Oregon Bears, Inc. 818 SW 3rd Avenue PMB 1153 Portland, OR 97204 Holiday Show BearTown 15 15 coming BearTown Look Who’s A Bear! photos soon! Recap event V olume 12, No. 1 W INTER 2010 winter 2010 Vol. 12, No. 1 CONTENTS
President’s Message 3 Birthday Bears 4 Mr. Oregon Bear’s Column 8 Mr. Oregon Cub’s Column 10 2009 Community Holiday Show Recap 13 It’s Time to Vote! 17 BearTown 15: Growl 18 Berarracuda Strikes Again! 19 A Life Changing Experience 21 Jingle Ball ‘09 Recap 22 Sordid Tales of a Panda Cub 24 In Memoriam 27 Look Who’s a Bear! 28
HEY OREGON BEARS MEMBERS! Only a small portion of what the Oregon Bears does appears in the newsletter. For more pictures, event info and links, membership renewals, event registrations, membership directory and much, much more, visit the Oregon Bears’ website at: www.oregonbears.org
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Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 1 President’s Message
by Frank Armstrong
new decade has arrived. It is a time help those Afor new beginnings. A time for within the reflection. A time for hope. A time for Oregon gratitude. Bears and the Had someone told me 10 years ago that community I would end the decade as President that are less of the Oregon Bears, I would have told fortunate Feeling the Beast within? Just GROWL! them they were nuts. I never believed than us. that I had the ability or support to Join us in making some noise in the Great Pacific Northwest become the head of a great bear family The Oregon as we party with a purpose and bring back past year favorite called the Oregon Bears. I am both Bears will activities including: humbled and in wonder at all the celebrate positive changes in my life because of another Meet 'n Grrreet the Oregon Bears. Thank you all for milestone Cheers, Cheese & Chocolates wine tasting helping me become a better person. in 2010. The Club will turn 15 and is still Unleashed UnderBear Dance Party going strong. It is awe-inspiring to know Bingo with the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence! Equally amazing is the growth of the that a dedicated group of 13 men under Feast of the Beasts Banquet Dinner Oregon Bears over the past decade. The the leadership of R.B. Hiatt started an Mr. Oregon Bear & Mr. Oregon Cub Contest Club’s membership has at least tripled organization that is now considered Celebration Brunch Cruise on the Willamette River in size. Each year the Club’s signature one of the biggest and best Bear Clubs And more! events, including BearTown, Camp in the world. This would not have been Oregon Bears and the Community possible without the help of over 1,000 This year’s beneficiary is Q Center, whose aim is to build public Holiday Show, have grown in size and people who have, over the past 14 years, awareness & support by celebrating LGBTQ diversity through reputation. The number of events the volunteered a portion of their time and art, culture and collaborative community programming. Oregon Bears holds monthly has tripled their heart to this fine organization. I and are very well attended. However, want to thank every single one of you I am most proud of the growth and with all sincerity. The result of all your Registration opens soon. Check web site for details! increase in financial and material hard work and dedication is the strong WWW.BEARTOWNWEEKEND.COM resources the Oregon Bears provides to club we have today. the GLBT community each year. “The Little Bear Run with the Big Bear Run feel!” The Oregon Bears ends the year, decade, The most important thing that has not and its 14th year in a very healthy changed is that we, as a club, have not position. The membership hovers lost sight of the reason the Oregon Bears around five hundred and the financial was formed by R.B. Hiatt and the twelve position of the Club is on solid ground. other original members. That reason is All the Oregon Bears’ committees are to be an all inclusive, friendly club that staffed with talented and dedicated provides opportunities for members and people whose leaderships are second- members of the community to socialize to-none. BearTown 15 and Camp in a fun, organized environment and to Oregon Bears 13 are shaping up to be
continued on page 5
Paw Prints, Vol. 11, No. 4 Page 2 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 3 january continued from page 3 01 Teddy L R. 13 Kevin W E. 23 Ron D. the biggest and best yet. The Club’s community, you asked what can I do. 02 Tom E L. 14 William N. 24 Bob S. leadership is also in excellent shape. When my friends saw me in distress, 05 Jeff R C. 14 Tim B. 24 Walter E R. There are five strong and seasoned they said we’ve got your back. I want 05 Ken L B. 14 Corey Dee R. 24 G Todd M. Board members returning in 2010. to thank each and every one of you 05 Dave M. 15 William A V. 27 Todd P. In addition, there will be an infusion who helped me and the Oregon Bears 06 Gordon L M. 15 Thomas M. 27 Kevin P L. of new blood with four new Board during the past four years. You know 06 Pat L. 16 Randy L K. 28 Dennis S. members starting their two year who you are. I am humbled that you 06 Michael P G. 16 Jeffrey H. 29 Lee A H. terms in March. It will be exciting to cared enough about me and the Club 07 Barry A W. 16 Jose S S. 29 Rodney A. see all the new and fresh ideas these to help. 07 Jeremy W H. 18 Wayne E Y. 29 Angel A. new board members will bring to the 09 Michael S. 18 Eric K K. 30 Kenneth E M. Oregon Bears. There are two people I want to thank specifically and they are my bear 10 Donne K G. 20 Steven L