Upcoming Events

RECENT ARTICLES

Our First 3, 000 Members

Folsom Tips for Newbies

LINKS

San Diego Leather Judges for 2012

I've added more nice pictures to the recap of what happened during Pride 2012.

ALL gay males should participate in this online survey. Description: "We all know how to keep ourselves safe. Yet, guys continue to test positive. We need your help to figure out why. Your confidential answers will be pooled with tens of thousands more. The resulting data will help the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local health departments better understand patterns of behavior- both sexual and health promoting- among men in our communities, and to make sure our prevention resources have the greatest impact."

Video: First Ever Active Duty Uniformed Military Contingent Approved by the US Government (h/t Christie)

FetishMenSanDiego AIDS Walk & Run Page - Organized by Aaron Duke, who says "Please join Aaron Duke and the men of FMSD at the San Diego Eagle on Friday, August 10 from 10PM – 2AM.  We will be signing people up to walk or run with our team.  In addition, we will be collecting donations in the form of credit cards, PayPal, or cash.  NO CHECKS."

I've also found some great pictures from the Up Your Alley Street Fair in San Francisco that happened last week, for the enjoyment of folks who couldn't attend. Here are Biron's pictures, and Rich Trove's.

Spanky, our own Senior Officer in the Marines, has found some great pictures from the 2012 Pride Parade.

EVENT UPDATES

Kink Crusaders Movie Night is coming up in two weeks.  It's going to be one of those major social events that attract a LOT of local men, and I can sweeten the deal - I will be at the theater at 6:30PM, with twenty free tickets to hand out, but you have to march right up to me and ask!  I'm pretty easy to spot. They've spent $2,000 to get the movie just for us, which shows how confident they are in our community. I will be co-emceeing the Gear Contest, but YOU get to be the judge!

This next week's Planning the Future event is changed from Wednesday to Thursday, for this one time only - Scheduling conflict. We will have a LOT to talk about, with so many events coming up. I will be at this event an hour early, at 6PM, if somebody wants to chat with me before enjoying the general discussion at 7PM.

My good friend Stephen says "I know most men go to The Hole on Sunday afternoons. For those looking for an alternative, there is a Bear Tea Dance at Numbers at 3811 Park Blvd, every Sunday from 3-8 pm. One of my good friends alternates as the DJ. He plays music from the 70s-today. He has a notebook full of his music, and he's happy to take requests."

Our local heroes CubClub (the same men who put on the big BELT parties here in town) are hosting an official dance-party during Folsom Street Fair Weekend in San Francisco. They are hitting the big time!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wed. Aug 1, 7-9PM: MEN'S DISCUSSIONS. This has turned out to be ideal for building friendships by getting to know men outside of the bar/cruising scene. First and third Wednesday of each month.

Wed. Aug 1, 9PM: PUPPY NIGHT at the Eagle, hosted by Dayton O'Connor. First Wed. of each month.

Thu. Aug 2, 9-PM-Midnight: Yellow Hankie Social Night at the Eagle. First and Third Thu. of each month.

Fri, Aug 3, 7-9PM; The 6th annual Kinky Swap Meet. Get ready for some cost-effective gear-swapping! Dizzy picked up a great harness for $15 last year.

Sat. Aug 4, 9PM-2AM; BearNight Dance at Numbers. $5 before 10PM. First Sat. of each month. Lots of leathermen attend this event, and it comes highly recommended… Here are some reviews

Sun, Aug. 5, 3-6PM: Mr. San Diego Eagle 2012 Eli is celebrating his birthday (a few days late) at Bamboo Lounge, 1475 University. Eli says "Please join me in celebrating my 30th birthday in style. I will have snacks, drinks, and music provided by DJ WOOFY B. Cash bar will be available, but you're welcome to bring your own alcohol if so desired and party longer. Also I will be doing some raffles throughout the gathering with proceeds going to local organization (TBA)."

Thu. Aug 9, 7PM: PLANNING THE FUTURE meeting. USUALLY on the the Second Wed. of each month, but changed for this one month only.

Thu. Aug 9, 9pm-1am; Red Hankie Social Night at the Eagle. Second Thu. of each month

Fri. Aug 10, 9PM-1AM: DRESS IT UP/STRIP IT DOWN at the Eagle; 2nd Fri. of each month. Hosted by Mr. San Diego Eagle 2012 Eli. It's the nicest, friendliest crowd you'll see at a leather bar. Here are a few reviews, if you haven't been to one yet. Dress to impress if you've got the gear, or show us some skin - I promise you'll be glad that you did. Here are some pictures from Oct., February, March, April, June and September. Notice how HAPPY everybody is. You deserve to be that happy too.

