We as a community have a lot at stake in this coming election.… Please register to vote (deadline Sept. 22). A big voter turnout is expected and we must turn out the “GLBT VOTE”.… I strongly urge a NO ON the RECALL.…Let Governor Davis finish the term he was elected to serve.

Our Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante is currently leading in the polls if the Governor is recalled. Bustamante is our “safety net” in case Davis is defeated. The Lt. Governor was in San Diego last week and I attended two receptions in his honor. Tom Felkner and I headed to a V.I.P. reception held at the Dream Catcher Lounge at the Viejas Casino.… The next afternoon I attended a private luncheon held at the beautiful El Cortez Hotel hosted by former city commissioner and popular businessman Peter Janopaul, who raised some big bucks for the Lt. Governor. By the way, word has it that some elected officials and civic leaders are trying to talk Janopaul into running for the city council in the future.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, Sept. 11, for a special GLBT reception in honor of Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante.… It will be held at the beautiful home of Tom Felkner and Bob Lehman from 7:00-8:30 p.m. sharp.… Our own State Assemblymember Chris Kehoe and Councilmember Toni Atkins are some of the major honorary chairs.… This is a fundraiser for the No On Recall and Yes On Bustamante campaign.… For further information — and by the way you’re all invited — phone (619) 691-1967 or (619) 291-4043.

This past Sunday, Linda Childers, Angel Cologne and I headed down the 805 South freeway to Chula Vista to support the first ever GLBT community event in Chula Vista, Gay Day in South Bay, held in beautiful Heritage Park in Otay Ranch.… It was a great day and many GLBT families were in attendance, as the major sponsor was Family Matters. We as a community must realize and pay attention to and support more our brothers and sisters who live in the North County and South Bay.… Our GLBT community is indeed spreading out and buying homes in many neighborhoods. Chula Vista is growing by leaps and bounds, with GLBT neighbors moving in more than ever.… All the great food and drinks were free to all and were sponsored by Sycuan Casino.… I had a great time. A big bravo to Marci Bair of Family Matters and her hard-working committee for organizing this hopefully now-annual event.

Many of you have asked me if City Council candidate John “Bendict Arnold” Hartley has successfully stopped a city street from being named after our Center’s founder and gay pioneer Jess Jessop.… The answer is HELL NO! That wimp John Hartley couldn’t stop a “Kitty Fight”.… The Hillcrest Street Committee is looking at different streets and will announce one soon.

If you get a chance, you must see the documentary Family Fundamentals, airing on KPBS. It’s a film about right-wing Christian families who have GLBT children. This is a very sad, disturbing, yet educational film about the public and private lives of three families. The major focus is on a San Diego family and a well-known former community activist/leader who now lives in New Jersey. Yes, Susan Jester, founder of our AIDS Walk, past president of our local Log Cabin Republicans, board member of the AIDS Assistance Fund, a former Ms. Gay San Diego title holder and one of the first open lesbians appointed by a mayor of San Diego to a board.

Among those spotted in clips in the film are the late Dr. Brad Truax and Albert Bell.… Also seen are Attorney Bridget Wilson and former video star Rick Donovan!

I, like almost everyone I know, just love David’s Coffeehouse, (3766 Fifth Ave.), because it’s more than just a coffeehouse. It’s like a mini-community center, like a family gathering where everyone feels welcome and the staff is always friendly and smiling.… The coffee, tea, drinks, smoothies, cakes, pies, pastries, etc. are the best, and I always feel so comfortable and relaxed there.… So stop by David’s Coffeehouse (voted most popular coffeehouse), your home away from home.

I just love any and all Asian food, and now a new Vietnamese bistro has opened in Hillcrest. It’s called Rice Jones (619) 291-1887, and it’s fabulous! For years I used to go to a Vietnamese restaurant on Park Blvd. next to Numbers, and I’ve so missed their Shrimp Spring Rolls (which Rice Jones now offers, and they’re outstanding)! Big Mike and I stopped by for lunch, and this place is so good that I went a few days later for dinner. For starters I recommend their Grilled Beef, Crispy Rolls and, of course, those Spring Rolls. My Rice Jones steak was great, and Big Mike said his Lemongrass Chicken was delicious.… Everything on the menu is exciting and tasty.… Our waitress Melinda was the best. Rice Jones Rocks!