The sales are on, which must mean it’s the beginning of the holiday season. So let me be the first to wish you all a very blessed holiday season. No matter how you celebrate the season, let us remember to give generously to others, because it is truly more blessed to give than to receive. I’m going to call Tiffany’s and Neiman Marcus to see if I can register with them for those of you that would like to send me holiday cheers. I should be able to register my wish list just like a bride can, don’t you think? And big and glittery things bring me lots of cheer.

The Asian Pacific Islanders Community AIDS Project recently celebrated its 13th year of service with a gala “Hope, Service, Compassion” dinner, hosted by Maria Arcega-Dunn (FOX 6 News) at the Westin Horton Plaza.

I must say that this is one of the most entertaining and well-produced community events in San Diego. Kudos to APICAP Executive Director Jess San Roque. Providing multi-cultural entertainment were the Mabuhay Rondalla (A traditional Filipino orchestra), the San Diego Taiko Drummers (a traditional Japanese drumming performance) and the Kaleo ‘Onalani Polynesian Dancers, with more than 20 dancers performing dances from the islands of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa and New Zealand.

The event also recognized several community leaders, including Steve Eldred (Hope Award), Julia Legaspi (Service Award), Ben Dillingham III (Compassion Award) and a special Lifetime Achievement award to Nicole Murray-Ramirez.

In the spirit of the holidays, I’m personally asking that you consider giving a generous financial gift to APICAP, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, at 4776 El Cajon Blvd., Suite 205, San Diego 92115. The best part is that it’s the end of the year and this is your last chance to get in those tax deductions.

Just like the Gay Games, which is forbidden to use the word “Olympics,” the Queen of the Universe is the Gay Miss Universe. But we can’t call it that. So this pageant held its 33rd annual search for the fiercest one of them all at the legendary Circus Circus in Los Angeles. The event also raised funds for the Long Beach Christ Chapel Food Bank.

More than 30 contestants representing various countries of their choice competed in the national costume, swimsuit and evening wear categories.

I was asked to judge this contest, and I must confess I felt old and dumpy compared to these gorgeous, skinny young girls.

In the end, Miss Panama Betty emerged victorious at the 2006 Miss Gay Universe – I mean, Queen of the Universe.

Join me and the men of Martinis Above Fourth (Chaz, Dale and Johnny) on Monday, Dec. 11, for the third annual Holiday Wreath Auction benefiting The Center’s Queen Eddie Conlon Youth Fund.

You can take home fabulous one-of-a-kind holiday wreaths donated by various businesses and individuals, while helping a good cause. Enjoy one of the more than 50 martini concoctions and bid on a great selection of gift items in the silent auction.

The event has raised more than $15,000 in the past two years. My special thanks to Martinis for hosting many community fund-raising events, including Gifts for Teens held last week and hosted by my friend Lola.

Happy birthday to my dear sista, Chi Chi LaRue, who celebrated her birthday recently at Fubar in West Hollywood.

There was free-flowing Ketel One vodka and tons of hot porn stars, including the magnificent Falcon lifetime exclusive Matthew Rush, who stripped down for the appreciative crowd. Other star studs spotted were Tyler Riggz, Luca DiCorso, Barrett Long and Brad Benton.

Chi Chi, who spins at Fubar’s Dirty Deeds on Wednesday nights, will also start a regular Saturday stint at Eye Candy, also located on Santa Monica Boulevard, beginning this weekend.

City Commissioner Julia Legaspi celebrated her birthday at the new Lips nightclub with more than 50 guests in attendance. The Lips girls staged a phenomenal show.

“Jhigs” is the first transgender person to be appointed by the mayor to serve as a city commissioner. She has also spearheaded the Scott Carlson Community Thanksgiving Dinner for the past few years.

Also celebrating birthdays recently were Nicole Murray-Ramirez, who just turned 21 many times over. My best wishes to Rob Novinger, one of the head honchos at Channel 1, as he celebrated in style in Toronto; and to darling Steve Pena, who had a birthday bash recently at Bourbon Street.

Since this is my first holiday in Los Angeles, I decided to brave the cold and the crowd to watch my first Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Hollywood and Sunset boulevards were closed down for about a mile to form a loop for the parade route.

Celebrating its 75th year, I was eager to catch an up-close and personal look at my favorite Hollywood stars. I joined the hundred of parade revelers and stationed myself in front of Mann Chinese Theatre to get the best view.

There were many marching bands from all across America joining the parade. But I was rather disappointed at the list of B stars in attendance. One of the grand marshals was Regis Philbin. Also seen were Dick Van Patten (“Eight is Enough”), Stephen Collins (“7th Heaven”), Edward James Olmos (“Battlestar Galactica”) and Marlee Matlin (“The L Word”).

The only saving grace for the lack of A-list stars was Nicolette Sheridan, there with boyfriend Michael Bolton, and Willa Ford and Monique Coleman from “Dancing with the Stars.”

I probably will skip this parade next year, but I’m glad I experienced it for the first time.

I recently attended my first holiday party of the season, which was hosted by Dr. Greg Scott and Robi Cox at their home in Kensington. A very diverse crowd of family, friends and neighbors all brought toys for the Imperial Court’s Toys for Kids drive.

Apart from hosting the Holiday Wreath Auction at Martinis Above Fourth on Monday, Dec. 11, I will also be emceeing the Investiture of the 36th Reign of the Imperial Court de San Diego on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Westin Horton Plaza. Emperor Robi Cox and Empress Norma will be bestowing royal titles to members of the reign.

I’m heading home to New York City for the Christmas holidays. I’ve booked tickets for the first screening of Dreamgirls the movie at the Ziegfeld Theatre in N.Y.C., starring Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson (from “American Idol”). There is already a buzz in Hollywood for several Oscar nominations.

And speaking of the Dreamgirls, the local San Diego drag revue will be making a comeback at Urban Mo’s. Check out Rocket magazine for a listing of their show dates or visit www.rocketsandiego.com.

And while I may be far away, I want you all to know that San Diego will always be a home away from home for me. So here’s wishing you all, my dear servicemen from Oceanside and to my dear old friend Edith a very happy and healthy New Year.