Congratulations to The San Diego LGBT Community Center, its staff and the hundreds of volunteers behind AIDS Walk San Diego. Their dedication, hard work and love made it the most successful walk ever. And, a special thank you to the many sponsors and thousands of walkers – God bless you all!

This past Monday at sunset marked the start of the Jewish New Year, the year 5769, and also marked the start of an intense 10-day span of introspection and contemplation, concluding with the fast of Yom Kippur. I wish the Jewish community, in particular my many Jewish friends, a happy New Year!

Yes, my new Web site, blog and video site will launch within about a week! My artists and the professionals I have been working with on the site are finishing it up, and it’s guaranteed to be a fabulous launch that will rock the Internet! “POP! POP! POP!,” stands for People, Opinions and Politics, and will be the main attraction on the site with more edgy opinions and observations, as well as breaking news that will have the whole town talking. A new computer will soon be put in my apartment, and I will be answering questions and comments almost daily.

So, all my fans can now hear from me more often – and to all you haters, bar stool critics and wannabes, now you can attack me 24/7. And, thank you for your constant letters to the editor, and online comments on the Gay & Lesbian Times Web site, because you help launch me into a larger media market! I’ve been writing a column since 1973 (The San Diego Sun) and I will continue to write my weekly column, Conversations with Nicole, for the GLT. Stay tuned to my column next week when I will tell you the name of the site!

For three years there was a GLBT Harvey Milk Democratic Club in San Diego (there is also one in San Francisco and in other cities). Past presidents include the first openly-gay man to run for office in San Diego, Al Best, and the late Jim Cua (a past vice president of the San Diego Democratic Club) who died of AIDS and was a very respected gay and Asian community activist. The Harvey Milk Democratic Club organized and sponsored the very first GLBT contingent in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in San Diego. The club also paid for a beautiful park bench in Balboa Park honoring the memory of Harvey Milk. I have been bombarded with people interested in joining the club and helping out. So, once again, the club will reorganize after the election. And, while I will support the club and join as a member, I will never serve on the board or run to be an officer of the club. I have too much on my plate. Just keep your eyes open for the announcement of the first meeting of the club, as many people are involved in reorganizing the rebirth of the Harvey Milk Democratic Club in San Diego.

Watch out San Diego! Monday nights soon will never be the same! The Flame will soon be hosting what I predict will be the most popular weekly competition show ever – yes, the San Diego Dance Off! It’s coming to The Flame every Monday night and people will compete in all types of dance categories – hip hop, country western, salsa, ballroom, ballet, jazz tango, swing, mambo, tap, etc. Weekly contestants will sign up as singles, couples or in groups every Monday night. There will be a winner every week, then a semifinals competition, and, finally, a winner will be crowned in the San Diego Dance Off! There will be big cash prizes and gift certificates among other things. Stay tuned for more information.

Yes, I’ve been on the road for speaking engagements, conferences and meetings. I’ll give you a more complete report in my next column, including some information on these cities’ gay scenes, etc. Next stop: Portland, then New York and Washington, D.C. I’ve missed the weddings of some very dear friends and it’s very upsetting to me because I wish I could have been there for their special days!

The super popular 92103 Awards are returning to Hillcrest on Sunday Jan. 25, 2009. These awards are for businesses, bars and people living or working in the 92103 zip code. The categories include: Best Pizza Joint, Mayor of Hillcrest, Most Popular Couple, Best Pharmacy, Mr. Centerfold, First Lady of Hillcrest, Most Popular Mainstream Publication, Ms. Centerfold, Queen of Hillcrest, Most Popular Straight Bar, Most Popular Gay Bar and Best Latin Food, among many others. This will be a benefit for The Center, the Imperial Court de San Diego and the Hillcrest History Guild. So, mark your calendars for Jan. 25, 2009, and look for the date of the upcoming 92104 Awards, too!

One of my close friends made a visit to the Re-Nous Skin & Body Spa in Del Mar – and he came back looking flawless! Whether it’s for a facial, a men’s waxing, or many of the other body therapies offered, this spa makes you feel like a king or queen! Serenely nestled on the coast, you will feel pampered by Nargis, Ashley and Becca. I’ll be visiting Re-Nous Skin & Body Spa – and so should you. Call to book an appointment. For the phone number and the link to the spa’s Web site, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links.