Brother2Brother/Sister2Sister-Oakland, California

A Syndicated column of your own!

2007-08-31T20:38:00.001-07:00

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Join the worldwide broadband TV revolution

2007-08-31T19:55:00.001-07:00

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Gay Gentry

2007-06-24T22:50:00.001-07:00

34668.jpg (JPEG Image, 400x600 pixels)

A new gathering spot for Castro's black gays

A new gathering spot for Castro's black gays

Justin Berton, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, June 24, 2007

This is Pride Weekend in San Francisco, one of the nation's biggest
celebrations of tolerance and inclusion. But some people in the gay community
feel their invitation may have gotten lost in the mail.

"There's been an unintended erasure of blacks in the Castro," says Bill
Doggett. "It's created a sense that there's nothing here for us." Now that's
changing, thanks to a new program of mixers Doggett has launched at Magnet, a
neighborhood health services office.

Doggett, a 52-year-old commercial photographer originally from Los
Angeles, used to party at the Pendulum in the Castro, a lively bar near 18th
and Collingwood that closed down for remodeling two years ago.

The shuttering came in the midst of one of the neighborhood's messier
sagas. A group of activists called And Castro for All accused Les Natali, the
owner of the Pendulum and the Badlands, the popular club across 18th Street, of
discriminating against black patrons -- accusations that Natali strongly
denied.

In May 2005, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission ruled that Natali
had referred to African Americans as "non-Badlands customers" and required
blacks to offer multiple forms of identification before entering -- claims
that Natali denied. After the commission's findings and community outrage, he
closed the Pendulum two months later for remodeling -- an act that was viewed
by black leaders as retaliation for the original complaints. Subsequently,
however, the state's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control investigated the
complaints, said they could not be substantiated and dismissed them.

Natali did not return phone calls left at his residence and office.

But the Badlands incident, along with the extended closure of the
Pendulum, have left a distinct void in the city's gay community. At a time when
the city's African American population is in decline, the loss of the Pendulum
only highlights the dwindling presence of African Americans in the Castro.

In response, five months ago Doggett co-founded the monthly mixer for
African American men at Magnet. Also, the Edge, a club across the street from
the Pendulum that usually cranks out oldies and party music, recently started
Soulful Thursdays, a night meant to attract more African Americans.

John Newsome, a co-founder of And Castro for All, said that because his
group reached a confidential settlement with the club owner in 2006, he was
unable to discuss the status of the Pendulum.

But anecdotally, Newsome observed, "My sense is that fewer African
Americans are coming into the community as the number of black-identified
spaces has decreased."

Newsome recalled that in the '80s, the neighborhood had several clubs that
catered to black patrons, but that has changed over the years, and the Pendulum
represented the last club available.

Newsome, who is African American, called Doggett's mixers "a critical need
in the community."

"It begs the question," Newsome said, "if we're left to using social
spaces that are on loan and shared, isn't it clear we don't have any permanent
spaces?"

Doggett said an average of 60 people have attended the mixers, which are
held on the third Saturday of every month and are a mixture of networking,
dance party and potluck dinners.

It's also a chance to mentor recent arrivals in the area's African
American gay community.

"Many are attracted to the 'gay mecca' ideal," Doggett said, "where
everyone will be welcoming and understanding. I had a different experience and
so do a lot of people of color; we help to integrate them to the reality."

Vincent Fuqua, co-founder of SFBrothas, an outreach program for black gay
men in San Francisco, said, "Losing a bar where African Americans went, that
hurt," he said. "There was not a huge presence to begin with, and now there's
none."

David Wheeler, a manager at the Edge, said the Soulful Thursdays night,
still in a trial phase, was added to the club's weekly schedule after talks
with Doggett.

"I don't want to say it's an attempt to cater to African Americans,"
Wheeler said, "but it's a night that, hopefully, will make it more appealing
for a diverse crowd." During this weekend's series of Pride events, a Friday
night reception was held for the African American grand marshals at Levende
Lounge in the Mission, and today a Black Pride stage in the Castro will host
readings and music acts focused on African Americans.

Fuqua, the SFBrothas co-founder, said of the closed Pendulum, "Hopefully
there will be something like that in the Castro again. But we'll see."

E-mail Justin Berton at jberton@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page F - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle

Wil and Lorenz LIVE at the Las Vegas PLayboy Club!

2007-06-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas will never be the same now this dynamic duo has left its mark!

Longtime Best Boy Friends, Wil Oliver of b2bs2s.org and Lawrence Johnson of jpsearch.com were "The life of the party" at Trendy Tuesdays. This weekly event brings together Las vegas' most fabulous people at a different one of Vegas' hottest locales every week.

