savoirflair Complimentary Copy
2010 Vol. 3
New England’s GLBT Magazine
pink Pages • KP MEDIA Publication
green fashion
off the rack
RI style
bingo
Earth-Savvy Styles
for a cause
Happy Families
Back Bay
Gay Dads Project
Luxury Classic Homes
HeartWarming Photographs
www.SavoirFlairMagazine.com
Should You
be a gay or lesbian parent what does it take?
My First
Gay Wedding where's the bride? Plus Film
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Weddings
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No. 1
Home Improvement
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Computers
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Marketplace
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features
10
Off the rack by Michael Chunyk • Green Fashion: Earth-Savvy Styles
16
BACK BAY LUXURY by Michael DuBour • Beautiful Homes from Classic to Contemporary
22 Happy Families
by Gretje Ferguson • Gay Dads & Their Kids Photo Project
30
Should you be a gay or lesbian parent? by Mary Alward • What Does It Take?
32
pLaying our cards rhode island style by Gina Nero • Great Entertainment for a Cause
37
Rid yourself of eco-guilt by Amy White • Easy Ways to Save the Planet
40 KEEPING THE FAITH WHILE
PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE by Rosemary White • Financial Advice
42
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MY FIRST GAY WEDDING by Elizabeth Gormley • Where’s the Bride?
departments 8 FILM 37 GAY and Green 40 Financial Advice 46 WEDDING Planner 71 SERVICE DIRECTORY
PublisheR Mary Kennedy
Boston
EDITOR Wendy Mimran
Provincetown
Writers Michael DuBour | Gretje Ferguson | Rose Mary White | Joe Gallo | Henry Levine | Mary Alward | Elizabeth Gormley | Gina Nero | Michael Chunyk | Amy White Sales Rena Berman, Sales Director | Denise Doerrer, Senior Account Manager | Wendy Mimran, Sales Development Manager | Charles Manfredi, Senior Advertising Executive | Meshell Graham | Jackie Bowman | Robyn Martin | John Fachy Production Nicholas Malkoun | Michael Gelobter, Graphics/ Copy Editor | Orella DeVille, Intern | Cleo Marie | Kwame Byrd | Photography Michael Chunyk: Cover | Gretje Ferguson | Nicholas Malkoun | Joe Gallo | Campion and Company |
Northampton Providence Maine Vermont New Hampshire Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island
Distribution Boston Phoenix Distribution, Maxx Trucking Advertising Information All inquires may be addressed to KP Media, 66 Charles St., # 283 Boston, MA 02114 (617) 423-1515, Fax: (617) 423-7147 e-mail: kpmedia@aol.com Š2010 All Rights Reserved. M. Kennedy Publishing, Inc. Savoir Flair may not be reproduced in part or whole without the written permission of the publisher. Advertising content is the sole responsibility of individual advertisers.
Advertisers participating in this guide are not necessarily gay / lesbian, but Openly welcome the community. Printed in Canada
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savoirflairmagazine 7
TOP 10 GLBT THEMED MOVIES by Mark Adams
Here’s my special list of the best of the GLBT movies now released. According to IndieWire.com, since the year 2000, thirty-eight gay-related films have grossed over $1 million. Actually, the website is referring to these as “LGBT films,” but that’s a lot of letters for these delicate fingers to type, so let’s just stick with the word “gay,” OK? Many of the films on their list include those that might not be specifically “gay,” and one (the wacko “Bruno”) could be called homophobic. Interesting, too, is that 30 of the 32 top-grossing films were released before 2005. I guess everyone is just too busy Twitter-ing to make good films for/about the gays. But I digress. Let’s take a look at some of them, just because. Number 10 on the list is “The Next Best Thing” (2000), which it would have to be, because it certainly isn’t this bomb. Billed as a “comedy-drama” about best friends, it stars Madonna (is the word “bomb” becoming almost synonymous with a Madonna movie? Just asking…) as a straight woman who decides to have a child together with her best friend, a gay man, played by Rupert Everett, a very… er, gay man. In spite of a super supporting cast that includes Benjamin Bratt, the great Illieana Douglas, Lynn Redgrave, Michael Vartan and Neil Patrick Harris, it is being referred to by some as Madonna’s worst movie. Obviously, they missed “Shanghai Surprise,”“Who’s That Girl,” and her masterpiece “Swept Away,” which should have been, before it was released. 8 savoirflairmagazine
Number 9 is “Far From Heaven” (2002), yet another of those comedy -drama things, about a housewife who, horror of horrors, catches her husband kissing another man, and finds consolation with their black gardener. This all takes place in the 50s, so you can imagine how well this goes over. Julianna Moore and Dennis Quaid are the unhappily-married couple, and the wonderful Dennis Haysbert (he was really the first black US President, you know…well, you would, if you watched “24” a few seasons ago) plays the gardener. One review called it “…boring, bland and quite frankly a waste of time, effort and money.” Nuff said.
Number 8 is “Frida” (2002), about the life of Frida Kahlo, a “political, artistic, and sexual revolutionary” who had affairs with women, among others, as played by Salma Hayek. She’s the one who created “Ugly Betty.” Salma…not Frida. Number 7 on the list is “Capote” (2005), the better of a couple of films about the effete writer. It won Phillip Seymour Hoffman both an Oscar and a Golden Globe as Best Actor, and the film itself won numerous accolades, all well-deserved. Number 6 is “Rent” (2005), the film of the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning musical about Bohemians in the East Village of NYC during the late 80s. It’s one of the few recent Broadway musicals to make a smooth (and successful) transition to the big screen, and led the way to this season’s popular “Glee.” What? You don’t think “Glee” is gay? Jane Lynch alone should cinch it for you. Number 5 is “Milk” (2008), the story of California’s first openly gay elected official. It won two Oscars, one of them for Sean Penn as the gay activist. If you don’t know about “Milk” and/or haven’t seen it, look ashamed. Number 4 is “Monsters” (2003), based on the life of Aileen Wuornos, a Daytona Beach prostitute who becomes a serial killer, and is the 4th most popular “gay” film of the decade. Charlize Theron won an Oscar and several other awards for her portrayal of the not-verynice woman. The movie takes place during the late 80s when Wuornos had a lesbian relationship with a woman, and during that time, began murdering her clientele to get money without using sex. Must be a lesbian thing.
Number 3 is “The Hours” (2002), a cheery little film about how the Virginia Woolf novel “Mrs, Dalloway” affects three generations of women, all of whom had to deal with suicides in their lives. Nicole Kidman won an Oscar, and awards went to several others, including Meryl Streep, Ed Harris, and Peter Boyle. Number 2 is “Bruno” (2009), another adventure from Sacha Baron Cohen. I didn’t see this one. Honestly, I had enough of him as “Borat,” and even though he says otherwise, the word “homophobic” can’t help but come into play. Go figure. And, as bad as this movie is reported to be, the iconic John Waters has listed “Borat” as one of his top 10 films of 2010. I love John Waters in spite of that. Number 1 is “Brokeback Mountain” (2005), the top-grossing gay film of the decade. Oh, come now. If your first thought wasn’t “Brokeback Mountain,” then you’ve been living in a cave. Sure, say what you will about the hype, but the story about a “forbidden and secretive relationship” between two cowboys and their lives over the years got a lot of attention and was, all in all, a pretty good movie. True to the original story, it was not just a “gay cowboy movie” but a love story and how love transcends sexuality or gender. Isn’t that just nice.
For over a decade, Mark Adams has been a fixture In Boston’s GLBT Media, writing extensively on film and video of interest to the community.
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Off the rack Green fashion shouldn’t conjure images of recycled materials posing as couture. Your father’s duds are fair game for today’s active fashionista. We spent an afternoon in Northampton, Massachusetts trying on hip looks for everyday life with some clothes off the rack from Sid Vintage, a popular vintage clothing shop. This look: Sid Vintage Tee Shirt, $15; Yellow-striped Scarf, $10; Stonewashed Jeans, $20; Belt, $12. Fashions and photos: FEND Photography. Model: Randall Harris.
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The Weekend Warrior Bring youthful style to your weekend with a casual look that can easily turn heads on the bike trail. Vinyl Zip-up, $40; Stonewashed Jeans, $20; Hi-top Sneakers, $30; Truckers Hat, $10
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The Cheap Date Don’t break the bank when love is on the line. Keep your look dark and simple. No one likes an attention whore. Leather Jacket, $120; Charcoal Tapered Jeans, $30; Black Snap Shirt, $20; Graphic Tee, $15; Emblem Belt, $25; Black Demi Boots, $50
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The Vintage Tycoon Break through the monotony of the daily grind with adding some vintage pieces to your workday wear without spending a fortune. Pinstripe Blazer, $50; Skinny Tie, $10; wool pants, $20; Belt, $10; Retro Collared Shirt, $15; Boots, $45; Leather Attache, $50 FEND Photography’s Michael Chunyk is native to the fashion and photography industries and is dedicated to creating artful images of people and places as well as promoting sustainable apparel. For more information, visit www.fendphotography.com
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Fairfield Antiques Mall The Largest Antiques Group Shop in Maine 5 Floors of Great Antiques & Collectibles
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Luxury in
Boston’s Back Bay
Beautiful Condominiums from Classic to Contemporary by Michael DuBour photographs by Campion and Company
S
ounds from the Esplanade echo down Arlington Street, as a couple strolls beside Boston Common. This has been the scene in Boston’s Back Bay for nearly two centuries. Although the styles have changed and the couple, today, may be same sex, one thing remains constant; the Back Bay attracts sophistication, status, and wealth.
