Have you ever noticed that one of the coldest months of the year is also the month we're supposed to devote ourselves to Love? Perhaps it is that perverse bit of logic that says if we focus on things of internal warmth we won't feel the external cold. We all need to be reminded from time to time that Love isn't simply about 2 people and having a 'significant other'. We focus so much time and energy on finding the 'perfect partner' and feel unloved and unlovable if we find ourselves without him or her. Love also involves reaching out to others in kindness, extending assistance to someone who needs it and sometimes healing old wounds. It means taking the time to stop the "human doing" we get caught up in and become a "human being" for a change. This February, take the time to build (or re-build) a bridge between you and someone other than 'the love of your life'. Give a Valentine of yourself to an organization that could use the help. I guarantee the month will feel a whole lot warmer. Happy Valentine's Day!

Lonni La Bel, Newsletter Editor

Howdy all,
How many times have you been out with a couple of friends and thought to yourself "Am I the only ASGRA member here?" Do you wish there are more members out and about? Did you know that in the DC Metro area, there are approximately 140 members that you have the possibility of running into on any given weekend? Wish there was a way to find these people while you're out? Well there is...

ASGRA has a variety of shirts with our logo on them. We have T-shirts in both black and white, long sleeved denim shirts and the Red shirts. Some of our earlier members have tank tops and hats as well. Let's make the 3rd Saturday of every month ASGRA Colors night! Wear your ASGRA logo gear to whatever places you go that night and make yourself known as a member to others who are also thinking they are the only ASGRA member.

We have started a Yahoo! email group for ASGRA members, a place where you can find roommates, rodeo partners, etc. You can access the list thru Yahoo Groups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASGRA_Connections/.

Remember to keep me up to date on any changes in your personal information. This way, you will continue to be informed of meeting notices, special events, and receive your newsletter. And last, as your Membership Chair, I serve as your liaison to the Board. If you have concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to bring them to my attention. I can be reached by email or by phone (see sidebar). Keep check on the web page for all announcements and updates on upcoming events.

Mike Sanders, Membership Chair

You are cordially invited to attend the Washington DC Gay Life and Wedding Expo on April 4, 2004 at the Galleria at Lafayette Center!

ASGRA has been invited to participate in this event as either an exhibitor or advertiser. We're still looking at the details and deciding on our involvement, but mark you calendars regardless for this exciting community event! This day-long event will be filled with the energy of approximately one hundred exhibitors and organizations mingling with the region's GLBT community as well as an exciting fashion show and performance entertainment throughout. Visit the website at www.dcgayexpo.com to learn more about the expo.

And don't forget...
ASGRA BINGO night at Titan on the February 10th and 24th beginning at 9:00pm. $7.00 to play 7 games, win $250.00 in prize money plus additional door prizes.

Happy Trails To You!

ASGRA trail rides are the first Sunday of the month at 11:00am! Regardless of the weather, ASGRA's monthly trail rides are held at Piscataway Ranch in Clinton, MD at 11:00 am on the following days:
February 1st: Invite that special someone for a relaxing ride through the wintery Maryland woodlands.
March 7th: March into some advance St. Patrick's Day festivities with an invigorating ride along the early spring trails.
For further information and to RSVP, contact Glenn (contact info on our contacts page).

An ASGRA member shares some Phoenix Rodeo moments...

"I wanted to share my success with you. I went to the Phoenix rodeo. Had a wonderful time with an amazing group of people. I won the women's bareback bronc buckle, and got 2nd in Steers, covering both days! I chute dogged also but ate dirt. Two guys from Oklahoma (Karl and Bob) and I took the wild drag buckle, too!"

Congrats to Bailey Kier and to all the other ASGRA competitors who attended Road Runner Regional Rodeo 2004!

Upcoming 2004 IGRA Rodeos

2004 Cowtown Rodeo TGRA Fort Worth, TX March 5-7, 2004

Bighorn Rodeo NGRA Las Vegas, NV April 2-4, 2004

ATTENTION RODEO COMPETITORS:

We have received notice from DSRA that Rodeo in the Rock 2004 (4/30-5/2, Little Rock, AK) has been canceled.

Royalty Roundup

ASGRA's Royalty Team took it on the Road this month, visiting our MIGRA friends in Detroit for some fun and fundraising for Camp Rainbear on Friday January 9. Former Miss ASGRAs Jymmye Jaymes and Blair Michaels roadtripped with current team members Destiny B. Childs, Connie Morris and Rudy Benavides and their supporters out to the Motor City. Hosts and former ASGRA members Mark Whiting and John Stortz report that Detroit may never be the same:

"Just to let you know we survived the attack of the drag queens! Actually had a great time with them. As we learned, they're quite something else. Boy do we ever have 2004 Royalty stories for years to come just from this weekend!

We fully appreciate them helping us out the way they did. They did one hell of a show that people will be talking about for some time. People who normally don't tip entertainers went up and tipped. They're a trip.

As you've assumed, there wasn't a dull moment. If you ever hear me say I'm going to accompany Blair and Destiny shopping, don't ask questions, just shoot me; I'll have gone off the deep end with no return.

Odd, in the process of trying to say thank you to them we received many thank yous from them as well. I never thought I'd hear someone say thank you for having to drive forever, put up with temps outside that never got above 9 degrees, work their assets off, drive back and do another show in DC on three and a half hours of sleep. I'm assured they got some sleep in the cars, but for them to go through all that is greatly appreciated."

Congrats to the Royalty team for representing ASGRA so well on the road and helping to support other IGRA associations! Well done!

ASGRA Calendar of Events

February 2004
1 11am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD
12 7:30pm ASGRA Board Meeting; Hyatt Regency Hotel; Washington, DC
11 8pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
18 8pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC

2004 ASGRA Meeting Schedule

Board Meetings
February 12
March 11
April 8
May 13
June 10
July 8
August 12 & 26
October 14
November 11
December 9

Membership Meetings
April 18
July 11
Elections to be held during Stampede 2004 weekend
October 10

A Royal Congratulations

...from the 2004 ASGRA Royalty Team to the following ASGRA members who celebrated birthdays in January: Grady Challis, Lori Butcher-Benjamin, Jeffery Shaw, Robert W., Scott A. Bullitt, Chuck Nixon, Patrick Laughman, Scott Smiley, Gene Harbaugh, Frank Harrell, and Penny House!

...and to the following ASGRA members who will celebrate birthdays in February: Jymmye Jaymes, Rick Davidson, Chuck Delwiche, Roz, Michael S., David Burgdorf, Eric Korpon, Thom Brennan, Mitchell Horn, Klair Stonesifer, Trey Graham and Robert Larew!

Happy Birthday to all of you!

Submissions for the March 2004 Thirteen Spurs are due by Monday 2/16/04!!