Each one of us knows an amazing woman in our community. In fact, we know many of them. We are surrounded by them every day, as we navigate our way through our busy lives. I’m sure, if you take a moment to think about it, you have been inspired, supported or awed by an LBT woman you know.

Maybe it’s a professor who made you think about life in a different way and gave you an extension on a paper when you needed it most. Maybe it’s a local, out lesbian politician who stood up against Proposition 8 or another issue close to your heart. Or maybe it’s a friend of yours, who you see tirelessly giving back to the GLBT community through volunteer work. Sound familiar? Is the face of an amazing woman popping into your head as you read this?

If you do know an exceptional LBT woman, I have some great news for you. The San Diego LGBT Community Center has set the date for its Annual Women’s Night celebration for Saturday, April 18, and The Center has put out a call for nominations for this year’s most outstanding LBT women in business, art/theater, politics, science/social service/medicine, education and philanthropy. You now have the power to give that incredible woman you know the chance to be recognized for her contributions! All you have to do is nominate her at www.thecentersd.org/awnnomination_form.php. The deadline for nominations is Monday, Feb. 2, 2009.

Not familiar with our community’s Annual Women’s Night event? It’s an elegant evening of dinner, dancing and live entertainment, held annually at the beautiful Paradise Point resort; and best of all, the evening raises funds exclusively for women’s programming at The Center. If you’ve never been to Annual Women’s Night before, just picture the women of your community dressed in their best attire, sipping cocktails and dancing the night away. Not a bad way to spend an evening, right?

For more information about Annual Women’s Night or the award nomination process, contact Sarafina at 619-692-2077, ext. 247, or sscapicchio@thecentersd.org.

Join the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Showtime for the season six premier of The L Word, at Bourbon Street (4612 Park Blvd.) on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. (screening at 6 p.m.). Suggested donation is $10. Be the first to see just how hot the new and final season will be!

The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is thrilled to announce the addition of the new “Bitchin’ Kitchen” Cooking Series, hosted by Chef Rashida McElvene (Edgy Edibles). Rashida received her training at Le Cordon Bleu (San Francisco) and specializes in “comfort food with an edge.” She will host cooking sessions on the third Thursday of every month, January through June, at The Center (3909 Centre St.). For only $10 per class, each attendee is invited to participate in the cooking process, eat with the group and take home the month’s recipes. RSVPs are mandatory and must be made at least one week prior to the session you plan to attend. For more information or to RSVP, contact Abby Schwartz at 619-692-2077, ext. 212, or at aschwartz@thecentersd.org .

Calling all movie buffs! Join other female film fans for Sapphic Cinema, The Center’s monthly film night by and about LBT women, on Friday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. in The Center’s library. January’s film is the classic, Bastard Out of Carolina. Come with a date or alone – you just might meet someone new at intermission! Snacks will be available for sale, with proceeds benefiting the Women’s Resource Center.

Are you a bored housewife? Are you a single girl who wants to work on your game? Are you a couple who want to meet new friends? Are you a parent who just needs a night out? Family Matters and The Women’s Resource Center have the cure! Check out the new ladies’ game night, “Board Women,” on Friday, Jan. 30, from 5:30- 9 p.m. A dazzling selection of board games and card games will be available – or you can bring your own personal favorite. Meet new and interesting people as you play games for prizes. All this fun is yours for only $5. Please note that this event is for those 18 and older. Limited childcare will be available at $5 per child, which will include pizza for the kids. Childcare must be reserved and paid for in advance. There are no refunds if you do not attend. For more information or to RSVP, contact Jane Schmoll at jschmoll@thecentersd.org or 619-692-2077, ext. 121.

Every Monday night Beauty Bar San Diego (4746 El Cajon Blvd.) presents “Beauty Bordello” (21+) hosted by the sassy Ophelia Kitty and featuring chanteuses Tori Roze and Roxy Blue. Weekly guest singers join the house band and the burlesque show is hot hot hot! Come dressed to impress in your vintage best!

Wednesday night is happy hump day in San Diego! If you are looking for an extra boost to get you to the weekend, Hawthorn’s (2895 University Ave.) is the place for you. Have a cocktail, meet new friends, and dance to DJ Kiki’s killer hip-hop mash-ups. Enjoy $3 draft beers and $4 Hawthorn’s martinis. This event is 21+ and kicks off at 10 p.m.

Looking for fun on a Thursday night? Well, look no further than TOUCH, the No. 1 lesbian event in San Diego (as voted in the 2008 Nicky Awards). Every Thursday, hundreds of women pack into Rich’s (1051 University Ave.) and party the night away. DJ Kiki spins a hot hip-hop and techno mix. Candice and Amy are the resident bartenders. Enjoy $3 Miller Lites all night long. Be sure to bring a bunch of dollar bills for the Lipstik Inc. Dancers! Doors open at 9:30, but get there before 10 and there is no cover. Happy dancing!

Every Friday is ladies’ night at Bourbon Street (4612 Park Blvd.) for Ladies Happy Hour from 4-7 p.m. and a live performance by Lauren DeRose at 6:30 p.m. in the front bar. Enjoy a game or two of pool or darts (my favorite) while you’re there, and munch on the free popcorn, too! This is one of the best spots to meet other women in SD.

Soulkiss Ladies’ Lounge takes place every first Friday of the month at Kadan (4696 30th St.) so check out this hot night on Feb. 6! DJ Dopeshoes rocks the house with special guest DJs spinning the hottest hip-hop, neo-soul, dancehall and more. No cover! 21+.

Have you had a Hot Flash yet? Popular across the Pacific Northwest, Hot Flash Dances are monthly retro dances for lesbians who love to dance to a little doo-wop, fly to a little hip hop and boogie to a whole lot of everything in between. San Diego Hot Flash is open to all women 21+ but caters to “seasoned” lesbians mid-30s and up with great classics from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s as well as today’s best dance music. Hot Flash is more than a dance though; it’s a place for connecting, meeting, playing, finding friends, making alliances and providing a sense of community. Hot Flash dances take place on the first Saturday of each month at The Flame (3780 Park Blvd.) from 5-9 p.m., with the next one taking place on Feb. 7.

If you are looking for the ladies on Sunday afternoon, The Brass Rail (3796 5th Ave.) is the place to be. Doors open at noon so girls can get their game on; beer pong, flip-cup, ping-pong, Guitar Hero … you name it, they’ve got it! With 50-cent beer specials, it’s the perfect afternoon destination!

That’s it for this month, ladies! See you in February!