Wednesday night dinner, December 16, is at Taco Lobo, 117 Magnolia St., in
downtown Bellingham, at 5:30 pm. Feliz Navidad!

Reminder: Wednesday Dinner at Bloom (beta) 1320 Cornwall Ave. 5:30 PM Dec. 9.  I
walked by today.  It's open.
First time I visited Bloom, there was a small meeting related to the following
"environmental topics" web site http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com. Noticed a
livingroom (meeting room) feel.

----------

Gay Men's Hike, Saturday Dec. 12

Hi All,
It is time again for another Gay Men's Hike on Saturday, December 12th.  We will
do an easy hike on Chuckanut to Lily & Lizard lakes estimating 4- 5 miles round
trip.  We will meet in front of Skylarks Restaurant in Fairhaven at 10:00 AM and
carpool to the trailhead (which starts at the Blanchard mountain lookout). 
Bring a lunch, water, warm clothes, and your fun Holiday spirit.  I hope to see
you all next week!
- Carl.

----------

New to area

Retired caucasian male would like to meet someone that's available Sundays or
Tuesdays in Whatcom County for a get together; outdoors mainly for fellowship
first, basically like nudity.  Live in Lynden area and can travel.

Send phone number to bicycletourist2002@... and I will pass that along to
this person who I met with one day and doesn't have a computer.

----------

From Village Vida Center

Please share this information with your lists/contacts – they may benefit from
your support and thank you for it!!

November 30, 2009

Dear Family, Friends and Supporters:
Welcome to your 4th edition of the Village Vida Centre NewsyNotes. Happy
Holidays to you and yours. How quickly "time happens". Here are some things
worth sharing:

a. Applying for tax-exempt status with the feds
b. Free VVC Membership & Mailing List for NewsyNotes distribution
c. New website – perpetual draft form and a mess – my apologies
d. Educational programs - upcoming and request for presenters on "Dating" topics
e. Womyn's Dance Jan 30th planning & your feedback on Talent/Variety Show

VVC is about mid-way through the process of getting all of our forming documents
together in order to apply for tax-exempt status under the 501c3 organization
category with the federal government. What this means, is that once the
paperwork has been completed (including the 27 page 501c3 application) and sent
in for review and approved (around 8 month processing period in the system), VVC
will be eligible to request (and write grants) for funding from a larger pool of
funders/contributors - these individuals and organizations benefit from their
donations/contributions as a tax write-off. Quite a process but certainly worth
the commitment. The 501c3 application will need to be reviewed by an attorney
before it is sent in - if you know of a lawyer that can contribute to the VVC in
this manner please let me know. Thank you Kim F. for your generosity in
assisting with the By-Laws.

VVC's NewsyNotes is only meeting a very small fraction of our target GLTBA
population. VVC would like for you to consider helping to expand our outreach
and information dissemination. There are a few ways you can help and also
benefit from your involvement:
Continue to pass info about VVC's programs and events to those who have limited
access to the internet/email.
Post VVC's brochures/flyers in your work area
Encourage 3 (GLTBA) people to request to be put on the VVC mailing list. The
mailing list will only be used to send out NewsyNotes (newsletter) and
brochures/flyers. VVC will not use the mailing list for any other purposes nor
give names on mailing list to other organizations. If your 3 referred people are
put on the VVC mailing list, you will enjoy free VVC membership for one year
(optional membership fee - $30. savings) entitling you to discounts on events
and resource services.
Well, I ventured out on my own with the website – www.villagevidacentre.org and
it ended up in a huge mess. I contacted the software company to troubleshoot the
problems and now it looks the way it does - they never did get back with me
after I sent them a copy of the website files. I deeply regret having the VVC
site in such a wreck for the world to see. I will be starting all over again to
publish an acceptable and useful site for you to use as a resource. If you would
like to show off your talents in helping with the design and building of VVC's
website, please contact us.
Here are some events/programs that may be of interest to you:

Gayme, Potluck, Movies Nites for December & January
These fun evenings will be at the Village Vida Centre Home Office starting at
6 pm. These gatherings are alcohol free, drug free, and smoke free events. Call
VVC @ 360-738-7999 for directions and parking.

Men: Thursdays Dec 17th & Jan 21st– mark your calendar
Bring your games, (GLTBA) DVDs and food to share.
Feasting starts at 6:30, Viewing at 7:00, Gaymes all nite!
Womyn: Fridays Dec 18th & Jan 22nd– mark your calendar
Bring your games (GLTBA) DVDs, and food to share.
Feasting starts at 6:30, Viewing at 7:00, Gaymes all nite!

January 19, 26, Feb 02, 2010 Tuesdays 6 – 8 pm
"Live Longer & Keep the Change"
3 week program engages you with the personal change process – a mindful
approach, "super foods" and cardio & strength conditioning.
3333 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham – Health & Education Center

February 10th Wednesday 6 - 8 pm
"Nuts About You"
The benefits of nuts and seeds in relation to your heart and other health
conditions. Ideas and recipes for valentine treats.
3333 Squalicim Pkwy, Bellingham - Health & Education Center

March 17th Wednesday (St. Patty's Day) 6 - 8 pm
Green Eggs & Ham
Learn how to prepare and add more vegetables and lean protein to your daily food
choices to help prevent and treat health conditions/diseases.
3333 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham - Health & Education Center

VVC is looking for someone with the expertise to lead a group in discovering and
discussing dating/relationship techniques - you've asked for it and we want your
guidance! Give me a call if you would like share information on the "mystery".

Ok, this is the semi-official announcement of the Womyn's Masquerade & Valentine
Dance @ the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship - 1708 I Street - Saturday January
30th from 8 to midnite – costume/mask is optional, but we'll have fun/prizes for
those who want to participate. You also get to celibate (celebrate - just
kidding) Valentine at least one time in the new year with your friends and
lovers! VVC is looking for a belly/hula dance troupe to play with us for one of
our songs in the playlist (bongo song) - been researching troupes in whatcom -
do you know of any dance troupes? Lots of fun planned for our night - we will be
raffling off a spa packet for a luxurious spa/hotel in Bellingham.

I've only got a few responses from those interested in participating in a
talent/variety show for GLBTA @ the BUF – so we have to cancel the idea for now.
VVC will still like to include our male friends in a chance to win the spa
packet - men, please contact me so that I can tell you how to enter.

That's all for now, let me know what you think – I value your ideas.

Peace, dalia de Jesus, Chair Village Vida Centre – a GLTBA community/resource
center
Helping liberate, educate, cultivate
P.O. Box 28114
Bellingham, WA 98228
vvc@...
http://www.villagevidacentre.org
360-738-7999

------------

Newsletter compiled by Robert
http://www.theslowlane.com

Trying something new.  It may take some patience.

This Wednesday Dinner is planned for Bloom, an organic and vegan restaurant at
1320 Cornwall Avenue (in downtown Bellingham between Holly and Magnolia), 5:30
PM October 9.

It's described as a restaurant in beta.  Bloom (beta).  Testing what works on
the menu.  Menu may be somewhat limited.  Still, there is the spirit of
adventure.  Bloom plans more of a grand opening in Spring.

I ate there a few times.  I had a great waffle one time and a vegan soup the
other.  Healthy.  At the same time, I also thought it's a good thing that there
are some old standby restaurants nearby (like Taco Lobo) in case there some in
our group that want something different.

I'm not normally a vegetarian, but I can be vegetarian for at least one meal.

Here is a web site with more information about Bloom
http://www.bellinghameats.com/bloom-vegan-bellingham.html

Note also that I've arranged for this Wednesday, but since then discovered that
Bloom's web site may be out of date and still doesn't list Wednesday's in hours
of operation.

More news later including other items for my newsletter.  It's time for me to
get some rest.

Robert

Next Wednesday Dinner will be the monthly potluck at 801 Newell Street.  5:30 PM
December 2.  Small residential street behind Pipeline Pizza.  Park along street,
walk through garden gate.

----------

Retired caucasian male would like to meet someone that's available Sundays or
Tuesdays in Whatcom County for a get together; outdoors mainly for fellowship
first, basically like nudity.  Live in Lynden area and can travel.

