rstern

Randy Stern: Establishing a Foundation

Part of my life as a writer is feeding a local LGBT publication with automotive content. Lavender Magazine has been my local and community home for this work. I am fortunate to have a Managing Editor who gives me some freedom on my subjects, an ad sales team that understands the currency of the content,…

Randy Stern: Chicago Auto Show

By the time you read this, the Chicago Auto Show will be open to the public for its week-long run inside McCormick Place. Every year since 2011, I attended the Media Days in Chicago. Part of my obligation is my membership with the Midwest Automotive Media Association, who hosts the opening breakfast of Media Days.…

Randy Stern: Driving with Soul

  So far, I reintroduced myself and spouted out my resume and philosophy. Then, I went into a business school treatise on buying habits and marketing. What could I do for an encore? Talk about the cars. Oh, yes, cars…those wonderful pieces of metal, rubber, fluids and soul. They create infinite dreams, as their lives…

Randy Stern: The Return of …

It all began in February of 2001… Yes, I am about to throw down some history. This is not just some single person narrative that would bore the daylights out of you, but some factual truth that involves the Great Lakes Den’s predecessor and a launch for some bear’s career as a member of the…

24 Hours + 7 Years: A Journey Revisited

In a world where coming out seems easier than it used to be, say 10 years ago, there are still stories out there of coming out nightmares. One such story was told seven years ago by a young bear by the name of Robert Harmon from West Virginia. When Robert posted his story on the…

Randy Stern: Bear Cliqueatude

Recently on the Four Lakes Bears message board, an anonymous poster made an observation that the Bear Coffees on Thursdays in Madison, Wisconsin tended to be cliquish. He claimed he was an outsider and felt like he would not be able to participate because of the regulars who show up. He even said that the…

Bear Pride 2002

CHICAGO – Despite the rumors earlier this year, the mighty has not fallen. Bear Pride was the mightiest of bear runs on the circuit. Bears know that Memorial Day weekend meant being in Chicago. However, years of operating losses and issues with host hotels allowed the Great Lakes Bears to reinvent the community’s premier run.…