February President's Message

We had a relatively quiet January after a very busy December. We had a great turnout for our January social at Stardust and that was a pleasant surprise. It was very cold and windy but we had a good-sized crowd. Stardust is always happy to see us!

February is starting off slowly. So far, we’ll have our social this Tuesday, February 2 back at Stardust. Remember, they’re a friendly business and they have excellent dinner selections, so plan to stick around after. Before I forget, our socials go from 6:30 – 8:30. Feel free to stick around after my stellar announcements!

This month, we’ll hear from Kevin Jennings as he speaks a bit to us about his experiences, which are broad. I think it will be an interesting presentation. Also, Debby Dimon from Alexandria Health Department’s Rainbow Tuesdays is planning to attend. We were sorry to have missed her last month, but I did my best to pitch (with help from former President Richard Kalnins) the good work they are doing to help arrest further cases of HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases.

February 2 is also EV’s annual Lobby Day, held in Richmond. More information on this event may be found at lobbyday@equalityvirginia.org.

February 4, African and African American Studies at George Mason University presents “Black and Queer in America” an examination of the intersection of race, gender and sexual identities. At 1:30, a joint-lecture led by Patrik-Ian Polk, creator, director and producer of Logo’s Noah’s Arc and Marlon Ross, professor of African American Literature and Gender and Queer Theory, will be presented. Then at 4:00 p.m., following the lecture they will screen Black and Queer in America, a mini-documentary produced by African and African American Studies. I am going to try to make the screening, but no guarantees. This is closing week for me so we have to hurriedly close the books for January and then report in at least three meetings. Welcome to Finance….my fulltime job!

February 10 is the book club meeting at the home of Tim Koczanski. We’re reading Krakatoa. Okay, well, some of us are reading it. I have not even bought it yet. Have you noticed a trend here?! Anyway, this, like all the others, will sure to promise lively conversation and good company. Please RSVP to Tim at tim.koczanski@gmail.com for a head count. Tim will be sending directions to his home.

A word about Game Night. Our first Game Night had 40 or so participants. The last one held had about 10. So the numbers vary—depending on time of year and the weather. What started out to be a popular, well-attended event has waned. It would be good to establish this, but we need hosts. If your space can NOT hold 40, but only 20, then that is fine. We do not publish the host’s address on the website (same as Book Club), so that is the reason for the RSVP. Actually, the RSVP is twofold: to give the host an idea of how many are attending and to then give out the address and any other pertinent details, such as parking, only to those interested in attending. So, see any board member if you would be interested in hosting or e-mail me. I am not establishing a date at this time though. We can work that out.

We will be scheduling an Adopt-a-Block event, but not when it is bitterly cold or snowy. Most likely, we’ll choose a time in March. We are compelled to have a cleanup day once per quarter. Personally, I prefer it to be pleasant, weather-wise. We’ll choose a date and publicize it later.

Coming up, I would like to plan another theatre night but still need to do some research on that topic (shows, venues, etc.) and also we’re planning a Scholarship fundraiser in the coming months. We have also established a committee for Pride. If you are interested in lending a hand, please see any board member or send me an e-mail.

I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday at Stardust!