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Slade Andrews of Cincinnati, Ohio, was chosen Mr. Kentucky Leather 2008 at the contest held in the Starbase Q bar near downtown Louisville, Kentucky Saturday night, October 20. He will advance to compete at IML 2008 in Chicago next May.

It was just one more pearl on the string of leather titles Slade has accumulated. At last he will be strutting his stuff on the biggest leather stage of all at IML 2008.

The first runner-up was Russ Coulter of Louisville and the second runner-up was Kevin McGraw, also of Cincinnati and a former American Leather boy way back in the Pleistocene era.

It was a great leathery night, too, the night before at the meet and greet. By Saturday night, titleholders from around the country were there to see their favorite Blue Grass man pass the sash. There is no doubting the popularity of Bill Howard, Mr. Kentucky Leather 2007. A man who owns race horses and works three jobs to support them while maintaining an honorable title year with fundraising and appearances was deemed worthy of all the warmth and love that came in waves across the room while he delivered a no-nonsense five and a half minute step aside speech.

The judges this year (Dan Newman, Mr. Tri-State Leather 2001; Mark Austin, Mr. Cell Block Leather 2007; "Crisco" Schiefer, Mr. Dixie Belle Leather 2007; and Master Deborah of Lexington, Kentucky) joined Bill Howard for the scoring segments that included interviews, jock, full leather, and speech appearances before an enthusiastic crowd from the tri-state area that includes Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.

Raffles and auctions took place to augment the travel fund for the winner and for local charities. With the cooperation of the Lexington Lyons, the Louisville Nightwings, and the Louisville Trailblazers, there was a huge turnout for the contest, where the national anthem was played and a quite scintillating man sang the leather anthem, a ritual that is an annual one at this contest. The rendition was quite poignant and caught many of us off-guard.

The Starbase Q is a huge bar with lots of amenities not often found in a leathery bar. The bartenders are all hunky (including a female, who could charm you out of your clothes if she chose to). The crowd there is decidedly mixed with heavy emphasis on leather, and a delightful young gay man owns it.

Louisville itself is quite a town. While most people are prone to believe that leather exists only in huge metropolitan cities and on the East and West coasts, they'd be very, very surprised at the leather population and the kink that thrives in Middle America. A very clean town with a decidedly cultural accent and art galleries galore, you owe it to yourself to visit Louisville. And the only place to stay is the 21C Museum Hotel where the service is so flawless you fall in love with t

Mark "Spanky" Bialous of Ocean Grove, NJ was named Mr. New Jersey Lether 2008 in Asbury Park, NJ and advances to compete at the Mid-Atlantic Leather 2008 contest in Washington, DC in January 2008.

he manager and the concierge. A big salute and congratulations to all who were a part of it.

Good luck to Andrews as he embarks on a title year everyone expects will be great. Ah, Louisville. A gracious, genteel Southern town where leather thrives and the booze is great.

Meanwhile ...

Across the nation, leather titles were being handed out in Fort Lauderdale (Mr. Ramrod Leather), no word on who won at my deadline. At the Circuit in Asbury Park, Mark "Spanky" Bialous of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, was named Mr. New Jersey Leather. There were no female competitors so boy robi will hold the title one more year. In Norfolk, Virginia, 24 year-old Justin Wilson is the second ever Mr. Old Dominion Leather 2007 and advances to compete at MAL in January. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, handsome David Howell won the Mr. Oklahoma Leather 2008 title and advances to compete at IML next year.

At my deadline, there was no word on who won the Mr. and Ms. Rio Grande Leather in Albuquerque, or the Mr. and Ms. Sacramento Valley Leather contest in Sacramento. Sooner or later, the producers of these contests will realize their responsibilities and get their winners "out there."

Previously, you'll be glad to know that John Weis (one of the founders of LLC) was named Mr. East Coast Leather and advances to compete at Mr. International Rubber in Chicago in November; Mark Epoch won the Mr. Tool Shed Leather contest in Palm Springs and advances to compete for Mr. Palm Springs Leather next month. In Calgary, Canada, Mike Anderson was chosen Mr. Calgary Leather and advances to IML, too. It's a plethora of sashes and titles and it's not over yet, so stay tuned.

While I'm congratulating all the new titleholders, it's fitting to congratulate Chuck Rodocker, owner of the Touch� bar in Chicago on the 30th anniversary celebration of the bar taking place Thursday, November 1. All sorts of events are scheduled at one of the longest running leather bars in the country.

It was a great weekend for leather both near and far and I hope you were a part of it wherever you are. Lots of winter events coming your way but it will have to wait until next week. See you then!

Eventures in Leather, Oct, 24 – Nov. 11, 2007

Wednesday Oct. 24

Rubber Night at the Lone Star Saloon, one of the first of several "fetish" nights coming your way at this bar.

Leather Buddies cavort at 933 Harrison tonight; doors open at 2000 until 2300, play and party with NO attitude, white sneakers or cologne.

Saturday, Oct. 26

The 15 Association monthly play party at The Citadel with a $20 donation and doors open from 2000 to 2300. Play until the WEE hours.

Wednesday, Oct. 31

Hey, it's Halloween, the biggest holiday in the LGBTQ community. Be safe; stay away from the "bridge & tunnel" crowd. Live until next Halloween!

Bear Buddies at 933 Harrison. Encouraging sleazy play clothes, leather, rubber, uniforms, jock straps, spandex (their words!), Levi's, tank tops, underwear or NO wear! Sounds very, very funky to me.

Saturday, Nov. 3

Finding yourself in Amsterdam? It's Playgrounds 2007 and if you need more info on the schedule of events, click on: www.leatherpride.nl

Weekend Nov. 2-4

Mr. Leather Ottawa contest in Ottawa - their 15th edition by the Ottawa Knights. For info, email to: murman@rogers.com or call 613-884-0842.

In San Jose, the Santa Clara County Leather Association weekend. No details at my deadline, so click on www.sccLeather.org

Mr. Pittsburgh Eagle Leather contest at that bar produced by the Three Rivers Leather Club. No details at my deadline.

Sunday, Nov. 4

"A Homecoming and Healing Celebration" in Room 207 of the War Memorial Building from 1300 to 1700. Need more info? Email to: sfsntacruise@hotmail.com

Weekend Nov. 9-11

Leather Weekend in Palm Springs featuring the Mr. Palm Springs Leather contest on Saturday. They already have almost six contestants! I'll be there to cover it for you!

Mr. and Ms. Philadelphia Leather 2008 contest (their 25th anniversary) beginning on Thursday through Sunday with lots of events. For info: www.PhillyLeatherWeekend.org

In Chicago, Mr. International Rubber contest. No details at my deadline; In Tampa, Florida, it's the Mr. Gulf Coast Florida Leather 2008 contest at Lounge 713 in Ybor City in Tampa. For more info, click on www.mrgulfcoastfloridaleather.com.

In Baltimore, Mr. Maryland Leather 2008 with a meet & greet on Friday at Club Phoenix; Saturday is the contest at The Hippo and a victory dinner at Tyson's Place.