HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN
Things have tended to slow a bit as the weather turns colder and events begin to move indoors. One of the last outdoors events, the AIDS Bicycle Challenge, went off without a hitch on Saturday, October 7th, under a cool, crisp autumn sky. Over 60 riders convened along the Mill Creek Streamway bicycle trail in Shawnee, Kansas, to tackle the full or the abbreviated course that had been mapped out. The result was a few sore muscles and over $13,000 raised for the four AIDS service organizations that were beneficiaries. The event coordinators, Mike Lintecum and Josh Strodtman were very pleased with this, their second year, and pledge that next year will be even better. These guys work tirelessly all year for AIDS Walk and now the AIDS Bicycle Challenge and deserve at least a pat on the back for a job well done.
Another milestone was reached during October, the 50-something birthday of my sister from the Windy City, Tom (don’t call me Dorothy), who celebrated this grand affair at Missie B’s on October 12th. Controversy swirled around just what was her correct age. The cake had 52 candles, though Dorothy insisted she was only 51. Since we could not find a #1 candle, a carrot had to be substituted.
October 18th saw the Hope Care Center celebrate its 10th anniversary, definitely in style. Because the weather was rather nippy, the celebration took place under a white tent complete with heaters, wonderful flower arrangements, and some of the best appetizers on the planet. Hope Care Center is home to those who are HIV+ in need of housing or medical care. Ann H., the director of the project, has done a marvelous job of not only providing a safe, clean, healthy environment for those under her care but also a place where rehabilitation and learning enable them to move on to independent lives after Hope Care Center. Two volunteers were honored for their many years of service, Jo K. and Ruth M., who have served Hope Care Center even before the center opened its doors to patients.
I had a brief tour of the new apartments now managed by SAVE Inc. They have done an amazing job of renovating a very old, rundown building into a modern apartment building. The kitchens and the bathrooms with sparkling pink tile are reminiscent of the “I Love Lucy” 50’s. Congratulations to all who have made such a difference in the lives of Hope Care Center residents.
Friday, Oct. 20th was very eventful, starting with bowling in the Friday Night Cocktail Bunch league, of which I am a charter member. I earned my membership through the copious amounts of cocktails I normally consume during the course of the three games we play. A good friend of mine, Bobby H. was in town from Dallas for the evening and we decided to take in the show at Bar Natasha after bowling. We were all totally entertained by Missie Kontz performing her one woman show, “Witchy Woman,” in honor of Halloween—or as Missie termed it, “Gay Christmas.” If you do take in this show, be sure to stick around for the grand finale, when the whole troop of Bar Natasha employees, including the cook, take on the Rocky Horror Picture Show with a well-choreographed dance number.
After Bar Natasha, it was on to my favorite haunt, Missie B’s for more cocktails, served by the lovely Wendy, and jello shots, served by the lovely Joe.
On Saturday, Oct. 21st, I ventured back to Missie B’s for trash bag bingo, which proved as festive as ever with Paula calling the numbers and yours truly winning two games. I was rather embarrassed the second time I won but swallowed my pride and grabbed the prize anyway. It was John C’s 40th birthday and what better way to celebrate that event than trash bag bingo? I think he may have celebrated just a bit too much because he was carried out the door.
After leaving this madness, I traveled south to fashionable Overland Park for a house-warming party hosted by my good friend Leo W. He has been entrusted to manage my millions (hah!) as my financial adviser from Ameriprise, and judging by the lovely home, great food, and many friends in attendance, my money is being well spent! Just kidding Leo, you are a great host and your new home is fabulous. My thanks go out to Terry N. for keeping the bonfire going in the back yard. I didn’t see any weenies for roasting, but there were certainly some other tasty morsels at this party!
NEW HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN
Are there any readers out there who are interested in making their butt look good? Well, aside from plastic surgery, I have the perfect solution for them. A new clothing store opened on the Plaza in May, The Daily Blues, and, believe me, if you have the butt, they have the jeans to complement it. Annie and Kathryn (not a couple) have put together a collection of designer jeans to please any taste from high-end (pardon the pun!) Parasuco and Hudson to the more affordable Buffaloe line. They are introducing a new line of menswear from Amsterdam called Scotch and Soda that promises to make all you denim queens drool. The Daily Blues has a unique offering for customers: bring in a pair of old jeans to donate to The Rose Brooks Foundation and receive a 10% discount on a new pair of jeans. Remember, the ladies want their butts to look good also, and there is an ample selection of denim for the gals as well. The Daily Blues is located at 608 ½ W. 48th St., next door to the Three Dog Bakery. Check it out, and see their ad in this issue of Camp.
FUTURE HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN
Just a quick mention of a benefit coming up for Melinda Ryder to be held at Tootsies on November 10th at 8:00PM. L’oreal, who will be turning 40 ( can you believe that!), will be performing a tribute concert for her dear friend, Melinda, aka Bruce W., who has just finished a successful second round of radiation, for her bone cancer. According to her husband, Kirk, she is now home resting comfortably and enjoying the company of her dog, For the admission price of only $8, a truly memorable evening is in store for all, so save those pennies and hightail it down to Tootsies on Nov. 10th and show your support for Melinda.
Mark your calendars for the start of the Heartland Men’s Chorus 21st season, December 1-3. “Everything’s Coming Up Christmas” promises to “make your yuletide gay”. Also be sure and stop by Drexel Hall on November 26th from 7 to 9PM to put your bid in on a beautifully decorated Christmas tree at the HMC “Gallery of Trees” proceeds of which will be donated to the chorus. Drexel Hall is the perfect venue for a Christmas display and those who have not been there before are in for a special treat. We send a special thank you to Tom Lancaster, Rick Fisher and others with the Heartland Men’s Chorus along with the advertisers who helped us create the special 12-page Heartland Men’s Chorus supplement in this issue of Camp.
One more event that you don’t want to miss is “Kerry Land” who will be appearing at Bar Natasha for 1st Friday, Nov 3rd and then again of Saturday Nov. 4th at 8PM. Kerry brings his own style of music to the Bar Natasha stage and his unique talents will certainly ad to the festive atmosphere that is “1st Friday”.
And don’t forget it’s still not to late to register or volunteer for the November 8-12 Creating Change Conference. Help make this one-time Kansas City event a great success.
Well, another fun-filled month is in store and as always I will be there to report on it. Stay cool and dry and I’ll talk with you next month….
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.