The Hillcrest Business Improvement Association (HBIA) is searching for a new executive director after the current executive director, Warren Simon’s, recently announced his retirement. Simon’s replacement will serve as the fourth executive director of San Diego’s oldest business improvement district.

The HBIA’s search committee is seeking an individual who is creative, has vision, and is up to the task of serving a vibrant and diverse association with more than 900 members. The individual will be responsible for managing all programs and projects of the organization and represent the Association at various public forums. The HBIA puts on the annual City Fest and Taste of Uptown Events, as well as the weekly Hillcrest Farmer’s Market.

For a complete job description, more information, or to apply, e-mail hillcrestbusinessassnjobs@gmail.com.

District 3 City Councilmember Toni Atkins and the City of San Diego Water Department invite the community to attend a public discussion of San Diego’s water history, water conservation, and the challenges the city has faced in identifying water sources. The free presentation will take place at the San Diego Natural History Museum on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 6-8:30 p.m.

The City of San Diego’s Water Department will discuss future options, including the city’s proposed Indirect Potable Reuse Demonstration Project. Those attending will have the opportunity to view the San Diego Natural History Museum’s new exhibit Water: A California Story before the official program begins.

Seating is limited. To RSVP, call Atkins’ office at 619-236-6633.

The San Diego Natural History Museum is located at 1788 El Prado in Balboa Park.

Diversionary Theatre recently announced it received a grant of $12,000 from City Councilmember Toni Atkins, through discretionary TOT funds designated to each council district. The grant funds will be used to support a construction project at Diversionary that includes the installation of a new wheelchair lift.

“We are incredibly honored to have Toni’s continued support of our work and mission,” said Dan Kirsch, Diversionary’s executive and artistic director. “The new wheelchair lift will provide access for hundreds of elderly and differently-abled patrons to be able to visit the Theatre and see a performance.”

The wheelchair lift will take patrons from the first floor to the second floor theater space.

“Diversionary Theatre provides a valuable public benefit and is an important cultural organization for our entire community,” Atkins said. “Their mission to produce plays that represent the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is crucial to our continuing discussion of diversity and equality. I am proud to support their continued good work, and commend them for their stewardship of the building.”

After a 14-year run, the current wheelchair lift stopped working in March, and is irreparable.

Diversionary had begun a strategic plan for the building in early 2007, and the replacement of the wheelchair lift was already in the first phase remodel plans. The $300,000 first-phase remodel includes a new wheelchair lift and upgrades to several other connecting building parts to meet current building codes and ADA standards, including: creating a new deck area outside of the repositioned wheelchair lift so that there is ADA turnaround radius for a wheelchair upon entering/exiting the lift; replacing the back staircase (both the width of the staircase and a turnaround radius at the bottom of the stairway need updating); and rebuilding the fire wall on the property line behind the wheelchair lift and new staircase.

“We are very grateful for the leadership gifts we have received to start this project, said Diversionary Board President Mary Stockton. “Las Patronas and The Parker Foundation gave lead gifts to start the funding of the project. Additional gifts have come in from Atkins, the Mandell Weiss Charitable Trust, the Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Foundation and 12 individuals, totaling $98,045. Now we need all of our patrons to help fund this project, so that all our friends and neighbors can have access the Theatre whenever they want to attend a performance,” Stockton said.

Diversionary has started asking each audience member at the current production of No Exit to give $10 for the wheelchair lift fund drive, which is being matched by several community members. Diversionary’s Board members will be calling every patron during the month of October to ask for their help with this fund drive.

Diversionary is asking their patrons to consider making a tax-deductible gift, of any amount, to help raise funds for the wheelchair lift.

For more information or to make a pledge, call or e-mail Dan Kirsch at Diversionary dkirsch@diversionary.org or 619-220-6830.

The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s 50 and Better Club invites the community to attend a presentation by hypnotherapist Linda Stark’s titled Insomnia: Having Trouble Falling Asleep or Staying Asleep? The event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 1-2:30 p.m. in The Center’s Community Resource Room.

The free event is open to the public.

The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. For information, contact David VanGilder at dvangilder@thecentersd.org or call 619-692-2077, ext. 205.

The San Diego LGBT Community Center is now offering a men’s group focusing on health and sexuality. Facilitated by Dr. Michael Majeski, this free group will offer participants an opportunity to learn and speak openly with other men about sex and other aspects of their own sexuality, current health issues and concerns, and how they both relate to building and maintaining meaningful and satisfying relationships.

The group will be offered in four and 12 week sessions at The Center’s Behavioral Health Services Facility located at 2313 El Cajon Blvd.

For more information, dates, or to register, call 619-260-6380, ext. 105.

The fifth annual Transgender Community Picnic is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Balboa Park. The event is hosted by Project STAR and the Transgender Advocacy and Services Center (TASC).

Everyone is invited to attend this free, fun community event. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish to share.

Project STAR offers case-management, referral and supportive services for transgender persons at high risk for HIV and STDs, transition related issues, monitored hormone therapy, and those individuals experiencing barriers accessing health and social services. Project services are offered in English and Spanish.

TASC seeks to identify the needs of the transgender community, educate itself and others regarding those needs and advocate to make resources a reality. TASC’s goals are to make sure transgender voices are heard in the greater community, to help the transgender community find its place as a group and as individuals, and to act as a platform to help the community create the support network necessary to live healthy and happy lives.

The picnic will take place at Balboa Park along Sixth Avenue just beyond the Upas Street entrance. A transgender flag will be posted for identification. For more information contact Tracie at 619-515-2411 or Paola at 619-515-2446, ext. 2943.

The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) at The San Diego LGBT Community Center invites women to “dust off their hot pink pumps and prepare for the ’80s invasion” as it hosts “Totally Red Hot ’80s.” The event will be set up like a women’s nightclub, with proceeds benefiting the WRC. Totally Red Hot ’80s will take place at The Center from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3.

The event will feature DJ Laura Jane spinning popular ’80s tunes, door prizes, dessert, a no-host bar and a “Totally Awesome Costume Contest.” Guests are encouraged to wear ’80s-inspired attire such as neon colors, leggings, or anything Madonna-inspired. Also, a prize will be given to the woman who brings the most outrageous photograph of herself from the ’80s.

Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door. The event is open to all women 21 years and older.

For more information contact Abby Schwartz at 619-692-2077, ext. 212 or e-mail aschwartz@thecentersd.org.

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

San Diego’s emerging Human Rights Campaign (HRC) community will hold its monthly social called HRC Connect on Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 7-9 p.m. at Hawthorn’s.

The HRC Connect is a great way for the San Diego GLBT community and straight allies to come together in a social environment for a worthy cause – equality. The monthly social allows participants to get to know San Diego’s emerging community and learn more about the HRC, the largest national civil rights organization working for GLBT equality. Membership is not required and there is no admission charge. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to invite friends who might be interested also.

For more information, visit www.hrc.org/sandiego.

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