Well, the heat has been getting me down and affecting my breathing, so please forgive me for once again having to not be able to attend all the events, meetings, etc. I would like to… I’ve been given orders to rest more, so I will, and thank you for understanding.

While I feel that Governor Schwarzenegger should have been a little more sensitive about his “girlie-men” remark, I believe that those attacking him as homophobic are way off base. I remember the “Saturday Night Live” show and the skits called “Pump You Up” where two Arnold-like bodybuilders, who used the words to mock those who were not weightlifters… we all would laugh. My concern is for our GLBT students and others who are always made fun of, or just plain thin boys who bullies could now freely use these words to mock them. But those attacking our governor as “homophobic” and “anti-gay” are way overreacting and playing politics. Governor Schwarzenegger has reached out to the GLBT community, appointed gays and lesbians to his administration, became the first Republican governor to issue a GLBT Pride proclamation and came out strong against the anti-gay marriage amendment. I believe our governor is doing a good job in a difficult time for our state… He is doing his best and is a friend of our community, and deserves more than to be attacked as homophobic and anti-gay… period.

This past Monday at the downtown police headquarters, Police Chief William M. Lansdowne called a special meeting of his advisory board and other invited GLBT leaders to discuss the police department’s plans for our Pride weekend… for our safety and protection. Chief Lansdowne had his staff present who will be involved in the leadership of the police force during this weekend. As chairman of the Chief’s Advisory Board I asked him for this “police briefing” and he quickly responded and answered all our questions… there will be plainclothes officers all around and solid, friendly officers in force to make sure our 30th anniversary of Pride is the best and safest and without any anti-gay incidents.

Among those in attendance: Dr. Pat Washington; the Greater San Diego Business Association’s Executive Director Joyce Marieb and President Bruce Weinkauf; Atty. Richard Valdez, president of The Center’s board of directors; Dr. Al Best; APICAP Executive Director Jess San Roque; Nicholas Moede of Numbers and The Flame; San Diego LGBT Pride Co-chairs Joe Mayer and Debra Self and Executive Director Suanne Pauley; George Biagi of the office of Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins; and Todd Gloria of Congressmember Susan Davis’ office.

It was a very productive and informative police briefing and thank you to Lieutenant Margaret Schaufelberger for her assistance and especially Chief Lansdowne for agreeing to this special meeting.

The talk of the town is our community’s first event on the historic Navy carrier, the USS Midway coming up on Sunday, Sept. 12… this huge carrier has already become a very popular tourist attraction… Stepping Stone (one of our community’s outstanding recovery centers/organizations) will be hosting this annual gala event, which includes dinner, an exciting auction and a top comedian as entertainment. I attended a “Table Captains” reception at the beautiful home of David Huskey and Bill Beck and all plans are for an exciting and fun event… so get your tickets and tables today as this is looking like a sell-out. Phone (619) 584-4010 for more info. I already got my table… get yours today!

That’s right, coming up this Sunday, July 25, will be the annual Mr., Miss and Ms. Gay Pride 2004 Contest at Numbers (8:00 p.m.). This is always a prideful and fun event with the winners riding in the parade… Your hosts will be Rob Baker, Bianca St. James, Chris and La La Too and it will be a benefit for GLBT Vote 2004… this event is being sponsored by Bud Light and the evening will include dancing and entertainment. For more information, phone: (619) 647-9507 or (619) 692-1967.

Finally a great Mediterranean restaurant that we can all enjoy (1263 University Ave.). I’m talking the very fresh of food… Med Grill combines the sophistication of European cuisine with the excitement of Easter spices. How good is it you ask? Well, I eat there three out of four days! My favorite so far is the “Lahem Mishwi” – tender pieces of marinated lamb shish kabob grilled to perfection with onions, tomatoes and green peppers. Med Grill is unlike any other Mediterranean restaurant I have been to as they have top expert chefs whose goals are to exceed your expectations in every respect… and they indeed succeed. Med Grill is also a very beautifully designed restaurant with a friendly and attentive staff… one visit and you’ll find your new favorite lunch or dinner place.

