The San Diego’s GLBT community is invited to attend a new type of fundraiser. Taking place at the North Park Birch Theatre, Tantrums & Tiaras – Battle of the Bar Queens will be an annual community event that is the most daring outrageous “beauty” pageant ever seen. Non-performing drag queen “divas” will break out their highest platform heels, finest evening gowns and flashiest make up to battle for the tiara.

Guest judges for the evening include Ann Walker and Tammy Brown.

Battle of the Bar Queens will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25. Tickets range from $35 to $100 and are going fast. Tickets can be purchased now at the Birch North Park Theatre box office at 2981 University Ave. in North Park or at Urban Mo’s located at 301 University Ave. in Hillcrest or visit birchnorthparktheatre.net. For more information, call 619-239-8836.

The Life Group LA will host its POZ Life Weekend Seminar in San Diego on Nov. 14 and 15.

“The seminar is a place where compassion, education, community and love is offered unconditionally,” said Life Group LA Executive Director Sunnie Rose.

The POZ Life Weekend Seminar is a place for HIV-positive men, women, youths, family members and care givers to come and be themselves, feel comforted and supported in their effort to learn how to either live a long healthy productive HIV-positive lifestyle or help someone they know and love overcome the fears associated with being HIV-positive.

The seminar, free of charge, includes a diverse group of presenters, volunteers and staff that reach out and relate to the specific issues that concern HIV positive or negative individuals.

The Life Group LA is a coalition of people dedicated to the education, empowerment and emotional support of persons both infected and affected by HIV/AIDS so that they may make informed choices and decisions regarding their healthcare and personal well being.

Founded in 2005, The Life Group LA provides free of charge, much needed information and emotional support through medical forums, emotional support groups and the POZ Life Weekend Seminar. All services are offered in a non-judgmental and safe environment with compassion and understanding.

For more information, call 888-208-8081 or visit www.TheLifeGroupLA.org.

Metro Area Real Estate Professionals for the San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Youth Housing Project (MARYAH) will host the third annual Harvest Howl on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. The event at Top of the Park will benefit the Youth Housing Project. The event features a hosted bar for one hour and dishes provided by Avenue 5, Babycakes, Baja Betty’s, Eclipse Chocolat, Ortega’s Bistro, Inn at the Park, Olivetto, Ono Sushi, Lotus Thai, The Monsoon Group, Hash House, Urban Solace and Vagabond. Ria Cary will entertain.

MARYAH is a group of local real estate professionals whose goal is to raise funds in support of The Center’s Youth Housing Project.

Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at www.harvesthowl2009.kintera.org or by calling 619-804-9000.

Community leader Jeri Dilno will speak at the next Coffee & Conversation with Cool Women at The Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

Dilno will talk about her experiences as an Air Force veteran, a founding member of San Diego LGBT Pride, a Democratic Convention delegate, a former executive director of The Center and as a former editor of the Gay & Lesbian Times.

Coffee & Conversation is a monthly event were Tryce Czyczynska interviews notable women from the women’s community. The event includes coffee and dessert.

The event is free and open to all and will take place in The Center’s library room.

For more information, call 619-692-2077, ext. 212 or e-mail women@thecentersd.org.

Planned Parenthood of San Diego & Riverside Counties will host Cocktails for Choice, a networking event aimed at 25-40 year olds who support a woman’s right to choose, at the Mosaic Wine Bar on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. The event includes free appetizers, prizes and music.

“Young people are especially passionate about reproductive rights, and we wanted to give them a social environment to come together, discuss issues of the day, and exchange professional information,” said Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties President and CEO Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson.

Tickets are $15 in advanced and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.planned.org/c4c.

Mosaic Wine Bar is located at 3422 30th St. in North Park. For more information, call 1-888-743-7526 or visit www.plannedparenthood.org.

Orville Kenneth Britt – July 19, 2008

Ken Gardner – Sept. 30, 2009

Prominent Southern California life partners of 60 years, Orville Kenneth Britt and Kenneth Leroy Gardner, both passed away in their home a little more than a year apart.

Ken Britt predeceased Ken Gardner in death on July 19, 2008 of ALS. He had been supported by his friends, life partner and the DivineCare team of caregivers. Ken Britt was a Navy veteran and settled in the Los Angeles area after his honorable discharge in 1949. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Floriculture from UCLA and continued on to receive his Masters of Science in Horticulture in 1957. Ken Britt was a self-described “plant nerd.” He was a long-term, active member of the El Cajon Exotic Plant Society and the San Diego Horticulture Society. After his retirement in 1987, he and Ken Gardner moved to El Cajon where he had half an acre to indulge in his love of plants.

Ken Gardner, born July 7, 1919 in Oregon, passed away peacefully in their home on September 30, 2009 at the age of 90. Ken Gardner graduated from University of California Berkeley with a degree in Chemistry. He retired after a long career at Caltech in Pasadena, CA.

At the time of his death, Ken Gardner lived in San Diego’s Bankers Hill community. For the past 18 months, Ken Gardner was cared for by the devoted director and staff of DivineCare, a San Diego based Senior Care Management Company. The DivineCare team, along with Ken’s friend, Jarrod, made it possible for him to enjoy the last year of his life to the fullest. Consistent with a life fully lived, Ken Gardner celebrated his 90th birthday on a hot air balloon ride accompanied by his friends and caregivers.

Together, Ken Gardner and Ken Britt traveled the world, savored the arts, in particular the San Diego Symphony and Diversionary Theater, and left their footprint of love for their friends to follow.