We Advocate Gender Equity (WAGE) hosts its fall meeting on Saturday, Nov. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the Malcolm X Library located at 5148 Market St. The morning session, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, will be open to WAGE members and invited guests only. A suggested $5 donation will cover the cost of the morning and afternoon session. There will be a lunch buffet held from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. and the cost is $10 per person. Mark D Allenyne, Ph.D., associated director of the Ralph J. Bunche Center, will give a keynote address on “Gender, Race and the Power of Myth in Higher Education” at the luncheon.

The afternoon session is open to the public and a $5 donation is requested from those who did not attend the morning session. The afternoon session will include a panel discussion on “The Impact of Gender and Race on the Evaluation of Women in Higher Education” with representatives from education and legal fields as well as the NAACP and NOW.

The WAGE Fall 2004 meeting is co-sponsored by the San Diego Branch NAACP, Malcolm X Library, NOW@SDSU and the Pat Washington Support Committee. For more information or to RSVP for the luncheon contact Pat Washington at (619) 582-5383.

A fundraiser for Mama’s Kitchen takes place Monday, Nov. 15, at Bourbon Street from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. The event features 80 minutes of music from the Broadway cast of Jersey Boys, backed by San Diego’s own Red Dirt Band. Don’t miss this unforgettable performance that benefits Mama! Tickets are $25; doors open at 6:00 p.m. Call (619) 233-6262 ext. 104 for more information.

Each November, the San Diego Foundation for Change (SDFC) presents the Changemaker Celebration, a fundraiser that unites grantees and donors to share a family-style meal and celebrate positive, progressive social change. The Changemaker Celebration takes place Friday, Nov. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Balboa Park Club Ballroom.

The community is invited to join the SDFC at the celebration to learn firsthand how their grantees are improving lives throughout the San Diego/Tijuana border region. This year’s grantees include Bisexual Forum, Ebony Pride, Family Matters, Nefratti Network, Inc. and V.A.G.I.N.A

To request an invitation, RSVP, or inquire about sponsorships, contact SDFC at (619) 692-0527. The event facility is wheelchair accessible. Signing for the hearing impaired and Spanish language translation will be available upon request. Contact SDFC by Nov. 8 to request these services.

Education is the topic of the day at The Center’s next monthly Community Coalition Breakfast, taking place Friday, Nov. 19, from 7:00 to 9:30 a.m. in The Center’s auditorium.

Featured speakers include Alan Bersin, superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District, Barbara Rivas of San Diego County Safe Schools and Elaine Lewis, alumna of the University of San Diego.

Each attendee is asked for a $6 donation to cover the cost of the full breakfast provided by The Abbey Café. RSVPs are not required. ASL interpretation will be provided upon request. Requests must be sent to AJ Davis at adavis@thecentersd.org at least seven working days before the event. Call (619) 692-7022 ext. 212 for more information.

Mama’s Kitchen, a nonprofit meal delivery service dedicated to providing nutritious meals 365 days a year to San Diegans affected by AIDS, is hosting its 13th annual Tree of Life Tree Lighting Ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 1, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hillcrest Retail Center located at 3965 Fifth Ave. The candlelight vigil honors those who have lost their life to AIDS and gives strength and hope to those currently affected. Personalized ornaments commemorating loved ones will be displayed throughout the month of December, and can be purchased for $10 each or two for $15 at the tree lighting ceremony or through Mama’s Kitchen. The event is free and open to the public. All proceeds benefit the clients of Mama’s Kitchen. Call (619) 233-MAMA (6262) for more information.

On Saturday, Nov. 20, the Transgender Community Coalition, The Center and the Imperial Court de San Diego, along with other local groups and individuals, will join over 60 other U.S. cities and eight countries in participating in the sixth annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. A unity march and candlelight memorial service will commemorate those who have died due to anti-transgender violence in the past year.

The march begins at The Center at 6:30 p.m., and will proceed west on University Avenue, returning to The Center for a remembrance ceremony at 7:30 p.m., which features guest speakers, musical presentations and a reading of the names of those who have died due to anti-transgender violence.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance event continues to grow, with 110 locations in eight countries participating in 2003. Growth this year is already looking to eclipse that number. The coalition and participants hope to bring together the GLBT and allied communities and increase public awareness of the transgender community and the violence often perpetuated against them. This event will be ASL interpreted. Call (619) 692-2077 for more information.

Every Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. at The Center, local martial artist Tony Ma, an Olympic-level Wu Shu athlete, presents a free self-defense class. A release of liability form is required. Dress in comfortable, loose clothing so that you can move. Topics include: correct posture and breathing, body mechanics, punch and block, and other basic techniques designed to protect you from attack. Take advantage of the small class size and individual attention. These classes are co-ed and all are welcome. Classes take place in The Center’s basement from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Call (619) 692-2077 for more information.

The first meeting of The Center’s Unified Senior Project (CUSP), their new senior project, takes place Thursday, Nov. 18, at 12:00 noon at The Center. CUSP includes members of San Diego-area GLBT senior organizations and other volunteers who will be working together to create and implement programs and activities for GLBT seniors at The Center. This meeting is an opportunity to provide feedback and share thoughts on The Center’s senior programming efforts. For purposes of The Center’s senior services program, a senior is defined as anyone age 50 or older. Call (619) 692-2077 ext. 212 for more information.

The restaurant formerly known as Margarita Mary’s has finally been renamed. Patrons will now dine on Mexican food and sip margaritas at Baja Betty’s. The grand prize winner was chosen from a three-way tie, and will receive a private party for 30 of their friends, a drink named in their honor and a vacation for two to Puerto Vallarta. The runner-ups will receive a party for them and 10 friends. Complimentary food and drinks were on hand at the unveiling party held Nov. 10 for those who participated in the renaming contest. Over 3,000 people called the restaurant during the month of September with their suggestion for the new name. Baja Betty’s restaurant and bar is located at 1421 University Ave. Call (619) 269-8510 for more information.

On bingo nights, the doors of the auditorium at The Center open at 6:15 p.m. and the first game starts at 7:00 p.m. Admission for 10 games is $10 for a six-card game pad. Additional pads can be purchased for $5 each. Prizes for the first nine games are $50 and the last game played is $100.

There is also a Door Prize Dash, where 10 attendees can win non-cash prizes, from free bingo games to items donated by various bingo sponsor merchants in the community.

Bingo at The Center is a seven-year tradition. During that time, bingo has raised over $100,000 for The Center and its programs. Bingo would not be possible without the weekly dedication of bingo volunteers. Volunteer responsibilities include auditorium set-up, entrance sales, pull-tab sales, extra game/money ball sales, calling games, cafe duty, verifying winners, collecting winners’ signatures and delivering their prize money. The bingo crew welcomes new volunteers and enjoys the camaraderie of working together each week.

Call The Center at (619) 692-2077 ext. 247 for more information.