The San Diego Democratic Club’s (SDDC) annual Pride weekend fundraiser will feature the three openly gay/lesbian members of Palm Springs City Council: Mayor Ron Oden and councilmembers Ginny Foat and Steve Pougnet. With their victories last November, Palm Springs became the largest U.S. city with a council majority of openly gay men and/or lesbians. They will be the guests of honor on Friday, July 30, at a benefit for the SDDC and National Stonewall Democrats.

This celebration, sponsored by The Villa Resort Palm Springs and The Wine Lover San Diego owners, Reuel Olin and Bob Grinchuk, will take place immediately prior to the Pride Rally, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event will take place in the Santa Fe Room, Balboa Park Club, Balboa Park, 2150 Pan American Road West.

Special hors d’oeuvres will be served, and the North Park Winds, a woodwind quintet, will perform at the event. Assemblymember Christine Kehoe and Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins are participating in the program as well. Tickets are $35 each, while special host committee members are asked to donate $125. For reservations, call (858) 496-3312 or email rsvp@sddemoclub.org.

Nicole LeFayour, a candidate for Idaho State Assembly, will keynote this year’s Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund brunch, taking place Saturday, July 31, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Margarita’s Restaurant, located at 1421 University Ave. If elected, LeFayour will be the first out GLBT elected official in Idaho history. Other special guests include: Assemblymember Christine Kehoe, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins. Admission is $50. All funds benefit the Victory Fund. Call Pam Wilson at (619) 233-1888 ext. 257 for more information. The Victory Fund is the only national organization whose central mission is to increase the number of outstanding openly GLBT public officials.

Mr. Ebony Universe Ronnie Miranda and Ladies Over Forty present the first annual Mr., Miss and Ms. Black Elite California Pageant on Aug. 14 and they are looking for contestants. Categories include presentation, swimwear, eveningwear, talent and question and answer. The pageant takes place at Elks Lodge #598, located at #6 Hensley in San Diego. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.; show begins promptly at 8:00 p.m. Call Ronnie Miranda at (619) 808-3571 or email him at anothony12@yahoo.com for more information.

Kick off Pride weekend with a celebration at Indulgence Café and Bakery sponsored by the Bisexual Foundation and Bisexual Forum. Join other members of the bi community on Friday, July 30, at Indulgence, located at 4207 Park Blvd. There will be a no-host dinner featuring “bi” menu items from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Hosted desserts, coffee and music will follow from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Free Cricket Cola samples and a raffle will also be a part of the celebration. Call (619) 299-3404 for more information.

It's here! The only live talk show dedicated to celebrating amazing women in the diverse LBT community. Once a month (second Wednesday unless otherwise noted) Coffee and Conversation With Cool Women features a different inspiring woman and gets to know her. This month’s special guest is Carolina Ramos, regional director of Bienestar Human Services. Marie from woman-owned coffee shop Sip This will provide complimentary coffee. Donations benefit the Women’s Resource Center. To find out more or to suggest a cool woman to profile, contact Claudia Lucero at (619) 692-2077 ext. 206.

The program starts at 7:00 p.m. and will be held in the Women’s Resource Center at The Center.

In preparation for the Fall 2004 Macy’s Passport In-Store shopping fundraiser scheduled to take place in San Diego at Macy’s Fashion Valley and Mission Valley Home Store on Saturday, Oct. 2, Macy’s invites all nonprofit organizations offering HIV/AIDS services and programs to apply as a beneficiary. The deadline for applications is Friday, July 30.

Passport In-Store is a shopping event benefiting HIV/AIDS community programs in the San Diego area. Sponsored by Cargo, Star 100.7 and Luna Bar, the event offers an activity-filled day of fashion events, cooking demonstrations, makeovers and the chance to win a $1,000 Macy’s shopping spree. Beneficiaries will sell $10 tickets, which may be used at Macy’s Fashion Valley and Macy’s Mission Valley Home Store during the Oct. 2 event to obtain special discounts.

For more information about Macy’s Passport In-Store, or to request an application, call (800) 430-9782 and select option 5.

The San Diego Water Department is currently conducting the Water Reuse Study 2005, approved by the San Diego City Council on Jan. 13, to evaluate all opportunities to increase the city’s use of recycled water. The study is an impartial, balanced, comprehensive and science-based review of all recycled water alternatives so that the city can meet current and future water supply needs. At its completion, all opportunities for water reuse will be presented to the city council for consideration.

A vital component of the study is broad-based public involvement. The Water Department is seeking five residents from each council district who are willing to commit and participate in two American Assembly workshops for a total of five days. Participants that are open-minded, thoughtful and represent varying views, experiences and interests will contribute greatly toward a successful public involvement process for the study.

The first American Assembly workshop will be on Oct. 6-7. The second workshop will be held on March 15-17.

For additional information, please contact Mike Wallace, City of San Diego Project Manager, at (619) 533-7570.

Family Health Centers of San Diego’s Gay Men’s Health Program presents this month’s 5 Minute Man event Sunday, Aug. 1. If you are a gay man who is looking for a fun, free, safe and entertaining way to increase your social circle, come to 5 Minute Man this event, which takes place at the Joyce Beers Community Center (in Hillcrest off University Avenue next to Trader Joe’s) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Call (619) 515-2424 ext. 2913 for more information.

The free one-day street festival is open to the public and includes three stages with continuous entertainment; beer and margarita gardens; food courts; hundreds of vendors featuring an eclectic mix of fine art, crafts, commercial and imported goods; home décor; psychic readers; and more. Solo musicians will be stationed throughout the venue and a climbing wall will be onsite for the athletically inclined. New this year is a vintage car and motorcycle show. Catch a free shuttle bus from selected parking lots. For more information call (619) 299-3330.