Club Members receive a 10% discount on ALL in store items.

 

Merry Christmas Club 717 from your friends at:

 

Just Because !!

All toys will be given to the Durham Regional Police Toy drive!!

All non-perishable food items and money raised go to purchase food will be donated to the Durham Region AIDS Committee food drive!!

 

Please visit our Newsletter Contributors website.

 

Lawrence Grecco is a professional astrologer in New York City and a member of the board of directors of the National Council of Geocosmic Research, NYC chapter.

 

He is available for personal or telephone readings and can be reached at 212-255-5337. Email lawrence.grecco@gmail.com

 

Visit his web site at www.zenrising.com

 

 

 

Well Hello everyone
 
Thank you for taking the time to keep up to date on what is happening in our little Club.
 
I want to start off by correcting an oversight on my part last Month, I forgot to Thank Darren Shaw for coming in while we were doing the renovations and helping us, I really felt bad after the last newsletter went out and then I realized I forgot to mention my gratitude to Darren, I apologize and would never intentionally forget to mention you.
 
Queen Madge, Thank you for all your hard work and dedication over the past year. You certainly put your heart into your reign and did the Club proud. As you move into the role of Queen mom, I want to express my gratitude for your hard work and commitment over the past year. Ruby, I want to congratulate you on your winning the position of Queen 2008/2009 and look forward to the upcoming year. I know you will be capable of pulling it off.
 
Benn Dover, you did an awesome job in the competition and It was a great pleasure for all the patrons to see what a wonderful performer you have become in such a short period of time, You are going to be a force to reckon with in the very near future, In fact you already are. 
 
That said and done, it is already Holiday time (My God it seems to be flying right now!) And this is the season for giving. One thing I do have to say about our community is that we are pretty well all double income, no kids families and as such we are needed to support those families who are less fortunate at this time of the year. In this season of giving, lets open up our hearts and wallets to make it a memorable time for those less fortunate.
 
Each year Club 717 sets up an area where you can drop off an unwrapped gift and any food donations that will go out to help a struggling family or families in our local community, and in these times there are so many of them. Each year our food and toy drive gets a little better, The staff, Board and performers prepare baskets that will be raffled off before Christmas for anyone who is making a donation to help out for our annual food and toy drive, the purpose of this is to help local organizations, so please give generously and get a ticket on the raffles.
 
Also Dec 5th there will be a Christmas kick off show, and on Dec 19th is a Show you will not want to miss, this night, any tips for the performers and any proceeds from the Club will be donated to a local charity to assist in making a happier Christmas for someone, please come out and support this event.
 
I would like to send a personal and heartfelt wish to everyone, and that is to you and yours I along with all the other Staff, Volunteers and Board of Directors at Club 717 would like to extend to you and your families the very best wishes for a Safe and Merry Christmas and all the best wishes and prosperity for the year to come, I wish you health, happiness and prosperity in 2009. Please remember do not drink and drive use a service to get you home, we want to continue seeing you.
 
Regards
And all the Best
Danny

HI EVERYONE,

 

AS CHRISTMAS IS FAST APPROACHING, SEASON'S GREETINGS TO ALL.

 

ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 7TH, QUEEN  MADGE STEPPED DOWN AFTER DOING A SUPER JOB AS QUEEN. ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 8TH, WE CROWNED OUR NEW SOVEREIGN, QUEEN RUBY.  WELCOME TO THE ROYAL CIRCLE, MY QUEEN RUBY. IT WAS A FABULOUS AND ENTERTAINING EVENING, AND BENN DOVER DID AN AMAZING JOB.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING MORE OF   "ELVIS" !! NEXT WAS THE PAST QUEEN SHOW, HOSTED BY OUR NEW QUEEN RUBY.  ON STAGE WAS QUEEN MOM MADGE, EBONY, CHARDONNAY, TWIGGY, LAUREN LOVELACE, GLENDA  AND  EDNA. IT WAS A CROWN AND GOWN KIND OF EVENING. CHARDONNAY DID HER FAREWELL SHOW WITH SPECIAL GUEST, MICHELLE ROSS, ALL THE WAY FROM TORONTO.  CHARDONNAY, YOU WILL BE MISSED AS A PERFORMER AND HOPEFULLY YOU WILL COME BACK FOR SOME SPECIAL EVENTS.