What looks like one of the biggest and most fun events of the year is coming up on Saturday Sept. 25, at the Spreckels Theatre, when that Hollywood legend and American icon, the one and only Mickey Rooney and his beautiful wife will be putting on a show-stopper entitled “Lets put on a Show”… it will be Mickey Rooney’s 84th official birthday celebration and many special guests and surprises are being planned… all to benefit Special Delivery, which for over a decade has been providing meals for people living with HIV/AIDS. So get those front row tickets today… for more info: (619) 297-7373 or (619) 295-8822.

Are you ready for the biggest Pride weekend ever? Well, our 30th anniversary celebration is just a week away with the attendance of almost 200,000 people a great possibility (there were over 150,000 last year).

This year’s 2004 Pride Guide was the best ever… great cover, great color, outstanding paper stock… great job and bravo to Tim Holmberg, Contact Marketing Group and, of course, Cathy Paddock of Missing Ink.

And don’t forget to take the Gay & Lesbian Times 2004 Pride Pullout Guide (in this issue) with you wherever you go Pride weekend! It’s twice as big as last year, has the MOST up-to-date Pride information, as well as “insider tips” on where to go, what to do and how to get through all the festivities next week!

Laugh With Me Entertainment is hosting a comedy benefit show for Special Delivery at The Caliph on July 24 starting at 8:00 p.m. Come see “The Return of Shawn” back by popular demand featuring the amazing humor of Shawn Pelofski and LA favorite Kalua. Also performing is the fabulous Blue Velvet with a cascade of great songs. One hundred percent of the donations made at the door will benefit Special Delivery, and The Caliph along with Laugh With Me Entertainment will donate an additional $1,000. For more information, call (619) 298-9495.

Catz Nelsen, owner of Plush Puppies Kennel & Doggie Daycare Center (located at 14863 Quail Valley Way in El Cajon), knows how to make dogs and their owners happy. The dogs have it great – play buddies, green grass to roll around on, shady areas to play in, clean and large kennels that are comfortable to sleep in and plenty of attention, and Catz provides daily reports for you on your pet’s eating habits, elimination, weight and behavior. She and her qualified staff even administer medications and accommodate special diets! Call Catz at (619) 561-4299 or email her at catznelsen@hotmail.com to make arrangements for your furry friend.

Bourbon Street’s karaoke finals taking place this Tuesday, July 27, will be giving $1,000 cash to the winner, and many other prizes. Don’t miss it!

Bourbon Street: Friday, July 30, DJ Kenny; happy hour drink prices until 8:00 p.m.; free nacho bar at 6:00 p.m. and go-go boys and girls! Fabulous Bingo with Nicole happens every Wednesday and Saturday, and on Sunday, Aug. 1, the guest bartender will be Falcon star Bobby Williams. A live performance by Debby Holiday singing DIVE at 5:00 p.m. The first 200 people at the bar will receive Bourbon Street’s three-disc Pride CD mixed by DJ Kenny, DJ Taj and DJ Brian Pfeiffer!

Numbers: Thursday, July 29, is the Pride Kickoff Party, with no cover and hip-hop all night long. Friday, July 30, is the Bad Kitties Pride Party – get your puss on at the biggest girl Pride party! Saturday, July 31, is Player – the Boy Party, San Diego’s hottest Pride party.

The Flame: The all new and completely remodeled hotspot kicks off Pride weekend Friday, July 30, where you can come pet a Bad Puppy at The Flame with DJ Tova. On Saturday, July 31, come to Candy, the ultimate grrrl party with DJ Tova spinning in the hip-hop room. Sunday, Aug. 1, is the Ultimate After Zoo Party, starting at 9:00 p.m.

Club Montage: Huge parties all weekend! Two big boat cruises on Friday, July 30: one leather and one dance with Kimberly S. Launch party Friday night with DJs Kio Kio and Bryan Pruett. Proud party Saturday, July 31, with Kristine W and DJ Alexander, plus Reload afterhours until 9:00 a.m. with DJ Paulo. Masterbeat party on Sunday, Aug. 1, with DJs Frank Abrahams and Brett Hendrichsen. Call (619) 294-9590 for all ticket information. Tickets are also available at Hairspray and Obelisk Bookstore, or link to San Diego LGBT Pride’s official website for tix. Visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link.

