Well, I’m going to be out of town for four days, and, boy, do I wish it was for vacation. As much as I try to, I can’t seem to slow down, but this looks like my last obligation until January.

I had the honor of being invited to attend about seven mayoral swearing-in ceremonies. Usually they are big, grand celebrations. Our new mayor, Jerry Sanders, sent a clear message by not holding a grand “mayoral inauguration,” and, in fact, not having one at all, thus saving money and letting us all know that this is not the time for the usual big ceremonies.

Ben Dillingham, Big Mike Phillips and I were honored to be invited to City Hall last Monday for Mayor Sanders’ swearing-in. After I found my reserved seat, I witnessed one of the most down-to-earth, sincere and humble swearing-in ceremonies of a San Diego mayor in decades. Mayor Sanders’ words of praise for outgoing mayor Toni Atkins drew a huge ovation, and his remarks on Donna Frye were very complimentary and sincere.

Let us all give our mayor our full support; we all must join together as one in San Diego to turn this city around, for we are still indeed America’s Finest City.

By the way, Mayor Sanders’ private reception even just served sandwiches! Good for him!

The figures have now come in, and Donna Frye’s biggest support out of all eight districts was in our City Council District 3 (Frye had 64 percent of the vote and Sanders had 36 percent). But Frye only carried three council districts, and as a Democrat she did not have a large lead in the big Democratic majorities of the African-American District 4 (Frye had 51 percent and Sanders had 49 percent) or District 8 (Frye had 54 percent and Sanders had 46 percent), as a Democratic progressive should. (Long ago, I stated that she had problems within the people-of-color districts.)

Mayor Sanders clearly received a mandate from the voters, carrying three council districts (Districts 1, 5 and 7) by 60 percent and above.

Now, in District 2, which has the second highest number of GLBT residents, it was Sanders at 52 percent and Frye at 48 percent, which means Lorena Gonzalez has a real fighting chance to win that City Council seat.

The mayoral election is over, and we are all San Diegans. It is good to see everyone supporting and rallying around our new mayor. But after Mayor Sanders’ term(s) are up, the next Democratic candidate for mayor must be more moderate and business-friendly, like a Maureen O’Connor, Lucy Killea or Dede Alpert – all would have done much better than Frye.

By the way, Donna Frye did not even carry her own council district.

Many of us had great hopes for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger when he came into office. I also had hopes he would and could change the state Republican Party to be more moderate and to truly have a welcoming, “big tent” philosophy.

Well, the governor’s recent appointment of the very respected and well-qualified Susan Kennedy as his new chief of staff was an outstanding choice. Ms. Kennedy was a deputy chief of staff to Gov. Gray Davis, a former executive director of the California Democratic Party and past director of the California Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League.

I believe Ms. Kennedy took this position for the good of our state, as this appointment comes with high risk and a lot of criticism from different groups. Already, Ms. Kennedy has been attacked by ultra-conservative religious organizations for being a lesbian.

Next year’s election is a long way off, so don’t count Arnold out… if he returns to his true beliefs and moderate political roots, he has a chance of being re-elected. As for Susan Kennedy, I personally think she is a profile in courage for putting the future of our state ahead of politics.

The recent “Holiday Lights” concerts by the award-winning Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego drew huge crowds to the beautiful David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center.

I must be honest, I am not one who likes going to such concerts, and I haven’t been in a long time. But after this one, I’ve become a fan and will be going to a lot more… it was great, and I’ve never had such a fun time. “Holiday Lights” made you laugh and, yes, brought tears to your eyes with some of their selections, especially “Not in Our Town” and “Eulogy.” There was a lot of outrageous comedy, too. The special guest star, the one and only Ria Carey, was a sensation. Congratulations to the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego for bringing us such a beautiful holiday gift – the gift of music.

It also happened to be the 50th birthday of Gary Holt, the chorus’ popular and well-known artistic director, and he received honors from Mayor Toni Atkins, Congressmember Susan Davis and state Senator Christine Kehoe for his decades of service to the community and to the arts. Bravo, Gary, and well deserved.

A big thank you to Sherman Mendoza, owner of The Caliph, who took me to this fabulous concert.

I, too, was very disappointed by a recent transsexual cover of the Gay & Lesbian Times. Why could she not be dressed as a nurse? A secretary? But what has come from this upsetting cover has been a stronger transsexual voice among transsexual activists, and I am proud of their strength and unity.

A productive meeting was held with transsexual community leaders and our Gay & Lesbian Times editor and publisher, with the great possibility of a transsexual being added to our editorial board.

I know the Gay & Lesbian Times did not mean to insult the transsexual community; a lot was learned and individuals were educated because of the cover. This is progress.

The ever-popular Caliph (voted San Diego’s best and friendliest neighborhood bar) will hold their annual Christmas party this Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8:00 p.m. on, and all they would like you to do is bring one unwrapped toy for the annual Toys for Kids drive (a GLBT fund-raiser that’s been around since the 1970s!).

By the way, congratulations to The Caliph, which sold over $3,000 worth of pies for Mama’s Kitchen!

If you’re looking for some of the most beautiful Christmas wreaths in town, at very reasonable prices, then you must attend Martinis Above Fourth’s annual wreath auction this coming Monday, Dec. 12, at 7:00 p.m. It is a benefit for the Queen Eddie Conlon Youth Fund, which helps GLBT teens in need at our Hillcrest Youth Center. I hope to see you all there.

For more information, call (619) 400-4500 or visit www.martinisabovefourth.com. Martinis is located at 3940 Fourth Ave. in Hillcrest.

Help celebrate ReBar bartender Timmy’s birthday on Tuesday, Dec. 13 – it’s for a good cause! ReBar is hosting a benefit for hospices and families affected by HIV and AIDS in Tijuana, sponsored by Bienestar. There is a $3 cover charge, or make a donation of a toy or blanket instead. There will also be a special performance by Blue Velvet from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Don’t miss it!