2008 Equality Awards: Each year Equality California (EQCA) honors the inspirational leaders and outstanding allied organizations whose selfless work helps create a better world for all people.The 2008 Equality Awards will be held at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego with a silent auction and reception at 6 p.m. and awards presentation at 7:30 p.m. The organization will celebrate its 10th anniversary at the 2008 San Diego Equality Awards honoring Mayor Jerry Sanders, with his wife Rana Samson and their daughter Lisa with EQCA’s Equality Leadership Award. B. Birgit Koebke and Kendall French will be honored with the Equality Champion Award. San Diego’s Queen of Boogie Woogie, Sue Palmer, will headline this year’s event. To become a host, purchase individual tickets or for a link to more information about sponsorship packages, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1086.

Community Coalition Breakfast: The October LGBT Community Coalition Breakfast will feature an update on the fight against Proposition 8, the November ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage. Equality for All campaign manager Dale Kelly Bankhead, along with “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, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1086.

Soyboys: Soyboys is a social group for gay and gay-friendly guys who are vegetarian or interested in a vegetarian lifestyle. The group meets at least once a month for potlucks, outings to vegetarian-friendly restaurants and other social events. For information about the next gathering or activity of the Soyboys visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1086.

California Hold ‘Em: The Ladies’ Texas Hold ‘Em group is now presenting California Hold ‘Em games for everyone! Men, women, “bois,” “gurls” – everyone is welcome to the games at the Moose Lodge. This week’s event is sponsored by the GSDBA, with this week’s games benefiting “No on 8.” Lessons begin at 6 p.m. with instructor Dawn, followed by games beginning at 7 p.m. More than $1,300 in prizes will be given out to the top three. A $25 donation is required by state law, with $25 re-dots and an optional $35 add-on. Pizza will be provided by Transamerica. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1086.

Julian Mountain Retreat: MPower San Diego will host its Gay Men’s Retreat in Julian from Friday, Oct. 17 through Sunday, Oct. 19. The free weekend-long retreat 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/1086.

Ladies Burlesque Jazz: The Studio at North Park offers a wide range of classes for people of all ages and levels, including tap dancing, salsa, hip-hop, zumba, ballet and belly dancing. Every Monday from 7:10-8:10 p.m. is Ladies Burlesque Jazz, which explores classic jazz music to develop phrasing as well as burlesque and classic jazz dance techniques. The class is taught by instructor Claudia Vorce. Classes are $15 each with discounts if multiple classes are purchased at one time. Class schedule, registration and additional information are available online. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1086.

Von Iva: Jillian Iva, Bex, and Kelly Harris, better known as the San Francisco-based trio Von Iva, has had many musical tags thrust upon them. Electro pop punk. Soul rock dance. Synth rawk. Fashion-forward dance punk queens. Alt-pop. Gay icons. Dirty disco. The new purveyors of soul. A bombastic live band. Punk soul. A booty-shaking mix of soul, disco, and dirty raw rock and roll. Genre-crossing. Skuzzy and sultry. A saucy little affair. And, you know what? All of those descriptions ring true for these fearless femmes who will be performing a free show at the Pink Elephant Oct. 21. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1086.

Otay Ranch Farmers Market: One of the newest certified farmers markets to add to San Diego’s great mix takes place every Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. at the Otay Ranch Town Center. The market, with the goal of bringing farmers and community members together, includes farm fresh produce and specialty food items. The market also features two entertainment stages with different performers each week. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1086.

Horror Movie Series: The Birch North Park Theatre will present A Nightmare on Elm Street at 8 p.m. as part of the October Horror Movie Series. Admission to the show is free for those who purchase dinner at the accompanying Hawthorn’s Restaurant Lounge. Otherwise, general admission is $9 and cost for students and seniors are $7. No persons under 17 will be admitted without parent or guardian. To make reservations at Hawthorn’s Restaurant Lounge, or for more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1086.

Harvest Howl: Join the community for a howling good night of food, drink, live music and fun with friends and collegues in support of The Center’s Youth Housing Project. Harvest Howl will be presented by MARYAH (Metro Area Real Estate Profesionals for Young Adult Housing) at Top of the Park Penthouse from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be a hosted bar for the first hour and entertainment provided by Ria Cary. Tickets are available for $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Become a host for only $250 and receive two front of the line tickets. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1086.