Sunbears Weekend 2008: The 11th Annual San Diego Sunbears Weekend will run through Sunday! It’s a weekend full of activities that are fun and exciting with a price tag that makes it worthwhile. It is an opportunity to make new friends and visit with old ones. The event is will host the Mr. So Cal Bear / Mr. So Cal Cub Contest this year. The weekend has also become the major fund-raising event of the year. Each year the current Mr. Bear San Diego chooses the charities that will benefit from the fund-raising activities throughout the year. This year’s beneficiaries are The Hillcrest Youth Center and Special Delivery San Diego. Last year $8,700 were raised and this year, even more can be done. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1090.

Hold ’Em Fundraiser for Classics For Kids: Come to the next Hold ’Em Fundraiser for Classics For Kids. A special location has been arranged for this month, plus live music by M.E. Law, at St. Tropez Downtown, 600 West Broadway. There will be a selection of appetizers, entrees and of course desserts, plus beer and wine. Lessons start at 6 p.m. and the game will begin at 7 p.m. Over $1500 in prizes are offered. 15 players will win! Next month’s fundraiser is for the Moose Lodge, Dec. 6. Also, keep an eye out for the lesbian band, Moxie, at the Moose Lodge Saturday, Nov. 22. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1090.

Maple Canyon Cleanup: Join REI Chula Vista and the City of San Diego Open Space Canyons program to help restore Maple Canyon’s native habitat. This project will include the removal of trash and a highly invasive non-native weed called arundo. Arundo displaces native plants and associated wildlife species because of the massive stands it forms in stream channels. You don’t need any special skills to volunteer – only a willingness to learn, work hard, and get your hands dirty! Work gloves and tools will be provided. Meet at the corner of Third Avenue and Quince Street on the west end of the Quince Street Bridge near Balboa Park for a project orientation. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1090.

Rev. Troy Perry to speak at MCC: Internationally recognized human rights activist, spiritual leader and founder of the Metropolitan Community Churches will preach at 9 and 11 a.m. at The LGBT Community Center. A documentary featuring him will be screened at The Center the night before at 6 p.m. Perry started MCC with 12 other people, meeting in private homes. His church was torched in 1973, which was followed by other arsons of MCC churches over the years. Perry’s first book was The Lord is My Shepherd and He Knows I’m Gay. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1090.

Rock-Step: Rock-Step offers the GLBT community, as well as their families and friends, an environment that allows everyone – regardless of skill level – to experience the pure joy of dancing. You won’t feel like an “outsider,” even if you come only now and then. Wear comfortable clothes and leather or leather-like soles. Rock-Step has an inclusive mission that is actively working towards building a strong and vibrant GLBT country western dance community in San Diego! Beginners are encouraged to attend. No partner necessary, just bring your sweet self, a willingness to learn and have fun in a community of dancers. Embrace the values of inclusiveness, respect, and good ol’ country kindness and hospitality! No RSVP required. $5 donation. The event will be held at The San Diego LGBT Community Center. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1090.

Latin Dance at Bacchus House: Bacchus House will host a same-sex open dance club featuring international and Latin dance. For the month of November, participants will learn the Viennese waltz and the Rumba, instructed by KP Danchouse. You do not have to bring a partner. The fee for the open dance club is $5 for non-club members and free for members. 50 percent of the proceeds will go to the Gay and Lesbian Youth Center. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1090.

Baja Betty’s Celebrates 4th Anniversary: Baja Betty’s will be celebrating its fourth anniversary on Wednesday, Nov. 17. The event is open to the public. From 7 to 9 p.m., guests will be greeted with free hors d’ourves, sangria, margaritas, and a tequila infused good time. Red attire is encouraged, but not mandatory. The whole community is encouraged to come out and celebrate four fabulous years of good times, good food, and good memories and to toast their glasses to the continued success of one of San Diego’s favorite meeting places. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1090.

Daughter of the Regiment: An opéra comique in two acts, The Daughter of the Regiment was written when Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti was living in Paris, with a French libretto by Georges Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Jean-François Bayard. The opera is famous for the aria “Ah! mes amis, quel jour de fête!” It is a test for tenors, featuring nine high Cs coming early in the opera, with hardly any time for warming up. Only the best tenors can hit the notes, which come in rapid-fire succession and require considerable vocal dexterity. This was the aria that brought the young Luciano Pavarotti to the world’s attention in 1972, during a performance alongside Joan Sutherland at the Metropolitan Opera. The show starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1090.