I was in New York City for the third anniversary of 9/11. For the last three years, I would go to the former World Trade Center area to pay homage and to see the rise of a new beginning. I am constantly amazed at the tenacity and resolve of New Yorkers and Americans all over to face the challenges of our times. I took a picture of the groundwork of the reconstruction and am touched by the remains of the original steel foundation in the shape of a cross, and the huge American flag draped on one of the surrounding buildings. The night before, I took a stroll to Union Square and participated in a candlelight vigil and a makeshift memorial for the over 1,000 soldiers killed in Iraq. It was a call to end the war and bring home our troops, and all I saw were patriotic Americans.

That same weekend, I sauntered on down Christopher Street to witness yet another gentrification of this famed old, gay neighborhood. Over the past few years, the area has become run down and dangerous with some seedy elements. But all this is changing; the once rickety, wooden pier – where the first Dance on the Pier was held over 20 years ago during Pride weekend – is now a landscaped concrete pier with a lawn for sunbathers, tented sitting areas, clean facilities and a café. Over by Bleecker Street, you will find swanky shops like Ralph Lauren, John Bartlett and Cynthia Rowley. The nightlife is also buzzing with new restaurants. In a sense, I am glad to see the changes happening in the neighborhood. In another sense, I’m saddened that this will once again drive the old tenants out of this neighborhood with skyrocketing real estate prices. For now, gay landmark bars like Ty’s, Boots and Saddle, Dugout, Stonewall Bar, The Leathermen shop, the Lucille Lortell Theatre and the good old Christopher Street Bookstore are still around. I hope they will still be there the next time I come around.

When you are in drag, the numbers of safe public places you can go to are sometimes limited. I’ve been lucky that I have not been the object of verbal or physical harassment. Still I am careful to pick the places I go to, which public places have private unisex bathrooms, how I behave and what I wear. Which is why Ono Sushi is one of my favorite places to go. Not just because they are très gay, considering that they have a large heterosexual clientele, but they just make you feel so welcome and safe. Thanks in large part to manager Fernando, known lovingly to many of us as Fifi, and his staff. They are warm, fun and truly provide very hospitable service. The fact that they serve great food is icing on the cake. I always enjoy their lobster tacos and love the Atlantic Halibut with beure blanc, served with grilled oyster mushrooms and zucchini. And oh yes, their martinis are divine. A big welcome to Dominique, formerly with Bourbon Street!

Gary Decker, owner of La Vache in Hillcrest and Voyages in Little Italy, is opening a new restaurant with partner, chef David Shabani. Sambuca will open the first week of October on Third Avenue, across the street from Pete’s Coffee in Hillcrest. Sambuca will be a moderately priced restaurant featuring dishes from the mid-region of Italy, with lots of seafood and pasta dishes. Chef David tells me that his sauces will be infused with touches of bourbon, cognac, sambuca or tequila. The cuisine will feature only the freshest ingredients and seafood. Some of the chef’s specialties will include a seafood appetizer of mini lobster tails and jumbo shrimp with a tomato puree and brandy tarragon sauce, and ravioli formaggio with chopped fresh basil, garlic and a Chianti reduction sauce. For meat lovers, he suggests the filet mignon with shallots and a sherry balsamic reduction, or the breast of chicken with Gorgonzola and brandy sauce. Sambuca will be open for lunch and dinner and offer indoor and outdoor seating. I can’t wait for it to open. Mangia, mangia!

While in New York two weeks ago, I caught the new musical The Frogs at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center. The Frogs is based on a comedy written by Aristophanes in 405 BC, freely adapted by Burt Shevelove (of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum fame) in 1941 and even more freely adapted by Nathan Lane. This production is a political satire, which pokes fun at the current administration, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, directed and choreographed by Tony awards-winner Susan Stroman (Contact, The Producers, Oklahoma). The books are hilarious and au current, the costumes were fantabulous, ranging from the classic Greek vase figures to the outlandishly neon-colored frog outfits. The choreography was superbly aided by the Anti Gravity troupe, which does all sorts of aerial stunts including having Nathan bouncing high up into the air. Nathan stars as Dionysus, the God of Drama (read Drama Queen), who travels down to Hades with the intention of bringing George Bernard Shaw back to civilization in hopes that he can inspire the world in this time of turmoil. The play is set in 405 BC, but the time is the present. So right from the beginning you can tell this will be a fun show. The Frogs is on a limited run as part of the Lincoln Center’s 2004-05 theatre season. If it does come to San Diego, be sure to catch it.

This past weekend was a pretty hectic one for me. The rodeo was in town and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) had a series of events. On Saturday, Richard Britton (co-owner of Numbers and The Flame) and I accompanied Emperor Chris Horton and Empress Lala Too on a whirlwind tour starting with the Momentum on the Midway party held on board the USS Midway aircraft carrier. Not only was there no smoking allowed, you couldn’t even bring your cell phone or camera on board. Since this is my first time, I was quite impressed by the possibilities this venue offers for large events and the dance was a lot of fun. Next, we traveled to The Hole for a Miss Leather San Diego event and the selection of the Trailer Trash Queen. From the circuit boyz to the leather contingent, we traveled next to the Handlery Hotel for a dance with the rodeo cowboys. Oh my, oh my, are they a bunch of fun, friendly and frisky boys! Special thanks to Art Kelleher of SLDN and Ken Valdez of the San Diego Rodeo.

On Sunday, Greg Lobkowski had a birthday bash at the U.S. Grant Hotel. The dance, with DJ Taj spinning, brought together all those hunky gym bunnies to ring in a happy 29th to Greg, and raise money for Ordinary Miracles. That evening, Reign XXXIII of the Imperial Court held their Investiture at The Center. Emperor Chris and Empress Lala Too invested their members with court titles and introduced their cabinet. It was a fun evening with good food, fine performances and even better company. My poor face is so traumatized from four days of shaving, and my feet hurts from being on heels all weekend. All in the name of beauty and charity!

The holidays are coming and if you’re like me, having to squeeze and tuck every time we face the mirror, every bit of help is good. Nutrimart with three locations, 3854 Fifth Ave. (Hillcrest), 11407 Seventh Ave. (downtown) and 9821 Mira Mesa Blvd. (Scripps Miramar) can help you manage your goals with a huge selection of nutrition and low-carb supplements. They carry all major brands and guarantee the lowest prices. After all, spandex can only stretch so much.

You didn’t think I was actually talking football? The Flame’s Bad Puppies on Fridays are really jumping with hotties. Some of them are even capable of learning new tricks like fetching drinks and begging to be taken home. If you haven’t been to the new, hi-tech Flame, what are you waiting for?

Bacchus House caps off Hispanic Month with a Fiesta on Wednesday, Sept. 29, featuring Musica Pasion y Latina with Francesca at 9:30 p.m., and salsa the night away with DJ Ruben Casas. Coronas and Cuervo specials all night and hombres calientes!

Check out all the hot men and music at Rich’s this weekend…. This Saturday is Reach, with legendary producer David Harness of San Francisco and DJ Markalan of San Diego spinning nourishment for the soul.

And don’t forget about Fabulous Bingo with Nicole on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Bourbon Street.