Ingredients:
- 1.25 fl oz CIROC vodka
- 0.75 fl oz Pomegranate Liqueur
- 0.75 fl oz Lemon Juice
- 0.5 fl oz Simple Syrup

Directions:
Shake over crushed ice. Strain into a champagne flute.

Sharon Needles of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4

Something glamorous and twisted this way comes and her name is Sharon Needles. The Pittsburgh drag queen is one of thirteen contestants vying for the coveted title of America’s Next Drag Superstar on the fourth season of RuPaul’s “Drag Race.” See the deliciously dark queen and her peers on the 90-minute premiere Monday, January 30, at 9 p.m. on Logo. In the meantime, check out our exclusive interview with Sharon Needles.

Fenuxe: Why did you audition for Drag Race?
Sharon: I auditioned because every drag queen in the world apparently wants to be on RuPaul’s Drag Race, and I want a piece of the action, too.

Fenuxe: What did you like most about being on the show?
Sharon: Making life-long friendships with a lot of the girls. I didn’t expect to make such good friends. It’s a competition and you put yourself first but it really wasn’t that way. I genuinely cared about everyone in the competition.

Fenuxe: Who is your favorite drag queen from a previous Drag Race season?
Sharon: Anyone who has ever walked that runway is my favorite drag queen. I love the commercial beauty of Raven. I love the awkwardness of Tammy Brown. I love the comedy of Mimi Imfurst. I love them all. Anyone who has ever walked that runway I’m the biggest fan of.

Fenuxe: How did you get into drag?
Sharon: I don’t know. I don’t remember. It was so long ago. I grew up on a farm in Iowa in the middle of nowhere, and I was pretty much raised by a television. I was always obsessed with beauty pageants and femininity with people like Elvira and Peggy Bundy. The Halloween box in my house was never put away. I always liked the manipulation of beauty. I started performing when I was really young in the basement of a Des Moines nightclub. I guess I’ve always been in drag.

Fenuxe: How would you describe your look and persona?
Sharon: Sexy, bitchy, scary and approachable. A lot of people call me “goth.” I knew I had an opportunity with RuPaul’s Drag Race to be a remembered entertainer. Some of the girls who have had this opportunity on the show in the past didn’t take their branding very seriously. I wouldn’t call myself a “goth”; I’d call myself a genius for creating a character and sticking to it and never breaking it.

Fenuxe: Do you have acting experience?
Sharon: No. Just being a compulsive liar. And a drama queen.

Fenuxe: Where do you perform?
Sharon: I perform in Pittsburg mostly. I have a show bar called Blue Moon which I absolutely love because I get away with murder. It’s a cast of queens that have been kicked out of every other drag bar in the city. So we’re just a family of misfits that love making a mess and making people laugh. I also do a monthly show at the Brillobox, which is a straight bar. But they love our antics, and we have a really good time there.

Fenuxe: What do you do when you’re not doing drag?
Sharon: I’m usually thinking about drag in a dive bar with a shot of well whiskey. It’s after 5 somewhere, right?

Fenuxe: What’s next for you?
Sharon: Next for Sharon Needles, that is the question. As of now I woke up hung over, and I’m about to take off last night’s face and spackle on another one for a photo shoot. But for the long run I don’t know. I basically want to base my career on Elvira’s career. I want to be relevant forever and never change my clothes.

Patrick Hanson of the Razors softball team

Hotlanta Softball League
Organized in 1982, HSL is one of the oldest members of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association. HSL will have more than 30 Open Division and 10 Women’s Division Teams in the 2012 spring season.  There are four divisions in the Open Division A, B, C and D.  The Open Division allows both men and women to participate.  The Women Division has two divisions—one competitive and one non-competitive. The league expects at least 40 to 50 teams will be playing this season.

All games and the Big Peach Tournament will be played at the Metro Softball field at 7301 Cambelton Road in Atlanta.

HSL will host player sign-ups on the following dates:
January 29 at Blake’s from 3 to 6 p.m.
February 2 at Joes on Juniper from 7 to 10 p.m.
February 18 at Woofs from 1 to 4 p.m.

For details, visit www.hotlantasoftball.org.