Sat. Aug. 11, 9am-4PM: Bears Care Rummage Sale, benefiting The Family Health Centers and Special Delivery.

Sat. Aug 11, 9PM onward: UNIFORM NIGHT at the Eagle. Wear Military Gear or Civil Uniform Gear. Second Sat. of each month.

Wed. Aug 15, 7PM: KINK CRUSADERS Movie Night at the North Park Birch Theater. We are greatly honored to have Micheal Skiff, the director of Kink Crusaders joining us at 7PM on Wednesday, August 15th, when the movie is shown SPECIFICALLY in our honor. Once again, this would be a very good occasion to get geared up, if you have it, but there is no dress-code required. Tell your friends - this will be a very big social event!

Thu. Aug 16, 7-9PM: MEN'S DISCUSSIONS. This has turned out to be ideal for building friendships by getting to know men outside of the bar/cruising scene.

Thu. Aug 16, 9-PM-Midnight: Yellow Hankie Social Night at the Eagle. First and Third Thu. of each month.

Fri. Aug 17, 8:30PM-1AM: FRIDAY NIGHT BEAT AND GREET, downtown, hosted by Bryan Teague - American Leatherboy 2010, tiger - Ms San Diego Leather 2010, caryl - San Diego's premier Sea Monkey Trainer, and Mike Underwood - San Diego's very own Curmudgeonly teddy bear. Third Fri. of each month. This is a GREAT educational event if you want some hands-on training in a safe environment.

Sat. Aug 18, 8PM: FLOG FEST in Long Beach. For the first time ever, legendary Flogging Tops from all over Southern California are gathered under one roof to demonstrate, teach and THRILL. A new annual event.

Sat. Aug 18, 9:30PM-2AM: LL Bear Dance Party @ Rich's San Diego. Third Saturday of each month. Lots of leathermen attend this event. Shirtless with a harness appears to be the dress code!

Sun. Aug 19: Kurt's Welcome Back/Thank You Party, leading into SD Leather Pride.

Aug. 25-26: ROMP Weekend Run, including the Mr. and Ms. San Diego Leather 2012 contests.

Fri. Aug. 31, 8:30PM-1AM: MEN-ONLY Fri. NIGHT BEAT AND GREET, downtown, hosted by Bryan Teague - American Leatherboy and Mike Underwood - San Diego's very own Curmudgeonly teddy bear. The Men-Only version is on the FIFTH Fri. of each month, such as Nov 30 of 2012, and Mar 29, May 31, Aug 30 and Nov 29 of 2013. There will be hands-on training for folks who want to learn from experts in a very safe environment. I will be there, teaching flogging as usual.

Fri, Sep 7, 7-9PM; SDLOG educational event. First Friday of each month. at the Joyce Beers Community Center, by the Aladdin restaurant near Ralph's supermarket on University.

Wed. Sep 19, 7-9PM: MEN'S DISCUSSIONS. This has turned out to be ideal for building friendships by getting to know men outside of the bar/cruising scene. First and third Wednesday of each month.

Sat. Sep. 22, 10pm: Underwear Party and Contest at the Eagle. Fourth Sat. of each month. Everyone is invited to strip down to those boxers, briefs or "street" legal jocks and join in the fun, you do not have to enter the contest. Although our 1st prize is $100 Cash and 2nd prize is a $25 bar tab., Clothes check opens at 10pm and the contest will be held at midnight. Your evening will be hosted by Mr. San Diego Eagle 2012, Eli

Sunday, September 23: Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco.

Sunday, September 30: AIDS Walk San Diego

November 8-11: Palm Springs Leather Pride

San Diego Leather Judges for 2012

From: Mr. San Diego Leather 2004 Adam:

ROMP San Diego is fast approaching and the folks at the venue are spiffing up the cabins, mowing the lawns and stocking the restaurant and bar.  A select few men and women are preparing to choose the newest ambassadors for the San Diego Leather / Kink / Fetish community.

