The San Diego LGBT Community Center (The Center) invites women to its “Red Hot Sisters: A Women’s Dance Fest,” on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 6-9 p.m. at The Center. This ‘Red Hot’ evening will provide San Diego women with an opportunity to socialize and celebrate the diversity of our “Red Hot Sisters” with great music and fun.

“Red Hot Sisters” will feature great dance music by DJ Sandra Ware, door prizes, dessert bar and a no-host bar – all for just $10 per person. Tickets are available on a cash-only basis at the door.

Festive red attire is encouraged, and women ages 21 and older are welcome. This event is sponsored by The Center’s Women’s Resource Center.

The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. For more information about “Red Hot Sisters” or The Center’s Women’s Resource Center, contact Carmen Chávez at 619-692-2077, ext. 212 or cchavez@thecentersd.org.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego (GMCSD) continues its 15th Anniversary Season with an unprecedented number of singers, expanded artistic staff, financial stability, and an unbridled enthusiasm about the future. GMCSD has already begun rehearsals for its “Bells & Brass” holiday concert, which will feature a brass ensemble and hand-bell choir, to be performed on Dec. 15 and 16 inside the Sherwood Auditorium in La Jolla.

The Gay Men’s Chorus now boasts more than 80 singing members with another dozen operations staff members. Chorus members recently performed at the annual dinner of Fellowship of Older Gays (FOG) and participated in AIDS Walk San Diego, raising more than $5,500. In addition to organizing numerous mixers and socials, GMCSD is preparing for its annual fall retreat in Palm Springs later this month. Director of membership Joe Gregore stated, “We are all looking forward to this retreat, which combines intensive rehearsals with lots of fun and games. The Gay Men’s Chorus continues to grow because of our many community events during Pride season and our performance singing the national anthem before a Padres game at PETCO Park. There is a real energy and excitement connected to GMCSD that everyone wants to be part of.”

The Chorus has also expanded its artistic staff to accommodate its continuing growth. Gary Holt remains artistic director, while the chorus has hired other talented musicians to assist him. Glenn Ward joins GMCSD as principal accompanist; Steven Withers returns to the chorus as director of GMCSD’s ensemble, and chorus member Lew Atkinson will also now serve as the singer education program director.

GMCSD’s growth in size has been matched by financial strength. The County of San Diego Board of Supervisors has awarded it a Community Enhancement Program Grant of $2,000, twice the amount of the previous year. The Chorus was also able to apply for an increase from the City of San Diego Commission on Arts and Culture based on its financial strength and stability. Board President Steve Tiger explained, “All of us connected with the Gay Men’s Chorus are thrilled to be part of such a vibrant organization. Many of our board members are heading off to Denver for the GALA Choruses Annual Conference to learn how to best lead our ever-expanding Chorus into the future. As we continue to grow and expand our musical offerings, we look forward to working with friends – old and new – throughout the San Diego region and beyond.”

The Gay Men’s Chorus recently wrapped up its busy summer season with three crowd-pleasing performances of “Diva by Diva.” The Chorus also made history by singing the national anthem as part of the “Out at the Park with the San Diego Padres” event at PETCO Park. GMCSD performed at the Spirit of Stonewall Community Celebration as well, and received the Spirit of Pride Award as Best Community Organization in the 33rd annual San Diego LGBT Pride Parade. GMCSD will wrap up its 15th Anniversary Season of Song with two performances of the “Bells & Brass” concert.

The Chorus is already drawing up plans for its 2008 season with more concerts, cabaret events and a number of other exciting performances and community activities. For more information about the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego, please call 619-57-GMCSD, send an e-mail to info@GMCSD.com, or visit www.GMCSD.com.

The Center invites San Diegans to its annual multicultural holiday party, “Come Home for the Holidays!” This free community-wide event will take place on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 5-8 p.m. at The Center.

