Educational
The Point Foundation (The National LGBT Scholarship Fund)
http://www.thepointfoundation.org/
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network:
http://www.glsen.org
The Safe Zone Foundation
http://safezonefoundation.tripod.com/
Born Different (A cute and informational website)
http://borndifferent.org/
Advocacy
Human Rights Campaign:
http://www.hrc.org
The Matthew Shepard Foundation
http://www.matthewshepard.org
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
http://www.ngltf.org
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
http://www.glaad.org
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays:
http://www.pflag.org
The AIDS Memorial Quilt
http://www.aidsquilt.org/
The Trevor Project
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Campus Pride
http://www.campuspride.org/
Organizations
Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
http://www.glchamber.org
Northern Diversity Network
http://www.northerndiversitynetwork.com/
Spectrum, University of Wyoming LGBT organization
http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/SPECTRUM/
Entertainment
Bass Schuler Entertainment(My agency)
http://www.bass-schuler.com3
65 gay.com: (Gay news, business, entertainment & health)
http://www.365gay.com
Sabrina Matthews ( A friend of mine who is a stand up comedian.)
http://www.sabrinamatthews.com/
Favorites
Chicago's Miss Foozie
http://www.missfoozie.com/
Twin Spirit Tribe(Harmonizing the energies of the gay and straight communities
through Camaraderie, Ceremony and service)
http://www.twinSpiritTribe.com
Fish out of water film
http://www.fishoutofwater.com
Free the Children
http://www.freethechildren.com
OutWorld.TV: a social media networking site devoted to covering the LGBT community
http://outworld.tv/
Personal favorites and fun stuff
Sweet Treats By Tony (Check out my friend Tony's blog about his wonderful baked creations)
http://sweettreatsbytony.blogspot.com/
Puppet Bike: Quirky puppet shows on the sidewalks in Chicago
http://puppetbike.com/
The Morse Theatre (Chicago, IL)
http://www.themorse.com
In my travels across the country, I have come across favorite places and things I enjoy. I have included their websites below, if available, for you to check out. These are special things that I hold dear that have wonderful memories attached to them and products and services I enjoy.
I will be adding more as time goes on.
Enjoy!
Illinois
Chicago
Piece
http://www.piecechicago.com/
I think that this is one of the best pizzas in Chicago. Thin crust and just wonderful. Try the mix green salad and you can thank me later. Just wonderful! Located in Wicker Park
Soup Box
http://www.thesoupbox.com/
If you love hot soup like I do, then you need to get to Soup Box and try this soup. I Usually go to Soup Box for lunch on Saturday while i am out doing my errands. There are 12 different soups to choose from and all soup comes with a chuck of fresh bread. The staff there is always very nice and personable.
Sidetrack
http://www.sidetrackchicago.com/home.htm
This is my favorite gay bar in Chicago. Nice layout to the place, very community orientated and a nice bar staff. My favorite days to go are on Thursdays for Video Comedy Night and Sunday for Showtunes. Sing along to your hearts content.
Caputo's Fresh Markets
http://caputomarkets.com/
This great market offers so many great deals in fresh produce, cheese and olive oil. I love this Italian market as I enjoy buying fresh and inexpensive good food. Be patient while you are shopping as its also a favorite with the older Polish and Italian ladies who come there to shop.
Music Box Theatre
http://www.musicboxtheatre.com/
The Music Box Theatre opened on August 22, 1929, a time when the movie palaces in downtown Chicago had seating capacities of around 3000 people. The Music Box, which sat 800, was considered an elaborate little brother to those theatres. Theatre Architecture Magazine noted in 1929 that the theatre represents the smaller, though charming and well equipped, sound picture theatre which is rapidly taking the place of the 'deluxe' palace.This place is a gem and a must see. Really wonderful!
Maine
Camp Camp
http://campcamp.com/
A camp for LGBT Adults, one week out of the year! I would love to get a group of people together next summer and go to CampCamp. Anyone interested?
Michigan
Boyne City
Boyne River Inn
A great place for all you can eat Fish & Chips on Friday night!
