Who Ordered the Bear Claws?

Everybody loves good pastry.

According to the video description, the police used non-lethal beanbag rounds to get the bear to leave the market. But my thought would be, if that's the baby, where's the mama?

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Fat Bear Week 2026

Eliminated from competition:  too skinny.
Click to enlarge.

I never heard of this event before, but what a great idea!  It started in Katmai National Park in Alaska in 2014, and now attracts millions of spectators and voters.  I wanted to send in our names for the competition, but M.P. won't let me.  Spoilsport.

NBC's Today program reports:

Here's a link to the live bear cam (not embeddable) if you want to get a good look at all the naked competitors. Clothing is strictly prohibited, of course.

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In The Room Where America Was Born

Signing of the Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull, 1819.
Click to enlarge.

Instead of the usual Friday assortment of several handsome men, today the Blue Truck features just one - which ought to satisfy everybody.

Independence Hall in Philadelphia is familiar to all Americans as the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, as well as the original home of the Liberty Bell.  The Hall is in the care and custody of the National Park Service.  Those who remember fondly the denizens of Jellystone Park know that relations between bears and rangers have often been problematic.  

But now in this equal-opportunity era, here is Ranger Bigbear giving a really excellent and accurate narration of the events that occurred in the Assembly Room when the Founding Fathers gathered there.  Highly educational and enjoyable - if you can keep your mind on the history.

By the way, various authoritative sources tell me that the Assembly Room where the delegates met and debated is about 40 by 40 feet - more than twice the size of a typical high-school classroom today.  About 60 delegates attended in the summer of 1776; 56 of them signed the Declaration sometime in August - not on July 4th.  Believe it or not!

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The Bear-Naked Chef: Chicken Cacciatore

Adrian de Berardinis serves it up au naturel in this new web series:




Read more about Adrian and his recipes at bearnakedchef.com.

I Want a Bear

Via Towleroad, a new single by DaddyB (language NSFW):




In case Aunt Martha is still wondering just what the heck a bear is, send her this quick-reference field guide to the species:

Canada Day 2014

Friendly good wishes to all my Canadian truckbuddies today - Bonne fête du Canada!

And just for the eye candy, here's a clip of studly Toronto high-school teacher Joe Killoran confronting douchebag mayor Rob Ford this afternoon during a parade:



More info about Killoran at Joe.My.God.

Better This Way

Here's your hairy bear fix for the day:  singer-songwriter Doug Strahm serves up this sweet story of true manlove from his debut album, Everything Has Changed:



You can download the album or any of its tracks via iTunes or Amazon at Doug's website. From his bio:

Born and raised in Fort Wayne, IN, Doug Strahm grew up in an Italian Catholic household knowing early in his life that he was different from what society expected. He began singing at the age of five to local neighbors for .25 cents a song.

Raised to march with the drum beat of family and social expectations, he married and fathered three children. At the age of 23, he divorced and gained full custody of his children – a 23 year old single father with two of his three toddlers still in diapers.

He spent his early years writing jingles and video commercials for local businesses while he owned and operated a critically acclaimed Italian restaurant. During this time he also was very involved with Nashville songwriting seminars, networking and writing with independent artists and publishers. Many doors would easily open for him when he would show up at A&R & publishing departments with lunch that he would prepare himself using recipes from his restaurant. A shameless bribe but it worked. ;-)

He continued to write, work his restaurant, do studio work, raise his children and fathered another son. Things changed later in life and after his last marriage, with full custody of his four children, he met the true love of his life. In October, he and his significant other will celebrate their 17th anniversary.

He holds his partner, Bruce, and his children very close. A proud father, he considers them his best friends and is a devoted family man.

Sweet.  They didn't make musicians like this in my day and time - or they certainly were never allowed to be out and proud.  This is the kind of artist we should be encouraging, guys. So go check out the other songs on the album and give Doug a chance. 

At least you know you want to see more of his hairy body here.

How to Get a Bear in Bed

Method 1: Shoot him with a tranquilizer dart.



If you are out of tranquilizer darts, I suggest several well-timed shots of vodka instead. Works for me.

Bear Week in Provincetown

Frank - I'm like, so totally jealous of New England now.



Grin.

There'll Always Be an England

They have wardrobe malfunctions over there, too.



Of course, you fellas know, don't you, what we say in Texas -

British, or gay?  Who can tell?

World Beard and Mustache Championships

Representing Alaska, Texas, Alaska,

Pennsylvania, and Florida, respectively

Gotta love it. These handsome guys give us great incentive, over and above patriotism, to root for Team USA at the World Beard and Mustache Championships, being held today in Anchorage, Alaska.

In your Head Trucker's opinion, a man's looks just aren't complete without some hair on his face. The more, the better, as a general rule. And if I ruled the world . . . oh well, never mind.

BTW, while we're on the subject of facial hair, here's an interesting gizmo for the goateed guy who has everything:

Aye, aye, Captain!

Is it just me, or does anyone else think the brave Capt. Richard Phillips, now safely back home in Vermont after being rescued from his pirate kidnappers last week, would make a great addition to the Bear community?

Um, that is, if he weren't obviously straight as a board. Pity. Still, nice to see someone about my age and about my gray looking so good on the front pages all across the nation.

Actually, proud as I am of the Captain's efforts to ensure the safety of his crew, and his safe return home thanks to the U.S. Navy, this post is really an excuse to try out the new PicApp.com photo resource I just found. You other bloggers, take note: it lets you use stock photos on all kinds of current events and other subjects, and it's totally free. Pretty cool, check it out.

Canadian Cub: Dominic Leblanc

Been meaning to post this for a while now. During Canada's parliamentary crisis last month, New Brunswick MP Dominic Leblanc, 41, was a contender for the leadership of the Liberal Party.

He's one of those rare guys, IMO, who is just damn sexy even with a scraped face. Them pretty blue eyes and dark hair, mmm-mmm. But then I got to wondering just what he would look like with a beard. So I worked on that, and daaayum. See what I mean?

No doubt the guy's straight as a board - he's married with kids - but still, what a woofer. O Canada, how lucky you are!

We need some better looking pols down here south of the border, is what I say. Can't think of anyone we got in Congress who compares to this.

FAIL: Bear Hook Hanger

Caption this. I'm speechless.

(Honk to Ultra Dave, who found it first)
see more pwn and owned pictures

Hot Queer Pants

We've come a long way, baby. From being unseen and unmentionable on the airwaves for most of my life, to being openly courted by all sorts of major brands. Check out the handsome half-nekkid bear appearing in a new Levi's "unbuttoned" promotion set to air beginning today on the Logo Channel.

Damn . . . almost makes me want to trade in my Wranglers. But just almost.