Did you know that your cell phones, door knobs, etc., are covered with bacteria and viruses? Always wipe them off, and remember to visit your doctor. Drink plenty of liquids (alcohol doesn’t count), take your vitamins and bundle up. Finally, don’t forget to cover your mouth when you cough.

As chair of the city of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission, I formally requested a complete list of the descriptions of every assailant in the recent robberies and assaults that have taken place in the Hillcrest and North Park area. Out of approximately 80 such cases, 85 percent of the assailants were young men who were either black or Latino.

As many of you know, I’m Latino and proud of it, and I have fought against racial profiling all my life. But facts are facts, and the fact that this important information is not getting out there is disturbing to me. The facts are that most serial killers and child molesters are overwhelmingly white. This is not a reflection on the white community as a whole, nor should these assailants be a reflection on the black or Latino communities.

So why is this information being kept from us? Some of these young assailants are affiliated with local gangs and they dress the part. If most of the assailants were white youths, I would want to know about that as well. Just last week, for example, four lesbians were attacked by a white assailant after leaving Bourbon Street.

I felt it was important for you to know these official statistics, so I have made them public.

Word is that Mayor Jerry Sanders has decided to run for re-election and has been making calls to assure his top supporters that rumors to the contrary are false. I say, yes, let’s re-elect our mayor!

Supporters are already getting ready to support Councilmember Toni Atkins for the state Assembly in 2010, but now comes word that Lorena Gonzales (who barely lost the District 2 City Council race) is also looking to run for the same Assembly seat.

Longtime activist Jeri Dilno was the only candidate facing opposition in the recent San Diego Democratic Club elections, but this veteran easily won her post. Democratic political powerhouse Laurie Black also easily won the Democratic Club’s endorsement for her bid to be put on the City Port Commission.

A big ally of Mayor Sanders and a new member of the San Diego Pension Board, prominent businessperson Tom Hebrank, is being urged by many businesspeople and Republicans to run for the District 3 council seat. Hebrank could be the third gay citizen to enter the race.

Congratulations to community activist John Acosta, who was one of Chula Vista’s new mayor’s first appointments to the Commission on Veterans Affairs.

Councilmember Toni Atkins and I will be reforming our citizens committee to name a city street after gay pioneer and military veteran Jess Jessop. This would be the first street named after an openly gay citizen.

San Diego will host the statewide California National Organization for Women April 20-21. For more information, call (619) 238-1824 or e-mail info@sdcnow.org.

I recently learned about the sad death of Warren Phillips, who for 18 years was a past owner of the popular Caliph. For years, Warren gave major contributions to countless GLBT organizations and civil rights causes. I remember when Warren and I hosted the first GLBT reception for then-Mayor Susan Golding. Rest in peace, Warren.

I’m afraid that former President Jimmy Carter has done great damage to his legacy with his recent book, which I also find offensive because he places much of the blame on Israel for the lack of peace in the Middle East.

The president of our country can only serve two terms, and our governor, mayor and councilmembers can only serve two terms. So why should city commissioners and members of city boards be given special treatment?

Commissioners and city board members are appointed by the mayor and the City Council to serve two four-year terms, but there is a movement – being pushed heavily by the Chargers – to give a port commissioner an extra four-year term.

I have nothing but the highest respect and admiration for Steve Cushman, but for me this is not about Steve or his possible replacement, longtime civil rights leader Laurie Black. It should be noted, however, that there is only one woman serving on the port commission.

I come from the days when almost all of our city’s commissions and boards were dominated by the downtown big-business powers, most of whom were white males. Mayor Maureen O’Connor broke that ceiling for everyone, and our boards and commissions have been some of the most diverse ever since. I think that after eight years it serves the community to bring in different voices.

As for Steve Cushman, I would like to see him run for public office some day. I know I would support his candidacy.

Last week, my pal Tom Felkner and I hit the freeway to drive to a special reception in honor of Mayor John Heilman of West Hollywood, who is a longtime friend of mine. I was honored to be one of the event’s hosts along with state Assemblymembers Mark Leno and John Laird, state Senator Sheila Kuehl and the speaker of the Assembly. Many prominent businesspeople and entertainment icons were present as well. We had a great time, and John and I shared many of our experiences with each other. It was also good to see another good friend, Councilmember Jeffrey Prang. What a great public servant. After the reception, Tom and I checked out some clothing stores on Santa Monica Boulevard and then headed home.

A recent report shows that 98 percent of American gays and lesbians took at least one overnight trip last year, and 68 percent of gay men and 57 percent of lesbians traveled internationally. The top destinations outside the U.S. were Canada, Mexico, England, France and Italy.

When it came to domestic travel, in order of popularity, gay men favored New York City, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Hollywood, while lesbians favored Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York City and Provincetown, Mass.

Needless to say, GLBT travelers spend more than any other travelers.

The world-famous Edwards Twins will be in San Diego for only one night next Thursday, Feb. 8, at the beautiful downtown Lyceum Theatre in Horton Plaza.

The Edwards Twins have received rave reviews for their dead-on impersonations of celebrities like Cher, Elton John and other major stars.

It’s all to benefit Stepping Stone, so for more information, call (619) 278-0777 ext.103.

I stopped by the completely remodeled Brass Rail for the VIP party last week and, boy, has the place changed into one hot, classy, state-of-the-art nightclub. It is probably the best-looking club in all of Hillcrest. You can tell that rumors of them having spent more than half a million dollars are likely true.

The Brass Rail now includes VIP rooms, bottle service, etc., and can hold its own with any New York hot spot. I urge you to check it out because you have to see it to believe it.

It was really great seeing former owners Lou and Carol Arko, who are both outstanding citizens, at the event. Also, Gayle, the owner, looked her usual gorgeous self, and general manager Wes was looking handsome as well. I urge you all to check out the totally new Brass Rail.

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