 These, our esteemed judges, have been working in the community for many years and each have something special to contribute.  We are pleased to announce the Judges for The Mr. & Ms. San Diego Leather 2012 contest:

Tom Dickerson – Head Judge 

Mr. Dickerson is Mr. San Diego Leather 2002, and the 40^th Elected Emperor of The Imperial Court de San Diego.  Tom is celebrating his 10 year anniversary this year as Mr. San Diego Leather.

Naria Lei B. Jordan

Naria is Ms San Diego Leather 2002 and a sex educator.  She is also celebrating her 10 year anniversary as Ms San Diego Leather.

The Ruby Empress Ajax

The 40^th Elected Empress of The Imperial Court de San Diego as well as San Diego Leather Daddy 2004 and Knight of Leather 2005, as always happily straddling the Drag / Leather communities.

Shann Carr

                Shann is International Ms. Leather 1988 and a quite twisted comedian.

Hooker

Rik has held the titles of Maryland Mr. Drummer 1999 and Mr. Maryland Leather 2009 and is nationally known as the founder of ‘Hooker and boys.’

Eric Siglin

Eric holds the titles of Florida Leather Bear 2004, Mr. Florida Olympus 2006 and US Daddy 2007.  He currently produces Florida LeatherSIR and Leatherboy.

Last, but far from least – our beloved

tiger

tiger is Ms San Diego Leather 2010 and has her paws in all sorts of things.

For full bios of these judges and more information, check out the website: www.ROMPSD.com  Order your weekend pass, day pass or play party tickets online today.

ROMP San Diego is a weekend of brotherhood and sisterhood, a time to relax with other kinky folks from San Diego and across the country.  Mr. and Ms San Diego Leather contests have finally come together as one to celebrate our community as a whole! 

Join us August 24-26, 2012 either for a day or the whole weekend.  Many options are available including transportation, various lodging, day passes and weekend packages, please visit www.ROMPSD.com  Check us out, then come join us for a ROMP!__,_._,___

Folsom Tips for Newbies

The Folsom Street Fair is coming up pretty quickly (Sunday, September 23rd, 2012). If you haven't yet made travel-plans, now would be a really good time to get that handled. Here is my previous post about tracking down lodging.

Every year, there are first-timers who might accidentally miss out by just showing up, without being on the right party lists, and not knowing where to go. So, I'm using this space to gather together everybody's suggestions and shared wisdom based on experience.

• Start by reading this article from Leatherati, posted in 2011.  It contains a lot of great wisdom, particularly on the best way to find private parties.

• Check out the official list of upcoming events.

• If you're interested in a non-sexual kinky play-party like no other, I can certainly recommend the 15 Association's play-party at 8PM on Friday, September 21st at the SF Citadel Community Center (at its new location, 181 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA 94102). Be SURE to fill out the application beforehand, for an invitation to this event.

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SITES TO VISIT

Take the time in the days before the Street Fair to really, thoroughly visit the local kinky tourist sites:

As soon as you pull into town and dump off your luggage, be sure to take the trolley to the Castro and have breakfast in a window-seat at The Cove on Castro at 434 Castro Street (across the street from the Castro Theater), particularly on Saturday before the Street Fair. The kinky tourists will be swarming past the place in full regalia, and it makes for a GREATLY entertaining meal.

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I strongly recommend dropping in to Leather Etc. at 1201 Folsom Street.  TRUST the family that runs it.  They are good people, and they authentically care about making you look really good.

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Mr. S Leather at 385 8th Street is a MADHOUSE in the days before the Street Fair, which makes it that much more enticing. Jammed with happy, kinky tourists from all over the planet, it's beyond entertaining, and the best shopping-opportunity you can find in one place. Beware of Squanderlust!  It's hard to leave without bags of great gear.

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I'm quite fond of Worn Out West at 2352 Market Street.  It's GREAT for finding inexpensive, used gear… Chaps, harnesses, hoods, jackets and so forth.

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Not far away, Stompers Boots at 323 10th Street is the ultimate place to shop for fetishwear boots in a storefront. Stop by before Sunday's Street Fair to try on some boots, but come back DURING the Street Fair to hang out on the back patio, jammed nut-to-butt with hot men in wildly diverse kinky gear from all over the planet.

If this imagery makes your heart pound, then the back-patio event at Stompers is the closest thing I've seen to this sort of intensity. Stompers will provide free snacks and drinks to enjoy - You won't get in without boots on, though!

I also recommend getting your legs and feet measured for free.

