New state laws regulating the use of cell phones while driving will go into effect July 1. California Vehicle Code (CVC) 23124 regulates the use of cell phones by drivers younger than 18, and CVC 23123 regulates use for drivers 18 and older.

The new law prohibit minors from driving a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, including a hands-free-device, and/or a mobile service device (such as pagers, text messaging devices, laptops, etc). Certain exceptions will be made in emergency situations to make calls to law enforcement, health care providers and the fire department, or while operating a vehicle on private property.

Drivers older than 18 will be prohibited from driving a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless a hands-free device is used. Exceptions will be made: during emergency situations to call law enforcement, health care providers and the fire department; while operating a vehicle on private property; for emergency service providers operating an authorized emergency vehicle during the course of employment; or for a person operating a commercial motor truck or truck tractor (excluding pickups), implements of husbandry, farm vehicle, school bus, transit vehicle or tow truck, if using a two-way radio operated by a “push-to-talk” feature that does not require the device to be close to the ear.

The fines for violations of both laws are $20, plus administrative fees for the first offense and $50 plus administrative fees for the second and subsequent offenses.

More information is available online at the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles Web site at www.dmv.ca.gov.

San Diego District Three Councilmember Toni Atkins will present the annual State of the Third Council District event Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the War Memorial Building at Balboa Park, located at 3325 Zoo Drive.

For more information, contact Atkins’ office at 619-236-6633.

The San Diego Chapter of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) will host its April social event, HRC Connect, on Wednesday, April 9 from 7-9 p.m. at Hawthorn’s Restaurant Lounge.

The HRC Connect events bring together the San Diego GLBT and straight ally community in a social environment to champion equality. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the HRC and membership in the organization.

The HRC is the nation’s largest civil rights organization working for GLBT equality.

Everyone is welcome to the event; membership is not required. More information is available online at www.sandiego.hrc.org.

Hawthorn’s is located at 2895 University Ave. in North Park.

The San Diego LGBT Community Center appointed Jeffrey M. Wergeles as the organization’s Director of Development on March 17.

“We are all very excited about working with Jeffrey,” said Delores A. Jacobs, CEO of The Center. “He has an amazing reputation in the development field and we look forward to the great work we know he’ll do here at The Center.”

Most recently, Wergeles was a fund-raiser at KPBS, where he had responsibility for major and planned gifts. Wergeles was originally hired by KPBS in 2000 to manage its new fund-raising initiative, Gays and Lesbians for Programming Excellence, the first LGBT fund-raising program at a public broadcasting station.

Wergeles also has an extensive resume of community involvement. He has served on the boards of Mama’s Kitchen and the Greater San Diego Business Association, serving two terms as board president at both organizations. Prior to working at KPBS he was a member of its community advisory board and several development/capital campaign committees there. He recently completed a term as vice president of the Diversionary Theatre and is currently on the boards of the June Burnett Institute and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Wergeles can be reached at 619-692-2077, ext. 204, or by e-mailing jwergeles@thecentersd.org.

The March LGBT Community Coalition Breakfast will feature former San Diego grand jury foreman David Higgins and current foreman, Michael Letendre. Both are members of the LGBT community. The breakfast will take place on Friday, March 21 from 7:30-9 a.m. at The Center.

Higgins and Letendre will discuss the role of the grand jury in the San Diego court system and the importance of serving on juries.

Letendre, a San Carlos resident, was selected to lead the 2007-2008 San Diego County grand jury and will begin service on July 1. He serves as president of the San Diego Federation of Volleyball Officials, officiates for the San Diego American Flag Football League and America’s Finest City Softball League, and is past commissioner of San Diego Hoops and the Hillcrest Classic Basketball Tournament.

Higgins served as the jury foreman for the 2006-2007 San Diego County grand jury. A consultant specializing in the biotechnology industry and former executive vice president of BioMedica, Higgins is involved in the North Park Community Association, the North Park Alcohol and Entertainment Working Group, the Grand Jury Implementation Advisory Committee to Mayor Sanders and the City Council, the Past Grand Jurors Association, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the San Diego American Civil Liberties Union.

The Community Coalition Breakfast takes place the third Friday of each month. Its mission is to bring together fair-minded individuals to network, educate and discuss the diverse issues of concern to LGBT and allied neighbors and citizens of San Diego. A full breakfast is available for a $10 donation; coffee and tea are complimentary. RSVPs are not required. ASL interpretation will be provided upon request, which must be sent to Caroline Dessert at cdessert@thecentersd.org at least seven working days before the event.

The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest.

The South Bay Alliance is seeking volunteers to help organize its fifth annual Gay Day in South Bay. The event is a Pride event for residents and friends of south San Diego County. This year’s event will be held on August 24 from 1-5 p.m.

Organizers expect this year’s event to the biggest yet. Volunteers are needed to help in a number of areas, and are encouraged to join the planning committee. Interested volunteers can e-mail southbayalliance@cox.net.

Princeton University, Emory University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California and the University of Utah will all attend the upcoming Campus Pride College Admission Fair on Friday, April 11 at the University of California, San Diego.

“Finally, colleges are coming out of the closet and being visible in the recruitment process to seek LGBT students,” said Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride, the leading national nonprofit for LGBT students and campus groups, and author of The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students. “Even the nation’s top colleges realize that being LGBT-friendly is not only in the best interest of enrollment figures but also a necessity to prepare for a smaller, more diverse student population in the future.”

Nearly 30 colleges have registered to date for the GLBT-friendly college fair sponsored by Campus Pride. In addition, more than 150 colleges and universities are reaching out to GLBT students through the GLBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index. The national index, the only resource of its kind, is a dynamic online tool which rates GLBT-friendliness at colleges and universities, as well as sets a national benchmark for campuses to become safer and more welcoming for GLBT and ally people. Any campus may take part in the index to be listed online at anytime.

The San Diego fair takes place Friday, April 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Price Center of the University of California, San Diego. The early registration deadline for campuses to participate is March 21. Organizing partners and supporters for the upcoming fair include national and local chapters of organizations such as the Western Association for College Admissions Counseling, the Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and Point Foundation.

To view the current registered campus attendees, visit www.campusclimateindex.org/events or contact Campus Pride at 704-277-6710 or info@campuspride.org.

The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Positive Action program is offering a comprehensive educational course for people living with HIV. The course, called Positive Living, focuses on being HIV-positive and maintaining your mental, emotional and physical health.

“Positive Living is about providing people living with HIV with the knowledge and resources that can assist them living a long and healthy life” said Rick Braatz, The Center’s Positive Action coordinator.

The course covers a variety of HIV related issues and subject matter including nutrition, medication, sexual health, depression, social support and stress reduction. All people living with or impacted by HIV/AIDS are invited to participate, said Braatz.

Positive Living meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. for four weeks at The Center, located at 3909 Centre Street and starts March 25. The course is free and food and beverage will be provided.

To register or for more information contact Rick Braatz at 619-692-2077, ext.133 or by e-mail at rbraatz@thecentersd.org.