Now that the holidays are behind us, it’s the season for award shows – starting with the People’s Choice Awards last Tuesday. Coming up is the Golden Globes, given by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, on Monday, Jan. 16, on NBC, followed closely by the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards on Sunday, Jan. 29, on TNT and TBS, and the big one – the Oscars – on Sunday, March 5. With the success of Moulin Rouge many years ago and the award-winning Chicago, Hollywood is churning out more and more musicals. Phantom of the Opera was pretty, but did not do too well at the box office. Rent was a successful transformation from stage to the big screen. The Producers was a disappointment, and, personally, I think should have remained on stage. The one I’m looking forward to is Dreamgirls with Jamie Foxx and Beyoncè. Even television is gearing up for an exciting mid-season. “Desperate Housewives” is steaming up, “Jake in Progress” is back (with John Stamos), and “Dancing with the Stars,” “American Idol” and “Project Runway” are also back. I can’t wait for the new episodes of “Commander In Chief” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” Must-see new shows include “Emily’s Reasons Why Not,” “Crumbs” and “The Book of Daniel.” So, you see, man can live on TV and movies alone. Well, perhaps plus an occasional visit to Craigslist for takeout!

You’ve seen their clothing in Rocket magazine. They’ve been featured in Out, Genre, Attitude (London) and Prep (Paris), and even the folks of “Queer As Folk” strut their jeans. They are the dynamic duo behind the hot jeans line Rufskin, and they are based right here in San Diego. Hubert has been designing clothing for over 20 years, and Doug, his partner of 16 years, was a male model agent – they’re just darling. Three years ago, they started their business at home, and today the jeans collection has been broadened to a line of T-shirts, swimwear and underwear. Instead of item numbers, they identify each style by name, such as Hustler, Trick, Bronco, Cody and Adam. Some are named after their models while others provoke naughtiness. What sets their jeans apart from your run-of-the-mill Gap is the styling, fit and attention to details – designs that are edgy, underground and kinda sexy, evoking images of Tom of Finland and Fassbinder’s Querelle. Stretch denims add to the overall molded silhouette that hugs and enhances the male torso, and even skinny people like me, with dainty butts, get that extra lift and curve. The jeans are mostly low-rise, with interesting cuts and hardware, such as rivets, grommets and heavy open-ended zippers that run from the front of the crotch all the way to the back – for easy access. Trick jeans feature a scandalous lace-up waistband on the back and a scooped butt that dares you to show some cheeks – but these are not jeans like your plumber would wear. Move over, J Lo. The underwear line is trim and sexy, some with mesh fabrics, while the swimwear has that distinct Rio look. Both are manufactured in Brazil. Rufskin is available exclusively at Martin and Wall in San Diego, and in other specialty stores all over the country. International Male will also carry a limited number of Rufskin styles in their new, updated catalog. This fledging home business has made quite a stir in the fashion industry in just three short years, and we’re proud that they started their business right here in San Diego. You can view the complete line of Rufskin jeans and undergear at www.rufskin.com.

This past Sunday, you may have noticed a team of people wearing orange vests and picking up trash along University Avenue. No, they are not offenders doing mandatory community service. They are volunteers from The Center, the Hillcrest History Guild and HillQuest pitching in to clean up Hillcrest. Participants included Emperor Richard Britton and Empress Ophelia from the Imperial Court. The clean-up crew meets every two weeks from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon to sweep and pick up trash on sidewalks, in bushes and at bus stops. (And there is no truth to the rumor that they found my sister Cristina Monet in the gutter.) This is a laudable and excellent example of taking pride, ownership and responsibility for our own neighborhood. Bring a broom, dustpan and your opera gloves to the next sweep, taking place on Sunday, Jan. 22, and meet at The Center by 10:00 a.m. To learn more about this project and to volunteer, call Eddie Valtierra at (619) 692-2077. Today Hillcrest, tomorrow North Park!

Robi Cox and Dr. Greg Scott threw a party for their friends and patrons to celebrate – with complimentary cocktails and a lavish buffet – the fourth anniversary of their bar in North Park, Bacchus House. Bacchus recently underwent renovations, and has a new dance floor with state-of-the-art lights and sound system, as well as a spacious smoking area. Another exciting piece of news is that Pump Saturdays is now open after hours until 4:00 a.m., with DJ Bruce Trites spinning this Saturday and DJ Jamie J. Sanchez from San Francisco spinning on Jan. 21. By the way, pick up the latest issue of Rocket magazine, which features Ty, winner of the Rocket calendar men contest, on the cover. Ty was discovered at the It’s Raining Men wet underwear contest that I host. And, speaking of, we will be holding the It’s Raining Men finals on Thursday, Jan. 19, with $400 in cash and prizes.

New Orleans may not be ready for a full-blast Mardi Gras, but Hillcrest certainly is. The fifth annual Hillcrest Mardi Gras is slated for Fat Tuesday, Feb. 28, on University Avenue from First to Fourth avenues, from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. The festival will feature live entertainment – including Tootie and the Lips girls, Candye Kane and Cash’d Out – a dance tent, food and drinks for purchase, and circus street performers to greet you at the entrance. Advance tickets are now on sale at a reduced price at Column One, Obelisk, Outmall, Express Tax and Hamburger Mary’s or online at www.hillcrestmardigras.org. A VIP pass gets you express entry, free food, wine tasting and a private bathroom. The event is sponsored by the Hillcrest Association and the GSDBA Charitable Foundation. So get those fabulous masks out and be ready to show some skin, ’cause I’ve got lots of beads for you, baby!

Recharge, the monthly party to recharge your soul, is back on Saturday, Jan. 14, at Numbers, with DJ Alexander (L.A.) and DJ Niknotiq at the video bar.

The Flame is giving away free VIP cards to the first 500 patrons on Friday, Jan. 20. DJ Taj and DJ Niknotiq spin on Fridays at Flame Ultra Lounge. Get your VIP cards and avoid the lines next time.

Go-Go Fridays at Rich’s has – what else? – hot go-go boys, along with DJ Derek. It’s free before 11:00 p.m. with a gym card or military ID.

The Mr. San Diego Eagle 2006 contest takes place at the Eagle on Saturday, Jan. 21. The winner will compete in the Mr. San Diego Leather contest at a later date. Do you have what it takes?

Come celebrate the debut success of diva Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is on Friday, Jan. 13, at The Brass Rail. DJ Myxzlplix spins at Friday’s Brown Sugar, and DJs Rudy and Klaus at Saturday’s Noche Latino Americano, which features two-for-one cover before 10:00 p.m.

It’s Finlandia Fridays at Flicks, with $3 martinis and cosmos all night. Happy hour now starts at 2:00 p.m., with complimentary pizza from Taste of Italy at 6:00 p.m., and free pool and darts starting at 9:00 p.m.

Los Angeles DJ Peter Barona spins afterhours ’til 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, at Shooterz in North Park.

If you don’t mind the trek, head on down to Club Extasis at the Mexican border for the hottest strippers all weekend long. ’Nuff said!