Send phone number to bicycletourist2002@... and I will pass that along to
this person who I met with one day and doesn't have a computer.

----------

World Aids Day in Bellingham December 1.

Bellingham – Begun by the World Health Organization in 1988, World AIDS Day has
been observed every December 1st since, serving to ignite not only our energy
and our passion to the global consequences of the AIDS epidemic, but acting as a
living, yearly tribute to the 25 million lives lost. "But despite 21 years of
World AIDS Days," says Scott Bertani, Assistant Director for Evergreen AIDS
Foundation, " the shroud of AIDS-related stigma still exists, crisscrossing our
state in wide swaths from Maple Falls and Ferndale, on up from Lynden and down
to Bellingham like ridges of grass, cut and thrown together by a sickle of
shame."

"While death from HIV/AIDS is no longer the inevitable, swift and savage result
that it once was," he goes on to say, "on this day—in 2009—this virus,
unfortunately, looks very similar to how it did before the advent of hope and
medicine: incurably fatal, and for many debilitating. " With incapacitating
side-effects that range in everything from anemia to gastrointestinal problems;
extreme fatigue to increased rates of heart and liver disease, cancer and
diabetes, it's more often than not, the most psychologically devastating thing
of all—lipoatrophy (or wasting syndrome)—that becomes the scarlet letter for
some 56,300 newly infected U.S. citizens per year. And for those infected (and
affected), life is often re-birthed each day rather than being fully lived, and
depression can become a way of life.

In Washington State, in fact, approximately 10,500 people are now living with
HIV or AIDS (PLWHA), including 250 locally. Nearly 7,000 have died since 1982
alone. And as the years march on, the line between optimism and reality can wear
thin for many human service agencies that both care for PLWHA and help prevent
HIV transmission.

To that note, December 1st is the world community's call to action—not just to
remember those lost, but to support those now living forward with this disease
by making a public statement against stigma, discrimination, intolerance and the
need for routine HIV screening. Thanks to improved treatment options and medical
care, there really is a way forward. So, to that end, a coalition of local
support agencies—Evergreen AIDS Foundation along with Sean Humphrey House, Slum
Doctor Programme, Interfaith Community Health Clinic, Western Washington
University and Mount Baker Planned Parenthood—is asking that you take part in
memorial activities to commemorate this day; because, in reality, none of us are
truly immune from the impact of HIV/AIDS.

BELLINGHAM WORLD AIDS DAY EVENTS:

STREET ACTION: 10:00am-4:00pm at the four corners of Railroad & Holly.

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: 5:15pm-5:45pm on the corners of Railroad & Holly.

MARCH: 5:45pm-6:15pm to the Whatcom Museum Rotunda Room, 121 Prospect Street
with bagpipe procession led by local musician, Peter Rolstad.

SERVICE: 6:15pm-7:45pm at the Whatcom Museum Rotunda Room, 121 Prospect Street.
Led by Reverend Doug Wadkins of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship. Featuring
speakers and songs by the Squalicum High School Choir, directed by Andy
Marshall; an A Capella by Deanna Davis; and Piano soloist by Scot Ranney and
Gavin Fuller.

Scott D. Bertani
Assistant Director
Evergreen AIDS Foundation
1509 Cornwall Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225-4521
360.671.0703 ext. 3312
scott@evergreenaids .org

"Compassion, Commitment, Community… Integrity of Purpose"

----------

The Diva Party - World AIDS Week Concert - Friday, December 4

Mark your calendars for an evening of music on Friday, December 4 at the
Nightlight Lounge.  We have something for everybody.  We'll start the evening
with jazz during the cocktail hour then move on to lively Celtic fiddle and
cello.  Next is our featured act, the David Bowie Tribute Band, Scary Monster
and the Super Creeps.  Someone will be wearing a feather boa!  Be sure and check
out the incredible poster around town that Michael designed.    We'll end the
evening with disco and dance by DJ Clint.  He's quite popular with the college
crowd so we hope to keep the house packed all night long with a diverse
audience.  Please spread the word!  If you have a visible spot for a poster,
contact either Michael or Scott to pick one up.  Keep an eye out for press in NW
Events (coming out before Thanksgiving weekend), the Herald and the Cascadia
Weekly.