UP COMING EVENTS INCLUDE RUBY'S CHRISTMAS KICK OFF SHOW.  THE CLUB 717 FOOD AND TOY DRIVE IS NOW IN FULL SWING.  FOR YOUR DONATIONS OF FOOD, TOYS OR CASH, YOU WILL RECEIVE A TICKET  FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THE MANY  GIFT BASKETS DONATED BY THE PERFORMERS, STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS.

 

NEW YEAR'S EVE TICKETS ARE  NOW AVAILABLE. PLEASE DON'T WAIT, LAST YEAR THEY SOLD OUT !! AND THIS YEAR THEY ARE FLYING OUT THE DOOR. THIS IS AN EVENING YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS.  HMM!!   THE PRESIDENT'S WHITE BALL  !!!!! POT LUCK DINNERS ARE THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH.  SO ON DECEMBER 21st, WE WILL BE HAVING OUR TURKEY DINNER.  THE TURKEY HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN CARE OF - SO BRING A COMPLIMENTARY DISH. YOU CAN LOOK ON THE LIST IN THE CLUB TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE BRINGING. BENN DOVER IS HOSTING A KING SHOW ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 27th.  THIS
SHOULD BE A TREAT AFTER  ALL THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES.   CLUB 717 IS OPEN ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 26th, BOXING DAY.  THERE WILL BE NO SHOW THAT NIGHT, BUT COME ON OUT AND DANCE YOUR FANNIES OFF.

 

I WISH  ALL OF YOU A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.  I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL THE PERFORMERS IN 2009.  WE HAVE A FEW IDEAS FOR UP COMING SHOWS ----------   TOMMI  IS HOSTING A SHOW IN JANUARY WITH SPECIAL GUEST  FAR N HYTE.

 

SO, SEE YA AT THE CLUB,

LARRY

Hi Everybody;

If anybody does not know yet, I was chosen for the great role of being Queen of Club 717.  Just think it all started 4 years ago when I was asked to do a number in the Xmas show.  I picked  the song Marshmallow Christmas.  Somebody (Ralph) had a great idea of why not throw marshmallows. Danny brought bags upon bags and handed them out.  so when I got on stage and started my number, hundreds came pounding on me.  It was at that point I knew I was hooked and so my career started. 

I know the year ahead is going to be long and difficult, but I know I can depend on my Friends to make this year a success.
If you are at the club you will see that the club has been decorated. The Xmas kickoff is starting on December the 5th with the big show on Dec 19th.  On Dec 12th we are bring in a comedian to perform along with Savannah. The performers, staff and board members are bring in baskets to be drawn on the 19th. 

 

To win a basket, bring in toys for the Durham Region Police toy drive and food will go to the Aids Committee of Durham.  Everybody needs to help support this worthy cause and lets show them that we care.

 

For future shows, we have plans for some big productions (Jan 30 & Mar 13) We will keep you updated as the information is confirmed.

So thanks to everybody for your support and I will see you at the

club on Fridays. 

 

