A toddler fashion show and trunk show highlighting the latest spring, summer and fall fashions for “young citizens of the world” will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Style Child in Hillcrest.

The newly opened Style Child, located at 1070 University Ave., Suite J-101, in the Ralphs Shopping Plaza, specializes in hard-to-find raiment tailored specifically for kids six years old and under, plus sleek nursery furniture, mini comforters, chic diaper bags, kid’s bath products and more.

The free event is a benefit for Family Matters, a local nonprofit group for GLBT parents. A portion of proceeds from raffles and donations will be given to the organization.

A number of local businesses will donate vouchers and merchandise for raffle prizes. They include Baja Betty’s, Urban Mo’s, Landmark Theaters, Crush Wine Bar, Tag for Dogs and Cats, Pet Palace and others. Refreshments and snacks will be served.

For more information, call (619) 220-0480 or log on to www.sdfamilymatters.org.

Alno AG, Europe’s leading kitchen manufacturer, will hold the grand opening of Alnoworld San Diego in the Pyramid at the San Diego Design Center on Thursday, Feb. 8, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The grand opening will benefit the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign.

The evening will begin with culinary delights and toasts during a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Counsel General of the Republic of Germany and the directors of Alno Germany. There will be a silent auction held to benefit the cause, and attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of high quality items.

Alnoworld San Diego is located at 7310 Miramar Rd., Suite 300. For more information regarding products or about the grand opening, call (858) 578-2566 or log on to www.alnosandiego.com.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Week across the state and the nation is being observed the week of Feb. 5-9. Officials at the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency are reaching out to teenagers in an effort to make them aware of and help them get out of abusive relationships.

“Teens are less likely to report crimes than any other group,” San Diego County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price said. “They are particularly reluctant to report violence they experience from people they are dating. Most fear no one will believe them. Many fear retaliation from the perpetrators.”

Teen dating violence includes sexual assault, physical violence and verbal or emotional abuse. It occurs between teens that are in or have been in a dating relationship, are living or have lived together in the same home, have a child together or have been married.

A survey conducted by the Teen Relationship Violence (TRV) Committee of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council revealed disturbing statistics: One in five teens admitted to having “kicked, hit or punched” their dating partners, while 40 percent of girls ages 14-17 report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend. Furthermore, 40 percent of teens stated it is OK for boyfriends to resort to violence.

“Teen relationship violence is an epidemic that affects all racial/ethnic groups,” said Paula J. Obrigewitch, a member of the TRV Committee. “Families, law enforcement, community organizations and schools all play a key role in reducing teen dating violence.”

In San Diego County, the Center for Community Solutions operates a 24-hour hotline where trained advocates provide education, referrals to crisis counseling and shelter when needed.

For help or additional information, call (888) DVLINKS or log onto www.dvlinks.org.

The Center will present a special four-week group for those facing HIV sero-opposite dating and/or relationship issues. The group will begin on Thursday, Feb. 8, starting at 7:00 p.m. at The Center’s Health Services.

This group is open to anyone who has been diagnosed as HIV-positive and dating or involved in a relationship with someone who is HIV-negative. The group is also open to those who are HIV-negative and are dating or in a relationship with someone who is HIV-positive.

The group will be moderated by Jeff Larsen, a counselor of The Center’s Health Services. Among the issues to be addressed will be disclosure issues, safer sex, the challenges facing sero-opposite partners, sero-opposite guilt and anxiety, intimacy issues and more.

“There are many unique challenges for those dating or in relationships with sero-opposite partners,” Larsen said. “This group will provide a safe place to talk about those issues and to get accurate information. The Center’s Health Services remains deeply concerned about the impact of HIV on our community, and this group hopes to provide insight and support as we examine the ways HIV can affect many of us on a personal level. We invite all those interested to participate in this group.”

The Center’s Health Services is located at 2313 El Cajon Blvd.

For more information about joining the group, call Michelle Morrison at (619) 260-6380 ext. 105 or e-mail mmorrison@thecentersd.org.

The San Diego Jewish Film Festival (SDJFF) will take place at various venues throughout San Diego County from Thursday, Feb. 8, through Sunday, Feb. 18.