Thanks to you all for your support of Evergreen.  I look forward to seeing you
and your friends on December 4.

**the diva party**

Nightlight Lounge
Friday December 4th
Doors open 5pm
$8 General - $5 Students

Featuring the David Bowie Tribute Band
Scary Monster &the Super Creeps
on stage at 8:30

opening acts
Sonja Lee Jazz Band
Giants' Causeway Celtic Band
and
DJ Clint Westwood
Spinnin' Disco till 2am

All Proceeds Benefit Evergreen AIDS Foundation

http://www.evergreenaids.org

----------

Homocoming dance

YOU'RE INVITED
STUDENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, LGBTQ AND ALLIES
TIME TO DANCE

WHERE:  WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
VIKING UNION BUILDING
MULTIPURPOSE ROOM
516 HIGH STREET
BELLINGHAM , WA 98225

WHAT: HOMOCOMING

WHEN: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2009

HOW MUCH: $4.00 for students with ID
$5.00 general admission

WHO: ALL AGES WHO CELEBRATE AND RESPECT DIVERSITY ARE WELCOME!

For more information:
Kooper Wynkoop, Programs Coordinator
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Alliance
Western Washington University
Viking Union 515
(360) 650 - 6120

---------

In Song and Support: A World AIDS Day Service in Skagit Valley

Tuesday, December 1st at 7:00 pm, is the annual World AIDS Day service at
Pilgrim Congregational in Anacortes. All are welcome to an interfaith gathering
of music, story, and candlelight.     This special time features local singer,
songwriter and guitarist John Fahey and people from Evergreen AIDS and Sean
Humphrey House. Fahey will offer soulful and entertaining songs from Eric
Clapton, Doc Watson, and others, both for group singing and accompanied by local
vocalists and instrumentalists Susan Woods, Jay Smith, Charlotte Spada, and Jim
Vendito. Performing professionally along the West coast for over 30 years, Fahey
is founder of the Anacortes Concert Singers.
Any freewill donations benefit Sean Humphrey House and Evergreen AIDS, two
essential organizations providing direct support for persons touched by HIV/
AIDS.
The service is sponsored by Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, the
Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'is of Anacortes, and Skagit PFLAG (Parents
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Refreshments will be provided.
Pilgrim Congregational Church is located in Anacortes at 2801 Commercial Avenue
and is ADA accessible. For more information call (360) 293-5675.

-----------

Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Leadership Summit in January

GLSEN Washington State/Washington GSA Network
January 18th, 2010; 8 AM to 2 PM
Kirkland Teen Union Building
348 Kirkland Avenue
             Kirkland, WA  98033

You are a vital part of the LGBTQA community!  Educate yourself on new and
interesting ideas that can help you work with your school, community, or those
you come in contact with.  GLSEN provides curriculum ideas, sensitivity
trainings, and resources for all educators, students, advisors and interested
adults.

Join us for the Seventh Annual Washington State Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)
Leadership Summit, presented by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
(GLSEN) Washington State.

Learn about opportunities for your GSA, hear new ideas and meet other students
in GSA's across Washington State.

**Clock hours available for certificated educators!**

Don't miss the fun! Register today!
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/89894 or http://www.glsenwa.org

Contact: joe@... for more information or call 206.330.2099 or
877.220.4213.

Joseph R. Bento
Interim Director
Washington State GSA Network
GLSEN Washington State

"GLSEN envisions a future in which every child learns to respect and accept all
people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

-----------

Thanks for Thanksgiving in Anacortes

Oh my GOODNESS!
Last night was AWESOME!
The head count came to 23 folks and with Lisa and me it came to 25 wonderful
people, all sharing their Thanksgiving.

THANK YOU!  To those who came and made last night one of the best Thanksgivings
that we can remember in our lives!
THANK YOU!  To Robert and The Alternative Bellingham group and to the Whidbey
Island Group as well as some other lists for giving us an opportunity to reach
out and make contact with so many new friends.
THANK YOU!  To those who sent us the emails to wish us a good Thanksgiving and
to say that they were not able to
come and were having Thanksgiving with their loved ones.