Adam Helewski of the Bitsy Grant Honey Badgers tennis team

Atlanta Tennis Team Association
With more than 250 members, the ATTA sponsors teams in men’s, women’s and mixed leagues, and tennis is played year-round in the various leagues. Each season typically lasts seven weeks, followed by the playoffs. There are also opportunities for singles players and doubles pairs in ladders and league play for individual competitors. The United States Tennis Association runs a full schedule of tournaments for all skill levels, and ATTA organizes two tournaments each year including The Peach International Tennis Championships celebrating its 25th year in 2012. ATTA also sponsors monthly social tennis events and weekly Open Play.

Important ATTA dates include:
ChATTAhoochee Doubles Classic (early March)
ATTA Singles Ladder begins (mid-March)
ALTA Spring Season begins (March 17)
ATTA Doubles Ladder begins (mid-April)
Summer Season (ALTA Mixed/USTA) begins (June 2)
The Peach International Tennis Championships (Labor Day weekend)
ALTA Fall Season begins (September 8 )
USTA Winter Season begins (November 10)

For more information about ATTA, visit www.atta.org

Zack Gruczkowski of the National Flag Football League

National Flag Football League of Atlanta
Registration for the 2012 Spring/Summer NFFLA League is currently open.  The league fees are $70 for early registration on or before 11:59 p.m. on February 6 and $80 for regular registration on or before 11:59 p.m. on February 27. Pre-season games will be held March 10 and 17, with the regular season beginning March 24.

NFFLA’s annual “Play ‘N Greet” orientation sessions will be held February 25 and 26. These sessions are optional for returning players, but attendance at one of them is mandatory for all new players. The 2012 Draft is scheduled to be held February 28, and the Team Reveal Party will be March 1.
To register, visit www.NFFLA.com.

Emmanuel Clay of the Atlanta Bucks Rugby Football Club

Front Runners Atlanta
Front Runners Atlanta is a running, walking and social club for gay people and friends. With about 80 registered members the club is open to all people regardless of race, pace, age, gender, sexual orientation or athletic ability. Through weekly runs and social events, the club offers opportunities for fun, fitness and socializing.

Alex Aviles of the Hotlanta Soccer Association

There are no minimum requirements and FRA allows each member to determine his or her own level of involvement. Online registration for 2012 opens in February, with annual membership dues costing $25. The club’s big event of the year is the Pride Run 5K held in Piedmont Park during the last Saturday in June.

For details, visit www.eteamz.com/frontrunnersatlanta or email info@frontrunnersatlanta.org.










For more information about the following sports organizations, click on the team name:

Bucks Rugby Football Club

Atlanta Rainbow Trout

Hotlanta Soccer

“We wanted to draw awareness and show LGBT people in a positive light,” said Pride Expo Vice President Ray McCreary. “We are a vital part of the community and shouldn’t be overlooked.”

The event’s creators hope to address the needs and interests of the LGBT community of the South while offering cultural and educational activities that inform, inspire and entertain. The expo will offer exhibits, informational break-out sessions, social networking events, shopping, dining and entertainment.

With the expo only a few months away, McCreary said organizers are busy lining up live entertainment and speakers. He confirmed one after party will be held at My Sister’s Room on Saturday, April 21, with a drag show, VIP room, food, beverages and a DJ.
“Things are coming along great,” he said. “Every day we’re getting more hits on the web site and people are calling in asking about tickets.”

Tickets should go on sale around February 1. Attendees will have three admission options and participation levels. General admission tickets will include attendance to the Pride Expo and all activities held within the exhibit hall. After-hours passes will allow guests the same daily events plus some of the most exclusive entertainment and after-hours parties in the city. The full-access VIP passes will provide an all-inclusive experience, including attendance at all Pride Expo events and all off-site activities. The exclusive VIP events include private entertainment venues, backstage access, food and wine tastings, private parties with celebrity entertainment, photo opportunities, signings and much more.

The Pride Expo will also partner with local non-profits, charities and organizations and will donate a portion of the proceeds generated from ticket sales to those groups. Currently, the event will benefit For the Kid in All of Us, but McCreary said opportunities to work with other charities are still available.

In fact, last year the veteran dancer portrayed a high school student in the locally filmed “Footloose.” With a flash of his genial smile he said, “I’m 48.”

Maybe all the dancing kept him young or maybe it’s simply amazing genes. Possibly it was all his close contact with Cher. He first met the ageless gay icon while auditioning for her music video “I Found Someone.”

