HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN
Well, this month my column title is right on. This old girl feels so popular, I might have to run for public office. I’m not sure if the invites were because of my effervescent personality or because I write this gossip column ( it’s the former, of course!) At any rate, keep those invites coming. I love a good party and the ones I enjoyed this past month were fabulous!
It was not all partying, however. The month started off with the events surrounding World AIDS Day on December 1st. I managed to run by the freshly remodeled Phillips Hotel to catch the reception honoring the day and ran into some old friends from Good Samaritan Project, including Jimmy W., the current Director. That same weekend the Heartland Men’s Chorus launched its 21st season with an exceptional Christmas offering, “Everything’s Coming up Christmas.” Every year I swear these talented boys have outdone themselves, and every year they do it again! From the vocal talents of Kansas Citian Nancy Nail singing the opening number, “We Need A Little Christmas,” to the raucous closing segment titled “Favorite Son” with Our Favorite Elves, the audience was thoroughly entertained. I know I left the theater with a renewed spirit that carried me through the entire holiday.
Just a quick comment on the Theater League offering of “Legends” which I attended at the Lyric Theater on December 9th. Joan Collins and Linda Evans looked positively radiant as aging actresses down on their luck trying to make a comeback. It does make me realize that I am certainly not getting any younger when I realized that these two ladies used to entertaining me performing in Dynasty on TV in the 70s! They certainly were fag icons then, and “Legends” showed that they can still maintain the right amount of bitchiness to retain their titles.
LET THE PARTIES BEGIN
After checking my waist line in the mirror, ironing and starching everything in sight, nipping and tucking and weighing in, I was ready for the first holiday gathering at my home of good friend Tom (Dorothy, to the uninitiated) on the evening of December 9th. This was a small and intimate gathering, but the appetizers she offered would have fed an army. And, of course, I had to sample every damn one of them! The next day was filled with two wonderful parties, one in the fashionable Northland, at Stewart and Brian’s and then on to Mike & Dick’s traditional party in the Loose Park area. By the time I had finished up the weekend, it was time to hit the gym to shuffle off the excess pounds in preparation for the next round of festivities.
The next weekend found me scurrying between parties hosted by Doug and Roger and Larry and Lewis both in the Northland. After visiting these beautiful homes so tastefully decorated for Christmas, I was ready to go home and burn my own house down!
I missed the opportunity to sit on the lap of Santa, Bob M., at Missie B’s this year, and believe me, with all the eating I’ve been doing, Bob, you should be grateful. I did, however, have the opportunity on December 19th to witness a wonderful part of the holiday spirit, Santa giving out gifts at the Southwest Blvd. Clinic for children affected by AIDS. I was totally blown away by the generosity of Missie B’s patrons who adopted a child for the Angel Tree Celebration. John Koop, aka Flo, acted as Santa’s helper, and guided about 110 children into Santa’s lap. I was a little concerned that Santa might not hold up so well. This year. He’s has been taking in far fewer calories and so he’s lost that protective layer.
Be sure to let Mike B, Jan A, and the entire staff at Missie B’s know what a terrific job they did in not only collecting, wrapping, and distributing the presents for the Angel Tree, but sacrificing their time off to staff the party and clean up afterwards. While still on the subject of Missie B’s, Elton John was sighted there recently (see picture) at the bar with my good friend Rick F. Talk about two strange bedfellows! Seriously, this visitor from Oklahoma is a dead ringer for the Elton man himself.
LET THE PARTIES CONTINUE
Before I continue my tale of buffet binging, I want to briefly mention the recent offering of the Unicorn Theater, “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” which I managed to squeeze into my holiday comings and goings. This production provided 90 minutes of nonstop laughter. Cathy Barnett played the part of Betty and the entire ensemble transported the audience to a Texas trailer park replete with all the drama that we drama queens thrive on. That 90 minutes flew by so fast, I didn’t even realize there was no intermission until the lights went on and my bladder reminded me that I’m not 20 years old anymore. My sincere wish is that Unicorn can bring this gem back again soon. It was thoroughly entertaining and a sold-out success.
Well, the approach of New Year’s Eve brought more parties, so it was time to go to my “fat closet” and begin starching and ironing again. First up was an intimate gathering at my good friend Bill W. who cohosted with his Uncle Mike. We not only had the pleasure of Bill playing the piano, he was joined by the talented Marilyn W., fresh from a gig at Bar Natasha’s. Then it was on to Chris and Steve’s wonderful midtown mansion for more food, drink, and merriment (or do I mean “mary men”)? Freshly imported from the Pittsburg, Kansas area were two delicious boys representing Father Time and Baby New Year. They certainly added a lot to the New Year’s atmosphere. My night was completed at my favorite watering hole, Missie B’s, with a champagne toast at midnight with my friend, Glenn D, visiting from Winnipeg, Canada.
It would not be a New Year without the wonderful New Year’s Day party thrown by Mike and Bob at their beautiful Valentine area home. Their house was still decorated with the nine or so Christmas trees they hand-trim every year. I think they told me that the main tree in their living room has over 1,000 ornaments on it. I have no idea how long it takes to put up and decorate all those trees, but I don’t think they could have pulled it off if Bob were not retired.
The New Year’s festivities ended on a bit of a downer, watching the KC Chiefs in the payoff game against the Indianapolis Colts at Out A Bounds Sports Bar. The score was sad. I want to take this opportunity to thank our waiter, Gary, who not only brought us our food and drink with perfect timing but is also one of the most gorgeous hunks I’ve ever laid eyes on. Out A Bounds was packed with screaming queens and swearing lesbians and Gary seemed to get through the crowd as if he were the only one there. Cookie, you have a winner there, don’t let him go. Of course, I did miss the perfect bloody marys made by George, my other favorite bartender, who apparently had a day off. Good for him—they don’t happen very often!
FUTURE HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN
First up during the entire month of January will be the performance at the Jewish Community Center of the two-part play “Angels in America.”. Both part I, “Millenium Approaches,” and part II, “Peristroika,” will be performed several times through out the month, so there should be plenty of time to catch both. The theater is a new venture for the Jewish Community Center. It is certainly starting off with a controversial play and we wish them great success.
On Saturday February 10th, One of the leading LGBT political organizations, PROMO, is putting on its 5th annual “Words of Love” Valentine-themed brunch and spoken word event. Call the local office for more information:816-931-2300. The day before, February 9th, the Blazing Saddle Bar in Des Moines, Iowa, will be presenting leather hunks for all to see for the Mr. Iowa Leather Contest, titled “Filthy Leather Love.” This is the bar where, as some of my more avid readers may recall, the Lock Down Party is held through out the year.. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the next Lock Down on January 13th because I will be in Las Vegas taking in some sights of a different sort. Blazing Saddle is our sister bar to the North; if you enjoy Missie B’s here in KC, I know you’ll enjoy the Blazing Saddle, and you will be a new face in town! Who could ask for more than that!.
Let me end my column by again wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. And please look for Camp coming out every other week starting on Friday February 2nd.
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.