“We hope everyone will join us for this relaxed and fun holiday event. This night brings together our community to dance, eat and celebrate our diverse holiday traditions with ‘family’ away from home,” said Jennifer Jones, The Center’s director of development. “We encourage all LGBT San Diegans, and our friends, to join us for this wonderful gathering.”

More than 20 community organizations will come together to put on a holiday celebration for the entire San Diego LGBT community and our allies. There will be great food and drinks, music by DJ Sandra Ware and a candle-lighting ceremony. This year, there will be a cookie- and craft-making area for children.

While the event is free, guests are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to support the Imperial Court de San Diego’s annual toy drive. The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. For more information about “Come Home for the Holidays!” contact Dana Toppel at 619-255-7854, ext. 103 or dtoppel@thecentersd.org.

The Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) has formed a corporate partnership with FIRSTGROUP, a commercial real estate developing firm founded in 1972. The company recently presented $5,000 to the GSDBA in an effort to raise continued awareness of the 800- member chamber of commerce, which now ranks as the second largest gay and lesbian chamber in the country.

“The GSDBA appreciates the support of corporations like FIRSTGROUP, which understands the work we do to help area small businesses grow and prosper,” said Joyce Marieb, executive director of GSDBA.

FIRSTGROUP’s role in the partnership, according to Catherine Strada, an associate with the real estate company, is to “help promote gay and lesbian business and increase the powerful gay market in San Diego.”

The GSDBA, founded in 1979, also introduced recently a new, multi-media marketing campaign titled, “Friends Do Business With Friends.” The campaign extends to local billboards and nearly 250 television ads airing on major networks through this year.

For more information about events, memberships and business network groups, call 619-296-4543 or visit the Web site at www.gsdba.org.

Federal assistance is available to those in need due to the recent wildfires. The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a number of resources available on its Web site. Online information is available regarding crisis counseling, disaster unemployment insurance, legal services, special tax considerations, and more.

These resources, and additional information from the federal government are available online by visiting www.fema.gov/assistance/process/additional.shtm.

A number of events are being planned this year to commemorate Veterans Day in San Diego, primarily to honor GLBT veterans. The “Honor Every Veteran” campaign will include a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rally, designed to help end discrimination in the military, at the Federal Building in downtown San Diego on Friday, Nov. 9, at 5 p.m. Following the rally, there will be a Kick-Off Reception at The Caliph at 8 p.m. which will include food and drinks.

On Saturday, Nov. 10, the San Diego Veterans’ Day Parade will step-off at 11 a.m. from the San Diego County Administration Building Downtown. A GLBT community contingent will be represented in the parade. Later that evening, the San Diego LGBT Center in Hillcrest will host a Military Ball Cocktail Reception at 6 p.m.. The honorary chairs of the event are Congressmembers Bob Filner and Susan Davis. Filner is the chair of the House of Representatives Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Davis is chair of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Tickets to the reception are $20 at the door. Dress uniform or business casual attire is requested. There will be an after-party at Bourbon St. in University Heights starting at 10 p.m.

Finally, on Sunday, Nov. 11, the “Stand Down Draft Party” will be held at The Hole in Point Loma starting at 2 p.m., and the “Take No Prisoners Final Assault” party will be held at Pecs in North Park starting at 7 p.m.

All proceeds from the weekend’s event will be donated to American Veterans for Equal Rights, and The Center’s Public Policy Department. All events are open to the public, with the events held at bars being open only to those 21 years and older.

For more information, call 619-459-1019, or visit www.honoreveryveteran.org.

In honor of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the Asylum of the Tortured Heart, The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence invite the community to celebrate the lives of those who have gone before us with an evening of remembrance and joyous contemplation.

The Sisters and community members will begin on Friday, Nov. 2 at 10 p.m. at The Hate Crimes Memorial Plaque located on the sidewalk in front of Obelisk Bookstore at 1029 University Ave.

Participants are encouraged to bring photos or mementos of loved ones to place around the plaque.

More information is available online at www.sdsisters.org.