The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s development staff, picture above, coordinated the 2008 San Diego AIDS Walk, which has been called the largest walk in its history, and which raised more than $600,000 this year. Back row, l-r: Connor Maddocks, Terry Bishop, Kevin Taylor, Ian Johnson; front row, l-r: Donnie Luehring, Ken St. Pierre, Sarafina Scapicchio, Jim Ginelli.

The Center’s 35th Annual Gala will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Paradise Point.

As part of the festivities of its annual gala event, The San Diego LGBT Community Center will honor local individuals and a business for their commitment, service and generosity.

District 3 City Councilmember Toni Atkins will receive the Jess Jessop Founders Award this year. The Jess Jessop Founders Award is given to those who have made significant contributions to enhancing the health and well-being of the GLBT community of San Diego.

This year Wells Fargo will be the recipient of The Friend of The Center Award. The Friend of The Center Award is given annually to a non-GLBT individual or organization that has played a critical role in improving the lives of the GLBT community of San Diego.

The M. Corinne Mackey Award and the Dennis Howard Award recognize volunteers for outstanding commitment and dedication to The Center and to its mission. This year’s award recipients are Dennis Howard and Joan Crawford.

Named for Brian S. Mullin and bestowed upon a youth or adult in recognition of outstanding commitment and dedication to the well-being of GLBT and questioning youth, this award celebrates those who share Mullin’s vision and activism on behalf of GLBTQ youth. This year’s honoree is Gwen Miramontes.

For more information about The Center’s 35th Annual Gala, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1085.

On Tuesday, Oct. 14, Aging as Ourselves will sponsor the “Attention Deficit Disorder Coexisting with Substance Abuse Recovery” workshop presented and facilitated by Mark Katz, PhD.

During the presentation, participants in the workshop will be given tips on services available to themselves, their partners and friends, as well as resources for managing ADHD in recovery.

People in recovery with ADHD or those who suspect they may have ADHD, are encouraged to attend.

Mark Katz is the author of On Playing a Poor Hand Well and is currently writing a new book on resiliency. For the past 21 years, he has served as the director of Learning Development Services, an educational, psychological and neuropsychological center in San Diego. The center provides an array of services and resources to people of all ages, including children, youth, families and adults. It also offers a variety of different ongoing seminars and trainings to individuals and groups in the San Diego area and beyond.

“Aging as Ourselves” is an innovative community-wide collaborative that provides a safe and comfortable environment for GLBT seniors in San Diego to tap into culturally responsive legal, social and health related services.

This program is part of a series of presentations for GLBT seniors in recovery. As one person in recovery stated: “AA members often like to support their recovery with competently prepared programs which help in all the steps and which continue to build self esteem and provide new ways of perceiving life, rebuilding relationships and moving on with sober living.”

The workshop will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at the S.A.G.E. Center, 3138 Fifth Ave. (between Spruce and Redwood). Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by Monday, Oct. 13 – confidentiality will be respected.

For more information about the workshop, how to RSVP or Aging as Ourselves, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1085.

The next meeting of the Hillcrest Town Council (HTC) is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Joyce Beers Community Center. All Hillcrest residents, including property owners and renters, are invited and encouraged to attend.

The October meeting will feature a question and answer session with City Attorney Michael Aguirre, who is running for re-election. His opponent, Jan Goldsmith, was also invited to participate in the forum and declined to attend.

The meeting will also include a discussion on the proposed HTC bylaws.

The mission of the HTC is to provide a voice and enhance the quality of life for Hillcrest renters and homeowners while supporting actions that benefit our neighborhood.

The Joyce Beers Community Center is located in the Uptown District Shopping Center on Vermont Street at University Avenue.

For a link to more information about the HTC, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1085.

MPower San Diego will host its next Gay Men’s Retreat in Julian from Friday, Oct. 17 through Sunday, Oct. 19.

The free weekend-long retreat hosted by MPower San Diego, which is a Program of Family Health Centers of San Diego, will include activities to stimulate discussion among participants to help create healthier relationships. Discussions and presentations will allow those who attend the opportunity to examine past, current and future relationships, while developing skills and attaining tools that will help make those relationships more meaningful and satisfying.

Food and lodging is included and participants are responsible for their own transportation, however a carpool list will be distributed.

Space is extremely limited and there is an application process.

For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1085.

The October LGBT Community Coalition Breakfast will feature an update on the “No on 8” campaign, which aims to defeat Proposition 8, the November ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage. Equality for All campaign manager Dale Kelly Bankhead and “No on 8” San Diego campaign co-chairs Sid Voorakkara and Andrea Villa will provide those in attendance with education and information about the campaign. The breakfast will take place at The San Diego LGBT Center on Friday, Oct. 17, from 7:30-9 a.m.

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 GLBT 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.

For more information on the breakfast, The Center and its location, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1085.

For 26 years, Macy’s Passport has showcased fashion, celebrities and theatrics while raising funds for HIV/AIDS organizations in California. This year Passport will be brought to the silver screen in 29 cities – including in San Diego – as “Fashion Cinema” to raise additional funds for HIV/AIDS organizations and service projects. Founding Chair Elizabeth Taylor, as well as Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Cindy Crawford, Mary J. Blige, and others will participate, and fashion labels represented will include Calvin Klein, Alfani, Ben Sherman, Levi’s, 2(X)ist and others.

The San Diego screening of the event will benefit The San Diego Men’s Chorus’ “Nourishing the Soul” program, which gives main stage concert tickets to clients of local HIV/AIDS service organizations, including Special Delivery.

Macy’s Passport “Fashion Cinema” will take place on Saturday, Oct. 23 at AMC Mission Valley 20.

Included in the ticket price is a 6 p.m. champagne reception at Macy’s Home Store Mission Valley. The cost of admission also includes complimentary theater concessions and an exclusive Macy’s shopping discount.

According to SDMC Conductor Jerry R. Foust, “Tickets are selling fast. This event will be like no other benefit you’ve attended this year. Macy’s has done a terrific job of creating a multimedia experience you won’t forget. We’re thrilled to be a part of the project, and grateful for the support of Macy’s and presenting sponsor American Express.”

For more information and for a link to purchase tickets, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1085.

The Greater San Diego Business Association recently welcomed Cox Business as its latest corporate partner, marking the tenth company that has committed in the past year to lending support to the GLBT chamber, which ranks as the second largest in the country.

Cox’s sponsorship totals $13,000 in cash and marketing support contributions, including $5,000 in Holiday Cruise ticket giveaways to the first 50 GSDBA members who switch their phone and Internet services to Cox. The annual harbor cruise, open to GSDBA members and guests, is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

“Cox Business is thrilled to support the GSDBA and by extension, the San Diego LGBT community, and we look forward to a long and mutually-beneficial relationship,” said Becca Linekin, Cox Business marketing manager.

In the last year, the GSDBA has also formed strategic partnerships with California Bank & Trust, Washington Mutual, US Bank, Jobing.com, bizSanDiego, First Group, Tony Azar of Metropolitan Group, the BottomLine and the Handlery Hotel & Resort.

For more information about GSDBA events and memberships, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1085.