Horton Bay General Store
http://www.hortonsbaygeneralstore.com/
This little store tucked away just outside of Boyne City on the way to Charlevoix is rich in history. Writer, Ernest Hemingway spent many afternoons at the soda fountain here. When I was working at Camp Daggett as a counselor during college, my friend Jimmer and I would come here on Sunday mornings to read the paper, drink coffee and have a homemade muffin on the front porch. Come here on the 4th of July and you will witness one of the most fun, bizarre and off the hook parades you will ever see in your life!
Cross Village
Leggs Inn
http://www.legsinn.com/
Legs Inn is conveniently located near historic places: Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, and at the end of famed scenic route, Tunnel of Trees. Authentic Polish cuisine is their specialty, but delicious American dishes, including local fresh Whitefish are served. I simply love this unique, historical spot.
Harbor Springs
Tom's Mom's Cookies
http://www.tomsmomscookies.com/
I kid you not, these are the best chocolate chip cookies you will ever have. They have been making cookies since 1985 sending them to many celebrities and also the President of the United States. They also have been featured on the Food Network. This is a must stop for me when I go back home to Northern Michigan. Check out the website where you can have the cookies sent right to your door step.
Pond Hill Farm
http://www.pondhill.com/phf/home.php
This great little farm market is nestled just North of Harbor Springs on the way to Cross Village. &They offer many great items in their farm store including home canned goods and fresh veggies.
Mackinaw City
Scalawag's Whitefish
www.scalawagswhitefish.com/index.htm
I love good fish & chips and this place out does itself. There are several locations, but I like the one in Mackinaw City best. After you have your meal of fish,chips and hush puppies you can be a fudgie and walk around to see all the gift stores and take in the view of the Mackinac Bridge.
Petoskey
Roast and Toast
http://www.roastandtoast.com/
A great coffee house and place for lunch. Delicious soup and sandwiches on homemade bread. A place I always stop at when I go home to Petoskey
Mitchell Street Pub Cafe
http://www.mitchellstreetpub.com/
A great pub and lunch spot in Petoskey. I use to work for Larry Rochon who owns the pub. Many years ago when he owned Record World, I was a sales clerk for him. He is a good friend and a wonderful human being. His wife Elaine is wonderful along wit
heir son Carl.
Traverse City
Don's Drive-In
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.
A bright pink building with a neon sign in the shape of a tail finned car, Don's is a big slice of Americana a burger-and-malt drive-in that dates back to 1958. It is decorated in old vinyl records, fancy hubcaps and images of mid-century pop-culture icons; and its menu is a roster of fast-food fundamentals. One of the best burgers in Northern Michigan.
Traverse City Film Festival
http://www.traversecityfilmfest.org/
The Traverse City Film Festival is a charitable and educational non-profit organization that holds an annual event in one of the most beautiful areas of the country Traverse City, Michigan. The festival is committed to showing just great movies and helping to save one of America's few indigenous art forms the cinema. This is held every summer around the end of July, first part of August. Founded by director Michael Moore, this annual fetivals is committed to saving American cinema.
Fogarelli's Market
http://www.folgarellis.com/Awesome website! This is a favorite of mine to visit when in Traverse City, Michigan. This a great Italian market for whatever you are in the mood for. Great breads, meats, cheese, pasta, sauces and coffee. Sit on the porch and enjoy one of their great sandwiches too. It's just a great slice of Northern Michigan via Italy!
Tennessee
Nashville
Cafe Coco
http://www.cafecoco.net/
This fun and eclectic meeting place blurs the distinction between coffee house, music venue and restaurant. Known for its jovial atmosphere and laid back charm, Coco is all this and much more. I went there with an ex-boyfriend and a couple of friends. It's a great spot and was one of my highlights of my trip to Nashville in 2005.
Wisconsin
Ashland
Black Cat Coffee House
211 Chapple Avenue
When I spoke at Northland College, the campus LGBT group took me here for lunch. It had a great feel in the place, nice energy and layout. One of the better of many coffee houses I have visited in my travels. Good coffee, very nice vegetarian lunch/dinner choices, and excellent items from a small bakery across the street. Great nachos as well!
Ontario, Canada
Stratford
The Stratford Sharkespeare Festival
http://www.stratford-festival.on.ca/
A great get away to see some of the best theatre. The city is beautiful with many nice bed & Breakfast homes and restaurants. Get your tickets early!
