Well, this is it, our first anniversary issue! We started off at a modest 24 pages last November and here we are now, at 48 pages – double our original size! Talk about growing pains...

We are so grateful for our wonderfully dedicated writers – they are the soul of our magazine:

• Jason Clevett, who has written the majority of our business, food, and theatre reviews. Without him our issues would be very bare indeed!

• Stephen Lock, an active member of our community who has provided our thought-provoking community awareness articles.

• Nina Tron, who writes our popular "Ask Nina" column. Your wise advice is a loving kick-in-the-butt – we all need ‘em sometimes.

• DJ Krazay Steve, our resident music expert, and other contributors to the magazine.

And naturally, we wouldn’t have lasted this long without the support of our advertisers. Not only do they help to make us possible, but because of this support, we’ve been able to donate over $20,000 in advertising space and other services to Non-profit and Charity groups such as GLCSA, the ISCCA, ARGRA, Pride Calgary, Small Change Big Changes, Rocky Mountain Bears, AIDS Vancouver, and many many more!

Now that we’ve had our moment in the spotlight, we’d like to point out that this Anniversary Issue is not just about us. Many of our supporters and advertisers are also having their anniversaries this month, or already had them not too long ago. Detour has their 22nd Anniversary party coming up on Sunday November 21st – make sure you go down and join them! Congratulations to Backlot for 8 great years, and also to Priape Calgary and Blubox, both of whom just reached their 1-year mark! Carly York Jones, Mercedes, and Shae Reshawn are celebrating 4 years of drag performances at the Village Cantina in Inglewood. Kudos to these 3 performers who do lots of fabulous events throughout the community!

Solar Café is now hosting Saturday night drag shows put on by the ISCCA. Debi, former owner of the Midnight Café, has endorsed this event and venue as a new hang-out for the old gang. She writes, "...if you have a chance, make sure you go down and see Eric, I am sure that it will be a fabulous time."

Drum roll please. We are proud to announce the launch of The Twisted Element, a new gay night spot here in Calgary that’s gonna knock your socks off! By day, they open their doors as a full-on restaurant. At night...well let’s put it this way, they’ll be Calgary’s largest gay establishment hands down. DJ Krazay Steve is back DJing for us homos after 2 whole years of spinning in straight clubs. Make sure you come down for their grand opening on Friday November 12th – they open to the public after 11:00pm.

Last year’s "Everything to do about Sex" show was a great way for us to get our name out. This year’s incarnation is known as "Taboo", and we’ll be down there again to spread the word and get some great exposure for our advertisers. The exhibition is being held from November 18th-21st, and tickets can be ordered online at www.taboosexshow.com, or bought at the Round-up center.

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Contributor Rob Diaz-Marino |

Locale Calgary |

Topic Publisher's Column |