Bunnies, Boys, private casino, cascading sky-high views...this affair at the Playboy Club within the Palms Hotel had it all.

MONTECRISTO RUM, montecristorum.com, made a splash sharing complementary finely aged and blended all natural rum blends. The company's charming owner and representatives sparked a hollar or two.

Wil sends great thanks to the Playboy Club and the hosts of Trendy Tuesdays for creating the highlight of a wonderful week and bringing newer and older friends together.

Shouts out to Chris M, Token Lesbian #1, Just Craig, Shawn, Ray, and...oh, you know who you are.

See you again soon, Vegas!

California Hate Crime Law... chapter and verse...Here's your "Big tent"

2007-04-10T22:13:00.001-07:00

FindLaw for Legal Professionals - Case Law, Federal and State Resources, Forms, and Code

* California Codes
o California Penal Code
+ PENAL CODE SECTION 13872

13872. The crimes that shall be the focus of this chapter shall
include a wide variety of incidents, which reflect obvious racial,
ethnic, or religious motivations, ranging from vandalizing a place of
worship to assaults between members of gangs, including, but not
limited to, incidents that occur on school grounds and between gang
members and any other incidents that law enforcement officers on a
case-by-case basis identify as having a racial, ethnic or religious
motivation. They shall not include incidents of discrimination in
employment.

Crime and Punishment

2007-04-10T21:31:00.001-07:00

Oakland City Attorney: News

Using California civil law to punish hate crimes allows the City of Oakland more flexibility in pursuing perpetrators, as the burden of proof requires demonstrating a "preponderance of evidence" rather than proving "beyond a reasonable doubt," as required in a criminal case under the authority of the District Attorney.

Ripping down postings is a crime...a Hate Crime! punishable under California State & Federal Law

2007-04-10T21:22:00.001-07:00

AB 1785 Assembly Bill - Bill Analysis

Defines "hate crime" as an act or attempted act against the person or property of another person or institution which in any way manifests evidence of hostility toward the victim because of his or her actual or perceived race, religion, disability, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation, and includes threatening telephone calls, hate mail, physical assault, vandalism, cross burnings, destruction of religious symbols, or fire bombings.

Nurturing Mind Body & Spirit

2007-04-10T18:45:00.001-07:00

DailyOM - Your Last Breath

April 4, 2007
Redefining Your Priorities
Your Last Breath

Procrastination is an almost universal human habit and one that infiltrates nearly every aspect of our lives. Modern existence is so complex, and much of what we long to do is left to wait by the side. We know what is important but tend to let the weight of worldly pressures lead us astray. To get back on track, however, we need only take a moment to consider where our thoughts will be as we take our last breath on this earth. More likely than not, at that instant, disagreements, bills, petty annoyances, and other frustrating elements of our lives will no longer seem as significant as they once did. Thoughts of loved ones and the positive impact we had on the world would no doubt occupy our remaining thoughts. Whatever we imagine ourselves musing upon during our last breath will almost always be representative of what truly matters to us.

This simple exercise introduces us to a new way of thinking. While our attention is drawn momentarily to the end of life, our contemplations serve to point out that we are masters of our own perspective and, consequently, our own existence. There is nothing preventing us from shifting our focus right now as we imagine we will in our final moments. We can choose to spend more of our time and energy on what gives our lives meaning. We can spend more time with loved ones and do more of what we enjoy. Doing so may not always prove easy, and there will inevitably be times when circumstances interfere with our resolution, yet we do not have to regard this as an indication that our priorities are not in alignment with who we really are.

Sometimes the only way we can see the beauty of life is to remind ourselves that it is finite. Gandhi said, "Live as if you were to die tomorrow." His words are a potent reminder that living life more fully is not about pushing ourselves harder or shouldering more burdens, but about experiencing all the wonderful richness life has to offer.

THE TRUTH (About the Down Low) Chris and AJ define

2007-04-09T18:04:00.001-07:00

Friends: A Love Story Pt. 2

2007-04-09T17:09:00.001-07:00

Waiting To Exhale - Bernie's Plight

2007-04-09T16:57:00.001-07:00

Where are your rights? - Ron Paul for President 2008

2007-04-02T13:59:00.001-07:00

Who has the real control? - Ron Paul for President 2008

2007-04-02T13:53:00.001-07:00

Real Time - C.Ferguson,M.Steele,C.Fiorina - Part 5 of 6

2007-04-02T11:55:00.001-07:00

CIA Contributes To The Creation Of The Crack Epidemic

2007-04-01T00:26:00.001-07:00

30 years late...

Healing * Educating * Loving * People

2007-03-21T19:52:00.001-07:00

h-e-l-p : Promote

Click to join h-e-l-p

Mad TV - Gay Straight Guys

2007-03-20T03:16:00.001-07:00

no...yes!

