The Center - LGBT happenings this week!

	December 13, 2010

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News of Note On Thursday December 9, 2010, we were all deeply saddened by the news reports that Michael Portantino, long-time publisher of the Gay and Lesbian Times, had ended his life. Michael served and supported the San Diego LGBT community and the San Diego LGBT Community Center for more than twenty-five years. His trademark passion and intense dedication to equality were his unmistakable signature. Many of us argued frequently and fiercely with Michael, and laughed with him just as often. His presence at The Center for more than two decades was palpable and his generosity and support for The Center will not be forgotten. Our hearts and thoughts are with his daughter, his brothers, all of his family and his friends. The staff, board, and volunteers at The Center share their loss and feel with them the immense grief at his passing. Rest in peace, Michael. Dr. Delores A. Jacobs, CEO San Diego LGBT Community Center Annual Community Volunteer Fair, Wednesday, Jan. 26 The Community Volunteer Fair was established in 2005 by the San Diego LGBT Community Leadership Council and is designed to provide San Diego community non-profit organizations with an opportunity to showcase their organizations and recruit for their year-round volunteer opportunities. It is also designed to make gathering information about organizations easy and painless for the hundreds of community members who make New Year's "resolutions" to volunteer. The sixth annual event will be held Wednesday, Jan. 26, 5:30-7 pm at The San Diego LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre Street. There is no cost either to participating organizations or to those seeking to volunteer. Organizations seeking to participate should contact Jessica Culpepper at jculpepper@thecentersd.org for an application. Those seeking to volunteer, just show up! Martinis Above Fourth Wreath Auction, Monday, Dec. 13 Don't miss the 7th annual wreath auction to benefit the Eddie Conlon Youth Fund, a 501(c)3 administered through The Center. Put your creative energies to work and see the results displayed at Martinis Above Fourth. For more information, visit www.martinisabovefourth.com/WreathAuction.htm. The Value of Volunteering In November, 115 fantastic Center volunteers donated 948 hours of their time for a total value of $20, 820. Thank you for helping make all that we do possible! Spotlight Events 50 and Better Together Holiday Party, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 5 pm Ring in the holidays with friends on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 5-8 pm at The Center. Just $5 gets you a sumptuous taco bar, the beverage of your choice and dessert. Please pre-pay to Senior Coordinator Abby Schwartz to ensure your spot. If you would like to participate in our Holiday Gift Exchange, please bring a wrapped gift valued at around $10. It's time to eat, celebrate, be merry and GAY! For more information, contact Abby Schwartz at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or seniors@thecentersd.org. Holiday Charity Bingo, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 9 pm Join the Outrageous Nicole and celebrity guests at Bourbon Street for Holiday Bingo benefitting Family Matters and Toys for Kids. Bring a toy or grocery gift card and your first bingo card is free! The goal is to raise enough to feed 222 parents and kids and provide 300 toys for the holidays. Cards are $5 each or $20 for 5 and there's over $2500 in prizes. The fun lasts from 9 pm to midnight, Wednesday, Dec. 15 at Bourbon Street, 4612 Park Blvd. For more information, visit the event page. Hillcrest Youth Center Holiday Party, Friday, Dec. 17 The Hillcrest Youth Center will host an informal holiday party for 14-18 year-old LGBTQ youth and their allies on Friday, Dec. 17, 5-9 pm. For more information, contact Jess at jculpepper@thecentersd.org. Family Matters Holiday Party, Saturday, Dec. 18, 4 pm Parents, bring the kids and join Family Matters for a holiday party at The Center. For those considering parenthood, come join us and see what you have to look forward to. The kids will be able to make a craft holiday gift for their parents and volunteers will help with the wrapping. Families from Dor Hadash Synagogue will join us to celebrate Chanukah. We will have a holiday tree and a visit from a very special jolly old guy from the North Pole. Dinner will be served at 4 pm. We ask that each family bring their favorite holiday sweets to share for dessert. RSVP is required to ensure we have enough supplies. For more information, contact Jane at (619) 692-2077, ext. 121, or families@thecentersd.org. This is a free event, but donations are always greatly appreciated. Hillcrest Wind Ensemble, Saturday, Dec. 18, 7 pm The Hillcrest Wind Ensemble, a program of The Center, will perform a "Magical Holidays" concert at 7 pm on Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Kroc Center, 6845 University Ave. Admission is $15; parking is free. The ensemble, under the direction of John Winkelman, will feature some of its members in a handbell choir, as well as a special French horn ensemble during the evening. For more information, visit the website. www.hillcrestwind.com.		Program Events: Youth, Seniors, Families, Men, Women, HIV Community and More   HIV Testing at The Center   HIV Behavioral Health Services & Counseling (English & Spanish)   Lunch & Learn: Holiday Candle Making, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 11:30 am   Sapphic Cinema Screens "The Wedding Banquet" Friday, Dec. 17, 7 pm   Coffee & Conversation with Lauren DeRose, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 7 pm   Interview Skills Workshop, Thursday, Jan. 20, 7 pm   LGBT Caregivers & Grief Support Group, First and Third Monday of each month, 5:30 pm   Prostate Cancer Support Group for Gay Men, Tuesdays, 6:30 pm   Women's Advisory Committee Recruiting New Members   Community Glam Disco Ball, Sunday, Dec. 19, 6:30 pm CESCal Conference, Feb. 25-27     Click on any story to see all of the latest news     Every year, during the holiday season, The Center's role in our community becomes increasingly critical. This month, each one of over 4,000 people is counting on The Center as a welcoming and safe place that truly cares about their very real challenges and concerns.  With your generous gift today, you ensure that The Center is there. . . For LGBT youth who are   having trouble at school or   who are homeless, For LGBT seniors looking for   connection or resources, For those trying to connect   with other LGBT-headed   families, For those looking for HIV   testing, For those recently discharged   from the military, For those who need food or   computer access, For those recently diagnosed   with HIV — and so much   more. Your help and support allows us to proudly be just that place. By giving this season, you make it possible for Our Center to be available to our incredibly diverse community members more than 46,000 times in the next year. That is a huge gift to all LGBT San Diegans. Every gift matters. By giving $25, $50, $100 or even $500, your tax-deductible donation makes it possible for The Center to passionately advocate for equality for all, while serving our full community, especially those who are most vulnerable.   Thursday, April 28, 2011 – Dining Out for Life Friday, May 20, 2011 – Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011 – AIDS Walk San Diego Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 – The Center's Annual Gala Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 – Nightmare on Normal Street Know someone who is right for the job? Current opportunities include:   Licensed Biligual Staff Counselor    Unlicensed Bilingual Staff Counselor   Visit us online for more details about our current openings.
The Center is located at: 3909 Centre Street San Diego, CA 92103 Our mailing address: P.O. Box 3357 San Diego, CA 92163 Phone: (619) 692-2077 Fax:(619) 260-3092 Web: http://www.thecentersd.org

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