Come over slap my boobs and say Hi.
Queen Ruby

"Just Because"  - Featured Business

It was a real pleasure to visit this unique store located in the heart of downtown Cobourg. I interviewed the owners Bryer Gallacher &  Jennifer Ericson on Saturday Nov. 29th in their busy shop that was full of holiday shoppers purchasing various items. Bryer & Jennifer had both worked together for many years at Mackie Transport in Whitby prior to opening their store. "Just Because" was opened 1 year ago today (Nov. 29th, 2007) by the co-owners Bryer & Jennifer. It is located at 101 King Street West, Cobourg, ON, K9A 2M. Phone # 905 373-0315. The  email address is: justbecause@bellnet.ca The store's hours are as follows: Mondays to Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m, Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Their busiest days are Mondays & Fridays. The Just Because shop used to be a bakery. In only 2 short weeks, 4 people worked daily to fully renovate it into the shop as it appears today. Bryer's partner Rex was a big help during this time. The name "Just Because" was chosen because the owners liked the sound of it. The store features unique gifts for every occasion & 1 stop wedding decorating items. The shop is the exclusive agent for such collectibles as: Willow Tree; Department 56; Jim Shore & Snow Babies. They even ship gifts  out of the province & to the United States. Also, you will find a wide variety of clocks, mirrors & collectibles to suit every décor & style. They have made floral arrangements for a private golf club.

The shop has experience in assisting with same sex weddings! This year their services were used in 8 weddings. They are known for their alternative lighting for weddings that is environmental
sensitive (e.g. battery operated candles). They work well with other companies to make a couple's wedding day unique & special. Just Because owners feel very strongly about giving back to the
community & have been involved in fundraising events for the Humane Society & Dog Rescue. The store advertises on the radio, in various magazines & their website is presently is under
construction & hopefully will be up & running within 6 months time. Their web address will be: www.justbecausecobourg.ca 

Just Because is offering all Club 717/D.A.A.S.C. members a 10% discount on ALL in store items. I highly recommend shopping at this store for your Christmas gift giving. It is beautifully decorated for the holiday season & their front window is in the downtown merchants Christmas decorating contest so customers you can cast their vote for the store right in their shop. They have for sale gorgeous Christmas tree decorations, wreaths, candles etc. They will even wrap your Christmas gifts! There is a
Pre Christmas Moonlight Madness Sale on Thursday December 4th, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Various downtown stores including "Just Because" in Cobourg will be open for this event. Come out & experience the sights & sounds of yesteryear during this festive season. It is certainly worth noting that Bryer was 1 of the original founding members of D.A.A.S.C. He was a board member for 4 years & worked on decorating the halls before our monthly dances, the food committee, door person & clean up. Sometimes board meetings were also held in the house that Bryer shared with his friend & another founding member Wayne. I fondly remember working with Bryer on the Board of DAASC & I can safely say he had & still does have the best sense of humour!!! It was a real pleasure interviewing Bryer for this month's featured business. It is important that our community support gay owned & gay friendly businesses. Just Because is only a short 40 minute drive from Oshawa. Bryer & Jennifer will be pleased to serve you & your gift giving needs not only at this special time of the year but throughout the year as well. At this time I would like to wish all the readers of this newsletter a safe, healthy & happy holiday season.

 

If you know of a gay owned & gay friendly establishment that would like to be featured here kindly email me @ cottageguy@rogers.ccom

 

Steve O'Connor

 
Gay Men chatting about HIV stigma?  That's certainly the goal of Ontario's Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance's (GMSH) new social marketing campaign that is creating a safe-space for HIV negative and positive gay men to talk about HIV stigma and how that stigma is affecting their health.
 
That safe-space has been created in the form of www.hivstigma.com and interactive website where gay men are talking freely about the impact of HIV stigma and discrimination in their day to day lives.  The website unfolds with an intro video that serves as a public service announcement surrounding the current state of HIV infection in the province of Ontario and how stigma remains a contributing factor to new rates of infection. 
 
The website includes blogs and videos of 8 online facilitators, a mix of HIV negative and HIV positive guys who interact with visitors to the website, stimulate dialogue and offer heart-felt personalized anecdotes related to HIV stigma.  Guys have been talking about where HIV stigma comes from for gay men, how it may prevent guys from getting tested for HIV or from talking to their sexual partners about HIV, and how it can make it very difficult for guys who have HIV to disclose their HIV status.
 
