Have you been toying with the idea of trying out for the US Winter Olympic Team? What better way to discover if you have the right stuff than to enjoy a getaway weekend to the Poconos!

On January 27, 2006, a buss load of revellers will depart for a festive weekend of food, drink, and lots of indoor and outdoor activities. If you're not exactly gunning for the Olympic trials, there will still be plenty of fun things to do, even if your idea of fun is more like lounging by the lodge fire with a toddy -- the Pocmont resort offers it all. This all-inclusive trip is being organized by David Meekins and proceeds will benefit the GLCCB.

Space is limited and tickets must be purchased before December 28, 2005. Click here for more information. You may also e-mail David at dbmeeki@hotmail.com.

We hope to see you on the bus in January!

If you are a frequent visitor to the Center, don't be alarmed if you see a Baltimore Police officer in the hallways. Chances are, it's Seargent Jeffrey Chaney who has added 241 W. Chase Street to his Mt. Vernon beat.

In its ongoing efforts to strengthen the GLBT community's relationship with the police, the Center has designated an office for Sgt. Chaney to use during on-duty hours for administrative tasks and to provide a safe environment for GLBT individuals to access police resources.

If you or someone you know have been a victim of a crime, or have information about a crime and have been reluctant to report it for fear of discrimination, ridicule, or intimidation, Sgt. Chaney can help. He is also available to answer questions about the police department, existing laws, crime in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood, or criminal justice matters in general. You can call him at the Center at (410) 837-5445 ext. 19 or e-mail him at safety@glccb.org or jeffrey.chaney@baltimorepolice.org.

We are proud to continue our work with the Baltimore Police Department to make our city safer for GLBT individuals. In November 2005, the police department completed its first ever year-long in- service training program for veteran officers that included a three hour GLBT sensitivity component. The curriculum for this component was developed jointly by the Baltimore Police Department, retired GLBT police officers, the Mayor's Task Force on LGBT Issues, the GLCCB, and concerned citizens.

The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore, Towson University Queer Student Union, Towson University Department of Theatre Arts, and Towson Committee on LGBT Issues join to present an evening of outreach and theatre.

Mark your calendars for 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 8 when The Normal Heart HIV/AIDS Awareness Event is happening in the Towson University Center for the Arts. Please join us for this special evening of theatre and outreach. Larry Kramer's play The Normal Heart will be read by Towson Theatre faculty, students, and alum. The cast includes Towson Theatre Alums Tony Award Winner John Glover and Helen Hayes Award winner Bruce Nelson. A Post show reception features keynote speaker and renowned gay culture author, David Bergman.

This event is FREE and open to the public, tickets are available beginning at 7 p.m. at the door. Visit Tow son's Center for the Arts or email thenormalheart@gmail.com for more information.

Looking for some special last-minute gifts for the holidays? The Men of Mt. Vernon calendars have returned for a second year and the men are looking better than ever!

This year the calendars benefit Baltimore Pride 2006. Thanks to generous sponsors like Miller Lite, Grand Central, C.O.M.M.A.N.D., and Gay Life, 100 percent of the proceeds will support next year's Baltimore Pride Celebration which is produced annually by the GLCCB.

The calendars are available for $15 at Lambda Rising bookstore's Baltimore location, and online by clicking here. They make great gifts, but be sure to keep one for yourself!