Six months ago, Rebeccalyn Mir Bilodeau pulled off a miracle by leading a team that saved Wicked Grounds, the only kink- and leather-friendly coffeehouse on the West Coast, from closure.

After a day of travel by bus, commuter train, a pair of jets, and finally a taxi, I showed up at NCTE's annual awards ceremony. While my presence at the event was noted, I was not an honoree: this was not my reason for being in DC.

Known to many as "Chuck of Montclair," Chuck Kuhlke earned that title as a hairdresser in the Montclair area of Oakland.