I hope your New Year has started off great…. As for me, on New Year’s Eve I was sick in bed, but I’m doing OK now. This being the start of a new year, be sure to make your medical checkup appointments… it could save your life if something is discovered early.

Ariel Aldana recently wrote a letter attacking me for criticizing President Bush spending over $60 million on his upcoming inauguration…. What you don’t get, Ariel, is that as Bush has said, “We are in a time of war,” and Ariel, everyday Americans are being killed overseas. If you knew your history, Ariel, you would know that during times of war, when our troops are overseas, most presidents size down and cut their inauguration balls and events out of respect for those overseas dying for our country. I would expect the same from Bush or Kerry…. And Ariel, those corporations who are giving money to the Bush inauguration committee are the same ones who are making big profits in this war. And finally, Ariel, you are one pretty stupid person if, as you state, you have been “tolerating” my column for years…. Well, just turn the page and stop reading it, you moron!

The word is final: Popular City Councilmember Toni Atkins will be a candidate for the 4th District seat of the County Board of Supervisors in 2006. After much urging, support and commitments from labor unions, environmentalist, business and Democratic leaders (there currently is not one Democrat on the county board), Toni will be a candidate in this Democratic district. There is one major problem, though, and it’s that the current county supervisor who is running for re-election is our community’s good and longtime friend and ally Ron Roberts. Many who are friends with both Toni and Ron are not looking forward to this race… but Toni will run even if Ron sticks to his decision to seek re-election. Fasten your seatbelt – it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Last Monday night, the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego held a special “Service of Reflection and Hope” at The Center for the recent international disaster in Asia, where over 150,000 people have died thus far. People also gave donations for the relief effort. Thank you Rev. Dan Koeshhall and the entire MCC for always doing such important and needed events for our GLBT community and friends for well over three decades.

Yes, San Diego will play host to thousands of homosexuals from all over the place in 2005, when both the Gay Softball World Series and the Gay Flag Football World Series are held in America’s Finest City…. There will be a lot of special events and parties, and as usual, San Diego will roll out our red carpet (and in some cases, tongues!).

That hit night for Levi, leather and bear men and their admirers, held at Rich’s every third Saturday of the month, will be celebrating their first anniversary on Jan. 15. It has become a popular night for men in leather and Levis, and for bear daddies and cubs, etc. It’s going to be one big party….

For three years now, Fabulous Bingo, held every Wednesday night at 9:00 p.m. and every Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Bourbon Street, has been attracting great crowds for a wild, fun night where anyone can win a color TV, microwave oven, $100, etc., etc. It’s FREE to play, and the crowd always has a good time with their nightly hostess, a rather fat old crazy Latina nun, who was thrown out of her “order” in Tijuana many decades ago (so the torrid rumors go!).

Anyway, many people who have never in their life played Bingo now love it. By the way, just by passing a church “collection plate”, over $17,000 has been raised for the AIDS Food Bank by their “Pennies from Heaven” campaign…. Stay tuned for the upcoming details on Fabulous Bingo’s third anniversary celebration at Bourbon Street!

Well, the rumors around town are all true… opening next month will be Southern California’s first all-nude male strip club in North Park…. It will start off one night a week, called “Sunday Nitelife”, and will include hot, all-nude male strippers 18 years and older…. No alcohol can be sold in totally nude entertainment clubs in San Diego. There will also be special lap dancing available. The truth is, there are well over two dozen female nude dance clubs in town, so fair is fair, and equal opportunity is equal opportunity. Finally the gay boys are getting the same entertainment chances…. The club will be open from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. (yes, afterhours) and you have to be 18 years or older to enter the club.

Yes, 18-and-over dancers (you don’t have to be a great dancer!) are wanted for this club, and there will be auditions…. A dancer could make over $300 a night. You do have to get a “nude dancers’ license”, like the women do.

Interested dancers can phone (619) 295-8822 or (619) 823-8466. “Sunday Nitelife” will be open every Sunday night, for starters, with other nights a very good possibility.

Popular recording artist Reina performs live this Saturday, Jan. 8, at Club Montage. Hear her perform her latest hit, “If I Close My Eyes”, and others. There will also be afterhours until 4:00 a.m. with DJ Alexander.