Bear Night at Bacchus House celebrated its first year anniversary last Saturday night. A special thanks to the guys who continue to give bears and their admirers a place to shake their big hairy asses to the beats of DJ Jon Williams. Unfortunately, I’m on the road traveling exploring caves for hibernating bears at the moment, but I should be back in San Diego for the next BearNight in January. You can catch up with the BearNight crowd – which is the current “in” crowd on their MySpace page. For a link, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1094.

The San Diego Leatherboys are at it again. While others play blame games and make excuses to sit on their asses, this group continues to put on events and raise money for those in need. The San Diego Leatherboys should be nominated for a Pantheon Award and should win! Someone who’s currently on the good side of the Leather Journal should write in to let them know of the hard work done by this group. Obviously, I won’t be nominating them myself but there must be someone in San Diego whom the publisher of that publication actually likes. Tonight, Dec. 11, at the San Diego Eagle they will be presenting Naughty Pictures with Santa. You can be the only one in your circle with a holiday card with a photo of you bouncing up and down on Santa. There’s no better way to remind your parents of the adorable child they once took to the mall to sit on some strange man’s lap to tell secrets and holiday wishes. If sitting on a grizzly dressed in red with white fur trim doesn’t get your juices flowing then try Mrs. Clause who’ll also be there. If neither of those work for you then try sitting on one of the elves, but you have to be able to give him back when you’re done. The lap dances with Santa, Mrs. Clause or an elf start at 8 p.m. and are available with a donation of $3 plus an unwrapped toy or blanket, $4 plus a non-perishable can good or just $5 cash. San Diego Hospice will receive 50 percent of all funds raised. Way to go, boys!

2009 will be the perfect year to put aside useless resolutions and get involved with a local leather organization that makes a difference in your community. On Monday, Dec. 15 Club X will hold its new member and guest orientation. Club X is one of the longest running leather/BDSM organizations in the country and continues to serve the San Diego community. The festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. and are open to all adults who want to know more about leather in San Diego in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. This forum allows all who attend a chance to make immediate connections with the people who run the club, the club’s history, how Club X and the San Diego BDSM scene operates. For more information, and a link to the new meeting location, visit www.gaylesbiantiimes.com/links/1094.

On Thanksgiving morning the San Diego leather and bear communities said goodbye to our good friend, Eddie V. Many of us met Eddie at games nights hosted by former International leather Sir, Mike Russell and his partner, Jack. Eddie was always the biting voice of reason that had the gift of telling the truth in no uncertain terms – whether you wanted to hear it or not. We need people like Eddie in our lives to remind us to stay grounded, especially in those times when our stars are shining brightest. On Sunday, Dec. 14, Eddie’s friends and family will gather at Avalon in North Park to celebrate his life. The celebration begins at noon and will be attended by his biological family, as well as his leather/bear family. Eddie V., thank you for being a positive force in our lives! You will be missed!

See ya’ in the pit.