GLBT Chamber news briefs

John Wade named president of BNI Hillsboro Road Chapter

The Hillsboro Road Chapter of Business Network Int'l (BNI) has named John Wade its 2008 president. The networking organization began in 1985 and serves to provide a positive, supportive and structured environment for entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow through word-of-mouth marketing.  

Wade, who is president of Nashville's GLBT Chamber of Commerce,  told O&AN,  "I am honored that our chapter has asked me to lead us in the coming year. BNI is a highly-respected group of professionals and business owners, so this is a privilege for which I'm very grateful. I look forward to helping bridge relationships between BNI members and [Nashville GLBT] Chamber members in the months ahead."

Nationally, BNI is comprised of nearly 5,000 chapters. The Hillsboro Road Chapter is one of the most dynamic and successful chapters in Tennessee generating a half million dollars of revenue for its members last year.

Three members of  Nashville's GLBT Chamber of Commerce (Benjamin Papa, John Wade and Rachel Stanton) are now members of the BNI group.  Benjamin Papa, Attorney and Mediator for Forward Focus, PLCC, currently serves as the group's Education Coordinator. Rachel Stanton of Diversity Builder, Inc., joined the group in August.  

Wade currently serves as a Certified Financial Planner and Financial Adviser for UBS Financial Services'  West End office in Nashville. He may be reached at 615-750-8028. 

Miller named interim director of Provider Support Services

David Miller, senior staff writer for O&AN, has been named interim director of Provider Support Services at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 

Miller has been a Vanderbilt staff member since 2003 and has a background in information technology and systems as well as consulting. He worked for two years in VUMC’s Informatics Department as a certified project manager prior to joining the Provider Support Services Department as the assistant director in 2005. 

“David’s knowledge of the department and VUMC will allow for a seamless transition,” said. C. Wright Pinson, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer and associate vice chancellor for Clinical Affairs.

Miller assumes the position held by Kae Edington, who is leaving VUMC on Nov. 1. Pinson said a search for the next director of Provider Support Services had already begun.

Pinson further commented, “David will resume his role as the assistant director as soon as we have hired the new director."

Contemporary Art Gallery to open Spring 2008

Nashville GLBT Chamber member and realty professional Jeff Rymer, has embarked on an art endeavor to 'wow' Nashville contemporary art enthusiasts.  According to Rymer's Web site, www.therymergallery.com, The Rymer Gallery is set to open in the spring of 2008 and will be the largest contemporary gallery in the heart of Nashville's arts district. 

The objective of the gallery is to continue the legacy endowed by The Betty Rymer Gallery at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, by fostering the best of what the contemporary art world has to offer.

The artist spectrum will encompass both emerging and established artists in all media. The gallery plans to hold monthly art exhibits and promote local art to national museums. Rymer offers his vision on the Web site by stating, "Our goal is to foster artwork that entices, engages and lures artists, collectors and enthusiasts to Nashville's expanding art scene."

The gallery held a September  'pre-opening' exhibit featuring the works of Dan Addington, Janis Pozzo-Johnson, Greg Gustafson, Joseph Hronek and others. 

The Rymer Gallery is located at 219 Sixth Ave. North, in Nashville.

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

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.

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by Spectrum Medical Care Center

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.

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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.

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