F. 30 Troy J R. It is now almost time for me to move brothers Steve Leaming and his 12 Andrew A. 21 RJ Lee R. 31 Daniel J P. on. My time as an elected official of late partner, Brian Gregory. Steve 13 Brian W R. 22 Jim G. 31 Marcus M. the Oregon Bears is quickly coming to and Brian are the reason that I’m an 13 Gardner C. 23 Frank F K. an end. It has been a jam-packed four Oregonian and an 11 year member years of fun and hard work. I’ve tried of the Oregon Bears. I was living in hard to do what is best for the Oregon Seattle when Steve and Brian invited february Bears. I’ve made some mistakes, pissed me to attend the first Camp Oregon 01 Norman N. 13 Ken W. 20 Larry J T. off a few people, and lost a couple of Bears. That was where I met my 02 Randy M A. 14 Galen R W. 20 Kurt J H. friends during my term. Although partner and former Board member 03 Phillip C L. 15 Daniel J M. 22 Benjamin W S. I have no regrets, I would like to Earl Case Jr. Camp Oregon Bears 03 Patrick K. 16 Nathan L C. 23 Gary N. apologize to those I may have hurt. One was also my introduction to the 08 Kevin J O. 16 Frank R A. 23 Clifford F H. While I am not sure whether my four Oregon Bears. I was overwhelmed 08 Ian H. 17 Steven P D. 23 Mark B. years on the Board has hurt or helped with the friendly welcome and felt a 08 Rob F. 17 Rick C. 24 Glen L. the Club, this I do know. The Oregon genuine sense of being part of a big, 09 James F. 17 Mike A B. 25 Stephen H. Bears is stronger than when I was caring family. I had never felt the need 11 Joshua L T. 18 George R H. 26 Martin Y H. elected. The reason for this is the great or desire to join a social organization group of people I’ve had the privilege before the Oregon Bears. The reason 11 Drew L S. 18 Andy P. 26 Richard S. to work with over the past four years. I joined is no other organization had It is teamwork that makes the Oregon ever made me feel as welcome or march Bears what it is today and not the wanted as the Oregon Bears. My hope 01 Joseph M. 11 Alexander C. 22 Danial J C. actions of any one person. is that over the past four years, I’ve 02 Frank H M. III 13 Jaime J L F. 23 Butch H. made others feel like I did when I was 02 Nicholas G M. 14 Eugene C G. 23 David Van D V. There is not enough space in this first introduced to the Oregon Bears. 03 Cliff C. 15 Steve S. 24 Christian P P. newsletter to thank all those who have 03 Michael E O. 15 James “Jimi” L. 25 Harry L G. helped me over the past four years As I prepare to leave as an official of individually. The one thing I will tell the Oregon Bears, I would like to take 05 Max E P. 15 Ray M T. 27 Stephen A. you is that when I asked the Board for a moment with you and remember 06 Richard S. 17 Patrick B. 27 Krissy B. help, you were there. When I asked those who were lost to us before their 07 Rick D M. 17 Jason A E. 28 Geore O. for help from members of the Club’s time. R.B. Hiatt – Founder, Oregon 07 Bart B. 18 Jeffery J. 28 Michael C. committees, you asked how. When I Bears, Ron Morrill – Mr. Oregon Bear 07 John E C. 19 Doug W. 28 Michael E P. asked for help from the Oregon Bears’ One, founding member and original 09 Gerald H M. 20 John P T. 30 Jerry L Van A. membership, you came through. When Board member, Bruce Mason –
Birthday Bears 09 Jeff W. 20 Marty T. 30 Jon D S. I asked the business community for founding member and original Board 09 Jeremy M C. 21 Gilbert M. 30 Shannon O H. assistance, you gave from your heart. member, Earl Case, Jr. – past Board 10 Brian W. 21 Daniel R F. 31 Benjamin R. When I asked for help from the GLBT member, Brian Gregory – past Board 10 Kevin M. 21 David B. 11 Douglas R M. 22 Robert F J. continued on page 6 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 4 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 5 continued from page 5 member, Dave Whitney – past Board I want to thank all of you one last time member and the following Oregon for a wonderful four years. I’m off to Bears members: Ronald Lander, Milliway’s to have a cosmic cocktail Marc Chevalier, Robbie Hatfield, and watch the end of the universe. So Jeff Walters, Duane Prinslow, Drew long and thanks for all the fish. Schorr, David Lee, Buddy Walters, David Goller, Perry Gilchrist, Mark Big Bear Hugs, Knodell, Mike Fiorentino, Rusty Steele, Eric Coulson, David Small, Davis Frank Armstrong Wilson, and all other members that are President, Oregon Bears not on the Club’s “In Memory” section of the website. I miss you all and want Through February 2010, you may to thank you for all the great things email Frank at: you have done for the Oregon Bears. [email protected] Fun & Fundraising! Oregon Bears Quarterly Donation Report CHARITY: AMOUNT: EVENT:
Pride Northwest $ 335.00 Bare Bones Costume Party
Mikey Pfenning - OR Bears’ $ 1054.00 Lend a Helping Paw Member in Need Fundraiser
BearTown 15 Seed Money $ 909.00 Jingle Ball ‘09 and Titleholders’ Fund
Our House: Esther’s Pantry $ 4060.00 A Beary Merry Holiday Show
Our House: Tod’s Corner $ 974.00 Bear Skin New Year’s Pet Care Program Eve Party
We are always looking for a few good men to volunteer at events and to be organizing members in committees such as BearTown and Camp Oregon Bears. If you are interested, please email: [email protected]
Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 6 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 7 Titleholders’ Pages 2009 Mr. Oregon Bear’s Column by Andrew Moffat ow, how the time has flown by honored Wsince June 2009. I am into the to work second half of my title year as Mr. together Oregon Bear. I must say that time sure with the goes by fast when you are having so great much fun. I cannot wait to see what lies committee ahead for me but sadly the time will soon members of come that my title must be passed on to BearTown 15 another. Well enough blubbering, let’s on this well take a little walk down memory lane. received event. I In October, my cub and I represented hope to see the Oregon Bears at the 2009 Coronation this maybe whereby a new Rose Emperor and become a Empress were crowned. You should have holiday party every year. seen this bear all dressed up in a tux; it was like Quest for Fire at the high school I want to take this opportunity to prom. Marcus and I showed our respect thank our wonderful President, Frank to the exiting Emperor and Empress and Armstrong. On New Years Eve, he greeted the new with open arms. planned a fantastic party at the Eagle Portland. It was called the “Bear Skin” Even though November was a quiet party, and boy did many people bare • Seven candidates month for the Bears, I attended events their skin. This bear had his fur standing and tried to let the Bear community on end for most of the evening. It was nice • 4 two-year Board positions open know how much I appreciated them to get to hug and kiss so many handsome and that I valued their support in my bears, cubs, etc. at the stroke of midnight. • Get voter’s packet and ballot in the mail representation of this great group of men. What a great way to usher in 2010. • Vote!!! December was filled with tons of In February, my cub, Marcus, and I will • Drop postage paid ballot in the mail merriment and joy. Festivities started be down in San Francisco representing with the Holiday Show on December 6th the Oregon Bears at the 2010 IBR bear run. • Must be postmarked by 2/22/10 at Darcelle XV’s Showplace. Yours truly Marcus has been chosen as a contestant was a very merry Santa and helped raise to vie for one of four international titles. $115.00 for Esther’s Pantry with “Pictures Let’s all wish him the best of luck. I with Santa.” The event was a great believe he will represent the Club well. I success and I had a “Ho, Ho, Ho” lot of myself will be the friendly Oregon Bear fun being your chubby Santa this year. walking around saying hello to everyone.
On December 11th, my cub and I If you plan on being in San Francisco participated at the first ever “Jingle from February 11th through the 15th, Ball” event held at CC Slaughters. It was please look for me and I will give you a a joint venture between BearTown 15: warm Oregon welcome. Growl and the Titleholders’ Fund. There were many wonderful raffle prizes and Email Andrew at: everyone had a jingly good time. I was [email protected] Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 8 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 9 Titleholders’ Pages bear skin 2009 Mr. Oregon Cub’s Column by Marcus Macleod New Year’s am six as a very large elf. Poison Waters and Eve Party Imonths Darcelle XV, our MCs and hosts for the Photos by: Bennie T. into my evening, had quite a bit of fun with that reign one, asking me if I had to get back to as Mr. my tree to make cookies. We ended up Oregon making over $4,000 for Esther’s Pantry Cub and I that evening with a combination of must say “Pictures with Santa,” auction items and what a six performers’ tips. All the performances months it were fantastic and I will definitely be has been! going again next year, sans Elf costume. I have met so many The following weekend we had the first wonderful ever “Jingle Ball” where we dangled people and experienced so many different bells from some very lucky customers things that, without this title, I never pants. We raised about $900 that would have. evening for the Title Holders’ Fund and as seed money for BearTown 15: Growl. In October of 2009 my bear and I It was a fun event and I hope we do it attended the Imperial Rose Court again this year. coronation. We were there to greet and present ourselves in front of the Now as we go into 2010, we are ramping outgoing Rose Emperor XXXV J L up for BearTown 15 and the sad day that Thompson and Rose Empress L Krystal I release my title to the next Mr. Oregon Lynn Benoit, and welcome the current Cub. But before that, Andy and I will be Rose Emperor XXXVI Scott Seibert and attending IBR in San Francisco where I Rose Empress LI Ciara Dela Rosa. We will also attempt to win an international represented the club well as we were title. I will represent the Club well and dressed to the nines in tuxedoes and make you guys proud of me. followed protocols. We still have plenty left to do, and have November was a slow month, mostly plans in the works to make sure we go filled with meetings. In December we out with a bang! Keep watching! participated in the annual Oregon Bears Community Holiday show, “A Beary Merry Holiday Show.” Andy Email Marcus at: was dressed as Santa and I was dressed [email protected]
To read past issues of Paw Prints, please visit the following URL: www.oregonbears.org/about/pawprints.htm For more pictures of Oregon Bears’ events, visit the online photo gallery at www.oregonbears.org/gallery
Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 10 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 11 2009 Community Holiday Show by Mark Armstrong Halloween Party his was the eighth anniversary of our Photos by: Bennie T. Tannual community holiday show. Even though it was frightfully cold outside, we had a full house at Darcelle XV’s Showplace to help us raise money for this year’s charity, Esther’s Pantry.
