Ground Zero Player’s Animal Defense Team is seeking donations for the homeless and their companions in Downtown. Ground Zero Players is the theatrical arm of Desert Waves (a nonviolent civil disobedience affinity group) that perform on the streets of San Diego.

Suggested donations include socks, nonperishable food, water, toiletries, blankets, sleeping bags, tarps, coats, raingear, gloves and hats. Donations are also being sought for homeless dog companions and include dog food, bedding, collars, leashes, treats and dog sweaters.

Donations can be dropped off at San Diego Pet Supply (SDPS) during normal business hours till Jan. 9. SDPS is located at 1490 Island Ave. at 15th and Island in Downtown. The store is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To contact SDPS, call 619-263-2211 or visit www.sandiegopetsupply.com.

More drop-off locations are needed in the North County/Escondido area.

For more information about the donation project or to offer assistance, e-mail keafs2@yahoo.com or groundzeroplayers@yahoo.com.

The 22nd annual All People’s Breakfast will take place on Jan. 18, 2010 at the San Diego Concourse in Golden Hall at 7:30 a.m. The All People’s Breakfast is an annual event that celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The line-up of speakers and performers includes Eveoke Dance Theatre, the Gospel Signing Choir, Christopher Yanov (Reality Changers), the LINKS Achievers and Ashley Walker, former executive director of the San Diego Human Relations Commission. Tickets can be purchased online at www.allpeoplesbreakfastsd.org. For more information visit the website just mentioned, e-mail allpeoplesbreakfast2010@yahoo.com or call 619-209-8241.

Assemblymember John Pérez will speak at the Quarterly Community Coalition Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 a.m. Pérez recently became Assembly Speaker making him the first gay man to assume the speakership. Perez will speak about his plan for addressing California’s perennial budget crisis, how he made history and the importance of coalition- building. The event is free but breakfast costs $10. RSVPs are not required. For more information, e-mail cmarquez@thecentersd.org or visit www.thecentersd.org.

Local author Walt G. Meyer will speak about and read from his Lambda Literary Award nominated book, Rounding Third, at the San Diego LGBT Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m.

Rounding Third tells the story of two teens falling in love on a high school baseball team in a small Ohio town and the secrets that plague them.

Meyer has written for Out, The Advocate and the Los Angeles Times Magazine.

The event is free. Coffee and bagels will be available for a small donation. The Center is located at 3909 Centre. St. in Hillcrest. For more information call 619-692-2077, ext. 212 or e-mail aschwartz@thecentersd.org.

The Single Payer Action Coalition (SPAC) will host Health Care: A California Solution for a National Crisis at the Chula Vista Public Library’s Civic Center Branch on Thursday, Jan 14 at 6 p.m.

On the day before Martin Luther King Day, learn about our nation’s and California’s health care crisis, the basic components of the California’s single-payer plan and how to help carry on Dr. King’s legacy for justice.

A short film will be screened and guests including Dr. Jeoffry Gordon from the California Physician’s Alliance will speak.

California’s Single Payer Health Care Bill, Senate Bill 810, would guarantee all Californians health care coverage that is patient-centered, affordable and sustainable. Based on the Medicare model, SB 810 allows patients to remain with their private doctors and hospitals, or to choose other doctors and hospitals. Most importantly, physicians and patients make the decisions about patient care. For more information on SB 810 visit California One Care Campaign’s website at www.onecarenow.org.

The Single Payer Action Coalition (SPAC) is a group of organizations that came together to advocate for a single payer health care system. The coalition includes physicians groups, senior organizations, churches, community organizations, labor, and political caucuses, among others.

Health Care: A California Solution for a National Crisis will take place in the library’s auditorium. The Chula Vista Library Civic Center Branch is located at 365 F St. in Chula Vista. For more information about the event, call 858-202-2600.

Educator and graphic designer Julie Warren will speak at The Center’s monthly Coffee & Conversation with Cool women on Tuesday, Jan 5 at 7 p.m. Warren lives in North Park, where she shares her life with longtime partner Christine Kehoe.

Coffee & Conversation is a monthly event featuring Tryce Czyczynska interviewing notable women from the community, “Oprah-style”!

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

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

In collaboration with the San Diego Food Bank, The San Diego LGBT Community Center will host a food distribution on Tuesday, Jan 5, at 9 a.m. The distribution will take place at The Center’s parking lot. Receive emergency food, pre-screen for Food Stamps and sign up for a range of other services, including employment and medical as well as low-cost utility programs. For more information, e-mail jschmoll@thecentersd.org or call 858-527-1419.

Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theater will perform Intimate Cabaret Dances at Dance Place on Saturdays throughout the month of January at 6 and 8:30 p.m.

Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theater will transform Dance Place San Diego into a Sexy, Smart Cabaret for 4 evenings of contemporary dance. The sizzling, sexy and steamy program takes its cue from mood, lighting and atmosphere of an intimate cabaret nightclub. Performance highlights include excerpts from “Tales from a Marriage,” recently presented to acclaim in Mexico City, a steamy and emotional duet performed by John Diaz and Bradley Lundberg set to Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah,” and the world premiere of “When Strangers Meet,” choreographed to music by Yo-Yo Ma and his Silk Road Ensemble. Featured dancers include Blythe Barton, John Diaz, Anthony Diaz, Annie Boyer, Trystan Loucado, Bradley Lundberg, Liv Isaacs-Nollet, Summer Jones, Erica Nordin Ruse and Minaqua McPherson. Featuring Steve Baker on piano. Tickets are $20 for the show only ($15 for students) and $35 for pre-show food and wine service in the Dance Place’s Green Room. Free parking is available.

Dance Place is located at the NTC Promenade at 2650 Truxtun Rd. in Point Loma. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sandiegodancetheater.org or call 619-225-1803.