling the theater for all of them. Also crammed into this first weekend on December 2nd is the Linda Evans–Joan Collins look- alike contest, a forerunner to the presentation at the Lyric Theater of “Legends” the week of December 6 thru 10. Grab those gowns and wigs, sharpen those long fingernails for scratching, and get on down to Missie B’s for the festivities. I understand the top prize may involve a meet and greet.
Another theater offering this month, “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” on stage throughout the month at the Unicorn Theater, sounds like the type of theater made with us queens in mind. After all, was it not Flo who entertained us during the heyday of the Cabaret from an imaginary trailer park?
In December, Camp welcomes to our growing family a new advertiser, L & L Home Goods and Gifts. Leo and Lloyd invite our readers to come out to the new Briarcliff West shopping mall to experience the wonderful gifts they have available in every price range. I was particularly impressed with the abundance of uniquely decorated Christmas trees throughout the store. The boys have an antique and gift store in Arrow Rock, Missouri, but this is their first venture in the Kansas City area, although they do make Kansas City their home.
Please patronize all of our LGBT-supported businesses as they are the reason Camp has been your community newspaper for almost three years. Without them, we could not have thrived! Be sure and tune in to this column in January as we will be announcing some exciting changes for next year.
IN CONCLUSION
I want to take this opportunity to wish all my readers a joyous holiday season filled with lots of family, friends, and good cheer. Also, to wish you and yours a healthy and prosperous New Year. Remember to play safe and always designate a driver when drinking…I learned that the hard way! See you next year.
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.