THANK YOU ALL! For making the evening the Magical night that it was!

Hugs and Smiles,
Sarah and Lisa Mealey

----------

Newsletter compiled by Robert
http://www.theslowlane.com
http://theslowlane.blogspot.com
http://www.gaybellingham.org

Next Wednesday Dinner will be at House Of Orient, 115 E. Holly St. in Downtown
Bellingham.  5:30 PM November 25 just before Thanksgiving.
http://www.thehouseoforient.com

----------

The Diva Party - World AIDS Week Concert - Friday, December 4

Mark your calendars for an evening of music on Friday, December 4 at the
Nightlight Lounge.  We have something for everybody.  We'll start the evening
with jazz during the cocktail hour then move on to lively Celtic fiddle and
cello.  Next is our featured act, the David Bowie Tribute Band, Scary Monster
and the Super Creeps.  Someone will be wearing a feather boa!  Be sure and check
out the incredible poster around town that Michael designed.    We'll end the
evening with disco and dance by DJ Clint.  He's quite popular with the college
crowd so we hope to keep the house packed all night long with a diverse
audience.  Please spread the word!  If you have a visible spot for a poster,
contact either Michael or Scott to pick one up.  Keep an eye out for press in NW
Events (coming out before Thanksgiving weekend), the Herald and the Cascadia
Weekly.

Thanks to you all for your support of Evergreen.  I look forward to seeing you
and your friends on December 4.

**the diva party**

Nightlight Lounge
Friday December 4th
Doors open 5pm
$8 General - $5 Students

Featuring the David Bowie Tribute Band
Scary Monster &the Super Creeps
on stage at 8:30

opening acts
Sonja Lee Jazz Band
Giants' Causeway Celtic Band
and DJ Clint Westwood
Spinnin' Disco till 2am

All Proceeds Benefit Evergreen AIDS Foundation.

http://www.evergreenaids.org

----------

World Aids Day in Bellingham December 1.

Bellingham – Begun by the World Health Organization in 1988, World AIDS Day has
been observed every December 1st since, serving to ignite not only our energy
and our passion to the global consequences of the AIDS epidemic, but acting as a
living, yearly tribute to the 25 million lives lost. "But despite 21 years of
World AIDS Days," says Scott Bertani, Assistant Director for Evergreen AIDS
Foundation, " the shroud of AIDS-related stigma still exists, crisscrossing our
state in wide swaths from Maple Falls and Ferndale, on up from Lynden and down
to Bellingham like ridges of grass, cut and thrown together by a sickle of
shame."

"While death from HIV/AIDS is no longer the inevitable, swift and savage result
that it once was," he goes on to say, "on this day—in 2009—this virus,
unfortunately, looks very similar to how it did before the advent of hope and
medicine: incurably fatal, and for many debilitating. " With incapacitating
side-effects that range in everything from anemia to gastrointestinal problems;
extreme fatigue to increased rates of heart and liver disease, cancer and
diabetes, it's more often than not, the most psychologically devastating thing
of all—lipoatrophy (or wasting syndrome)—that becomes the scarlet letter for
some 56,300 newly infected U.S. citizens per year. And for those infected (and
affected), life is often re-birthed each day rather than being fully lived, and
depression can become a way of life.

In Washington State, in fact, approximately 10,500 people are now living with
HIV or AIDS (PLWHA), including 250 locally. Nearly 7,000 have died since 1982
alone. And as the years march on, the line between optimism and reality can wear
thin for many human service agencies that both care for PLWHA and help prevent
HIV transmission.

To that note, December 1st is the world community's call to action—not just to
remember those lost, but to support those now living forward with this disease
by making a public statement against stigma, discrimination, intolerance and the
need for routine HIV screening. Thanks to improved treatment options and medical
care, there really is a way forward. So, to that end, a coalition of local
support agencies—Evergreen AIDS Foundation along with Sean Humphrey House, Slum
Doctor Programme, Interfaith Community Health Clinic, Western Washington
University and Mount Baker Planned Parenthood—is asking that you take part in
memorial activities to commemorate this day; because, in reality, none of us are
truly immune from the impact of HIV/AIDS.

