President Bush’s inauguration, and its attendant balls and parties, will cost between $40 and $60 million… this in a time of war, more children in poverty in America and our soldiers needing armor for their vehicles and protection vests…. Shame on him and his “priorities” to party hardy….

I attended the official swearing-in of Mayor Murphy last week along with Julia Legaspi…. I agree with our Councilmember Toni Atkins and the Gay & Lesbian Times’ editorial that our city needs to move on and support our mayor. There are big and very serious problems facing our city, and we need a united council. I’m very dismayed by some of the phone calls that I’m getting about supporting a recall…. Hell no I won’t, so stop calling. Let’s give Mayor Murphy and the city council a chance, and let’s move on… period.

Newly elected City Attorney Mike Aguirre has captured the hearts and minds of most San Diegans, and in a few short days has given us hope for change and the future of our city…. As he said, honest answers will come when “a new generation of leadership takes hold of our city government.” In a Kennedy-like speech, Aguirre drew the only standing ovation at the swearing-in of our new city council and government.

In the recent edition of the popular statewide California Political Week, which featured its year-end “Who’s Hot and Who’s Not” in the state, Mike Aguirre was one of only four San Diegans who made the “Who’s Hot” list.

Many of us know that defeated city council candidate Dwayne Crenshaw has led two lives; now we are witness to his two faces.

Crenshaw is missing in action when it comes to taking an important, visible role in supporting Tony Young in District 4… he should be a cheerleader and doing all he can as a gay man to defeat an anti-gay candidate…. Yet he just has given the Young campaign token support and lip service…. Rumor has it he wanted Young to hire him as a consultant…. Dwayne Crenshaw, get off your ass and do the right thing, and do all you can for Tony Young… we are all watching.

About 28 years ago, the gay community sponsored a “Toys for Tots” drive to help the annual Marines event, and when we were prepared to turn over the toys, Marines officials stated that they “could not accept toys for children from homosexuals.”

A lot has changed these past decades, and now the Marines do except toys from everyone. But out of this grew our annual GLBT “Toys for Kids” drive, and there are boxes all over our community, so please drop in a toy (or toys) as the need grows for abused children’s centers, poor families, children’s agencies, etc. that these toys go to.

Also, every year only a half-hour away in Mexico, little babies and the elderly die… yes die, just of the cold weather. So please support the blanket drive that goes on until March…. Both projects are by the Imperial Court, with lots of help from the GSDBA, bars, businesses, The Center and the leather community…. Thank you… for further info: (619) 298-6972 or (619) 284-8983.

After about five years of not being on a stage as an impersonator/performer, I will be returning to the stage for one night only – Thursday, Dec. 23, at Bourbon Street – with the Dreamgirls Holiday Revue, a benefit for Grocery Hearts (Mama’s Kitchen’s food bank).

There will be lots of comedy, including some hot go-go boy dancers, and it will be a fun and outrageously entertaining holiday show…. Remember that my weight gain leaves me to shop with “Omar the Tent-Maker”. And I hope to see you all at Bourbon Street next Thursday night… no cover and you’re all invited!

Our GLBT Center’s official dedication and opening of their new GLBT Latino Services Center and programs drew a big crowd this past Sunday, especially of GLBT Latino leaders and activists…. It’s a beautiful place and office, and full of warmth and the feeling of “familia”… There was a special ribbon-cutting ceremony that included Larry Baza, Alberto Cortes, Tito Ramirez, Teresa Oyos, Franco Guillen, Jose Recuero, Sandra Ramirez, Claudia Lucero, Miguel Criado, Richard Valdez, Orlando Espin and myself. The program staff and members, the ever-loved Carolina Ramos and Ricardo Gallego did a great job getting the space together, and special admiration to Dr. Delores Jacobs, Shawn Ingram and the board of directors for their support. It was good to see our popular Councilmember Toni Atkins in attendance…. The Latino community is the fastest growing population in California, and this is reflected in our own GLBT community…. By the way, the mariachi band was fabulous!

Everyone is always asking me where do I want to go to lunch, and as usual, I’m everywhere, but I discovered the following to be the most popular lunch spots in San Diego:

Hamburger Mary’s (308 University Ave.): Popular dining critic Wolfgang D. Verkaaik of the San Diego Union-Tribune has rated Hamburger Mary’s in his top list for 2004 of the best burger places in all of San Diego! Wolfgang says, “Serious burger fans have to put this spot on their must-try list.” He also states that Hamburger Mary’s/Kickers “is one of the livelier spots in Hillcrest”… need I say more? Just follow the crowds and be prepared for fun, fun, fun. (619) 491-0400.

Arrivederci (3845 Fourth Ave.): The very best Italian food in Southern California, with great service. (619) 299-6282.

Martinis Above Fourth (3940 Fourth Ave.): Under new ownership and with a completely new menu, this place has become a new hot spot and is fabulous! (619) 293-0232.

Taste of Szechuan (670 University Ave.): With award-winning Chinese food, this place has been my favorite for almost two decades. (619) 298-1638.

Baja Betty’s (1421 University Ave.): If you’re looking for excellent Mexican food at super prices, then this is the place. (619) 269-8510.

Top of the Park (525 Spruce St.): San Diego’s movers and shakers and business people make this their home, with a spectacular view of our city… outstanding service. (619) 291-0999.

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.

For 31 years, popular Vulcan Steam and Sauna (805 W. Cedar) has had a great annual holiday giveaway in appreciation of the support of their customers and friends…. Over $3,400 will be given away ($2,005 on New Year’s Eve), with $350 in cash every Saturday night…. But in many ways, it’s us, the GBLT community, who should be thanking Vulcan for over three decades of always giving back to our community, civil rights causes and HIV/AIDS concerns, to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars….