Please have a safe Memorial Day weekend. Remember to watch over and take care of each other.

I recently traveled to Brentwood, Calif., with the chair of GLBT Vote 2008, Bob Lehman, for a reception at the magnificent home of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his beautiful wife, Maria Shriver. You can tell a lot about a person by their home. The governor’s home is like a Spanish hacienda and is filled with religious artifacts. I believe that the Schwarzenegger family is a very close, loving and religious family. By the way, there were a lot of photos and busts of the Kennedy family at the Schwarzenegger home. The governor made us all feel welcome, and it was nice to see former mayoral candidate Steve Francis and his beautiful wife, Gayle, at the event.

The San Diego Democratic Club will be making an early endorsement in the race for the District 3 City Council seat next month at its meeting on June 28. Both Stephen Whitburn and Todd Gloria are campaigning heavily for this endorsement. I predict that neither Whitburn nor Gloria will be able to get a majority of the club’s membership vote needed for an official endorsement.

Meanwhile, the non-partisan GLBT Vote 2008 will be announcing its early endorsements for three council seats on July 1.

Our community organizations hold countless dinners and galas every year. All are very important because they raise funds for so many worthy causes. Like many of you, I have been attending these events for decades. Sometimes they are fabulous to good, and other times they can be bad to disastrous.

Every year, many of us look forward to the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation’s (SDHDF) annual gala. The theme this year was “Havana Nights,” and, from all reports, almost everything that could have gone wrong, did – including the weather. Still, the good people of the SDHDF have already started to make sure the event next year is back on top.

“The SDHDF has thrown some extraordinary and memorable galas over the years. Like all organizations, we have our highs and we have our lows. Unfortunately, this gala missed the mark,” said Laura Mustari, president of the SDHDF. “We knew right away that it didn’t live up to our community’s expectations, so we immediately regrouped to begin addressing each issue and see what we could do to get back on course for next year. It’s nice to throw fabulous parties, but we also can’t lose sight of our vision, which is promoting responsible philanthropy to enact positive social change within San Diego’s GLBT community.”

I know I will be supporting them and will get involved with the gala next year. I hope you will too.

This coming Friday, the Queen Mary II is leaving New York for its first and probably last gay cruise across the Atlantic Ocean. Financially, this cruise might as well be called the Titanic, as the producers of the cruise have lost millions of dollars. Even some local San Diegans are getting calls with offers of cabins for as little as $700 that otherwise were going for $3,000! Word is, the major business sponsor of this cruise is already $45 million in debt, and thus The Advocate and Out magazines may also be in trouble, as they are owned by the same sponsoring business. The entire Queen Mary II ship had to be booked and paid for by this special all-gay cruise, and the bookings have been disastrous. Needless to say, this last week many people are getting huge bargains on discounted trips.

As many of you know, I am a movie fanatic – I sometimes catch four movies a week. (I like the late-night showing, as usually there are smaller crowds.)

This past week, I saw the highly acclaimed Fracture, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins of Silence of the Lambs fame. Well, let me tell you, this is one of the best murder mystery movies I’ve ever seen, and it will keep you guessing and thrilled to the very end.

After more than 10 years, the outrageous, weekly Dating Game has stopped its Monday shows and is revamping for a new, exciting and fun show on Friday nights at Flicks. More prizes and changes are coming, so look for the premiere of the new show – great fun for those summer nights!

Bite, located at 1417 University Ave.

Bite has only been open for a few weeks and already it’s a huge hit. “Iron chef” Chris Walsh seems to always have that golden touch with everything he is involved in. 619-299-2483, www.bitesd.com

Café One Three, located at 4207 Park Blvd.

Café One Three is already the talk of the town, as its lunches, dinners and brunches are excellent. You’ll love this place and handsome owner Jason Dean. Café One Three has outstanding food and service. 619-260-1311, www.cafeonethree.com

Saigon on Fifth, located at 3900 Fifth Ave.

Open for just a little more than a year, Saigon on Fifth has won almost every major local and state award for the best Vietnamese/Asian food on the West Coast. 619-220-8828

Martinis Above Fourth, located at 3940 Fourth Ave. This popular eatery continues its reign as the hotspot for dinner, cocktails and entertainment. I live for Martinis’ steak with blue cheese! 619-400-4500, www.martinisabovefourth.com

Ono Sushi, located at 1236 University Ave.

Ono Sushi is the very best sushi restaurant in town, period.

619-298-0616, www.onosushi.com

Urban Mo’s, located at 306 University Ave.

It might have a new name and menu, but our love for Urban Mo’s hasn’t changed. Mo’s is one of the most popular and fun restaurants on the entire West Coast. 619-491-9400,

www.urbanmos.com

Yes, our community’s annual Academy Awards show is back, and there will be a lot of changes to make it more exciting and entertaining. The annual Nicky Awards board of governors will be announced soon. But the 2007 co-chair will be community leaders Tom Felkner and Bob Lehman. As it’s been for more than 30 years, the Nicky Awards will be a benefit.

Be sure not to miss the Memorial Day Morning Mega Foam Party with DJ Dan DeLeon at Bacchus House on the early morning of Sunday, May 26, from 1 to 10 a.m. The excitement will begin a bit earlier at the La Femme Fatale Show with Justice at 10 p.m., and continues with happy hour prices from midnight to 1 a.m. Everyone who attends will have a chance to win a pair of tickets to the June 27 San Diego show of the True Colors Tour, including a backstage meet-and-greet with The Dresden Dolls. There will also be several CD and DVD giveaways of The Dresden Dolls’ new album Yes, Virginia.