BELLINGHAM WORLD AIDS DAY EVENTS:

STREET ACTION: 10:00am-4:00pm at the four corners of Railroad & Holly.

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: 5:15pm-5:45pm on the corners of Railroad & Holly.

MARCH: 5:45pm-6:15pm to the Whatcom Museum Rotunda Room, 121 Prospect Street
with bagpipe procession led by local musician, Peter Rolstad.

SERVICE: 6:15pm-7:45pm at the Whatcom Museum Rotunda Room, 121 Prospect Street.
Led by Reverend Doug Wadkins of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship. Featuring
speakers and songs by the Squalicum High School Choir, directed by Andy
Marshall; an A Capella by Deanna Davis; and Piano soloist by Scot Ranney and
Gavin Fuller.

Scott D. Bertani
Assistant Director
Evergreen AIDS Foundation
1509 Cornwall Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225-4521
360.671.0703 ext. 3312
scott@evergreenaids .org

"Compassion, Commitment, Community… Integrity of Purpose"

---------

In Song and Support: A World AIDS Day Service in Skagit Valley

Tuesday, December 1st at 7:00 pm, is the annual World AIDS Day service at
Pilgrim Congregational in Anacortes. All are welcome to an interfaith gathering
of music, story, and candlelight.     This special time features local singer,
songwriter and guitarist John Fahey and people from Evergreen AIDS and Sean
Humphrey House. Fahey will offer soulful and entertaining songs from Eric
Clapton, Doc Watson, and others, both for group singing and accompanied by local
vocalists and instrumentalists Susan Woods, Jay Smith, Charlotte Spada, and Jim
Vendito. Performing professionally along the West coast for over 30 years, Fahey
is founder of the Anacortes Concert Singers.
Any freewill donations benefit Sean Humphrey House and Evergreen AIDS, two
essential organizations providing direct support for persons touched by HIV/
AIDS.

The service is sponsored by Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, the
Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'is of Anacortes, and Skagit PFLAG (Parents
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Refreshments will be provided.

Pilgrim Congregational Church is located in Anacortes at 2801 Commercial Avenue
and is ADA accessible. For more information call (360) 293-5675.

-----------

Thanksgiving Potluck in Anacortes.

Thanksgiving is only a month away and my wife Lisa and I would like to again
share our home this Thanksgiving by inviting you and others to our house for a
Thanksgiving Potluck dinner, Thursday evening the 26th of November.

Our house will be open to anyone who would like to join us for dinner, not just
those who are members of the LGBT Community.  It doesn't matter if they are gay
straight or whatever.

Last year we had 10 wonderful guests from Whidbey Island and Anacortes as well
as from Bellingham and the upper Skagit River.
Please come whether or not you are able to bring something, there will be plenty
of food.  Just bring your appetites and anyone that you know who doesn't have
somewhere to go for Thanksgiving.

Lisa will again be deep frying a turkey, weather permitting. (It was almost too
cold last year to get the peanut oil up to temperature!)
We will also be making some other side dishes but the menu is open for those of
you who would like to bring a favorite dish to share.
Anything that you would like to bring will be fine, and duplicate dishes are a
plus, there can never be too much food!!
Veggie platters, chips, snacking food and deserts would be wonderful as well as
side dishes, rolls, salads, etc.

Let us know if you will need to use some cooking space and Lisa will coordinate
things in the kitchen.  The atmosphere will be super casual; you know paper
plates and plastic glasses.

If you are planning to come could you let us know?
If you could bring along a couple of chairs to add to the ones that we already
have it would be helpful.
You should also bring whatever beverage that you would like to drink and yes
ALCOHOL is welcome!

You can contact us at my email address for directions etc.

Sarah_Dippitty @ Yahoo.Com (Remove the spaces before and after the @)

Our doors will open, so to speak, at 2 o'clock for socializing.
The actual dinner will be scheduled for 4 o'clock and of course you are welcome
to come earlier if you need to prepare something.

Hugs and Smiles,
Sarah and Lisa

-----------

Reminder for upcoming workshops….

