Joe Mannetti, aka Joe Falconi (articles - photo - profile) who recently won the 'Mr. International Daddy Bear' title at IBR is asking for our assistance. He is promoting Life Group and his goal is to raise at least $400, yet Joe says "I would like to raise more for them since they do such outstanding work for the community. I am part of a team of title holders for the Saddle Up LA event". Life Group raises awareness and educates others about HIV/AIDS.

Open 'er up and take a look under the hood... whaddya find...? That IBR is just around the corner. International Bear Rendezvous is hosted by the Bears of San Francisco and it's all happening from February 12th thru the 16th. This year's theme is 'Mechanics - Bears under the Hood'.

From their site: "The event fosters a sense of community among participants while at the same time raising money for agencies serving the gay and HIV communities at the local, state, and national level. Fundraising is accomplished primarily through raffles, auctions, and direct donations from participants and the community. Since the first Rendezvous in 1995, the net proceeds have resulted in donations totaling over $435,000 to many non-profit organizations".

The other day, I mentioned in this article that Barack Obama mentioned that he has chosen the evangelical pastor Rick Warren to be a speaker at the president's inauguration and many gay activists criticized Obama's choice since Rick Warren is against same-sex marriages. However this recent Associated Press article has Rick Warren talking favourably about gay folks. Warren mentions that he "loves Muslims, people of other religions, Republicans and Democrats, and he also loves gays and straights". He went on to say that "I have many gay friends. I've eaten dinner in gay homes. No church has probably done more for people with AIDS than Saddleback Church".

The question is: is Rick Warren saying all this because he means it or because he's in the spotlight right now as being a speaker at the president's inauguration? People's true colours will always show, so let's hope this Bearish pastor still loves everyone after the show.

The always attractive Joe Mannetti (aka Joe Falconi - photo with Santa - profile) has been continuously busy working within the Bear community as to raise awareness as well as money for charities. He's a truly husky hunky man that has a selfless way about life. Here's what he's been up to since winning several Bear contests (articles). From Joe:

"This is shaping up to be a very busy month! It's all good! I volunteered with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (website - articles) at a toy drive for Children with AIDS at Oil Can Harry's on Saturday (November 29th). We collected a sack full of toys for the children and raised nearly $400 by the end of the evening. Woo hoo!

On Monday (December 1st), I volunteered for Long Beach AIDS Foundation's World Aids Day event serving drinks and handing out snacks to all the attendees! What a great event! The young people there participated in an art display that was inspiring. I'll be helping out at two more toy drives for children, and I am honored to be able to be at all of them. Life is good! You always get back from giving, and I am meeting some of the best people in our community who are always willing to give to others".

The following is from James of the Bear Albany (website - articles - profile) group. James has modeled for me in the past (galleries) and he was also in Dan Hunt's 'Bear Run' movie (website - articles - profile):

From James: "The 'other' fat guy in red. For the 3rd year in a row, I will be donning my Speedo to run down Lark Street in Albany, NY. Running from the police? No, the 3rd annual Santa Speedo Sprint (logo), part of the magic that is Winter WonderLark! Race begins at 2pm, courage begins at 12 noon. It is 800m of bone chilling good times. Once again we race for the Albany Damien Center, a Living Room for people with HIV/AIDS. If you can run, please do, but if you can't, I would love to have you sponsor me. I know it is a very difficult year for a lot of folks but every little bit helps, and remember, someone is always worse off than you. In the last 2 years we have raised $17,000 making fools of ourselves, help us continue our success in both accounts! PayPal the money to this email address. Jim".

Who's the cutest Bear model and actor out there...? Well that would be Joe Mannetti (profile - articles). Many of you know him as Joe Falconi while many more just want to get to know him, however you can get to meet him this upcoming November 8th as the BearsLA gang are organizing a fund raiser at the Pistons Bar in Long Beach, CA. This is the 1st event that Joe is hosting since he won the Mr. LA Bear '08 title.

The event is called 'Bears for Brother (& Sistah) - Hood'. It is a "a fund-raiser for the 'Say Sistah! Stop in the Name of Love (Project B.R.U.C.E.) organization providing HIV/AIDS outreach and education aimed specifically at the African-American and Latina Female communities in the Long Beach area" (photo by Christopher Leonhardt).