This year’s holiday show, called “A Beary Merry Holiday Show,” started out with pictures with our very own Mr. Oregon Bear 2009, Andy Moffat, who played the role of Santa Bear. Mr. Oregon Cub 2009, Marcus Macleod, played the role of Santa’s elf.
This year’s show was separated into three sets with Rose Emperor Babalou XX back again as our emcee. We held our auction in between the three sets with the wonderful Darcelle XV and the fabulous Mr Oregon Bear 2009 as Santa surrounded by the Poison Marie Waters as the auctioneers. Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
The show and the auction would • Crystal McDowell of Spartacus not have been possible without the Leathers generosity of our donors. We would • Spartacus Leathers – like to thank the following businesses spartacusstore.com and individuals who donated either • Hip Chicks Do Wine – merchandise, money or their talents: hipchicksdowine.com • The Eagle Portland • Lindsey of kevia.com • Fat Cobra Video • Rose Emperor XXXVI Scott Seibert • Brad Sutherland and Chris • Rose Empress LX Ciara Dela Rosa Almodovar • Brent Marr – brentmarrart.com • Allen Brady of Our House • Darcelle XV • Rena Jones • Jim Wase • Warren Becker This year, the Holiday Show • Carol Spillmon Committee comprised of • Starky’s representatives from the Oregon • The Fox and Hounds Bears, Imperial Sovereign Rose • Ben Brown Jr. Court, Sisters of Perpetual • Marcus Macleod Indulgence, and the Leather • Bennie Tan Community. continued on page 16
Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 12 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 13 A Beary Merry Holiday Show continued... Photos by: Bennie T. A Beary Merry Holiday Show
Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 14 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 15 Bare Bones It's Time To Vote! Costume Party by Frank Armstrong President’s note: There was a printing next couple of years. You have a great error in the ballot previously mailed out. power in your hands. Please exercise This year, we are voting for only FOUR that by voting. Board positions, NOT FIVE. A new ballot is being printed and mailed out. Please Voting is simple. A ballot and voter ignore the first ballot. If you already mailed information packet is coming to you in the first ballot, please revote when you in the mail. Please take some time to receive the new ballot as the first ballot is go through the pamphlet in detail considered null and void. Please choose and when you are ready to make you only FOUR names. Thank you and we decision, fill out yourpostage paid apologize for any inconvenience. ballot and put it in the mail. Ballots
t is time to cast your ballot and help Ielect four new members to the Oregon Bears’ Board of Directors. This is your opportunity to shape the future and direction of the Club. It is a membership privilege (and to me a personal responsibility) to pick those candidates you believe will best lead the Oregon Bears in the direction you want to see the Club go in.