Village Vida Center

Nov 17, 24, Dec 1, 2009
Tuesdays
6 – 8 pm

"You can Prevent Diabetes"

3 week program (workshop format) addresses: Creating a personal meal plan for
eating healthier while reversing/preventing pre-diabetes & preventing diabetes,
and moving your body and managing your weight to get fit and lower risk for
chronic disease.  You will be seated at tables – so bring food to snack on if
you like.  Since it is so close to Turkey Day, we will be sharing healthier
holiday eating ideas and recipes.  Hope to see you at the Health and Education
Center :  3333 Squalicum Parkway – (next to St Joseph Cancer Center )

ThIs free educational program is informal yet respectful of your need for a
focused learning situation that is physically and psychologically comfortable
for you.  Your children are welcome if they do not cause a distraction.  Please
join us in learning, sharing and networking.

               For additional information about program schedule, please contact
dalia - Village Vida Centre @ 360-738-7999.


Don't forget the womyn's Masquerade/Valentine Dance is going to be early for
2010!

             January 30TH SATURDAY 8 pm – midnight @ the Bellingham Unitarian 
1708 I Street

             ….LOTS OF FUN – COME AS YOURSELF OR IN OR OUT OF CHARACTER…JUST
COME!

Gayme Potluck Movie Nites:

Come join in on a fun and relaxing night of community engagement.  These social
evenings will be at the VVC Home Office starting at 6 pm.  Call Village Vida
Centre (dalia) @ 360-738-7999 for directions and parking.

These adult gatherings are alcohol free, drug free, and smoke free events.

Feasting starts at 6:30 pm
Viewing starts at 7 pm
Gaymes all nite!

Bring your friends (especially invite ones who do not have access to this
info/internet), games, (GLTBA) DVDs, and food to share...

Men's Gayme, Potluck, Movie Nite:  Thursday Nov 19  @ 6pm:
      Men's Nites are scheduled for the 4th Thursday of each month until Apr 22,
2010 except for the holiday months of Nov and Dec - in which gatherings will be
on the 3rd Thursday instead.

Womyn's Gayme,  Potluck, Movie Nite:  Friday Nov 20 @   6  pm:
      Womyn's Nites are scheduled for the 4th Friday of each month until Apr 23,
2010 except for the holiday months of Nov and Dec - in which gatherings will be
on the 3rd Friday instead.

Hope to see you here.
http://www.villagevidacentre.org

Peace, dalia

-----------

Cascades RainBow Center has new schedule in December:

1013 Polte Rd. Sedro Woolley WA. 360-826-5187
LGBTQ-Movie nite 7:30 pm Fri. Dec. 4th, 09
New LGBTQ-AA-candlelight/12 step meeting 7:30pm Fri. Dec. 11th, 09
New LGBTQ-free weights & exercise with Ronnie L. 7:30pm Fri. Dec. 20th, 09
New LGBTQ-AA-candlelight/12 step meeting 7:30pm Fri. Dec. 25th Christmas, 09

  Ronnie Lidstrom...

----------

Newsletter compiled by Robert
http://www.theslowlane.com

Next Wednesday Dinner will be at New York Pizza and bar.  902 N. State Street. 
5:30pm Nov. 18.
http://www.newyorkpizzaandbar.com

---------

In Song and Support: A World AIDS Day Service in Skagit Valley

Tuesday, December 1st at 7:00 pm, is the annual World AIDS Day service at
Pilgrim Congregational in Anacortes. All are welcome to an interfaith gathering
of music, story, and candlelight.     This special time features local singer,
songwriter and guitarist John Fahey and people from Evergreen AIDS and Sean
Humphrey House. Fahey will offer soulful and entertaining songs from Eric
Clapton, Doc Watson, and others, both for group singing and accompanied by local
vocalists and instrumentalists Susan Woods, Jay Smith, Charlotte Spada, and Jim
Vendito. Performing professionally along the West coast for over 30 years, Fahey
is founder of the Anacortes Concert Singers.
Any freewill donations benefit Sean Humphrey House and Evergreen AIDS, two
essential organizations providing direct support for persons touched by HIV/
AIDS.