The owners of four splendid condominiums invited Savior Flair to tour their lavish domiciles. Boston real estate expert, Tracy Campion, served as our guide in visiting four exclusive homes on Beacon Street, Boylston Street, Commonwealth Avenue and Newbury Street that reflect both traditional and contemporary extravagance unparalleled in the conventional urban dwelling experience. Burrage Mansion Residences 314 Commonwealth Avenue Approaching this historic mansion on Commonwealth Avenue, one can’t help but conjure images of a bustling Back Bay in the early 1900’s. Prestige and awe welcome you home upon entering this magnificent display of architecture. The Burrage Mansion, located on the corner of Hereford Street and Commonwealth Avenue, is an 16 savoirflairmagazine
opulent reminder of the money that built the Back Bay. Designed by Charles Brigham, this Gothic French Chateau style home was constructed in 1899 as a singlefamily residence for philanthropist, attorney, and entrepreneurial tycoon, Albert Burrage. This home is constructed from limestone, instead of the typical brownstone that was used throughout the Back Bay. The exterior contains approximately 50 gargoyles and 300 bibliophiles in the exquisitely carved stonework. The home was occupied by the family until Alice Burrage, wife of Albert, died in 1947. The family sold the mansion and it was converted into doctors’ offices in 1948. The house underwent a massive renovation in 1959 to house the Boston Evening Clinic. It was converted into a nursing home in 1990 and remodeled into five upscale condominiums in 2003. In 1973 the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Through all the renovations each owner has lovingly maintained the grand entrance and staircase in its original magnificence. This component alone is considered a historic Boston landmark. The door to this remarkably refined 4300 square foot condominium is a seamless addition, which
essentially blends the division between the grand hall and exclusive entrance to the parlor level residence. I was struck by the detail upon entering, as European marble, rare mahogany, stained glass windows, and intricately designed mosaic tiles adorn the residence. Palatial splendor is the only way to describe this home. The generous private foyer led directly into a large room with mahogany carved
Photos of Burrage Mansion Residences, 314 Commonwealth Avenue
paneled walls, an original gilded ceiling, stained glass windows, imposing fireplace, and crystal chandelier. Although the original blueprints for the home denote this as the dining room, it is used as a living room today. Through enormous pocket doors, we walk into a museum-quality room complete with elaborate moldings and impressive fireplace. Clouds painted in the center of the
ceiling add a certain tranquility to the room. The current owners use this as a dining room; however, original blueprints show that Albert Burrage may have used it as a receiving parlor. Open and adjacent to this remarkable room lay the kitchen and breakfast rooms. Albert Burrage used this space as a greenhouse and installed a wall of coral to use as a foundation for his orchids.
Three bedrooms grace the residence. Two are located to the right of the main foyer. One is a modest guest bedroom complete with bathroom. The other, situated at the front of the house, faces Commonwealth Avenue and was, at one time, the library. Once again, exquisite detail still remains from the room’s use as the library. One can sense Albert Burrage in a smoking jacket holding brandy as he read ď › savoirflairmagazine 17
Luxury in Boston’s Back Bay
continued from previous page
a novel. The master bedroom is its own wing. Situated along Hereford Street, the room faces Commonwealth Ave as well. The current owners combined a basement space to this room and created an officelibrary. There is direct access to a heated garage from the lower level library. One may get lost in time waking up in this Back Bay home. Every attention has been paid to detail and the home is lovingly maintained by the owners, who wish to remain private. The subtle sounds of traffic are the only indications that it is 2009 and not 1909.
Photos of 150 Beacon Street
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150 Beacon Street The curb appeal of this Beaux Arts home makes one statement; style. Designed by Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow Jr., this building is one of just a few of its kind in Boston. Limestone was rarely used in Back Bay home construction, as brownstone was the popular building material of the era. Isabella Stewart Gardner purchased the land at 150 Beacon Street in 1880 to expand upon her home at number 152. The structure that sits at 150 Beacon Street, today, was constructed in 1904. In 1961 Emerson College purchased the building to be used as a dormitory, dining hall, and administrative offices. It was converted into apartment rentals and ultimately condominiums. The massive wrought iron gate that sits directly at the sidewalk entrance adds a stately atmosphere to the already impressive front yard space. After passing through two granite pillars and walking a short paved brick path, we entered an elegant mahogany paneled foyer.
Luxury in Boston’s Back Bay
The elevator opens directly into the spacious 3500 square foot condominium, which consists of the entire third floor. A small, but gracious vestibule, complimented by a barrel-vaulted ceiling and crystal sconces flows into a formal dining room with herring bone wood flooring. An exquisite red Murano glass chandelier adorns the room, adding an unexpected contemporary accent. Oversized six over six divided light windows overlook Beacon Street from the parlor, and allow plenty of sunlight to pour in. A gas fireplace, set in green marble, warms the room, and is surrounded by custom cherry cabinetry and shelving. The walls are upholstered, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the setting. Just off this room, an alcove facing Beacon Street serves as an office and library. A small wet bar, ideal for entertaining, is subtly tucked away. On the opposite side of the home is a family room practically
equal in size to the parlor. Adorned in oak paneling, this is the more casual of the two entertaining spaces and detailed crown molding outlines the ceiling. Large windows offer picturesque views of the Charles River, Esplanade and Cambridge. A private terrace snakes along the entire length of the building accessed through French Doors. There are three bedrooms in this lovely home; however, the master bedroom is well worth mentioning. Situated at the end of a virtually private hallway leading from the family room, this large master suite has two dressing-bathrooms that lead off the main sleeping room. This includes closet space and is an amenity that allows each partner to enjoy optimum privacy if needed. The master bedroom, with a view of the Charles River, includes a fireplace. The two other bedrooms are very comfortable in size. One in particular boasts two Murphy beds installed by the current owners.
The beds sit behind tastefully paneled doors and allow the room the versatility to be used as a den, office or guest suite. The current owners, who are very discreet, made slight revisions to this amazing city home. They absorbed part of a guest bedroom in order to create the library alcove off the front parlor. However, they have been extremely careful to maintain the elegant details that a Back Bay home of this level demands. Mandarin Oriental 776 Boylston Street Main Penthouse If you like to be pampered and demand quality service at home, then traditional Bostonian living may not interest you. However, the main penthouse of the Mandarin Oriental Residences on Boylston Street, just may do the trick. Designed by CBT Architects and built in 2008 by CWB Boylston, this spectacular building is brand ď ›
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Luxury in Boston’s Back Bay
new in real estate terms, and home to a plethora of Boston’s elite and wealthy. Robin Brown, one of the developers, says the Mandarin Oriental is “built for service.” Consisting of 75 residences and private valet parking, there is direct interior access to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Lord and Taylor, and The Prudential Center Mall. The building is “green” as many prolific and renewable materials are used in its finishes. Energy efficient and ecologically sound details are included in the construction. Intentional placing of large floor to ceiling windows provides accent solar heating to the condominiums. The developers hired RDK Engineering to specifically design the energy conscious aspects of the building’s systems. Upon entering, we are welcomed home by an extremely friendly doorman who makes it a point to ask if we need anything to make our evening special. Nice touch. The concierge, dressed in a long tailed jacket, continues the treat-
continued from previous page
ment as we wait for the elevator to take us to the top floor. The doors open directly into over 8,000 square feet of bright loftlike, contemporary space. The entire perimeter of this penthouse is flanked by continuous floor to ceiling windows, which flood light into every corner. Although the sun was already setting, there was no need for illumination. Numerous large terraces with granite flooring grace the living room and master bedroom. Each terrace is large enough to be con-
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sidered additional living space, weather pending. This is on top of the world privacy in the city, even with the Prudential Tower next door, allowing you to appreciate the Mandarin Oriental’s dominance in the Boston skyline. There are stunning sights out of every single window. Panoramic views of The Back Bay, Cambridge and the Charles River are seen directly out the living room. Each of the guest bedrooms has direct line of site views of the R2D2 building 63
Photos of Mandarin Oriental, View of Entrance (left), View from Penthouse Roof Deck (right)
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Gretje Ferguson’s
Happy Families
Gay Dads & Their Kids began this project, Gay Dads and their Kids, in 1999, when I saw an announcement in a newspaper about a meeting for Gay Fathers of Greater Boston. At that time I realized I had never seen a photograph of an openly gay father and his child(ren). I also imagined that there must be a high level of commitment from the father to actively seek out ways to create the best possible relationship with his child, even in the face of possible prejudice and negativity 22 savoirflairmagazine
from the community at large. Most of the Dads I photographed at that time had children from previous marriages. Just one couple had used a surrogate mother for their children. Ten years have passed, and the landscape has changed dramatically. Now that gay couples are free to marry, many are making the choice to become parents, often through adoption or surrogacy. The makeup of these families is excit-
ing. Parents may be single, married, or committed. Kids have been adopted from Third World Countries, or have been lovingly planned with a surrogate parent. These Dads have entered into a lifelong commitment that a short time ago would have been impossible. While photographing gay dads and their kids, I found virtually no difference from any of my family photo shoots. When kids are young, I just follow them around until they get used to me. If I’m lucky, everyone comes together in one place for at least a few frames. It gives me great joy to witness the love and warm connection in these families. My style has changed as well in the last 10 years. I originally photographed my projects in black and white, but now I have introduced color into my work. My approach has become more candid, partially due to the young age of many of the kids. The sessions are wild and fun, with some contemplative moments. Just like life! For years I have loved using my camera as a translator for my world view, which seems to be a combination of optimism, drama and humor. As a portrait photographer, I collaborate with my clients to create a special moment that reflects the reality of who they are. Whether I am photographing a family or child’s portrait, a business headshot or a headshot for an artist or author, my goal is to capture the inner life and spark that emanates from the people in front of my lens. I have always been drawn to people who live their lives with a profound appreciation for each moment. My special projects reflect this. In photographing people confronting cancer, my goal was to show how those affected by this devastating disease may actually see their lives emotionally enriched as they find new resources
they never knew they had. My photographs of gay dads and their kids show the wonderful dynamic existing in alternative families. One of my favorite types of photography is the Relationship Portrait, which explores the interaction between people who care about each other. Both the lighting and backdrop are extremely simple, which helps to focus on the emotion. I learned this approach from a workshop with photo guru Tim Walden, who is an inspiration to photographers all over the world. 24 ď ›
Photographer Gretje Ferguson gretje@gfergphoto.com savoirflairmagazine 23
Happy Families
Elliott Kronenfeld decided on Wollaston Beach for the photography session with his kids, Michael (8) and Olivia (3). I’ve photographed Elliott on at least four other occasions, so this was a fun and natural process for all of us. I just followed them around while they explored the beach and romped in the water. It is always a joy to see how their loving relationship is evolving.
