Well, San Antonio, Texas, has beat out San Diego – we have now dropped to the eighth largest city in the nation. As luck would have it, I will be heading to San Antonio this weekend to fulfill a longtime commitment I can’t get out of.

The William D. Evans, a majestic and beautiful Victorian paddle wheeler docked at the Bahia Resort Hotel on Mission Bay, was the site of the ninth annual GLBT Community Tribute Banquet. This year’s honoree was City Commissioner Bruce Abrams. It looked like the entire Democratic establishment was in attendance, including Congressmembers Susan Davis and Bob Filner. Also in attendance were Assemblymember Lori Saldaña, City Councilmember Toni Atkins, City Attorney Mike Aguirre, Superior Court Judge Ted Weathers, San Diego County Democratic Party chair Jess Durfee, and congressional candidates Francine Busby and John Rinaldi.

This annual event was packed with community activists and leaders from not only the GLBT community but the Jewish and progressive communities as well.

Bruce Abrams was honored by the state of California, the county of San Diego and the city of San Diego (including a personal award from Mayor Jerry Sanders). Also, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Chula Vista Mayor Steve Padilla sent commendations. But you could have heard a pin drop when the video screen came down showing Congressmember Filner in the well of Congress praising Bruce for his decades of community service and officially entering Bruce into the United States Congressional Record. (Only one past GLBT Community Tribute honoree, Ben F. Dillingham, has received such a historic honor.)

It was an event full of friendship, love and respect that was so well deserved. A special thank you to my hard-working committee: co-chairs Chris Horton and Michael Zarbo, City Commissioner Julia Legaspi, George Espinoza, Big Mike Phillips, Jack Marquez, David Slack, Johnny Glen, Robert Ristow, Alex Sachs and Fentress Ott. A special hats-off to the staff and management of the Bahia Resort Hotel, including Tracy Amernick and especially Mr. Robert Gleason.

It was announced at the end of the evening that next year’s 10th annual GLBT Community Tribute honoree will be Richard Kerman, a longtime community contributor, mostly behind the scenes… truly an unsung hero.

Mayor Jerry Sanders made history with the appointment of Tracy Jarman as our city’s new fire chief. She is extremely well qualified and has earned the respect of the Fire Department in these last decades.

This is our city’s first female fire chief, and it was long overdue. The fact that our new fire chief is a member of our community also brings us pride. But, most importantly, the mayor selected the most qualified person for the job.

Recently, I had a talk with Dr. Delores Jacobs concerning a town hall meeting about being prepared for an earthquake (a serious one in the next two months has been predicted by experts) or a terrorist attack (we are the home of the largest military complex in the Western Hemisphere).

Do you have a first aid kit in your home? Flash lights? A radio? Bottled water and nonperishable food, etc.? There are stores that have such kits.

I feel a community town hall meeting to educate people on emergency preparedness is most needed.

As with any growing organization, Stepping Stone is going through a period of transition.

Sometimes, after decades of service, some of our nonprofits need to make changes, get new blood and move ahead. And sometimes mistakes are made unintentionally.

The dust has finally settled at Stepping Stone, and they deserve our continuing support as they continue to change and save lives in our recovery community.

Let’s give them a chance and welcome their new leadership. The bottom line is their clients and the work they do.

Stepping Stone has my full support, and that includes the board, the executive director, the staff and the clients.

I had a nice lunch at Baja Betty’s with the popular president of the San Diego Democratic Club, Stephen Whitburn, who set the record straight that he is a serious candidate for City Council and will go all out and all the way.

Whitburn has already been endorsed by Midge Costanza, a major Democratic Party mover and shaker, Larry Baza, a past board member of the Chicano Federation, Jeri Dilno, an inductee into the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame, John Lockhart, an author and colonel, Vince Hall of Planned Parenthood, community leader Mel Merrill and many more. Word has it former Councilmember John Hartley may soon endorse Whitburn also.

Steve Whitburn is the public affairs manager for the American Red Cross and he is an elected board member of the Greater North Park Community Planning Committee.

He says he feels strongly that our community is strong and effective enough to have two gay candidates emerge as the winners of the council primary. And while I still would like to see only one candidate in the race, I must admit Steve has a point, and this could happen.

The three front-runners to replace Toni Atkins on the City Council are Todd Gloria, Michael Portantino and Steve Whitburn. All three will stay in the race, so fasten your seatbelts as its going to be a bumpy ride.

Whatever happened to agreeing to disagree? The recent personal attacks on Pride’s hard-working executive director and board of directors are uncalled for. There is no reason to get personal, just disagree without being vicious and ugly.

The 2006 Pride board is doing its best after the near-disastrous events last year. They are not perfect, but they are doing the best they can on behalf of all of us. The board is all-volunteer and does not get paid. Let’s work with Pride and debate the issues in a civil manner… thank you.

Tickets are now on sale for the Imperial Court’s Coronation 2006, set for Saturday, Aug. 5, at The Center. This event will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end by 9:30 p.m.

We have four outstanding candidates.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $50 VIP. Half the tickets have already been sold, so get yours today because there is limited seating.

Yes, this year has been a most difficult reign, but not every year can an organization have an outstanding and successful administration. Let’s now look to our future monarchs and support them.

For more information about tickets, tables, etc., call (619) 993-8315.

One of the most popular and exciting bars in all of Baja California, Mexico, and the West Coast is Club Extasis in Tijuana.

The club will be celebrating its nine-year anniversary on July 14 (VIP reception) and July 15 – and on this night their usual show will feature strippers known as the Nine-Inch Males. Hmm…

Club Extasis is open until 7:00 a.m., and anyone 18 years and older is welcome and can legally drink in Mexico.

An extravagant show is being planned with lots of surprises. The club’s notorious back rooms are now legendary – lots of action.

See you all there…

Coming up this Saturday, July 1, at Rich’s is the super-popular and always-packed Club Papi party. This Saturday’s Club Papi will also celebrate the 10th anniversary of throwing the best parties all over California.

There will be hot Latin go-go boys and lots of surprises, so check out Rich’s on July 1.

Come join the fun and pay tribute to Hal, the longtime manager of The Brass Rail who has been such an influential part of this community and our lives for years.

Join The Brass Rail, family and friends as they say thank you to Hal at a celebration taking place Thursday, July 6, at 6:00 p.m. at The Brass Rail, located at 3796 Fifth Ave.

Come join local artists and craftspeople at Artists Open Studio 2, which takes place at The Center on Saturday, July 8, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.

There will be plenty of art to catch the eye, including art created by members of the Homeless Artists & Writers Collective and artists and craftspeople from Spanish Village in Balboa Park, among others.

Plus, there will be a bounty of food catered by Jerry Daniele of Your Place or Mine Catering and live music. Admission is only $2 for adults and $1 for students and seniors. Children ages 12 and younger will be admitted free.

For event info, contact Big Tom at (619) 929-9829 or log on to www.bigtompresents.com.