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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2000)
The winningest team ever Continued from Page 21 They did it with a daz zling, multimedia extrava ganza featuring a videotaped message from Portland Mayor Vera Katz reciting the commit tee’s mantra: “We want you in 2002.” They did it with an extraordi nary amount of work by many hands, with a special nod to Tim Bias, RCSA assistant com missioner. And they did it with an exceptional alliance between members of the gay and les bian community, the municipal government and Portland business people. Melani thinks this type of large-scale coalition to entice a major event to Portland is a first. The RCSA, which heat out Fort Laud erdale, Fla., for the hosting privilege, also won by virtue of its original ideas. Although previ ous series have emphasized the social aspects, Melani wants to bring more dignity to the event, to emulate the tone of the Olympics— at least in the opening and closing ceremonies. “W hat we’re planning to do is focus on the athlete,” he explains, adding he envisions a parade of all the participants into the Washing ton Park Amphitheater for the opening cere mony, where they will take a sportsmanship oath. He’d like to see the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus and the Portland Lesbian Choir belting out the national anthem. And he already is hustling to Hxik some big-name entertainment for that night, too. As a player who’s made it to the series six times himself, Melani knows well the hard work involved. Playing for the Storm is no casual hobby. This year, they also played in the (straight) Portland Metro League, for a total of 80 games! “I want to honor the athletes that have made it this far,” he says, still pumped up over the excitement of winning the bid. But lest you think it’ll be all pomp and no fun, check out a rundown of some of the other proposed events. Here’s plenty of notice to Oregon’s prolific drag community: Start sewing those beaded gowns now for the Miss Gay World Series Pageant. O n another night, par ticipating teams will get to enter the N A GAA A talent show in the Hilton ball room, which Melani declares will sell beaucoup beers for the host hotel. And then there are the recreational options, including a river cruise on the Portland Spirit, a trip up the Columbia Gorge with a ride on the Mount Hixxl Railway or a dash to the Oregon Coast to comb the beaches or hit the slots at C hi nook Winds Casino. In addition, so the general public can attend some games, the RCSA plans an The West Hollywood Cheerleaders rally support for the RCSA at Grudge Match 2000 , the annual mano a mano with the Portland Police Bureau evening of night games at Delta Park. The closing ceremonies are penciled in for the Ore gon Zoo with a catered awards dinner, to be followed the next day with rounds of farewell parties at participating bars. Sounds like a blast—and a lot of hard work ahead for the organizers. In fact, when Melani’s partner heard Portland’s bid was accepted, he sort of joked, “See you in two years!” But even the hyperorganized workaholic that is Roy Melani can’t pull this off alone. He needs volunteers, and he needs some now! This October, committees will begin the detailed planning required to stage an event of this magnitude. “There’s a reason they give you two years,” Melani deadpans. One of the most important committees will orchestrate the fund raising of the estimated JR 1 $160,000 necessary to prixluce the series. “Our During the actual week of the series, the goal is lots of corporate sponsors,” Melani says, RCSA will need 75 to 100 volunteers to help adding he’s optimistic that Miller out with all sorts of things from airport Brewing and Nike will step up to greeting to registration to score the plate in a very big way. keeping. If you’re inspired, call The RCSA also will be the RCSA hot line to help: But even the hyper- soliciting smaller Portland (503) 203-9160. organized workaholic businesses, especially ones that could profit from the he slogan for the 2002 that is Roy Melani series, such as bar owners. JL gay world series can't pull this o ff alone. And although he doesn’t already has been decided: think of it as coercion, Takin’ it to the top! That He needs volunteers, Melani dixîs say that spon • I * refers to several things, sors will be clearly identified ond he needs some now! including the snow-capped and that players historically peaks that frame the city of withhold patronage from estab Portland in such an alluring way. lishments that fail to support the It also refers to the level of excel event. lence the RCSA aspires to reach, and with the dynamic Melani leading the charge, this promises to be an event we all can be proud to have in Oregon. So what was the clincher, the real reason Portland beat out the notorious party town of Fort Lauderdale? “It was our weather,” Melani replies with a chuckle at the obvious irony. W hen’s the last time you heard of Portland being applauded for its weather? Right. But the truth is, we have less rain in mid- August than just about anywhere else in the country. And here’s what really matters to folks who are sprinting around bases all day: We have a heck of a lot less humidity than you’ll find in Florida. Join the fun in any way you can, even if it’s H ^ planning now to root, rixit, root for the home H 'mm teams. And don’t forget the sunscreen. * The women of the RCSA reverse the meaning of “You throw like a girl” Mil B ORIANA GREEN is the Entertainment Editor of Just Out, and she remembers pitching for her junior high school softball team in a criminally ugh red outfit, but that was a very long time ago. In 2002 she ll bring the lemonade. Write to her at onanaiQjxLstout .com.