I have just voted in the elections so by the time you ready this, we’ll have a new mayor. Whether Donna Frye makes it or not, I hope she keeps her new look. I also hope that we send a strong message to Arnold this time. But bottom line is, let’s get this city back on its feet, keeping in mind that it will probably get worse before it gets better. November is sweeps week on TV, I’m sure there will be a wedding or murder on some of your favorite shows. As far as my favorite show “Desperate Housewives” is concerned, I don’t think Terry Hatcher will be married to Mike, the plumber, anytime soon; I hope that Eva Longoria sleeps with her new lawyer and the gardener at the same time; and Marsha Cross dumps that creepy pharmacist. Of course my latest fantasy will be Marsha’s gay son Andrew meets “Commander-in-chief” Geena Davis’ son Horace, and they fall madly in love and get married in the White House. Hey, it’s my fantasy!

Some of you probably thought that I never venture out of Hillcrest, as I mostly mention new stores or restaurant in the area. And you’re probably right, living right around the corner from Hamburger Mary’s. In fact, I just found out that the old Me N’ Ed Pizza on University (between Fourth and Fifth Avenues) and Rubio’s before that, will start renovation soon to turn this location into a classy Vietnamese restaurant featuring authentic, gourmet Indo-Chinese cuisines. I will tell you more about it next column.

One restaurant that’s going strong is Martinis Above Fourth, which is celebrating it’s first anniversary next Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., with entertainment provided by Vintage Vegas and Carol Curtis. The Martini boys – Chaz, Dale and Johnny – have really turned this place around to be a local hotspot, not only with over 50 specialty Martinis, but the elegant food by Chef Jason. Of course the beautiful crowd is a big draw. They have also started their new fall menu with some great selections.

And just to prove to you that I do sashay my way out of the seven-block radius of where I live, I wanted to tell you about a quaint Cuban restaurant in North Park. TazaBlanca (I think that means white cup), located at 3946 Illinois St. off University Ave., is a cozy neighborhood bar and grill that not only serves up delicious Cuban fare, but they have a band that plays sexy Spanish songs. I was out with a large group celebrating a friend’s birthday recently and had the best time. I thoroughly enjoyed my mojito while nibbling on a variety of delicious appetizers like empanadas, croquetas and quesadilla Cubana. You can also find the traditional Cuban sandwich (roasted pork, smoked ham, Swiss cheese and dill pickles on a baguette), tostones (fried green plantains) or the sweet variety platano maduro.

I was too full to enjoy my entree, Bistec Cubano Palomilla, which was a little under-seasoned that night, but caught myself singing along “oye como va”. I had such a good time I intend to go back and eat my way through the entire menu. Next up are the lechon (roast leg of pork) and the camaron al ajo (garlic shrimp), but I have to admit my other motivation was to go back and say hello to the very handsome owner, Michael. He’s definitely husband material. Go check out this new discovery of mine and tell Michael I sent you. Then I’ll get some brownie points!

I know it’s a bit late (my column only appears bi-weekly) but I wanted to share some of my Halloween photos with you. The annual Center “Nightmare on Normal Street” was a huge success with 45 contestants for the Halloween costume contest. I hosted the one at Bacchus House on Saturday and was quite impressed with the entries. Thank God there were no Party City varieties. I also heard that Rich’s was the place to be on Halloween night. Regardless of where you ended up the next morning, I hope you all had fun, and enjoy these pictures.

Martha Stewart may be out of the slammer, but her “Apprentice” is not the rating success they had hoped for (how could they when they’re up against ABC’s “Lost”), and my stock in her company is still in the pits. But fear not, the Style Network’s insouciant drag domestic diva Brini Maxwell sure is moving on up. I still remember Brini as a pale, skinny, almost unsure drag queen when we both joined the Homecoming Queen contest at The LGBT Center in New York back in the early ‘90s. Brini is big on vintage clothing (now she calls them “retro-classic”) and idolizes Marla Thomas and Lauren Bacall. Not anymore. After years of honing her craft, shaping her persona, and years of toiling on Manhattan Cable Access channel with her own home show, Brini has arrived. Not only has she been picked up by the Style Network, she’s going into her second season; has appeared nationally on TV talk show (Conan O’Brien, among others); featured in the Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly and USA Today; she even opened trading at the Philadelphia Stock Exchange a few weeks ago. She’s also a spokesmodel for Bacardi. Now this “prodigy of domestic science” just released her new book, Brini Maxwell’s Guide to Gracious Living, with tips, tricks and recipes to “make your life bloom.” Tips like applying shampoo with a toothbrush to that pesky ring-around-the-collar before throwing it into the washer; or wiping off those white ring on your wood furniture with mayonnaise; or leaving bowls or goblets of white wine vinegar to soak up cigarette smokes during parties, but make sure you float an artificial flower on the surface so friends won’t mistake them for beverage. And we all have friends like that. This tongue-in-cheek book is fun, informative and would make lovely present for the holidays. Check out your local bookstores or Amazon.com

Word is out that the Adams Avenue Studio of the Arts will be closing its doors on Dec. 1. You can catch the final two nights of the return engagement of the hugely successful Mambo Italiano, a gay Big Fat Greek Wedding this weekend. The following weekend, Nov. 19-20, catch ICON: Lesbian and Gay History of the world, Vol. 2, written and performed by Jade Esteban Estrada. Gay icons, including Alexander the Great, Susan B. Anthony to Billie Jean King and Harvey Milk are subjects. Finally, on Nov. 25-27, Tortilla Heaven shows – a story of three generations of Mexican-Americans celebrating life, love and making tortillas the American way. Tickets to all productions are $15, $12 for seniors and student. Adams Ave Studio of the Arts is located at 2804 Adams Avenue. Call (619) 584-3593 for tickets. Thanks to Bob and the Korbett Company Productions.

Game Girl is the new Friday theme night at Bacchus House for girls who likes girls. And all this month, Bacchus will be donating a portion of the proceeds to the Toni Atkins’ Lesbian Health Fund. There is a $2 cover, domestic beers and Bacardi cocktails, with Groovy Hip Hop on the dance floor and featuring the Lipstic Inc., and dancers at 11:00 p.m. Kick off your Thanksgiving weekend with the premiere of Game Girl’s Boo’tae contest on Friday, Nov. 25 – come shake and make $100 cash.

Lumberjack Grill located at 3949 Ohio Street has extended their hours, effective Nov. 18 on Friday’s and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. All those party goers in the North Park area now have a place to chill and get sustenance before you head home.