The service is sponsored by Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, the
Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'is of Anacortes, and Skagit PFLAG (Parents
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Refreshments will be provided.
Pilgrim Congregational Church is located in Anacortes at 2801 Commercial Avenue
and is ADA accessible. For more information call (360) 293-5675.

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Cascades RainBow Center has new schedule in December:

1013 Polte Rd. Sedro Woolley WA. 360-826-5187
LGBTQ-Movie nite 7:30 pm Fri. Dec. 4th, 09
New LGBTQ-AA-candlelight/12 step meeting 7:30pm Fri. Dec. 11th, 09
New LGBTQ-free weights & exercise with Ronnie L. 7:30pm Fri. Dec. 20th, 09
New LGBTQ-AA-candlelight/12 step meeting 7:30pm Fri. Dec. 25th Christmas, 09

  Ronnie Lidstrom...

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Newsletter compiled by Robert
http://www.theslowlane.com

Next Wednesday Dinner is at Taco Lobo in downtown Bellingham.  117 W. Magnolia,
5:30 PM November 11.

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Thanksgiving Potluck in Anacortes.

Thanksgiving is only a month away and my wife Lisa and I would like to again
share our home this Thanksgiving by inviting you and others to our house for a
Thanksgiving Potluck dinner, Thursday evening the 26th of November.

Our house will be open to anyone who would like to join us for dinner, not just
those who are members of the LGBT Community.
It doesn't matter if they are gay straight or whatever.

Last year we had 10 wonderful guests from Whidbey Island and Anacortes as well
as from Bellingham and the upper Skagit River.
Please come whether or not you are able to bring something, there will be plenty
of food.
Just bring your appetites and anyone that you know who doesn't have somewhere to
go for Thanksgiving.

Lisa will again be deep frying a turkey, weather permitting. (It was almost too
cold last year to get the peanut oil up to temperature!)
We will also be making some other side dishes but the menu is open for those of
you who would like to bring a favorite dish to share.
Anything that you would like to bring will be fine, and duplicate dishes are a
plus, there can never be too much food!!
Veggie platters, chips, snacking food and deserts would be wonderful as well as
side dishes, rolls, salads, etc.

Let us know if you will need to use some cooking space and Lisa will coordinate
things in the kitchen.
The atmosphere will be super casual; you know paper plates and plastic glasses.

If you are planning to come could you let us know?
If you could bring along a couple of chairs to add to the ones that we already
have it would be helpful.
You should also bring whatever beverage that you would like to drink and yes
ALCOHOL is welcome!

You can contact us at my email address for directions etc.

Sarah_Dippitty @ Yahoo.Com (Remove the spaces before and after the @)

Our doors will open, so to speak, at 2 o'clock for socializing.
The actual dinner will be scheduled for 4 o'clock and of course you are welcome
to come earlier if you need to prepare something.

Hugs and Smiles,
Sarah and Lisa

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The Betty Pages are now on line

Produced by Bellingham's drag personality Betty Desire and a community of
friends.  They now have quite a web designer on board.

By the way, they did forget one thing.  November's front page photo by Hagrid
who also started Faerie Coffee.

Check it out, there's a lot of things in the Betty Pages.

http://www.thebettypages.com

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Referendum 71 makes historic passage

Commentary

I think the first time a state passes something like domestic partnership by
popular vote.

Human rights extentions are often done by court order or legislative action,
rahter than majority vote, but popular vote is not unprecidented.

In 1978, California voters turned down Prop 6 otherwise known as the Briggs
Initiative.  It would have tried to bann gay people from teaching carreers.

That same election day saw Seattle voters resoundingly defeat city Initiative
13.  13 would have overturned the non discrimination ordinance that was passed a
few years earlier by Seattle City Council.

See my blog shot of Seattle Times front page November 8 1978.  I happened to
keep that one.

http://theslowlane.blogspot.com/2009/11/historic-defeats-for-anti-gay-rights.htm\
l

Robert

PS. Also see video I just discovered on NPR Science Friday site related to
everyone getting into reproduction.
http://theslowlane.blogspot.com/2009/11/if-everyone-was-into-reproducing.html

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Newsletter compiled by Robert
http://www.theslowlane.com