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Gay Dads & Their Kids
I was happy to hear that Michael McGuill and Jonathan Schwartz were renting a beach house in Provincetown when I approached them about a photo shoot. Michael and son Luis had just come back from a long bike ride, so the family was content to relax in the house for some portraits. I found the connection among the three of them to be moving and inspirational. ď ›
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Happy Families
When I photographed the wedding of Alex Macalalad and Gilbert Glick a few years ago, their son Zak was only two years old. Now, at the age of 5, Zak is a proud big brother to two-year-old twins Cole and Maya. I continue to be amazed at the incredible commitment Alex and Gil have made to create this wonderful family.
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Gay Dads & Their Kids
Russell Clifton and Stephen Constantino spend their summers on Cape Cod with sons George and Charlie. I loved their home (designed by Russell), loved the Cape light, and especially loved their family interaction. Lots of rough and tumble, intertwined with gentleness and understanding. ď ›
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Happy Families
I photographed Bill Shaw and his children outside their beautiful, rustic home west of Boston. I was delighted to see they have an expansive yard that allowed Madeline, Owen, and their dog, Otto, plenty of space to run and play to their hearts’ content. The photo ops were endless! The kids were happiest when climbing all over their dad. t
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Should you be a Gay or Lesbian Parent? by Mary Alward
When gay or lesbian couples chose to begin a family, it is a choice. Whether they have children through adoption, birth, fostering, step-parenting or surrogacy, they are judged because of stereotyping and lack recognition as a traditional family unit. Making a decision to have a family is not easy for anyone in today’s world. Having children has its pros and cons. Gay couples who decide to have children face an even greater challenge because of the way that society looks at the family unit.
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Many gay couples desire to become parents; others assume that being gay means they have to forfeit this opportunity and have been surprised to realize that having children is now an option that’s open to them. All parents make a life long commitment to their children whether they are gay or straight. They look back on their childhood and the relationship they had with their families. They assess how their family functioned, the stability and security that was involved and they look at how past intimate relationships have affected them. Gay couples have to also look at their support network. Will family and friends agree with their decision, or will they be met with criticism at every turn. Do they care? How will having children affect their lives? Evaluating Your Decision Gay couples, as well as other
prospective parents, need to evaluate their lives to decide if there’s a place where children will fit in. If there’s room for children, they need to evaluate how to bring them into the family. Will your finances support children; will your career goals affect a family that includes little ones? Do you and your partner have a good relationship with an excellent communication level?
After evaluating their lives, some gay couples choose not to have children. Others will find that there’s plenty of room, and love, for youngsters in their lives. In spite of challenges, obstacles and fears, they will pursue the option of becoming parents. However, this is something that both partners must want, agree upon, and commit to.
Babies? Will you choose to have a baby, or adopt or foster an older child? Having a baby in your household will change your life forever. You have probably heard it a million times, but the decision to bring children into your life will be an experience that literally alters your life as you know it. Parenting completely consumes your life unlike any other experience you’ll ever have, especially if you bring a baby or toddler into the home. For each child you have, the responsibility increases emotionally, physically and financially. However, children can make you see the world in a unique way through their eyes. They see innocence, purity, beauty and wonder in everything and give unconditional love. If you choose to continue with a career, you, just like straight parents, will juggle responsibilities of work, loyalty to your 60
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“Playing Our Cards”
Rhode Island style
text and photos by Gina Nero
Above: Hostess, Kitty Litter, amps up the crowd
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Above: Bingo player Dawn Brew
This isn’t your grandmother’s Bingo. It may share the same fluorescent lighting and
folding tables, but on the third Thursday of every month, the Riviera Bingo Palace in Cranston, RI is transformed. Gay Bingo is an elaborate gathering of people both young and old, straight and gay, bisexual and transgender. One can’t help but be consumed by the contagious energy. Though the website promises ample parking, I had trouble finding a spot. Either the definition of ample isn’t what I thought it was, or the buzz about Gay Bingo was true. Parking availability is always a tell tale sign of what’s in store—and this is no exception. I don’t know anywhere else people are so free, eclectic, and open-minded that they’d let you interview them right through the stall doors in the bathroom. savoirflairmagazine 33
GayBingo
continued from previous page
Above: Bingo enthusiast Mahogany Lite plays several cards simultaneously
Under normal conditions, it’d probably be creepy if I was taking notes and shouting to people through a stall door, but here it seemed like common practice. People going in and out don’t even bat an eye as I holler questions over a stall. Gay Bingo is not restricted to only members of the GLBT community. Absolutely everyone is welcomed. Lisa, from Bristol, comes because “It’s a blast. I’m not gay. I don’t like bingo. I don’t 34 savoirflairmagazine
bet. I don’t gamble. It’s just great laughs and everyone’s so committed; it’s a great time.” I hadn’t even made it out of the bathroom yet when I met Cristen, a bisexual in high spirits. It was her first time attending, and she just wanted to get to know people. Gay Bingo: a great way to meet new people from all walks of life. She was excited and credited her attendance to her foster mother, Dawn Brew, a bingo regular. The big allure to-
night is the return of Kitty Litter, the most stylish of drag queens with a personality to match. She is the hostess for tonight’s theme, “The Bitch is BACK.” She has taken some time off from hosting Bingo, but the crowd welcomes her back with open arms. It isn’t hard to see why. To kick-off the game we all stand up solemnly to remind ourselves of the real reason we are here. We follow Kitty in a repeat-after-me chant proudly agreeing to play “a stupid game every month until this rare disease is cured.” Once the game gets going, the room goes silent as everyone turns their focus toward their cards. For such an enthusiastic crowd, they take their bingo very seriously. The rules according to Kitty: “Get a bingo—get up and scream. Or screw you!” The players mark off their cards as different sponsors take turns calling out the numbers. Even this is done in style. “I28, I as in Incontinence, G52, G as in Gay, O69, O as in Oooh, Oooh, I30 as in “I love Kitty Litter.” And so the night goes. Kitty Litter keeps the fun rolling—slinging bold, suggestive, and sarcastic comments at the receptive crowd. When I ask why she has such a committed following, she responds “I’m funny as hell.” She says, “I’ve worked very hard to keep my following by continuously reinventing myself and making the guests feel like they’re part of the show.” The flair and energy are huge elements of the fun, but it’s the cause that really draws the crowd. All the money raised goes toward AIDS Charities, and the generosity of the sponsors is inspiring. Dawn Drew comes for the cause. “I’m an absolute fan of the
GayBingo
Above: Volunteer Shannon E. Greenwich distributes cards
charity,” she says as she lines her cards out on the table and comments on the custom made bingo stamps that were designed to look
like men in bikinis. “They cost a little extra, but it’s for charity, so it’s great.” For Kitty, the cause strikes an emotional cord. 66
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Most people want to live in an environmentally friendly way, but few people want to live off rice and lentils or sleep in a mud house far from civilization and Starbucks. With green living, it seems like it’s all or nothing - you either live off the land or destroy it with your greedy consumerism. As a result, eco-guilt runs rampant. Commuters feel guilty for driving to work. Restaurant diners feel guilty for ordering the prime rib, and shoppers feel guilty for taxing the earth’s resources. Fortunately, you can help save the planet by making small, easy-to-live-with changes. Follow these tips for simple ways to rid yourself of eco-guilt.
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savoirflairmagazine 37
continued from page 37
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Rid Yourself of Eco-Guilt Instead of walking 20 miles to work . . . Keep your car properly maintained, and always drive the speed limit. If even one tire is under-inflated, your car will consume 4 percent more fuel, according to World Wildlife Fund Canada. If all four tires are under-inflated, you’ll spend more money on gas - and add more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Rotate your tires monthly, and replace your tires as soon as the treads show signs of wear. Speeding, meanwhile, can increase your fuel consumption by 20 percent. According to fueleconomy.gov, you’ll pay an extra 24 cents per gallon for every 5mph increase over a 60mph speed limit. Aggressive driving, sudden braking and accelerating, and quick lane changes can also take a toll on your gas mileage and the environment. So drive like your driving instructor taught you; every gallon of gasoline you save keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
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Instead of wearing your clothes and underwear for 20 years straight . . . Shop with thought. Many fabrics claim to be green; your job is to find the shirt or the pair of jeans that is truly environmentally friendly 68 savoirflairmagazine 39
Keeping the Faith While Planning for Your Future Rosemary D. White
O
ur modern day fight for civil rights may have started at Stonewall in 1969, but I think it’s the road for marriage equality that’s brought our quest for financial security into sharp focus. Now that five states are in the marriage equality column, the 1,138 rights afforded heterosexual married couples at the federal level are no longer just a hope. We expect and demand these protections and we’re not going to stop until all LGBT couples have access to them. With tough losses late last year in Maine and New York, it’s easy to become discouraged, given how politics is so inextricably linked to our long-term financial security. However, we must keep the faith, because the momentum is moving in our direction: • New York’s highest court recently upheld policies which grant spousal benefits to gay public employees who got hitched in another state. • Two different federal judges in California have ruled in favor of granting benefits for gay and lesbian couples. These benefits had previously been denied. • Voters in Washington state last November gave a thumbs up to the so-called “everything but marriage” proposal that expands partnership rights to unmarried elderly couples in addition to lesbian and gay couples. • The Washington, D.C. City Council approved a marriage equality bill in December. • The U.S. Congress has also approved legislation providing health insurance, disability and retirement benefits to the partners of federal employees. Our brothers and sisters in New York will have to wait a little while longer before the state legislature ratifies gay marriage. (New York won’t be getting any of my tourist dollars until they do.) A recent interview of the president of Marriage Equality New York is encouraging. Recorded before New York’s rejection of marriage equality, Cathy Marino-Thomas
puts it all in perspective when she spoke with Charlotte Robinson of OUTTAKE MEDIA on December 1st . You may want to listen at http://voices.outtakeonline. com/2009/11/gay-activist-cathy-marinothomas-speaks.html
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This kind of coverage is becoming more important as the number of nursing homes declines, but the cost of care continues to rise. It’s not for everyone, but does make sense for those with sufficient assets.
