This past Tuesday I awoke at 6:00 a.m. to take a train to Los Angeles for a meeting…. Amtrak’s “Surfrider” is a relaxing and enjoyable ride, with a beautiful ocean view. My L.A. meetings lasted about four hours and then I was back on the Amtrak…. I highly recommend this route over taking those awful freeways when headed to Los Angeles.

San Diego is the only metropolitan area in the entire nation that has two home-delivery meal programs for people living with AIDS…. And now funding times are getting rough, as the economy gets worse and all social service agencies are living in an environment of limited resources and reductions in both private and public funding. This year, the County of San Diego didn’t give Special Delivery a financial grant, but did once again fund Mama’s Kitchen.

The merger of Special Delivery and Mama’s Kitchen would eliminate duplicate efforts like deliveries that are made in the same areas of the community…. Personally, I’ve known clients that have received food from both agencies until it’s discovered. One agency providing services to all people needing home-delivered meals can benefit from economies of scale, thus enhancing the quality of life by providing good, nutritious food, while at the same time having it cost less. City and county officials, many donors and community leaders have long believed and hoped for a merger, as it is always difficult to justify an apparent duplication of services to potential donors; thus, there is the potential of more financial supporters with a merger. Some say that the beloved Ruth Henricks, executive director of Special Delivery, depends on that organization, as her restaurant, The Huddle, prepares all the meals for Special Delivery and that the financial loss would be great. But Ruth had this great restaurant before she started Special Delivery. However, it is in the general interest of the community that these two organizations explore the potential synergy of bringing their efforts under one roof.

I call upon Councilmember Toni Atkins and County Supervisor Ron Roberts to at least try and bring these two outstanding organizations together for a sit-down discussion to explore this possibility. A merger would affirm the value and great contributions of Special Delivery and Mama’s Kitchen that have made our city and community a better place and improved the quality of life for so many….

In 1979, Al Best became the first openly gay person to run for the San Diego City Council. He is also one of the co-founders of Stepping Stone, the first openly gay person to be appointed to the San Diego Civil Service Commission, etc., etc. Yes, since the 1970s, Al Best has been one of our community’s true pioneers and activists…. And he continues even to this day … every day. So on Sunday, June 22, at the U.S. Grant Hotel, he will be the 2003 honoree for the Sixth Annual Community Tribute Banquet at 7:00 p.m., sharp! So mark your calendar, invitations will be in the mail this week.… It’s only $65 (and no chicken dinner at this banquet). Everyone is invited to this long overdue recognition and honor. Past community tribute honorees include Ben Dillingham, Rick Ford, Chris Shaw, Mrs. Alma Rosa Vasic and Dr. Bill Beck. All proceeds will benefit the Ben F. Dillingham Community Grant.… This year’s tribute chair is Ron Ferrero. For further information, phone (619) 692-1967.

The beautiful home of Dr. Gregory Scott and Robi Cox was the setting for a great reception introducing city councilmember Charles Lewis and Mrs. Lewis to GLBT leaders, businesspeople and activists. Hosted by popular councilmember Toni Atkins and lil’ ole me, this invitation-only event was well attended.… Among the many community leaders in attendance were attorney Richard Valdez, Suanne Pauley (ED of San Diego Pride), Court Commissioner Ted Weathers, Joyce Marieb, Ph.D. (ED GSDBA), Maureen Steiner (past chair of the county Democratic party), city commissioner Richard Kerman, Dr. Pat Washington, Jeffrey Tom (Uptown Partnership), Jess Durfee (president, San Diego Democratic Club), Dr. Al Best, city commissioner Julia Legaspi, Stan Lewis, Jess San Roque (director APICAP), Frank Lechner, Kevin Choate (chair, Alano Club), Todd Gloria and many more, including a special guest, National City councilmember Louie Natividad.… The food, provided by Ono Sushi, California Cuisine, Hamburger Mary’s, Taste of Szechuan, Numbers, Café W and Bacchus House, was fabulous.… A special thank you to Bob and Tom of Bourbon Street for their financial support.… Thank you to everyone who helped make this reception the success it was, especially Linda Childers, Greg and Robi.

The other day my pal Big Mike and I went to the movies to check out the hit comedy, The In Laws.… Let me tell you, it was funnier than My Big, Fat Greek Wedding (if that’s possible).… We laughed hilariously all through the movie.… It stars Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks, and what a comedy team they make.… Everyone who loves comedy will enjoy this laugh out loud roller coaster ride of pure fun.… I’m not going to tell you the plot because it will spoil it for you, but run to your nearest theater and catch The In Laws.… By the way, the gay character in this movie almost steals the show!

Five candidates have taken out official applications for the positions of Emperor and Empress XXXII de San Diego, the co-presidents of the Imperial Court, San Diego’s oldest social service/fundraising organization. The five individuals who have taken out candidacy papers are: Robi Cox (co-owner of Bacchus House), Richard Britton (co-owner of Numbers) and Brian Johnson for Emperor; and Linda Childers and Christine Monet for Empress. We will be having our first straight candidate for Empress this year (she is the mother of a gay son), and this year’s coronation will be at the U.S. Grant Hotel on Aug. 2 … with dinner! Also this year, Emperor Rick Ford will be producing the Coronation Ball, so it should be one fabulous and grand evening.… Official campaigning begins July 1.