A major drug/alcohol abuse campaign will soon be launched in our GLBT community… a serious and blunt campaign “telling it like it is.” … Our Center will be in the lead, along with our soon-to-be-organized GLBT Tavern Guild.

City Councilmember Toni Atkins is now on her third chief of staff with this week’s appointment of Denise Price (ex-aide to Assemblymember Gotch, Councilmember Stallings, etc.). Her two now-former chief of staffs, Jeff Gattas and Jeffery Tom, remain under Ms. Price.

Many of us are disappointed with District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis injecting herself into our City Hall problems with an attempt to take over the criminal division of City Attorney Mike Aguirre. In all due respect, Bonnie, if you could inform the sheriff, police chief, mayor, council members, etc., on the top of your list should have been Mike…. Instead, it came across like a Pearl Harbor-like attack instead of a tax-saving plan.

Many GLBT state leaders are coming aboard the Phil Angelides campaign for governor…. As for me, I will be endorsing either Attorney General Bill Lockyer or Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Word is that Ray Drew’s consulting firm is now working for the local Democratic Party under the leadership of chair Jess Durfee, and some great and more professional changes are being planned.

I recently had a great lunch at Ortega’s Mexican Bistro with former state Assemblymember Tricia Hunter, who many are hoping will run for city council in the future.

The two clear frontrunners to be our city’s first openly gay male council member remain Robert Gleason and Todd Gloria.

The recent $1,000-a-plate dinner and $600-a-plate breakfast at the home of attorney Bruce Abrams was brought up at a meeting of Republican leaders as a testimony of the growing GLBT political clout in San Diego.

The Greater San Diego Business Association Foundation has established a John McCusker Student Scholarship.

The 2005 Nicky Awards will be honoring St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 15 with the city of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission honoring them on May 22.

Many GLBT voters live in District 2, and I urge you not to sign any possible recall petitions against Deputy Mayor Michael Zucchet.

Our treasurer/tax collector, Dan McAllister, is one of the most decent and honest public servants around… and he continues to have our support and respect… period.

This past Monday morning, there was a $600-a-plate breakfast in honor of Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco at the beautiful home of prominent attorney Bruce Abrams…. It was a spectacular event, and those in attendance included City Councilmember Toni Atkins, City Attorney Mike Aguirre, City Commissioner Julia Legaspi, Ben F. Dillingham, Adrian Rodriguez, Richard Britton, Michael Mack, Nick Moede, Mike Zarbo (Empress Lala Too), Rick Ford, Aaron Turner, Bob Smith, Frank Stiriti, Big Mike, Linda Childers and Mario Benavides…. The food was once again like a state dinner, as I’ve never been to a four-course breakfast…. Bravo to Hamburger Mary’s and Baja Betty’s (I would definitely check out their brunches). A special thank you to Chris Shaw, Jackie O’s Flower Shop, Big Mike, Linda Childers and, of course, my fabulous co-chair, Bruce Abrams (we aren’t doing any more of these high-price fundraisers for awhile!).

Mayor Newsom spoke from the heart, and the entire room was moved…. Trust me, he’s a future governor or U.S. senator.

Word is Mayor Newsom may be back in San Diego in October.

I strongly support keeping the Mount Soledad Cross in place, not because I am a Christian, but because it also has historical significance…. I urge Councilmember Atkins to reverse her vote and save our city a costly special election. Almost every public opinion poll shows a vast majority wanting the cross to stay, including members of all religions.

One of the major foundations of our community, the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego, will be celebrating its 35th anniversary Sunday, June 5, with special guests including the world-renowned Rev. Elder Troy Perry, the founder of the MCC, and the Rev. David Farrell (I just love these two men), as well as Congressmember Bob Filner and State Senator Christine Kehoe…. So please mark your calendar for June 5, and I’ll see you at the MCC’s 35th anniversary…. For more info, phone (619) 521-2222 ext. 11.

A few weeks ago, I received a call from Long Beach and was informed of the death of the Rev. Michael Cole, founder of Christ Chapel Fellowship churches.

To my surprise, I was informed that Rev. Cole had left in his will that I be one of the individuals to deliver a eulogy at his memorial service.

I had known the Rev. Michael Cole since the early 1970s, and he had gone on to become a minister and establish churches across the western United States (including one in San Diego).

So this past Saturday morning my best pal, businessman Rick Ford, and I traveled up to Long Beach for his memorial service. It was standing room only, and there was even a wide screen in the social hall. The mayor was there, as was the Rev. Troy Perry and many dignitaries.

I was deeply honored to give a eulogy, and it was one of the most moving and touching memorials I’ve ever been to. The choir was magnificent and everyone made us feel so welcomed and loved.

The Rev. Michael Cole was a great man who leaves a living legacy through his churches…. I loved him like a brother, and I will always have a place in my heart for him…. My deep sympathy to his family and to the GLBT community of Long Beach.

A big thank you to Assemblymember Lori Saldaña for honoring much-beloved longtime San Diego activist Judy Forman as “Woman of the Year”… an outstanding choice, as Judy has been a friend of many communities for decades.

The super-popular Forman is considered the “Mayor of Golden Hill” and, of course, is better known as “Judy the Beauty” of the award-winning Big Kitchen restaurant, which has been around since the early 1980s…. Judy has a heart of gold, and her countless acts of kindness, her always warm, welcoming smiles and community activism make her one of San Diego’s most outstanding, loved and respected citizens…. Hooray for Judy!

Celebrate the third anniversary of the award-winning Musica Pasion y Latina, San Diego’s hottest Latin night, on Wednesday, April 20, at Bacchus House.

Join them for a very special fun-filled evening, with female impersonators at 9:30 p.m., followed by the steamy “Bacchus Latin Dance Party” with DJ Ruben Casas until closing. Also, don’t miss a special appearance by Latin boy band MDO, with CD giveaways and signings!

Bacchus House also has a new night starting up on April 16 called Spectrum, presented by Ohm Events. There will be a raffle, and you will have a chance to win such fabulous prizes as free airline tickets and a hotel room for New York City Pride, gift certificates for Martin and Wall, and too many other great giveaways to list here. So go on in and check it out.

The Gay & Lesbian Times will be launching a brand new entertainment magazine. Focusing on music, DJs, bars and clubs, fashion and more… this new magazine is going to be sleek, sexy and filled with all the dish! Want to help them name it? The GLT will be holding a naming contest with the winners receiving a weekend prize to Palm Springs or Las Vegas. Plus get a magazine named after your idea! Submit your ideas and win. Email your ideas to editor@uptownpub.com or call (619) 331-7108. Please include full name and contact info. Contest should be decided in the next few weeks, so get those entries in!