Mark your calendar for Sunday, Sept. 26, for our city’s biggest AIDS fundraiser, yes, San Diego AIDS Walk… with so many budget cuts, our AIDS agencies need your support more than ever…. Sign up today at The Center.

Now that I really got your attention… when I arrived in Sacramento for a speaking engagement and some lobbying, I was put up in the beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel, which is right across the street from our state’s capital…. Well, lo and behold, it seems our governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, lives in the penthouse of the Hyatt Regency…. No, he never came knocking on my room door, though I was just beneath him and am the original “girlie man”! It was nice seeing Sacramento’s popular mayor, Heather Fargo, again. She runs a city council with just one Republican on it!

You know, in the last 35 years, I’ve been to our state’s capital and nation’s capital so many times I can tell you where every McDonald’s is located! My keynote speech was covered by the local Sacramento TV news stations, and boy did I look like Shamu visiting from Sea World…. I’ve got to lose weight! I did some lobbying with some elected officials and chiefs of staff (both Democrat and Republican) on issues ranging from AIDS funding, gay marriage and the bill to make the adult video industry use condoms in their videos (it seems straights don’t, while most gay companies do; All Worlds Videos was the first). I strongly support this bill as is. A special thank you to the businessmen who hosted me…. I hope my room service bill wasn’t too high!

I am very proud to be a charter member of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park… thus I’ve been invited to the official dedication in November in Little Rock, Ark. They’ve only extended me two tickets, but I’m already making my plans due to the generosity of some local business people and friends.

One of the hottest tickets in town is for this Sunday’s (Sept. 12) Living Out Loud on the Midway…. The first GLBT event on this historic carrier, benefiting Stepping Stone… another huge crowd is expected at this annual great event… for information and tickets, call (619) 584-4010 ext. 108…. By the way, the hilarious and much fabulous comedian Kathy Griffin will be on hand to leave you laughing ’til you drop!

Club Montage has gone through a complete new remodeling and renovation, with last Friday night seeing 1,400 people passing through their doors, kicking off their new Friday night special club nights. Their gay Saturday nights also saw a large crowd… back to shirtless men, some music, sweaty bodies and a lot of hotties. Check this out – Club Montage now has a completely brand new state of the art, kick ass sound system, a new lighting system… the place looks great, with all new carpet, a new super “VIP lounge” with 10 new classy couches. There has even been a new wild paint job through the club, plus an entirely new air conditioning system! Plans include bringing the best DJs from all over the country and some biggie surprises, so keep your eyes on Club Montage and take another look, as those wild, fun and hot party nights are back!

Yes, Kickers (308 University Ave.) will be the spot for the special screening party of award winning, handsome director Rafael’s latest video, Pancho Villa…Revolucion Sexual!. Now here is a version you will not see in your history books! This new steaming erotic video stars some of the hottest Latino men from all over Central America… over a dozen! So stop by Kickers at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, and meet the top stars, with lots of giveaways and surprises. By the way, director Rafael has made this event a benefit for Grocery Hearts.

We are indeed lucky as a GLBT community to have such a friendly and understanding police chief. As many of you know, I am chair of the police chief’s advisory board. It came to my attention that “lewd activity” was going on at three of our bars…. It is well known throughout the community that these “dark rooms” and simulated sex acts and “fondling” on some stages was happening. Also, that a certain bathhouse was having a huge drug problem…. The good news is that I’ve talked to the owners of these bars and they are cracking down and tightening up their bars… that bathhouse has lost its lease. The police department has better things to do then check out our bars, so this new sense of cooperation and pre-warnings is going a long way to stop the problems… but you the customers should respect our bars, clubs and owners, and not put their licenses in jeopardy… thank you.

The ever popular and community-minded Caliph… upon learning of continuing cuts in AIDS funding for Special Delivery, which delivers food to people living with AIDS… Caliph owner Sherman Mendoza and his outstanding staff and customers have pledged to raise $10,000 for Special Delivery, and has already raised over half of their goal…. Now that’s family… taking care of each other… thank you and bravo, Caliph!