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Off-topic:  If you'd like a REALLY good seafood restaurant, I strongly recommend Tadich Grill, at 240 California.  Don't assume that they will be open, so call to confirm - They do NOT take reservations!

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What other places/parties/events would you recommend?

If you have more tips that would help your brothers, please pass them along to me at papatony @mac.com - I will archive them over the years, and keep sending them out!

Our First 3,000 Members

San Diego Pride 2012 was very good for us - we've added a total of EIGHTY-SEVEN new members in the last eleven days. We're now at 3,032 members. The men who are voluntarily using our instant-add method on smartphones are the guys who are driving the acceleration. It's a powerful team effort!

We're unique in the entire world - No other kinky gay-male group on earth is growing so big, so fast. So why is that so important?

Because we are being taken very seriously. Vendors are lining-up to cater to our special needs. We're having bigger and far better events. Since we have unity of purpose, we aren't scattering our efforts, and can rely on a great result when we make plans. Our method of spreading the word is not vulnerable to multiple factions dividing up the group's overall intentions. Our theme never changes.

We're dependable.

Approximately 70% of our newest members are under the age of 35. If we're going to succeed in the long run, that's the crowd to cater to - Guys my age tend not to be turbo-dynamos of power and leadership. The torch has been passed, and having large numbers of men who might share a young, new leader's viewpoint makes it more likely that he will be rewarded with a great result if he takes some bold chances. 

Clearly, we don't have 3,000 guys at any one of our events. What's the deal?  It's easy to understand - We're all doing our best to make ends meet in a terrible economy. We have lives to live.  We show up when we can. The most important thing about FMSD's structure is that you can show up whenever you're inclined, and you'll always get a great result.

If FMSD was a rigidly-structured group, we'd be having a lot of issues right now, caused by too-rapid growth.  Since we are based on "possibility" (versus inflexible structure), we have no such issues… Our events are crowd-sourced, so everybody pitches in at whatever level they are comfortable with. Since everybody's on the same page, we end up with safe, welcoming, satisfying events that reward people for showing up.

In fact, our events are designed as an ongoing series of "guaranteed safe spaces". Many of us have been burned by community situations that went horribly wrong (in many cities), so it can take a lot of coaxing to get some of us to poke our noses back out into the Tribe and start participating again.  So, we're all doing this in a slow, methodical, and CONSISTENT way, week after week, month after month, and year after year. This reassures people that we're not just a "flash-bang-gone" phenomenon.

We're slowly bringing my own generation (Baby Boomers) back into the public sphere, and I couldn't be happier about that - We need more respected, lovable and admirable men to be visible and well-known. These younger men among us are glad to have us around, since we don't discount them, or ignore their ideas and hard-earned wisdom. We need ALL parts of the Tribe if we are going to create magnificent new things in the decades to come.

Frankly, when it comes to predicting the future, I'm baffled - I can't know for certain what Big New Things are coming up, no matter how hard I think about it. That doesn't worry me - I'm thrilled to see so many talented, magnificent men taking ownership of their charisma, building new traditions along with their leadership skills, and supporting each other as true brothers should.  I think the biggest challenge in the next year will be finding venues BIG enough for our big, annual events.

San Diego's Tribe is a fertile, growth-encouraging environment for new ideas to take root. I'm really enjoying the ride!  Now, it's time to bring on the NEXT 3,000 members...

Orientation for New FMSD Members

I will be adapting this page as time goes by.

Welcome to FMSD (FetishMenSanDiego). You're in a unique position, and it's important that you be well-informed, so that you enjoy yourself (and your new brothers) as soon as possible:

• The name of this group is FetishMenSanDiego, but it could just as easily have been named WellSocializedGrownups, because that is our core constituency. 

• We don't have any support for you if you only want to PAR-TEE! Wrong group. Also, if hugging creeps you out, please keep moving along… You won't like our events.

• We're not trying to imitate any online cruising-sites. Those already exist. We want to bring people AWAY from those sites and work on our social, interpersonal skills, face to face. In non-virtual space.  

• We want to dance (often), and hug, and gather close because we like each other a lot. If that means that you get laid (or find a boyfriend) as a result, that's wonderful, but it's not crucial to our overall plans. We all know how to get laid. We all know what a dick looks like up close. That part is handled. What we need more than anything else is to feel loved, befriended, and intimate with our brothers in the Tribe without having to have it be a big fuckin' deal. Just casual, relaxed affection and respect, in a support-system that could last you for the rest of your life. 

