The Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) will present the mixer All the World’s A Stage from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, at the La Jolla Playhouse, located at 2910 La Jolla Village Dr. Sponsored by the playhouse, the event will feature displays of costume sketches and models of various stage sets, plus appetizers provided by Coronado Catering. Beer, wine and cosmopolitans will also be available.

“It’s always exciting to try out a new venue for our mixers, and this should be a spacious one that will make it conducive for networking,” said Joyce Marieb, executive director of the GSDBA.

The mixer was organized in collaboration with La Jolla Playhouse marketing manager Gigi Cantin, who also serves on the GSDBA’s directory committee. “The mixer kicks off our 2006 season and will give guests a great opportunity to see our spectacular facility,” Cantin said.

The cost is $5 for members and $7 for guests, which includes food and the first drink free. For more information, call the GSDBA office at (619) 296-4543.

On March 15, the Asian Pacific Islander Community AIDS Project (APICAP) elected its new board of directors. Aliza Carpio and Jeffery Tom remain the president and vice-president, respectively, and two new board members, Shonee Henry and Linda Childers, were elected. Henry has accepted the secretary position and Childers has accepted the treasurer position.

Henry has established a scholarship foundation in the Philippines with three scholars: a medical student graduating in April specializing in neurosurgery, an educational scholar in her sophomore year and a priest in his first year of priesthood.

Childers has served for many years with the Imperial Court de San Diego. From this experience, she said she has learned about HIV/AIDS and that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are denied the rights many others take for granted.

“I am committed to work for change and I will do whatever it takes to help the people that I call friends and family,” Childers said.

APICAP executive director Jess San Roque said he is pleased to welcome the two new board members and to have an energized board as APICAP pursues another decade of service to the community.

APICAP is a nonprofit 501c3 community-based organization whose mission is to provide prevention education, direct services and advocacy about HIV and other health related issues to the Asian/Pacific Islander and the broader community, their families and friends living in San Diego County. For more information about APICAP, call Jess San Roque at (619) 229-2822.

“Runway in the Park,” a Leonard Simpson Fashion Forward production, takes place Sunday, May 21, at the Museum of Man, located in Balboa Park.

Runway in the Park features a fashion show across from the Museum of Man and a dance party inside the museum featuring DJ Bruce. Kimberly Hunt of KUSI will host the event.

Featuring styles to suit every taste from glitz to glamour, from chic to casual, the event features a sampling of San Diego County’s top designers, boutiques, stores and New York designers. As a fashion expert, actor and designer, Simpson’s knowledge of fashion and entertainment has led him to become one of California’s preeminent fashion authorities and fashion show producers.

“We have brought together some of San Diego hottest designers with top L.A. models to put on a fabulous show. It will be an evening of hip trends and sophistication in the park,” said Simpson, the show’s producer.

The event is a fund-raiser for Ordinary Miracles, a nonprofit organization that started with local bar employees donating money from their tips during the December holiday season in 1996. Their mission is to generate hope and love, inspire participation and enrich the quality of life by serving the community. They are a team of volunteers committed to embracing the needs of the abused, sick and hungry.

Visit www.cultivatelife.org to purchase the $25 tickets for Runway in the Park. For more information, contact Big Mike at (619) 807-7324.

AJ Davis, The Center’s director of public policy, will be stepping down from her position in June.

Davis came to work at The Center in July 2002. Under Davis’ direction, The Center has addressed pressing GLBT civil rights issues such as domestic partnerships and marriage equality for same-sex couples, transgender equality, hate crimes, GLBT family issues and ending anti-GLBT discrimination in schools and the military. In addition, Davis was instrumental in conducting several comprehensive voter education projects for the GLBT community of San Diego.

During her years of service, Davis has also been involved in San Diego’s GLBT community. She is co-founder and former chapter head of the San Diego chapter of Marriage Equality California, as well as a member of the San Diego Regional Hate Crimes Coalition, Congressmember Bob Filner’s GLBT advisory committee, the San Diego Police Chief’s GLBT advisory board, Momentum San Diego, the Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative Events Committee and the California Safe Schools Coalition, among others.

“We are so grateful to AJ for her outstanding years of dedicated service to The Center and the entire San Diego community,” said Delores Jacobs, chief executive officer of The Center. “Under her leadership, she brought The Center’s public policy work to a whole new level, while at the same time always working to establish productive collaborations with other human rights organizations to achieve full human and civil rights for all people.”

“I have enjoyed working at The Center and in the San Diego community very much. I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve this community as we work together for equal rights,” Davis said. “Unfortunately, due to health issues, I must step down from this position. Although I will miss The Center and this community very much, I believe strongly in the commitment and skills of The Center’s staff, board and volunteers who work every day to serve the San Diego LGBT community. I am certain that this organization and LGBT San Diego will continue to accomplish amazing things in the future.”

The Essence of Life’s 15th anniversary luncheon honors extraordinary older men and women of San Diego. Nominated for their exemplary dedication to the community and for living outstanding lives, this year’s nominees are: George C. Jessop, Peggy Matthews, and Keith and Priscilla Webb.

This year’s event will take place on Friday, May 12, with a reception and silent auction at 11:00 a.m. and lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m., at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina on Harbor Island. Sponsored in part by Connie Golden, the luncheon will include a silent and live auction.

Bid on the following silent auction packages: a seven-day stay for two in the historic Virginian Lodge in Jackson Hole, Wyo.; a getaway to Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Baja Calif.; a weeklong stay in a privately owned home at the Palm Valley Country Club; a relaxation package at The Center for Health and Well-Being; and four passes to the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park Photo Caravan Safari.

The luncheon raises funds for ElderHelp of San Diego, a nonprofit organization that helps the needs of San Diego’s low-income seniors through programs and services to support quality and safe independent living. To accomplish this, the agency provides case management to facilitate supportive services such as grocery shopping, health care consultation, friendly visitors, budget and check writing and legal and tax assistance. Tickets to the luncheon are $75 before the day of the event and $85 at the door. The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is located at 1380 Harbor Island Dr. Visit www.elderhelpofsandiego.org to register or call (619) 284-9281.

San Diego meetings of Crystal Meth Anonymous, a nationwide 12-step fellowship for people for whom crystal meth use has become a serious problem, meets on Wednesdays at the Live and Let Live Alano Club, located at 1730 Monroe Ave. Call (619) 298-8008 for more information.

There is also a meeting called “Unspun,” which takes place at David’s Coffeehouse on Sundays from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. David’s is located at 3766 Fifth Ave. Call (619) 296-4173 for more information.

Members of Crystal Meth Anonymous meet regularly, share support and fellowship, and create a safe environment in which to stay clean. The fellowship advocates complete abstinence from crystal meth, alcohol, inhalants, and other mind-altering substances and medication taken not as prescribed.

The Center and The Center’s Transgender Community Advisory Committee will present another workshop in a series designed to offer information and support to members of the transgender community.

The next workshop will take place on Thursday, May 18, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at The Center, located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest.

This special workshop will feature a presentation on skin care and makeup by Aya and Arlene Lafferty. Aya is a makeup artist and Lafferty is a licensed cosmetologist, makeup artist and instructor. They will share special makeup techniques and skills and skin care tips with participants.

There is no cost to attend. For more information on this workshop series, contact AJ Davis at (619) 692-2077 ext. 212 or e-mail adavis@thecentersd.org.