“Cover Up Before You Dive In!” is the HIV-prevention message that Being Alive San Diego (BASD) will kick-off during San Diego’s 33rd annual LGBT Pride celebration, July 21 and 22. The summer effort is part of the agency’s Early Intervention and Prevention Initiatives designed specifically to educate the GLBT community about the importance of HIV prevention and re-infection, and the effectiveness of early intervention in minimizing the impact of the disease.

BASD volunteers will be wearing T-shirts conveying the life-saving message when they walk Sunday’s parade route to encourage condom use and to raise funds for the critical services provided by the organization.

Thanks to Baja Betty’s, Bacchus House, Bite, Bourbon Street, The Caliph, Flicks, Ono Sushi, the Redwing Bar & Grill, and Urban Mo’s, partygoers throughout the weekend will be reminded to “cover up” by using a condom every time. These area businesses have all agreed to convey the message on drink coasters provided to patrons. The Imperial Court de San Diego and a Ben Dillingham Community Grant provided funding for the coasters as part of the prevention initiative.

“We want our community to have a great time this weekend, but also to remember to take care of themselves and each other. It’s everyone’s responsibility to prevent HIV infection,” said Jim Cassidy, director of programs at Being Alive. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the enthusiastic support that the message and the initiative have received.

Special Delivery San Diego, an all-volunteer meal provider service for people living with HIV/AIDS, will hold its 15th annual Pride barbecue at Top of the Park at Park Manor Suites on Saturday, July 21, from noon to 6 p.m. “This annual fund-raiser has become a tradition during Pride weekend,” said Ruth Henricks, executive director. “After the Pride parade, on the way to the Pride festival, we invite all festival-goers to come up to the top of the Park Manor Suites at Sixth and Spruce streets, enjoy the great views, as well as a delicious barbecue including hamburgers, chicken, veggie burgers, salads and all the trimmings. The rooftop barbecue offers great views of the city, great food and fun for all.”

Founded in 1991, Special Delivery prepares, packages and delivers meals to people living with HIV/AIDS in San Diego. To date, the non-profit organization has delivered more than 1 million meals.

All proceeds benefit clients of Special Delivery San Diego. Tickets for the barbecue are $10 at the door. For more information, to purchase tickets or for volunteer opportunities, contact Special Delivery at 619-297-7373.

This summer’s Pride festival will feature an unprecedented number of performers and attractions from throughout its 33-year history, with more than 100 artists, 300 businesses and an expected audience of 40,000 gathered to celebrate equality, freedom and diversity in the GLBT community.

Vendor booths and multiple stages will be set up throughout the festival grounds at Marston Point in Balboa Park, giving way to a wide range of musical genres that include high-octane and hard rock, electronic pop, Latin rhythms, jazz, country and more.

Specially featured in the roster is a lineup of local, independent bands and musicians who are passionate about supporting the GLBT civil rights movement. “Nearly all of those performers are here to help us commemorate Pride as a way of giving back to the community, and because they believe in the celebration,” said Ron deHarte, executive director of San Diego Pride. “San Diego is fortunate to have a supportive independent music community that reaches out to the LGBT audience, which, in turn, is very supportive of the musicians.”

In addition to this year’s sturdy menu of local talent, the acclaimed English “synth-pop” band Erasure will headline Pride weekend, at 6 p.m., July 22, on the festival’s Jack FM Stage. The group, which features Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, is currently on a national tour promoting its new album, Light at the End of the World.

Other well-known recording artists scheduled to appear include Dirty Sanchez, an electronic-pop group currently heating up the Los Angeles musical scene, plus Gloria Trevi, a sizzling performer from Mexico, who will appear on Pride’s Nuestro Orgullo Stage in partnership with Club Papi. Sharing that stage during Pride weekend are Anayka from New York, Yoland Ruiz of Los Angeles, Anamor from Italy and Sonora Dinamita Con Vilma Diaz, known as “the kings of cumbia music.” In addition, the indie rock-and-roll group Buckfast SuperBee, and The Cured, a tribute rock band to The Cure, will join a host of other groups such as Corday, Vinyl Radio and The Fascination. A complete list of groups and showtimes is posted on the Pride Web site: www.sandiegopride.org.

