This has, once again, been a roller coaster year for me health-wise. Now, I’m in senior housing (Shady Pines) and, at times, feel as poor as a mouse – but I know there are a lot who are worse off than me. I would not be alive today if it weren’t for my many friends who have stood by me, helped me and taken me to the hospital and to my doctor’s appointments. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and God bless you on this Thanksgiving Day.

Urban Mo’s was the site of a business meeting between Congressmember Bob Filner and Councilmember-elect Todd Gloria. Though Filner supported Todd’s opponent peace was made and a good working relationship was established. Also in attendance were City Commissioner Bruce Abrams and future Chula Vista City Councilmember Humberto Peraza. It was an off-the-record conversation, but I can tell you Congressmember Filner has indeed become a champion for all our veterans, as chair of the powerful Veterans Affairs Committee.

In my more than 40 years of activism, I’ve noticed there are national, state and local GLBT leaders who really don’t support the display of our nation’s flag or the playing of our national anthem. Even though they are in the minority, ask yourself when the last time was you heard the national anthem played at a major GLBT event? It took me years to get a flag honor guard to lead our parade, and I always got in arguments on the national executive boards of every one of our marches on Washington to get the anthem played and our flag displayed. Recently, a local activist who I respect got in an argument with me over my suggestions both the rainbow and American flags appear on the cover of a GLBT souvenir program. This is our country too, and it’s our flag too. Let us not let the radical right wing take ownership of our flag. The fact is, GLBT Americans are very patriotic and should speak out more and be proud.

Don’t kid yourself – Democratic activists, Republicans, businesspeople, progressives, etc. are already discussing who will succeed our popular Mayor Jerry Sanders. The top two Democratic names are Congressmember Bob Filner, who is interested but hasn’t made his mind up yet; and Sen. Christine Kehoe, who is also being talked about as a strong candidate by Democratic activists. The top most mentioned Republican candidate is District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, who is considered a solid crossover candidate. The last five out of six mayors have been Republicans, but the Democratic and Independent registered voters are at an all-time high. Also, rumor has it others considering throwing their hats in the ring include wealthy businessperson Steve Francis (maybe the third time is the charm?) and Councilmember Scott Peters, who recently came in a distant third in he race for city attorney. Word is the Downtown establishment is looking for a strong businessman. Trust me, my phone has been ringing concerning all the above mentioned possible candidates.

Let me tell you: This old guilt-ridden Catholic doesn’t usually attend services unless invited for a special event. But, for decades, I have always loved going to the Metropolitan Community Church as it’s full of live, love and music (and it has the most choirs in the state)! Another gay icon and longtime friend, Rev. Troy Perry, was in town and raised the roof as only the founder of the MCC church more than 40 years ago can. He took us to church! What a beautiful, diverse crowd of about 400 people – young, old, straight, GLBT, all races. And we were all feeling the love of the Lord, who, we know, we’re all the children of. Handsome Pastor Dan Koeshall has most certainly been a blessing to MCC since he arrived. Stop by The San Diego LGBT Community Center any Sunday for services and you will feel right at home!

The former popular past president of the state Senate, John Burton, will be a candidate for the now more coveted Chair of the California Democratic Party in 2009. Burton, a very respected legislator, fund raiser, and more importantly long time social justice leader and for all Californians’ equality, is already getting top endorsements even from the GLBT community, though one of his main opponents for state chair is gay.

Recently CityBeat had a half-page article about independent spending in the District 3 City Council race. Many of you have been asking me questions regarding this independent political group since CityBeat called me a “key player” in this group. I want to make it very clear that all my involvement was raising money for three mailers to be sent out. While I never saw the finished product until it arrived in my mail box, I did ask that District 3 voters know how much personal money (to the tune of nearly a quarter of a million dollars) was being spent by one candidate. All the businesspeople who contributed knew that these campaign mailers would be the usual attack pieces that had unfortunately been going on during the entire campaign. The election is over. Let’s move on.

This past Monday night, the start of the weekly “San Diego Dance Off” began at The Flame, and it will certainly be the place to be every Monday night, for fun and high-energy entertainment. This week’s winners were a couple who did a jazz routine, and the close runner up was a young, hip-hop dancer. Any individual, couple or group can enter every week, and anything goes: country western, mambo, ballroom, tango, salsa, ballet, etc. The three judges were just like they’d stepped off the stage of “Dancing with the Stars” and the public also gets to cast its vote. There is a weekly winner, and there will be a semifinals and finals winner, with the top, championship prize of $1,000 going to the winner. This exciting weekly event is brought to you by Svedka Vodka. Contestants are wanted. For more information, visit, www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1092.

Superior Court Judge Ted Weathers, Sen. Christine Kehoe, Former Chula Vista Mayor Steve Padilla, Bob Lynn, Kevin Tilden, Bridget Wilson, Ben Dillingham, Teresa Oyos, Delores Jacobs, Matt Stephens, Regina Reinhart and Stan Lewis will all be honored by the Lambda Archives on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the annual dinner gala, “Honoring Heroes, Pioneers and Trailblazers.” Your emcees will be Councilmember-elect Todd Gloria and Councilmember-elect Carl DeMaio. The first annual Nicole Murray-Ramirez Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to gay icon Cleve Jones, founder of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, who now stars in the film Milk, about Harvey Milk. Tickets are only $50, and $80 for VIPs. Last year it was sold out, so get your tickets/tables today! For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1092.

I left San Diego and it was in the 80s, and I arrived in Boston and it was in the low 20s. But, I fell in love with Boston, a most wonderful city. Friends took me out for lots of lobster! They put me up in the Park Plaza Hotel and Towers in the presidential suite. I wish I would have brought a bigger suitcase (kidding!). The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library is right by the sea and, oh, the memories it brought back from the 1960s. I gave three speeches in Boston, attended an Eastern States conference and nearly froze my ass off! But, I’d go back in a heartbeat!

Yes, I’m getting shocked responses from all over the country that little ol’ me is finally on the Internet with a blog, Web page, etc. Soon, there will be a video section too! More shocking is I actually write something every day – except if I am gone on weekends. You can catch Nicole’s World at Mo’s Universe’s Web site. Wait until you see my “Roses and Gas” review of the cleanest and absolutely worst restroom in town. My blog is full of information, politics, social news, gossip, history, pictures, scandal and fun! For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1092.

Look who’s bartending at The Eagle Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-9 p.m. – it’s Dutch! The sexy man, formerly at Redwing, is now serving at The Eagle, San Diego’s only gay leather bar now celebrating six years in town.

Ask him to take his shirt off – he’s lookin’ good for an old man! Kidding Dutch – you just keep getting better with age! Love the smile, and everything else on you!

Visit Dutch and the great, friendly staff at The Eagle located at 3040 North Park Way, just east of 30th Street in North Park. The Eagle is open from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday through Sunday.