BOTH BORN ON THIS DAY

Susan Hayward, 1919


Lena Horne, 1917

GLBT DAY AT CORNERSTONE CHURCH

Fifty GLBT activists, organized under the auspices of Soulforce and Atticus Circle, attended services at anti-gay pastor John Hagee’s Cornerstone Church in San Antonio on June 28. The action was the first of many planned to take place across the country as part of Soulforce’s Sundays of Solidarity.Those who attended the services and the meeting afterward tell QSanAntonio that the atmosphere at the church was cordial and polite. No special mention was made during the service of the GLBT attendees. After the service, the group was escorted into a side chapel where they were offered light refreshments and interacted with Cornerstone members.Pastor Hagee briefly welcomed the group before he and his wife took a private meeting with Jeff Lutes, executive director of Soulforce and Jodie Eldridge, executive director of Atticus Circle.Writer Toby Johnson told QSanAntonio that while the conversations with Cornerstone members were friendly and respectful, it was clear that Hagee’s followers were firm in their belief in scriptures which say homosexuality is wrong.
- from our friends at Q San Antonio, who also never answer our e-mails

SURREAL ESTATE: THAT SUNSET BLVD. FEELING

Despite the triple digit heat, this weekend Stella and I were out scouring the 09 for yard sales. Y'all know Mess just moved into a new crib so we are always looking for interesting bric a brac and shit. While we didn't find any decorative items, we came across an empty mansion that intrigued Stella so much she pulled into the long driveway as fast as Joe Gillis ditching the repo man. It made me want to ask Stella if she was behind in her car payments, but I know her hoopdie was all paid for years ago. Anyway, these pics do not do this hot mess any justice. we pulled through the porte cochere (that's a damn way too narrow archway for y'all who don't know French) nearly scraping the sides of Stella's ride and there it was, just like in the movies, the crumbling 3 car garage with the apartment over it. We could almost picture Max and the dead monkey walking across the overgrown lawn.

If any of you are interested in buying this palazzo, Rubiola Real Estate has the listing. It's on the market for just under 2 million and it sits on almost 1 and half acres. We're hoping somebody will restore it rather than do a LA tear down number on it. We wrote the realtor to ask about the history of the place but got no response. So, we're not giving out the address. But if you are on Broadway in Alamo Heights you can't miss it. It sits on a huge corner property.

BORN ON THIS DAY

Author of "The Little Prince" Antoine de Saint Exupery, 1900

ALL YOU NEED IS GANAS!

Mess and his trusty sidekick Chiflado took in some local theatre at the Esperanza Center last night. We went to see ‘Miss America: A Mexicanito Fairy’s Tale.’ On the surface we see Chuy watching the Miss America Pageant and wanting to be Miss America representing his home state of Texas. But through his Fairy Godmother and friends and family he learns there is more to life than Miss America. The important thing is one’s roots as he listens to them as they make him realize how proud it is to be Mexicano.

I was very impressed with the focus on the Mexican history brought out in this play. The incomparable Erica Andrews ( pictured above) stars as the Fairy Godmother and all the females in the play. The costume changes were quick and nothing was wasted. There is a lot of humor and parts of the play are in Spanish, but easy to understand. This play has a short run but comes highly recommended by Chiflado.
Miss America is written by local author Jesus Alonzo, who is also in the cast as the father. Kudos to the rest of the talented cast especially Jaime Gonzalez as Chuy who had to play against Erica.

http://www.esperanzacenter.org/

IF YOU LOVE YOUR FREEDOM, THANK A QUEEN

June 28 marks the 40th anniversary of The Stonewall Riot in New York City, an event widely acknowledged as the beginning of the GLBT rights "revolution". While there are still miles to go before we sleep (Thanks, Robert Frost...) there are glimmers of hope. Locally. Cornerstone Church Rev. Hagee is scheduled to meet with GLBT leaders. We can only hope that we may reach a point where our religious leaders start doing God's work instead of God's job.

BORN ON THIS DAY

Norma Kamali, 1945

NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY

As part of National HIV Testing Day, the San Antonio AIDS Foundation will offer free 20-minute HIV testing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the foundation’s office at 818 E. Grayson.
The 20-minute tests will be free and confidential. Minors do not need a parent’s consent.
SAAF also offers testing from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.
For more information, call (210) 225-4715 or visit www.txsaaf.org.
National HIV Testing Day is an annual campaign run by the National Association of People with AIDS.

