Greetings, Fellow Lazy Bears!

As many of you are aware, in past years we have posted the schedule of LBW events sometime after Memorial Day weekend. While many details are still being worked out, we wanted you to know that we're somewhat ahead of schedule this year and thought we'd give you an update.

The weather here in Northern California, specifically the town of Guerneville, just off the banks of the beautiful Russian River are in full SPRING mode. The town and surrounding redwood-covered "hoods" are as breathtakingly gorgeous as ever! That being said, there have been some changes up here that some of you will need to make note of.

Sadly, the Willows Inn and Camp Ground fell into foreclosure by the bank three weeks ago - a tragic sign of the times. (Sorry for the bad news, but we just found out ourselves late last week.) We are hopeful that there will be a new owner by the time Lazy Bear rolls around. With this venue now gone, we urge you to secure your lodgings ASAP. There's been a lot of chatter on the Lazy Bear Yahoo Group "GoingToLazyBearWeekend" from guys looking to share housing or carpool to and from area motels. We encourage everyone "think outside the box" this year!

This unforeseen turn with the Willows, while upsetting, will NOT affect the schedule of events surrounding our annual FUNdraising celebration: There will be the usual roster of daytime pool parties manned by DJ's from across the country and from around the world, including the no-frills, clothing-optional party at The Woods Resort Lazy Bear evenings will include our signature dance parties like SWEAT, the Lazy UnderBear Party, Bearracuda… plus a few new dance events added to the list.

SUNDAY FURRY SUNDAY, hosted by the Eagle LA, Big Muscle Bears, STEAMWORKS, Miller Beer and ID Lube (among others), will be bigger, hunkier and funkier then ever with the truly gifted artist DJ Rotten Robbie.

KUMA SF will bring back their outrageously popular DELIVERANCE party at West Sonoma Inn, Our dear friend as well as spiritual guidance counselor Joe Solar will continue his WOOFEST Friday T-Dance party.

The nighttime parties include the Rainbow Cattle Company opening their doors to bears from across the globe and serving up their world-famous Long Island Ice Teas and White Russians - both served up in glass mason jars!

Under the Stars at the Triple R will have that unbelievably gifted illusionist Mark Alan Smith (yes, that's his REAL voice) performing in his second consecutive year at Lazy Bear. Mark returns to Lazy Bear Weekend after his huge successes at Lazy Bear HOLIDAY this past Thanksgiving in Palm Springs, his RSVP cruise appearances and at this past year's IBR dinner show (where some folks thought that he "out-performed" the incredible Kathy Griffin). Get your tickets early because the Mark Alan Smith show will definitely sell-out!

And what would Lazy Bear Weekend be without The Sister's Of Perpetual Indulgence hosting their incredible BINGO? This has been and will continue to be a highlight of the weekend!

Once again the OUTBACK Camp Grounds will be the site of our nightly bonfire hosted by that fire-breathing bear, PYRO. Pyro's Bonfire will continue to be a LBW signature event and will be sponsored in part by the LA FAULTLINE.

The Triple R (where it all began) will once again be the epicenter for Lazy Bear Weekend 2008. And guys - don't forget your sun screen: we don't want you to burn up!

Lazy Bear-tag holders will receive no-charge admission to all the events with the exception of three: Mark Alan Smith (where you'll receive a $10 discount with your tags), Sisters' BINGO (also receiving a discount with tags) and the popular SWEAT dance (where we'll also be giving tag-holders with a $10 discount). The Lazy Bear Tags are the biggest show of support at Lazy Bear, with many guys wearing a string of tags dating back to 2001 - when we first started implementing this collectible fundraising tool.

Local area retailers and artists also get involved with LBW with their "SHOP EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS" campaign, which provides discounts and special opportunities to anyone showing their 2008 bear-tags We are especially thrilled to welcome The Sonoma Nesting Company and their eclectic inventory of goods from all around the world and, in many cases, items from bygone eras.

As we mentioned before, there are many other activities and services still in the works. As we get a details hammered out we'll get them posted on the website. If there's one constant at Lazy Bear Weekend, it's that every year offers new challenges. With the support of BEARS LIKE YOU, we manage to overcome these challenges year-after-year to make Lazy Bear Weekend one the most successful FUNdraisers in California!

On behalf of our volunteer work force, The Friends of Sacramento, the Board of Directors of The Lazy Bear Fund, my partner, myself and the entire town of Guerneville, we can't express how excited we are to see you this summer.

Big Lazy Bear Hugs,

Harry Lit & Allen Eggman,
Castrobear Presents
LB Fund president & co-president/ Lazy Bear Weekend founders

Contact us at Lazybearweekend@aol.com

I AM CHANGING
interpreted by Noelbear