• I recommend that you start by attending our Men's Discussions at 7PM. It's a great way to be in a non-bar, quiet space where we can share wisdom on various topics.  New guys tend to sit very quietly, absorbing the vibe in the room, and that's fine - Nobody pressures anybody. Then, the next time, the new guy gets more bold. We like that. Pretty soon, he's not a newbie any more, and he's feeling pretty sassy. We like that best of all. 

• We are a Tribe. This means that you can expect to be flooded with lots and lots of great opportunities for meeting like-minded men, but there is a cost: You have to be a really nice guy. We're a very, VERY social group, and Nice Guys are the guys who get the best goodies…  Anybody who is having a bad day will be given a Time Out. That has happened only once in the last two years.

• Our group is designed to help gay males find true, lifelong friends, lovers, Masters, subs, whatever. It doesn't happen passively though - you have to SHOW UP at our events. The more events that you attend, the more relaxed, happy and secure you'll feel.  

• We aren't interested in the usual crap - external appearance, age, color, body-style, experience-level, whatever. Don't expect us to care much about any of that. If you, personally, are a nice guy, then we'll like you just fine. We're all sick of being prejudged based on stooopid stuff that has nothing to do with who we really are, so let's all just give it up together.

• You will never be treated shabbily at any of our events. Ever. You won't be shunned, ignored or snubbed. You won't bounce off of our indifference. We don't do that. Instead, friendly guys will reach out and offer you opportunities to fit in. 

• It's perfectly okay to be shy. You don't have to be all loud and bold if you don't feel like it.  But, if you ever feel particularly passionate and full of life, we'll like that a lot, and encourage it.

• If you're looking to buy any gear (boots, harnesses, etc), I've created this recommendations page, and it is biased toward people on a budget.

If you have any questions, drop a line to papatony@ mac.com - I'm the creator of the group.  I'm easy to spot - I tend to be the tallest guy in the building.

PALM SPRINGS LEATHER PRIDE 2012 LINEUP

PALM SPRINGS LEATHER ORDER OF THE DESERT
ANNOUNCES PALM SPRINGS LEATHER PRIDE 2012 LINEUP

    Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert (PSLOD) is proud to announce the lineup for Palm Springs Leather Pride, November 8-11, 2012. The website at http://desertleatherpride.com, contains all the information about this very popular 4 day adventure in the Leather lifestyle, including the entire weekend schedule, hotel and travel information (with discounted airfares brought to you by our partner American Airlines) and the ability to purchase your weekend packages and individual event tickets online. It also has information for potential contestants, vendors and sponsors, as well as a press section.

    The weekend package is $125 and provides entry to all of the events including the Meet & Greet at Hunters Nightclub, the Formal Leather Dinner at Leon's restaurant, the Tool Shed/PSLOD Vendor Market and Back Lot Cruise Party, the Cigar & Pipe Smoker at DiGS bar with cigars by Maximus, the Mr. Palm Springs Leather Contest, OINK! the Leather/Fetish Victory Dance, both sponsored by Oinkmobile.com and, finally, the BBQ/Pool Party with the infamous Soaked T-Shirt Contest sponsored by Elbow Grease.

    Celeb's gracing the weekend include our mixologists, Special Guest DJ Chi Chi Larue and perennial returning favorite DJ Doom, ultimate MC Lenny Broberg and a distinguished judging panel consisting of (in alphabetical order), CLAW President - Dennis McMahon, IML contestant wrangler - Dean Ogren, Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2012 - Todd Peter, International Leather SIR - Mike Russell, Mr. Ramrod - Ron Todd, West, a founding member of the LA boys of Leather, and Woody Woodruff, the reigning International Mr. Leather.

    So, join our current registrants from the West Coast to the East Coast as well as the UK and Australia and make your reservations today. Carve out a 10 day vacation and add in Palm Springs Gay Pride (pspride.org) which happens the previous weekend, November 3-4.

    Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing a safe atmosphere for growth and support of the Leather Lifestyle while nourishing a sense of sister/brother hood and camaraderie within the organization and the community, and to raise funds for deserving projects, clubs, organizations, defense funds or charities which have given direct or indirect support to the Leather community or to the GLBT community at large.
--
Dave Murdock
Media Chair
http://pslod.org
http://desertleatherpride.com
http://facebook.com/palmspringsleatherpride

Upcoming Events

PASSAGES

Boy Ron, who has been a valuable part of our community, died this week.

