It's just right around the corner, it's Atlanta Bear Fest (ABF) hosted by the Southern Bears and it's all gonna take place in Atlanta, Georgia during the 4th of July weekend. You can't ask for better...

The Southern Bears are one of the oldest Bear clubs around being together for more than 16 years. They've also been getting a lot of good coverage in the press, like this article written about them and ABF in Southern Voice. Also, you will see their story in the upcoming David Magazine as they are getting both the cover story and a center spread (with cute Bears!).

Here are some updates regarding ABF: day passes are now available; 2 optional events at Mary's bar have been added - a pre-party 'The Honey Pot' on Wednesday's and 'Bear Happy Hour' on Friday night. Find out more here.

They have created a newsletter for those who wish to keep up to date with ABF and future runs.

And remember, Rich McGunn (photo - articles) will be there. This model is on the current cover of BEAR Magazine issue #67 (website - articles - cover - profile) and he'll be hanging out with them Southern Bears while fireworks burst all about ya'll (I'm a Canadian, I shouldn't really be saying ya'll).

First off - my apologies I should have posted this last week (I'm catching up... it's a long story). Anyhow, I received my copy of BEAR Magazine (website - articles - profile) issue #67 (cover), the new and improved BEAR that has been taken over by Bear Omnimedia (website - interview), the same guys who give you ButchBear. On the cover is Rich McGunn (photo). Pick up a subscription from their site or grab a copy off the rack at your friendly adult content provider.

"Issue #65 is the premiere issue of BEAR Magazine's (website - articles - profile) rebirth and it's almost sold out! Only 50 remain in stock from the original 40,000 run only 9 months ago! With over a decade of publishing experience, Bear Omnimedia has brought back the ever-popular BEAR as a quarterly magazine that provides thousands of men with images up-to-date lifestyle options they want most, that won't go out of style. Simply put: hairy man sex!".

It's time to make your plans for the upcoming Atlanta Bear Fest (ABF), the annual run hosted by the sexy Southern Bears, a group that has been together for over 16 years (and holy smokers that is one incredible site they have there - kudos to their webguy).

ABF will be taking place in Atlanta, Georgia from July 2nd thru the 5th, so make sure to get all patriotic-like as the theme is 'Red, White, & Bears'. A super affordable run which includes pool parties, open bar nights, live entertainment and food. Also, Rich McGunn (photo), pinup model for BEAR Magazine's (website - articles - profile) upcoming issue #67, will be there, so make sure to bring a felt pen so he can sign your chest or some other body part.

You shall soon be seeing issue #67 very soon from BEAR Magazine (website - articles - profile), and they have the iconic Rich McGunn on their cover as well as their centerfold. This guy is just way too cute. Here's a picture preview they sent in and make sure to check out this video preview for this issue. Check your local adult store for this latest issue, or grab yourself a subscription from their website.

Press Release - "BEAR Magazine (website - articles - profile) announces the creation of BearsList: a fast and easy way to help Bears connect with like-minded, horned-up men and to satisfy the Bear-Player philosophy of instant, hairy gratification.

Since BEAR Magazine will not accept nor print personal classified ads, BEAR created this new online resource for hook-ups; and in the Bear tradition of putting service to the community above profit and personal gain, it's totally free! BearsList is retro in that it doesn't have any flashy animation nor graphics and no profiles or IMs - just blind email relaying. No one will know who posted the ad unless you reply to an email relayed to you - or your hot pic that is attached to the ad. We intend this to work with your preferred profile site. It's an added value for spontaneous sexual expression that naturally filters out the shaven bois who have no interest in us. It's simple, private and secure".