BORN ON THIS DAY

Peter Lorre, 1904

A TEXAS ANGEL GOES TO HEAVEN

Corpus Christi native Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with cancer today. She was 62 years old.

BORN ON THIS DAY

Barbara Graham, center, born today in 1923. Executed in 1955. Her life story was the basis for the Susan Hayward film "I Want To Live".

PHIL BUSY FIXING UP NEW HOME

LOS ANGELES – Phil Spector is hoping to get a few comforts of home in his new prison cell, and a television, iPod and computer access are at the top of his list.
The music producer was transferred this week to the largest state prison in California where he will serve his sentence of 19 years to life for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson.
As a medium-security inmate, Spector can make some requests for items he wants in his cell, and his wife acknowledges her husband is already creating a list.
"He wants a TV and an iPod or something like that for listening to music," Rachelle Spector said Tuesday. "And he would like to be able to receive e-mail." And you know he wants to be able to follow WhiteChocolateMess and be able to order wigs online as well.

BORN ON THIS DAY

Jeff Beck, 1944

PEREZ HILTON WOULD LOVE THIS!

What happens when a young gay Mexican dude dreams of becoming Miss America? He enlists the help of a fairy godmother! (Erica Andrews, shown above).

Miss America: A Mexicanito Fairy’s Tale Jun 19-Jul 3$10; Esperanza Peace and Justice Center (210) 228-0201 Esperanzacenter.org

FAMOUS SAN ANTONIO NATIVE- GUESS WHO

Who's this homeboy? Let us know if you recognize him!

BORN ON THIS DAY

Frances McDormand, 1957

IS THIS THE END OF BARACK'S BUTT?

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is set to sign into law an anti-smoking bill that will give the Food and Drug Administration unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco.
Obama is scheduled to sign the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act during an event Monday in the Rose Garden. The law allows the FDA to reduce nicotine in tobacco products, ban candy flavorings and block labels such "low tar" and "light." Tobacco companies also will be required to cover their cartons with large graphic warnings. Here's a photo of the Prez as he prepares to sign the bill.

BORN ON THIS DAY

Cyndi Lauper, 1953

BORN ON THIS DAY

Martin Landau, 1931

GET OUTTA HERE, HUSHPUPPY, WE NEED THE BED

Here's wishing our buddy Michael H. a speedy recovery. Much Love from all of us.

BIG TEXAS BITCH SLAP WINNERS!

OK, so we love being Gemini. This means WCM can go from grateful to hateful faster than a new Ferrari can get from 0 to 60. But we just heard some news that got us HOT.
We're gonna give a big TEXAS BITCH SLAP to the two follwing punks who give Texans a bad name. And we don't need any more of that shit.
The first bozo is the federal judge in Texas who is likely to become the first federal judge to be impeached in 20 years. Judge Samuel Kent admitted to sexually harassing and abusing two female members of his staff, and was convicted of obstruction of justice. He is scheduled to report to prison Monday, but he has refused to step down and give up his salary until next year.

Sure thing, Sammy, anything you want. How about a cell at The Driskill?
A-hole number two is fellow Texan billionaire ( and that's not HIS billions, babies) financier Robert Allen Stanford who's been indicted on charges of criminal conspiracy to commit mail, wire and securities fraud, actions that earned his company an estimated $7 billion, prosecutors said Friday.
Shame on y'all. WCM is revoking your Republic of Texas citizenship immediately.

BORN ON THIS DAY

Gena Rowlands, 1930

THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THANGS

As many of you faithful followers of this blog know, Friday is usually real estate round up. Maybe it's because WCM just moved and is sorta sick of looking at houses, but this Friday we thought we'd share a little gratitude list of what makes us warm and fuzzy when we think of San Antonio. So here goes, and keep in mind the list is far from complete. It's just that lately, these people places and things have gotten us through this so called life.

