The Convention Center at the Holiday In was filled to the rafters making it standing room only like to "old" days when the event was at the 5Star Saloon.

The Half Dollar Court did Seasons of Love... 529,600 minutes, the theme for the 18th annual AIDS Benefit

Haley Ricardo recreated Evilyn from the Wiz: while Jack-E delights the crowd to close the show; Scott Brenneke, chairman of the Nevada AIDS Foundation Residence Program and Dan Barrows, Imperial Crown Prince Royale XXX watch the evenings events.

Bartenders Bash at Patio raises $2,500
     Thanksgiving Day for six hours the Patio hosts its annual Bartenders bash, a fund raiser for the Nevada AIDS Foundation Residence Program, which netted $2,500 on November 22.
     It was the most the event has earned from tips donated by volunteers who sign up to work the behind the bar to work half hour shifts. Tips are collected from patrons and then tallied as the end of each half hour.

 

         A standing room only crowd filled the convention center at the Holiday in downtown Reno on Saturday November 17 as Divas on the Run hosted the 18th annual Nevada AIDS Foundation Residence Program benefit. And four hours latter when pockets had been emptied the total was $10.880.25 and counting.
        There is not a single expense to put this on,” Jack-E told the near 300 people who were present, at the opening of the event. “All the money raised here today goes directly to the Residence program.”
         Jack-E has hosted the event since its inception in 1989.
        “I do it every year and will continue to do it every year as long as there is a need.” Jack-E said.
         The evening is filled with entertainment, a silent auction and raffle.
        “We’re starting the night with $3,300,” Jack-E said before the show got underway. “We sold 2,000 raffle tickets and I received $1,300 in donations.”
         The evening got underway, with entertainment. Two baskets were placed at either side of the small runway. Members of the audience repeatedly filled the baskets will dollar bills,  fives, tens and several 20’s during the nearly 4 hour show.
        An additional $300 was raised when Divas on the Run choreographer Chris was auctioned off to do a lap dance. A table raised $100, the Ten99 Club donated another $100 and an audience member donated another $100.
        During the evening Jack-E kept saying it was the guys job to handle the money, as Larry Mastropierro and Paul Anthony collected the money, counted it and handle the silent auction.
      This year also featured four live singers, Lori Fry, from Reno Gay Pride and the Half Dollar Court; Mr. Gay Reno Eagle James; Max and Ryan.
    The Divas intermixed production numbers amongst the other entertainers and raffle prize giveaways.
       One lady in the audience took the mike from Jack-E and talked about how important benefits like the one being held were important because as a state when Nevada asks or gets federal money most of it goes to Las Vegas, leaving the north fighting for funding. She asked everyone in the audience to dig into their pocket and give $1.00 to the cause.

Bubbles to call it quits in 2009 when Shuttle Weekend  turns 25
        
          When Shuttle turns 25 years old in 2009, the person who has been handling all the organization for the event will e turning of the reigns of the event over to someone else.  Bubbles, the lead Reno Hellion, who has been putting on the event for the last 16 years, most single handedly.
      "It's time to move on," Bubbles said. "There is someone in the community who wants to continue it on and I will happily pass it on to them."
        The Saturday Shuttle Show which was Simeon's Girls, Mikey's Glacier Girls, The A.S.S (Alaska, Seattle, San Jose), Eldon Kirby's Show, has become the Simeon Traw Memorial Shuttle Show.
       Shuttle weekend starts with the bus crawl around town hitting all eight gay bars and winds up back the the starting point for a BBQ. Saturday night is the show with proceeds from both nights earmarked for the Nevada AIDS Foundation Residence Program.
        The event concludes with the annual Shuttle Brunch with the fund designed to a charity selected by the Reno Hellions.
        The show this year raised $714. The Shuttle probably raised about $1,100 according to Bubbles but they hadn't paid the bill for the bus yet

 Time for Ducal Candidates
        The Silver Dollar Court Inc. Reno's social and philanthropical organization will seek candidates for its 25th Ducal House. Applications are due to the president of the board by December 6th at 6:30pm.
        The Ducal house was created by Terry Taylor during the sixth reign of the 32 year old organization as an additional way to raise more funds for charity.
       A Grand Duke and Grand Duchess are elected by the public to serve for one year raising funds and assisting the elected Emperor and Empress.
     Election for the 25th Grand Duke and Grand Duchess will be January 8.

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