Valentine’s Day is coming up so get those flower orders in. Try Jackie O’s Flower Shop on University Avenue, or some candy or dinner (California Cuisine, Inn at the Park, Café II, Martinis About Fourth, Taste of Szechuan, Arrivederci, Baja Betty’s, Ono Sushi and many more in our dining section).

I’ve noticed the past few years GLBT couples (mostly young) holding hands publicly in mostly the neighborhood of Hillcrest, though I’ve seen some in North Park and a few in other areas (including at the Kobey Swap Meet!)

I’ve come from a generation that could not even think of doing this in public (you would certainly get harassed and probably beaten). But today isn’t exactly 100-percent fear-free or exempt from negative reaction. So I just want to say how proud and the good feeling inside I get when I see GLBT couples holding hands anywhere in public just like loving couples. I encourage all couples to do so and yes, I say thank you for doing so, and for being proud of who you are and your love… right on! And by the way, as you know, Valentine’s Day is coming, so why don’t all GLBT couples hold hands on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14)…wouldn’t that look great!

In almost every main city in the U.S., there are GLBT chambers of commerce…. Ours is the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSBDA) founded in 1979 and now with almost 600 members. In 2000, San Diego became the first GLBT business chamber in the U.S. to sign an official memorandum of understanding with the United States Small Business Administration (approved by a member of the Clinton presidential cabinet). Now all the GLBT businesses have organized into a national organization: The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. And San Diego’s importance has been recognized with the recent appointment of our very own popular GSDBA Executive Director Joyce Marieb, Ph. D. as chair of the entire western region of the U.S. Congratulations, Joyce, we’re proud of you!

Every year the prestigious San Diego Magazine names 50 top citizens to watch for the coming year. This year that handsome and successful businessman Kevin Tilden made the list. Tilden is a past chair of The Center’s board of directors and was the successful campaign chair of Councilmember Toni Atkins’ and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis’ campaigns. A few years ago I mentioned and urged Kevin to run for public office (he would be an outstanding and well qualified candidate) but he felt he couldn’t…. Well, in this issue of San Diego Magazine, they also ask: could elected office be in Tilden’s future? I say why not, as Kevin lives in Council District 2 and he would make a great council member…. Anyway, a big congratulation to Kevin Tilden.

Other gay citizens making the list were Jack O’Brien and David Copley. I was disappointed to see that Tyler Harper, who wore an anti-gay T-shirt, made the list, as this list has always been about positive people.

The city of West Hollywood (America’s first gay city) just celebrated its 20th birthday! I well remember the official establishment of West Hollywood as a city (right in the start of the AIDS crisis). It had its first gay mayor and majority council members, one so popular he has been re-elected these last 20 years… my pal, Councilmember John Heilman. I also remember another good friend, former Councilmember John Shultze, and the Los Angeles Times running an article before the election that John was a former top Colt Studios model.

West Hollywood is a city of only 1.9 square miles and with 36,000 residents (about one-third identify themselves as GLBT). The current mayor of West Hollywood is a longtime civil rights advocate, the handsome John Duran. Another election is coming up and I urge the re-election of Jeffrey Prang, as he is one of West Hollywood’s most effective and hardworking council members and former mayors. Now we not only have West Hollywood but Palm Springs as role models of diverse cities.

Yes, you read right, the biggest cash and prizes of any of the dance contests in San Diego will be given out weekly at Bacchus House every Friday night at 11:00 p.m. sharp for Body Idol. First place will get $175 in cold, hard cash and Tan Line certificates (the best) for 10 tans, as well as a cut and highlight at the famous Salon Belle Jour. There will also be second and third-place winners, who will receive memberships to the hot Urban Body Gym…. Bacardi is also a major sponsor of this weekly contest, which starts this Friday night…. For more information visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to the website or phone (619) 299-2032… See you at Bacchus House Friday night!

VIP tables and dinner ticket tables have all been sold out for this coming election of our next Prince & Princess Royale Ball…. There will only be $15 general seating tickets left. It’s going to be another great event, with outstanding food and entertainment.

The Royale Ball is this Saturday night, Feb. 12. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m. and the event starts at 7:00 p.m. Good luck to all the candidates and congratulations to our current Prince Royale Rob Baker and Princess Royale Chantel…. For more information, call (619) 303-2384.

Getting your garden ready for spring? Call Dutch Boy Irrigation for installation and repair of sprinklers and drip systems for your outdoor oasis. Dutch Burman has over 20 years experience in the business, and you can count on quality, old-fashioned service. Call Dutch at (619) 546-6090 – spring is just around the corner!

This Saturday, Feb. 12, $1,000 goes to San Diego’s hottest couple. The second annual contest, taking place at Club Montage, is currently taking votes online (visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to the website), and you also judge on Saturday night. Come cheer your friends on and dance until 4:00 a.m. with popular DJ Phil B.

The Golden State Rodeo Association will be having a teddy bear basket auction Saturday, Feb. 12, at 9:30 p.m. at Kickers. All proceeds go towards San Diego Rodeo 2006.