The LGBT Community Coalition Breakfast starts promptly at 7:30 a.m. on the third Friday of each month. The February breakfast will be held on Feb. 20 and will focus on labor unions and employment in San Diego. Speakers will include Jerry Butkiewicz, secretary-treasurer of The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council; Peter Zschiesche, executive director of the Employee Rights Center and board member of the San Diego Community College District; and Cheryl Robinson, union activist and member of SEIU Local 535 and San Diego Pride at Work. The cost is $6 per person and includes a full breakfast, panel presentation, Q&A and open networking. Organizations or individuals interested in adding an event to the community calendar or placing community announcements should contact AJ Davis-DeFeo at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212.

Family Health Centers, of San Diego’s Gay Men’s Health Program, will host its third relationship and empowerment retreat in Julian, March 12-14. This free retreat is designed to give gay men the chance to talk openly about gay relationships without pressure or stigma. We provide an environment that will allow gay men to implement positive change in their community through empowerment. The retreat breaks down stereotypes and opens up issues for discussion in a safe and supportive environment.

If you would like an application or more information, please send an email to baileym@fhcsd.org or call (619) 515-2578 ext. 2913.

The HIV Consumer Council will be hosting a countywide educational retreat on Saturday, Feb. 21. The one-day retreat is designed to educate consumers on the mission and goals of the HIV Consumer Council and explain how the council functions. The retreat will look at the planning process that goes into setting budgets and how the community can work with the council to create change in the HIV community in sessions entitled HIV Consumer Council 101 and Planning Process 101. The retreat is open to all members of the public and will be held at the Balboa Park Recital Hall (on the Pan American Plaza) from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

The Center will host an Evening of Black Pride on Saturday, Feb. 21. Tickets for the event are $8 at the door and there will be a dinner buffet. The evening will include the Mr., Miss, and Ms. Gay Black San Diego Contest. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Center and APICAP. For more information, contact Princess Royale Satin at (619) 564-6588 or Mama Wheels at (619) 889-0985.

Alternative Strategies, a local marketing communications firm, took home five awards at the 10th annual Health Care Communicators Finest Awards, which took place in San Diego on Feb. 4. Alternative Strategies garnered awards in the categories of Public Service and Advocacy, Editorial, Pitch Writing, Creative Campaign and Single Day Event.

“Winning one award would have been a fantastic feat,” said Alternative Strategies President William Lopez, “but winning five is truly an accomplishment. We’re a relatively young agency and this just validates the hard work we put forth for our clients.”

Of the company’s recent MADD campaign, judges said: “Excellent! From planning to the media buy, through creative, this is the kind of campaign every professional communicator strives for.”

Health Care Communicators is a nonprofit organization that helps healthcare communicators fine tune professional skills and keep pace with industry changes, and is the only such organization of its kind in San Diego County. Every year they recognize the best in health care communications created by or for health care organizations.

The Women’s Discussion Group at The Center will be hosting a women’s night at the play Brave Smiles…Another Lesbian Tragedy on Sunday, Feb. 22. Written by the New York performing arts group The Five Lesbian Brothers, Brave Smiles pokes wicked fun at Hollywood’s dizzying array of tragic lesbian icons. Everything from The Children’s Hour to Johnny Guitar to Walk on the Wild Side is piled one on top of the other in rapid-fire fashion to tell a story that spans four decades of decadence and delight.

The show is directed by Kirsten Brandt, who last spring directed Diversionary’s “Deporting the Divas”. Diversionary Associate Artist Melissa Fernandes is joined on stage by Robin Christ, Wendy Waddell, Allison Riley and Jeanine Marquie. The five actresses play 17 roles, tracing the lives and loves of childhood friends through world-wide economic depression, world war and just a few too many cocktails.

For more information contact Heather at (619) 265-2182.

The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation is setting sail with San Diego Harbor Excursion on the ship Spirit of San Diego, on March 7, 2004. The boarding time will be 11:30 a.m. with sailing from noon until 2:00 p.m. This year’s boat cruise, chaired by George Murphy, will feature a champagne brunch and entertainment provided by locally renowned recording artist Sue Palmer along with vocalist Deejha Marie and bass player Sharon Shufelt.

Tickets for this event are $75 each. For more information and to make reservations, call Alex Sanchez at (619) 236-1257.

Tuesday Feb. 24 is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot for the March 2 election. Applications can be picked up from The Center’s front desk and must be turned in to the County Registrar of Voters by 5:00 p.m.

For those who would rather vote in public, The Center has announced that the San Diego Registrar of Voters has selected it as a polling place for the Primary Election on March 2. The Center’s auditorium will be open as a polling place on March 2, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Anyone interested in volunteering to register voters at community locations and events, please contact AJ Davis-DeFeo at (619) 692-2077 ext. 212.

A planning committee is currently being formed to design a two-day event called the “Poz Seminar Weekend” which will take place April 9-10 at The Center. The Committee will determine the themes, speakers, and agenda for the event, which will examine topics of interest to persons living with HIV in San Diego County. Members of the community who are interested in participating should contact Carolyn Hunt at The Center, (619) 692-2077. The committee will be meeting at The Center on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

A musical journey of love and hope performed by Keith Borden will be held at The Center on Saturday, Feb. 28, starting at 7:30 p.m. Hosts for the evening are Dave Carlin of KSWB, Fifi and John Moshitta, Jr., America’s Favorite Fast Talker and the voice of Hollywood Squares. The event will benefit the Starlight Children’s Foundation and The Center. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. VIP tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. For tickets or more information, call (800) 950-9474.

Join The Center on Sunday, Feb. 29, as they roll out the red carpet to watch the 2004 Academy Awards in style. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. The pre-show party starts at 5:30 p.m., and the awards ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $35. Tables of six may be reserved for $210. For more information, contact Summer Morse at (619) 692-2077.