Anyone in San Diego who is complaining about the hot weather should have been at Dore Alley Fair a couple of weeks ago. I’m not sure whether my blood has thinned from being a Southern Californian for so long, but the sun never made its customary appearance and the fog never lifted during the event. Even the group of unappealing men who are always naked at the fair were cold this year – and it showed! The only good thing about the cold in San Francisco is being able to watch tourists freeze their asses off in new, right-off-the-rack chaps. Dore Alley started off as a local fair for San Franciscans who were too busy volunteering and entertaining out-of-town guests with play parties and brunches to enjoy Folsom. All that setting up of the dungeon area and cooking the next day can wear a leather boy out. Now Dore Alley Fair is a big, crowded mess overrun by tourists, gawkers and looky-loos. A real shame but now another new street fair has been created for local bears and leatherfolk called Harrison Street Fair which happens the last Sunday in August. With such incredible weather in America’s Finest City, San Diegan leather-bear-cowboys should put together a street fair of some sort – hint, hint!

There may not be a street fair but there will be a Leather Swap Meet tonight, Thursday Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Joyce Beers Center behind Trader Joe’s in Hillcrest. This will be the second annual swap meet hosted by the San Diego League of Gentlemen. Bring your old stuff out to the swap meet and check out what other folks have for sale! There will be vendors, Club X will be selling pins and T-shirts, and leather boys will be running the world as usual.

You can’t get all that new and used stuff without knowing how to use it properly. Club X will be hosting a Workshop, Exploratorium and Vendor Faire & Play Party on Aug. 9 in North Park. Club X continues to serve the leather public and educate, so there’s no excuses for not knowing how to play safely in the dungeon. There are also great people of all sexual orientations. All you have to do is show up, and you will be welcomed (right before you’re thrown up on a St. Andrew’s Cross). Check out www.clubxsd.org for more details on this and other events.

If you’d rather dance than play in the dungeon check out Big Tom’s FRESH at Bacchus House this Saturday, Aug. 9. Big Tom still hasn’t given up on us, and FRESH will feature Los Angeles DJ, Dan DeLeon. Dan has been adding more fresh vocals and upbeat energy into his sets after building an extensive reputation as a deeper tribal DJ. Entry is $5; doors open at 9 p.m. and stay open for after hours until 4 a.m.!

Back in March, Larry Townsend, the author of The Leatherman’s Handbook, made an extremely rare public appearance as the keynote speaker for the Leather Titleholder Dinner during Leather Pride. At that time, Larry announced his new book, which he had been working on for years, was just about ready and would be released this summer. About a month ago I received a note from Larry saying the book was ready and he would come to San Diego for a book-signing party. Sadly, Larry passed away on July 29. There aren’t enough words to describe the riches this pioneer of the BDSm world bestowed upon us with his writings. I hope those of you who attended the dinner will cherish the time and experience with Larry, and will remember him as a friend. Thanks Larry, see ya’ In the Pit! Write me at inthepitsd@aol.com.