Powerhouse Productions: the OFFICIAL Pride parties. Always the biggest and best produced parties all year! Outstanding line-up: Friday, July 30, Pride Ball at 4th and B – DJ Tony Moran spins until 6:00 a.m.! Saturday, July 31, Circuit Daze at the huge San Diego Sports Arena – DJ Phil B spins until 6:00 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, it’s the world famous Zoo Party! Susan Morabito plays from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. Sunday night. Fete Acompli at the ultra-hot E-Street Alley features DJs Abel and Mike Duretto until 8:00 a.m.

Hamburger Mary’s: Pre-parade brunch on Saturday, July 31, and Tea Dance from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, Tea Dance with DJ Taj until closing. On Monday, Aug. 2, come to the Recovery Party with DJ Taj from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Bacchus House: Five days of Pride starts off on Wednesday, July 28, with Musica Pasion y Latina hosted by Franceska at 9:30 p.m., a special Pride show at 11:00 p.m., DJ Ruben Casas and $2.50 Coronas and margaritas. On Thursday, July 29, is the It’s Raining Men Wet Underwear Contest Finals hosted by Coco Lachine, with $300 cash for the winner, $100 Cash for second place, $1 well drinks and a special appearance by All World’s Video porn star Kent Larson. Friday, July 30, is Resurrection Retro Disco & ’80s Dance Party, Levi & Leather, DJ Dallas, the Pucker Fabulous Boys and Pucker specials. Saturday, July 31, features DJ Jon Williams, Pride’04 CD giveaways, the Smirnoff Twisted Boys, and the Jack Daniels Boys Jack and Dan, with Smirnoff Twisted and Jack Daniels specials. Sunday, Aug. 1, Club Notorious’ The Morning After Party kicks off at 6:00 a.m. End your Saturday and begin your Sunday at Club Notorious – it’s the only place to be! The House is open all day on Sunday; happy hour starts at 1:00 p.m. Club Domingo Uncut starts Sunday night at 8:30 p.m., with DJ Ruben Casas spinning at 10:00 p.m. and $2.50 Coronas and margaritas. Don’t forget to get invited to the final Maxim Enfocate Party in San Diego and have your picture taken with the Maxim Enfocate Models!

Rich’s: Lady Bunny (creator of Wigstock) will be at Rich’s on Thursday, July 30, with DJ Tasty Tim of London spinning! On Friday, July 30, DJ Alex Lauterstein (NYC) is in the house. Also, Rich’s will be open on Saturday, July 31, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the parade. DJ David Harness of San Francisco gets the party started right Saturday night. On Sunday, Aug. 1, LL Bear is back! Levi, leather and bears night presents “Bear Down: Full Throttle”. Unzipped Magazine presents “Ignition” – a live recording event from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Brass Rail: Don’t forget Thursday and Saturday nights are Noche Latino at everyone’s favorite Brass Rail! The Brass Rail will be happening all weekend long during Pride: Friday night, July 30, is Brown Sugar with all the hip-hop, house and R&B you desire.

San Diego Eagle: The San Diego Eagle is the place to find the hottest men in leather all weekend long. On Saturday night, July 31, they will be having a special San Diego Pride Underwear Party. If you haven’t been to one of these Underwear parties, you don’t want to miss this one!

Pecs: Big pre-parade breakfast starting at 7:00 a.m. Parade bus leaves at 9:00 a.m. Patio opens early on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Have out of town guests coming in for Pride? Look no further than W San Diego’s Pride package. The package includes $249-289 double occupancy, a copy of the popular gay travel story book Wonderlands, a copy of W’s newest compilation CD, Wonderland, a special “intimacy kit” which includes everything you’ll need for wild and wonderful evening of fun, and two complimentary cocktails served in one of their bars – Beach, Magnet or the Living Room. The W is located at 421 W. B St. Call (619) 231-8220 for more information!

Need a Pride tan and don’t have time to lounge in the sun? How about a mystic tan from Ibiza Tan, located at 107 W. G St. You’ll get a state-of-the-art sunless tan in no time flat with all of the latest, highest quality beds. They also offer spray-on tans, if that’s your thing. To help keep you bronzed to perfection beyond Pride, there are discounted European Tanning Experience monthly packages available. Call (619) 238-7161 for more information.