Nearly 300 volunteers took part in San Diego LGBT Pride’s annual “volunteer appreciation party” Aug. 17 in Balboa Park. The event featured games, food and prizes that included restaurant certificates, plus tickets to Disneyland and the Old Globe Theater.

Awards were also presented to this year’s Volunteers of the Year. The recipients were Larry Maldanado, Jason Murray, Austin Martin and Michelle Mitchell — all recognized for their outstanding work and devotion to Pride.

San Diego LGBT Pride will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year, July 30 through Aug. 1. For more information, call the Pride office at (619) 297-7683.

The Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) has been approved a grant for $17,552 by the city’s Small Business Enhancement Program to create a resource-rich web site designed to help new and existing entrepreneurs grow and maintain their businesses. Known as the Online Business Resources Enhancement Program, the site will be incorporated into the GSDBA’s existing web site, offering business owners everything they need to know about financing and managing a business, securing permits and licenses, and deciphering current labor and employment laws.

The organization will create a technology committee to assist in the project, composed of volunteers from both the GSDBA and the community. For more information, call the GSDBA office at (619) 296-4543.

Cindy Davis, a realtor with Century 21, is offering a series of free educational seminars for the GLBT community on how to buy and sell a home. There is no obligation required to attend. “How to Buy a Home in San Diego” is being offered in Mission Valley on Thursday, Aug. 21, and at The Center on Thursday, Sept. 18. “Putting Your House Up for Sale” is being offered in Mission Valley on Thursday, Sept. 11. Seating for these seminars is limited. Call (619) 379-8616 to reserve a space.

The Lesbian Connection of San Diego (TLC) is approaching its second year anniversary. This dynamic group has a mailing list of 700 women, and offers at least 10 events a month. There are a number of parties and events planned, including a potluck on Saturday, Aug. 23, in Pacific Beach, and another on Labor Day weekend. For more information, e-mail tlcsd@sbcglobal.net.

Join Family Matters at Heritage Park in Otay Ranch, 1380 East Palomar, Sunday, Aug. 24, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. for a family picnic and “mini-Pride” event. Sycuan Casino will cater a light lunch and Family Matters will provide entertainment for the kids. Attendees may choose to bring additional snacks, drinks and toys. Everyone is welcome. Get to know other GLBT families in South County. For more information, call (619) 298-5431.

Join The Center and Walden Family Services to learn more about becoming a foster parent. Learn about the particular needs of GLBTQ foster youth, or about how you can become a foster parent for GLBTQ, abused, abandoned, neglected, developmentally disabled or at-risk youth. Attendees will also learn about AB 458, pending state legislation affecting GLBT foster youth and parents. The class meets at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at The Center, 3909 Centre Street. For more information, contact AJ at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212.

Ten years ago, Diversionary Theatre opened its doors at the then newly renovated 4545 Park Boulevard. During that decade, no show has been so requested as a revival of the Theatre’s 1997 production of Love! Valour! Compassion! by Terrence McNally. The play is set in a beautiful Dutchess County, New York farmhouse where eight gay men hash out their passions, resentments and fears over the course of three summer weekends. The evening is full of laughter, tears and characters that will seem like old friends before the night is over.

Love! Valour! Compassion! Will play at Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., Aug. 28 through Oct. 11. All tickets are $20. For more information, call (619) 220-0097,

With the start of its 2003 season, La Jolla Playhouse introduced the Discovery Sunday series — an opportunity for audiences to strengthen their theatre experience through interaction with Playhouse staff and guest speakers on topics relevant to the themes of each play. On Sunday, Aug. 24, following the matinee performance of The Country, Margret McBride (author of The One Minute Apology) will offer empowering advice on how to stay true to oneself and gain back lost trust in Broken Relationships: How can they be repaired. Martin Crimp’s The Country is a dark, captivating drama that deals with a crumbling marriage and the methods of survival used to sustain the relationship.

On Sunday, Sept. 7, following the matinee performance of Eden Lane, author and Professor of Sociology at UCSD, Rebecca Klatch will lead the discussion titled, The Contemporary American Family, in which she will explore the questions raised in Eden Lane about the nature of home. Eden Lane is the story of a contemporary family’s life after a devastating event forces them to move to the rural suburbs. For more information on Discovery Sunday, call (858) 550-1010.

The Aug. 24 Carlsbad meeting of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) will feature its regular support and information session. PFLAG invites all those, particularly those in North County, having difficulties in understanding GLBTI (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex) issues, especially when family relationships are disrupted. Family members and well as GLBTI individuals are invited to join in discussion of mutual support. The meeting is at 2:00 p.m. at the Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2020 Chestnut Avenue, Carlsbad. Call (760) 726-7524 for more information

PFLAG will not have a speaker this month so that they can have an indoor picnic Monday, Aug. 25, at 7:00 p.m., followed by support groups. PFLAG will be furnishing chicken and sodas for all, but everyone is asked to bring a small side dish. Everyone is welcome. The group meets at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4190 Front Street, Hillcrest (Across the street from the UCSD Medical Center. Parking will be validated). For more information call the PFLAG Helpline at (619) 579-7640.