The University of California San Diego will recognize World AIDS Day with a public viewing of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The quilt will be on display at the Price Center Ballroom on the UCSD campus from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1.

On display at UCSD will be 10 sections of the quilt that have emerged from San Diego organizations and individuals as San Diegans responded to the AIDS crisis, both in the early years of the epidemic and through the present day. Each “block” or section of the AIDS Memorial Quilt measures approximately 12 feet square, and a typical block consists of eight individual 3-foot by 6-foot panels sewn together. Virtually every one of the more than 40,000 colorful panels that make up the entire quilt memorializes the life of a person lost to AIDS.

Founded in 1987, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is a poignant memorial, a powerful tool for use in preventing new HIV infections and the largest ongoing community arts project in the world. As the epidemic continues claiming lives around the world and here in the United States, the quilt continues to grow and to reach more communities with its messages of remembrance, awareness and hope. For more information, visit www.aidsquilt.org.

Along with the AIDS Quilt, UCSD will sponsor a number of other events in recognition of World AIDS Day. Red ribbons will be handed out at UCSD’s Library Walk throughout the day. A reading of names of those who have passed away from AIDS will take place at Price Center Plaza from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. At the quilt display, more specific information will be presented regarding people of color and AIDS, as well as women and AIDS. At 1:00 p.m. at UCSD’s Cross Cultural Center in the Lecture Hall, the Peer Education Program Los Angeles will lead informal discussions on sexuality, decision-making and negotiation skills, and provide realistic techniques for resisting peer pressure to engage in the risk-taking behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS.

The film A Closer Walk will be screened at UCSD’s Cross Cultural Center in the Lecture Hall at 6:00 p.m. It is the first film to provide a definitive portrayal of humankind’s confrontation with the global AIDS epidemic. Directed, written and produced by Oscar nominee Robert Biheimer, and narrated by Glen Close and Will Smith, the film explores the intricate relationship between health, dignity and human rights.

Registered domestic partners who have recently had property reassessed for tax purposes (based on a transfer of ownership between registered partners due to a death, a relationship break up, or simply one partner adding the other’s name to the title) may have been subjected to unfair and discriminatory taxation.

On Sept. 29, Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 565, which protects registered domestic partners from unfair tax reassessment of their property or businesses, ensuring domestic partners the same protection given spouses under California law.

The new law will take effect in 2006. It is important that all registered domestic partners in the state know about it. It is also important that any registered domestic partners threatened with property tax reassessment – before this new law takes effect – seek informed legal advice now.

California law generally permits the appraised value of real estate for property tax purposes to increase by a maximum of 2 percent per year. This limit was created by Proposition 13, which was passed in 1978; it prevents Californians from being taxed out of their homes by rapidly appreciating real estate values – which otherwise could lead to rapid increases in real estate tax bills. Due to Prop. 13, real property in California is only reassessed at its full market value for tax purposes when the property is transferred to a new owner. A change in title transferring ownership between spouses does not count as a change of ownership triggering reappraisal of real estate. In other words, if a wife dies and her husband inherits her ownership in any real estate, the county assessor can’t reappraise the property for full market value.

Before the passage of SB 565, registered domestic partners had protection against property tax reassessment through rules established by the state Board of Equalization, which oversees property tax assessment statewide. There has been some confusion about how these rules work, which is why it is important for registered domestic partners who face reassessment now, before SB 565 takes effect, to obtain informed legal advice.

For accurate information about rights as registered domestic partners, call the National Center for Lesbian Rights at (415) 392-6257 and ask for Liz Terry at ext. 325, or e-mail Terry@NCLRights.org. Individuals may also call Lambda Legal at (213) 382-7600 and ask for Help Desk Coordinator Estuardo Ponciano at ext. 249, or e-mail eponciano@lambdalegal.org.

The 14th annual Tree of Life Lighting Ceremony is a local observance of World AIDS Day, an international day of remembrance for those who have been affected by AIDS and a day to celebrate the progress made against the epidemic, while bringing into focus the remaining challenges. It will take place on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hillcrest Retail Center located at 3965 Fifth Ave., on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Washington Street.

Ornaments are available for $10 each or two for $15, and can be personalized with a message honoring a relative, friend or loved one who has been affected by AIDS. Proceeds from ornament sales benefit Mama’s Kitchen, a non-profit meal-delivery service for people affected by HIV/AIDS.

The trees and their commemorative ornaments will be on display throughout December. Call (619) 233-6262 for more information.

The Center hosts their fifth annual “Come Home for the Holidays” party on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The holiday party, which is free to attend and is open to everyone, takes place at The Center, located at 3909 Centre St. Celebrating, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa and the upcoming New Year, the event brings the entire community together to celebrate the past year and look toward 2006. Food and entertainment will be provided.

Call (619) 692-2077 for more information, or visit www.thecentersd.org.

After more than five and a half years of service to the community and to The Center, director of development Shawn Ingram will be leaving the development department on Dec. 15.

Join The Center as they celebrate Ingram’s successes and wish him well on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Flame. The event will be a fund-raiser, with a $15 cover at the door providing for food and entertainment. Nicole Murray-Ramirez will emcee the event and provide a light roast.

For more information, call (619) 692-2077, ext. 246 or e-mail zmikles@thecentersd.org.

The Sizzling Salsa Tea Dance on Sunday, Dec. 11, is the first women’s fund-raiser for Equality for All.

Equality for All is the statewide organization dedicated to defeating the proposed constitutional amendments intended to eliminate the rights and protections same-sex couples now have under California’s domestic partnership laws.

A Latin DJ and dance instruction will highlight the event, which takes place at The Flame from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Latin dance demonstration and lessons will be provided by Cheek 2 Cheek Dance Studio. Admission is $50 per person in advance and $55 per person at the door. RSVP to (619) 400-9712. The Flame is located at 3780 Park Blvd.

A special Decemberchild birthday party, held for people of all ages born near the holidays as well as for their families and friends, takes place Friday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. The birthday celebration will benefit Toys for Tots, a nonprofit organization that provides disadvantaged children with toys.

Tickets are $17 and guests are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Toys for Tots program.

Advance tickets are available at the California Center for the Arts ticket office and will also be available at the door. Call (800) 988-4253 for additional information. The California Center for the Arts is located at 340 N. Escondido Blvd. in Escondido.