The Sept 28 Carlsbad meeting of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) will feature a video by Marc Adams, co-founder of Heartstrong, a nation-wide organization dedicated to providing truthful information and support to GLBT people who are in, or employed by, homophobic religious schools or institutions. Adams is a son of a fundamentalist Baptist minister, and himself aspired to the ministry while attending Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University. He witnessed a hostile atmosphere and the persecution and abuse of students even suspected of being GLBT. Adams has dedicated the Heartstrong organization to alleviating the trauma of such young people through good information, compassion and support.

The meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2020 Chestnut Avenue, Carlsbad. Call (760) 726-7524 for information.

In an effort to maintain the ongoing, positive relationship between the San Diego Police Department and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, Third District City Councilmember Toni Atkins will host a GLBT community meet-and-greet with the city’s new Chief of Police, William Lansdowne. The event will be held Thursday, Oct. 9, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at The Center, 3909 Centre Street, in Hillcrest.

The event is free and open to the public. RSVP by calling Councilmember Atkins’ office at (619) 236-6633.

Breast cancer is a concern for women of all ages — including young women 19-39 — and reaching that age group is the motivation behind Breastival 2003, a first-of-its-kind event for San Diego to be held on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at University of San Diego.

While many may think breast cancer is only a concern for women age 40 and older, the statistics prove otherwise. In fact, the number one cancer diagnosis for young women is breast cancer and, more importantly, the leading cause of death from cancer is breast cancer for this age group. Each year, 10,000 women between 19 and 39 will be diagnosed and 1,500 will die.

The activities will take place on the University of San Diego campus, directly in front of the Student Union, and feature educational seminars throughout the day along with a health fair offering games, contests and gifts. For more information call (858) 626-5207.

The Rotary Club of Uptown San Diego Sunrise began three years ago, with Terra restaurant in Hillcrest as the meeting place. Breakfast is served at 7:00 a.m. and the meeting begins at 7:30 and ends at 8:30 a.m.

The membership is small, but the output is impressive. One day a week members volunteer to deliver hot meals to terminally ill homebound patients in the Uptown area. Club members read to classes on Tuesday afternoons at Alice Birney School — a project to promote literacy and adult role models. Does this sound like a group you’d be proud to be a member of? Call (619) 347-0013 for an invitation to an upcoming meeting.

On Friday, Oct. 3, The Lesbian Connection (TLC) invites the community to their second year anniversary party at Six Degrees, starting at 5:00 p.m. There will be wine tasting, cheese, hors d’oeuvres, live music, cake, prizes, and more. Drinks will be at happy hour prices. There is a $10 admission fee. TLC is the largest lesbian social organization in San Diego.

Priority Pharmacy will hold a car wash to benefit AIDS WALK San Diego, on Saturday, September 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The suggested tax-deductible donation is $10. Car wash customers will automatically be entered into a prize drawing. Pre-event tickets are available at Priority Pharmacy, 3935 First Avenue. The car wash will be held at the Priority’s Parking Annex, directly across the street from the pharmacy. For more information, call (619) 688-2230.

Priority Pharmacy and ROK Enterprises have joined efforts to raise funds for AIDS WALK San Diego (AWSD). Power of Unity T-Shirts are designed to recognize the 21 year-long fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The black cotton T-shirts feature the red AIDS ribbon, with the words “The Power of Unity…The Fight Continues,” printed in white lettering. Shirts are $10 (tax-deductible), and are available at Priority Pharmacy, David’s Coffeehouse and ROK Enterprises. Shirts may also be purchased from members of the Imperial Court de San Diego.

Credit cards and checks (payable to AWSD) are accepted. Proceeds will benefit AWSD. For more information, contact Stepher Potter at (619) 688-2230, ext. 2245.

The Bruce M. Abrams Lending Library is available to all who want to borrow books significant to GLBT heritage, do research, learn about health issues, or read or study in a quiet place. It stocks fiction, non-fiction, journals, and up-to-date information on HIV and AIDS. The library is now located in the Community Resource Room, and books can be checked out at the front desk. The Lending Library is open during normal business hours. In addition to LGBT materials, the library contains The Corinne M. Mackey People of Color Collection.

The Bruce M. Abrams Library is named for prominent local attorney, Bruce M. Abrams, who provided initial funding for the renovation of the space and the acquisition of much of the literature currently available. The Library benefits from an annual book sale and cash and in-kind donations provided by community members.

Break out that tiara you bought for your Labrador retriever-mix last spring. The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA’s 17th annual Fur Ball will be held Oct. 18 and dogs are invited to attend. This year’s theme is “Best in Show.” Enjoy dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions at the gala event with your four-legged furry friend. All proceeds will benefit animals and community programs. For more information, call (619) 243-3408.

The San Diego District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council will hold its annual auditions Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Shiley Theater in Camino Hall on the University of San Diego Campus. The auditions provide a venue for young opera singers at all different levels of experience to be heard, with the goal of discovering exceptionally talented young opera singers in order to assist them in their professional development. Finalists in this year’s competition will perform at a winners’ concert in November. The public is invited to the auditions, but a donation of $5 is suggested. For more information, contact Joan Henkelmann at (619) 479-8184.

North County Pride In The Park IV is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4, and will be held from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. at Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Dr., Vista. North County Pride in the Park IV will offer a resource and health fair, live entertainment and a children’s area. Refreshments, food, beer and wine will be available for purchase. A complete entertainment lineup including comedy, drag, and local musicians is also planned.

Established in 1989, AIDS Walk San Diego is San Diego’s largest one-day HIV/AIDS fundraiser. Dozens of agencies rely on the funds raised by the annual walk through Balboa Park and Hillcrest to provide essential prevention and care programs to thousands of men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. This year’s walk will take place on Sunday, Oct. 5. To register or for more information, contact The Center at (619) 692-2077.