Health Care Proxy This will enable you to designate someone else to make medical decisions for you if you’re incapacitated. If your designee has the health care proxy, the doctors and other medical staff must follow their instructions.
Once you’ve gotten those important legal documents drafted, signed, and put in a safe place, I’d recommend you switch gears and focus on improving your financial bottom line. This kind of planning doesn’t have to be drudgery. Spend some time now and you’ll be in control of your future. It’s a great place to be:
Set Financial Goals Want to save for a specific project or item? Write it down and put it where you’ll see it every day like the refrigerator or bathroom mirror. 58
savoirflairmagazine 41
My First Gay Wedding
by Elizabeth Gormley
am a bartender at a private events facility on the 33rd floor of a downtown Boston skyscraper. The space is beautiful and vast, polished mahogany floors, a grand staircase to a mezzanine, and windows the size of an IMAX screen that give a jaw-dropping peripheral view in every direction. Boston melds old and new, natural and man-made, seamlessly, expertly, and there is no better place to perceive it than the windows of my workplace. The cobblestones of Faneuil Hall are palpable below. 42 savoirflairmagazine
A little further off is the gold dome of the State House. In a different window there are the steeples and low brick tenements of the North End. Rising from Boston’s crooked, narrow streets are towers made of granite and glass, steely, bright. Sometimes at work I forget I’m standing at the top of one of them. The foliage in the parks turns colors, falls off, and grows back with each season. The harbor glistens blue yearround, carrying vessels from industrial tankers to skittering sailboats across its surface. Even the planes
approaching Logan seem lower than where we’re standing. Corporate dinners, cocktail receptions, charity events, auctions, bar mitzvahs, political assemblies, big birthday bashes—and weddings. A lot of weddings. In the two years I’ve worked here, I must have seen over a hundred weddings. Sometimes the ceremony is on-site; sometimes we host only the reception. There have been dogs-as-ring-bearers, private fireworks displays over the harbor, and the nuptials of Arabian royalty. I’ve worked all night behind bars sculpted entirely of ice, shivering for hours. I have seen a bride and groom yelling at each other five minutes after exchanging vows, fighting over who will be in their pictures. There has been fainting, vomiting, a two-thousand dollar cake caught in the nick of time before it fell to the floor, and brides that literally had to be pushed out of the bridal suite toward the aisle. I don’t want to do it, one said, but she did it. She got married. Of course, most of the time it’s
your standard, garden-variety wedding. For us, it’s a three-hour setup, arranging all the booze, chilling the wine, champagne and beer, lining up the glasses, cutting limes, pouring ice. When the ceremony is onsite, the tables and rolling bars are set behind curtains. There is a mad dash to flip the room during cocktail hour, the hour we bartenders get ravaged upstairs. By the time the guests descend for dinner the space has gone from ceremonial to celebratory, the immaculate china, silver, ornate centerpieces, blazing candles, and the band playing, looking not unlike the main dining room of the Titanic. I wanted so badly from day one to work a gay wedding, and this past summer I finally got my wish. My brother is a bartender at the same place—he got me the job— and he worked a lesbian wedding back in the spring. “What happened?” I’d asked him the next day. “What was it like?” “It was a wedding,” he said. “You know, just a wedding.” “But how was it different?”
“I dunno,” he shrugged. “They both danced with their fathers.” But he is straight and I thought he just wasn’t paying attention. Barbara, our seasoned bridal attendant, had a different story: “I was in tears before the ceremony even started. Two brides, two dresses, two sets of nails to make sure were perfect, two bouquets to hold while they were busy, two everything. It was double the work and they didn’t want to see each other before the ceremony. I couldn’t be in two places at once! I’m telling you, I was crying.” “So your job is easier with two guys?” I asked. “Well, not always,” she said. Greeks throw dollar bills on the floor and dance on them. A Jewish ceremony ends with the stomp of a glass, and at the reception the bride and groom are hoisted on chairs while the guests dance around them. The Irish get wasted. Italians pay more attention to the food than the alcohol;
Author and Event Bartender Elizabeth Gormley
savoirflairmagazine 43
My First Gay Wedding continued from page 43
the line at the gelato and cookie display is longer than the line at the bar. What would the gays do? The day of the Suarez/Churchill commitment ceremony came and I had no idea. I only knew there were two grooms. Would our elegant space go all pink and mod? Would the flowers at the center of the tables be especially finicky and elaborate? Would the lights be dimmer than usual? Could the five-piece brass band that was booked pull off Madonna? For Greeks, we add ouzo to the bar. Jewish people drink vodka, WASPs drink gin, the Irish drink (pound) beer, and the Italians drink red wine and cordials like Sambuca and amaretto. What would we need to load up on for the gays? “A lot of young gay men drink beer now,” said my fellow gay bartender, Bill, who himself does not drink at all. “Well, how old are they?” I asked, as we pulled the liquor. “I don’t know. Here’s some extra champagne, anyway,” he said, passing the bottles. “Why are they calling it a ‘commitment ceremony’? We can call it a wedding.” “Personal preference,” Bill said. The guest count was over two hundred people. We anticipated a great gay party. Bill rubbed his thumb and fingers together when we finished setting up, the universal sign for cash. Gays were famously lavish tippers. I watched from the mezzanine. The older guests were the first to arrive, as usual, the grandparents, the aunts and uncles. A photographer moved around the chairs arranged in a semicircle, the rows facing the huge windows. At the center of the windows was the 44 savoirflairmagazine
table where three candles sat unlit, two small ones and one large one. Two men wearing identical grey suits mingled with the families. The grooms, I realized. Clearly they didn’t mind seeing one another before the ceremony. Fred and Carlos were probably in their mid-forties. Fred was tall, slight, and bald on top with closely cropped grey hair. He raised his eyebrows as more guests walked through the door. He wrung his hands and glanced out the window. Carlos was six inches shorter than his mate, with a full head of curly black hair and an enormous smile that did not fade between the snapping of pictures.
Fred and Carlos posed in front of the windows with clusters of guests as they arrived. There were hugs and kisses before the snapshots. There was no bride-side/ groom-side of the congregation, but it was easy to tell the families apart. One was Spanish, darkhaired, gregarious, turning around in their seats and talking to each other. Fred’s family was pale and reserved, studying the program facing forward, leaning and whispering to each other. More guests arrived and sat themselves. Some
same-sex couples, some hetero couples. All of the guests were dressed elegantly, tastefully, a sea of refinement collecting themselves. They quieted as Fred and Carlos took their seats in the front row. There were nervous coughs, then silence before the music began. Up on the mezzanine, just a few feet away from me, there was a keyboard player and a large woman, a singer, who began the ceremony with ‘Ave Maria.’ It was rich and operatic. It’s a standard wedding song, but this time no one walked down the aisle; no one was given away. The ceremony was secular, presided by a woman who spoke of love and commitment on general terms. Then she moved on to marriage. Marriage happens because of friendship and devotion. Fred and Carlos’s dedication to each other so far was a foundation, and marriage was the house they were building, a place where they would live forever. I’ve heard a variation on these themes at every single wedding I have worked. Going back to when I started the job, I watched the first couple of weddings and I thought, wow, they’re getting married. After that, I hung out and ate and chatted in the kitchen with everyone else. I popped bottles of wine on the mezzanine bar as quietly as possible as vows were exchanged below, anticipating the wild cocktail hour. Another wedding—so what? But when Fred and Carlos stood up to tie the knot, I leaned a little further over the mezzanine glass. No one else seemed to care very much, not even my fellow gays. Everyone else had seen it before. Waiters were traying the first round of hors d’oeuvres, and quietly arranging the bread 50
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My First Gay Wedding
and cheeses. It happened so fast. A woman stood beside Carlos, and a man stood beside Fred. The short vows had the words “respect,” “friendship,” and “equality.” Each man took the other to be his life partner. Together, they lit the large candle at the center of the table. They shared a short kiss and a hug. Everyone applauded. I did too. I didn’t know them, but I was proud of them. Fred and Carlos smiled, held hands, and walked up the aisle. I remember the night Massachusetts started issuing the first samesex marriage licenses in the United States. At midnight on May 17th, 2004, the first couples could apply for the licenses at City Hall in Cambridge. It was a short walk from my house, and my then-girlfriend and I wove through the huge, reveling crowd. Massachusetts Avenue was closed for several blocks. There were news trucks, spotlights, police cruisers parked with their lights flashing. There was a helicopter above. People were hugging, crying, smiling. I even saw a cop smile at a gay juggler. My girlfriend held my hand. She took pictures. “This is history,” she said. There were signs: Massachusetts Rocks, and, Next Stop, Arkansas. But that moment, it was Cambridge. We had it by its liberal, intelligent horns. I said to my girlfriend, “This
My First Gay Wedding
whole thing makes me feel really happy but a little embarrassed.” “Why?” she asked. “Because I haven’t done anything. Me, personally. What have I done? I haven’t campaigned, rallied. Nothing.” “So what? You’re still on the team. Sometimes you just get taken care of for being on the team. You do more than you realize, just being.” A few months later, when the Red Sox won their first World Series in eighty-six years, the owners made it a point to say that every single member who played that season would be given a championship ring. Everyone. From the minor league pitcher called up to pitch a single inning back in April, to the everyday first baseman with bruises covering his body. They all contributed. They all helped win. They were all part of something none of us thought would ever happen. During the cocktail hour, I shook out an average number of cosmos. I poured the standard amount of champagne. No one asked for a Kir Royale, or even so much as a bay breeze. Some of Fred’s family had British accents; they had flown from England for the wedding, and they drank gin and vermouth. The Latino contingent drank Corona and rum and Coke. Mostly, it 52