1. The River Walk Extension. Over there by the Pearl Brewery. Gorgeous. Especially at night. Right up there with the residential river walk stretch in King William. We're not dissing the main River Walk drag - hey, keep those money spending tourists coming! - but we like our stuff a little less "busy".
2. SAAF and ARC. If you don't know these acronyms, then you are either doing very well, thank you, or you just have not heard of two of San Antonio's amazing social service organizations. WCM spends a few days a week volunteering at SAAF, and it's one reason we're feeling grateful lately.

3. The drive down the hill from 281 on Hildebrand towards Broadway. Why do I always feel like I'm heading into a little New England college town whenever I cruise over there. Beautiful. And the Olmos Dam. You know, if you flew into San Antonio and never went south of the airport you might never ever wanna come back.

4. Julian Castro doing Gay Pride. It's next month so we're giving him a front here, but we love him already.

5. Jackies Auto Clinic on Norwood. Somebody's gotta keep old Xavier alive, and they do. Very well.

6. Low Housing Prices. Yes, still. Go take a look at New York, Austin, San Francisco, Dallas, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta real estate prices. You'll dig what I'm saying.

7. Thriftown, Thousand Oaks. Ok, as I write this I got Johnnie Taylor blasting outta this $6 Sony stereo. Nuff said.

8. The 106 Club - every city needs a musty dusty old neighborhood gay dive bar with an off the chain jukebox and dozens of chadeliers. Here it is.

9. Central Market - don't be intimidated. Go throw a little something like a can of fancy feast in your basket to show you're a serious shopper and go around the store and sample all that free gourmet shit - they put it out there for people to eat! And if you look, some of the prices are not bad - a big ass bottle of Carta Blanca was over half a buck less there than at my corner gas station, okay? And my corner gas station didn't give me a free damn lunch!

10. Our friends and readers - we got nothin' but love for you, baby!

NOW HOW ABOUT TELLING WCM A FEW OF YOUR FAVES?

AND THE BRASS COJONES AWARDS GOES TO...

our new mayor Julian Castro, who will be the FIRST San Antonio Mayor in history to be grand marshall of the GLBT pride parade July 4. As Castro points out, he was elected mayor of ALL the people, and well, baby, some of the people are GLBT. So we give props to Castro and hope to see him lead the United State's 7th largest city out of the dark ages. An interesting side note, Reverend Hagee of the Cornerstone Church will be meeting with GLBT leaders from both here and Austin. Is the wind of change blowing around here? We can only hope.

BOTH BORN ON THIS DAY

Here's Ingrid Bergmann in 1952 with her two little bundles of joy, Isabella and Isotta Rosellini. Most of us know that Isabella went on to become a major model, film star and activist, but twin sister Isotta was no slouch either, getting a PHD from Columbia University and becoming a professor of Italian literature and film.

WE LOVE EVA'S MILKSHAKES!

Here's our home girl Eva working a charity event at a local Wendy's, where she was an employee back in the day.

BORN ON THIS DAY

Paulina Rubio, 1971

FAMOUS SAN ANTONIO RESIDENT - GUESS WHO

Her reason for moving here was just one shocking and amazing facet of her fascinating life. Even after her death, her legacy lives on in the form of a famous local institution.

LIFE IN WHIMSICAL 78209

We finally have a coveted '09' zip code! But don't break out the Moet Chandon yet - that fancy pants Alamo Heights zip code reaches into some funky sections - and ours is one of them. We are now located in the closest ghetto to Central Market! But we were amazed when we visited our Alamo Heights HEB, where the cheap wine is stocked under "Whimisical". So, we now have a fun new name for cheap. Whimiscal. Gotta love it. So, we pulled up in Xavier, who looks like he was driven through a few plutonium fields, and squeezed the old love boat between two ultra spendy SUV's. Now, Xavier may look like hell on wheels but he has an air conditioner that makes meat lockers feel tropical. Bitches wanna ride with me need to bring some parkas or faux furs or some shit.
But in the short walk of shame up to the doors of the HEB, WhiteChocolateMess began sweating like a whore in church! Yours truly hit that supermarket looking like he was signing up for a damn wet tee shirt contest. The reason I even bring this up is because the store was filled with rich white people, and one thing I always notice about RWP's is that they NEVER sweat. And damn all if they don't get all made up and dressed to the nines to go to a damn grocery store!
Anyway, we grabbed a bottle of something whimiscal and headed back to 09's sweaty armpit.