The TaxMan Cometh ~ Unclaimed Refunds!

2007-03-19T14:11:00.001-07:00

IRS Has $2.2 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2003 Tax Return

RS Has $2.2 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2003 Tax Return

IR-2007-51, March 6, 2007

WASHINGTON — Unclaimed refunds totaling approximately $2.2 billion are awaiting about 1.8 million people who failed to file a federal income tax return for 2003, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, in order to collect the money, a return for 2003 must be filed with an IRS office no later than Tuesday, April 17, 2007.

The IRS estimates that half of those who could claim refunds would receive more than $611. In some cases, individuals had taxes withheld from their wages, or made payments against their taxes out of self-employed earnings, but had too little income to require filing a tax return. Some taxpayers may also be eligible for the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit.

“Everybody who needs to should file their tax return. But you simply can’t get the money we owe you unless you file a return,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson.

In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If no return is filed to claim the refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2003 returns, the window closes on April 17, 2007.

For Support in filing past years' returns contact the Tax Man at 510-268-1126 or self-schedule your appointment online at http://mybookingcalendar.com/b2bs2s

The TaxMan Cometh ~ Unclaimed Refunds!

2007-03-19T14:10:00.001-07:00

IRS Has $2.2 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2003 Tax Return

RS Has $2.2 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2003 Tax Return

IR-2007-51, March 6, 2007

WASHINGTON — Unclaimed refunds totaling approximately $2.2 billion are awaiting about 1.8 million people who failed to file a federal income tax return for 2003, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, in order to collect the money, a return for 2003 must be filed with an IRS office no later than Tuesday, April 17, 2007.

The IRS estimates that half of those who could claim refunds would receive more than $611. In some cases, individuals had taxes withheld from their wages, or made payments against their taxes out of self-employed earnings, but had too little income to require filing a tax return. Some taxpayers may also be eligible for the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit.

“Everybody who needs to should file their tax return. But you simply can’t get the money we owe you unless you file a return,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson.

In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If no return is filed to claim the refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2003 returns, the window closes on April 17, 2007.

Responsibilty rests with me.

2007-03-19T11:05:00.001-07:00

Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies

Welcome to CORE

CORE is a free training program for individuals, neighborhood groups and community-based organizations in Oakland. The underlying premise is that a major disaster will overwhelm first responders leaving many citizens on their own for the first 72 hours or longer after the emergency.

CORE teaches self-reliance skills and helps neighborhoods establish response teams to take care of the neighborhood until professional emergency personnel arrive.

Benefits

* Develop self-confidence and peace of mind as you learn practical information and learn hands-on life-saving skills
* Build community as you develop and share your skills and resources to protect yourself, your family and home, and your neighborhood
* Create a lifeline between your family and neighbors, and the City’s emergency responders

CORE training will help you increase the safety and well-being of your family and neighborhood.

The Top Ten Myths About HIV/AIDS

2007-02-18T00:25:00.001-08:00

Becky Kuhn, M.D., co-founder of Global Lifeworks, debunks the following 10 myths about HIV: HIV doesn't cause AIDS; because of ARV medications, we no longer ned to be concerned about HIV/AIDS; if you have HIV and are sexually active, you no longer need to practice safer sex; you can't contract HIV through oral sex; you can't get HIV from one sexual encounter; a woman cannot spread HIV to another woman by having sex with her; if you are HIV positive but your viral load is undetectable, you cannot spread HIV; AIDS can be spread by kissing, hugging, or shaking hands; if you have HIV, you can cure it by having sex with a virgin; every individual with HIV will eventually develop AIDS. Visit http://www.AIDSvideos.org/ to learn more about HIV. Visit http://www.GlobalLifeworks.... to learn more about Dr. Kuhn's educational work.

There is no end to what we can accomplish together!

2007-02-11T18:49:00.001-08:00

Images from the Alameda County Office of AIDS - sponsored Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Week event at Dorsey's Locker in Oakland on February
6, 2007. Brother2Brother Sister2Sister was in the house and we
will follow up with images we captured at the event very soon.

Peace and love,

Chase

SmugMug - The ultimate in photo sharing. Online photo albums, photo sharing, photo hosting and photo storage.

Brother2Brother & Sister2Sister ~ b2bs2s.org

2007-02-10T02:22:00.001-08:00

Tags: including | Community | affected | Holistic | Culture

Oakland Cultural Arts~ Signs of Recovery

2007-02-10T01:32:00.001-08:00

Tags: oakland bay area arts culture b2bs2s b2bs2s.org artship windows street broadway | Culture

Web 2.0

2007-02-08T06:24:00.001-08:00