Each year the Club has to fulfill certain responsibilities and face new, sometimes need to be postmarked by February Photos by: Ben Brown, Jr. difficult challenges. It is the duty of the 22, 2010 in order to be valid. Please Oregon Bears’ Board of Directors to do your part in helping the Oregon continued from page 13 make sure all responsibilities are met Bears maintain the reputation as one and all challenges resolved in the best of the best Bear Clubs in the world by We must thank Darcelle XV again for It is due to the loving generosity of you, interest of the membership. Your vote voting. providing her marvelous club at no cost the members of this community that the directly affects how the Board handles If you have not received your ballot for the evening. holiday show has been and continues challenges and meets responsibilities. in the mail by February 8, 2010, please to be a success. Despite the state of the email Brad Sutherland at admin@ We would also like to thank all of economy and the frigid temperatures, Your choice in leadership and oregonbears.org or if you don’t have our performers. We had about 20 your generosity was quite evident. This personalities also dictates the way the access to the Internet, call me, Frank performances in total. The performance year, we managed to raise $4,060 for Oregon Bears handle any situation in the Armstrong, at 503.493.0436. numbers were all very entertaining and Esther’s Pantry. Apart from money, we we thank them greatly for donating their also collected bags and bags of non- VOTING IS EASY! time and energy. perishable food for this wonderful, local • There are seven candidates bios and make a decision charity. • Four two-year term Board positions • Put a check mark next to the The Board of the Oregon Bears, and the Holiday Show Committee, want to A BIG “Thank You” to everyone for are open appropriate names on the ballot extend out most sincere thanks to the helping and supporting this year’s show • You will receive a voter’s packet in • Drop the postage paid ballot in entire GLBT community for your support and we look forward to bringing you the the mail the mail box by February 22, 2010 of this year’s community holiday show! 2010 Community Holiday Show. • Please look over the candidates’ • You’re done! Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 16 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 17 BEARRACUDA STRIKES AGAIN!
by Matt Mikesell here are going to be some exciting cover will Tchanges at Bearracuda Portland in stay the March. The next Bearracuda Portland same at just on Saturday, March 13th is going to be $5. an absolute blast! Our Portland parties have been more well received than As usual, any city we’ve gone to (including our you can by Dave Andrews and James Hodges home base in San Francisco). Our last expect tons he time has come to shed those any ol’ party; it is a “party with a party in January was extremely busy of friendly, Tinhibitions and let your inner beast purpose.” Each year, the BearTown so we’ve had no choice but to open it furry guys out during BearTown 15: Growl. This committee selects a well deserving up to two floors. This means, they’ll at the club event will be held here in Portland, local charity that will benefit from the be a much shorter wait at the bar for and quite Oregon, from June 10-13, 2010. Once money raised during this weekend long drinks and an extra dance floor with a few again, the Oregon Bears promises you event. This year, our beneficiary is the two additional DJs! people that an unforgettable weekend gathering Portland Q Center. The Q Center builds you don’t of like-minded creatures letting loose public awareness and support, and Flying up from San Francisco is our SF usually see and showing the community what celebrates LGBTQ diversity through art, resident DJ, Boyshapedbox. He’ll be out. Our makes our attendees the most fun and culture, and collaborative community joining our Portland resident DJ, Sam last Portland party had men from all generous beasts on earth! programming. You can expect many Storicks, to spin upstairs from 9pm-2am. over Oregon, Seattle, and a few even opportunities throughout BearTown 15 Downstairs we’ll have Rude Dudes, who made the trip up from San Francisco. We are pleased to announce that the to help raise funds for this great charity. played Bearracuda Portland in October Jupiter Hotel will return as our host 2009, and DJ Grant from Blow Pony. All the details are at www.bearracuda. venue this year. Last year, we managed If you have been considering running We’re expecting an even bigger crowd com/PDX or find our fan site on to fill the hotel up with Bears, Cubs and for Mr. Oregon Bear or Mr. Oregon Cub than the 400+ people who came last Facebook under “Bearracuda all other manner of wildlife. Let’s do it 2010, please don’t wait and fill out your time, so this will be a party you don’t again this year! To reserve a room, logon application today. As a titleholder, you Northwest.” want to miss. Even though we’re taking to www.beartownweekend.com today and will become an official ambassador of on more space and hiring more DJs, the get a special BearTown rate. the Club in the LGBTQ community and Bearracuda is at Rotture – 315 SE 3rd Street at events such as IBR, Bear Pride, Spring We’re bringing back many of your Thaw and wherever else you decide favorite activities from before. Events to go. The contest is open to Oregon JOIN THE MEDIA such as the Meet ‘n’ Grrreet, Cheers, Bears’ members who are in “good Cheese & Chocolates wine tasting, standing” and joined at least 6 months “Unleashed” UnderBear Dance Party, prior to BearTown 15 (December 11, COMMITTEE and Sisters Bingo with the fabulous 2009 was the cutoff date). You can find Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence the application on our website, www. will be back to thrill and excite you. The