Step out your door and leave the children at home because Pride season is in full swing and in just a few weeks we’ll be celebrating our gaiety in all its glory.

This column, however, isn’t geared toward what to do during San Diego Pride weekend – that’s a gimme. We know everyone will be tramping around the parade route and festival during the day, taking a breather to freshen up, then heading out to the bars and Pride parties in their gay-bar-best with the intention of snagging that hot piece of meat from out of town.

Don’t lie.

Instead, I thought it would be appropriate to take some time to reflect upon what we take pride in, and in the next month, here are some events that will inspire you to take pride in your community and yourself!

The San Diego Italian Film Festival isn’t screening films until October, but you can check out a preview at the film festival’s free mini series being held at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA) in July and August.

Watch the “Spaghetti Western” films For a Few Dollars More on July 3 at 7 p.m. and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. Films will be shown in Italian with English subtitles and are directed by Sergio Leone and star Clint Eastwood.

Now I’m no film buff, but what movie isn’t bad ass when Clint Eastwood stars in it – pre-director Clint Eastwood, that is.

MoPA is located at 1649 El Prado. For more information, check out www.sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com.

Get your Pride on a bit early (July 11) and check out Out at the Park with the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

The game starts at 7:05 p.m. and discounted tickets are $19 for the Upper Infield Reserved and $40 for the Toyota Terrace Reserved. Also, come and show your support for the GALA Choruses of San Diego as they sing the national anthem.

And if you’re in the mood for some tail – er, tailgate action – then stop by the pre-game tailgate party at Stingaree from 4-6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include two drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

This is a great opportunity to hang with the boys (and girls) while enjoying one of our nation’s pastimes – but try not to scare the straight folk. We want to be invited back next year.

Stingaree is located at 454 Sixth Avenue and Petco Park is located at 100 Park Blvd. Check out www.sandiegopride.org for more information.

If you need some art in your life, all you have to do is walk on down to University Avenue and attend moRe sUper Sundays, a new monthly free community art event.

On the second Sunday of each month through October from 2-8 p.m., event goers can walk down University Avenue between Vermont and Herbert streets to check out some of San Diego’s best artists. moRe sUper will keep the event fresh each month by featuring new and repeat artists, businesses and food.

The first event in June was really exciting and it was awesome to see the event bringing together so many talented artists and people in our little gayborhood – so look forward to more fun in the coming months!

Check out web.mac.com/moresuper for more information.

I love my peeps and have been a fan of the sake-bomb for many years now, so on July 16, sake-it-to-me (sorry, bad joke) at the Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana’s (JSSDT) Beer and Sake Festival from 6-9 p.m. at the W Hotel San Diego.

General admission tickets are $50 ($40 for JSSDT members), and include all tastings of sake and beer, and samplings of Japanese and Asian-fusion cuisine from several local restaurants.

And if you didn’t know, sake is pronounced “sah-kay,” not “sack-ee.” Better recognize or you might get ka-rah-tay chopped.

The W Hotel San Diego is located at 421 West B St. For more information, visit www.japan-society.org.

We need to do our part in protecting the environment, so on July 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. visit the Birch Aquarium at Scripps to trade in old light bulbs and torchiere lamps for free, new, energy-efficient models.

San Diego County residents (with a valid California ID or SDG&E bill) can exchange up to five 75-watt or higher incandescent light bulbs, and up to two halogen torchiere lamps (bring entire fixture) for more energy-efficient models (while supplies last). Also, bring in your old compact fluorescent light bulbs to be properly disposed.

To top it off, all exchange participants will receive a 2-for-1 same day admission (an adult admission is $11) to the aquarium, where you can explore the newest exhibit, “Feeling the Heat: The Climate Challenge,” and learn more about climate change through interactive activities.

The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is located at 2300 Expedition Way and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.aquarium.ucsd.edu.

It may be getting a bit toasty outside, but take in some music culture with Summer Pops presented by the San Diego Symphony and Sycuan Casino through July and August at the Embarcadero Marina Park South.

Regular ticket prices range from $15 for lawn seats to $75 for Champagne level seats (includes a glass of champagne/wine and table service).

What better way to spend a summer night than listening to some music on a blanket in the grass with your best friends?

The Embarcadero Marina Park South is located just behind the Convention Center by the Bay, on the Marina Park South peninsula. For a more complete list of scheduled artists and more information, check out www.sandiegosymphony.org/summerpops.