Did you know there are 25,000 San Diego-based troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that our region has some of the highest death tolls? (I personally knew three Marines who were killed overseas.) It’s time America wakes up to the fact that we are repeating history and, yes, we are doomed. First Vietnam and now this.

Please vote next Tuesday, Nov. 7. Change America. We have the power to do so if we all vote.

If you saw the first season of the Bravo TV reality hit show “Top Chef,” then you will remember one of the top finalists who many people love to hate. Yes, the very handsome, young, classy chef Stephen Asprinio, who was a top chef in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand and is now set to open his own restaurant.

Chef Asprinio will be making lunch for a GLBT reception in honor of our Mayor Jerry Sanders on Friday, Nov. 3, at the beautiful new home of Tom Felkner and Bob Lehman, which is a 26th annual San Diego Home/Garden magazine showcase home. This reception is a fund-raiser for “Yes on B & C,” and you’re all invited to it.

For more information, call (619) 692-1967 or (858) 342-6272.

The Hate Crime Fund has now been firmly established with the very respected Crime Stoppers organization.

From now on, all those who commit a hate crime against any community will have a bounty on their heads immediately.

Next week will be the first meeting with officials from the San Diego Police Department and the leadership of the Stonewall Citizens Patrol (Councilmember Toni Atkins and The Center’s Dr. Delores Jacobs will also be in attendance).

After this meeting, the first Stonewall Patrol “training” will be announced and is scheduled to take place at The Center.

For more information, contact former Marine Sgt. Bob Lehman at (619) 850-8698.

There have been negative articles recently about Chula Vista Mayor Steve Padilla in this and other publications.

Yes, I too am disappointed with some of the controversies concerning Mayor Padilla, but I look at the entire record of a public official and Padilla has been one of this city’s most hardworking and productive mayors.

One thing that seems to always be left out in recent articles about Steve Padilla is that he is from a hardworking family, has served his country with honor and was an outstanding police officer. Steve is a single father (his beautiful daughter is named Ashleigh) and he is not a rich man like his very wealthy opponent.

Steve Padilla made history as the first Latino mayor of Chula Vista who happens to be gay. I urge his re-election.

I attended the recent “home-going celebration” of the late Rev. George Stevens, a former San Diego city councilmember, at the Bayview Baptist Church – what a joyful celebration of music and tributes, both moving and humorous.

We were all truly “taken to church.” All the speakers were outstanding, and many told their personal stories about George Stevens. The Mount Erie Sanctuary Choir was awesome, and city and county leaders were in full attendance, including Mayor Jerry Sanders and former mayor Dick Murphy and Councilmember Toni Atkins.

I had a long history with George Stevens, especially in the battles to name a downtown street and the Convention Center in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Like him or not, the Rev. Stevens was the most effective and best councilmember District 4 ever had. May he rest in peace.

I recently went to the very beautiful and exclusive Grand Del Mar, which was the site of a very intimate lunch with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and special guest George Schultz, the former secretary of state.

In attendance with me were Bob Lehman and Tom Felkner of GLBT Vote 2006.

A special thank you to one of my favorite ladies, Karolyn Dorsee, a friend of mine who is one of the top movers and shakers on the West Coast. She made sure we were treated like true VIPs – or queens, if you’d prefer!

Every time I meet Gov. Schwarzenegger I am more impressed because he is down to earth and tells it like it is.

While as a gay man and a Latino I do not agree with the governor on all of our issues, I do believe he is the best candidate to lead our state forward.

Are you ready for the audacity that right-wing Congressmember Duncan Hunter has by announcing his candidacy for president in 2008, even before he knows if he will be re-elected to Congress next Tuesday?

First of all, his “official announcement” by the bay looked like a gathering of a family from a trailer park. Duncan Hunter didn’t even bother to get a haircut, and as for his – I’m sure – lovely wife, boy does she need a new hairdresser.

Like his Democratic opponent said, Hunter has about as much a chance to be elected president as he does to become Miss America.

Let’s hope the voters in this congressional district will see the light and elect John Rinaldi to Congress.

But wouldn’t it be great if the GOP did nominate Hunter? Even a real Democratic donkey could beat him!

These past years, I’ve gone to more doctors than I’ve had dates! I’ve seen them all, from plastic surgeons (we won’t talk about that) to heart specialists, but I’m always comfortable and feel at home when I visit Park Center for Health (4067 Park Blvd.) and, of course, Dr. Keith Vrhel, who has been one of San Diego’s premier doctors for decades and was one of the first providers of comprehensive gay health care in our city. Yes, he is a leader in his field.

But I fondly remember Keith for his outstanding, hardworking and visible leadership during the outbreak of HIV/AIDS and as the co-founder of the San Diego AIDS Project. He is truly one of our unsung heroes.

While I’m not going to get into why I had to see Dr. Vrhel, while I was there I got my flu shot and I urge everyone to get theirs today!

Many of you have been asking me how I like my new “senior living.”

Well, now I know why the Golden Girls would always talk about Shady Pines. I keep expecting to bump into Sophia. (Well, actually the manger could be her, as he is a senior queen who is a true sweetheart.)

But, truly, I feel like I am living the sequel to the movie Cocoon. Everyone here is nice, sure, but they all seem to have a lot of time on their hands (there is an activity room).

I do love being back in Hillcrest, but I wish they would take down the sign that says “senior living” because all my door trade ask me, “Didn’t you say you’re in your 40s?”

Hum…

The annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner will take place this year on Thursday, Nov. 23, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Church (4190 Front St.).

Last year, hundreds of people showed up and it was a wonderful event. I had a great time.

This is a great undertaking every year, and the Imperial Court and APICAP need your continued support. Please make a donation, and let’s make sure this year’s Thanksgiving dinner for our HIV/AIDS family and friends is the best ever!

For more information, call (619) 993-8315 or (619) 229-2822.

A big sports fan, co-founder of Ordinary Miracles, proud American citizen (born in England and obtained his citizenship a few years ago), handsome and all-around nice guy Nigel Meyer has bought complete ownership of our community’s super-popular video bar Flicks from longtime business partner Joe Lexus, a businessperson who will be greatly missed by all.

Joe has been an institution in our community, always with a smile and always giving back. Now it’s time for Joe to enjoy life and hopefully travel and see the world.

I will miss my good friend Joe, and I wish my other pal Nigel the best. Keep your eyes on Flicks!

The third Artists Open Studio, produced by “Big Tom” Lombardo, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Expect even more great local artists, as the event has grown in size from the last go ’round! On hand will be artists from the Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park, the Hillcrest Youth Center and many others. There will also be free yoga intro classes all afternoon and a free “Artists Way” workshop. Admission is also free. For more information, call Big Tom at (619) 929-9829 or log on to www.myspace.com/artistsopenstudio.