Mama’s Day 2010 will feature top chefs from 73 San Diego restaurants and resorts who will showcase their dishes at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine on Friday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Proceeds from the Mama’s Day event go to helping the organization prepare and deliver three meals a day, seven days a week to people living with HIV/AIDS and cancer.

Cortes said people who attend Mama’s Day have a memorable and positive experience.

“They love the variety and quality of food,” Cortes said. “They love the festive environment. We don’t do speeches and people aren’t stuck at a table, they love having a really fun time, which is our goal for this event.”

Mama’s Day will feature Sam Zien host of the popular Discovery Health Channel television show, “Sam the Cooking Guy,” as the event’s culinary host.

“They really want to impress, the chefs are out there trying to bring you something really great,” Zien said, noting if the event features lasagna, it will be an impressive and fresh take on the classic dish.

Zien affirmed his support for the organization. This year will be his second year as culinary host of Mama’s Day.

eborah Scott, executive chef and partner at Kemo Sabe, Indigo Grill and Island Prime/C-level said Island Prime expects about 500 attendees at Mama’s Day and plans to donate 800 to 1,000 pieces of their Lobster Lollipop with a Dynamite Dipping Sauce.

“For me its definitely the opportunity to give back something to those who are in need and to say thank you to our guests and all involved with the success we’ve had and be able to spread it around and help other people that need help,” Scott said.

Pre-sale tickets are $125, tickets sold at the door are $150. For more information, visit www.mamaskitchen.org.

Buy a star in the Hillcrest Youth Center’s Gaylaxy to sponsor The Other Prom. The minimum price of a star is $5 but everyone is encouraged to donate as much as they want. Lately, there has been a lot of negative prom experiences, but for 10 years, The Center and Hillcrest Youth Center have given San Diego youth a prom they can enjoy. Hillcrest Youth Center’s Gaylaxy: The Other Prom will take place on June 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. It is free and open to all 14 to 20-year-old LGBTQ youth and their allies. For more information, visit www.thecentersd.kintera.org/TheOtherProm.

The Mission Hills Merchants, the Mission Hills Town Council, and the Mission Hills Improvement District cordially invite you to the kickoff of Mission Nights on Wednesday, May 19, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Local merchants will have a host of fares for your enjoyment. Pedestrians are invited to walk the marketplace in the street fare atmosphere and enjoy local specials while mixing and mingling.

“Venissimo Cheese always has a really fun time at Mission Nights”, says Gina. “We will pair a different cheese with its perfect accompaniment. For example, fresh ricotta and Italian truffle salt, or creamy dreamy French fromager d’affinois and Canadian raincoast crisps. We love it because it’s a chance to chat with our neighbors.”

At Mission Florists: “We hand out a free rose to each person and serve cookies, punch and wine”, says Sandi and Bev. “We look forward to this event and meeting our neighbors.” Josie of California Fleurish, is “offering a drawing to win $60.00 worth of fragrance diffusers for the home. These are locally made fragrances by California Fleurish of Mission Hills that receive national and international attention and are sold in the finest stores around the world. The fragrance diffusers are a perfect way to bring spring and summer into the home.” Becky and Francine, the artists behind Upcycled Life, “have been awaiting the kick off of Mission Nights to show off the newest “re-purposed” merchandise in their collection. They delight in the utilization of second-hand, vintage and cast away materials. With an imaginative twist, the “upcycled” outcome is fresh and fun refashioned pieces of jewelry, accessories, art and decor, with the added bonus of helping the environment.” ”Shear Paradise will be holding a drawing for a free haircut. The last two winners now happily get their haircut in their own little town.” “For your health, stop by Fitness Together to get your Body Fat, BMI and BP tested, with Blake and Gwen, and enjoy some free tastings from our friends at GNC Hillcrest.” “The Paseo at 1 Mission will be open, for you to enjoy our courtyard setting while sampling wine and hors d’oeurves”, says Luke and Marla.

Mission Nights is simply a great way to make new friends, enjoy our weather and support your local business community. The entire community is invited to come out and take advantage of what is in our own backyards!

Less than 10 tables remain at the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast on Friday, May 21 at 7:30 a.m. at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. Notable guests include Lt. Dan Choi, Natalie Jones and Bishop Christopher Senyonjo of Uganda. For more information, visit www.thecentersd.kintera.org/milk2010.

San Diego State University will host its first ever Lavender Graduation for LGBTQ students at Scripps Cottage at 3 p.m. Graduates will receive a certificate and rainbow cord to wear during commencement ceremonies later this month. Guest speakers will include Dr. Bonnie Zimmerman, the Associate Vice Presdient for Faculty Affairs and Ben Cartwright, Vice-chair and SDSU Aztec Alumni. For more information, e-mail event organizer and Women’s studies Professor Esther Rothblum at erothblu@mail.sdsu.edu. SDSU is located at 5300 Campanile Drive, in the College-area of San Diego.

Unite Here Local 30 will picket The Westin Emerald Plaza Hotel at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12. This boycott has come in response to a failure by the hotel’s owner, Columbia Sussex Corporation, to agree to a fair process, free of intimidation and coercion, whereby workers may decide on forming a union. The hotel has not agreed to this process as other San Diego hotels have done. We ask that you discontinue any future use of the hotel until a just resolution is reached – please do not eat, sleep or meet at the Westin San Diego at Emerald Plaza. Columbia Sussex Corporation has subjected its employees to a variety of cuts, including layoffs, benefit reductions, pay freezes, higher costs for health insurance, and/or work speed-ups. These cuts have been the price of Columbia Sussex’s expansion, squeezing working conditions and compensation, to pay off $1.1 billion dollars in debt that the corporation acquired to finance the purchase of 14 hotels in 2006. The Westin Emerald Plaza is located at 400 W. Broadway in Downtown. For more information, visit www.HotelWorkersRising.com.

The County of San Diego’s HIV, STD and Hepatitis Branch of Public Health Services is offering HIV Rapid testing on its mobile testing unit at the following locations and times:

• Walgreens (3222 University Ave.) in Hillcrest on Saturday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Balboa Park (between Quince and Laurel) on Monday, May 10 from 1:30-4 p.m.

• Northgate (1410 S. 43rd St.) on Thursday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The rapid test can be done with blood or oral fluids. The county also offers syphilis screening (blood only) and Hepatitis C testing (blood only) for individuals who are at high-risk for infection with Hepatitis C at its mobile unit. There is no cost for the testing on the mobile unit.

For more information about the mobile testing unit and testing days and times, call 619-296-2120.