As always I am very appreciative of the invitations to all your many parties and events but I’m sorry I could not attend many.… Also, please forgive me in my latest mailing of holiday cards as I misplaced my long-held list but did my best. A big thank you for all the invitations, cards, gifts and just plain warm thoughtfulness during these holidays and God bless you for your support of our annual Toy Drive and our continuing Blanket Drive. A special thank you to Ben Dillingham, the GSDBA, The Center Holiday Party and all the bars and businesses that allowed us to have toy boxes, now for the 27th year!

We at the G&L Times really appreciate all the businesses, bars, etc. that go out of their way to celebrate and cheer up our community with holiday decorations.… I was one of three judges and here are our 2003 holiday decoration winners:

Bourbon Street

1. Park Manor Suites

2. Obelisk Bookstore

3. Club San Diego

1. Hillcrest Ace Hardware

2. Circa AD

3. Tan Line

1. Number 1 5th Ave

2. Flicks

3. Wolfs

1. Brian’s American Eatery

2. Café 11

3. Martinis

1. Rich’s

2. Shooterz

3. Brassrail

At two recent community forums, City Attorney candidate Deborah Berger charged long time civil rights advocate Mike Aguirre with supporting the Boy Scouts’ city land deal, which discriminates against GLBT youth. This is a bold-faced lie.… Ms. Berger even stated she had proof — and, of course, could never produce it. The facts are Mike Aguirre was the only candidate for district attorney or city attorney to go in front of the city council to speak against the land deal. Where were you Ms. Berger? Mike Aguirre spoke out publicly against Anita Bryant, John Briggs etc.… Where was your voice Ms. Berger? Yes, Mike has a son and does not believe in kicking the Boy Scouts out of a home, but he opposes the use of city property by the Boy Scouts as long as they discriminate against the GLBT community.… By the way, George Stevens is on the top of the list of supporters for Deborah Berger.

Yes, your party and your community need you and your involvement.… Join the San Diego Log Cabin Republican Club (meetings every first Tuesday of the month at the Abbey Café, 127 University). On Jan. 24 the Log Cabin Republican Club is having a fabulous yacht cruise in Coronado, so make your reservations today! For more information on the Log Cabin Republican Club, write P.O. Box 33103, San Diego, CA 92163.

We always hear complaints about events and fundraisers — and rightly so when these fundraisers cost too much… but a big Bravo! and thank you to our Center, which for the first time entirely produced this year’s AIDS Walk, with expenses down $42,000 from last year! I was at The Center and the Alliance Healthcare presentation of checks to our many AIDS Agencies.… Our AIDS Walk also doubled the amount of money it distributed last year… 32 HIV/AIDS agencies received grants! A big thank you and God Bless for the leadership and hard work of Delores, Shawn, Summer, Megan and our Center… the fabulous area management team and Alliance Healthcare!

There is a great GLBT Jewish organization in San Diego, called Jewish Pride, whose mission is to reach out to our GLBT Jewish community and encourage GLBT individuality. It is a collaboration between the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus, The Center, United Jewish Federation and Jewish Family Service.… Wow! What great support. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com and click on this column for a link to their website.

For 20 years, the Live & Let Live Alano Club has been changing and saving lives in our drug and alcohol recovery community.… This outstanding organization has hardly ever held fundraisers or asked for community support.… Now they are holding a fabulous 20th anniversary dinner at our Center on Saturday, Jan. 31. Special guest San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty (who holds Harvey Milk’s old seat and is a possible future mayor). Honorees will include District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins and Carla Coshow.… The good news is tickets are going like hotcakes, so get yours today – reserve a table, make a donation… it will be a night of pride, great food and entertainment. Call (619) 813-2787 or (619) 692-1967 for more info.

For 30 years, one of San Diego’s most popular steam/sauna/bath houses, yes, Vulcan (805 West Cedar), has held an annual holiday cash giveaway and New Year’s Eve party to the tune of well over $50,000.… And it’s now going on every Saturday night.… Yes, they will be giving out $350 in cash every week and on New Year’s Eve they will be giving out $2,004 in cash, all in one night. Call (619) 238-1980 for more info.

On a side note, a big thank you to Frank and the men of Vulcan for giving back to our GLBT organizations, AIDS agencies and civil rights campaigns in the hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last 30 years.

Mark your calendar for another big night at Rich’s, when the mega hit party of the year, Club Papi, comes to San Diego on Saturday, Jan. 10.… There will be a special live performance by Jocelyn Enriquez and a “Latino Street Dance Mix” CD release party, plus, of course, the West Coast’s hottest, hung, built Latino Go-Go gods.… Jamie of Club Papi has also announced that he will be giving a donation to Bienestar San Diego.… So just follow the crowds, that at times hit 800, ‘cause there ain’t no party like a Papi party!

Yes, you read right. Club Montage will be giving $1,000 in cold, hard cash on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14, to the “Hottest Couple.” Here’s how it works: Half of the voting will be online and the other half will be held on the night on Feb. 14.… So all couples (use your own definition) must submit their pictures. Visit this column at www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to their website, where you will find more information. Couples should be in “Red theme” on Feb. 14.… It’s all a fun event to “Fall in love all over again at Club Montage.”