Please play it safe, and don’t drink and drive this Halloween party weekend. Be good to each other, and watch out for each other.

As I’ve said so often, ‘a community that does not know where it came from doesn’t really know where it’s going.’ Our community has lost a friend and a pioneer. Yes, an icon, businessman Lou Arko, who passed away at the age of 92. Lou and Carol Arko were, rightfully, the first straight married couple inducted into the GLBT community’s San Diego’s Wall of Honor at The San Diego LGBT Community Center. Lou Arko opened up The Brass Rail, Matador, Barbary Coast and #1 Fifth Ave. He not only gave homosexuals a place to go in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, but he always, and I mean always, gave back to our community. Lou Arko stood by us through Anita Bryant, John Briggs to AIDS and the No on 8 campaign. He supported our GLBT candidates for office. God bless and welcome you Lou, and, Carol, know that you are in many of our thoughts and prayers.

Fasten your seat belts San Dieagans because the District 4 County Supervisors seat is going to be a real bumpy ride. The GLBT community’s support is split. Popular Supervisor Ron Roberts has many long time friends in our community and people remember that Christine Kehoe always said he was the deciding vote for equality at the City Council. I have supported Ron Roberts for more than two decades, and he is a close friend. The first day Lori Saldaña was sworn in as a member of the State Assembly, the very first bill she co-sponsored was for marriage equality. She has been an advocate for equality for all people ever since. Lori Saldaña has become a leader against all hate crimes and has committed to reestablish the County’s Human Relations Commission. If elected, she would be the first Latino on the board. All political bets are that City Councilmember Donna Frye will become a candidate, and she is a super star in the GLBT community. We all know she isn’t afraid to take on the establishment, and the board needs to be shook up. Shelia Jackson came out in support of Todd Gloria for City Council early in his race and is a friend of our community. I’ve seen some polls and, well, fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a very, very close race.

Yes, one of the most popular couples in town, Lisa Sanders and Meaghan Yaple have announced March 2010 as their wedding date. It will be in beautiful Balboa Park. Lisa’s proud father, yes, the honorable Mayor Jerry Sanders will be officiator and marry the happy couple of almost three years. Lisa told me she is really excited and found out it takes a lot of work and planning to put on a wedding. Congratulations to both of them. We are so proud of both of your activism and stand for GLBT equality.

This past weekend our community and its friends raised more than $80,000 at three different fundraisers that I attended. It was a reminder that we continue to be a dedicated, loving and giving people. The Human Rights Campaign Brunch was very enjoyable at the Porto Vista Hotel. More than $14,000 was raised in only a half hour (Toni Atkins and Lori Saldaña gave sizable checks). City Commissioner Stampp Corbin, Brian Lacklen and Lisa Mata did a great job. City Councilmember Todd Gloria stopped by and was in a great mood. The Stepping Stone boat cruise was a huge success. More than $25,000 was raised. It was a wonderful crowd and City Councilmember Carl DeMaio stopped by. We need to continue to support Stepping Stone. They have survived many funding cuts (as so many social service agencies have). I had to leave before the boat left since I can’t swim! More than $40,000 was raised for Mama’s Kitchen at the fabulous Tantrums and Tiaras contest. Hats (or wigs) off to director Matt Ramon, Cherry Blossom, Chris Barona, Stefan Chilcoate, Joey Arruta and their hard working crew. They were a true dream team. This was a true effort and fundraiser all about love, friendship and compassion, and I predict that this event will top $100,000 in the next few years.

Yes, Gossip Grill is here at 1440 University Ave. (formerly Café 11), a great restaurant and bar with a female flair, but welcome to everyone. New general manager, the super popular Moe Girton tell’s me that the restaurant will be open for dinner and will have a fun happy hour. The food will be “café gourmet” with over-the-top salads. Just follow the crowds to Gossip Grill!

Like any beauty contest, we all have our favorites, every one of the contestants in Tantrums and Tiaras were so great and fabulous. My personal favorite was “Olive Onemore” (Ian from Martinis Above Fourth). You tore it up girlfriend! And it was a real crowd pleaser when “Miss Baja Betty’s” (Paco) came out on a real life donkey. Congratulations to “Hurricane Buttrina” (Marc Anthony of Bourbon Street) who won. I, as the oldest queen alive had the pleasure of crowning her. This was the most fun and entertaining charity event ever! The standing crowd of more than 700 (people were even sitting in the aisles) laughed their heads off all night. Among my fellow judges were Tom Blair (editor of San Diego Magazine), City Councilmember Todd Gloria, actress Ann Walker, TV channel 6 news superstar Ruben Galvan, top fashion kings Doug Coats and Huerbt Pouches of Rufskin men’s fashion, Shelly Dunn of KGB FM and Mama’s Kitchen’s Alberto Cortes. Drag diva Cherry Blossom’s entrance from the theatre’s ceiling was pure Hollywood. The Cockettes were pure outrageous fun. Mark your 2010 calendar now for next year’s event!

Halloween this coming Saturday will be one crazy and outrageous night. Yes, I will be your hostess and emcee for the outdoor block party Nightmare on Normal Street with more than $1000 in cash and prizes, including some super size bags from F Street bookstores and the Adult Depot. Then I am off to Bourbon Street to host their big and wild contest. I will end up at Spin (the old Club Montage) to emcee their Halloween blast with event producer extraordinaire Michael Mack. To read more, visit www.gltnewsnow.com.