There are, however, a few Comic Con themed events going on here in Hillcrest and North Park, in which both attendees and non-attendees can mingle and get into the spirit of the weekend:

On Thursday Fiesta Cantina will kick-off Comic Con weekend with a Superhero Party at 8pm. Look for body painted superheros to be serving up drink specials all night, and be sure to come dressed as your favorite superhero or villain yourself – there’ll be prizes and give-aways to those in the best costume.

On Friday Disco Dolly will be hosting a Comic Con Costume After Party at U-31, featuring a performance by the sexiest band on the planet, Le Sexoflex. Doors open at 9pm, and the show starts at 10:45pm.

Also on Friday, Rich’s will be having their 6th annual Heros vs. Villains Party, starting at 9:30pm. There’ll be lots of stuff going on here: 10 dancing super-go-go-boys, a special performance by the Happy Feet dancers, chances to win Comic Con passes, face painting all night, Jello shots served up by Prism Comics, a costume contest, and a sexy underoos contest for those in the best hero or villain undies. Cover is $10, $3 off with your Comic Con badge until 11pm, or free until midnight if in costume.

We’ve all just survived another Pride weekend, and so this Saturday Michael Mack is hosting a Pride Recovery Event at Spin, from 9:30pm to 4am. With DJs Ideal and and Big Chris, cover is only $10 all night, or free with a Spin flyer before midnight.

And speaking of Pride … I want to give a big shout out to this year’s SDPIX Pride photography team – Brian Nagle, David Arce, Franz Sino, Josh Rice, Trish Conner, Adam Mutchler, Eric Lahtinen and Todd Nelson – who (along with myself) took over 3,000 Pride photos at over 30 cooperating venues and events. They now reside on SDPIX, which has pretty much become the community’s most extensive and definitive historical archive for San Diego Pride photos since 2002. Great work team!

Jim Winsor (jim@sdpix.com)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jim.winsor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimwinsor

Here’s a brief guide to all the parties and events happening at all the venues covered by the 2010 VIP Pass:

Tuesday July 13:

San Diego Pride Dirty Jock Kickoff Party at The Flame
Time: 10:00pm to 2:00am
Location: The Flame, 3780 Park Blvd
Cost: FREE for jocks in team uniforms

Kick-off San Diego Pride week with the jocks! SDPIX and The Flame present ‘Jock’s Night Out’ on Tuesday, July 13. With two large dance floors, three fully stocked bars, lounge areas, two DJs spinning, hot jock go-go boys, and a hip vibe, The Flame is the place to start off Pride right. Players in San Diego’s LGBT sports leagues who come in their jersey or league t-shirt will pay no cover and receive one free drink ticket. Others who attend wearing any sort of sports gear will receive a free drink ticket. Come celebrate Pride and sports with San Diego’s hottest jocks at The Flame.

Thursday July 15:

The San Diego Pride WET Foam Party at Bourbon Street
Time: 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Location: Bourbon Street, 4612 Park Blvd
Cost: FREE

Kick of your San Diego Pride weekend with San Diego’s only Pride Foam Party for the boys! This is a FREE event and we will reach capacity early…but VIP Pride Pass holders will receive front of the line priority entry all night long. And be sure to check out the special Pride edition of the weekly Bourbon Street Wet contest at midnight.

Friday July 16:

Pride T-Dance on the Bay Night Cruise on the Spirit of San Diego
Time: 7:30pm – 11:00pm
Location: THE SPIRIT OF SAN DIEGO, 1050 North Harbor Dr.
Cost: FREE with your 2010 San Diego Pride VIP Pass (normally $45)

Michael Mack Presents T-DANCE ON THE BAY Night Cruise, with DJ Kimberly S above deck, and DJ Marcel Hetu down below spinning the latest Top 40 and Hip-Hop, along with amazing sound and lighting. Boarding Time is 7:30pm, departure time 8pm, with a return time of 11pm. This is once of the five Official San Diego Pride Parties included on your card, so the admission is FREE.

A Night of Cabaret at The Flame
Time: 8:00pm to 10:00pm
Location: The Flame, 3780 Park Blvd
Cost: $7.00

The Flame Nightclub Presents “A Night of Cabaret” on Friday July 16, 2010 at 8pm with DJ Tim Harmon. The cast members are Rosanna, Ruby Dee, Norma, Phenelope, and Sonia with the Hostess being Medina Monet. There is a $7 cover for this exciting event, and your VIP Pass will let you leap-frog the line to grab the best seats in the house!