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My First Gay Wedding
was Scotch, wine, vodka tonics, whiskey and sodas. We stayed busy through the hour as the guests mingled, and the two cultures of the grooms’ families mixed. The guests were dressed well and they were gracious. But this was the case in virtually all of the weddings I had ever worked. Bill and I wrapped our fists around a decent amount of cash that had been tossed on the bar during the hour, before descending for the dinner reception. Barbara the bridal attendant met me at my bar downstairs. The guests were seating themselves for dinner. The servers walked around the tables offering red or white wine. “I need two glasses of champagne for the grooms toast,” she said. “How’s it going?” I asked, as I poured. “It’s going well, but the tall groom is nervous. He was nervous before the ceremony. I told him to take deep breaths. He just told me he’s still nervous. He’s making me nervous. I told him, relax. This day only happens once. Well, ideally.” “How about the other groom?” “Calm,” Barbara said, walking away with a bubbling flute in each hand. “Happy as a clam.” The toast was given by Mark, the man who had stood beside Fred during the ceremony. Each line he spoke was translated to Spanish by a woman holding a second microphone. Mark had met Fred back in 1991. They were cowork-
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52 savoirflairmagazine
My First Gay Wedding
The E String ers, and then good friends. Mark had married his partner two years ago. Mark is Jewish, and he explained what the word bashert means in Yiddish: destiny in finding your soul mate. Bashert refers to the person who fits you like no one else. It’s the one to whom you are most attracted, the one whose life goals you share, the one who brings out the best in you. A bashert often compliments you so well because he or she is your opposite. Mark told the guests that Fred and Carlos are clearly one another’s bashert. To explain Fred and Carlos visually, Mark moved east from Israel to China. They are sort of like the yin-yang, opposing but not quite able to exist without the other. And literally, one is dark and one is light. Fred and Carlos beamed at their table as the glasses were raised. “To opposing forces, soul mates, and happiness,” Mark said, and everyone drank. Salad, entree, then the cake, which was vanilla with strawberries and butter cream frosting, and it did not have two little wax grooms on top of it—but the petals of exquisite tiger lilies. A moderate amount of drinks were poured. With tableside wine service, the bars are usually pretty quiet during dinner. The brass band played soul and R & B, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, the Isley Brothers, and Michael Jackson, whose recent death would 54
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Patience W. Crozier polly@kauffmanlaw.net savoirflairmagazine 53
continued from page 53
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My First Gay Wedding
make “Billie Jean” a wedding staple, all summer long. I heard the song in my sleep. Fred the groom came to my bar toward the end of the night. He was sweating from the dance floor. His suit jacket was off. He ordered water, drank it fast, and then a gin and tonic. Barbara, the bridal attendant came up behind him. “Hey, that’s my job,” she said. “I’m supposed to get you whatever you want.” “I’m sorry,” he smiled. “I’m teasing,” she said. “How are you feeling?” “Better. Whew, what a day.” He made a mock gesture, wiping his forehead, swooning. His new ring shined. “Did you get to eat?” she asked. “No, actually I didn’t eat much at all.” “It’s funny how that always happens,” she shook her head. Carlos and Fred took their limousine to Logan after the reception. Then they took a 747 to Paris. After the wedding I went home with a pretty good amount of money and the realization that my first gay wedding was very much like any other wedding I had ever worked. Two families, two cultures, came together to celebrate the union of two people. There were nerves. There were drinks. There was a nice toast that referenced religion,
My First Gay Wedding
Elizabeth’s brother Ed also tends bar
tradition, and finding your soul mate. There were two hundred people dressed immaculately, who ate lobster-stuffed filet mignon and cake. They danced and gazed out at a pretty spectacular pink sunset over the city. And then it was over. “So? What was it like?” my friend asked the next day. “It was a wedding and there wasn’t a bride,” I said. The second gay wedding I worked happened a couple of months later.
It would prove to be a nightmare— but no different than any nightmare heterosexual weddings of which I had been a part. But that is another story. Just a couple of weeks ago, I worked a cocktail reception for a huge corporation, a company that exists all over the globe, in every country, every city, it seems. A monopoly. I was stationed at a bar beside the big windows. I noticed a woman drinking merlot who was standing alone, staring at the view for quite a while. It was dark out and the lights glittered. Boats were illuminated on the harbor and jets floated near the airport. She was thoughtfully chewing on a toothpick from a hors d’oeuvre. Then she turned to me. “This is an amazing city you’ve got here,” she said, shaking her head. “Just amazing.” “Yeah, it’s pretty nice.” “I can’t get over it.” 56
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M MyyFFirst irstG Gay ayW Wedding edding continued from page 55
“Where are you from?” “Omaha,” she laughed. “Oh, I’ve been there,” I said. I had lunch in Omaha once on a cross-country trip, a place I found strangely generic. But Western Nebraska had taken my breath away, the sand hills and prairies, the huge landscapes and formations like nothing I had ever seen back east. I kept stopping on the road. I could hardly wrap my brain around the vastness and the quiet, driving north until I got to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Up on the 33rd floor in Boston, I told the woman with the merlot that Nebraska’s beauty had stunned me.“Really?” she asked. “Really.” “Well, I hope you appreciate living in this city. I’ve never seen anything like it.” “Oh, I do. Absolutely.” Here in Massachusetts, we are for-
56 savoirflairmagazine
when the act ceases to turn heads. We will move on to something else. For example, same-sex divorce is a hot topic in Texas right now. Some people don’t want us to be married, but if we’ve managed to make that happen somewhere, we better not ever think we can legally split up the same way Texas heterosexuals can. Someday, my Lone Star friends, it will happen. t
Elizabeth relaxes after a busy event
tunate that same-sex marriage is not only legal, but it has become old-hat. Other states have followed suit, and there is no doubt in my mind that someday same-sex marriage will be not only legal in every state, but commonplace. It might be a long time, but it will happen. When it comes to progress, the next best thing to the pioneering act is
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Planning for Your Future continued from page 41 you may live to be
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Organize Your Documents
If you can’t find a particular financial document or have things in different places in your house, it’s vital that you get everything in one place. Being organized will also help you when you start pulling your tax information together.
Cut Down on Credit Cards
Make a list of your credit cards and what interest rate you are paying. Changes in federal credit cards laws are on the horizon, although card issuers are hiking interest rates and increasing fees in the meantime. I’d focus on the high interest rate cards first and try to pay them off (and then cut the card up). Then let the three credit bureaus know you’ve closed those accounts. It’s a great feeling!
Get Automated It’s so much easier and less expensive to do bill payments and automatic savings from your checking account. I know it’s taken even me some time to get used to the idea (especially the bill paying thing), but there is something nice about not having to write out a check and drop it in the mail.
Review Your Monthly Expenses
If you haven’t already done so, make a list of your monthly expenses. Don’t forget to list eating out and entertainment. The economy is expected to be rocky for a while longer, so tightening your belt continues to be very important. If you don’t have your auto/homeowners/liability insurance with the same company, you’re wasting money. Do you also need to have
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Pay Attention to Tax Matters
I know April 15th seems like a long time away, but I’d recommend you start pulling your income tax information together. Did you buy a new car after February 16, 2009? The sales tax may be deductible. Did you pay for childcare? Don’t forget about the child-care credit. Buy a new house? Depending on your closing date, you should be eligible for the home-buyer credit, whether you’re a first-time buyer or not. There are important dates that apply. I’ll be writing a lot more about taxes on my Money Tips Online Blog. There are many other issues worth considering as you work to accumulate and protect your assets. The important thing is to get started and do some smart planning. Keep an eye on the politics, too. It’s your future. t Rosemary D. White is the president of Strong Financial Group in Cambridge, MA. Her firm focuses on retirement planning, wealth management and socially responsible investing. Visit her website to receive her weekly blog posts, www.MoneyTipsOnline.com. Only securities and advisory services provided through Wall Street Financial Group, Inc. (WSFG), Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. WSFG, OUTTAKE MEDIA, and Strong Financial Group are separate entities, independently owned and operated.
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Should you be a G/L Parent? continued from page 31
partner, socializing, as well as household and parenting responsibilities. It won’t be easy, but the things in life that count seldom are. Joys of Parenting Despite all the work, parenting is a joyous and rewarding experience for those who have a deep desire to have children. The thrill of a baby’s first tooth, first step, and the hugs, kisses, and smiles that are bestowed upon you for no other reason than a pure, innocent and devoted love that can only be given by children can give your life purpose. Feeling the trust of a child who gazes at you with adoration and experiencing the sense of fulfillment that only comes from being a parent. Negative Aspects of Parenting There are some negative aspects of parenting, such as midnight feedings, walking the floor with a colicky baby, or dropping into bed three hours before the shrill buzz of the alarm clock interrupts your sleep, letting you know that a new day has begun. Then, there will be people who criticize you for bringing a child into a non-traditional lifestyle. Yes, being a gay parent, just as being a straight parent, has its ups and downs, but if you desire children, you will meet the challenges and the joys will far out-weigh the negative aspects.
