Well today I’ve reached another big 0 and tomorrow I’m off to Nevada. I’ve been to three different cities in seven days. Yes, I feel older and tired because I am!

I’ve just returned from Sacramento and the 2009 induction of the California Hall of Fame at the California Museum. Gov. Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver inducted the honorees. What an event with a red carpet arrival, media/paparazzi galore and star’s, legends and icons in attendance. Among the 2009 honorees were Harvey Milk, sports icon John Madden (one funny guy), movie producer George Lucas, Olympic legend Rafer Johnson (I had a great time with his family.), philanthropist Joan Kroc (San Diego), industrialist Henry Kaiser, Native American artist Fritz Scholder, internationally acclaimed author Danielle Steel and General Chuck Yeager. It may have been cold outside (including protestors with signs reading, “Harvey Milk was a pervert”), but for one evening inside this beautiful museum – though all of us were from different walks of life – we were one beautiful, warm and caring California family. This was such a moving event that I will always remember. It was a classy, true, stately event. Stuart Milk accepted this honor on behalf of the Milk family and acknowledged his “extended family” from the stage including, Senator Mark Leno, Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (still promoting legalizing and taxing marijuana), Christopher Moore, Milk’s campaign manager Anne Kronenberg and little ol’ me. The beautiful but small auditorium held only about 150 people, so it was one coveted invitation. Thanks to Sacramento businessowner Michael Misha Kennedy of the prestigious Kennedy Art Gallery for hosting me.

Last year when the Imperial Court de San Diego was distributing toys with Family Matters to GLBT families in need, we discovered that they also were lacking food for Christmas dinner. And you helped us obtain food for all the families. Now we need you again to make Christmas brighter for GLBT friends, parents and children, many of whom have lost their jobs and, yes, their homes. Family Matters just gave me a wish list from about 150 children, and what they want for Christmas and this does not include the numerous agencies we give toys to annually. Please join our campaign, “Adopt a GLBT Family/Friends for Christmas.” We need toys, food, grocery gift cards, checks and donations. The Imperial Court and Family Matters are, as always, working together on this campaign with major help from the Greater San Diego Business Association, Rob Benzon Foundation and local businesses and bars. I will list them soon. But we need your help. You can see the children’s wish list and buy the gifts yourself. For more information, call 619-692-1967, 619-564-6534 or 619-807-7324.

Did you know that millions of children in America go hungry at night, and more than 36 million people in our country have to get assistance for milk, bread and cheese? Please help, thank you.

Former mayor Maureen O’ Connor will not only go down in history as San Diego’s youngest elected councilmember and first female mayor, but one of our city’s most beloved and popular mayor’s ever. She holds a special place in the hearts of the GLBT community. O’ Conner was the first mayor to walk in our Pride parade and is noted for her HIV/AIDS work. She arranged for body bags for people who died of AIDS in Tijuana, because the coroner would not supply them. O’ Connor established the first mayor’s gay advisory board. I was honored to be elected its chair along with late Barbara Crusberg. O’ Connor received a lot, and I mean a lot, of hate mail and threats for her support of the GLBT community. Still, Maureen and the O’ Connor family have always stood up for social justice and equality for all people. She has given financial contributions to GLBT organizations such as Stepping Stone since she left office. So it should not have surprised any of us when she showed up at the recent annual Scott Carlson Community Thanksgiving Dinner. She served meals at the very first dinner 21 years ago. God bless you Mayor O’ Connor and know that we will never, ever forget.

For six years, the wonderful people at Martinis Above Fourth have been holding a fun and colorful Christmas wreath auction that benefits the Eddie Conlon Youth Fund. More than $85,000 has been raised since its inception. This fund helps GLBT youth 14 and up with clothing, food, school supplies, bus passes and, yes, even cremation. Many have been rejection and abandoned by their parents. Word is that unbelievable and fabulous wreaths have been flowing into Martinis and you can now, yes right now, by visiting Martinis’ annual wreath auction page at www.MartinisAboveFourth.com. Don’t forget this fabulous holiday party will be on Monday, Dec. 14. See you all there!

It’s like a modern day Color Purple. Yes, the movie Precious is on its way to definitely get Oscar nominations. Do yourself a favor and go see this movie and trust me whatever is so sad, bad or difficult going on in your life, it will seem like nothing after you see this film. Based on a true story about a teenage girl in New York, this movie will steal your heart and every emotion you possess. Gabourey Sidibe will win the best actress award for her role as Mo’Nique – I would not want to meet her in a dark alley – wins best supporting actress, period!

Yes my fat, old, untalented ass will be performing at the Dreamgirls Revue anniversary show next Wednesday, Dec. 9 at Urban Mo’s at 8 p.m. I will be the cha-cha queen wearing a moo moo and special emcee for the evening. Yes, I will be doing one number, and I will not know the words. I founded the Dreamgirls Revue more than 20 years ago. We debuted at then Dillions, now Rich’s, and my dress fell off! So for a true night of outrageous comedy and super talent, including Chad Michaels and the rest of the Dreamgirls cast, stop by Urban Mo’s on Dec. 9. Reservations are accepted. The cover is $5. Please, no throwing fruit!

Saturday night I had dinner with State Assemblymember John Perez and he informed me he has the votes to be elected the next speaker and Wednesday morning it’s in the front page of The Sacramento Bee. The republicans are catching up. As of last month, their were 527,337 registered Democrats and 521,451 registered Republicans in San Diego County. Hey be sure to sign those petitions to outlaw divorce in California, I am. Arizona’s homophobic and racist Sheriff Joe Arpaio was in town recently to endorse right winger Jay LaSuer for San Diego sheriff. Let’s put Sheriff Bill Gore back in office! Council President Pro-Team Kevin L. Faulconer endorsed the national campaign to get a US postage stamp honoring Harvey Milk. Not long ago I had the honor to present an award to Annise Parker in Houston, Texas. Word is that she has a very good chance to be elected the first open lesbian as the mayor of this the fourth largest city in the US. As you know, I’ve supported my friend Mayor Sam Adams 100 percent, and I’m glad that the recall efforts have failed in Portland. I spoke to a gay charity producer in Hollywood who told me he is in negotiations with the Playboy Mansion to hold the first gay event there. We are getting really tired of all those attacks on Chula Vista Councilmember Steve Castaneda. He will make a great mayor of the city. Yes, I like our governor’s choice for lieutenant governor, Senator Abel Maldonado but word is the democrats want to leave his office vacant, such a pity. Solana Beach’s popular former mayor Dave Roberts may have dropped out of his race for Congress but keep your eyes on this proud openly gay father of three sons! San Diego gay pioneer/icon Rev. David Farrell will be rightfully honored at the Metropolitan Community Church this Sunday. We love you David! I support your current efforts to lower the federal voting age to 17. I saw a recent local poll that showed District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and City Councilmember Carl DeMaio being popular choices to be our next mayor. Mayor Pro-Tem John Heilman of West Hollywood told me he plans to keep his hair blonde. The blue hair scared me John!