SDJFF is part of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture (SDCJC), at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, in La Jolla.

Since its inception in 1990, the SDJFF has become one of the largest and most prestigious festivals of its kind in the country, and is one of the highest attended cultural events in San Diego.

Attracting more than 20,000 ticket holders, the SDJFF presents approximately 40 short-subject, documentary and feature films, an international roster of guest artists, special underwriter events and theme programs for all ages. The SDJFF aims to educate and illuminate audiences by offering an array of films that depict elements of the Jewish life, history and culture in challenging, moving and humorous ways.

The 11-day festival is a showcase including guest actors, filmmakers and scholars who introduce their work, participate in audience discussions, and meet and greet events with the patrons. Theme programs include: the Joyce Forum: A Focus on Emerging Filmmakers, Teen Screen, Kid’s Matinee, The Lipinsky Family Student Day, FlixMix and the Audience Choice Awards.

The SDJFF will take place at five venues around San Diego County: the AMC La Jolla 12, the UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas at Hazard Center and UltraStar Poway Creekside Plaza 10, the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family JCC and on the campus of San Diego State University at the Not Quite Kosher Film Festival. According to SDJFF organizers, this year’s festival promises to meet the demands of the growing audience to better the movie-going experience, while continuing to deliver the most contemporary Jewish films from around the world.

For more information about the festival, call (858) 362-1330 or log on to http://sdcjc.lfjcc.org/sdjff/2007/byfilm.shtml.

Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego (MCCSD) will welcome the Rev. Troy Perry, the founder of MCC, on Sunday, Feb. 11. He will deliver the sermon message at both the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship services.

Rev. Perry is an energetic speaker, social justice advocate, marriage equality activist and author who led the denomination as its moderator for more than 35 years until his retirement in 2005.

He and his partner, Philip de Blieck, are claimants in the suit currently advancing to the California Supreme Court to overturn the law that prohibits same-sex marriage in the state. They were legally married in Toronto in 2003.

From its start in a living room in Los Angeles in 1968, MCC has grown to more than 250 congregations in 26 countries. It is an affirming faith community that is open to everyone, with a particular outreach to the GLBT community.

Rev. Perry has been a guest on television talk shows, at both the Carter and Clinton White Houses and is honored with a public plaque in West Hollywood for his contributions to social justice.

MCCSD worships on Sundays at The Center in Hillcrest.

For more information, call (619) 521-2222 or log on to www.mccsd.org.

San Diego POZabilities (SDP), a social group for HIV-positive men, will conduct a Valentine’s Day singles social mixer on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the poolside clubhouse.

SDP conducts a variety of social events for HIV-positive men and is conducting the event to provide an opportunity for HIV-positive men interested in meeting other HIV-positive men for dating.

“We chose a new location for our Valentine’s Day mixer, which is pretty easy to find if you use MapQuest,” a spokesperson for SDP said. “There’s no better day than Valentine’s Day to conduct a singles mixer where positive guys can meet, share some good conversation and perhaps make a date.”

Men of all ages are welcome. There is no charge to attend the mixer. Parking is available in any guest or unmarked space. Door prizes will be raffled, and beverages and light snacks will be provided.

The poolside clubhouse is located at 4334 Fifth Ave. in Hillcrest.

For more information, log on to www.sandiegopozabilities.com.

The Seniors Active in a Gay Environment (S.A.G.E.) board of directors recently discussed issues related to the continued operations of the S.A.G.E. Center and announced that at the present time, without additional external funding, the center will likely have to close within two to three years.

One solution to this problem is the creation of a corporate funding committee. This committee will initially develop a fund-raising plan that will supplement the annual

S.A.G.E. Center Fund. The committee is looking for members, especially those members who are frequent users of the S.A.G.E. Center, who will be interested in setting up this plan. No actual corporate contacts will be done at this time.

Committee members may or may not want to do the actual fund raising when it gets to that stage. Still the group needs input to assist in formulating a plan.

