Several elected officials will present proclamations to the Greater San Diego Business Association at its Cover Mixer, taking place Thursday, on Sept. 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park.

The elected officials are honoring the GSDBA for being named 2006 LGBT Chamber of the Year by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Among those who have prepared proclamations are: Mayor Jerry Sanders, CouncilmemberToni Atkins, Assemblymember Lori Saldaña, state Senator Christine Kehoe and U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, Congressmembers Bob Filner and Susan Davis, and Dr. Ruben Garcia, district director of the Small Business Administration.

The mixer will afford GSDBA members the opportunity to vote on a cover design for the organization’s annual directory, which will be published and distributed in January. The GSDBA will also unveil its new corporate logo created by Ana Jimenez of Tenehua Design.

“This is a very exciting time for everyone associated with the GSDBA,” said Joyce Marieb, executive director. “We have surpassed the 800 member mark, continue to launch new programs, and we’re working with business chambers all across the country.”

The mixer, hosted by Tim Field of SDAI, is sponsored by Eric Brown of Wadell & Reed, Donna Cunning of Allsure Insurance & Financial Services and The Caterer Bill Bond.

Tickets for the mixer are $5 for members and $7 for guests. Ticket price includes food and the first drink free. For more information, call (619) 296-4543.

The Center will present “Humor: The Prescription for Happy Health,” a seminar that takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

The seminar will explore the effects of laughter on our biology, psychology and general health in a fun, interactive manner. This free event will be presented by Dr. Sheryl Dagang at The Center, located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest.

“This is an opportunity to discuss laughter’s impact on our mood, as well as humor’s relaxing effects,” said Dagang, a clinical psychologist with The Center’s Health Services. “We will explore ways we can be more creative and utilize humor to build better physical and emotional health.”

The entire community is welcome at this event, and seniors are especially encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP to Claudia Lucero, Senior Services coordinator, at (619) 692-2077 ext. 206 or via e-mail to clucero@thecentersd.org.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego (GMCSD) has been awarded a Community Enhancement Program Grant of $1,000 from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

The purpose of the Community Enhancement Program is to encourage activities that promote and generate tourism and/or economic development within San Diego County. This marks the first time the GMCSD has received the grant, which will cover fiscal year 2006-07.

“This financial support will allow the chorus to expand our audience base throughout the county as we prepare for our 15th anniversary season,” GMCSD director of development Gabe Selak said.

The GMCSD is preparing for its upcoming holiday semester, which will culminate with a pair of performances of “Nutcracker – Men in Tights!” These concerts will take place at the Sherwood Auditorium in La Jolla on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16 and 17.

Open chorus rehearsals will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 13, and Wednesday, Sept. 20. Interested singers as well as non-singers who want to join the GMCSD are welcome to attend. For more information, call (619) 57- GMCSD or visit www.gmcsd.com.

The Center and The Drum Café will hold a “Drumraiser” on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 5:00 p.m. at The Center.

Special guests include Grammy Award-winners AJ Flores and Nina Rodriguez, and West African master drummer Aboubakar Kouyate. Attendees will be able to watch these performers and also drum, build community and raise funds for two important community resources, The Center’s Women’s Resource Center and Christie’s Place.

The event will take place at The Center, located at 3909 Centre St. Advance tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. Tickets at the door will be $25 for adults and $15 for children. Advance tickets are available at www.drumraiser.com.

For more information, call Sarafina Scapicchio at (619) 692-2077 ext. 247 or e-mail sscapicchio@thecentersd.org.

Join the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (SDHDF) for their annual boat cruise on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. aboard the California Spirit, San Diego Harbor Excursion’s newest ship.

The theme of this year’s cruise is “Catch the Spirit” and a champagne brunch and entertainment will be offered.

Last year’s event hosted more than 220 foundation supporters who helped raise awareness for SDHDF and supported their ongoing efforts within the GLBT community.

The event will honor the individuals and organization that have established endowments and donor-advised funds with the foundation to benefit the GLBT community.

Sponsorship information and tickets are available by calling 619) 291-3383 or logging on to www.sdhdf.org/annualboatcruise.

The Center’s Community Coalition Breakfast will feature a panel discussion on the issues facing San Diego’s GLBT Latino community on Friday, Sept. 15, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at The Center, located at 3909 Centre St.

Panelists will include National City Councilmember Luis Natividad, San Diego Democratic Club board of directors member Larry Baza, San Diego Human Relations Commission chair Nicole Murray-Ramirez, San Diego Commission for Arts & Culture member Aida Mancillas, former Center board chair Richard Valdez and Teresa Oyos, founder of San Diego’s first Latino/a GLBT organization.

“I believe this experienced panel will help highlight some keys issues facing LGBT Latino/a San Diegans and help us further identify ways to better serve and connect our increasingly diverse community,” said Dr. Delores A. Jacobs, chief executive officer of The Center.

The Community Coalition Breakfast takes place on the third Friday of each month. Its mission is to bring together fair-minded individuals to network, educate and discuss the diverse issues of concern to GLBT and allied neighbors and citizens of San Diego. A full breakfast is available for a $10 donation; coffee and tea are complimentary. RSVPs are not required. Call (619) 692-2077 for further information.

This September, UCSD-TV premieres “The Rhythm of Her Step: A Song of San Diego,” a dance video aimed at educating urban teens and young adults about HIV/AIDS. The program premieres Friday, Sept. 15, at 8:30 p.m. on UCSD-TV and repeats throughout the month.

The 30-minute video follows the story of a teenage girl as she faces her recent HIV-positive diagnosis. Told through flashback sequences that incorporate dance, poetry and rhythmic music, the girl evaluates the choices she made that led to her HIV status, and she ultimately takes responsibility for her actions and their consequences.

The program was sponsored by County Television Network, Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theater and UCSD-TV.

A DVD version will be distributed to schools throughout San Diego County as part of the program’s grant-funded effort to educate at-risk youth, particularly female African-Americans and Latinas, about HIV/AIDS prevention.

UCSD-TV airs on Cox Digital Cable channel 135, Time Warner Cable channel 18, Adelphia Cable in Del Mar on channel 68 and UHF (no cable) on channel 35. For more information, visit www.ucsd.tv.