It looks like summer has finally found its way to Salem.  Hope you have been getting out and enjoying the nice weather.

 

I absolutely love crystals, and when Torrii, a LW member sent me a slide show of a giant crystal cave discovered in Mexico, I was ecstatic!  I have never seen or heard of such a place.  What a rare gift to be able to see a place like this.  Here's an except from National Geographic:

 

"April 9, 2007-Geologist Juan Manuel García-Ruiz calls it "the Sistine Chapel of crystals," but Superman could call it home.

A sort of south-of-the-border Fortress of Solitude, Mexico's Cueva de los Cristales (Cave of Crystals) contains some of the world's largest known natural crystals-translucent beams of gypsum as long as 36 feet (11 meters)..."

To find out more, or to view more photos of the crystals, you can click here. 

 
(Photo above: Giant Crystal Cave in Mexico)

 

Join us for Basic Rights Oregon's annual Garden Party, featuring BRO's new Executive Director, Jeana Frazzini. The annual Garden Party is the premiere event of the year for BRO in Salem. Come and enjoy good food, drinks and sunshine while visiting with friends and ensuring that equality remains the law of the land in Oregon. This event will take place just 4 days after the hearing of the appeals law suit threatening the domestic partnership law. Come to enjoy a good time and to learn about what is going on with the law suit and our recent victories.

To RSVP: http://eqfed.org/basicrightsor/events/salem/details.tcl Or Call Rita Rehome-Meyers at 971-239-5347

What: Basic Rights Oregon's Annual Garden Party
When: Saturday, July 12th
Time: 3:00-6:00 PM
Where: At the beautiful countryside home of Yolanda Lozano and Jeannie Fitzpatrick in Salem

We look forward to seeing you there!
To RSVP: http://eqfed.org/basicrightsor/events/salem/details.tcl

 

We are in the beginning stages of planning our First Annual PDX Lesbian Network Camp OUT for 2009.

Yes, we know it's early, but we want to see if there is enough interest when reservations become available this coming September.

It is our hope to take over a sizable portion of a Forest Service Campground, campground to be determined.  This campground will accommodate both Tent and RV camping.  All RV sites will be Standard Non-Electric.  Hiking and Kayaking access are high priorities for campground selection. 

Currently we are considering Thursday August 13 to Sunday August 16, 2009 (next year) as the dates for this event. 

At this stage we are trying to get an idea of how many Women are interested in attending.  We would also like to know if you, and possibly your group/partner, will be reserving your own campsite or if you want to be matched up with others to share one.  Further, if you want to be matched with others would you be willing to be a site initiator?  Site initiators will be responsible for making campsite reservations and communicating reservation information to the others they will be matched with.  Each campsite can accommodate up to 6 Women and there will be fees charged for extra cars.  Each Women will be responsible for her own gear, transportation, food and paying her portion of the campsite fee.

For most Forest Service campgrounds we are able to make reservations 11 months in advance.  We will hopefully be making our first reservations this coming September.  Once the preliminary reservations have been made we will send out an email letting you know where those sites are.  Those who are ready to make their own reservations can then do so directly.  We'll provide a reservation link at that time.  Our preliminary reservation is only meant to be a starting point.  We realize your personal choice of campsite will be determined by your own needs/equipment requirements etc.  All we ask is that once you've made your reservation you share your site information with us so we know where everyone is.  Your information will not be shared with others. 

All requests to be included in shared campsite planning must be received prior to September 1st, 2008 

Only Information we need at this time:

* Name(s) * Number of people in your party
* Email(s)
* Interest in being matched with others
* Number of children and their age(s) in your party (those being matched only) * Will you be camping in a Tent or RV (those being matched only) * Interest in being a site initiator (those being matched only) * Bringing a dog(s) (those being matched only)

Thank You in Advance. Get all you friends together and lets go camping next year.

Danielle
pdxlesbiannet@yahoo.com

 

Confluence - Willamette Valley LGBT Chorus will be singing at GALA (Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses) festival in Miami. Join the celebratory send off by attending our free concert/rehearsal July 6th, 4:30 pm, UU Salem, 5090 Center St NE. Donations in support of our travels to this international event are welcome. We will be the only LGBT chorus representing Oregon at the GALA festival where gay, lesbian and mixed choruses from around the world sing together.

 

More info at: www.confluencechorus.org

 

Sweet Spirit MCC chuch, serving Salem's GLBT community for over 30 years, is proud to announce that their worship space has moved to 1775 NE 32nd Place in Salem. This is just off Market Street, across from the Red Lion Inn.  Stop on by every Sunday at 10:30am to worship with them.

Sweet Spirit MCC believes that the richness of our community is that we seek to be a truly inclusive church. We believe that "God so loved the world" and we try in every way to consistently reflect the belief that this means everyone. In everything we do and say we are careful that we do not exclude someone because of their race, gender, age, physical challenges, social-economic status, or sexual orientation. To that end, we worship with inclusive language, meaning that the language we use is not sexist, racist, ageist, or classist. Our passion to be inclusive is manifested in our commitment to build a church for all people.

 

 

Trillium Family Services is having their 2008 LPGA Safeway Classic Golf Tournament. Be part of the pro-am action and help children in need by volunteering to be a caddie for an amateur player at this year's LPGA Safeway Classic. No experience is necessary, and pull carts are available.

 

CADDIE SHIFTS:
Monday 8/18/08 (AM Shotgun),
Wednesday 8/20/08 (AM or PM), and
Thursday 8/21/08(AM or PM)

Caddies will be for amateur players only (amateur player's team up with an LPGA pro). Each shift is 18 holes. AM tee times range from 7am-9:20, PM tee times range from 11:40-2pm.

LOCATION:
Columbia Edgewater Country Club
2220 NE Marine Drive
Portland, Oregon

 

For more info, visit:
http://www.cascadecs.com/caddies4waverly/

For more information about caddies...
EMail: bhoven@trilliumfamily.org  
Phone:503-205-0194

 

All proceeds will go toward Trillium's programs for mentally ill children.

 

To find out more about Trillium Family Services, you can visit their web site at:  http://www.trilliumfamily.org/

 

My very first benefit event, "The Red Ribbon Show" to be held July 6th in Salem @ The Southside Speakeasy is quickly turning into one of Salem's biggest events and something not to be missed!

A benefit drag show, raffle & auction for Marion County's HIV/AIDs program, which provides case management services and free HIV testing to many individuals in the Salem area, will attract many performers, drag queens, drag kings and live singers from as far as Seattle and Eugene and everywhere in between!

MC'd by Portland's Poison Waters and Eugene's Diva Symone, there is a chance to win an autographed Will & Grace tv script!

Contact me at JReitan47@aol.com about online PayPal donations!

Already confirmed in the line-up are: Poison Waters, Diva Slaughter, Bruce the Drag King, Fabulanzaa Woo Right St. James, Khobie MacEntire Blake, Adara Diamonds, Justin MacPherson, Aphelia Bottoms, Jordon Pink, Alicia Day, Jersey Jo Scities, Karress Ann Slaughter, Candela Miss Gay Seattle Latino, Shelia DuPont, Star Empress 3 Shawna Lee, Summer Lynn Seasons, Ricky Lee, Miss Gay Salem '84 R'Deena, Mr. Gay Eugene '06 Alexander Taylor...and MANY more. Contact me if you want to perform!

Don't miss it!

Jonny Woo Foxx
Mr. Gay Salem '07-'08