“I danced my ass off, and that night I got a call from the choreographer’s assistant who said, ‘Cher wants you at her house tomorrow.”

The next day he was dirty dancing with the diva in her wicker-covered kitchen. After that rehearsal he filmed the video and spent nearly 20 years on tour with her.

“I grew up on stage with Cher,” he said. “That was a good long run. She took me around the world.”

Before Cher, he danced on the final season of the TV series “Fame,” which was one of his goals when he moved to LA in 1984. Shortly after relocating to the West Coast, Bubba landed a touring gig with another of his idols—Mitzi Gaynor. Eventually Bubba toured with Porno for Pyros and Jane’s Addiction, where the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle finally snagged him.

“I was a raging drunk on tour,” he said. “I was partying way too much. There were alcohol and drugs and debauchery everywhere. That’s just the way you went about your business. It really was an alternate universe. You’re kind of like in this bubble that moves from city to city.”

Many gigs and years later, Bubba—now eight years sober—continues building his impressive resume. He will be seen dancing on the film “Rock of Ages,” starring Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin and Mary J. Blige. It is tentatively set for release in June 2012. Recently he choreographed three numbers in the show “27” at Atlanta’s Fabrefaction Theater. The show was based on the music of Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Amy Winehouse, who all died at age 27. He is currently in talks to choreograph a Broadway show in China this year.

Yet with all his success, Bubba has found himself in a unique position.

“I just started my first normal job, which is weird,” he said. “I’m working as a receptionist at a hair salon. I’ve never had a job outside of dance.”

About a year ago he quit as artistic director of Dance 101 off Briarcliff Road. The job required more than he was willing to offer, although he continues to teach a class there.
“It was a tough choice,” he said. “It was a great salary but I’d have to give up me and my creativity and freelancing. I want to get back to why I danced in the first place. I never danced to make money. Dance made me a lot of money but I never wanted to do it to make money. However, I found myself dancing to make money. It kind of chipped away at the passion aspect of it.”

That passion arose at the age of 10 after his sister started taking acrobatics. Her backbends and cartwheels piqued his interest, and Bubba soon enrolled in a dance class in a strip mall in Daleville, Alabama.

“I was the only boy in the studio so I got my classes for free.”

He soaked up various forms of dance, all while studying karate. Like many gay boys growing up in the Deep South, Bubba attracted slurs like “sissy” and “fag,” but he always brushed them off.

“I was taking karate so I knew if you got too close I could kick your ass and then run away,” he said.

When it came to his family, Bubba did not want for acceptance and support.

“My parents were incredible,” he said. “They loved me. They’d go to dance recitals and then go to karate tournaments. They never expected me to do whatever everyone else did. Maybe that’s what made it OK for me to be different and not do what the other boys were doing.”

His family brought Bubba to Atlanta. He originally moved here from LA in 2004 to have easier access to them. He ping ponged back and forth over the years between gigs and tours and finally settled here around 2007 when he accepted the Dance 101 job.

Maybe “settled” isn’t the right word. Bubba remains torn between the city near his Alabama relatives and the city full of connections. Long-time friends within LA’s dance community continue to ask Bubba why he stays in Atlanta when his family would only be a flight away if he moved.

“I still ponder that every day,” he admitted. “I want to make sure that if I move it’s for the right reasons. I like the low-key aspect of living in Atlanta. But if I’m going to be here I need to transition into another career.”
While Atlanta offers some gigs, it doesn’t quite provide the same dance opportunities as LA. If Bubba remains here, he must choose a career path away from dance. One thing is clear: he wants to dance for the love it. Dancing to pay bills doesn’t appeal to him, which poses an internal conflict.

“I’m in idle position right now,” he said. “For right now I’m here. I do want to figure out what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. I don’t necessarily want it to be dance. Although, I’ll always dance. I have a vision of me croaking on stage. If I did a leap and croaked in midair and dropped, I wouldn’t mind that.”

Until then, the handsome man with tattoos and kind eyes answers phones at a Buckhead salon. He spends too much time at the Ansley Starbucks, eats a lot of sushi and enjoys going to the movies. But mostly he thinks about dance.