BORN ON THIS DAY

One of our favorite writers, Joyce Carol Oates, was born today in 1938. Stunning, spare, dark, creepy, brilliant work.

BORN ON THIS DAY

Happy Birthday to Xaviera Hollander, born in 1943.

THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE

WE HOPE TO BE BACK MONDAY JUNE 15. WE HAVE THE FINEST TECH IN THE BUSINESS WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO GET US BACK ON LINE!

MESS IS MOVING!

WCM is moving this weekend. No, not the blog - the blogger! So we may not be posting until early next week. Hang in there and try to be brave. See our links for some stuff that will keep you informed and amused while we pack up our shit and head across town. Big Love on y'all!

BORN ON THIS DAY

Mark Wahlberg, 1971

THE SKY IS CRYING...

CHICAGO – Grammy winner Koko Taylor, a sharecropper's daughter whose regal bearing and powerful voice earned her the sobriquet "Queen of the Blues," has died after complications from surgery. She was 80.

http://www.kokotaylor.com/index.html

DAVID CARRADINE FOUND DEAD

BANGKOK – Actor David Carradine, star of the 1970s TV series "Kung Fu" who also had a wide-ranging career in the movies, has been found dead in the Thai capital, Bangkok. A news report said he was found hanged in his hotel room and was believed to have committed suicide. He was 72.

6/5 UPDATE: Pornthip Rojanasunand, director of Thailand's Central Institute of Forensic Science, said Carradine may have died attempting a sex act known as auto-erotic asphyxiation — cutting off oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal.

BORN ON THIS DAY

Rosalind Russell, 1908

NEW HAMPSHIRE GOES GAY!

CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire legislators approved a measure Wednesday that would make the state the sixth to allow gay marriage, and Gov. John Lynch said he would sign it later in the afternoon.

6 down, only 44 more to go!

GREAT DAY SA TO GREAT LAY LA

A Los Angeles television reporter and former San Antonio "Great Day SA" host is dating Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, about two years after his extramarital affair with another local newscaster led to the breakup of his 20-year marriage.
KTLA-TV reporter Lu Parker, a former Miss U.S.A., has been dating Villaraigosa since March, station officials confirmed Monday. On Sunday, while working as a weekend anchor, Parker announced a story about the likelihood of Villaraigosa running for governor in 2010.

BORN ON THIS DAY

Beaumont, Texas native Irma P. Hall, 1935. Nominated for an Oscar for her performance in The Ladykillers.

FLYING MISS DAISY

With his career, Oscar winning actor Morgan Freeman does a lot of travelling around the world. His latest stop in San Antonio, however, is not for a movie. Freeman is in town to pick up his newest investment, an S-J 30 business jet. The jets are built here in San Antonio, by EMIVEST Aerospace, formerly Sino Swearingen.

BORN ON THIS DAY

Olympic Gold medal swimmer and actor in Tarzan movies, Johnny Weissmuller, 1904. Shown here with co-star Cheetah.

FAMOUS FOLK FROM SAN ANTONIO - GUESS WHO!

OK, faithful readers. Can y'all ID this home girl?

THAT'S BALLS, FOLKS!

Some kids will do anything for money.
Last week at Shepton High School in Plano, a ninth-grader agreed to eat parts of a fetal pig – and not just any parts – for $50.
The second-period biology class was wrapping up a third session on dissection when a couple of students proposed the dare.
"What was I eating?" the boy recalled asking.
Testicles, the students replied. He gulped them down one at a time, he said, trying not to bite down.
"It was just like swallowing a pill," said the 15-year-old, who is not being identified because of his age. "It wasn't that bad."
School officials, who declined to comment, apparently took a different view, especially because the pigs are soaked in formaldehyde, a toxic chemical used to preserve the tissue. They called the boy's mother, who couldn't be reached for comment, and a trip to the hospital followed.
"She said, 'How could you be so stupid?' " the boy said.
After the hospital, he said, he went home and brushed his teeth – three times.
He said he collected $40 but owes his mom $100 for the hospital visit.
"It wasn't very smart," the boy said.

- from KENS5 News

BORN ON THIS DAY

Marilyn Monroe, 1926