Please continue to give and drop off toys and blankets at your local business or bar, as we still need them. Because of the recent fires and social service cut backs, more children will not have a merry Christmas. For more information about how you can help, please call 619-692-1967.

Every year, it seems Christmas trees and Santa Clauses start popping up even before Thanksgiving. Christmas has become one big commercial and all about sales, sales, sales. The true meaning of Christmas is that Christ was born on this day and the wish for peace on earth and good will to all. We, especially in America, seem to have lost the true meaning of Christmas decades ago. So let’s try and remember what Christmas is all about, and visit the church of your choice. Thank you.

Let’s see, now that Hillary Clinton, Sens. Obama and Edwards and former Gov. Gray Davis ALL have taken stands against same-sex marriage, are they bigots too? Recent letters calling our governor and these three councilmembers bigots cross the line and are a lie. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed seven, yes seven, GLBT bills but vetoed the same-sex marriage bill, and now some of you write in calling him a bigot.

Because an office-holder does not support and vote for every GLBT bill does not make him or her a bigot. Let me make it clear that I was as disappointed as everyone that the governor and three councilmembers did not support marriage equality, but I know by their history, their record and, yes, by personal association, that they are not bigots. Tony Young, Brian Maienschein and Kevin Faulconer need us to educate and push them more on this issue, but calling them bigots is not the right way. And I find it interesting that I am being attacked for endorsing their campaigns in the past. Some seem to forget that I also endorsed and supported the five councilmembers who supported marriage equality and our Mayor Sanders, who many of you did not support. Let’s agree to disagree and remember that we will not always be pleased with the votes all of our public officials make. But even our own Councilmember Toni Atkins, though very disappointed in her colleagues, will tell you that Young, Maienschein and Faulconer are not bigots.

Have you ever wanted to become a volunteer or join any of our dozens of GLBT and AIDS organizations? Well, you should! On Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at The Center, will be our annual Community Volunteer Fair, with more than 30 organizations welcoming you to join them in making our community a better place. So do your part and stop by The Center and check out the great work our GLBT organizations are doing, and be a part of it.

It’s interesting that a majority of the letter writers attacking City Attorney Mike Aguirre and Police Chief William Landsdowne are former employees of the bathhouse on University Avenue. I want them to back up their statements that City Attorney Mike Aguirre is on a campaign to close our bathhouses and gay businesses. To this day, only one bathhouse has been closed, and this started with complaints from the County Health Department. For decades, the bathhouse on University Avenue was notorious and, in fact, was warned many times to clean up its act. I even saw with my own eyes unsafe barebacking videos being played. The sad part is, I truly believe that the new owners of Club 2200 tried to change the image of their bathhouse, but those same longtime customers would continue to make this their home.

Our two other bathhouses are doing great. The relationships between our bars and bathhouses and our city attorney and police chief have never been better, and no other GLBT businesses have been shut down. WHY ONLY THIS ONE? I and others have talked personally with top city officials and there are no campaigns going on to raid and close GLBT businesses. Period!

After going through some new and exciting changes, San Diego’s “Gay Academy Awards,” the Nicky Awards have been set for a Monday Night in March at a beautiful theater. The new Nickys will be more entertaining, exciting and fast paced. As always, all proceeds will go to local non-profit organizations, including The Center. The entire Nicky “2008 Board of Governors” will soon be announced. (They cannot be nominated for awards, as the events directors.) But the 2008 co-chairs of the Board of Governors are Michael Mack and David Cohen. Stay tuned for more information.

Finally! Hillcrest now has a five-star bakery with sweets that will make you smile all day. Babycakes is now open where David’s Coffee House used to be (3766 Fifth Ave.), and watch for the many changes coming. I went to a pre-tasting, and the baked goods were out of this world…cakes, cupcakes, etc. Babycakes is going to be a lot more than just a bakery, so for more information, e-mail info@babycakessandiego.com or visit www.babycakessandiego.com.

I am Legend – Actor Will Smith can do no wrong, as it seems all his movies are great and entertaining. This is a solid hit!

Lions for Lambs – What a big bomb. It makes no sense and leaves you hanging at the end. You’re better off staying home and watching the shopping network.

American Gangster – This is one hell of an exciting and action-packed movie, with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe acting at their best.

The Golden Compass – They should rename this movie The Golden Turd, as it stinks. Period!

The Vulcan Steam and Sauna, one of Southern California’s most popular steam and saunas is having its 34th annual “Thank you San Diego” holiday giveaway, with $250 in cash prizes every week ’til 2008. And on New Years’ Eve, it will give away exactly $2,008 in just one night! For more information, phone 619-238-1980. And a big thank you to Frank and everyone at Vulcan for giving back to the community these last 34 years hundreds of thousands of dollars to GLBT organizations, AIDS agencies, civil rights causes, etc.