Leading B.A.R.: We're getting all leather-y

What I'm reading in our little weekly today: LEATHER NATION. Folsom Street Fair weekend approaches and leather columnist Mister Marcus can barely keep a dry eye. To wit: "At approximately 12:30 p.m., the crew and spectators gathered in the area of the Harvey Milk Plaza to witness what is always an inspiring scene, the raising of the leather pride flag." (Oy.) CRIME & PUNISHMENT. A gun is seized, plus a rash of robberies and burglaries. WISH YOU WERE HERE. Florida tourism officials want a bigger slice of the gay market. KARRNAL KNOWLEDGE. Who knew? Porno producers unleash a raft of new flicks every year tied to Folsom Street Fair -- including this year's Folsom Leather, with newcomer Rick van Sant (shown above). OUT THERE. Our weekly's occasionally zaftig columnist notes: "It's such fun being clean!"

Quelle surprise: The French wear underwear!

The usual suspects have condemned a Folsom Street Fair poster (above)portraying Jesus Christ and his disciples as "half-naked homosexual sadomasochists." A new book, 50 Reasons to Hate the French, cites a government survey that found 40% of French men and 25% of French women don't change their underwear daily. Australian gay glossie DNA launches its newest issue (left) with the winner of its model search, Dennis, on the cover. More photos of boxer Oscar De La Hoya in drag have surfaced; check him out in a pink miniskirt. Plus, arrestingly (har!) sexy Kent McCord, one-half of the Adam-12 cop show team, turns 65 today; more big birthdays here.

All our leather-ama guests have brought mighty good weather with them this week. It's supposed to be mostly sunny today, with highs in the 60s to lower 70s.

It's going to be partly sunny and warmer today, with highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s. That photo is from Magnitude, the signature hoedown of Folsom Street Fair weekend. I had a stupendous time when I went two years ago, but I'm still debating whether to go this year. Sparky will be out of town. Want to be my date?

Leading B.A.R.: Drama on the high seas

What I'm reading today in our little weekly: MEOW! San Francisco lesbian cruise operator Olivia is embroiled in a nasty -- and I mean nasty -- series of lawsuits involving its founder, ousted CEO Amy Errett and three other former executives; the four execs want the company dissolved. KARRNAL KNOWLEDGE. Porn star Eddie Stone (left) -- with lips in a "perpetual kiss of sharply carved, bee-stun seduction" -- is fabu in Workload and H20. MISTER MARCUS. Even the prospect of the upcoming Folsom Street Fair can't get the B.A.R.'s odd leather columnist out of his funk. Again. OUT THERE. Fashion history, Mark "Marky Mark" Wahlberg, and his love affair with his own cock.

[Photo: Eddie Stone's MySpace page]

Leading B.A.R.: A ban on Castro chain stores?

What I'm reading today in our little weekly: CHAIN, CHAIN, CHAIN. Merchants debated a plan to ban chain stores along Castro Street between Market and 19th streets and along 18th Street between Hartford and Collingwood streets; chain stores already in business could stay. BAD VIBES. Strapped for cash, famous sex retailer Good Vibrations is seeking investors. OUT THERE. Fag Fridays, the 11-year-old party at the EndUp, is kaput after Oct. 19. MISTER MARCUS is already hyping that most stirring of annual events, the Leather Walk, leading up to Folsom Street Fair.

Just a reminder (the first of many): The annual Folsom Street Fair is just 19 days away. Hmmm; it's kind of like a countdown to Christmas, no? Meanwhile, it's going to be another sunny and hot day, with highs in the mid 60s to mid 80s. [Photo: That's porn star Francois Sagat]