Single Gays and Children Many gays who wish to have children are single. Some are in relationships with a partner that has no desire to become a parent. Others may choose to parent singly, even though they have a
60 savoirflairmagazine
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A Woman’s Role Traditionally, women have raised their children alone for centuries. In no way is this statement meant to minimize a father’s role, financially or psychologically, in the life of his children. However, until recent years, a woman’s role has always been to handle the daily tasks of parenting, with little or no help from their husbands, who worked to bring in the money. Therefore, women have been singly responsible for their children for hundreds of years. There is a wide spectrum of benefits to being a single parent, gay or otherwise. If planned, single parent homes can function as well, or better, than traditional family units. Gay Parents Many gays are beginning to establish families. Often, they are people over 40 who are well established in their careers and have their feet planted firmly on the ground. They may or may not be involved in an intimate relationship. Statistics show that gay single families blend into communities in a way that families with same-sex partners cannot. Single gay parents have the benefit of making decisions for their families without 62 savoirflairmagazine 61
Should you be a G/L Parent? continued from page 61
having to consult with a partner. This eliminates some very difficult aspects of parenting, such as how children will be disciplined, what school they will attend, or whether they will play the piano or the guitar. Though these things many sound trivial, many family disputes arise when couples disagree on how their children will be raised.
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On the other hand, being a single gay parent can also have a negative side. The single gay parent of ten has no one to turn to in illness or hard times. Family and friends may help, but single gay parents must often cope on their own when children become ill or have a day off or a holiday from school. There are both pros and cons to parenting, single or otherwise. Gay parenting can be especially challenging at times, but it is also very rewarding. Take all things into consideration and stick to your guns. Whether or not you decide to become a gay parent is strictly up to you. Don’t let others influence your decision. t
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Luxury in Boston’s Back Bay
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Luxury in Boston’s Back Bay continued from page 63
curb appeal that makes this a Boston landmark. It seems almost out of place amongst the former carriage houses that line Newbury Street. This location is quintessential urban and retains the large retail space which currently houses Best Buy. There are 54 residential units in the building with a parking garage below where owners can rent spaces. Newbury Street is home to chic shops, trendy restaurants, and artsy cafes. All of which, are steps away as the main entrance to this condominium is located directly on Newbury Street. Blue neon foot lighting provides modern flair to the building and emphasizes a young vibe. Savoir Flair was able to visit a condominium owned by a player on The New England Revolution. The lobby is un-assuming with clean, smart edges finished in light colored granite and marble. The elevator leads us into a brightly lit common area accented by neon blue floor lights creating the feeling that I was on a spaceship. This was not over the top, but pretty cool. This loft style condominium completely embraces urban design. We enter through a large floor to ceiling door that opens with ease. Reminiscent of a typical city “flat,” this dwelling is a two-bedroom, twobathroom, super-modern condo. Floor to ceiling windows in the living room expose excellent views of The Prudential and Hancock Towers. I can practically look down Newbury Street in its entirety. Traffic on The Mass Pike Extension zooms by silently below. The hardwood floor contributes to an open feeling. Quality finishes compliment the kitchen and bathrooms. A large master en-suite bathroom with soaking tub creates 64 savoirflairmagazine
138 Newbury Street 4th Floor Boston, MA bwagner@warrenre.com • www.warrenre.com Office: (617) 848-9616 Ext. 721 Cell: (617) 416-1322 Fax: (617) 247-1020
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an oasis in the midst of the city’s hustle and bustle. This is a true city condominium with a hip feel and atmosphere. I feel the heartbeat of Boston from this property and peer out at the Back Bay and South End and realize that everything is literally at your doorstep. t
Michael DuBour Mike is a Real Estate Broker in Provincetown and in Boston. Show Host for a weekly radio program on WOMR radio, Anchor for news video “Provincetown Monthly” found on Provincetownlive.net and writes two weekly blogs on mikedubour.com
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“I’ve been HIV positive for years and I’ve lost a lot of friends to AIDS through the years.” Eric Pedro also has strong ties to the cause. He is here as a sponsor from PharmaHealth Pharmacy where he works specifically with AIDS/ HIV positive patients. Pedro is the husband of Mahogany Lite, who gracefully poses for a picture looking fabulous in drag. As cute as this couple looks, they are no match for Shitty Litter, Hot Shit, and Dicky—all on stage competing in a Kitty look-alike contest. The trio vie for the title while the audience claps for their favorite. Not one of them resembles Kitty in the least. Despite this, they are all declared winners—the competition proving to be an electric addition to the rest of the fanfare. Amidst a hodgepodge of argyle, scarves, turtlenecks and sequins, I find Leonard Moorehead orbiting the PRIDE table. It’s “a little overwhelming,” he says—referring of course to the fluorescent lighting. “It’d be better in candlelight.” Though a more intimate setting sounds nice, I’m not sure the sequins would have the same effect in low-lighting. When I
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ask Moorehead why he came to Bingo tonight, he says, “Why the hell not?” I couldn’t agree more. Interestingly, a love of Gay Bingo isn’t the only thing that everyone seems to share. Nearly everyone I talk to praises the french fries. Some love them and others claim to come just for the fries. Kitty herself agrees, “They are the best I’ve had.” In fact, at December bingo, they’ll even be making Christmas ornaments with the fries. How good is that? As I pass Dawn Brew on my way out, she jumps in front of me to show off her winnings. She’s never won at bingo before, but is waving two Macy’s gift cards in my face. Being a dedicated regular has paid
off, but I have a feeling that’s not the only reason she’ll be back for Pilgrim Gay Bingo next month. At the end of the games, it proves to be a good day for everyone. Thousands were raised, prizes were won, and hopefully lives will be saved. There’s the game and the charity, but ultimately it’s the people that make Gay Bingo so much fun. Good luck finding a parking spot. t
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(401) 724-9440 151 Cross St, Central Falls, RI savoirflairmagazine 67
continued from page 39
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and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. Farms and meat packing factories also burn a lot of fuel processing animal meat, creating even more carbon emissions. By making a meatless meal twice or three times a week, you’ll help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And as you’re filling your shopping cart with fruits and vegetables, look for the organic label. Non-organic fruits and vegetables are sprayed with pesticides. These chemicals seep through soil and contaminate groundwater; they also end up on the peaches and potatoes you put on your plate. Organic vegetables and fruits are better for your health and the earth’s health.
Joanie Schwartz, Realtor
“She knows houses: She knows people”
• 22 years of selling real estate • Former VP of Coldwell Banker • Contractor/construction worker • Relocation specialist servicing Hampshire & Franklin Counties
www.delaprealestate.com 158 North King St., Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 348-2348 • joanie@delaprealestate.com
the chimney Pro quality work at a reasonable price
we have been in the masonry business for 30 years, we are available to work anywhere in new england, and will give you a great quality finish for a reasonable price. below is a list of work we do. please view my website to view the high level of work we do chimney sweep • re-flashing • re-pointing • waterproofing • retaining walls stainless steel chimney tops • damper replacements • chimney liners • brick steps blue stone steps • block work
Instead of chaining yourself to a tree . . . Plant a tree in your own yard. A tree can absorb around one ton of carbon dioxide over its 100year lifespan. Trees also provide a habitat for wildlife. Birds, 70
(508)367-9551
www.thechimneypro.com savoirflairmagazine 69
continued from page 69
Holly Cleaners
Rid Yourself of Eco-Guilt
Needham • Wellesley • Newton (617) 527-0770 • www.hollycleaners.com
is an award-winning, nationally recognized, full-service garment and fabric care cleaning company serving the greater Boston area since 1956 from our three convenient locations in Needham, Wellesley, and Newton. We offer state-of-the art, environmentally friendly dry cleaning and garment care services, including pick-up and delivery, shirt laundry, alteration services, wedding gown preservation, shoe care, and garment box and fur storage. Holly Cleaners also offers on-site drapery treatment services, upholstery and rug cleaning, and smoke and fire restoration services.
squirrels, and raccoons all rely on greenery in urban and suburban areas for shelter and food. Not only will a tree help offset your carbon emissions, it will become a home for your neighborhood’s friendly critters.
no appointment needed free road test & consultation ASE certified mechanics Mention we honor most this ad extended warranties for a 10% automatic & discount standard transmissions on your Clutches and axles next repair Antique & classic car transmission expires 7/10 computer diagnosis available Trucks, Vans, R.V’s & 4x4’s Brakes shocks suspensions differentials Remember what you may think is a serious transmission problem may only require a simple adjustment or minor repair. stop in today for our free road test & consultation
boston area 617-536-3284 dorchester 617-282-0488 1110 dorchester ave. dorchester / S.Boston line Contacts us via e-mail - leemylesboston@hotmail.com
70 savoirflairmagazine
Living green doesn’t have to be hard. Sometimes the smallest change can have the biggest impact. Try bringing a reusable mug to Starbucks, and start recycling and composting your waste. You don’t have to give up your comfortable lifestyle to save the planet; you just have to make a few tweaks to your daily routine. So stop looking for mud huts in the forest, and start living your new, green life - without the eco-guilt. t
30% off custom framing EVERYDAY! Cambridge 2044 Mass. Ave. (617) 491-0011
Belmont 493-B Trapelo Rd. (617) 484-5900
Savoir Flair Marketplace
Accommodations – Catering
accommodationsCape Cod
Auto BodyBoston
Auto RentalWestern MA
Falmouth Inn
824 Main St., Route 28, Falmouth, MA 02540 (800) 2554157, (508) 540-2500, e-mail: falinn@cape.com, www. falmouthinn.com. 123 air conditioned rooms with four HBO channels, indoor corridors to a heated pool and sauna, dining room and lounge. Open year round. Large screen Karaoke Fri. and Sat. evenings. Major credit cards accepted.
accommodationswestern ma
Whately Inn
Small-town seasonal charm offered all year-round. www.whatelyinn.com (413) 665-3044 or (800) WHATELY
3430 Washington St. Jamaica Plain, MA 617-522-6040 • Member BBB, Mass. Auto Body Assoc. • Dependable Claims Assistance Since 1948 • Mass Repair Shop #279 • Referred by Insurance Companies And • Written Warranty yes... • Rentals Available We Replace Auto Glass • 24 Hour Towing Available • Convenient to MBTA Orange Line Hours Monday- Friday 8AM-5PM Saturday 8AM-12PM Follow Your Vehicles Repairs Online www.acmebody.com
FRED D’S AUTO BODY Collision • Frame work Glass service • Towing
(617) 361-3230 1620 Hyde Park Ave. Hyde Park, MA
Auc Lic# 2182
Hondaa King Inc.
