ACOSIDA in Tijuana received a large donation from AZTECA Project, which, in collaboration with Saul Mendoza and Maria Galleta, held a benefit event at Kickers on Dec. 20.

All 60 clients received a new blanket and a bag that contained personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap and hand cream. The clinic’s pharmacy received an abundance of supplies that included vitamins and insurance of items that are necessary for those that are in the advanced stages of illness.

ACOSIDA also received two large traditional roscas, sufficient tamales and champurrado (hot chocolate) for all participants at their Jan. 6 Celebration of the Three Wise Men.

Call (619) 426-6736 or email aztecaproject@hotmail.com for more information about ACOSIDA and the AZTECA Project.

Bridging cultural, generational and ideological boundaries for Black and Women’s History months, the San Diego Women’s Chorus performs with special guests the Black Storytellers of San Diego in “Women Rising: Our Legacy Through Story and Song” at The Center on Feb. 26 at 2:00 p.m. The performance will entertain and commemorate significant events in women’s history, including the labor, suffrage and civil rights movements, through poetry, prose and song.

The Women’s History Museum and Educational Center will display an exhibit on women’s histories at the event. Tickets are $10-$15. Children 12 and under are admitted for free. Call (619) 291-FEMM for more information.

The eighth annual Stepping Stone reunion and graduation ceremony takes place Friday, Jan. 28, at 7:00 p.m. at The Center, located at 3909 Centre St. The event is a reunion for all past participants in Stepping Stone. Refreshments will be served. Call (619) 584-4010 for more information.

Applications for 2005-2006 Assembly fellowships are now available through Assemblymember Lori Saldaña’s district office. The Jesse Marvin Unruh Fellowship Program, named for the late Assembly speaker and California State treasurer, is one of the nation’s oldest legislative fellowship programs.

Fellows spend 11 months in Sacramento attending graduate seminars and participating in the day-to-day tasks of legislative staff, including conducting constituent relations, speech writing, staffing Assembly members during floor sessions and committee hearings, and drafting and analyzing legislation. The program provides tuition and a monthly stipend.

Fellowships are open to university and four-year college students holding a degree by September 2005. All majors are encouraged to apply. For information and applications, call Assemblymember Saldaña’s district office at (619) 278-6906. The deadline for application submissions is Feb. 23.

Immigration Equality and Human Rights Watch, the largest U.S.-based human rights organization, are preparing a report on the problems faced by bi-national same-sex partners under United States immigration law.

They would like to interview people who are, or have been, in a same-sex partnership where one partner is a U.S. citizen and the other not, who have faced some of the divisive legal difficulties imposed by the U.S. government. Whether you are living in the U.S. now or in another country, the groups are open to interviewing both partners together, or either (present or former) partner separately.

Anonymity is assured to anyone who requests it, and they will conceal any identifying details at your discretion. The stories from the interviews will be used to put a human face on the plight of bi-national same-sex couples and their experience with the United States’ discriminatory immigration laws.

Write to Scott Long at longs@hrw.org or lgbt@hrw.org to give those conducting the study an idea of the situation you face or have faced.

The deadline to submit artwork for this year’s logo contest conducted by San Diego LGBT Pride has been extended to Jan. 31. The organization will select a winning logo in February that correlates to the already-selected 2005 theme: “Equal Rights! No More, No Less!” The winner will receive $500.

“We’re looking for all types of color designs that exemplify the message,” said Suanne Pauley, Pride executive director. “Entries are coming in, although we extended the deadline to give the community ample time to participate after the busy holiday season.”

San Diego Pride’s 2005 theme was adopted from last year’s InterPride conference in Reykjavik, Iceland, which Pauley attended with nearly 100 other delegates from around the world.

Entries must be received at the Pride office by Jan. 31. Submission guidelines can be obtained by calling the Pride office at (619) 297-7683. This year’s Pride weekend is scheduled for July 29-31.

Prime Timers, a social group for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers, is holding several events in January, including coffee and conversation at David’s Coffeehouse, taking place at 10:00 a.m. on Jan 29. Look for the Prime Timers sign. David’s Coffeehouse is located at 3766 Fifth Ave.

Other events this month include a dinner at Brians’ American Eatery on Thursday, Jan. 27. Brians’ is located at 1451 Washington St. Call Dennis, the activities director, at (619) 287-0375 to RSVP.

Prime Timers provides its members with opportunities to come together in a supportive atmosphere to enjoy social, educational and recreational activities in San Diego County. Call Tom at (858) 274-9621 in the evenings, or email tom@PrimeTimers-SD.org, for more information.

The 16th annual Women’s Resource Fair for homeless and battered women takes place Saturday, Feb. 19, in Golden Hall. A variety of free resources and services will be provided between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., including medical care, veterans services, shelter referrals, education and employment assistance, mental health counseling, spiritual care, childcare, breakfast, lunch and transportation.

Information about food stamps, general relief, Medi-Cal and CalWORKS will be available, as well as legal assistance for criminal cases, domestic violence, restraining orders, outstanding warrants, child support and other family law issues.

The fair is a community outreach event sponsored by the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, the Lawyers Club of San Diego and the San Diego County Bar Association.

Golden Hall is adjacent to the Civic Administration Building, located at 202 C. St. in downtown San Diego. Call the Women’s Resource Fair hotline at (619) 338-6620 for more information.

A local counseling center has joined with other regional organizations in presenting options for addressing the growing problem of substance use in the GLBT community. The new group, Lifestyles in Transition: A Group for Gay Men, hosted by First Avenue Counseling Centre, offers an alternative harm-reduction approach for current substance users who have had unsuccessful experiences with other intervention options.

Lifestyles in Transition works from the harm-reduction approach and targets gay and bisexual men who have a habit of using crystal methamphetamine.

Established in July 2002, First Avenue Counseling Centre is a full-service therapeutic agency based in San Diego. The agency provides clinically competent, culturally sensitive counseling services and tools for individuals and families to improve their lives. The center is located at 2333 First Ave.

For more information about Lifestyles in Transition or information on individual, family or couples counseling, contact Tom Wall, Marriage and Family Therapist Intern #43024 (Supervised by Daniel Carr MFCC #31037), at (619) 708-7126 or email him at tom@livecompassion.com.