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WWW JU STOUT COM
AUGUST 7 2009
NORTHWEST BRIEFS
by Ryan J. Prado
vacate the space for not being paid in seven
months. Wilgus told Just Out that the bar
tender in question, Heater’s partner and a
former Casey’s employee, was only allowed
Blow Pony, the monthly queer dance party to tend bar during Blow Pony, and that there
was no payment arrangement.
that has been hosted at Casey’s Bar (NW
“Karl has been horrible with paying sev
Sixth and Couch) for the past year and a half,
has changed venues amid a swirl o f contro eral hard-working employees,” said Heater.
versy, violence and management issues.
“The fact he did not support his community
After Pride weekend’s incidences of after [the violence during Pride weekend]
violence at Casey’s during Blow Pony, both just made me feel like, why am I doing an
a Queer Town Hall Meeting— hosted at Q_ event to help his bar and him out?”
“I think it is obvious that we are a part of
Center— and a special focus meeting during
the gay community and that we care about
the July 14 Sexual Minorities Round Table
that community,” Wilgus said in response to
at the Justice Center were held to discuss the
issues surrounding the attacks on Blow Pony his absence at the Queer Town Hall Meeting
and the SM R T meeting.
DJ Jose Cruz, and go-go-dancer Heather-
ette. A purported negligence on the part of
He also stated that Heater’s allegations
the Portland Police Bureau, and specifically amount to little more than publicity for Blow
from Sergeant Timothy Robinson, was also
Pony.
“In the end, Blow Pony was no longer
addressed.
However, according to Blow Pony founder fun or an event that we wanted to continue,”
and event DJ Airick Heater, the reasons for Wilgus said. “It was no longer about giving
the venue change stem mainly from a differ the community a fun party. Rather, it was a
method o f feeding Airick’s ego, and him try
ent kind o f negligence— that o f allegations
of a lack o f community support, and unful ing to get the attention he wanted.”
filled financial obligations from the owner of
Heater also claims that when he was as
Casey’s Bar, Karl Wilgus.
saulted by an upstairs tenant from Casey’s in
“It was saddening to see the owners of April, he approached Wilgus to contact the
Embers and Silverado show at the SM R T
building's landlord to address the tenants,
meeting and Karl didn’t, or anyone represent and that Wilgus refused to get involved. These
ing Casey’s,” said Heater.
same upstairs tenants were alleged to be the
Heater claimed that Wilgus has failed to instigators o f the crux o f violence during the
pay staff members, including a bartender who attacks at Casey’s over Pride weekend.
quit at the same time Blow Pony decided to
Blow Pony organizers announced that be
Blow Pony Changes Venues.
Cites Bad Management
At Casey’s
ginning August 29, and every fourth Saturday
thereafter, Blow Pony will take place at the
two-level compound o f Branx (320 SE Sec
ond Ave., downstairs from Rotture), shifting
the popular dance night from downtown to
Southeast Portland.
The updated ambiance will include six
queer DJs, both inside and outside in the
Branx parking lot. There will be a free veg
gie and vegan barbecue, dancing, and Heater
hopes for future shows and performances
from national and international acts.
Visit www.blowpony.com or www.face-
book.com/blowpony for more information.
Hermiston's Multi-Cultural
Celebration Set for August 8
Umatilla Morrow Alternatives will pro
duce a multi-cultural event this Saturday,
August 8, from noon-5 p.m., and will include
gay pride in the festivities.
UM A, a group that advocates for equal
ity, leadership, education and human dignity
among all under-served minority populations,
hosts the celebration at McKenzie Park (320
S First St.) in Hermiston, Oregon.
Equity Foundation is one o f the event’s
sponsors and will have a booth onsite with
a drawing to enter for a $500 grant toward
a nonprofit organization o f the winner’s
choosing.
Via press release, Equity Foundation
Executive Director Kevin Easton stated, “It’s
rare that rural Oregon celebrates gay pride.
We are elated that Hermiston is stepping
. »
out.
For more information, visit www.umalt.
com or call Umatilla Morrow Alternatives at
541-626-9635.
Find Veronica Movement
Continues. Gains National
Attention
The search for Veronica, a miniature
Yorkshire Terrier missing since June 11, has
experienced a national media surge.
Since the beloved mascot of The Funny
Bone (617 SW Washington) disappeared,
several local media outlets have run stories
in an effort to raise awareness and hopefully
have Veronica safely returned to the down
town gift shop. However, during a recent
Portland visit from pet writer Julia Szabo for
the New York Post , the story took on a higher
profile.
An article was published July 26 in the
Post , which mentioned Veronica’s disappear
ance. Additionally, Portland’s KOIN 6 News
aired a featurette on the missing mascot, and
the “Find Veronica” Facebook profile has
amassed 375 friends.
Still, said Funny Bone owner Gary Hopping,
nothing has yet led to her return.
“We would still love everyone to keep
continued on page 8
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