Furniture • Costume Jewelry Glassware • Vintage Clothing Paper Goods • Sterling & Vintage Plate • Collectables
• Guaranteed, first quality service • ASE certified master mechanics • 27 years Honda experience • Insurance work accepted
508-336-0800
(617) 787-1233• www.hondaaking.com
380 fall river ave. rt.114a seekonk ma
New Bedford Antiques at Wamsutta Place Mon - Sat 10-5 Sun 12-5
61
Wamsutta St New Bedford MA
Auto Repair Tires Boston
ell. bern service & tire inc. we excel where others fail alignment discount tire prices state inspection complete under car service most vehicles brakes and exhaust
Interstate 195 Exit 16 East or 17 West
508-991-8700
newbedfordantiquescenter.com
AARMCO
Security & Telecommunications
Burglar & Fire Alarm Protection Commercial/Residential Access Control Surveillance Cell: 781.760.0102, 24 Hr Monitoring 877.933.1700, Burglar & Fire
Antiquesboston south
www.vinnysantiquescenter.com
alarms/securityBoston
765 tremont st. boston ma (617)262-9163
MA Lic# C-1072
CaB/TaxiBoston
t a x (617)338-8294 i
independen
operators association
CateringWestern MA Elisha’s Restaurant & Catering
437 Nashua St., Milford, NH, (603) 249-9353, www.elishasrestaurant.net. At Elisha’s Restaurant & Catering, we cater funtions up to 90 people in-house & unlimited people off-site. We do weddings, house parties, holiday parties, office parties, graduations, birthdays, and funerals making your function easy so you don’t have to worry. We cater a menu to your needs. Fully licensed and insured.
THINKPINK
www.linkpink.com savoirflairmagazine 71
Cleaning – Contractors
Savoir Flair Marketplace
CleaningMA
ContractorsMA
Prado cleaning
commercial • residential • office free estimates licensed & insured no job to small
(781)308-0187 (781)878-3449
NV Construction
Serving Greater Boston We specialize in commercial and residential construction, from renovations of bathrooms and kitchens to design/remodeling. Call today for the best price in town. (508) 747-1660
decks porches roofing
serving greater boston • Residential • Decks & Porches Specialist • Affordable Rates • All Calls Returned Promptly • All Types & Sizes • Custom Design • Roofing & Carpentry
est
all work guaranteed
pion
y
Masonr
• Block stone • Concrete steps • Landscaping • Fully insured • Free estimates
(978) 569-5335 CONTRACTOR HOUSE BUILDING G. J. McAlister, Inc From Start to Finish
”Outstanding References” Residential and Commercial Additions • Renovations Kitchens • Baths • Roofs Siding • Plumbing Electrical• Painting Finish Carpentry
&
O Donovan Construction licensed
Cham
insured
617-770-2942 • 617-594-3344
David richards (774)238-8072
MA license #101414
wallpaper stripping/hanging home improvement & remodeling carpentry, porches & decks sash-cord repair interior/exterior painting power washing roofing, gutters & vinyl siding replacement windows & storm windows/doors
Gerard Mulligan (781) 219-8627
72 savoirflairmagazine
Commercial Waterproofing & Masonry Specialists
Masonry Restoration • Concrete Repair & Protection Caulking & Sealant Replacement • Membrane Waterproofing Window Repairs & Replacement • Elastomeric Wall Coating & Painting
617-389-6200 • PJSPILLANE.COM
Unique
Builders Excavating • Grading • Paving Septic Systems • Lawn Irrigation Landscaping • Building/Remodeling Water/Sewer/Drainage Masonry Patios/Porches/Decks Walkways (781) 953-7811 • www.uniquebuilders.net
fully licensed & insured www.davidrichardsconstruction.com
Custom Home Building Renovations Additions Interior Work Kitchens & Baths Decks Framing Dormers Roofing Siding Windows & Doors
(781) 316-5610 www.robertsdesignconstruction.com
studs and more
general contractor
John Swanson
781-844-8653
Free estimates
S P ILLANE
&
general contracting
FRimEaEtes
ContractorsMA
ContractorsMA
Lic CS 085930
As a full service contractor we offer: Interior & Exterior Painting, Carpentry, Decks, Windows, Doors, Masonry, Plastering, Marble, Tiling, Roofing, Siding, Kitchen, Bathroom.
Renovations, remodels painting, tiling design and color consultation
(617)816-9146 Studsandmore@aol.com
857-719-2123 www.mazzoniconstruction.com lau.des@hotmail.com
Gay owned and operated serving: metro boston • cape cod • western ma
Savoir Flair Marketplace
Counseling – Excavation
ContractorsMA
Demolition/dumpsterMA
38 Blue Hill Ave. Milton, MA, (617)306-4772, www. cjrenovations.com cjrenovations@comcast.net. For over twenty years we have been creating new living space for our clients including kitchens, bathrooms, play rooms, and complete additions. We do all facets of renovations, rough and finish carpentry, tiling and painting, designing new spaces to meet our client's desires, and implementing the plans of architects or engineers. Given this experience we are capable and eager to take on all projects no matter how small or large.
residential • commercial • industrial
service upgrades & repair completely insured and bonded in business since 1982 lic #10509
CounselingBoston
Veronica Akins, LICSW Individual, couple, and family psychotherapy
Elder servicesBoston Together we will build on your strengths, finding effective ways to achieve your goals, and discover how to sustain your progress even during stressful times. (617) 331-5939 • www.veronicaakins.com
Jewish family & Children’s Service of Greater Boston
1430 Main St., Waltham, MA 02451, (781) 647-5327, (Fax) 781-693-6721, www.jfcsboston.org. JF&CS offers comprehensive, compassionate care to the elderly, their families and their caregivers. We are a non-sectarian human service agency, serving individuals and families of all faiths. We offer Geriatric Care Management, Guardianship, Home Health care, volunteer friendly visitors as well as many other community services.
a safe place to grow
wendy c. jolles licensed psychotherapist, licsw
ElectriciansWestern MA
Blanchard & Daly electrical contractors
cj renovations
ElectriciansBoston
413-527-1234 entertainmentma
Deborah Costine Puppeteer!
“A total delight”
Award Winning
individual / adult
oncology / medical spirituality
24 hr. emergency service
residential • commercial • industrial toll free 1-877-729-3400
traditional / alternative brief / long term
(508) 481-6837 • gerwickpuppets.com
sexuality brookline / brighton near the t and parking on site a sliding scale • some insurance wjolles@aol.com
617-254-3933 Daycarewestern ma
excavation/septicNew England
•
Unique
Builders (781) 953-7811 www.uniquebuilders.net
THINKPINK
www.linkpink.com
www.linkpink.com The #1 Source of Information for the GLBT Community savoirflairmagazine 73
Funeral – Health & Wellness FuneralBoston south Serving the entire Greater Boston community since 1848
Cemetery • Crematory • Columbarium BEAUTIFUL GARDEN SITES PRE-NEED ARRANGEMENTS FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLANS Cemetery Office: 95 Forest Hills Ave Jamaica Plain
617-524-0128
Crematory Office: 171 Walk Hill Street
617-524-0239
For information, brochures or tours please call or visit www.foresthillscemetery.com
Savoir Flair Marketplace Furniturewestern ma
The Claw Foot Tub
an aesthetic, a choice in home decorating
cartmell funeral services inc. funeral services
FOODIE’S URBAN MARKET
1421 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118 (617) 266-9911. For gourmet and every day. Foodie's has been renovated and is proud to offer the South End a beautiful shopping experience, an expanded produce dept., full service meat case, gourmet & specialty items, cheeses, hot & cold deli.
HARDWAREBOSTON
413.253.3500
30 Main Street, Amherst, MA http://theclawfoottub-online.com
floorsma
Marks Master Service Specializing in wood floor installations • sanding • refinishing (800) 479-0367 • (978) 314-7507 www.marksmasterservice.com
THINKPINK
www.linkpink.com FuneralBoston south
GroceryBOSTON
Your Neighborhood Hardware Stores Cleveland Circle Hardware 1920 Beacon St. Brighton, MA (617)734-6440
Pill Hardware 743 Mass. Ave. Cambridge, MA (617)876-8310
Warren Hardware 420 Tremont St. Boston, MA (617)426-7525
FREE Commercial Delivery Benjamin
Moore
Paints
Hardware
HEALTH/GymBoston Huntington Ave YMCA
316 Huntington Ave. , Boston, MA, (617) 927-8060, www. ymcaboston.org. There is a place in our community, a place to feel safe, where families feel connected, where self-esteem and the whole person is enhanced. A place where you can find a indoor track, over a 100 pieces of state of the art fitness equipment, co-ed volleyball, and basketball leagues, and over 80 hours of lap time in the pool. That place is the HUNTINGTON AVENUE YMCA. “It’s all inside the Y”.
floristri Floral Designs by Li Rog
163 Broadway, Providence, RI 02903. (401) 273-4010. Catering to all of your floral needs. Beautiful arrangements custom-made for weddings, bridal showers, birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations, and funerals. Whatever the occasion, we can provide a beautiful, affordable, and customized floral ambience.