beartownweekend.com. If you are a writer, artist, graphic highlight of the weekend is of course designer, web developer, programmer, or the “Feast of the Beasts” Banquet So come experience what some have simply have great ideas, we would love Dinner and the Mr. Oregon Bear & Mr. called “The Little Bear Run with the to hear from you. Oregon Cub Contest. This year, we will Big Bear Run feel.” Join us, as we make once again cap off the weekend with some noise in the Great Northwest... Join this Oregon Bears committee our Celebration Brunch Cruise on the GRRRROWL! that is fun, creative and dedicated to Willamette River. making the club look real good. Registration opens soon, check [email protected] Of course, this weekend isn’t just www.beartownweekend.com for details. Interested? Email: Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 18 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 19 A Life Changing Experience Why you should consider running for Mr. Oregon Bear or Cub by Victor Seeber Portland’s Only y year as Mr. Oregon Cub 2008 by myself. Mwas one of the most enlightening Throughout experiences of my life. I had a rough idea my title year, of what to expect from my year but did I had lots of Cultural Boutique not realize by how much my expectations support from would be exceeded. It has completely people who changed my life. really stepped up and went If you want to meet new people, raise above and money for charity, get more involved beyond the Hotel with the GLBTQ community, or act as an call of duty to official ambassador for the Oregon Bears, make things then running for a titleholder position is happen. Victor Seeber for you. Mr. Oregon Cub 2008 As a titleholder, you will represent the I invested a lot of time, emotion, sweat Oregon Bears, a wonderful organization and thought into my year as Mr. Oregon that supports several different local non- Cub 2008. What I got in return was ten profit and community charities. Working fold. The position really is what you put in tandem with the Board, titleholders into it. I got to do a lot of things I thought also work hard to make sure its members I would never do such as marching and the public feel welcome at all of our in the Portland GLBTQ Pride Parade events. It is definitely something to be and hearing my name announced over proud of. the loud speakers for all to hear. I also attended IBR in San Francisco and was Titleholders also bring fresh and new selected to run for an international title. ideas to the Club. Events such as the While I didn’t bring home a title, I will annual “Studs and Suds” car wash and cherish the experience and memories celebrity dunk tank, the monthly Double forever. X Dance, and weekly Bear Happy Hour are just some of the events that were One of the most gratifying and fun things initially thought up and created by for me was making many new friends, titleholders. locally and from afar. I was able to meet and work with Mr. Northwest Bear and It was and still is a great honor to be an Mr. Northwest Cub from Washington Oregon Bears’ titleholder and part of State; Mr. and Ms. Oregon Leather, such a great group of men. Without this members of The Imperial Sovereign experience, my life would have been Rose Court, including the Emperor and completely different. Empress; the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence; and many, many more! If you are thinking about running for a titleholder position, or have questions I also did and accomplished things I about what is involved in being a didn’t realize I was capable of. Planning titleholder, please feel free to ask any one and putting together a fund raiser dance of the current or past years’ titleholders. party was an extremely rewarding You never know, it just might just Official host hotel of experience. But I didn’t do all of this change YOUR life. Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 20 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 21 Photos by: J B Bennie T. I A N L G L L 0 E 9 by Don James A. hroughout the streets of Old current and past titleholders as well TTown, the sound of the holiday as future titleholder contestants season could be heard spilling out of strategically hung commemorative CC Slaughters as the Oregon Bears jingle bell ornaments on the patrons hosted the 2009 Jingle Ball event on with care. At the same time, Mr. December 11th, 2009. Oregon Cub, along with helpers made up of BearTown 15 Committee Since the Double X Dance in members, sold raffle tickets to the December 2009 would have taken festive crowd. Five fabulous raffle place on Christmas day and C.U.B. prizes (valued at $1000.00) were was scheduled to take place on the donated and given away, including a eleventh, the Board and the BearTown full BearTown 15 weekend package. Committee voted to hold a joint celebration in the form of this special As the event came to an end and the event to raise funds for BearTown threat of a “Winter Ice Storm” was on 15: Growl and the Titleholders Fund. many of our minds, patrons said they Jingle Ball 2009 was hosted by the could hear the faint sound of bells BearTown 15 Committee members jingling off in the distance as they and current and past titleholders. made their way to their vehicles for a safe journey home. The event was a huge success as it raised over $900.00 for BearTown A special thank you goes out to 15 seed money and to benefit the the management and staff of CC Titleholders’ Fund. The Titleholders’ Slaughters for hosting this event; Fund will be used by the current Mr. BearTown 15 Committee members; Oregon Bear and Mr. Oregon Cub Oregon Bears Board members; and to go represent our Club nationwide current and past titleholders. An extra at events such as International special thank you goes out to the Bear Rendezvous in San Francisco, gracious and giving community that California in February. made this event a huge success.