The Pride Kick-Off Party at Rich’s
Time: 9:00pm to 2:00am
Location: Rich’s, 1051 University Avenue
Cost: FREE with your 2010 San Diego Pride VIP Pass (normally $15)

Rich’s will be hosting the official “after-the-boat” Pride Kick Off Party on Friday night. Look for expanded capacity this year with a beer garden in the side parking lot and both dance floors going off all night. DJ Dan De Leon from Los Angeles headlines the main dance floor with uplifting tribal vocals and local favorite DJ Will Z keeps the front room hopping with pop and hip hop videos. They’ll also have hot go go dancers, great lighting, and a special laser show.

The Boys of Summer Party at Bourbon Street
Time: 9:00pm to 2:00am
Location: Bourbon Street, 4612 Park Blvd
Cost: Free

Celebrate Pride at San Diego’s hottest gay bar, with sizzlin’ go-go boys dancing to the tunes of local favorite DJ Jon Sautter. Front of line entry with your 2010 San Diego Pride VIP Card.

SoulKiss San Diego PRIDE Red Carpet Party!
Time: 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Location: The Flame, 4612 Park Blvd
Cost: ???

SOUL KISS presents Red Carpet Pride Party 2010. With your hostess for the evening – FLO of the Bad Girls Club, along with LIVE performance by WHIPLASH! Also featuring DJs GIGI and MONIQ: 2 rooms of Hip Hop, House, Dancehall, Soul and more! HOSTED HPNOTIQ 9-10p. Early arrival is STRONGLY suggested. This night will be packed and there might be a line all the way to your mama’s house so get here early…however, you can get front of line entry with your 2010 San Diego Pride VIP Pass.

Pan Dulce Pride at Numbers
Time: 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Location: Numbers, 3811 Park Blvd
Cost: ???

LA’s hottest Papi dancers invade invade San Diego at Pan Dulce Pride! Hosted by Lola, with two huge rooms of latin/hip-hop music, and free CD giveaways all night long. No waiting in line with your 2010 San Diego Pride VIP Pass.

Saturday July 17:

The Pride Parade Viewing Party at Jake’s On 6th Wine Bar
Time: 10:00am to 2:00pm
Location: Jake’s On 6th Wine Bar, 3755 6th Avenue
Cost: FREE

The Official Pride Parade Viewing party will take place at Jake’s on 6th Wine Bar during the 2010 Pride Parade. There’s no cover at this free event, however this event will definitely reach capacity so arrive early. 2010 San Diego VIP Pride Pass holders receive priority entry. Drink specials on wine, sangria, and beer as well as promotional give-a-ways from the sexy men and women of Blue Moon Brewing Company.

Pride Parade Beach Party at Rich’s
Time: 11:00am to 4:00pm
Location: Rich’s, 1051 University Avenue
Cost: FREE

Rich’s will be open during the Parade, and will also have an outdoor beer garden (fully stocked with frozen drinks) with a dance floor and a parade viewing platform. Music by DJ Michael Paul and DJ John Joseph. This event should fill up quickly, so your 2010 San Diego Pride VIP Pass should come in handy here in avoiding those pesky entry lines.

Latino Pride… PAPI STYLE! at The Flame
Time: 9:00pm to 2:00am
Location: The Flame, 3780 Park Blvd
Cost: ???

CLUB PAPI featuring DJs MIKE + BEN (LA) and WIN VIP “Meet and Greet” tickets to LAURA LEON! 12 HOT @$$ PAPI DANCERS!!! $5 off before 10:30p with flyer or VIP. Visit www.clubpapi.com for more info. Front of line entry with your 2010 San Diego Pride VIP Pass

Pride Beach Ball Party at Bourbon Street
Time: 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Location: Bourbon Street, 4612 Park Blvd
Cost: FREE

It’s a hot Gay Pride night at Bourbon Street, with hot go-go boys from the Men of Dirty Tony, and hot music from DJ Shane Stiels. Hot hot hot! Use your VIP Pass to avoid standing in line, and being left in the cold.

