A big thank you to everyone who attended Big Mike’s birthday bash at Martinis Above Fourth, as it raised good money for Ordinary Miracles and Grocery Hearts, the AIDS food bank.

Twenty-year old San Diegan Lance Cpl. Mourad Ragimov died in Iraq last week… and a few days ago one of our local marine divisions returned to San Diego having suffered the most casualties of any battalion. President Bush announced $80 billion more for the war (what this could do for healthcare for our children, elderly, homelessness, cancer, AIDS, etc.). The election has now been held in Iraq, resulting in over 80 percent of the Iraqi people “wanting the U.S. troops to leave”. Thousands of very young men and women have been killed (I personally know four). We must raise our voices and stop what is quickly becoming Vietnam the sequel.

The popular president of the San Diego Democratic Club (SDDC), Stephen Whitburn, has confirmed he will be a candidate to succeed Toni Atkins in Council District 3 (Atkins is termed out). Now that makes four openly gay male candidates in the race hoping to make history: Robert Gleason, Todd Gloria, Jeff Gattas and Whitburn. I predict one or two may drop out.

Whitburn has lived in San Diego for only about four years but has become very active in our community and has been involved in numerous campaigns. Whitburn hails from Wisconsin, where he was an award-winning news director, anchor and reporter for six radio stations. Currently Whitburn is a public affairs manager for the American Red Cross. He is a member of the Greater North Park Community Planning Committee, and the 40-year-old Whitburn is one of the most popular and handsome, and possesses a friendly, outgoing personality that most past SDDC presidents have lacked. He will have to play catch-up, as Todd Gloria and Robert Gleason have clearly bagged a lot of endorsements and financial commitments already. But Stephen says he is more than ready and has already laid down the groundwork for his campaign.

One major endorsement Whitburn has gotten is a very big name and influence locally, statewide and nationally in the Democratic Party, former top aid to President Carter, the one and only Midge Costanza. If Atkins wins her campaign for county supervisor, we could have an election for Council District 3 in less than two years.

The Live and Let Live Alano Club’s 21st anniversary gala dinner was another great success, with a packed house. Only Bill Hardt could turn our Center’s auditorium into a classy ballroom. The food was great, and it was by California Cuisine, of course. The VIP reception was catered by Ono Sushi and Kemo Sabe… fabulous! The ever-popular David’s Coffeehouse provided the much-in-demand coffee. The master of ceremonies was certainly a coup for the Alano Club, as it was one of Southern California’s most popular journalists, Tom Blair, editor of the prestigious San Diego Magazine, who did a great job. The entertainment was solid but actress/author Bonnie Henderson stole my heart…. I predict great things from her.

Congratulations to all the well-deserved honorees, especially John Amick, Nolin, Jim O’Donnell, A.H. Wilcox, John Connolly, Jim Peterson, George Mitzuin and Dick Stone…. A big hug to Lifetime Service Honoree Kris Farnholtz. Congratulations to the hard working dinner committee, especially co-chairs Carla Coshow and Kevin McQuillen.

By the way, the silent auction items were also fabulous.

Our recovery community is an important one, as our community’s growing drug and alcohol problem is getting out of control and being swept under the rug…. Every bar should support the Alano Club and Stepping Stone. I want to especially thank Numbers, Hamburger Mary’s, Flicks, Ono Sushi and Baja Betty’s for their support of the Alano Club.

I wish to most sincerely express my deep appreciation to the Alano Club for honoring me with their annual Friend of the Alano Club Award. Your standing ovation and so many of your individual kind words touched me deeply. I will always continue my support and fight for our recovery community. I believe and support both the Alano Club and Stepping Stone because I know they save and change lives… many have been my friends’ lives.

A special thank you to my friend, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, who took time off her busy schedule to present me with the award and a special proclamation from the Office of the District Attorney of San Diego County. Yes, sometimes this old queen can be very touched and moved by such undeserving recognition…. Thank you.

This past Thursday, the board of directors and staff of our GLBT Center held an open meeting giving our community its annual report and upcoming projects. It was a complete report and any questions were answered…. And then the great news was announced about the purchase of a three-story building for our homeless GLBT youth…. Bravo to our Center. What a beautiful moment in our community’s history that announcement was. Our Center serves 2,000 people a week! Over 100 community groups meet at our Center a month! Please continue to support our Center, as they need our support more than ever… 30 percent of all homeless youth are from our GLBT community.

For over two decades, F Street Corp. has contributed about a half a million dollars to local AIDS agencies, GLBT organizations, our recovery community, etc, etc. F Street Corp. has also contributed hundreds of dollars to countless non-gay charitable organizations including many children’s causes and charities in Mexico. Last week, I had a great lunch at the private University Club with Mrs. Alma Rosa Vasic (CEO of F St.) and prominent attorney Andy Zmurkiewicz…. Our community is lucky indeed to have the support of F Street Corp. and I urge you to patronize their businesses.

There are five candidates running for Prince and Princess Royale de San Diego, and they are: Johnny Glen, Adrian Rodriguez, Justice, Gretta and Regina. The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, and tables are almost sold out. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and $30 VIP. There will be a great buffet and entertainment. For more information, call (619) 303-2384 or (619) 692-1967.

Come into The Flame on Friday, Feb. 11, for the Delivermale.com launch party. Win free videos and meet the hot Delivermale.com models. There will be $2 well drinks, and DJ Alexander and DJ Niknotiq will be spinning. Get your swerve on with $4 vodka Red Bulls from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m.