The two-day festival will also feature a host of new and popular attractions, including a 40-foot-high Ferris wheel, laughter yoga, an interactive photography exhibit, the Art of Pride showcasing GLBT artists, a Jocko Underwear fashion show, Aging as Ourselves Cool Zone for visitors 50 years and better, and the Interfaith Pavilion. Colt and All Worlds Video models will be on hand, and food vendors, beer gardens, dance floors and nearly 300 exhibitors will round out the event.

Festival hours are from noon to 10 p.m., Saturday, July 21; and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, July 22. Admission is $15 for a one-day pass or $21 for a two-day pass. Pride weekend also includes a colorful, mile-long parade starting at 11 a.m., July 21, at University Avenue and Normal Street. The parade is free and remains San Diego’s largest civic event.

For more information, call the Pride office at 619-297-7683 or visit the Web site at www.sandiegopride.org.

Local travel agent Sarah Sunshine is organizing a cruise for individuals who enjoy cross-dressing. Scheduled for Oct. 29-Nov. 3 aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Elation, travelers will have the opportunity to dress in clothing that makes them comfortable in a safe, affirming environment. Guests will have numerous opportunities for dining, dancing, socializing and relaxing.

Sunshine, owner of Land O’Lakes Travel, conceived the idea for this cruise with hopes that there is a demand for an outlet such as this. After moving to San Diego five years ago, Sunshine met and eventually married a man who loves to dress in opposite-gender clothing. With more than 24 years of travel experience, Sunshine has been able to negotiate an affordable, yet high-quality cruise package.

The trip organizers will bring aboard clothing to lease out to guests at a minimal charge, and make-up artists will be on hand throughout the cruise to assist participants with their look. Tickets are available now and can be purchased by contacting Sunshine at 760-436-9864.

At the recent San Diego Small Business Association’s annual awards luncheon, local North Park restaurant The Mission was named the Business Improvement District Council’s “Business of the Year.” This local favorite received news of the nomination in April, and the owners were thrilled to receive local recognition for their hard work in collaboration with North Park’s renaissance. “The Mission has enjoyed eight successful years in North Park, and we are humbled to receive recognition from our peers and a panel of independent judges,” stated co-owner Thomas Fitzpatrick.

In 1998, Deborah Helm, Fay Nakanishi and Thomas Fitzpatrick opened The Mission at 2801 University Ave. in the historic Selsmer Building. Early on, they worked hard to distinguish their business from the many restaurants in San Diego by creating a variety of comfort foods with a modern twist. Originally welcoming an average of 300 customers on a Saturday or Sunday, The Mission now serves more than 1,000 people on the weekend, with 500-600 guests per weekend day.

Since the doors of The Mission opened, it has received considerable recognition for an outstanding dining experience. San Diego Home and Garden magazine awarded it the Silver Fork Award two years in a row, and North Park News readers have named The Mission “Best Breakfast” numerous times. In an article about San Diego, The New York Times proclaimed The Mission to be “a San Diego institution.”

Participating as an active and positive member of the community is very important to The Mission. It supports the budding art scene in North Park by displaying the work of local artists. It recently participated as a sponsor in North Park Main Street’s Banner Program and contributed to the La Boheme Condo welcome-basket project, which encourages new residents to patronize local businesses. In the spirit of giving back to the community, The Mission participates in yearly events, including Mama’s Kitchen, the San Diego Zoo’s Critters Event and, most recently, Dining Out for Life, a fund-raiser to benefit The Center’s HIV/AIDS prevention programs and services for those living with HIV/AIDS.