GlassBoston
HEALTH&WELLNESSCENTRAL MA
Be healthier, happier, and have more energy! More products for less. 25% discount on my overstock items
complete funeral service pre-planning graveside service
Mary J. Drader Herbalife Independant Distributor (508) 481-1296 www.shopherbalife.com/mdrader
complete cremation service immediate cremation service personalized services pet loss Shower & Tub Enclosures • Store Fronts & Entrances • Plate Glass Mirrors • Plexiglass Auto Glass • Insulated Glass • Tabletops Repairs • Screen Repairs
150 Court St, Plymouth, MA 02360 508-746-2162 fax : 508-747-3929 www.cartmellfuneralhome.com
(617) 782.3494 56 Leo M. Birmingham Parkway Brighton, MA
74 savoirflairmagazine
More Listings Available Online also GLBT News Wedding Resources and Much More! www.linkpink.com
Savoir Flair Marketplace INSURANCEBoston
Insurance – Movers lANDSCAPE ARCHITECT NE
liquorboston Liquor Land
1033 Mass Ave., Boston, MA 02118, (617) 445-0560. We have the LARGEST SELECTION for any party or any event. Case discounts free parking all major credit cards.
Offering insurance for: • Auto • Home • Business BestRateInsurance.com
(617) 625-8400
208 Washington St., Somerville, MA tufts health plan
www.tuftshealthplan.com. Whether you’re making decisions for your company, your family, or both, we offer businesses a range of options that fit every budget. To learn more about how we help take care of what’s important to you, talk to your broker or visit us at tuftshealthplan.com.
INSURANCEBoston north
moversma
Landscape Architectural Services:
• Development Feasibility Studies • Master Planning • Site Planning & Design • Construction Management Project Types:
• Custom Residential Design • Retail Environments • Civic Spaces
Cecil N. Marchionne
Boston 617.482.1081
marchionneins.com
506 Main St., Medford, MA 781-391-7100 38 Main St.,Saugus, MA 781-233-6500 444 Main St., Woburn, MA 781-933-1300
Nantucket 508.228.7979
brdesigninc.com
(781) 826-1616
www.thecustomdecorator.com
THINKPINK
www.linkpink.com
www.moversonthego.net (800)939-4199
R.B. Cooke & Son Inc.
Family owned & Operated since 1946 residential • commercial local & long distance moves
(617) 265-1900
legalboston
“Experience the difference of working with a design professional”
345 Washington St., Pembroke, MA
Residential Commercial Internal Pianos Safes Vending Machines • Packing • Student discounts
Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau!
interior designma
• In-Home Consultations • Custom Shutters, Shades & Blinds • Carpet and Area Rugs • Custom Drape, Valances, and Soft Treatments • Furniture and upholstery • Custom Bedding • Painting and Wallpaper
• • • • • •
licensed and insured lic #30697
Insurance Agency, Inc.
Personal Auto•Home•Renters•Umbrella Watercraft•Scheduled Property... Commercial Contractors•Retail•Offices...
Movers On The Go
legalWestern MA
mark i. berson, p.c attorney at law
Divorce • support • Custody Alimony Property Division Health/Medical Insurance Modification Contempt Pre-Nuptial Agreement Mediation
www.markiberson.com
413-774-3741
commercial moves internal moves residential moves hoisting pianos in-home wrapping materials packing moving safes vending machines
800.939.4199 617.381.0503
www.moversonthego.net
licensed and insured lic #30697
LINKPINK
www.linkpink.com savoirflairmagazine 75
Music – Plastic Surgery MUSICWESTERN Ma
Savoir Flair Marketplace PAINTINGMa
pet sittingboston
Arch Painting inc.
Interior & Exterior Painting Power Washing Serving Boston & all of the North Shore & Western Suburbs Member of the Better Business Bureau & PDCA. MA Reg. #129981 Fully Insured
(781)933-9335 www.archpainting.com
(617)934-4955 • www.wickedgooddog.com 5 Copeland Street, Quincy, MA 02169
• Training for All Size Puppies/Dogs • In-Home Pet Sitting for Dogs, Cats, Birds & Other Exotic Pets • Agility, Adventure, and Good Citizen Training • Dog Walking • Play Groups
pet WheelchairNew England OPTICALBoston
Eddie’s Wheels
pet HOSPITALWestern MA 617-424-9292
Dr. Barry Shomali
Optometrist
101 Tremont St., Ste. 406 Boston, MA 02108 (617) 426-3236 Eyecare10@drshomali.com
OPTICALCENTRAL Ma
Easthampton Animal Hospitial was opened in 1984 and offers wellness, urgent, and surgical care to dogs and cats. We are located in Easthampton, MA.
Kittens & Cats, Puppies & Dogs Sick visits • Laboratory • X-RAY Surgery • Financial • Dental Care 410 Main Street. Easthampton, MA
413-527-0127
Eye Exams • Contact Lens • Fittings Eyeglasses • Sunglasses • Sales Repairs • Adjustments Yale Shriber, Optometrist
47 Waltham St., Lexington, MA (781) 674-1400 • Fax: (781) 674-1308
THINKPINK
www.linkpink.com 76 savoirflairmagazine
www.easthamptonanimalhospital.com
For the past 20 years, ever since his own Doberman Pinscher, Buddha, became paralyzed due to disc disease, Ed Grinnell has been designing and manufacturing mobility carts for dogs with disabilities. A mechanical engineer by trade, he brings a lifetime of professional experience to this work, incorporating the highest engineering standards with special consideration to each pet's unique disabilities and anatomy. Ed and his wife Leslie live with two disabled dogs and are constantly learning from them new ways to perfect the design.
140 State St. Shelburne, MA
Toll-free: 888-211-2700 413-625-0033 www.eddieswheels.com
plastic surgeryboston
Building a better body can be TOUGH! You work hard to look and feel your best. But sometimes you need a little help...
PET pHOTOGRAPHYMA
LA MUSE
people and pet photography www.lamusephoto.com 617.308.3471
Richard Silverman, MD, FACS Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery 29 Crafts Street, Suite 370 Newton, MA 02458 617-965-9500 www.ricksilverman.com
Savoir Flair Marketplace real estateBoston Matt LaFever, REALTOR/Partner Keller Williams Realty Boston South West
(877) 699-0767, E-mail: matt@mattlafever.com, www. mattlafever.com. Skillfully representing both buyers or sellers, Matt’s resources include a team of seasoned professionals, cutting-edge technologies and innovative marketing and negotiating strategies that are unparalleled in the business. Matt partners with top GLBT-friendly advertising, staging/ remodeling, lending, financial, legal and moving and storage professionals to meet your unique needs.
real estateWestern MA
Real Estate – Vacation Rental RestaurantBoston Himalayan Bistro
1735 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA 02132, (617) 325-3500, fax: (617) 325-5054, e-mail: info@himalayanbistro.net, www.himalayanbistro.net. Indian and Nepali Cuisine We are proud to be the first Nepali restaurant in the Greater Boston area. Nepal food is healthy, nourishing, practical and tasty. All of our dishes are prepared similar to the way the Nepali royal family is served. As our guests, we want to serve you like royalty. Our menu also includes Indian cuisine. Our dining hall is elegant with high ceilings, authentic music and antique statues. Delivery and catering service available.
roofingBoston
ANL
Slate Roofing Co. (617) 913-1130
barbarademerskirealestate.com
Stop by our office at 10 Bright St., Northampton, MA
Free Estimates MA Lic # 98979
• Slate & copper restoration • Rubber & shingle roofs • Copper domes, bay windows, and gutters
(413) 586-2345 For solid advice on buying or selling a home, call the Pioneer Valley Professionals with over 50 years combined experience.
THEAterBOSTON
vacation rentalwestern mA
22 Phillips Place Charming
Rainbow Roofing and Siding, Inc. All types of roofing Residential & Commercial Call for a free estimate! (617) 471-2999 • 67 Island Ave, Quincy, MA
Vacation rental apartment in historic neighborhood two blocks from downtown Northampton
nightly, weekly, monthly rates For more information, call (413) 695-0883 e-mail: crepedechine24@yahoo.com web: www.vrbo.com/139623
SEX THERAPISTMA RestaurantBoston
Sex is perfectly natural, but not naturally perfect. Deepen love and make sex more satisfying
authentic Cuban food fresh tropical fruit drinks
416 Centre St. Jamaica Plain, MA. (617)524-6464 info@elorientaldecuba.com www.elorientaldecuba.com Coriander Bistro
5 Post Office Sq. Sharon, MA, (781)-784-2300, www. corianderbistro.net. Coriander Bistro, one of the very famous restaurants in Sharon will reopen on June 1st onwards, The name of the restaurant will not change, but the menu certainly will as it will be Indian and South Asian cuisine along with other ethnic recipes ! The chef is very good and has worked on various cruise lines & he is familiar with all kinds of cooking. Coriander has earned rave reviews from the Boston Globe, Zagat, the Phantom Gourmet, and Boston Magazine, just to name a few.
Want To Reach the GLBT Community?
Advertise In
Andrew Aaron, LICSW, AASECT (508) 997-6091 www.helpforpassion.com
SHOESBOSTON
teddy shoes inc. High Heel/Dance Shoe Specialists Sizes up to 16
617-354-2987 548 mass ave., Cambridge, MA hiheelheaven.com • teddyshoes.com
savoirflair and
Pink
Pages
Contact KP Media 617-423-1515 www.linkpink.com savoirflairmagazine 77
east coast ticket co n ce r t s • t h e a t re • n a s ca r n h l • m l b • n b a • n ca a
617-292-9944
www.eastcoastticket.com
Crafts Transport Inc. Over 25 years of dependability
One of Maine’s oldest, most trusted transporters of personal autos from Maine to Florida for our valued snowbird customers. With our fleet of modern car carriers, we set the industry standard for car shipping efficiency and unparalleled service. Our auto transport trucks are equipped with satellite tracking, and are fully insured to protect the value of your investment. Pick-up and drop-off locations in Florida, Maine, and Massachusetts. (800) 872-3219 www.craftstransport.com 78 savoirflairmagazine
John H. Kelleher
CPA, Attorney at Law
Know Your Rights! Tax Problems Divorce Matters Child Custody 617-451-9720 137 South St., Suite 3 Boston, MA Kelleher@wwct.com
www.wwct.com
savoirflairmagazine 79