BEAR Magazine (website - articles - profile) has recently released their #66 issue (cover) and already they are making plans for #67 (cover - centerfold): "The newest issue of BEAR mag, #67, is hitting the stands in a few weeks and you can be one of the first to get it by becoming a subscriber or by placing a pre-order at the site. The new issue features Rich McGunn, Mr. Bear Player 67, as the cover and centerfold model who is joined by a 2001 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide for his spread. It's also packed with many hot photos of horny and hairy, manly men. There's an article on bear celebrity Larry Flick, star of OutQ on Sirius XM Radio who routinely interviews today's famous like Madonna, Timberlake & Duffy. Other features include Steven Miller's Bear photographer, an erotic story 'Planet Fuck'; an article on 'Kick-ass Secrets', and more!".

I just received in the mail issue #66 of BEAR Magazine (website - front cover - back cover - articles - profile). This is the 2nd issue published by Bear Omnimedia once they acquired the BEAR trademark, and this issue is even better looking than their 1st. There's a ton of good looking guys, with Tober Brandt on the cover, and this issue has a centerfold for you to flip open.

In other news, they were initially planning on coming out with an issue every 6 months. They have decided to double the goodness so expect to see 4 issues every year.

"Issue 66 of BEAR Magazine (website - articles - cover - profile) is out and bigger than before! Not only is it filled once again with big 'n' hot photos of bearded, furry hunks, we've added a few new features including an amazing foldout centerfold featuring our current Bear Player cover model, Tober Brandt. Each issue will feature a Bear Player cover model and centerfold, completely exclusive to BEAR Magazine. BEAR is currently available at many bookstores across the country, by subscription and at many 2009 Bear events. And very soon we will be offering digital subscription to the magazine as an alternate option to print subscription.

BEAR Magazine was recently at IBR in San Francisco as a sponsor and visited by a former Bear model, Dominick, who starred in the classic movie 'Bear Classic' with Jack Radcliffe. Dominick, who was the MC for IBR's evening events was pleased to see his movie on DVD and joked that he was now a 'Bargain Bin Bear' noting that our movies had been marked down especially for IBR! Hey, another great reason to go to Bear events... hot porn stars and deals on products! Here are a couple of pictures from IBR - pic #1 - pic #2".

Although I am not completely sure, however from what I've heard, the latest BEAR Magazine (website - articles - profile) is now out, which is issue #66 (cover). I know for sure it's at the mailing house being processed for mailing. This is the 2nd issue published by the new owners, Bear Omnimedia, the same guys who give you ButchBear. I also know that they are working on issue #67 who will have Rich McGunn on the cover posing with his Harley.

The following is from Scott McGillivray (website) the editor for BEEF Magazine (website - articles - profile): "100% BEEF Magazine, the successor to the masculine-identified publishing legacy established by the now-defunct Original BEAR Magazine (website - articles) has just released it's 40th Edition. To mark this occasion, and signal the magazine's exciting forward momentum, BEEF has converted to a full-color format!

'It was time', says Editor and Co-publisher Scott McGillivray in his page one 'From the Editor' remarks in the 40th Edition of BEEF, adding, 'black and white was fun, and it allowed us to transition from where we were, pay homage to our beginnings, and continue the aesthetic of... the magazine from which we came, pretty seamlessly'.

BEEF focuses on the identities and lifestyles of adult, masculine-identified men and Bears. It was launched in May '02 by a group of friends after their swift departure from the hugely popular, but poorly managed and now-defunct original BEAR Magazine. Excited to continue the publishing legacy, but also eager to broaden the definitions and masculine sexual identities which the original Bear Magazine helped to popularize, co-publishers Scott McGillivray and Larry Woolwine forged a publishing alliance titled after the homoerotic term 'beefcake'.

From its first issue, 100% BEEF broke new erotic ground by injecting art, humor and satire into the masculine erotic mix, and by featuring models and materials that, many argued at the time, staunchly challenged some of the rigid parameters which had defined their publishing predecessor's pages".

I got word that the latest BEEF mag is now available (website - profile - poster). It's their December and January edition. They are turning the big Four O... as in, this is their 40th issue. And the other good news is that this magazine is in full colour. In their other issues, some of their pages were black and white, well not in this one. So go get a copy off the racks or order your own subscription via their website.

