An anonymous study of gay and lesbian couples who are 60 years of age or older, with at least one partner retired or retiring within five to 10 years, is being conducted by a gay human development student at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena as part of an independent research project.

The study will involve a face-to-face or telephone interview, at no cost, which will last approximately two hours. The interview will be either audio or videotape recorded, depending on preferences.

Questions will focus on concerns, experiences and needs as a gay or lesbian couple approaching retirement.

There will be no reimbursement for participation, although the information participants provide will benefit the gay and lesbian community by enabling others to learn more about the needs of gay and lesbian couples.

For more information about the study, contact Shaun at (626) 737-9840 or e-mail shaun@gaygenderresearch.org.

Dogs and cats will be available for adoption at the Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS) adoption event on Sunday, Jan. 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Balboa Park, at the corner of Presidents Way and Pan American Way. For more information, call (619) 685-3536 or visit www.focas-sandiego.org.

FOCAS is a volunteer-driven 501c3 nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to encourage a strong adoption program for animals impounded in the three shelters operated by San Diego County’s Department of Animal Services.

Join The Center, the Hillcrest History Guild and HillQuest for two clean-up days this month – Sunday, Jan. 8, and Sunday, Jan. 22 – and plan to help beautify the streets of Hillcrest from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Meet at The Center, located at 3909 Centre St., by 10:00 a.m. Bring a broom, gloves and a dust pan.

These clean-up events are designed to promote community building, environmental awareness and the desire to keep Hillcrest clean.

For more information, contact Eddie Valtierra, coordinator of volunteer resources, at (619) 692-2077 ext. 111 or e-mail evaltierra@thecentersd.org.

In a four-week skill-building group called Life Changes, HIV-positive members will explore ways to manage life changes and to find new methods to ensure that they are managing the change instead of the change managing them and their lives. This is also an opportunity to share strategies and ideas with other group members.

The group will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 10, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at The Center’s Health Services building, located at 2313 El Cajon Blvd., and will be facilitated by Dr. Michael Majeski of The Center’s Health Services. To RSVP, contact Caroline Higgins at (619) 260-6380 ext. 105 or e-mail chiggins@thecentersd.org.

The Center will present a special seminar on aging in the GLBT community. “Aging as Ourselves: Redefining Aging in the LGBT Community” will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 9:30 a.m. at The Center.

The forum will be presented by Dr. Erin Sicard and Dr. Sheryl Dagang of The Center’s Health Services. This seminar is a joint presentation of The Center’s Health Services and its Senior Services program.

The “Aging as Ourselves” project is a collaborative effort that provides a safe and comfortable environment for GLBT seniors to tap into culturally responsive social and health related services. The collaboration partners for the project include ElderHelp, The Center, Elder Law and Advocacy, SAGE, Family Health Centers and Pals-LINCage.

As part of the “Aging as Ourselves” project, The Center’s Health Services, in collaboration with The Center’s Senior Services, will be offering a series of healthier living seminars in the upcoming months. In addition, The Center’s Health Services offers individual counseling for people ages 50 and older.

The program is free and open to all those ages 50 and older. For more information, contact Claudia Lucero, senior services coordinator, at (619) 692-2077 ext. 206 or e-mail clucero@thecentersd.org. Also contact Caroline Higgins, intake and referral specialist, at (619) 260-6380 ext. 105 or e-mail chiggins@thecentersd.org. The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest.

The San Diego LGBT Community Leadership Council will sponsor a community volunteer fair designed to highlight volunteer opportunities within San Diego’s GLBT community on Thursday, Jan. 12.

The career fair will showcase a variety of volunteer positions that are available with many local organizations, including: The Center, Mama’s Kitchen, Being Alive, San Diego LGBT Pride, Ebony Pride, Family Matters, Christie’s Place, Asian Pacific Islander Community AIDS Project (APICAP), Red Cross, Bienestar, Equality California, AIDS Walk San Diego and many more. The fair will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Center, which is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest.

“Many people resolve to get involved and volunteer as the New Year begins and we have a tremendous need for volunteer support within San Diego’s LGBT community,” said Eddie Valtierra, coordinator of volunteer resources at The Center. “We hope this volunteer fair will provide people with the information they need to get involved with the organizations that really need volunteers. Attending this fair will be a great first step toward making good on that ‘volunteer resolution’ in 2006.”

For more information, contact Eddie Valtierra at (619) 692-2077 ext. 111 or e-mail evaltierra@thecentersd.org.

San Diegans Against Marriage Discrimination and The Center’s Marriage Equality and Education Project are seeking GLBT couples for the Marriage Equality Digital Storytelling Project.

The project gives same-sex couples the opportunity to tell their story in a way that will help Californians understand the importance of ending marriage discrimination. The Marriage Equality Digital Storytelling Project is a medium for marriage equality advocates to tell their love stories to inspire, educate and advocate for equality in the digital era.

For more information, contact Eddie Valtierra, Marriage Equality and Education Project coordinator, at (619) 692-2077 ext. 111 or e-mail evaltierra@thecentersd.org.

San Diego LGBT Pride has selected a theme for its 2006 celebration and is accepting submissions from local graphic artists for a corresponding logo. The submission deadline is Jan. 31. A winning entry will be selected in February and the artist will receive a $500 gratuity on behalf of the community.

The theme for 2006 is “Equality! No Turning Back.” Participating artists are asked to reflect the theme in their works, along with the dates of the three-day celebration, which is scheduled for July 28-30.

Entries should be submitted on a 15-by-10-inch black board with the logo image measuring 7-by-7 inches. Internet submissions will not be accepted.

“San Diego Pride is proud to involve the community each year in the creation of its annual logo,” said San Diego LGBT Pride co-chair Philip Princetta.

Both the theme and winning logo will be used on souvenir merchandise as well as on marketing materials and next year’s souvenir program.

All logo submissions will become the property of San Diego LGBT Pride and will not be returned unless arrangements are made through the Pride office. For more information, call (619) 297-7683.