It seems every year people clamor to win awards for their hard work or for the business that they work for. It’s only natural to want to be recognized by your peers and the community at large for all that you do, whether it’s philanthropic or day to day work related to a community based business that you run. Recognition is nice.

One of the major community organizations that have raised over a million dollars for charity, while recognizing the contributions of others, is the Nicky’s. Named after Nicole Murray Ramirez and founded in 1979, these awards have raised over $500,000 for such worthy causes as The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, The Imperial Court De San Diego, The M.C.C Church along with countless other charities and social organizations and countless other AIDS agencies. Some laugh and say who cares. Well let us tell you, the many people suffering with HIV and AIDS that have received assistance, the many cold children in Mexico that have received shoes and blankets, the families that could not afford to bury their children that passed away from AIDS and received assistance. Do we really need to go on? So the next time you stop and chuckle or laugh, think about whether or not you’ve raised and given over $500,000 to charity?

Look at the pictures in this week’s paper and on the web from winners and, yes, non winners alike that were just happy to be involved, recognized and appreciated for all they do all year long. For most, this is a labor of love. They enjoy giving back and making a difference. For others they’ve been doing good deeds for so long it’s just part of who they are.

The Gay & Lesbian Times has won its share of Nicky’s and yes we are proud, proud of what we do to help shed light on the small emerging non profit organization setting out to help young Latino’s understand how to keep safe from the scourge of HIV, or to help bring more and more people to the toys for tots drive, or the awareness we raise about how you can help make the Scott Carlson Thanksgiving dinner a success for the many less fortunate in our community dealing with HIV. In addition how you can attend an inexpensive event for the Toni Atkins breast cancer awareness fund, or where you can find a safe coming out group at the Center, or where as a Gay or Lesbian parent you can connect with other GLBT parents. All worthy and needed causes; a huge thank you to The 35th Nicky Awards Board of Governors and all the volunteers and sponsors, who made this an amazing event.

Thank you San Diego for awarding The Gay & Lesbian Times The Nicky Award for Outstanding Publication in 2010.

Thank you San Diego for awarding all the following winners the recognition they all deserve for making our community a more livable, more fun and more helpful community than any place in the country.

Here is a complete list of all the winners for 2010:

• Outstanding New Business – Gossip Grill

• Outstanding Friend of the Community – Cindy Lehman

• Outstanding Chef – Rich Sweeney, R Gang Eatery

• Outstanding Coffee Shop – Babycakes

• Outstanding Gym – Urban Body Gym

• Outstanding HIV/AIDS Service Provider – Mama’s Kitchen

• Outstanding Community Organization – San Diego LGBT Center

• Outstanding Salon / Spa – Richard Joseph Salon

• Outstanding Pet Groomer – Fido and Co.

• Outstanding Neighborhood Bar – The Caliph

• Outstanding Online Media – SDGLN

• Outstanding Bar Event – Boys Night Out, Bourbon St.

• Outstanding DJ – DJ John Joseph

• Outstanding Entertainer/group – San Diego Men’s Chorus

• Outstanding Title holder – Ophelia

• Outstanding Political Activist – Matthew Brown

• Outstanding Writer/ Columnist – Frank Sabatini

• Outstanding Levi/leather event – LL Bear, Rich’s

• Outstanding Leather Personality – Mr. San Diego Leather, Anthony Rollar

• Outstanding Transgender Personality – Kiki, Lips

• Outstanding Impersonator – Tootie, Lips

• Outstanding Youth (18 -21) – Isaac Gomez

• Outstanding Female Personality – Bixi Craig, Lavender Lens

• Outstanding Male Personality – Ken St. Pierre, Hale Internet Mktg

• Outstanding Bar Employee – Sean Fiori, The Flame

• Outstanding Adult Business – Mankind and F Street

• Outstanding Female Bartender – Mila, Rich’s

• Outstanding Male bartender – Corey, Bourbon St. and Wes, Urban Mo’s

• Outstanding Male Waitperson – David Trick, Lei Lounge

• Outstanding Female Waitperson – Rebecca Rice, Urban Mo’s

• Outstanding Women’s Night – Repent, Rich’s

• Outstanding Publication – Gay & Lesbian Times

• Outstanding Bar Manager – Matt Ramon, Urban Mo’s

• Outstanding Night Club/Dance Bar – Rich’s

• Outstanding Bar Owner – Nick Moede and Dale/Chaz/Johnny, Rich’s and Martinis Above Fourth

• Outstanding Hillcrest Restaurant – Martinis Above Fourth

• Outstanding University Heights and North Park Bar – Bacchus House

• Outstanding Business – Rufskin

• Outstanding Business Woman – Sarah Critchlow, Redwing Bar & Grill

• Outstanding Business Man – Jay Jones, Rage

• Outstanding Community Volunteer – Aaron Heier

• Outstanding University Heights and North Park Restaurant – Lei Lounge

• Outstanding Hillcrest Bar – Urban Mo’s

• Outstanding Community Event – Film Out San Diego

• Outstanding Overall Bar – Bourbon St.

35th Nicky Awards Honorees

• 2010 Board of Governors Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts – Rob Halford of Judas Priest

• 2010 Mayor George Moscone Memorial Award – The City of West Hollywood

• 2010 City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez Civil Rights Award – The Honorable John Heilman

• 2010 Harvey Milk Equality Award – North County LGBT Coalition