RECENT ARTICLES

Review of San Diego Pride 2012. If anybody has any other pictures of the Leather Contingent that aren't in my article, I would love to know about it.

Pride 2012 Military Turnout - One of our members is a senior officer in the Marines, and he tells his story with pictures.

EVENT UPDATES

The August 15th Men's Discussion is CANCELED, in honor of the Kink Crusaders Movie Night (organized in our honor), which will feature a GEAR CONTEST, and a talk by the movie's director. Let's JAM the theater!

This weekend features the Up Your Alley (formerly "Dore Alley") Street Fair, and if you're going, I advise stopping by Stompers Boots for their all-day Boot Party behind the store. It's a wonderful place to be! Here are some up-to-date tips for attendees.

There is a new, major event on August 18th: FLOG FEST in Long Beach. For the first time ever, legendary Flogging Tops from all over Southern California are gathered under one roof to demonstrate, teach and THRILL. A new annual event. I'm tracking down lodging for San Diegans who want to attend.

The 6th annual Kinky Swap Meet is in one week on Friday, so get ready for some cost-effective gear-swapping! Dizzy picked up a great harness for $15 last year.

The folks with Palm Springs Leather Pride (second week in November every year) are starting to pump out the publicity.

CIGARS AND BOOTS

Aaron Duke will be hosting the Cigars and Boots event on a monthly basis soon. Please stay tuned for more details. We are looking to change the location and time, so all you HOT ASH MEN come out and have a drink and a smoke with our new host, Aaron.

AIDS WALK & RUN SAN DIEGO 2012

Aaron Duke will be putting together a team for the AIDS Walk & Run 2012. In order to provide an inclusive environment for our diverse community, we will be participating in the walk. The walk is scheduled for Sunday, September 30, 2012. Registration begins at 6 AM, Opening Ceremonies at 7 AM, and the Walk at 8:15 AM. The actual walk takes one and half to two hours to complete and is 3.1 miles.

“Through a unique funding partnership with the San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative, AIDS Walk & Run San Diego is able to increase the impact of dollars raised at the event. Since 1989, AIDS Walk San Diego has raised more than $7.5 million. In partnership with the San Diego Finding Collaborative, last year over $500,000 was distributed to 10 outstanding community-based HIV/AIDS service organizations in the San Diego Region.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

Jul 26-29, INTERNATIONAL LEATHER SIR/BOY, INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY BOOT BLACK in San Francisco.

Sat. Jul 28, 10pm: Underwear Party and Contest at the Eagle. Fourth Sat. of each month. Everyone is invited to strip down to those boxers, briefs or "street" legal jocks and join in the fun, you do not have to enter the contest. Although our 1st prize is $100 Cash and 2nd prize is a $25 bar tab., Clothes check opens at 10pm and the contest will be held at midnight. Your evening will be hosted by Mr. San Diego Eagle 2012, Eli

Sunday, July 29: Up Your Alley Street Fair in San Francisco.

Wed. Aug 1, 7-9PM: MEN'S DISCUSSIONS. Moderated by California LeatherSir 2012 Sam. This has turned out to be ideal for building friendships by getting to know men outside of the bar/cruising scene. First and third Wednesday of each month.

Wed. Aug 1, 9PM: PUPPY NIGHT at the Eagle, hosted by Dayton O'Connor and San Diego Puppy Patrol (SDPP). First Wed. of each month.

Thu. Aug 2, 9-PM-Midnight: Yellow Hankie Social Night at the Eagle. First and Third Thu. of each month.

Fri, Aug 3, 7-9PM; The 6th annual Kinky Swap Meet. Get ready for some cost-effective gear-swapping! Dizzy picked up a great harness for $15 last year.

Sat. Aug 4, 9PM-2AM; BearNight Dance at Numbers. $5 before 10PM. First Sat. of each month. Lots of leathermen attend this event, and it comes highly recommended… Here are some reviews

Thu. Aug 9, 7PM: PLANNING THE FUTURE meeting. USUALLY on the the Second Wed. of each month, but changed for this one month only.