Femme Fatale – Ladies PRIDE Party at Numbers
Time: 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Location: Numbers, 3811 Park Blvd
Cost: $15

It’s PRIDE 2010! Come out and play with GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS…Femme Fatale will be celebrating in the Gayborhood and we can’t wait! With 2 Dance Floors (Resident DJ Kiki in the main room, 3 full service bars (Franki, Nic and Mila will be behind the bar…if you’ve seen these ladies, it’s reason enough to come for a visit!), an outside patio, and go-go girls on the bar all night long. Also, The smoking’ HOT Renegade Roller Derby Girls will be hosting Jello Shots and they’ll be skating their way through the PRIDE Parade…Look out for them and show them some love! Get there early to avoid the long lines, it is expected to reach maximum capacity…although, those with San Diego Pride VIP Passes get priority entry.

ReFresh Pride at Numbers
Time: 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Location: Numbers, 3811 Park Blvd
Cost: ???

July is here and so is ReFresh Pride!! ReFresh is hosting the hottest and ONLY Pop and Hip Hop night in Hillcrest for Pride at Numbers San Diego. What does a mix of ReFresh and Pride come up with? Cheap Bottle Tables hosted by the ReFresh Bottle Crew (make reservations early at ReFreshSD@gmail.com), hot go-go boys, music videos with ReFresh’s Own DJ Will Z, drink specials, and lots and lots of boys and fun! This night is expected to hit capacity so early arrival is suggested…but you can always beat the line with your Pride VIP Pass.

Popsicle Pride at 4th & B
Time: 10:00pm to 5:00am
Location: 4th & B, 345 B Street
Cost: FREE with your 2010 San Diego Pride VIP Pass (normally $40)

San Diego Pix & San Diego Gay & Lesbian News Official Media Sponsors of San Diego Pride present Popsicle Pride with DJ Nikno of San Diego & DJ Casey Alva of Los Angeles. Your senses will be stimulated with special themed performances, an incredible state of the art light show and towering LED light wall at San Diego’s largest after-hours destination. Look for special guest performance by KIMBERLY COLE and ERIKA JAYN, the latter of which will be performing her new #1 Dance single, “PRETTY MESS”

LL Bear at Rich’s
Time: 9:00pm to 2:00am
Location: Rich’s, 1051 University Avenue
Cost: ???

LL Bear presents San Diego’s biggest Levi, leather and bear event…with Masterbeat’s superstar (and super hot) DJ Brett Henrichsen at the turntables. Early arrival is strongly recommended…although you can always avoid the inevitable lines tonight with your 2010 San Diego Pride VIP Pass.

Michael Mack Presents: Pride 2010 at Spin Nightclub
Time: 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM
Location: Spin Nightclub, 2028 Hancock Street
Cost: $10 b4 11pm, $15 after

The DJ Boys, John Joseph and Michael Paul, return to celebrate Pride 2010. Featuring 3 levels and 10,000 square feet of nightclub real estate (including a rooftop bar), 60,000 watts of real thunderous sound, kinetic lighting and lasers, lush lounging, free street parking…and a Pride special on Skyy Vodka bottles…two for $250 (contact vip@spinnightclub.com for details). Front-of-line entry with your Pride VIP Pass!

Sunday July 18:

Remedy’s Pride Celebration Sunday at Lei Lounge
Time: 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Lei Lounge, 4622 Park Blvd
Cost: FREE

Come join Michael Mack and crew for our Pride REMEDY!! Sunday with overflowing cocktails, a global brunch menu and a tropical outdoor setting with cabanas and fire-pits. With an amazing musical environment provided by DJ Mark Nygard. Reservations are advised for the weekend also for private cabanas and fire-pit seating. Your San Diego Pride VIP Pass will bypass any outside line.

Ladies Pride Foam Party at Bourbon Street
Time: 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Location: Bourbon Street, 4612 Park Blvd
Cost: FREE

It’s ladies night at Bourbon Street the night of Pride Sunday, with a Ladies Pride Foam Party. Also, a wet t-shirt contest with $500 in cash and prizes, along with live performances by Ashley Matte, music by DJ L Vee, and hot go-go girls all night long. Beat the line with your San Diego Pride VIP Pass.

Salvation Pride at 4th & B
Time: 10:00pm to 5:00am
Location: 4th & B, 345 B Street
Cost: FREE with your 2010 San Diego Pride VIP Pass (normally $50)

San Diego Pix & San Diego Gay & Lesbian News Official Media Sponsors of San Diego Pride present Salvation Pride with: DJ Tracy Young of Miami & DJ Oscar Velazquez of Mexico City. Your senses will be stimulated with jaw dropping themed performances, an incredible state of the art light show and our towering wall of fire at San Diego’s largest after-hours destination.