Come join some of the hottest Bears in the Midwest as they gather for the upcoming Michigan BearFest 5 which will be taking place in Grand Rapids, MI from November 7th thru the 9th. This event will be supporting BASIS which is a Flint, Saginaw and Bay City area HIV/AIDS charity. Head on over to their website for all the details such as hotel, calendar and registration.

Way back in February (articles), I mentioned that photographer Antinoo was working on a calendar (cover) with the Norway Bears (Den Norske Bamseklubben) using images from classical Nordic paintings.

This calendar is also about safe sex with the motto "Bearback Yes! Bareback No!". From Antinoo's blog: "'Bearback Yes! Bareback No!' is a not-for-profit project financed by different Bear organizations at a national and international level, with the aim of promoting joint activities (such as publicity campaigns) with various social organizations, health institutions, networks of people living with HIV/AIDS, in the educational sphere and with relevant international agencies. Its aim is to promote prevention and safer sex through condom use, and to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS and members of social groups most vulnerable to the disease".

London based Mike Thorn - bear-art.com - will be showing his work at the Blackhorse Lane Open Studio from September 12th thru the 14th. More info about that here.

Here's a bit about Mike from his site: "I am inspired to show images of gay men which challenge the stereotypical ideal. Ordinary men who look at other men, natural guys caught in everyday life. No labels. The contrast of reality and fantasy.

I draw on my personal experience of having lived in the metropolis and explore the darker side of the gay subculture with an awareness and sensitivity of the age touched by pride and the celebration of life. A world where the young die from Aids and people struggle to be happy with HIV awareness. With the growing reality of a society caught in the dilemma of prejudice for things they struggle to understand".

There's a bit of news to share from artist Danny Babineaux. First off, he's updated his site Danny Boy Studio with some new drawings since the last time we've mentioned his work on this site (articles). He's also been selling his stuff internationally and he ships all his work all over the world. He has a new mailing list that is growing and he sends out images of his newest works. Just email him to join. He has also recently painted a picture of Kathy Griffin, gave it to her and she signed it and had it auctioned at an AIDS event in Los Angeles.

Team Bear ~ (B)ears (E)ngaged (A)gainst (R)etroviruses ~ is a group of men who bike in California to raise money as well as awareness for those living with HIV and AIDS. Here are a couple of news articles sent in by them.

#1 - "When the Steering Committee first met in the fall of 2007, we set ourselves an ambitious first year goal of $50,000, 10% of which we wanted to raise collectively through events. As of today the tally from official team riders and roadies stands at $68,394 plus we have raised over $4,000 through events - and we still have more fundraisers and t-shirt sales yet to come!".

#2 - "For years Team Bear has been symbolized by a bear holding a bike over his head (view here), created by noted bear artist Fran Frisch. We also now have a team logo. Designed by Pete King, it is meant to capture the spirit of accomplishment and triumph that the ride engenders by representing a bike at the top of a hill (or the world). But look a little closer and you’ll see that the wheels of the bike also make the ears of a bear and the dot becomes either his nose or his tail, depending on your viewpoint".

Team Bear ~ (B)ears (E)ngaged (A)gainst (R)etroviruses ~ is a group of men who bike 585 miles in 7 days (June 3rd thru the 9th) beginning their road trip in San Francisco and arriving in Los Angeles in order to raise money as well as awareness for those living with HIV and AIDS. Team Bear has a couple of 'Beer Busts' coming up ~ one on May 12th at the Eagle Tavern and then one on May 26th at the Lone Star. For more info, check out the AIDS LifeCycle site.

The Dallas Bears are gearing up for their upcoming Texas Bear Round Up. From their site: "I can't believe it's TBRU time again! It seems like it was yesterday that I was watching hundreds of you file through the halls of the Crowne Plaza here in Dallas. This year Texas Bear Round Up is going on lock down! Don't be nervous; you'll be surrounded by 100s of hot men who'll take good care of you. Every Spring, we all get together for a good time, cold beer and hot guys. But we also help some very worthwhile organizations, thanks to your support! This year, TBRU is sponsoring three non-profit organizations - AIDS Interfaith Network, AIDS Services of Dallas and Youth First Texas. Texas Bear Round Up 12 will be held from March 22nd through March 25th. The official events don't begin until Thursday night, but don't let that keep you from coming in a few days early to enjoy all that the Dallas area has to offer".