TREEMENDOUS

On December 21, a forest of ornamented tabletop firs will go on the auction block during “Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe, a Colt45 Blue Ball Christmas,” a benefit at the Brazos River Bottom. One of our town’s first AIDS service groups, the Colts continually raise money to help individuals living with HIV cope with emergency needs. They also support other community organizations, including the Stone Soup food pantry. Jerel McNeil—flanked by two Tommie D. Allen-crafted trees—is Colt 45’s president.

Photographed by David LewisPLANE SPEAKING

December marks the centenary of the Wright brothers’ historic first flight at Kitty Hawk. One hundred years after that epochal event, the Dallas-based National Gay Pilots Association (www.ngpa.org) serves high flyers in our community. Member Deran Zdan of Houston pilots jets for a commercial airline. Off duty, he flies his 1968 one-engine, four-seat Cessna. Now celebrating his own 20-year anniversary as a pilot, Zdan soars on short trips, including an annual flight to Dallas for an event with the Rainbow Flyers.

Photographed at Polly Field in Friendswood by Gavyn Aaron

ON THE ROAD

Stana Steen (l) and Ratchit Ratchford own motorcycles from Harley-Davidson, the classic American brand that turned 100 this year. Both women ride with the Houston Area Motorcycle Society. Steen is the group web mistress (and president of High Standards Networking and Computer Service). Steen sits on a 1997 Electra Glide, a decommissioned police bike. Ratchford straddles her 2001 Fat Boy. On December 13, the bikers will join the 10th annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots toy run, departing from League City.

Photographed at Stubbs Cycles by Todd Rainer

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