Well this is one weekend I wish I could have stayed in town, but I’m in Canada till next week. I give a very special welcome and thank you to the Victory Fund’s board of directors who are meeting in San Diego.

This weekend will indeed be the wedding of the year when our popular Mayor Jerry Sanders will officiate over the wedding of his beautiful daughter Lisa Nicole Sanders and her partner Meaghan Renee Yaple. I got an exclusive interview with Lisa before I headed to the airport. She told me that there will be about 200 invited guests from all walks of life, that she proposed to Meaghan by the Golden Gate Bridge, and that they have been together for about four years. Yes, they were both legally married in the state of Vermont last year. The families of both young ladies will be in attendance including aunts and nephews. Lisa and Meaghan will both be wearing ivory color dresses. Lisa’s will be strapless with heavy beaded work and Meaghan’s will be a little different. By the way, their mom’s helped them select their dresses. Both Lisa and Meaghan have written personal vows, and their reception will be catered by the West Coast and Baja Betty’s. The outside wedding will have a great view of our San Diego skyline. Right after the reception, Lisa and Meaghan will be off to their honeymoon in Hawaii. Congratulations to Meaghan and Lisa who have become dedicated champions in our community’s fight for full equality. They are role models for their generation.

Let me tell you, the infamous Playboy Mansion is super fabulous. It’s even more beautiful and wonderful than you’ve seen on TV. Built in 1928, the mansion is like a mini castle in the middle of Bel Air (one of the largest properties in all of LA). State Commissioner Michael Weiss, owner of Lei Lounge and Bourbon St., Big Mike Phillips and I joined only 200 invited guests at the Playboy Mansion for the first gay event ever held there, which benefited Life Group LA. It was a wow event from beginning to end. First on the schedule was two hours of VIP cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres, then a five star full dinner. Tickets were $1,000 and $500. The event’s MC’s were Leslie Jordan of “Will & Grace” fame who told me his Broadway show is opening up next month in New York. The unbelievable silent auction included five Rolex watches. Michael Weiss snatched a $10,000 watch for only $2,000. A Kobe Bryant jersey went for $3,000. There were also some huge diamond rings that caught everyone’s attention. It was great to see the national NOH8 Campaign honored, which has included the wife and daughter of U.S. Senator John McCain. Michael and I were honored to have been asked to present one of the evening’s most prestigious awards: The Harvey Milk Civil Right’s Award. Past honorees include Cleve Jones, Rev. Troy Perry, the late Morris Kight, Jean Harris and Robin Tyler. This year’s honoree was San Diego’s very own Joseph Rocha who was recognized for his national leadership in pushing to lift the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban. The 23-year-old veteran’s moving remarks received a loud ovation. I had conversations with National Football League football players, Playgirl bunnies to fashion king Bobby Trendy and Madison the star of “Million Dollar Listing”. Thank you Michael Weiss for my new sterling silver walking cane (a major auction item) and a major thank you to George Chung of the Playboy Mansion for rolling our the red carpet for our San Diego party of six and arranging one of the best tables at the event. It was an evening we will never forget.

City Commissioner Bruce Abrams and I recently had about an hour meeting with San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts at his downtown office. We discussed many issues affecting the fourth supervisorial district. Roberts has been a long time friend and ally when it comes to not only the GLBT community but to people of color communities were he remains very popular and respected. Ron Roberts has especially been a strong supporter of Mama’s Kitchen and Stepping Stone to name a few, and there is wide support for his reelection.

This week female impersonator Morgan McMichaels of the Dreamgirls Revue was handed another award as the most popular and best entertainer in Los Angeles. Indeed, she is one of the best in the nation and recently has been featured in “Ru Paul’s DragRace” on VH1 and Logo. Many of us were rooting for Morgan to win, and she did us proud and was a class act all the way. You can catch Morgan every Wednesday night at Urban Mo’s at 8 p.m., and you’ll join her legion of fans immediately. I’ve been one for years.

I believe if you looked up ‘gentleman’ in the dictionary, you would find the face of Randy Vidal. One of the nicest guys you would have ever wanted to meet, Randy recently passed away from AIDS and will be missed by many. A super popular bartender at the Eagle, he was also a former Mr. Eagle title holder. He especially was loved by his leather and court family. In fact, this coming Saturday’s annual Royale Ball and the upcoming Mr. San Diego Leather Contest will both be dedicated in Randy Vidal’s memory. A community celebration in memory of Randy will be held on March 22 at the San Diego LGBT Community Center. For more information, call Wayne at 619-988-5449. It was my honor to have called Randy Vidal a friend.

If you haven’t had lunch or dinner at the world renowned Saigon on 5th (3990 5th Ave), then you haven’t lived. This super popular restaurant has won more awards than any Asian eatery around including, one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the nation! Even the past presidents of Vietnam dine here. Saigon on 5th recently expanded and it also remains one of the most beautiful Asian restaurants on the West Coast. Trust me everything on their menu is to die for, especially their duck, and the best news is that it’s open till 3 a.m. Yes 3 a.m.! Stop by and say hello to popular owner Patrick. He makes everyone feel welcome.

From beaches to bars, cocktails to cosmetic surgeons, malls to mechanics, the Gay & Lesbian Times’ Best of Gay San Diego celebrates the amenities that make life in America’s Finest City, well, the finest. Voting for the annual best of list has begun. Visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com to cast your vote today!

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