All Weekend Long

Baja Betty’s, Gossip Grill, Urban Mo’s and Fiesta Cantina, being on or near the parade route as they are (and incredibly popular year-round in any case), will be JAM PACKED all weekend long. It’s like this every Pride – you know this to be true. Therefore, the only way you’re going to get to talk to that hottie at the front of the line just walking in, and nab him before someone else does, is to use your 2010 San Diego Pride VIP Pass to cut up to the front yourself. The others in line may hate you for it, as they watch you buying that hottie a drink…but hey, it’s Pride weekend, the competition is fierce, and you gotta do what you gotta do…

See you all Pride weekend!

Jim Winsor (jim@sdpix.com)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jim.winsor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimwinsor

Bourbon Street/Lei Lounge
Approximately every 20 minutes starting at 8:00PM. Last shuttle between 1AM and 1:30AM

The Flame/Numbers
Approximately every 20 minutes starting at 8:10PM. Last shuttle between 1AM and 1:30AM

Baja Betty’s/Gossip Grill
Approximately every 20 minutes starting at 8:20PM. Last shuttle between 1AM and 1:30AM

Rich’s
Approximately every 20 minutes starting at 8:25PM. Last shuttle between 1AM and 1:30AM

Fiesta Cantina/Urban Mo’s
Approximately every 20 minutes starting at 8:30PM. Last shuttle between 1AM and 1:30AM

Jake’s on 6th
Approximately every 20 minutes starting at 8:00PM. Last shuttle between 1AM and 1:30AM

Park Manor Hotel
Approximately every 20 minutes starting at 8:10PM. Last shuttle between 1AM and 1:30AM

Porta Vista Hotel
Approximately every 20 minutes starting at 8:20PM. Last shuttle between 1AM and 1:30AM

The Sofia Hotel
Approximately every 20 minutes starting at 8:30PM. Last shuttle between 1AM and 1:30AM

W Hotel
Approximately every 20 minutes starting at 8:40 PM. Last shuttle between 1AM and 1:30AM

4th and B
Approximately every 20 minutes starting at 10PM. Last shuttle between 3:30AM and 4AM

Spin
Approximately every 20 minutes starting at 10:20PM. Last shuttle between 1AM and 1:30AM

Jim Winsor (jim@sdpix.com)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jim.winsor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimwinsor

On Friday, July 16 promoter Michael Mack teams up with Pride media sponsors San Diego Pix and SDGLN to present the “T-Dance on the Bay Night Cruise,” with DJ Kimberly S on the Harbor Excursion’s Spirit of San Diego. Boarding time begins at 7:30, and the cruise sails and parties about the bay from 8 to 11pm. Pre-sale tickets for this event are $45.

On Saturday July 17 Popsicle Pride returns this year to 4th & B, with DJs Casey Alva and Nikno. The past couple years this event has been quite successful; you can view the 2008 and 2009 photos here, and a video from Popsicle Pride 2009 here.

The party runs from 10pm to 5am, and pre-sale tickets are $30.

And Sunday July 18 marks the return of the Salvation Party to 4th and B. Last year’s party (which featured DJs Oscar Velazquez and Peter Rauhofer) was easily the most talked about Pride event of 2009, with such buzz no doubt contributing mightily to the remarkable turn out that night (photos can be viewed here).

This year, Mexico City DJ Oscar Velazquez returns and is joined by Miami DJ Tracy Young. The event runs from 10pm to 5am, and presale tickets are $40.

The VIP Pass for the weekend is on sale now as well, and like last year not only gets you VIP entry into all Pride Parties mentioned above, but also covers admission to a couple additional parties (the Pride Kickoff Party at Rich’s on Friday night, and the Pride Parade Viewing Party at Jakes on 6th on Saturday). And it’s good for free rides on the limo bus running between Hillcrest and 4th and B on Saturday and Sunday nights, which is certainly a convenience!