It was only last week we mentioned that issue #66 of BEAR Magazine will be available in January. Well today we got word that they got the rights to the dotcom for BearMagazine.com. Bear Omnimedia said the domain name was placed into an auction, they made a bid, and they won it.

The following is from Bear Omnimedia: "Ok, it's official, the domain BearMagazine.com has finally come back to BEAR Magazine! Since the implosion of Brush Creek Media in 2002, much of its contents have been hidden or scattered. For the past year Bear Omnimedia has been working on putting some of the pieces back together under the BEAR label, such as reassembling all of the back issues (#1 ~ #64), for eventual posting online (article); also repackaging and re-releasing some of BCM's more popular Bear movies on DVD. Not only in support of the new BEAR, but also in acknowledgment of Bear History and its continuing relevance. Having the domain back with the magazine may be a minor gain, but it's a definite step forward.

If you have any of the old BCM movies or publications, and are interested in helping us in our efforts to reassemble the Bear archives, please email me, Teddy".

A new BEAR Magazine (website - articles - profile) issue will be available very soon, as in January soon. Brought back from the dead, this is the 2nd issue released by the new company Bear Omnimedia who have taken over reign to BEAR mag just recently (these are the same guys who bring you ButchBear).

I sent them off an email asking about their progress, and this is what they replied: "We've been busy working on the next issue of BEAR Magazine (#66 - cover), which has just been sent off to press and will be released in January. Fueled by all the positive feedback from the current issue, the new issue has been expanded with even more photos of hot Bear-men and very cool features. One of which will be the introduction of a fold-out centerfold featuring a different furry and sexy stud (called Mr. Bear Player) every issue. To my knowledge that's something that no other gay magazine has ever done before, but to me is a no-brainer. Who doesn't want to see a manly piece of meat unfolding out of the pages of BEAR?!"

You can pick up your subscription to this magazine from their website.

Editor of magazine Beef Mag (website) Scott McGillivray (website - profile) is letting us know that their 40th issue will soon be out for Dec / Jan. And good news, they have now switched to all color throughout the magazine. You see that thumbnail image of Roger (enlarge - galleries - profile)...? That's our ad that will be showing up in their mag. A huge thanks to Scott for designing it.

In other news - they are starting to making plans for their very first 100 BEEF weekend at the Canyon Club Resort in Palm Springs over Memorial Day Weekend 2009. There's not many details as of now but we'll keep you informed as we get more.

Lastly, Scott is wishing to inform all that BEEF is in no way associated with the 'new' BEAR magazine (website - profile). For those who don't know, Scott was the editor for BEAR but this was when the magazine was owned by Brush Creek Media. Recently, the group Bear Omnimedia (website) has acquired the rights to the 'BEAR' trademark, yet they are not affiliated in any way.

ps - here's the full sized image of that thumbnail pic of Roger.

Can you tell me what you're looking at...? That's the very 1st cover of the very first BEAR magazine (full cover) which was published back in '87. Were you ever curious as to what those early BEAR rags looked like? Well you'll soon be able to see all the back issues online. Bear Fund is working right now on posting the complete archives ~ issues #1 thru #64. All the proceeds will benefit the Bear community through the Bear Fund and the Bears of San Francisco.

A little Bearish history lesson: Richard Bulger and Chris Nelson started the mag back in '87 as a photo-copied flyer. As the magazine grew in popularity, they decided to 'inc' it and they formed Brush Creek Media (archived website) as well as grab the brand name 'BEAR' as a registered trademark.

In '94, they sold the company to BearDog Hoffman who at decided to expand Brush Creek into several 'special-interest' mags (such as 'International Leatherman', 'Hombres Latinos', 'Foreskin Quarterly' to name a few). However, by '00 the company was having financial issues and by '02, BearDog had run the company into the ground. This forced Brush Creek to go bankrupt.

