Mama’s Kitchen will host the 12th annual “Tree of Life” tree lighting ceremony on World AIDS Day 2003. On Monday, Dec. 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. hundreds of San Diegans will join Mama’s Kitchen, KUSI’s Kimberly Hunt, City Councilmember Toni Atkins and State Assemblymember Christine Kehoe at the Village Hillcrest Retail Center to honor those that have lost their battle with AIDS and to highlight the continuing struggle to find a cure. There will be a special performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego and a candlelight vigil co-sponsored by the San Diego County Office of AIDS Coordination. The event will benefit the clients of Mama’s Kitchen. Ornaments will be on sale for $10 each or two for $15, and can be personalized with a special message before being hung on the tree.

How to Live Happily Ever After with Your Cat is a new class just for cat parents that teaches people the vital training secrets needed to help prevent and manage unwanted cat behaviors before they become a real problem. Pet parents will learn the basics about cat behavior, nutrition, preventing destructive behaviors, socialization with people and other animals, how to communicate with their cat and much more. The class is held every other Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA at 5500 Gaines Street. The cost is $10 for general public, $5 for owners of cats adopted from an animal welfare organization and free for owners of cats adopted from the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA. Pre-registration is required and space is limited, so enroll now. For more information or to enroll in the class, call (619) 299-7012.

Join the San Diego Women’s Chorus at their first major concert of the 2003-2004 season, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the University Christian Church in Hillcrest. Everyone is invited to “Deck the Halls,” a musical evening of entertaining and evocative songs celebrating the winter season, the holiday spirit, and women’s experiences across the globe. The ensemble demonstrates through its repertoire its continuing goal of performing music drawn from a variety of styles and representing many cultures in an effort to entertain, educate, and inspire.

Tickets are available through chorus members, the Obelisk Bookstore, and at the door on the evening of the concert. The University Christian Church is located at 3900 Cleveland Avenue in Hillcrest (behind the Hillcrest DMV). General admission tickets are $15 each or two for $25. Student/senior tickets are $10 each. Children 12 and under are free.

GSDBA members love to celebrate the season at the Holiday Mixer Cruise. This year the mixer will be held on Dec. 9 aboard the California Princess. Boarding will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the boat will leave the Broadway dock at 6:00 p.m. The event host, Scot Rockman, promises an impressive party with great food stations, a premium bar and luscious desserts. From the ship see breathtaking views of a San Diego decked out for the holidays. The GSDBA will be collecting unwrapped toys for the Imperial Court’s Toy Drive. The Court will distribute the toys to children in San Diego and Tijuana.

Make plans early since space is limited to 149 people for the cruise. Tickets for members are $35, first guests are also $35 and additional guests will be $45 each with a limit of 3 guests per member. Call the GSDBA office at (619) 296-4543 and reserve your space for this popular event.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, LeatherWoman Productions and Ms. San Diego Leather celebrated their 10th anniversary with a no-holds barred, let out all the stops, dressed to the nines event. The festively decorated and newly renovated Center was the venue for this year’s contest. The Imperial Court de San Diego was the co-host and ran the very popular cash bar. Submissive Voice, a local San Diego submissives’ club, bought, prepared and sold the wonderful food available at the buffet.

This year’s Ms. San Diego Leather second runner-up was Lenette, first runner-up was Stacey, and Karen Yew was named Ms. San Diego Leather 2004. However, all three have vowed to work together throughout the year to support each other and the San Diego leather community. Yew was presented with the newest version of the Ms. San Diego Leather back shield. The logo was designed by bang! and the shield itself was made by MacLeo Leather.

Come ‘Out at the Globe’ Dec. 11, with a reception at 6:00 p.m. followed by a performance of the holiday show Striking 12, starring up-and-coming rock group Groovelily. This unique show blends the contemporary tale of a grumpy guy home alone on New Year’s Eve with Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl. Filled with smart pop writing, virtuoso musicianship and riveting vocals by all three of the performers, this charming production gives audiences a fun twist on the holidays along with an enchanting concert evening with GrooveLily. The cost is only $25! Be sure to mention OUT at the Globe to get the discount. Call (619) 239-2255 for tickets.

Whether your holiday traditions include Hanukah, Ramadan, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Winter Solstice or any other celebrations, holiday rituals and celebrations provide opportunities for love, laughter and connection. The Community Holiday Party is a community holiday celebration, a free admission event where all community members are welcome to celebrate and connect. The party will be held at The Center on Sunday, Dec. 14, starting at 4:00 pm. For more information, contact Summer Morse or Shawn Ingram at (619) 692-2077.

The 28th annual San Francisco International Film Festival, the world’s oldest celebration of GLBT cinema, has announced that the 2004 festival will run from June 17-27, 2004. The submissions process has begun, and entries are due by Jan. 5, 2004. In addition to the prestigious Audience Awards, the Festival has consistently offered the largest cash prices on the GLBT film festival circuit to debut narrative features and documentary features.

Early forms for the 28th San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival are available by mail. Call (415) 703-8650 for more information. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 5, 2004.

The Gay Men’s Relationships and Empowerment Retreat is taking place Dec. 5-7. The program, put on by the Family Health Center’s of San Diego’s Gay Men’s Health Program, is designed to provide individuals with the tools needed to make relationships, whatever they may be, as safe and healthy as possible.

The retreat is being held in Julian at Angel’s Landing. Sleeping quarters will be provided, but attendees should plan to share a room with at least one other person. For more information or to sign up, contact Bailey Mitchell at Family Health Centers of San Diego at (619) 515-2424, ext. 2913.

The Diversionary Theatre will be hosting Fashion Fabulous: A Theatrical Experience in Fashion, a three-night only benefit for the holiday season. Renowned fashion producer Leonard G. Simpson and his company Fashion Forward created the show as a benefit for the theatre. Highlights of the evening will include a silent auction of eclectic items donated by San Diego and Southern California retailers and artisans, followed by a dramatic and opulent fashion show. A wine and hors d’oeuvres reception will accompany the silent auction. The production runs for three nights only, Dec. 15, 16 and 17, with all proceeds benefiting performing arts at Diversionary Theatre. For more information or tickets contact, the Diversionary Theatre at (619) 220-0097.