From your experience at MISTER, do you think Atlanta’s gay community is being responsible when it comes to HIV prevention?
The real challenge isn’t so much lack of responsibility as it is lack of knowledge that the Atlanta gay community has in regards to HIV and safer sex practices. Many men think they are being safe when, in fact, they are at a high risk of contracting HIV. This is especially true with men that are in “monogamous” relationships. In a recent CDC study, a scary finding suggests that men in monogamous partnerships are more likely to contract HIV than single gay men. Men in relationships tend to discontinue consistent condom usage because they assume exclusivity with one another. One or both partners might stray but be afraid to admit it. Meanwhile, they have unknowingly introduced HIV or another STD into the relationship.
 
What are your thoughts on staying healthy for those already infected?
Safer sex doesn’t stop once you are infected. With a weakened immune system, other STDs such as syphilis or hepatitis-B can be much harder to treat. We also encourage those infected to stay on top of their health. It is especially important for them to continue regular check-ups to monitor how the virus is affecting them.  In December 2011, the CDC reported that only 51 percent of those aware of their HIV positive status receive ongoing medical care and treatment, and perhaps more profound, a study published in Health Psychology estimates that about 80 percent of young gay men who are HIV-positive don’t know their status because they’ve not been tested since their exposure. 
 
How often should sexually active people get tested?
It is recommended by the CDC that all gay and bisexual men get tested at least annually, and more often for sexually active men.  MISTER recommends if you are sexually active with less than five sex partners a year you should test every six months, and if you have more than five different sex partners in a year you should be testing every three months.

AID Atlanta
AID Atlanta, located at 1605 Peachtree Street Northeast, offers free rapid testing Monday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. A variety of interesting programs are available through AID Atlanta, including One Night Stand, a monthly meeting at 7 p.m. where guys into “no strings attached” discuss various topics; Coffee Talk, sessions held in coffee hotspots and are focused on introducing men to AID Atlanta’s Gay Outreach; and Tongues United, an online chat group for participants who wish to maintain their confidentiality. For more information regarding AID Atlanta’s HIV Testing Program, please call 800-551-2728 or (404) 870-7775 or visit www.aidatlanta.org.

I’m so glad everyone has been so supportive. One of my friends shared two great tips with me I’ve been using with great success. First is to drink two full glasses of water before every meal. Second is to drink a protein shake within an hour of working out. Since the beginning of January, I’ve lost 10 pounds.

I must admit, it is so inspiring to see what Jennifer Hudson has accomplished. I realize she is a celebrity with access to anything she needs, but when it comes down to it, she has to do the work and make the decision to eat healthy and work out. I can’t wait to debut my new body. I’ll keep you all posted on my progress.

I’m also really excited to announce on Saturday, March 3, actress Ann Walker, who played Lavonda Dupree from the movie and LOGO TV series “Sordid Lives,” will be emceeing “One Sordid Night,” a benefit for Jerusalem House at the Jungle Night Club from 6 to 10 p.m. Purchase your tickets at www.onesordidnight.eventbrite.com. Several of Atlanta’s most talented entertainers will be performing, including Gunza Blazin, Erica Lee, Monica Mitchels, Regina Cartier, moi and others. I hope you’ll come out to support Jerusalem House.

Finally, I received some emails regarding my column on forgiveness, and I want to elaborate just a bit. One reader asked, “Do you let people who you forgive back in your life?” My answer is it’s up to you. Just keep in mind while you forgive the person, you don’t forget. That is to say don’t put yourself in the same situation with that person to get hurt again. Remember, “Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could be any different.” Forgiveness lets us move forward without carrying the baggage of the past. Thank you for the emails.

Love and lashes,

Mary Edith Pitts

1. Basis
Ever been accused of not having a heart? Well, this little gadget not only will prove naysayers wrong but it allows you to see how your vital organ responds to interesting moments in the day with special sensors monitoring your heart rate. It also calculates the calories you burn and enables you to see how sleep patterns and activities play into your overall wellness.
$199
www.mybasis.com

2. TuneSTREAM II Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
Possess the powers of a super robot with these digital quality wireless audio headphones, which give you the ability to control track, volume, play/pause and answer cellphone calls. And, just like a Transformer, they collapse for portability and storage.
$79.99
www.scosche.com

3. Abs Workouts Free by Feel Free Apps
Make room next to Grindr and Scruff for this personal e-trainer app, which features abdominal exercises and animations. You can also design your own workouts and search for foods that fight abdominal fat.
Free

4. Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker by MyFitnessPal
This nifty app offers more than 1.1 million foods in its database. You have mobile access to your MyFitnessPal.com account, allowing you to log food and exercise information from anywhere.
Free

