The Center and Walden Family Services have joined together for a special GLBT communitywide luncheon to focus on foster parenting. The event will take place at the April “50 and Better” Club Luncheon on Tuesday, April 4, at 12:00 noon at The Center, located at 3909 Centre St.

“As the need for qualified and compassionate foster parents continues to grow, Walden Family Services is a foster family agency that is seeking parents willing to open their hearts and homes to children unable to live with their birth parents,” said Claudia Lucero, coordinator of The Center’s Senior Services. “It is our hope that this luncheon will give LGBT people information on the variety of ways they can serve as foster parents and provide all who attend with an overview of the ways they can help create the best possible future for foster children.

“Many LGBT people may not be aware of the tremendous need for foster parents,” she added. “This event will also provide important information on foster parenting to the many people within our community who are considering parenthood.”

There is no cost to attend the luncheon and the event is open to the entire community. In order to provide lunch, RSVP to Claudia Lucero at (619) 692-2077 ext. 206 or e-mail clucero@thecentersd.org.

The Field Poll, released on March 22, which asked 1,000 California adults their opinion on a wide range of issues, included a question about how same-sex couples should be treated under the law. By a 3-1 margin, Californians support extending comprehensive legal protections to lesbian and gay couples.

Of California registered voters, 44 percent would support a state law allowing same-sex couples to marry. Among other issues asked in the poll, 67 percent favor lesbians and gays serving openly in the military and 55 percent favor gay and lesbian parents adopting children.

“The core values reflected in the poll should also be reflected in our laws, including our laws on marriage and other basic family issues,” said Geoffrey Kors, executive director of Equality California. “Clearly, Californians are listening to our message that same-sex couples deserve the rights and protections of marriage. Leadership on this issue leads to more support for our issues, not less.”

San Diego LGBT Pride has assembled a team of agencies to produce the official souvenir informational booklet, the “2006 Pride Guide.” The 64-page magazine will be available in early July and distributed free at locations throughout San Diego.

The “Pride Guide” will include details about the parade and festival, a festival map, entertainment schedules, and a full calendar of July Pride events that include theater productions, Pride concerts, art happenings and a Front Runners 5K run, plus official Pride parties and club events.

It will also showcase this year’s Pride award recipients, celebrity and community grand marshals and the history of Pride.

For information on advertising in the “Pride Guide,” call Moors of Ad Ink at (619) 260-1929. Those in need of ad design can call Cathy Paddock at (619) 283-5155.

To inquire about volunteer opportunities, call the Pride office at (619) 297-7683 or visit www.sdpride.org. This year’s Pride weekend titled “Equal Rights! No Turning Back!” will be July 28-30.

Mama’s Kitchen’s board of directors has approved the expansion of Mama’s mission, which is to provide nutritional meals to San Diegans with HIV/AIDS, to go beyond its current focus and embrace those under the age of 60 who are critically ill with other diseases and in need of the kitchen’s nutritional service. The board’s decision came following a strategic planning process that began in fall 2004 and included a community needs assessment, focus groups, surveys, interviews with the agency’s stakeholders and a pilot project initiated last year in August.

“Mama’s Kitchen begins a new era with our mission expansion,” said Alberto Cortés, executive director of the nonprofit. “Mama’s Kitchen started as a grassroots organization whose early efforts were driven by the compassion of ordinary people who saw a practical need to help those who were suffering from AIDS. We have come full circle as an organization whose compassion embraces others who are critically ill, isolated and unable to prepare their own meals.”

Cortés said for more than 15 years, Mama’s Kitchen has developed the expertise and the capacity to deliver nutrition to people who are too sick to cook for themselves, and the organization has done this with a great deal of efficiency.

“We are confident that we can serve individuals in the San Diego community who are physically and mentally unable to prepare their own meals due to a medical disability with the same level of care, and without diminishing our commitment to the nutritional needs of people affected by HIV/AIDS,” Cortés said.

With 30 delivery routes throughout San Diego County and a strong volunteer corps that exceeds 800, Mama’s Kitchen has the current infrastructure to begin nutritional services immediately to critically ill clients. There are specific eligibility criteria, and, as in the core program, clients have to be referred by case managers or physicians. For more information about the expanded program, call Cortés at (619) 233-6262.

Victory Fund board members have organized a brunch fund-raiser for Massachusetts state Senator Jarrett Barrios on Saturday, April 1, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at home of Robert Gleason and Marc Matys.

Barrios became the first openly gay state senator elected in Massachusetts. He is now running for district attorney of Middlesex County, which represents about 25 percent of the state. His election to the office of district attorney would be a national first for a gay man.

The suggested contribution for the fund-raiser is $75. For more information, directions or to RSVP, call (858) 539-7610.

The Imperial Court and The Center will co-sponsor an Easter egg hunt for children on Sunday, April 16, at 2:00 p.m. at Trolley Barn Park on Adams Avenue.

Donations of Easter egg baskets for children ages 1 to 13 are still needed. Drop off stuffed baskets or items like stuffed bunnies and baskets to The Center, located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest.

For more information or to make a donation, call Eddie Valtierra at (619) 692-2077 ext. 111 or e-mail aevaltierra@thecentersd.org.

San Diego Men’s Chorus marks its 20th anniversary with “20/20 Reflections,” a concert celebrating 20 years of song on Saturday, April 22, at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 23, at 7:00 p.m. Performances are in the newly renovated Stephen & Mary Birch North Park Theatre, located at 2891 University Ave. in North Park.

Featuring music by Pablo Casals and Fats Waller, as well as songs from Into the Woods, Rent and Avenue Q, concert highlights will include Randol Bass’ “Gloria” with orchestra, and selections from the landmark requiem for AIDS victims, “When We No Longer Touch.” The SDMC small ensemble returns to the stage, and the SDMC drummers are back. San Diego Men’s Chorus alums and a group from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will join SDMC on stage. The concert will also feature a multimedia overview of the history of the San Diego Men’s Chorus.

Tickets range from $20 to $50. Call the box office at (619) 239-8836 for tickets or visit www.e-ticketsnow.com.

The Center and the American Cancer Society have announced the formation of a new Men’s Cancer Support Group. The group will begin on Saturday, April 8, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. and will convene as a drop-in group on the second Saturday of each month at The Center, located at 3909 Centre St.

Marriage and family therapist Dr. Allan Brown will lead the group. Brown is also a cancer survivor. While the April 8 meeting is reserved for cancer patients only, all subsequent meetings will be open to partners, family members and caregivers.

“The goal of this group is to provide support for gay, bisexual and transgender men experiencing, recovering from and supporting someone with cancer,” said Claudia Lucero, program coordinator for The Center.

For more information, contact Claudia Lucero at (619) 692-2077 ext. 206 or e-mail clucero@thecentersd.org.

Bob Nelson, founder and owner of the advertising and public relations firm Bob Nelson Associates, will join The Center’s board of directors.

Nelson is a member of the San Diego Public Utilities Advisory Commission and works with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Community Advisory Board. He has served as an adviser for Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins’ transition team, and was also a member of former mayor Dick Murphy’s LGBT Advisory Committee.

“We are thrilled to have Bob Nelson join The Center’s board of directors,” said Richard Valdez, chair of the board. “For years, Bob has been involved as a strategist on a range of issues, and has a tremendous understanding of our broad and diverse San Diego community.”

Nelson is also a member of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Greater San Diego Business Association Finance Committee, the San Diego Democratic Club and the San Diego chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. He lives with his domestic partner, Murray Olson, in San Diego.