The campaign highlights that about 30% of guys with HIV don't know they have HIV, which is important to know when guys think that HIV positive guys will disclose their status before sex.  Take this quote from one of the campaign facilitator's blogs, referring to the question of whether or not HIV negative guys should ask their sexual partners if they have HIV:
 
"If you are negative and trying to keep that way, what's more important to figure out is whether it's a useful question.  Maybe you're neg and you know that even safer sex carries some small risk and you'd rather not take it.  Like I said I think it's fine for people to decide what risk they're comfortable with.  But now we're back to, does he know and will he tell the truth.  So the only guys you are going to be able to eliminate with the question are those who have recently tested and who are compulsively truthful. (From Tim's blog at www.hivstigma.com)
 
The HIV stigma campaign is rolling out across the province with the help of 35 participating AIDS Service and Community Health organizations.  The campaign will be visible to gay men through paid advertising in various mediums, story pitching to gay media and programmatic outreach through gay men's education and prevention workers at participating ASO's. 
 
We at the AIDS Committee of Durham have created two new websites (ACDR - MSM Online and 'daze in durham') that work in conjunction with the GMSH provincial campaign.  There are links to both sites from the Prevention/Education - Gay Men's Health page (www.aidsdurham.com/prevention_Men.php) on our main website.  ACDR - MSM website features a video with space for discussion/comments, as well as surveys for both positive and negative gay men.  In addition, "daze in durham" features a storyline that ends each episode with a choice of answers that visitors can vote on.  The next episode storyline will continue based on the choice with the highest number of votes.    We invite the gay community to check these new websites out.

 

By Mark Hammann

Gay men's Outreach Worker

The Aids Committe of Durham Region

22 King Street West, Suite # 202

Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1A3

905-576-1445 ext. 15

ARIES (March 21-April 19)
You are in a lucky period regarding career matters and you will love every minute of your time in the spotlight this month. There is an overwhelming amount of time being spent on legal matters, travel, and education, and this all has an impact on your overall philosophy and outlook on life. The full Moon of December 12 gives a boost to communications projects and the new Moon of the 27th makes it a great time to take a new direction in your career.
 
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
There is a lot of energy around traveling for you at this time and educational pursuits will prove to be most fruitful. This requires that you stay underground for a while so you can recharge and regenerate and come back with a big bang. On December 12 a full Moon lights up your financial sector, illuminating the true state of your finances and assets. The new Moon of the 27th allows you to either plan or take a distant journey, either for work or pleasure.
 
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
This month is all about other people, particularly your significant other. It is also a favorable time for you with regard to tax issues, loans, credit, and possibly a mortgage. On December 12 a full Moon in your sign gives you that extra drive you need to accomplish whatever you've been working on for a long time. The new Moon of the 27th makes it a good time to apply for a new source of funding.
 
CANCER (June 21-July 22) Your relationships are undergoing a major transformation as Pluto makes its way into your sector of the "significant other". Those of you born on or around June 22 are also feeling the rumblings of extreme change in your life and career. A full Moon on December 12 brings to light some sort of secret and a new Moon on December 27 allows you a fresh new beginning with regard to your romantic interest.
 
LEO (July 23-August 22) This is a highly creative and fruitful time for you highly creative lions. It is also a very romantic period so be sure to plan a few special nights with the object of your affection. There is much emphasis on health, hygiene, and your day job at the moment, and a full Moon on December 12 really packs some power into your organizational involvement. The new Moon of the 27th allows you to start a new health and fitness regimen.
 
VIRGO (August 23-September 22) There is a heavy emphasis on home matters this month and as a result you will be spending a lot of time with your family. Creativity is at an all-time high right now and the winds of romance are blowing for you in a big way. The full Moon of December 12 marks a time of completion with regard to your career and the new Moon of December 27 sets the stage for a highly romantic encounter.
 
LIBRA (September 23-October 22) You will be seen and heard around town this month, as civic matters, neighbors, and your closest circle of friends all figure prominently. As a result you'll need more downtime at home than usual so you can recharge and replenish your energies. A full Moon on December 12 highlights a legal matter and foreign travel. The new Moon of the 27th makes it the perfect time to begin a new home project.
 
SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) Much of your time this month will be spent dealing with financial matters and taking stock of your possessions and natural talents. On December 12 a full Moon highlights some issues pertaining to credit, taxes, and loans. The new Moon of December 27 makes it a great time to start any new project that relates to communications, community matters, or even local trips.
 
SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) This is really your time to shine as the Sun is in your sign and a stellium of planets inhabits your first house of YOU. The full Moon of December 12 brings to light an important issue regarding your significant other, and the new Moon on December 27 affords you the opportunity to entertain some new strategies regarding investments and other financial matters.
 
CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) You are mostly behind the scenes this month and may be prone to escapist behavior of one sort or another. Pluto has entered your sign and this will have a life changing effect for those of you born on or around December 22. The full Moon of the 12th illuminates an important health matter while the new Moon of the 27th happens in your sign---allowing you to make a significant new start in your life.
 
AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) Your friends and all sorts of groups will be requiring or at the very least requesting your attention this month even though you'd much rather be hiding under the covers. A full Moon on December 12 brings out your creative side and is great for romance. The new Moon of the 27th asks that you develop a new reservoir of inner strength and spirituality.
 
PISCES (February 19-March 20) There is no choice but to be out before the public in some way this month-and your career figures prominently into this. You'll also enjoy a lot of social time with lots of people as three planets bounce around your sector of groups. The full Moon of December 12 marks a time of completion with regard to a home matter, and the new Moon of the 27th sparks some new involvement with an organization or social cause.

           

Being immersed so deeply in our own little supportive community - it can become quite easy to become complacent.   How easily we begin to forget that our rights and safety continue to be so very fragile.  True, a lot has changed over the past ten years as our legal rights have been solidified by Supreme Court decisions.   The reality is that we can't "regulate"  or institutionalize the attitudes and values of the members of our society.  Huge gain has been made in the legal sense, but recent events rights here in our own city point to the fact that many in society continue to hold dated beliefs.  Hate still continues.  As a community, we must remember and support those who continue to find themselves marginalized.
            It shouldn't come as a surprise.  Any knowledge of hate would recognize that the extremes  always come to the forefront when they feel threatened.  To be in the majority in our society means to continue to have control and power.  With every piece of legislation protecting and supporting our community, hate will show itself.  With every positive portrayal in mainstream media of our community, hate will show itself.  The last ten years have been very exciting but we must always remember that these victories do not come without risk.
            I have said for years, that there continues to be an underlying overtone of homophobia in Durham region like many other areas of the country.  It has been fairly docile but there is not a member of our community that can't relate a story or personal episode they have not experienced directly -whether it is poor service, homophobic slurs and assumptions or direct physical confrontations.   As we become more visible as a community - taking on those rights legally granted to us....we WILL see more direct attacks and hate.  It is the natural progression as one groups feels the existing power structure has been threatened.
            As a community and a club, we must not permit docility on our part.  It is very easy to become complacent as we continue to live within the friendships and supports offered by our club.  Recent episodes tragically point to the fact that homophobia and hate continues.  It will continue for some time.  Our responsibility as a club should be to reach out to those in the community as much as possible.  Political and social activism is key to ensuring that those in our society who continue to feel alienated know there are the supports available. 
            We proved this past week that as a group, we really can come together.  We now need to prove that in the future  we will continue to do so.  The days of social and political compliance needs to end for the fight continues.  Legal rights are well secured....but that won't immediately change the values and attitudes of some in our society.  Every member of our LGBTQ community including those not affiliated with the club need to know the support is there!
           

There ya have it....

Savanaugh had something to say!

 

Just a reminder our next funding raising dance is Saturday December 6, 2008. 8PM - 1:30AM at Masonic Hall 91 Centre Street South - Oshawa. $10 cover charge. Door Prizes, Food and Cash Bar. Music by Wolf Cry Sound Productions. Come join the fun and show your support for the community!
 
Mark Hammann - Gay Men's Outreach Worker
The AIDS Committee of Durham Region
22 King Street West Suite 202
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1A3
(905) 576-1445 x15