One highlight of the evening was Take a look at the pictures on the the “Hanging of the Jingle Balls.” opposing page to see all the fun that Adorned in Oregon Bear Santa caps, was had by all. Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 22 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 23 Sordid Tales of a Panda Cub continued from page 24 Living in a Grizzly Bear World Connecticut, and of course, Massachusetts. find information online within minutes By the end of 2009, there were 20 U.S. and sometimes seconds after an event states outlawing discrimination based on occurs, often from independent and The Decade by Bennie Tan sexual orientation and 13 states outlawing unbiased sources. And thanks to the LOST discrimination based on gender identity or genius of Google, I now have information epending on which school of thought much of expression. On October 29, 2009, President and answers to questions literally at Dyou follow, January 1, 2010 marked New Orleans Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard my fingertips – I can even do a quick the beginning of a new decade. The in 2005. We Act into law making hate crimes based on background check to see if the guy I’m previous decade that ran from 2000-2009 also had an sexual orientation or gender identity illegal dating is a psycho or not! can be described in a myriad of ways but extremely on a federal level. uneventful or boring is not one of them. inept Perhaps the most positive thing to happen President I realize we don’t currently have complete in the 2000s is the emergence and rise of It is human nature to focus on the during equal rights but the fight for equality is a little known African American State negative. That is why the years 2000- that time rarely swift. I do believe that someday Senator from Illinois by the name of 2009 is often referred to as the worst period. He in the near future, we will succeed. Like Barack Hussein Obama II. This great man decade since the end of World War II. led us into the ancient Chinese saying, “Drops of had an innate drive for public service TIME magazine even went so far as to a costly and water will, with time, drill a hole through and to do good for his country and its term it “The Decade from Hell.” However, unnecessary granite,” if we persevere, we will emerge people. On November 4, 2008, he was I don’t completely agree with this war in victorious. elected as the 44th President of the United labeling. While many negative and even Iraq. Many also contend that his failed States of America. Over the past year, horrible events transpired, there were leadership contributed to the credit We also saw great leaps in technology he may have been criticized by some for also many positive ones. market collapse in 2008 and the economic from 2000-2009. In the 80s, we talked about not accomplishing more but we must crisis of 2009. computers in terms of megabytes. In the remember he was handed a big pile of shit For me, so much happened so fast, 90s, it was gigabytes. By the end of the and it takes immense effort and time to dig and so much attention was paid to the While it’s easy to get mired and bogged 2000s, we spoke of it in terms of terabytes! out of it. I for one am glad he is President negative that the last 10 years simply got down by all these negative events, I prefer and I think he is doing an amazing job lost in the shuffle. In fact, I didn’t even not to dwell on them but instead try The first decade of the new millennium considering the circumstances. realize a new decade was upon us until and focus on the many good things that also gave us the iPod. This little device, the media started to make a big fuss happened from 2000-2009. along with its accompanying software On the personal front, in the 2000s, I was about it. That is why I prefer to term the iTunes, would revolutionize the music welcomed and embraced by a group of last 10 years as “The Lost Decade.” First of all, whether you agree with me industry and change the way we listen to friendly, open minded men who tended to or not, I think we saw great strides in the music. We can now have our entire music be on the bigger and furrier side called the In truth, many tragedies did transpire fight for gay rights. library in the palm of our hands. Then Oregon Bears. This group’s propensity for in the last decade. Perhaps the most along came the iPhone. Like the iPod, it fun and fundraising was a breath of fresh devastating of all was 9/11. I will In 2003, the Supreme Court legalized revolutionized the cell phone industry air for me. I’ve finally found a community always remember it as the day I saw the sodomy between consenting adults in and showed us how cell phones can be so I felt comfortable in. world crumble and collapse before my the landmark case of Lawrence v. Texas. much more than just a phone. eyes. Then there were natural disasters For many of us, we could now do what There are many more positive things I including the horrifying Indian Ocean comes naturally without the fear of being The Internet may have come onto the could list but I am running out of space in tsunami that wiped out many coastal persecuted and thrown in jail. Then in scene in the 90s but in the 2000s, it grew my little column. For example, who can towns and cities in South East and South 2004, Massachusetts became the first U.S. and blossomed into an indispensable and forget Harry Potter, Brokeback Mountain, Asia in December of 2004, resulting in state and only the sixth jurisdiction in the powerful tool. I can hardly remember Myspace and Facebook? The important thing hundreds of thousands of lives lost. For world at that time to legalize same-sex a time when I didn’t utilize the Internet is to not dwell too much on the negative us in the States, the mother of all natural marriage. Currently, it is legal for gays for everyday tasks such as checking the events of the past 10 years. After all, the disasters was Hurricane Katrina, which and lesbians to marry in the following five weather or keeping in touch with family positive things that happened are so much caused the flooding that annihilated states: New Hampshire, Vermont, Iowa, and loved ones. In the days of yore, we more gratifying and pleasurable. had to rely on big media to feed us their Feel free to email Bennie at: continued on page 25 version of the news. Nowadays, you can [email protected] Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 24 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 25 Lend A Helping Paw Member Fundraiser In Memoriam
Bruce Mason Davis Wilson Rest in peace until we meet again someday... Photos by: Bennie T. Memories shared by Steve Leaming and Frank Armstrong Bruce Mason Davis Wilson
Bruce was one of the original 13 members Davis joined the Oregon Bears in its very Be a part of of the Oregon Bears and served on the early days. Davis served several years on the first Board of Directors He served as Camp Oregon Bears and Beards & Roses Administrative Secretary from 1998 to committees. Davis loved Camp Oregon Bears Are you a writer or a copy editor? Do you have a story 1999, and also served as co-chair of Camp and only missed a couple of them. The last Oregon Bears Three in 2000. In Addition to two years, he even flew in from Oklahoma to share? Do you have photos from an Oregon Bears’ the Oregon Bears, Bruce was very involved City, OK so he could attend campout after event you want other members to enjoy? in church activities and the Ecumenical moving there in 2007. Davis recorded a video Ministries of Oregon. at the last campout discussing the early years of the Club. This video can be found on the Bruce passed on November 16, 2009 and is Oregon Bears web site. If you answered yes, please email survived by his partner Robert. [email protected]. Davis passed away November 26, 2009. We need people like you to keep Paw Prints Both of these men were very important to the early days of the Oregon Bears. fresh and exciting! Their dedication to the Club was instrumental in making the Oregon Bears the success that it continues to be today. Both Bruce and Davis will be remembered fondly as good friends and Bear brothers to those who knew them.
Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 26 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 27
Look Who’s A ADDRESS CHANGE WINTER 2010, Vol. 12, No. 1 BEAR! Paw Prints is a quarterly publication of the Oregon compiled by Bennie Tan Bears, Inc. It is published by the Media Committee. Name and Member # Members of Oregon Bears come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and hail from all over this great Media Co-Chair & Newsletter Editor: Bennie T. nation and even the world. Here’s a sampling of who makes up the membership. Webmaster: Richard Tuttle Contributors: Frank A., Andy M., Marcus M., Steve L., Mark A., Dave A., Name: Sista’ Anita Lynchin, “Queen Of Spades.” It James H., Victor S., Don J. A. and Ben B. Jr. Street Address translates into “I like them well hung... below the Special thanks go to Mikey Pfenning for designing the waist.” Current residence: Portland, OR Age: Timeless! cover art; Matt Mikesell of Bearracuda; and all those featured in “Look Who’s a Bear!” Relationship status: With the man of my dreams, David V. City, State, Zip Member since: 2003-ish You consider yourself: An Enigma All media submissions of any kind become the property of the Oregon Bears, Inc. to use, in whole with a great mustache Joined because: I moved from or in part, in the newsletter, website and other media. California and found this community with the same Email All content, logos, images and intellectual property interest and values of wanting to reach out to others are copyright of Oregon Bears, Inc. © 2009, 2010 All in appreciation of diverse lifestyles. What would you rights reserved. like to see the OR Bears do in the new decade: Broaden The Oregon Bears is not responsible for ideas and Website their horizons in Oregon and welcome ALL of the views expressed by contributors or advertisers. To GLBT community and let them know we are part of an contact the editor, email [email protected]. Please circle appropriate answer below. extended family and a shoulder to lean on. Best way to contact you? Name: Mike H. Current residence: Olympia, WA ADVERTISE IN Age: 30 Relationship Status: Partnered Member since: 2009 PAW PRINTS! [phone] [email] [mail] You consider yourself: Is this a top or bottom question? [do not contact] TOP! But in case it’s not, I guess I would consider myself a Cub? Joined because: I joined because the Bear The Oregon Bears Accepts How do you prefer to receive community in Portland is awesome and I think it’s cool Advertising! Paw Prints? to be a part of it. Also the drink discounts are always [mail] [email - PDF] good. What would you like to see the OR Bears do in the new decade: Keep up with the fun events and drink Reach one of the largest Bear Do you want to be included in specials. And more naked stuff. Naked is always good! Clubs in the nation through the Oregon Bears’ Voluntary the Paw Prints newsletter. Membership Directory? Name: Kiyo T. Current residence: Portland, OR [yes] [no] Initials:______Age: Will be 40, acts like 30, looks like 20 Relationship status: Dating but not attached (yet). Member since: Display Advertising rates Do you want your name, email Officially 2008, but have been attending events for over 5 per issue: and website added to our years. You consider yourself: A Chaser Joined because: I wanted to expand my social circle by meeting new people. Full page: $75 Membership Directory? What would you like to see the OR Bears do in the new decade: 1/2 Page: $50 (excludes phone#) Save the chaser, save the world! LOL! Honestly, I think 1/4 Page: $25 [yes] [no] you guys are doing a fine job. I do feel we need some more members that are not stereotypical “bears.” Classified advertising rates Name: Frank A. Current residence: Portland, OR Age: per issue: Signature Date 50 Relationship Status: Single Member since: 1999 You consider yourself: A Bear Joined because: I met my 40 word ad: $40 Mail to: partner at the first Camp Oregon Bears. I fell in love with 20 word ad: $20 Oregon Bears the Club. What would you like to see the OR Bears do in the Attn: Membership Secretary new decade: Strongly uphold the Club’s mission statement, Discounted Annual Contracts 818 SW 3rd, PMB #1153 which is to have organized fun and raise money for charity. Available. Portland, OR 97204 Paw Prints, Vol. 12, No. 1 Page 28