Once again our local GLBT veterans chapter, AVER San Diego, will be having a contingent in San Diego’s annual Veterans Day Parade, and Senator-elect Chris Kehoe (doesn’t that sound good), Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins and myself have been invited to join them as there guests. But most important of all, GLBT veterans are invited to come join AVER…. Our community needs to be proud of all our veterans, and they all need to come and join the parade and show their pride of country and community. For more information, phone AVER’s popular president, Ben Gomez, at (619) 459-1019. San Diego’s Veterans Day Parade is Nov. 11.

“Mr. San Diego” himself, yes, the ever popular and pride of San Diego, Jack O’Brien, of the world-famous Old Globe Theatre, has agreed to be the honorary chair of a fabulous event to benefit Being Alive, one of San Diego’s largest AIDS agencies.

The Tony Award-winning director (Hairspray) O’Brien will be chair of the first annual Soulplates, a celebrity art extravaganza featuring a high-stakes auction of fabulous art objects…. Participating celebrities thus far include: Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John, Tony Gwynn, Kathy Najimy and many, many more, including O’Brien himself! Working hard with Jack is Sumner & Dene gallery (2807 University Ave.) … So set your calendar for this Jan. 22 event. For more information, phone (619) 699-5969.

The Toni Atkins Lesbian Health Fund was established by the Imperial Court and myself to assist our community’s women who could not afford breast cancer tests, etc. It is administrated by The Center…. This coming Saturday, Nov. 6, John Laird and his Aaron will once again be holding a fun “turnabout show” at The Center, along with the 33rd Imperial Court… all to benefit the Toni Atkins Lesbian Health Fund…. Please support this worthy event. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, phone (619) 284-0522.

Once again, the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA), our “gay Chamber of Commerce,” will be celebrating the holiday season with their annual boat cruise on board the Spirit of San Diego, which is a much bigger and more beautiful ship, with more people able to attend this holiday mixer, which always draws a great and fun crowd. Dec. 7 is the date and there will be delicious food and luscious desserts, and a great DJ, too! The GSDBA will continue their tradition of collecting unwrapped toys and blankets for our annual GLBT community holiday campaign, established in 1975. … Every year, the need for toys is great, and as for blankets, only a half-hour away, little babies and the elderly die just of the cold every year across the border. (Blankets are also provided for local homeless events.) For more information, phone the GSDBA at (619) 296-4543.

The ever-popular Skin Deep Salon is now open at 2906 Adams Ave. This is a one-stop shop for your face, hands, waxing, etc., for men and women, and its owner is the one and only Kurt Cunningham. This new location is on the corner of Adams Avenue and Kansas Street in Normal Heights (my neighborhood). For more information, phone (619) 282-3337, or link to their new website by visiting this column online at www.gaylesbiantimes.com. And handsome Kurt tells me they wax everything!

Our Gay & Lesbian Times publisher, Michael Portantino’s birthday is coming up on Nov. 11…. He deserves the “father of the year” award for raising such an outstanding daughter since she was a little girl…. She recently went to her prom. Michael has devoted most all his free time to raising his daughter, who is on her way to college. Happy birthday, Michael, and thank you for all you do for our community: its GLBT organizations, AIDS agencies and countless benefits.

Wednesday, Nov. 10, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Margarita’s owners, Chris Shaw and Doug Snyder, will unveil the grand-prize winner of their new name contest. The winner will receive a drink named in their honor and a vacation for two to Puerto Vallarta! The unveiling party will feature drink specials and live entertainment.

Win prizes and make a difference by helping the Gay & Lesbian Times provide the best news and features – take the Gay & Lesbian Times’ online survey. You can win a pair of round-trip Delta Air Lines tickets to anywhere in the continental U.S., one-year 24 Hour Fitness gym memberships, two-night vacation stays in Palm Springs and more. To participate, visit this column online at www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to the survey.