An S.O.S. from the Easter bunny…. We badly need Easter baskets for our annual GLBT Community Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, so please drop off your baskets at The Center or call Linda at (619) 303-2384… thank you!

Word is that Democrats from throughout California are trying to get popular former San Francisco Assistant District Attorney James O’Donnell Hammer to run for state attorney general…. Jim got national attention in the infamous dog-killing case of a lesbian woman in San Francisco, and is now nationally known as a legal expert on countless news stations and shows, including now on the Michael Jackson case. Hammer has visited San Diego and gave such a moving speech to our local Tom Homann Law Association that it brought many to tears. Tall, handsome, young and super smart, Hammer could take this race, and I would support his candidacy.

I talked to Jim when I was in San Francisco and he’s looking at the possibility…. Right now, former Governor Jerry Brown is a candidate, but I say, “Run, Jim, run!”

Not long ago, I received a call from the speaker of the state Assembly’s office wanting me to “break bread” with state Assemblymember Lori Saldaña. (As many of you know, I endorsed and supported former Assemblymember Tricia Hunter, a longtime friend.) While I will not go into details about our lunch conversation (we were joined by the one and only Jean Harris of the speaker’s office), I can say I left our productive meeting with understanding and respect for our new state Assembly member. I told Ms. Saldaña how disturbing and upsetting those independent committee political ads that came out against her were, as they were indeed borderline racist ads… I apologized for them. But I have no apologies for my support of my friend Tricia Hunter, who I’ve known as a compassionate nurse during those early, dark AIDS years. I thank Assemblymember Saldaña for her courageous first-day co-sponsorship of the marriage equality bill.

Though there is some word that Saldaña might even face a primary challenge, I would not encourage anyone to take on this political suicide attempt! She will be facing a strong Republican challenger and should not have to contend with mini-brain primary opponents.

I wish our new state Assembly member the best, and appreciate the speaker’s office getting us to “break bread.”

The recent $1,000-a-plate 2005 Congressional Dinner, hosted by and at the home of attorney Bruce Abrams, for the re-election campaign of popular Congressmember Bob Filner made history by being one of the top fundraising events ever for Filner, and the most financially successful in our community’s history for a non-gay candidate.

Abrams turned his home into a mini-White House, with a formal state dinner at that (and I’ve been to some in Washington, D.C.). There was enough crystal glassware to make any first lady jealous, and I truly felt I was back at the Clinton White House!

I will not mention who was there to protect these men and women’s pocketbooks from being hit up by every political candidate in town, but it was a who’s who of our top community business people and leaders. It must be mentioned though that it was a GLBT-driven dinner (chaired by attorney Bruce Abrams with the committee members including Ben F. Dillingham, Bob Nelson and little ol’ me).

The ever beautiful and classy dresser Jane Filner was in attendance…. This dinner included the support of non-gay but supportive friends and progressives… yes, it was a staunch Filner fan club gathering.

As Congressmember Filner stated, it was “magical” and he was very moved. One of California’s top chefs, yes, Johann Miller, gave us a meal in which every course was outstanding. Well, with attorney Bruce Abrams hosting the first and most successful $1,000-a-plate dinner, he proved the growing political and financial clout and power of San Diego’s GLBT community… period. Abrams may soon be hosting Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco at his home… stay tuned for more information on that event!

About four years ago, Anthony Cortez and I came up with the idea of an annual GLBT Latin Pride festival…. Soon, Carolina Ramos and Tony Puente, along with the infamous Franceska, joined us in creating what is now an annual event.

This year, the 2005 GLBT Latin Pride festival will benefit Border Angels, Bienestar and The Center’s Latino Services program.

A Latino community meeting will be announced next week, and everyone will be encouraged to attend and together build and organize this year’s Latin Pride day…. For further information, phone (619) 606-6901.

As many of you know, this old queen has been having some health problems lately…. The other day, my blood pressure rose to 197 over 105!

A special thank-you to Dr. Linda Barufaldi, Dr. Pierre Rivet, Dr. Keith Vrhel and my new heart doctor, who is not taking anymore patients, so I will respect his and my privacy and not name him.

A very special thank-you to Jess San Roque, Linda Childers and attorney Bruce Abrams for their help during my mini-crisis.

But a mention must be made of Priority Pharmacy (3935 First Ave.), who was quick, professional and super friendly and fast in handling all my prescription needs. I most highly recommend Priority Pharmacy, which by the way gives tens of thousands of dollars back to our GLBT, HIV/AIDS and people-of-color communities….

March 5: Ron Ferrero – award-winning businessman, state board member of Equality California and longtime community fundraiser.

March 6: Michael Mack – general manager of the ever-popular Bourbon Street, past co-owner of Club Montage, past elected prince royale and one fun party man!

March 16: Dr. Al Best – first openly gay candidate to run for city council, former chair of the Civil Service Commission… longtime activist, pioneer and community leader.

March 16: Richard Britton – member of The Center’s board of directors, GLBT Vote 2000 committee member, crown prince of the Imperial Court de San Diego, co-owner of Numbers and The Flame and a super-nice guy.

March 17: Graig Morgan – San Diego’s charity event auctioneer extraordinaire, past Pride parade grand marshal, Empress V and Emperor XI, and Irish, too!

March 18: Rick Ford – super businessman, owner of All World’s Video company, All World’s Resort in Palm Springs, past Emperor de San Diego, philanthropist and the first honoree of the annual Community Tribute Banquet.

March 19: Linda Childers – mother of a gay son, first woman/heterosexual elected president of the board for the Imperial Court de San Diego, past PTA president and co-founder of the now annual GLBT Community Easter Egg Hunt!

Equitrust Realty Incorporated recruited 15 new agent prospects to add to their current number of 20 agents, and the building is completely finished. Equitrust Realty & Timeline Mortgage offers in-house design, property management, transaction coordination, virtual assistance and lending – a true one-stop shop for all agent and client needs. Owners Bill Vivian, CFO, and Patrick Alexander, CEO, invite all interested parties to drop in during regular business hours for a tour of the operation. Equitrust Realty & Timeline Mortgage is located at 1764 San Diego Ave. Suite 100. Call (619) 840-0662 for more information.

Bob Baker Auto Group, San Diego’s largest automotive retailer, recently provided the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) with a $50,000 donation, most of which will go to help those affected by the recent tsunami in Asia, including many children who are now orphans. Make sure when purchasing an auto you think about those dealerships that give to charities, and remember that Bob Baker Auto Group was one of the very first dealerships to market to the GLBT community in San Diego.