There are many events coming up soon that you might want to take in. The first, which I mentioned a few weeks ago, happens next week, on Friday the 14^th which happens to be Good Friday (so nobody’s going to be buying drinks – just kidding!) and that will be presented by the Palm Springs boys of Leather. This is a leather fashion show at 10pm, at The Barracks and is a fund raiser for the Desert AIDS Project, an excellent cause and an organization that is nominated every year for an award at Pantheon of Leather. There’ll be raffles, a silent auction, a basket auction, and entertainment. Tuff Stuff Leather, Gear, Twist my Links (chain gear) and LeatherSmith will be among the businesses showing off their wares and the event is also supported by West Coast Rubber. It will be well worth seeing and might be a good excuse to get away from the White Party boys who’ll be everywhere down town. Speaking of Good Friday, did you know that the Vatican permits catholics over 60 to ignore the fasting rules. There are some benefits to getting older. Meanwhile that weekend at the Tool Shed is "Bear Patrol" all weekend, so all you big guys and chasers of big hairy men get over there! "It’s good to be bad Friday is happening there and on Easter Sunday they are having a Bare Chest Contest at 10.30pm, with a $100 prize for the winner.

The following weekend, 21/23April, is devoted to the Southern California Leather Sir and boy contest at the Barracks. Friday night is the meet and greet, when you get to eyeball the prospective contestants and meet the judges (of whom I have the honor to be one). That begins at 10pm., as does the contest the following night. Prospective contestants are still invited to participate, so contact Dale Breunig, International Sir 2002 at the bar or at IntlLeatherSIR02@aol.com.

On the weekend of April 28/30 there’s just too much going on. Plans are moving forward for an event that will find six Los Angeles and Palm Springs uniform, leather and fetish clubs coming together in Palm Springs. This is an event in which the LA and Palm Springs, Boots &Breeches Divisions will be cooperating. Avatar and the boys of Leather will be doing most of the major "grunt" work but B&B members have committed to assistance by their respective divisions as well. This is a great opportunity to come together as a community for a nice event. The get together is called Operation Desert Leather III. Avatar members will be staying at La Posada East. Participating Clubs will have the same special rates at La Posada West down the road.

On the Friday there’ll be a Formal Club Dinner at the Cedar Creek Inn, on Saturday there’s a Pool BBQ at La Posada and that night at Sidewinders is Family Feud....Your Club is your family. As far as I know there’ll be a run pin and run shirt with all the logos of the Clubs participating. Cost of the weekend package, including dinner (but not accommodations at La Posada) is $45. As if all that wasn’t enough, Palm Springs Pumpers hosts the largest and longest running pump party on the planet that weekend also, here in the desert. And remember, it's not just about pumping. Those who are into saline and silicone are also welcome! The first host hotel for that weekend is already sold out! So check their web site at www.pspumpers.net for more info on the event and available hotel rooms. And Edward Espindola, don’t forget, is having his Camp Toucans fund-raiser on Thursday April 27^th beginning at 8pm.

Quite a weekend!

Meanwhile, back at the Tool Shed, Dennis Cramer, Mr. Tool Shed 2002 reports that over $2,500 in donations was raised this year from his Fourth Annual Erotic Art Expo, held recently at Tool Shed.  Erotic works from several local artists were on display and available for silent auction bidding.  One hundred percent of the funds raised from this event benefit Tool Shed’s AIDS Assistance Program Christmas Stocking Fund. Good job, Dennis!