San Diego Pride is only a few weeks away and it’s already looking like it will be a record-breaking year, with some great changes and exciting new attractions – all thanks to our new executive director, Ron deHarte, and our 2006 Pride board of directors, hard-working staff and outstanding volunteers. Be sure to say thank you to these great people!

I recently had lunch with our popular City Councilmember Toni Atkins, and while most of our conversation was “off the record,” I did get some great news. As many of you know, Toni Atkins did not run for county supervisor because she wanted to finish her Council District 3 obligations and projects. She made it very clear to me that she will be totally focused on her job as a council member until her term is up in 2008.

She really didn’t want to talk about her future but did admit that many city, state and community leaders are urging her to run for the 76th Assembly District seat when Lori Saldaña’s term-limit is up.

I, along with others, have been urging her to set her sights on that seat, and the good news is that this time Toni will probably be a candidate.

Last time, when Chris Kehoe was termed out of that seat and we all wanted Toni to run, Toni also said she believed in serving her full term and keeping her promise.

So in 2010 she will be tan, rested and ready to run for the state Assembly, which is great news for our city.

One of the biggest political rumors going around City Hall circles is that City Council President Scott Peters (who is also an attorney) is considering running against City Attorney Mike Aguirre. This would be one ugly, negative fight.

I don’t like the idea of two Democrats running against each other. But word is the Republicans are looking for the “perfect” candidate to run against Aguirre, who remains very popular among average San Diegans.

Councilmember Toni Atkins, Dr. Delores Jacobs and I will be re-establishing our citizens committee to rename the street in front of The Center (not Centre Street) after Jess Jessop, the military veteran and gay pioneer who founded The Center.

As many of you may recall, I started this project some years ago, but some “city policies” got in the way. Now, however, the political climate is much better. But the truth is this city has named streets after San Diego citizens of every color, religion, age, etc., and we have outstanding GLBT citizens who should also be considered – starting with Jess Jessop.

We hope to have Jess Jessop Street to kick off Pride 2007!

Councilmember Toni Atkins has been leading the fight for years now for San Diego’s needle-exchange program, which saves and, yes, sometimes changes lives.

Last week’s 6-1 City Council vote in favor of the needle-exchange program was a big victory for this important health issue.

As I stated last week, we owe a lot to the leadership and support of Mayor Jerry Sanders and two council members who had not made up their minds completely. Councilmember Ben Hueso actually lobbied against needle exchange the last time around, but looked more into the issue and changed his mind. That’s understandable because Hueso’s district has a high incidence of drug use, and he has become a staunch leader in the fight against it.

Councilmember Kevin Faulconer spent many days and hours on this issue, and even went to a needle-exchange site and talked with countless medical experts. He made the right decision, totally on the importance and success of this health issue and this program.

Also, we must acknowledge the support of Councilmembers Tony Young, Scott Peters and, of course, Donna Frye.

The prestigious San Diego Jewish Journal’s July issue featured an outstanding cover story by Judd Handler, entitled “Breaking out: San Diego’s gay Jews.” Among the people mentioned in his six-page story are: District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, Superior Court Judge-elect David Rubin, City Commissioner Bruce Abrams, California Western School of Law professor and Gay & Lesbian Times columnist Rob DeKoven, Seth Krosner of J*Pride and Aaron Borovoy, the new president of Temple Emanu-El, who gets a lot of coverage as the first openly gay man to be elected president of a mainstream San Diego Jewish temple.

Thank you, San Diego Jewish Journal.

Yes, it’s true. The world-famous and award-winning Hillcrest landmark Hamburger Mary’s will not only be getting a new name around September, it will be getting a whole new look and menu!

Super-popular owner Chris Shaw recently informed me of his upcoming plans and said he will hold a naming contest. So if you have any ideas, write them down and you could win a fabulous prize – and be the one to have renamed the most popular and packed restaurant in Hillcrest!

Yes, this coming Monday night, July 24, at 8:00 p.m., Flicks will host the annual Mr. Miss and Ms. San Diego Pride contest. Contestants are still being sought and can sign up Monday night.

The winners of the contest will ride in the parade, and this annual event is proudly sponsored by Bud Light. Everyone is welcome, so come on by Flicks Monday night for a San Diego tradition that’s been around since the 1970s!

For more information, phone (619) 692-1967.

Did you know that the annual Comic-Con International is our city’s largest convention? It draws well over 120,000 people from all over the country and beyond. This convention blows more than $33 million into San Diego, so everyone should smile at the nice, crazy people in Star Trek, Spider-Man, etc. outfits.

The first Comic-Con convention took place in 1970 with only 300 people, and now it’s grown to more than 120,000. This year will feature 970 comic exhibitions and, yes, there is a gay part of this huge convention (especially now that Batwoman has come out as a lesbian). There will be a GLBT comic panel this Friday, July 21, at 3:00 p.m. and a mixer at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, see this week’s feature in the GLT or log on to www.comic-con.org.

That very handsome and, yes, great actor Robert Downey Jr. announced that he intends to write his memoirs.

Now, this should be one book worth reading, as he has had a roller coaster ride of arrests and scandals.

The book, which will be released in 2008, will hide nothing, even his at times admitted bisexuality, including some “dates” with preoperative transsexuals in Hollywood and some gay guys. Hmm.

Well, the 41-year-old actor has settled down and is supposedly happily married, but I can’t wait to read his book – especially if he mentions a certain queen I know he dated!

In a salute to San Diego Pride, our very own Gay & Lesbian Times editor, the very handsome and intelligent Russell O’Brien, has been selected from thousands of young gay men in the county to be the cover man for next Thursday’s popular “Street” section in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

It is quite an honor, and we are all proud of you, Russ.

So catch next Thursday’s issue of the Union-Tribune!

Powerhouse Productions has another great lineup of Pride parties this year, starting with a Harbor Cruise and the Pride Ball on Friday, July 28. Saturday, July 29, is Circuit Daze at the San Diego Sports Arena, and on Sunday, July 30, is the hugely popular Zoo Party followed by an all-night party at 4th & B. Special entertainment, great DJs and fun venues make Bill Hardt’s parties successful year after year. To order tickets, log on to www.powerhouse-productions.com