Well I’m off to our state capital… yes boring Sacramento for some meetings and events so please forgive me if I’m not at some of your events for the rest of the week… Thanks.

I’m of 100 percent Mexican descent and grew up with real down to earth Mexican food… I remember my grandmother’s cooking and thus of the hundreds of Mexican restaurants in San Diego I have only found about two good ones and both in the “Barrio Logan” section of our city. Most restaurants serve “American Style” or average Mexican food. Well, fasten your seat belts, San Diego, and get ready to get in line and follow the crowds to Margarita Mary’s in Hillcrest, as this past Tuesday I went to a private “pre-tasting” with Todd Klein. I have finally found a real authentic Mexican restaurant with 14 Mexican chefs and cooks, tortillas made fresh every day on site, and about eight special salsas from mild to Ole! Owners Chris Shaw and Doug Synder traveled the Southwest looking for the best Mexican chefs and brought back Chef Salomon and kitchen manager Rene from the world famous Eric’s on the Pier on Catalina Island, and let me tell you, they have brought with them to San Diego their best and most secretive family recipes that will make your taste buds do a Mexican hat dance with excitement and flavor. I ordered the hardest Mexican dishes to make and to please us authentic connoisseurs: chicken mole and carnitas… well the carnitas will melt in your mouth and the chicken mole tasted like my grandmother made it… everything, and I do mean everything, I tasted from the extensive menu was outstanding and brought back memories of past family gatherings and big Sunday dinners.

Now let me tell you about the interior and design (headed up by Doug Synder): Margarita Mary’s will also, I predict, be noted as one of San Diego’s most beautiful and classy Mexican Restaurants, with two, yes, two outdoor patios! There are two huge gorgeous palm trees inside and about three or four sections to this restaurant, with part of it giving you the feel of an authentic Spanish hacienda with beautiful chandeliers… the bar section will remind you of those popular beach bars in Cancun with thatched roofing and bamboo… what a very rare combination indeed: amazing food and an amazingly designed restaurant! You will see some familiar, popular faces working at Margarita Mary’s including Matt Ramon, Stefen Chilcote, Joey Aruda, Keith Santos, Jeffery Dilailo, Burt Julio, Chris Harvey, Sean Healy, Jim Sanchez and Saul Mendoza of the infamous Noches-Calientes nights at Kickers, now in its fifth year… and some more great news… Mary’s Catering is now in full gear so call them and have them cater your party or event. Margarita Mary’s will officially open next Monday, April 29, and will be open seven days a week with lunch and dinner served daily… so check it out soon, as the word goes out it will become one of the best fiestas in San Diego!

If you really wanted to see the true meaning of the words “family values” and “Community Diversity” then all you had to do was to have attended the annual “GLBT Community Children’s Easter Egg Hunt” at Trolley Park… almost 300 children from 1-12 years old packed the park with their families. A big “thank you” to all who supported this big undertaking (over $10,000 in Easter baskets, stuffed bunnies etc. donated) Special thank you’s to: Family Matters, Michael Portantino, his daughter, Tatiana and the Gay & Lesbian Times; Tom, Bob and Bourbon Street; Greg and Robi of Bacchus House; Rick Ford and Rafael of All Worlds Video; Joe of Flicks; Robert of Great Earth Vitamins; Jackie O, Angel Cologne, Mama Wheels, Rocky Ray, Chantel, Rob Baker, Johnny Glen, Joseph Ayala and all the volunteers… a special thanks and deep gratitude should go out to Robert Rodriguez and the Latin Leather Club for donating four bicycles and two red wagons… Patti and Mary Ellen of the ever-popular Niederfrank’s Ice Cream, Chris Horton and La La Too for the popcorn machine, #1 Fifth Ave. and Richard Britton of Numbers, who suffered in that hot Easter Bunny suit… thank you everyone, especially our hard-working chair, who spends months getting this annual event together and should get the main credit for her leadership and volunteerism: Linda Childers…. God bless you all.

This year’s “Nicky Nomination Night” drew one of the biggest crowds ever, with Numbers being packed almost wall-to-wall…. Yes, “San Diego’s Gay Academy Awards” fever is in an all-time pitch as everyone in attendance was in a fun, festive mood, with our community’s full diversity in full prideful display. All the credit must go to this year’s Nicky Awards president of the board of governors: Jess San Roque, whose hard work and leadership is making this year’s awards the best ever… get your tickets today as this will be, as usual, sold out and the tables are already half sold! The 2004 Nicky Awards will be held on Sunday, May 9, at the beautiful Windham Emerald Plaza Hotel… for more information or tables, etc., phone (619) 229-2822 or (619) 692-1967.

This Friday and Saturday, April 16-17, the crowds will be making The Flame their home as the days are ticking away to their change in ownership (April 24). This Friday is “Customer Appreciation Night” with great drink specials, free pool, no cover and lots of fun. This Saturday night (April 17) is popular owner Carla’s “Retirement Party” with a fabulous buffet, go-go girls and a very big surprise performance at 10:00 p.m. So do make your way to The Flame and give Carla a real big hug for me (I’ll be in our state’s capitol this weekend). For more Flame final days events, call (619) 295-4163.

“Hanky Panky” is the theme at Rich’s this Saturday night, April 17, with the L.L. Bear’s hanky party, featuring DJ Jimmy Spaulding from Indianapolis. It’s BYOB (Bring Your Own Beer), with doors opening at 9:00 p.m.

Having been voted “Event of the Year”… this year’s annual “Springtime in the Park: The Musical” is looking like another mega hit, with feature numbers from such Broadway show hits like: Chicago, Mama Mia, etc. This annual charity event put on by the Human Dignity Foundation always draws a huge crowd and features the best food and most outstanding entertainment of almost any annual event… it is a fun and “class A” gala that everyone enjoys. The one and only Richard Sager is once again chairing the event, so you know it is going to be great. Get your tickets early, as May 15 is fast approaching… for further information, phone (619) 236-1257.

You are all invited to the annual Mr. Gay Hillcrest Contest this coming Sunday, April 18, at Numbers (8:00 p.m.). Contestants are still being sought and can even sign up this Sunday night. Male contestants (21-41 yrs.) first appear in casual wear, then in swimwear, with the winners receiving great prizes. Your host will be the ever-popular and handsome Rob Baker (Mr. Gay Pride 2003)… the $6 cover will benefit the Human Dignity Foundation’s Civil Rights Fund. So hope to see you all this coming Sunday night at Numbers… for further information, phone (619) 772-6222.