In the 1980’s the “92103 awards” were a popular and fun charity event that always drew a huge crowd. Now, in the year of 2009 the “92103 awards” have returned and will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2009 at the LGBT Community Center (3009 Centre Street).

The evening will include outstanding entertainment and awards that will recognize individuals that work or live in the 92103 zip code. The awards will cover, business, bars, restaurants, ect. These awards are not only for the GLBT community but non-gay business and all people who live and work in the 92103 community.

Tickets are $30 general and $50 for VIP or $35 at the door with the awards to begin at 6 p.m. All proceeds to benefit the LGBT Center and the Imperial Court.

Everyone is invited and welcome to these fun award presentations. You can vote for the “92103 awards; at; www.mosuniverse.com or the Centers Web, for future information, tickets, or table reservations. 619-602-8827 or 619-692-1967

The League of California Cities last week announced it is recognizing Assemblymember Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) for her balanced leadership as chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development. In addition, cities appreciate her leadership in authoring AB 2280 legislation that improves the functioning of the Density Bonus Law, an incentive-based law designed to reward developers of affordable housing.

Saldaña is one of four state legislators honored this month by the league for their support of local government, particularly during the 2008 legislative session.

Along with being featured in the January issue of Western City magazine, Saldaña and her colleagues were honored at a reception in Sacramento, on Jan. 21.

“Long active at the local level before being elected to the state office in 2004, [Saldaña[ has a long-term commitment to housing issues,” said league Executive Director Chris McKenzie in a statement. “The league and California cities are also grateful for her role on the Assembly Local Government Committee. Her support for cities has been a fundamental asset during the 2008 legislative session.”

“My hope in introducing changes to the density bonus law was to assure two public goods were served: more affordable housing and improved local control of the design and mitigation of the impacts of dense development on neighborhoods,” Saldaña said in a statement.

Founded in 1898, the League of California Cities is an association of California city officials who work together to enhance their knowledge and skills, exchange information, and combine resources so that they may influence policy decisions that affect cities. The league’s mission is to restore and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians.

City Councilmember Carl DeMaio last week released a four-point “Budget Priorities” memorandum that proposes more than $40 million in annual savings to taxpayers. It is the first of three proposals DeMaio intends to release during this year’s budget process to balance the city’s budget and put the city back on a path of fiscal health.

“We are not even two weeks into the budget process and we have found the cost savings we need to avoid tax increases,” DeMaio said in a statement. “Here’s the catch: the reforms we propose will be resisted by the city’s powerful labor unions who wield considerable influence. Nevertheless the public needs should know that we can balance the budget without tax increases if we there is the political will to make the tough decisions at City Hall.”

DeMaio released the proposal at the City Council’s budget committee hearing – where he also raised concerns that the current year deficit will be higher than the $44 million originally projected by Mayor Sanders. In this initial budget proposal, DeMaio focuses on cutting labor costs and accelerating repayment of redevelopment debt.

As part of his proposal, DeMaio suggests no raises or step increases in the fiscal year 2010 labor contracts. In addition, DeMaio proposes to save $7.3 million by authorizing the mayor to implement up to 96 hours of unpaid furloughs for individual employees – including police and fire – during fiscal year 2010.

DeMaio also proposes to reduce excessive fringe benefits packages awarded to city employees to bring the city’s total labor costs in line with national averages for similar local governments. Specifically DeMaio calls for reform of the employee “offset” retirement contributions ($40.1 million in fiscal year 2009); reduction of the flat allowances for health care benefits ($59 million in fiscal year 2009); and elimination or reduction of the city’s SPSP contributions ($24 million in fiscal year 2009). Depending on which mix of fringe benefit reforms are ultimately enacted, DeMaio’s proposal would achieve $25-40 million in savings in fiscal year 2010 alone. To address long-term fiscal health, DeMaio also proposes additional reforms of pension and retiree health care packages.

DeMaio also proposes that the Center City Development Corporation (CCDC) begin its debt payment early, beginning in fiscal year 2010. This repayment strategy will free up scarce infrastructure dollars for deferred maintenance. In addition, DeMaio will outline additional “public benefit” projects that CCDC can fund to reduce expenditures in the city’s general fund.

DeMaio timed the release of this first proposal to coincide with the commencement of labor negotiations – and in advance of the City Council taking up the issue of CCDC debt repayment. For more information, visit www.cleanupcityhall.com.

San Diego LGBT Pride is accepting requests from a wide range of musicians and performing artists interested in appearing at this year’s two-day Pride festival celebration and fund raiser, scheduled for July 18 and 19, at Marston Point in Balboa Park. This year’s Pride theme is: “Stonewall 2.0: Activism for Equality.”

Performers of all genres and cultures are encouraged to contact San Diego Pride to be featured in this summer’s equal rights celebration, which will include bands, solo musicians, comedians, dance troupes and more. The festival will showcase 60 to 70 artists in multiple performance venues featuring rock, pop, R&B, hip-hop, folk, gospel, country and cultural entertainment. Attendance is expected to be between 40,000 to 50,000 people.

“The festival is an excellent venue for artists to showcase their talents to a segment of the public known for being on the cutting edge of trends in all genres and styles of entertainment,” says San Diego LGBT Pride’s Executive Director Ron Ortega deHarte. “It is a grassroots and volunteer-driven celebration of diversity – and that diversity can be seen by the many artists who perform for the thousands of festival goers. We are grateful to those artists who volunteer their support to both San Diego Pride and our LGBT community. Artists who donated their performances last year contributed to Pride’s goals of promoting diversity, breaking down barriers, and promoting equality. Their help in 2008 enabled Pride to give more than $120,000 to 50 organizations.”

To be considered for Pride’s 2009 entertainment lineup, performers must submit an application and an updated biography of themselves or group, and include a web site address, full name and contact telephone number. Applications are now available online under “Entertainment” at www.sandiegopride.org.

Two members of San Diego LGBT Pride’s production team have stepped into new roles as the organization launches into the 2009 Pride season. Vernon Lowe and John Bilow have taken on the positions of operations manager and director of marketing, respectively, in order to help Pride reach its goals for coming year and beyond.

Lowe, a San Diego resident for 13 years, has been an active member of the community served as Pride’s staff accountant for the last year. He will continue in that capacity while also taking on the responsibilities of operations manager. In doing so, Lowe will utilize his logistic expertise and organizational skills he developed as an engineer and retired Navy supply corps officer for helping Pride produce what is one of the largest Pride events in the country.

Bilow has volunteered in various roles at every Pride festival since he moved here in 2001 from Phoenix. He has written and edited for various local and regional publications, and last year he joined the Pride organization to spearhead the Stonewall 40 Project, chronicling the San Diego Pride movement since its birth. Bilow will be responsible for creating and implementing an overall short-and long-term organizational marketing for keeping San Diego Pride programs and its activities “in the news” year-round while helping to attract increased participation in all Pride events.

“Vern and John have proven themselves to be productive members of the Pride team,” says Pride Executive Producer Ron Ortega deHarte. “They both bring a variety of talents to the table and we are excited that they will continue to lend those talents to Pride. They and the committees they oversee will be critical to Pride’s continued growth.”

A series of events throughout 2009, including Pride weekend on July 18-19, will commemorate the 35th anniversary of the first Pride march in San Diego, and the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots that took place in New York City.

San Diego Pride is a community-enhancement organization dedicated to civil rights, producing the city’s largest civic and cultural events that bring together lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as well as their supporters. For information about volunteering contact Cheli Mohamed at volunteer@sdpride.org or visit the web site at: www.sandiegopride.org.