Additionally, S.A.G.E is also searching for more members to become involved by volunteering to serve on other committees already formed. The Activities Committee has begun sponsoring a gourmet dinner to benefit the S.A.G.E. Center. A Fundraiser Committee is underway and looking for members to develop a core of corporate donors. Two standing committees required by the group’s bylaws also need members: two members for the Finance Committee and two members for the Nominating Committee. For more information about how to get involved, call Malcolm at (619) 435-5475 or contact Tom at the S.A.G.E. Center at (619) 298-9900.

The Center’s Men’s Advisory Committee will be hosting a game night at The Center on Monday, Feb. 26, starting at 6:30 p.m. Men of all ages in the community are invited to hang out, play some board games, listen to music, have a few drinks and eat burgers.

Lucky Buck’s, a new burger joint in Hillcrest, is sponsoring the event and will be providing the group with all the food and fixings for dinner.

The group will play all the classics, such as Monopoly, Uno, Pictionary, Balderdash and Twister, as well as some of the new ones – Cranium and DVD Pop Trivia.

For more information, call (619) 692-2077 ext. 104.

The San Diego HIV Health Services Planning Council, which helps allocate Ryan White CARE Act funds to provide services to people in San Diego living with HIV/AIDS, is looking for people to participate on the council.

The Planning Council is particularly interested in involving persons living with HIV/AIDS in its committee work and as members of the council itself.

For more information, call Ken Riley at (619) 293-4711 or e-mail kenneth.Riley @sdcounty.ca.gov.

The sixth annual Hillcrest Mardi Gras Street Party celebration will take place on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. on University Avenue between First and Fourth avenues. The festival will take place rain or shine.

The festival will feature live entertainment, special guest performers and an exclusive VIP area. Food and other drinks will be available for purchase from participating vendors and venues. Additionally, liquor will be available at the VIP lounge only.

An array of other surprises, plenty of beads and various other party favors will be part of the festivities. Hillcrest Mardi Gras remains an event for those 21 and older.

PNN Radio will present Pepper MaShay as the headliner at the event. Her latest single, “Lost Yo Mind,” recently hit No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart. The singer is known for several hit singles including “I’ve Got My Pride,” “Dive in the Pool” and the duet with Colton Ford “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” Her performance will be presented on the festival Main Stage.

Tootie and The Lips Girls are also scheduled to perform, while Candye Kane makes a highly anticipated return to the festival. Chad Michaels and Babette Schwartz are also part of the planned lineup.

The event is sponsored by the GSDBA Charitable Foundation and the Hillcrest Association. All proceeds from the street party benefit both organizations.

Tickets are on sale now. Advance ticket price is $15 in (or $20 on the day of the event). VIP passes are available for $50 in advance (or $75 on the day of the event), which includes express entry, a private reception area and private bathrooms.

Tickets are available at several Hillcrest area locations including Urban Mo’s, located at 308 University Ave., and Obelisk Bookstore, located at 1029 University Ave. Patrons can also purchase tickets online at www.hillcrestmardigras.org. Ticket purchases are tax-deductible. No refunds are offered on ticket purchases.

For additional information about Hillcrest Mardi Gras 2007, call (619) 299-3330 or log on to www.hillcrestmardigras.org.

The Center’s Women’s Resource Center will host its third annual “LUNAFEST” at The Center on Saturday, March 3. The evening will include a pre-festival dessert reception beginning at 6:00 p.m. with film screenings beginning at 7:00 p.m.

“LUNAFEST will feature nine short films ranging from quirky animation to touching documentaries, all of which celebrate women,” said Lea Burgess-Carland, coordinator of the Women’s Resource Center. “March is Women’s History Month, and we believe LUNAFEST will be a wonderful opportunity for our local community to come together and commemorate the diverse contributions and voices of women.”

Cost for LUNAFEST is $10 to attend the screenings. For $15, guests can attend the screenings along with a dessert reception. Tickets will be sold at the door, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Fund, as well as The Center’s Women’s Resource Center.

For more details on the films that will be featured, log on to www.lunabar.com. For more information about LUNAFEST or to help sponsor this event, contact Lea Burgess-Carland at (619) 692-2077 ext. 111 or e-mail lburgess-carland@thecentersd.org.