5. Gaiam Ergonomic Balance Ball Chair
It may look like a prop from “Star Trek” but it will help strengthen your core muscles and improve your spinal alignment, even while you sit on your ass.
$79.99
www.target.com

6. Honey
According to a variety of studies, this sticky sweet stuff offers a variety of advantages. It helps boost energy and steady blood-sugar levels. Honey also has higher levels of antioxidants compared to other sweeteners, can lower “bad cholesterol” and can reduce levels of C-reactive protein.
$2.49 for 8 ounces
Your neighborhood grocer

7. Nike SportBand
With a quick glance at your wrist you can track your distance, time, pace and calories burned while wearing this modernly stylish band.
$59
www.nike.com

Are there any specific destinations that are easy on the pocket book?
The best value is Mexico—Cancun, Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas. This is because the Mexican dollar trades very well against the US dollar, and there are a lot of flight options to Mexico. Also, cruises are a great value because they allow you to see multiple locations without having to pack and unpack, and the cost of the cruise includes your meals. 
 
If travelers wanted to spend under $1,000 for a trip, where could they go?
For $1,000 two people could spend a weekend in Charleston, Savannah, Asheville or Jacksonville.   They can also fly to Chicago, Washington DC, South Beach, Miami, Ft Lauderdale or New Orleans and this would include air and hotel for two.  You can also take a cruise for three to five nights in Key West or Mexico.
 
Are there things someone can do to save money on booking a flight, a car, a hotel, etc.?
Always weigh your luggage before you get to the airport. If you check in online and prepay for your bags you can save a few bucks.  Also it is less expensive to check a second bag rather than to check one bag over 50 pounds. I spoke to one person who only wanted to take one bag; it weighed 70 pounds, which is 20 pounds over the maximum weight. The airline charged him a $175 overweight fee.  Had he checked two bags it would have cost $50. 
 
Are there any travel fees that can be avoided if you plan ahead or know what to watch for?
Yes, online travel agencies charge huge fees to make changes or cancel your reservation; this is because they only get paid if you travel.  Airlines charge huge change fees. Sometimes it is less expensive to just purchase a new ticket.  Beware of hotels that offer a pre-purchase discount; this means they will offer you 5 to 10 percent off if you pay in full the day you make your reservation. However, they also note you cannot change or cancel your reservation, and they mean it. 

Update your look for under $100

Get a haircut. Hairstyles need to be updated. Some guys in 1985 got a cut and thought, “This is perfect.” And they’ve kept it for 25 years. For $15 you can get a new, stylish haircut.

Buy a new belt. So many men will wear a belt until it is long past its prime and effectiveness. Belts wear out. About every two years I recommend tossing out the belt you’ve been consistently wearing and getting a new one.

Buy a health club membership. Your body is your clothes hanger.

Invest in a shoe shine sponge or polish. Take care of the shoes you have. Replace the laces and shine them up.

Tailor your favorite shirt. It will cost you about $15. Even if you’re buying a fitted shirt off the rack it’s better than a standard-cut shirt but you’re still going to have extra room and bagging if you have a nice body underneath. If you have a big belly you can still get a shirt tailored because there are areas they can modify in order to get you into a shirt with a great fit.

Have an extra $100?

Treat yourself to a great pair of jeans. A lot of men wear jeans too long or haven’t tried on a bunch of different pairs. You can find a pair of nice fitting, great looking jeans for under $50. Jeans are one of the most versatile pair of pants you can own. Also, Levis has done a great job of rebranding itself. There aren’t just the 501 jeans anymore. There are a lot of different cuts and a variety of styles.

Invest in a black sports coat. One of my go-to places when I’m trying to save money is JC Penny, which offers sports coats and blazers that are literally $50.

Stumped on where to shop?
Try these:

K&G: You can find great items at reasonable prices. I’m sure you can find purple alligator shoes there, but you can also find a lot of stuff that is fashion-forward and style appropriate for the average guy.

Macy’s: They have a bunch of different price points. There’s always a sale going on. You can find some great items at some really good prices.

T.J. Maxx and Marshalls: Don’t be afraid to go into discount stores. If you see a great thrift store, go in and take a look. You can find jackets and sports coats for $4 or $5. Never buy shoes at a thrift store though. That’s the one thing I don’t think you should skimp on.