Happy Thanksgiving to all. I want to especially thank the Imperial Court de San Diego and APICAP and their volunteers for organizing the Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 24, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church. This sentiment also goes to Mama’s Kitchen, Special Delivery, and all the food pantries and meal delivery services that take care of people living with HIV/AIDS, seniors and those in need. That really is a good thing.

The one and only Leslie Jordan will be at the North Park Theatre this weekend for a reprise of his tour de force, Like a Dog on Linoleum. Some of you may have caught his recent benefit performance for Special Delivery. Mr. Jordan is the adorable character everyone roots for on “Will & Grace,” “Boston Legal” and in Sordid Lives. The Los Angeles Times says “this solo performance from stage and screen imp Leslie Jordan is a remarkable achievement in autobiographical performance….” I can’t think of a better way to cap the Thanksgiving weekend than partaking in some of the joy, wit and bitchiness that only Mr. Jordan can deliver. In this case, great things do come in small packages. The show is at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27. Tickets are available by calling (323) 960-1083 or visiting www.brotherboy.com.

Martinis Above Fourth has lined up a ton of fun events from now ’til the holidays. Start with a four-course “Swanksgiving Dinner” on Thursday, Nov. 24, at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., where you’ll feast on roasted turkey with corn and pancetta stuffing along with sweet and russet potato mash. Of course, there are other entrée choices if turkey is not your thing, like pork loin, sole or sirloin.

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, it’s the finals of the Rocket magazine 2006 calendar men search at Martinis Above Fourth. Local contests have taken place at various bars and clubs in San Diego over the last two months, and this event will be the culmination of the search for the hottest guys in town. The Rocket men calendar will help raise money for Ordinary Miracles. I’ve hosted a few of these contests and can tell you firsthand that the guys are yummy.

On Monday, Dec. 12, at 7:00 p.m., the jolly guys at Martinis bring us the second annual Wreath Auction, an evening of entertainment and generosity to benefit the Queen Eddie Conlon Youth Fund. Last year, almost 20 glorious wreaths were donated for the live auction, plus a silent auction of other holiday items. So bring out your glue gun and start decorating, or just come to the Wreath Auction and pick a one-of-a-kind creation for a good cause. Donations may be made by calling Chaz at (619) 400-4500 by Dec. 1.

Then, the much-anticipated holiday dragavanza is back for three shows. Babette Swartz, San Diego’s diva of musical-comedy drag, presents “Holiday Highballs” on Saturday Dec. 10, Saturday, Dec. 17, and Sunday, Dec. 18. All three performances will be unique and festive (and sometimes intoxicating), with different guests each night. I will be in the Dec. 17 show. Those of you who are familiar with Babette’s signature brand of wicked humor mixed with high camp and glamour (and an occasional reindeer) know that this is the holiday show to see, and these shows will sell out. Advance tickets are available at Babette Schwartz, 421 University Ave. in Hillcrest. For more information, call (619) 220-7048. If you want dinner seating, you should also make reservations at Martinis Above Fourth.

If you walk around the Hillcrest and Mission Hills area, you’ll notice that new stores are opening up as others go vacant. The entire Mission Hills Shopping Center is vacated, and I’m curious to see what becomes of it. The L&L Hawaiian Barbecue joint is open on Fifth and Robinson, next to Starbucks, and a new Incredible Edible store is opening at the old Rainbow Road location. Incredible Edibles is like your 1-800-Flowers, but all the arrangements are made of edible goodies like fruit and chocolates. There is also a new Lebanese Mediterranean restaurant, Rannoosh, coming in right next door to Buffalo Exchange on Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest.

One small gem of a restaurant, which opened about two months ago at the old Abbey Café location, is the Talus Café. My colleague, Gay & Lesbian Times restaurant reviewer Frank Sabatini, Jr., wrote about this new place recently, so I had to try it out for myself. Now, the place does not currently look crowded, but don’t let that stop you from trying some of the best food in town. These days, I try to eat dainty meals in order to stay svelte (no comments from the bleachers, please!) so my much older sister Cristina Monet and I opted for a tasting of various appetizers. I love the crab and corn chowder with spicy sausage; and the Italian style crab and prosciutto cakes were a very good size and full of crabmeat. And for me, bigger is better when it comes to crab meat. We also enjoyed the Moroccan style filet mignon skewers, shrimp gambas, and the organic heirloom tomato and mozzarella salad. So much for small meals! Talus Café features international cuisine by chef Richard Wood, a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu culinary school. The entrée choices include Thai style salmon, French cut rack of lamb and Louisiana style meatloaf. I hear that their champagne brunch is also a great deal. I highly recommend giving this lovely, quaint café a try. I know you’ll go back again and again.

Watch out for the biggest outdoor community holiday party, celebrating New Year’s weekend, right on Fifth Avenue (from Pennsylvania to Robinson Street) on Friday, Dec. 30. That’s right, dancing right under the stars in gay old Hillcrest, with DJ Klaus spinning from 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and entertainment from Sheena Easton, En Vogue, Bonnie and June Pointer (formerly of the Pointer Sisters), and Danielle Lo Presti & The Masses. There will be food concessions, beer and spirits, party favors, large video screens, special effects, VIP areas and a spectacular surprise celebration at 12:00 midnight. Organizers are expecting about 5,000 revelers, and there will be free shuttle service from surrounding areas. Produced by the Stepher Group, portions of the proceeds will benefit various organizations, including The Center, APICAP, Ordinary Miracles, the Alano Club and others. Tickets go on sale Dec. 1. For more information and a chance to win free tickets, log on to www.stephergroup.com.

Bacchus House will be open on Thanksgiving night, so after you’ve had your turkey, join me at the It’s Raining Men wet underwear contest at 11:00 p.m. There will be $250 in cash and prizes, $1 well drinks and video giveaways from All Worlds Video. On Friday, Nov. 25, it’s the Game Girl Boo’tae Contest – shake your boo’tae and make $100. Bacardi and domestic beers will be available for $2.

The Brass Rail is “muy caliente” on Saturday nights. Big Mike and my big daddy, Keith, rule behind the bar. DJs Rudy and Klaus spin.

Rich’s San Diego has the Madonna CD release party this Friday, and on Saturday, Nov. 26, DJ Brian Pfeifer spins.

Congratulations to the Eagle on their third anniversary. Saturday is always leather night, and this being the fourth Saturday, it’s the hot and sweaty Underwear Party and contest.

Over at The Flame, it’s the sweetest girl’s night, Candy, Saturday with DJ Tova and $2.75 domestics.

It’s boy’s domain over at Numbers Saturday night, with HiNRG in the dance bar area, and hip-hop and R&B in the main bar area.