Moving!

As part of a grandiose plan to modernize our web presence, this blog, our calendar, and our web site will merge and live at discoverycommunity.org.  Follow us there!  You won't get lost!

Pres Day Weekend Retreat 2011

What an amazing weekend was had by 27 guys at the Discovery President's Day Retreat at Westminster Woods in Occidental. This was the first winter retreat in four years. Most guys stayed in the lodges with all the comforts of home. A few late-birds were in the more rustic cabins. The topics of the workshops related to Lifelong Friendships - finding friends, managing friendships and special situations for gay friendships. With the cooperation of the weather, the group also enjoyed long hikes through the spectacular redwoods, a couple of very topical movies (Big Eden and Toy Story 3) and, of course, the talent/no talent show. There was plenty of talent to showcase - from coming out stories, to stand-up comedy, drag, singing and the bevvy of beauties. It was a pleasure to have a mix of long-time Discovery members and new people, including a terrific guy in a wheelchair, who taught the group a lot about the differently-abled. The Westminster Woods staff was on hand through out the weekend and could not have been more welcoming. The kitchen gave us good, hearty, nutritious meals. Our hostess, Malika, was a lot of fun and the techboy Randy was particularly easy on the eyes as he moved about the campground doing his chores. Planning will soon start for the Independence Day weekend retreat at Wildwood.

July 4th Gathering at Wildwood: Directions and What to Bring

I'm sending this to every attendee, posted here just in case someone needs it...

Driving DirectionsTo Wildwood Retreat Center
(be sure to eat lunch before you arrive. Our first meal at Wildwood will be dinner)

Plan on arriving between 2pm and 6pm. It's OK to arrive later, however beware that dinner is scheduled to end at 7:15pm (leftovers may be available after that).

Start address: 2200 Market St San Francisco, CA 94114
End address: 20111 Old Cazadero Rd, Guerneville, Sonoma, California 95446

Start on Hwy 101 past the Golden Gate Bridge (or from Hwy 580 in San Rafael)
1. Take US-101 N - 43.3 mi
2. Take the CA-116 exit toward Rohnert Park/Sebastopol - 0.2 mi
3. Turn left at CA-116/Gravenstein Hwy (signs for CA-116)  Continue to 
follow CA-116 - 8.3 mi
4. Turn left at CA-116/McKinley Ave - 453 ft
5. Turn right at CA-116/N Main St  Continue to follow CA-116 - 13.9 mi
6. Turn left at CA-116/River Rd - 0.9 mi
7. Turn right at Old Cazadero Rd - 1.0 mi
8. Turn right to stay on Old Cazadero Rd - 0.7 mi
9. Turn right to stay on Old Cazadero Rd - 1.6 mi

Just be sure to stay on Old Cazadero Rd once you are on it.
Wildwood is at the very end of the road.

In case of emergency you can leave a message at WildWood at 707-632-6406 (the kitchen staff’s phone)


Carpool is coordinated by Guy Tiphane, guy@tiphane.org, cell phone (510) 229-9234 (until about noon Friday, not sure about coverage once at Wildwood)



WHAT TO BRING LIST
Summer July 4th weekend Gathering at wildwood retreat center
Friday, July 2 TO Monday, July 5th, 2010

Bedding:
Linens are provided. This includes sheets, pillow, blanket, and bath towel.

You may want to bring:
Extra Blanket

Towel for swimming/Hot Tub/Sun bathing and if you are participating in the Naked Massage workshop
Suggested Clothes:
Casual summer attire. It will most likely be warm during the day and may get cool in the evening.
Light jacket or sweatshirt
Sunglasses
Hiking Shoes
Sleep wear (if you wear anything)
Swimsuit
Hat to block the sun
Other Stuff:

Flashlight & Batteries
Toiletries; soap, shampoo, etc.
Ear Plugs!
“No-Snore” Nose Strips
Camera
Prescription Medications
Over the counter medicines (aspirin, Rolaids, etc.)
Watch or Travel Alarm Clock
A book (to read and/or share)
Sunscreen/tanning lotion
Insect repellent
Additional snacks or soda (snacks, fruit, and beverages will be provided throughout the weekend)

Also bring a personal item to share during our Salon on Sunday night. This can be a story, a favorite song or piece of music, a poem, a skit, a comedy routine, a magic act, a dramatic reading…well, you get the idea. We’ll try to make sure that everyone who wants to share gets to share. In order to help us do that, please limit the length of time of your act to 5 minutes.

For the Photography and Hiking Workshop
Join us for a hike and to talk about the photos you like to take. Take pictures during the week-end, exploring new ideas, and select a few to show in a slide show during the Salon. Bring your digital camera (and battery charger if needed), as there will be a computer with memory card reader to facilitate the selection (if it doesn’t have card memory, bring its USB cable).

