Boom Boom Room

Fred Karger Memorial Weekend a Sell Out in Laguna Beach Beach, Club Bounce and Parties Galore Laguna Beach, CA – Despite weather forecasts of doom and gloom, the sun shined bright last weekend in Laguna.  The town was packed with visitors from all over California and the world.  There were lots of house parties and Club Bounce (1460 S. Coast Hwy. across from the old Boom 949-494-0056) was at capacity every night.  Mike Boone, Shaun Rosendahl, Chad Hudson, Jack Corwin and Jordan Kyle and several others had big parties over the 3 day weekend.

A lot of anger is being directed at the owner of Woody's restaurant after the revelation that the longtime gay establishment would be turned over to a Mexican restaurant chain on Feb. 3. That's less than two weeks away. The prospective new operator has reportedly indicated to one person that he will "cater to the community" — and, while it may be wishful thinking that the "community" he refers to will be Laguna's gay community, it's a nice thought. Some who are angry want to punish Woody's owner by refusing to patronize other establishments he operates.

Send AROUND TOWN items to Coastline Pilot, P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, CA 92652; fax to (949) 494-8979; call (949) 494-4321 or e-mail coastlinepilot@latimes.com or submit through our online calendar at www.coastlinepilot.com . Submissions must be received two weeks before publication. FRIDAY TOY SALE The Assistance League of Laguna Beach will hold a toy sale at its Turnabout Thrift Shop, 526 Glenneyre St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (also Saturday)

BOOGIE FOR OBAMA The Laguna Beach Democratic Club has issued an invitation to all supporters of presidential candidate Barack Obama, regardless of party affiliation, to a fundraiser set for 6:30 to 11 p.m., Saturday at the Boom Boom Room, 1401 S. Coast Hwy. The adults-only ?Boogie for Obama? dance party will feature live music by the Blues Offenders, whose repertoire ranges from ZZ Top to the Grateful Dead. Drinks, munchies, a photo op with a life-size portrait of Obama, and opportunity prizes will be available.

Suzie Harrison Memorial Day is a big weekend in the gay world as it ceremoniously kicks off summer and brings tourists and locals out. Woody's at the Beach is a popular hangout with its outdoor patio, outdoor seating for dinner as well as decor accented by a rotated gallery of art. Not to mention, Woody's is well-known for their food and is Zagat rated. Many of the boys will stop by Woody's after their day at West Street Beach to enjoy the laid back atmosphere and friendly people.

Laguna’s gay activist Fred Karger may be entitled to a little “schadenfreude” — translation, enjoyment of another’s misfortune — in the AIG mess. That’s because Karger’s nemesis, Steven Udvar-Hazy, is a major shareholder at AIG and his airplane leasing division — formerly the proverbial “cash cow” of the company — is now cash poor and may be going begging to stay in business. And Karger has a deal for him: make some quick bucks by selling the Coast Inn and Boom Boom Room.

"Save the Boom" support exploded in 2006 in the wake of fears that the landmark Boom Boom Room bar would no longer cater to the gay community under new ownership. Almost 6,000 petitions gathered last year were delivered Tuesday night to the City Council in an effort to gain official support to keep the Boom Boom Room — and by extension the city — gay-friendly. "It is the oldest continuing gay bar in the Western United States," Save the Boom founder Fred Karger told the council.

The top choices of judges in the Men of Laguna Beach 2008 calendar contest are: Caleb King, first place; Gustavo Marzolla, second place; and five tied for third place honors: Russell Mason, Chris Dezinno, Ray Cook, Russell Brodmerkle and Ryan Liddell. King will be presented the grand prize of $1,000 on Saturday in Laguna Beach and will be featured on the cover of the calendar. All six runners up will be mailed their checks this week. The 2nd place winner receives $250 and 3rd place winners will each receive $100.

I don’t think you can overstate the historic importance of the fact that hunky, G-string-clad guys were again undulating across the old Boom Boom Room bar last Saturday night during a Laguna Beach Democratic Club fundraiser for “No on Prop. 8” — the initiative against same-sex marriages. Throw in a couple of Sarah Palins, a John McCain, Wonder Woman, “Lucy” and gay activist Fred Karger in priestly garb, and you get the picture. It was political partying on a surreal scale, just in time to usher in Halloween and a historic presidential election.

The race is on to find a gay buyer who can afford $19 million for the landmark Boom Boom Room and Coast Inn, after Steven Udvar Hazy decided not to build a hotel in Laguna Beach. Hazy, who bought the legendary bar and an adjacent liquor store a little more than a year ago, is putting the properties back on the market. Fred Karger of Save the Boom, which gathered thousands of signatures on petitions asking the Laguna Beach City Council to keep the bar intact, is pleased that Hazy is pulling out. "It's our spot, and it has been for 60 years.