juna 1.2001
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TOWARD GLOBAL WELLNESS...
Like Bears to honey
Experience
the
Difference
Annual event brings furry fun
by
A ndy M angels
Sherrie Taha
(
503 ) 236-5910
NIKKEN
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D is tr ib u to r I.D. " V /
Your fresh flo w er p rofession a ls
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3804 N. E. San dy Blvd. Portland, OR 97232
(5 0 3 ) 282-0657 • 1 (800) 303-0657
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The reigning rulers of die furry realm, Mike Ryan and Mike Buliavac
T
wo polar-opposite groups are ready to
descend on the City of Roses this month.
One of them is generally clean-shaven
and trim, belonging to a homophobic
society known as the U.S. Navy. The other
guys sport beards, goatees, mustaches and all
permutations in between, often have bellies
and belong to a homosexual community
known as Bears. Guess which group is set to
have more fun during Gay Pride month?
Sponsored by the Oregon Bears, the annual
Beards & Roses weekend runs June 7 to 10 at
various venues around Portland. The Meet &.
Greet from 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday at the Fox &
Hounds, 217 N.W. Second Ave., is a great
chance for people to get acquainted with the
Bears and familiarize themselves with the spe
cial language and looks: Flannel shirts or Bear
shirts are de rigeur, and a growly “woof’ is con
sidered a compliment on the order of “you’re
hot.” You also can register for the event or pick
up your identifications and weekend packages
if you already are registered.
Friday brings the infamous and frolic-filled
UnderBear Party from 9 p.m. until midnight at
the Dirty Duck Tavern, 429 N.W. Third Ave.
Strip down to your skivvies and rub bellies and
backs in a bar crowded full of fur and testos
terone. The Dirty Duck fills up fast, so don’t be
late or you might be waiting outside to get in!
The Bears gather about 10 a.m. Saturday on
the comer of 10th Avenue and Southeast Stark
Street, where they always have staked out a
spot for watching the Rose Festival Grand Flo
ral Parade, complete with canopy tent, food
and a great view of the festivities.
That evening marks the main event of the
weekend: the Mr. Oregon Bear/Cub Contest at
the host hotel, the Red Lion Coliseum,
1225 N. Thunderbird Way. With cocktails at
6 p.m. and a scrumptious dinner buffet at 7, the
crowd gets even happier once the contest starts
at 8. That’s when a hardy and hairy group of
guys will compete for the titles of Mr. Oregon
Bear and Mr. Oregon Cub, complete with
“bearly there” looks that expose almost all! A
dance follows at 10.
Mr. Oregon Bear Mike Buliavac and Mr.
Oregon Cub Mike Ryan say they had a great
time fulfilling their title year. Both even com
peted at the International Mr. Bear Contest
last February in San Francisco and made it to
the top 12 finalists.
“It’s been a lot more fun than I imagined it
would be,” Ryan says. “We got to travel a lot
and make connections with other Bear clubs in
B.C. and Seattle. We did all kinds of new fund
raisers, including for the Friends of People with
AIDS group, and adopted a grizzly bear at the
Oregon Zoo!”
With a smile and a wink, Ryan refers to his
practice of unrolling raffle tickets on lucky
Bears’ legs. “The thing I’m going to miss most is
measuring inseams for raffle ticket sales.”
Buliavac considers his year as Mr. Oregon
Bear “an adventure. It was an exhilarating
experience.”
During his year, Buliavac launched events
such as UnderBear Bowling at Pro 300 lanes.
“Bears bowling in their boxers, shirtless!” he
grins.
Several events also were held at the North-
Bank Tavern in Vancouver, Wash. “I wanted to
expand our options for fun and add diversity to
the club.”
The weekend will wind down with a Bear
Brunch from 10 a.m. until noon Sunday at
Hobo’s, 120 N.W. Third Ave. Weather permit
ting, a group of guys will meet there at noon
for the Sauvie Island Excursion, their regular
jaunt to the clothing-optional beach.
“The Beards & Roses committee has
worked hard to do a weekend that is full of fun
and furry memories,” co-chair Ray Cox says.
“We did our best to make the weekend more
economical this year to allow more people from
the community to attend. We’re keeping our
arms outreaching to the gay community and
keeping connections going.
“In a way,” Cox says, smiling, “I guess you
could say that Beards & Roses is our big Bear
hug to the community!" JH1
information on BEARDS & ROSES
check out wuw.oregpnbears .org or call
503-240'2813.
F o r m ore
2001
933 SE 31st Ave.
Portland, OR 97214
office: 503-238-7617
□3
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