Thu. Aug 9, 9pm-1am; Red Hankie Social Night at the Eagle. Second Thu. of each month

Fri. Aug 10, 9PM-1AM: DRESS IT UP/STRIP IT DOWN at the Eagle; 2nd Fri. of each month. Hosted by Mr. San Diego Eagle 2012 Eli. It's the nicest, friendliest crowd you'll see at a leather bar. Here are a few reviews, if you haven't been to one yet. Dress to impress if you've got the gear, or show us some skin - I promise you'll be glad that you did. Here are some pictures from Oct., February, March, April, June and September. Notice how HAPPY everybody is. You deserve to be that happy too.

Sat. Aug. 11, 9am-4PM: Bears Care Rummage Sale, benefiting The Family Health Centers and Special Delivery.

Sat. Aug 11, 9PM onward: UNIFORM NIGHT at the Eagle. Wear Military Gear or Civil Uniform Gear. Second Sat. of each month.

Wed. Aug 15, 7PM: KINK CRUSADERS Movie Night at the North Park Birch Theater. We are greatly honored to have Micheal Skiff, the director of Kink Crusaders joining us at 7PM on Wednesday, August 15th, when the movie is shown SPECIFICALLY in our honor. Once again, this would be a very good occasion to get geared up, if you have it, but there is no dress-code required. Tell your friends - this will be a very big social event!

Thu. Aug 16, 9-PM-Midnight: Yellow Hankie Social Night at the Eagle. First and Third Thu. of each month.

Fri. Aug 17, 8:30PM-1AM: FRIDAY NIGHT BEAT AND GREET, downtown, hosted by Bryan Teague - American Leatherboy 2010, tiger - Ms San Diego Leather 2010, caryl - San Diego's premier Sea Monkey Trainer, and Mike Underwood - San Diego's very own Curmudgeonly teddy bear. Third Fri. of each month. This is a GREAT educational event if you want some hands-on training in a safe environment.

Sat. Aug 18, 8PM: FLOG FEST in Long Beach. For the first time ever, legendary Flogging Tops from all over Southern California are gathered under one roof to demonstrate, teach and THRILL. A new annual event.

Sat. Aug 18, 9:30PM-2AM: LL Bear Dance Party @ Rich's San Diego. Third Saturday of each month. Lots of leathermen attend this event. Shirtless with a harness appears to be the dress code!

Sun. Aug 19: Kurt's Welcome Back/Thank You Party, leading into SD Leather Pride.

Aug. 25-26: ROMP Weekend Run, including the Mr. and Ms. San Diego Leather 2012 contests.

Fri. Aug. 31, 8:30PM-1AM: MEN-ONLY Fri. NIGHT BEAT AND GREET, downtown, hosted by Bryan Teague - American Leatherboy and Mike Underwood - San Diego's very own Curmudgeonly teddy bear. The Men-Only version is on the FIFTH Fri. of each month, such as Nov 30 of 2012, and Mar 29, May 31, Aug 30 and Nov 29 of 2013. There will be hands-on training for folks who want to learn from experts in a very safe environment. I will be there, teaching flogging as usual.

Fri, Sep 7, 7-9PM; SDLOG educational event. First Friday of each month. at the Joyce Beers Community Center, by the Aladdin restaurant near Ralph's supermarket on University.

Wed. Sep 19, 7-9PM: MEN'S DISCUSSIONS. Moderated by California LeatherSir 2012 Sam. This has turned out to be ideal for building friendships by getting to know men outside of the bar/cruising scene. First and third Wednesday of each month.

Sunday, September 23: Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco.

November 8-11: Palm Springs Leather Pride

Up Your Alley 2012 Updates

Here are some tips for Up Your Alley-
Sunday, July 29th, 2012.
• Coat and clothes check available this year at the fair.
  Sponsored by Castro Country Club - located on 10th Street,
  next to the soda booth.
• Homobiles - Moes gettin hoes where they needz to goes.
  Stands for Homobiles will be located at 9th and Folsom and
  on 10th and Sheridan.
• DJ line up:
  Rocket Collective - 11:00am
  Joey Jink - 12:30pm
  Robbie Martin - 2:00pm
  Steve Sherwood - 4:00pm
• Over 40 Exhibitors.
  From toys to t-shirts, bondage to boot-blacking, and cockrings
  to calendars Up Your Alley has something for everyone.

• Bay of Pigs, The Official Saturday Night Dance Event of Up Your Alley Weekend.
  Tickets available at:
  Mr. S Leather - SOMA (on 8th Street)
  Chaps - Castro (on 18th)
  Phantom - Castro (on Castro)