According to the office of Sen. Christine Kehoe, registered domestic partners in California who have received a notice or bill from the Franchise Tax Board informing them of an underpayment of estimated tax penalty may be eligible to have the penalty waived.

Under the California Domestic Partnership law, tax year 2007 was the first time registered domestic partners could file their taxes as “joint or married filing separate.” As a result, some taxpayers who previously filed as “single” may have seen their required estimated tax obligation increase to an amount greater than expected. When taxpayers do not make their required estimated payments, the Franchise Tax Board will impose an underpayment of estimated tax penalty.

The situation, however, may be remedied. The underpayment of estimated tax penalty does not apply to tax year 2007 “joint or married filing separate” returns filed by registered domestic partners.

Those who believe they qualify for an abatement of the penalty should contact Jean Cramer at jean.cramer@ftb.ca.gov or 916-845-6408, and include taxpayer’s name; say they are making the request due to the change in filing status for an RDP; the amount of the estimated tax penalty; and the taxpayer identification number as listed on the penalty notice.

The latest edition of the Hillquest Urban Guide is now available at a number of the publication’s advertisers throughout Hillcrest and San Diego. The 2008 edition is the sixth annual version of the book created by Ann Garwood and Nancy Moors. The book’s companion Web site, www.hillquest.com, includes a listing of locations where the book can be picked up.

To celebrate the completion of the publication, the publication will host an annual neighborhood block party, “The Hop in the Hood,” on Sunday, July 13 on Seventh Avenue between Robinson and Pennsylvania. The day’s events, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will be hosted by Laura Jane and include live music, entertainment, and cake. Also, the third annual Flower Power Parade will kick off at 12:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.hillquest.com or call 619-260-1929.

To kick-off San Diego’s month-long observance of GLBT pride, and in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the rainbow flag’s designation as a symbol of equality for the GLBT community, San Diego LGBT Pride and San Diego State University will host a ceremonial raising of the rainbow flag on Tuesday, July 1 at 11 a.m. The event will take place at San Diego State University’s main campus flag pole, located at the east end of Campanile Walkway near Hepner Hall.

SDSU President Stephen L. Weber, Associated Students President James Poet and other local elected officials will gather near the flagpole for remarks and the raising of the flag. The entire community is invited to the campus to celebrate the beginning of Pride season in San Diego. Attendees are encouraged to wear rainbow attire and accessories.

Maps and parking information are available online at www.sdsu.edu. Additional information about San Diego LGBT Pride and the Rainbow Flag Raising Campaign are available at www.sdpride.org.

The University of California, San Diego will also host a similar flag-raising event on its La Jolla campus at 11:45 a.m. on July 1.

As the summer travel season arrives, The San Diego LGBT Community Center is reminding community members that booking flights with American Airlines will help the community. While making reservations, travelers should include The Center’s “Business ExtrAA Account Number” when prompted. The account number is 527593.

American Airlines customers will still receive all applicable AA miles and other personal benefits, and will also help The Center earn points for airlines tickets it uses to create vacation packages for silent auctions at major fund-raising events, or to send The Center staff members to out-of-town trainings.

For more information, contact The Center at 619-692-2077.

The Hillcrest History Guild (HHG) is selling tickets for its second annual Toast to Hillcrest event, to be held Thursday, Aug. 14 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The event gives participants the opportunity to celebrate Hillcrest, named one of the top 10 neighborhoods in America in 2007, while enjoying wine, spirits and appetizers at numerous restaurants and bars throughout the area. A red double-decker bus will also cruise the neighborhood providing transportation for participants. All proceeds from the event benefit the HHG.

Tickets are $19 before Aug. 1 or $25 after Aug. 1 or on the day of. Visit www.hillcresthistory.org for more information or to purchase tickets.

SD Pix has recently launched “Take Action San Diego,” a community SMS notification program. The text-messaging based information system will send out GLBT-related community service announcements. The service is provided free of charge to San Diego GLBT community non-profit organizations, and will be limited to GLBT community public service announcements only.

Those interested in being on the SMS notification list should text message the word “ACTION” from their cell phone to 313131.

Registration for individuals and teams has been opened for the 19th annual AIDS Walk San Diego, which will be held Sunday, Sept. 28 in Balboa Park. The event is presented by Nordstrom, and organized by The Center.

AIDS Walk San Diego is the county’s largest one-day HIV/AIDS fund-raising event, and the largest non-governmental provider of funds for San Diego County HIV/AIDS service organizations. The 2007 walk raised more than $480,000, which was distributed to 30 HIV/AIDS service providers in the county.

Individuals and teams can register or get more information online at www.aidswalksd.org.

The South Bay Alliance, organizers of the 2008 South Bay Pride, is looking for inspirational gay and lesbian couples to honor at the event. The group wants to recognize these couples for their commitment to each other and for serving as role models for the GLBT community.

Nominations of these couples should be submitted to the South Bay Alliance by July 30. Submissions should include the names of the couple being nominated, how long they have been together and a brief statement of why they are inspirational. Nominators should include their own contact information in case follow-up is needed.

For more information or to make a nomination, e-mail southbayalliance@cox.net

The San Diego City Council will hold a hearing on the Uptown Interim Height Ordinance in City Council Chambers (202 C St., 12th floor) on Tuesday, July 8, at 2 p.m.

IHO concept involves a 50 feet limit on Washington Street from Dove to Ibis Street, a 65 feet limit along 4th, 5th and 6th Avenues north of Upas, a 65 feet on Washington and University, east of Dove and a discretionary review (4th, 5th and 6th Avenues south of Upas.

The current 20-year-old Uptown Community Plan and related zoning allow for building heights of up to 150 feet and 200 feet along parts of Washington Street, University Avenue and 4th, 5th and 6th Avenue, including the heart of Hillcrest and the business district of Mission Hills.

Friends of San Diego, on behalf of the local community, decided to file a lawsuit against the City of San Diego and La Jolla Pacific Development, 301 University developer, because the project did not follow Environmental Laws or Community Plan, and the community won. Concurrently, the Uptown Community Planners voted 12-2 at their June 2006 meeting to recommend to that the City of San Diego adopt an Interim Height Ordinance (IHO) until the community plan could be updated.

IHO Task Force, which is opposed by the Builders Industry Association and Chamber of Commerce, will attend the City Council hearing to share concerns from many Uptown residents and business owners who feel that such taller buildings will overwhelm the lower profile and historic character of the community.

Following the City Council meeting, the Hillcrest Town Council (HTC) will host an Uptown Neighborhood Meet & Greet at the Joyce Beers Community Center (Uptown Shopping Center – One block north of University on Vermont between Terra and Aladdin Restaurants) from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

The HTC hopes the causal Meet & Greet will evolve to a celebration for the community following the City Council vote. All are welcome to attend.

For more information about the City Council meeting or the HTC Meet & Greet, contact John Taylor at 619-997-5299 or jtnhillcrest@cox.net.