Discovery Guidelines for Behavior and Conduct During the Weekend:
Discovery Men’s Weekends require an atmosphere of safety and respect for all participants. Therefore, any behavior that violates the boundaries of another (i.e. physical violence, sexual activity without mutual consent, etc.), or any behavior that poses a danger to oneself or others will be considered unacceptable for participation in the weekend.
Discovery Men’s Weekend is a clean and sober environment; no alcohol or drugs are permitted. Discovery Community, Inc. reserves the right to deny attendance to any individual and to request an individual to leave the weekend if his behavior warrants it.

Discovery Summer Gathering

Creating Connection, Authenticity, and the Life of Your Dreams


Date: Friday July 2 at 4:00PM through Monday July 5 (depart after lunch)

Location: Wildwood Retreat Center

Guerneville, CA

Register at discoveryjuly4.eventbrite.com


Dreaming about the future--we all do it. We all strive to live our dreams and we all struggle to make it happen. Come join Discovery Community for a weekend at Wildwood to energize yourself and to connect with an amazing group of men.


The weekend will provide opportunities for self-exploration, making new connections, and having lots of fun. Together we'll explore the things we want, the things that hold us back, and the ways we can help each other move forward.


There will also be plenty of activities to enjoy and participate in if you choose. You can hike through the redwoods, take in the spectacular views from Julie Andrews Point, and frolic in the swimming pool and hot tub. The weekend offers the chance to bond with new friends or just to hang out by yourself.


Wildwood Retreat Center is a great place to experience all of this. Here are some of the fabulous amenities:

*12 Man Hot Tub

*Big Pool

*Dry Sauna

*200 acres of woods, meadows, and hiking trails

*Julie Andrews Point (You have to see this!)

*Great Food (REALLY Great Food)


This year, by popular demand, we will have 3 great nights together and nine gourmet meals at this amazing location.

Berkeley Rep Night Out: Girlfriend

Sold Out!  If you've rsvp'ed and haven't received an answer yet, we're looking for tickets for you...

Extra!  Todd Almond will join us for dinner!
Thursday April 15, 6:00pm (dinner) / 8:00pm (show)

We'll have dinner together starting at 6:00pm at Cyprus, a small Mediterranean restaurant situated just half a block from Berkeley Repertory Theatre where at 8:00pm we'll see the new show Girlfriend, followed by the Night Out lgbt party!  I have reserved discounted group tickets (instructions on how to get them to follow, they're $27 each).

Cyprus Restaurant (see it on Yelp) is at 81 Shattuck Sq, Berkeley (follow this Google Map, because it comes out wrong if you enter the address), just outside the Addison Street exit of the Downtown Berkeley BART Station, across from Half Price Books and Comic Relief.  I'll reserve the upstairs section for us.
Help us by pre-ordering: check the menu here, and e-mail me your selections at guy (at) tiphane (dot) org .

How to reserve your seats: send me an e-mail at guy (at) tiphane (dot) org and I'll send you instructions (send me a check, or PayPal, or meet me on the street,...).  Please RSVP as soon as possible because group tickets may sell out.

The Show: Girlfriend
book by Todd Almond
music and lyrics by Matthew Sweet
directed by Les Waters
world premiere

Girlfriend is a new musical about two young men just out of High School somewhere in Nebraska (that's where Todd Almond grew up) and facing the possible reality of falling in love with each other.  Remember when you'd make tapes of music for a friend and insert one song as a message?  The songs here are from Matthew Sweet, mostly from his album Girlfriend and a couple more from 100% fun.  Add choreography by Joe Goode, plus a live all-girl, all-queer band, and this will be the event of the season!
 Mike (Jason Hite, above) and Will (Ryder Bach) fall in love during the world premiere of Girlfriend, a new musical at Berkeley Rep wound around the tender love songs of Matthew Sweet’s landmark album.
Photo courtesy of kevinberne.com

More Info

Highlights from the director’s presentation for Girlfriend (Mar 2010)

On sfgate.com: Berkeley Rep's Les Waters dives into new work


Directions
Downtown Berkeley BART is on the Richmond line.  If you get out on the big escalator, go right on Shattuck, across Center St., and then across Addison St (Half Price Books).  The restaurant will be on your right, across the street, at 81 Shattuck Sq, Berkeley (follow this Google Map)

From the restaurant to the theatre is half a block.

If you drive, follow these directions and parking suggestions:


Couples Potluck Brunch

Sunday, February 21, 11am – 1pm


Where: Home of Mark & Matt, on 14th St, San Francisco (between Guerrero & Valencia)
Join Discovery for a potluck Couples Brunch. This will be e great opportunity to meet other couples and share stories of your unique relationship. We are sure at least one of you can cook (or you'd both be starving, right?) so let us know what you'll be bringing. Mark will coordinate so we don't all bring bagels. Coffee and beverages provided. RSVP to Mark at msrumplersf (at) yahoo (dot) com