San Diego’s multiple medal-winning San Diego Chorus of Sweet Adelines International has added more hardware to its collection of competition medals. One of 33 of the more than 500 Sweet Adelines choruses worldwide to qualify for the organization’s International competition, held this year in Honolulu, Hawaii, Nov. 5-8, the San Diego Chorus placed seventh with two harmony – and choreography – packed performances, including a featured row of tap dancers who were a crowd favorite and a soloist backed by the chorus. Chorus members spent the week alternately enjoying the exciting high-energy competition and shows, and the calming sun, sand and breezes of the islands with more than 5,000 other Sweet Adelines.

In its 58-year history, the San Diego Chorus has been marked by more awards, medals and prizes than any local sports team. Under Kim Hulbert’s 23 years of leadership as musical director, the chorus has won seven Regional Championship titles, as well as Gold, Bronze and two Silver International medals. A member of Sweet Adelines International Faculty and three-time International quartet champion “Queen of Harmony,” Hulbert is a certified judge in the category of sound, but this year was not judging – she competed in Hawaii, with her quartet, “Affinity,” also an international top 10 winner.

The women’s a cappella chorus sings four–part harmony (barbershop style), and is dedicated to local entertainment and worldwide competition. With a membership of 100 highly trained and talented performers, the group rehearses Wednesday evenings in Balboa Park starting at 6:45 p.m. at the Casa del Prado, 1650 El Prado , room 207. Visitors and auditions are welcomed all year starting January 2009.

The chorus looks forward to their next local public performance at “December Nights,” Friday, Dec. 5, at 8:40 p.m. at the Spreckel’s Organ Pavillion in Balboa Park. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1093.

The Celebrate Sexuality workshop will be held at The San Diego LGBT Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 1-2:30 p.m. Facilitated by licensed therapist Michael Kimmel, this workshop will explore the relationship between mental, physical and sexual health. A happy and healthy sex life is a major part of mental and physical health and a well-balanced sexual life includes the head and heart, Kimmel said. Those who are willing to see their sexual expression as a positive and essential part of who they are have the capacity to be mentally and physically healthier than ever before. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong with our sexual lives, the Celebrate Sexuality workshop will explore the ways that sexual expression can encourage emotional, spiritual and physical healing, Kimmel said.

Kimmel is an openly-gay San Diego psychotherapist with a private practice in the Kensington area. Kimmel has attended 15 California Men’s Gatherings and facilitated workshops at gatherings in Los Angeles and San Diego and community gatherings at the 2001 and 2002 Julian gatherings. He is currently writing a book, Life Beyond Therapy: How to create a practical, spiritual and psychologically rewarding life.

For more information or for a link on how to reserve a space in the workshop, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1093.

The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation will announce the recipients of its 2008-2009 Community Grant Program at the organization’s upcoming Grants Award Ceremony to be held at Diversionary Theatre in University Heights on Monday, Dec. 8, from 2-4 p.m.

“We are grateful to San Diego Pride and our generous donors, who helped make this grant cycle possible. With the awarding of the $25,100 from our Community Grant Program, we will have surpassed over $130,000 in grant-making for 2008,” said Tony Freeman, SDHDF executive director. “With more and more services being accessed and needed during these challenging times, we all need to do everything we can to support the organization’s serving our LGBT community.”

SDHDF will present grants to 12 community organizations at the ceremony. This year’s grant recipients are representative of the funding priorities noted in the GLBT needs assessment, including civil rights advocacy and education, youth, seniors, families and health services.

The SDHDF was established in 1996 with a mission to improve the quality of life within San Diego’s GLBT community by promoting responsible philanthropy to enact positive social change. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1093.

On Wednesday, Dec. 10, gays, lesbians, and straight allies plan to call in “gay” to protest passage of anti-gay constitutional amendments in Arizona, Florida, and California. On this historic day, to show their support to those who will be enjoying a day off, both Urban Mo’s and Baja Betty’s will be hosting happy hour from open to close. DJ Taj will be spinning at Mo’s from 1-8 p.m., at which time he will turn the stage over to the performers of Dreamgirls for their second anniversary show. There will be no cost to attend any of these events.

For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1093.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, SD Pix will present Hey Mr. Christmas!, a charity event to benefit Christie’s Place, a nonprofit social service organization in San Diego County that provides HIV/AIDS education, support and advocacy. Taking place at Universal Hillcrest, the pre-show will begin at 9:30 p.m. with the main performance scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. .

“The timing could not be better,” said Kim Schoonover, Childcare Specialist for Christie’s Place. “We are so hurting for any kind of help this holiday season. This is a complete blessing for us.”

The event will include performances by Kristine W., the San Diego Men’s Chorus, with a pre-show performance by Chad Michaels and Santa’s Divas. Kristine W. and the San Diego Men’s chorus will perform songs from Kristine’s newly released album Hey Mr. Christmas. Tickets are available now. General entry tickets are $30 with doors opening at 9 p.m. VIP tickets are available for $40 and include early entry with a champagne hosted bar from 8:30- 9:30 p.m. Dinner and show packages are $60 and included a three course meal at Dish and VIP entry to the show. Tickets ordered before Dec. 8 will be sent out via priority mail. All tickets ordered after Dec. 8 will be held at the door the night of the event. Those who purchase dinner packages will be contacted by Dish to arrange the reservation. Attendees who bring a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more will receive a $10 gift certificate to Dish.