For years the brand name 'BEAR' was actually up for grabs, and either nobody knew about it or nobody actually cared. It wasn't until '06 when Butch Media Ltd of Las Vegas, a creditor's of Brush Creek, decided to go court and they were judicially assigned the name BEAR. Since then, Butch Media has formed Bear Omnimedia and has already published their very 1st BEAR Magazine ~ issue #65, with issue #66 slated for the winter '09 (website - interview - profile).

Once they acquired the BEAR name, they also acquired all the back issues (1 thru 64) as well as the videos. After speaking with the guys at Bear Omnimedia, they told me that they might put up a pay section for guys to view the back issues and whatever proceeds they make from doing this, it will to be benefit charitable groups.

So there's your Bear history lesson for today. Keep an eye out on the Bear Fund website, and we'll be sure to let you know here at PlanetBears when you can start perusing them very 1st BEAR issues... 'cause it's real important to know where your Bear roots come from, and what better way than to look at naked photos of Bearish men (some sources from Wikipedia's article on BEAR Magazine).

How would like Jack in a box... as in Jack Radcliffe? Bear Omnimedia ~ the good looking folks who have brought back BEAR magazine ~ have brought together all of Jack's 7 classic movies he made with BEAR in the past into one package. They have just released Jack Radcliffe's Box Set which includes these DVDs 'Uncut Footage' - 'Classic Bear' - 'Bear Sex Party' - 'Palm Springs Vacation' - 'Leather Bears At Play' - 'Big Bear Trucking Co.' - 'Big Bear Trucking Co. 2'.

A bunch of news from Bear Omnimedia (website), the guys who bring you the new BEAR magazine (website - articles - profile) and ButchBear (website - articles - profile).

To start things off there is a New York BEAR Magazine Release Party (poster) on September 19th at the Eagle NYC. They will also be celebrating the release of several popular classic Bear movies on DVD, such as 'Palm Springs Vacation', 'Leather Bears at Play' and 'Big Bear Trucking Co.'. Jack Radcliffe will make an appearance that evening too. Following that, BEAR mag party will be going on tour (with the continued appearances of Jack Radcliffe) to the following areas: September 20th - a signing at Rainbows and Triangles Bookstore (Albany Bears event); September 21st - Philadelphia Woof event; September 22nd - Woof event in NYC. It's also a model search for the magazine as well. Their promoter, Max Scott, is organizing the event.

And don't miss this: Steven Wolfe (Editor) and Teddy will be on Sirius Satellite Radio on their OutQ program with Larry Flick on September 19th. They will be interviewed on the rebirth of BEAR Magazine and its future.

My buddy Teddy of ButchBear and BEAR Mag told me to check out this artist named Steven Miller (website) because ~ well ~ since Teddy knows I like Bears in bondage, he said that there's a cool little set called 'Bound' (set - photo) that Steven made. It's very interesting indeed as well as all his other sets.

There's very little about who Steve is (just a resume, no bio, no photos) which has the observer wanting to know more about whom this artist is. He does, however, have little write-ups about his sets, and here's a snippet about what he has to say about his 'Bound' set: "Bound, rope symbolizes the mental, physical and spiritual ties that bind. Materially, the subjects are bound to self, others, and inseparably the unknown. The tied ropes are constricting or loose, a representation of the various connections and disconnections between friends, lovers and strangers. Ropes around the subjects' heads act as a metaphor for how we're wrapped up inside our perceptions and simultaneously, by emphasizing yet obscuring the face, the viewer is encouraged to consider other aspects of the body". Very, very interesting.

Head on over to his site. I'm not sure why he has 555 in his domain name ~ smiller555.com ~ but it makes me think of this song by Slipknot (if you're 555 then I'm 666)... and Bears? They are Jackpot honey Heaven 777.

Following their 6th Prime Cuts edition (article), BEEF magazine (website - profile) has published their 38th issue for August and September (cover).

In it you will find your usual slew of good looking Bears, a variety of adult fiction as well as a few comics. You can pick up a copy at your local adult store and you can also subscribe online via their site.