For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1093.

The community is invited to roll into 2009 with a special performance and dance party at La Jolla Playhouse on New Year’s Eve.

The theater will host XanaDU Year’s Eve! a special New Year’s Eve event to celebrate the run of its musical comedy Xanadu and the beginning of a new year on Dec. 31.

The performance and dance party will run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Mandell Weiss Theatre and the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse.

“Xanadu is a 90 minute party on–stage,” said artistic director Christopher Ashley. “We’ll be extending the party until the ball drops and beyond. What a perfect way to celebrate New Year’s Eve and close Xanadu’s run here in San Diego.”

Attendees will see Broadway’s surprise hit musical, Xanadu, then step inside Xanadu’s world of glitter and glam at the extraordinary party. La Jolla Playhouse brings out the disco balls, pulls out all the stops and rocks and rolls into the wee hours of 2009 in a fun 1980s evening featuring members of the Xanadu cast singing dance hits of the ’80s era just prior to the New Year countdown.

Xanadu officially opened at La Jolla Playhouse Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008. Xanadu is a Tony Award–nominated, tongue–in–cheek, magical roller–skating escapade with a joyful classic score of hits like “Magic,” “Xanadu,” “All Over the World,” and “I’m Alive.” Based on the 1980s cult film starring Olivia Newton–John, Xanadu follows muse Kira and artist Sonny in their quest for artistic achievement, in pursuit of his dreams to establish … a roller disco!

Leading the Xanadu cast: Elizabeth Stanley (Kira) returns to La Jolla Playhouse after last performing in Cry–Baby; Max Von Essen (Sonny) best known from Les Miserables and Dance of the Vampires, Larry Marshall (Danny), as well as Joanna Glushak (Calliope) and Sharon Wilkins (Melpomene) – the evil Muses.

XanaDU Year’s Eve, sponsored by Wolfgang Puck and Palm Beer, is a fund-raising event and proceeds will directly benefit La Jolla Playhouse New Play Development and Educational & Outreach Programs.

Ticket prices are $200, $300 and $400. Gold Circle tickets include premiere seating, valet parking and an exclusive Xanadu souvenir gift. An exclusive pre–performance dinner with the artistic director is also offered. For more information, visit www.gaylesbian times.com/links/1093.

San Diego State University’s Pride Resource Office is featuring this semester’s final production of Divas’ Nite Out. The show is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome, student or not. It will feature the final appearance of Kairo Reed, in addition to guest performances, surprises and other activities. The show’s theme is “Life Experiences,” so performers will tell a story of their life through their personal musical selection. The show begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12 at the Aztec Center Backdoor Theater.

The Salvation Army is conducting their annual Captain Mike Memorial Toy Drive to benefit deserving families. Started 35 years ago by late 10News weatherman “Captain” Mike Ambrose, who dedicated much of his life to giving back – the 10News Toy Drive has handed out millions of toys. This year, there will be two days to donate. Donations can be dropped off at the 10News studios on Dec. 5, between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., at 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102. Groups are invited to drop off their toys on this day. There will be live music and giveaways. Dec. 17, donations will be accepted at the Jingle Bell Kroc Christmas Festival benefiting the 2008 Captain Mike Memorial Toy Drive. Participants are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy with a value of $5 or more to the Ray and Joan Kroc Center, 6845 University Ave., on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Donors will receive one free admission to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Festival. Participants can enjoy free ice skating, a holiday ice show and a visit from Santa. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/link/ 1093.

State Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) recently named Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) as part of his leadership team.

Kehoe will chair the Senate Appropriations Committee, which has jurisdiction over all discretionary spending legislation in the Senate. Kehoe succeeds Tom Torlakson, who recently left the Senate because of term limits.

“It’s an honor to be named to this post and I look forward to working with Sen. Steinberg,” Kehoe said. “Our state faces many challenges and I am committed to reducing California’s budget deficit and getting our economy back on track.”

The deadline for applications for the 2009 Home Renovation Program has been extended to Dec. 10. The program accepts applications from low-income families who own their own homes and need assistance with home repair.

The program, a project of Rebuilding Together San Diego, a non-profit and affiliate of the largest national volunteer home rehabilitation and affordable housing preservationist organization in America, has completed more than 350 projects in 14 years to the tune of $8 million in market value to San Diego County.

This nonprofit organization aids the elderly, disabled and low-income families throughout San Diego who own and live in their own home, but because of age, physical limitation and low and/or fixed incomes, are not able to address their housing repairs themselves.

Community non-profit facilities struggling between program costs and deferred maintenance are also welcome to apply.

All work is performed at no cost to the recipients accepted into the program.

Volunteers team together with sponsors, who join forces to renovate homes in communities in and around San Diego, performs such tasks as interior and exterior painting, general clean-up, landscaping, plumbing, carpentry and electrical repairs that benefit qualified recipients.

For more information, including a link to the Rebuilding Together San Diego Web site and the application, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1093.