On top of that, it acts like an amusement park “Speed Pass” during Pride weekend, allowing the holder front-of-line privileges to the following extremely-busy-during-Pride bars and clubs: Baja Betty’s, Bourbon Street, Fiesta Cantina, The Flame, Gossip Grill, Jakes on 6th, Lei Lounge, Numbers, Rich’s, Spin and Urban Mo’s Bar & Grill (formerly Hamburger Mary’s). The early bird price for this invaluable little card is $125 through July 1.

So, thats a peek at some of the parties we have to look forward to this coming July. By then I’m sure we’ll all be fully recovered from this past Memorial Day weekend here in San Diego. Photos from that festive weekend below, as well as Davina’s fabulous Monster Ball extravaganza at Rich’s Wednesday before last, which raised over $3000 for the American Red Cross.

Jim Winsor (jim@sdpix.com)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jim.winsor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimwinsor

…so, it looks like it was sold. No info yet on the new owners, however, or what they plan to do with it. As I find out more I’ll let you know.

We have a fun-filled Memorial Day Weekend in store for us down here in San Diego. Look for me at our Active Duty Military Party at Rich’s this Saturday, followed by Michael Mack’s Tropical Beach Party with DJ Kimberly S at Spin for after-hours. On Sunday the Michael Mack madness continues with his annual T-Dance on the Bay, and right after the boat sails into port I’ll be heading over to The Flip Flop Prom at the W Hotel, a brand new fundraising event for the Hillcrest Youth Center.

And on Monday, the plan is to hit up Lei Lounge for a special Memorial Day Brunch. See you all there!

Jim Winsor (jim@sdpix.com)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jim.winsor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimwinsor

North Park residents angry with bar and restaurant expansion

By David Harvey
SDUN Reporter

A North Park resident has created an organization to fight what he believes is a flood of bars coming into the 30th Street and University Avenue business district.

Don Leichtling said he established the North Park Residential Improvement District (NP-RID) in January because he is concerned about the potential for more alcohol licenses to be granted in the area….

…

…Leichtling, who lives a few blocks from the district, said drunken bar patrons have vandalized his car and home, vomited on his porch, had sex in his yard and attacked his neighbor. He said other residents have experienced similar disturbances, which have increased in frequency in the last few years…”

You can read the whole article here…I must say, I live smack dab in the middle of the all the Hillcrest nightlife (10th and University) but I have yet to experience someone having sex in my yard. That I know of.

Vomit IS an issue, however, but these puddles are limited to the sidewalks, and not on my porch. I have found drunk people sleeping on my porch in the morning, however.

And as far as vandalism of homes and cars go, yes there’s that. But it’s my impression the problem is mainly due not to club goers but to transients (who especially like to break into cars)…a problem which would likely become WORSE without the economic stimulus brought to the neighborhood by nightlife.

So, as a resident of a nightlife-y area myself, I am still of the belief that benefits of the vibrancy outweigh the inconveniences. And it seems to me, North Park has many vacant properties (ie, the old Big Lots store) that could really shine and bring prosperity to the neighborhood if clubs were let in.

And speaking of local nightlife, look for me and my camera at Bourbon Street tonight (Thursday) for the House Boi Fashion Show and Wet Contest; at Baja Betty’s and Gossip Grill on Friday; at Spin Nightclub for DJ Phil B on Saturday; and finally, at Circuit Sundays at Sidebar for “Pink Paddy Day.” For that last event, don’t forget that everyone can catch a FREE ride on the SD PIX party bus that leaves from the Ralphs parking lot in Hillcrest and runs all night long! It’s a great way to travel to and fro the Gaslamp, hassle free.

Jim Winsor (jim@sdpix.com)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jim.winsor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimwinsor

You can read bio info on Manny Lehman and Mya here and here. Also, since this party is an official pre-White Party celebration event, the night includes ticket and DVD giveaways for the upcoming Jeffrey Sanker annual extravaganza in Palm Springs this coming April. And on top of that it’ll be Derek Soderholm’s birthday there that night, so be sure to give him a birthday grind on the dance floor when you see him!

And there’s some other fun stuff to look forward to this weekend as well. There’ll be a semi-private gay Hornblower brunch cruise on the bay, organized by my friend John Sloane, from 10am to 1pm on Sunday (yes…a threee-hour tour…a threee-hour tour!). I went on the maiden voyage last month, and I must say, I found it to be a wonderfully relaxing way to detox (or, via bottomless mimosas, retox) from the excesses of the Saturday night before.

And on Saturday at 6pm, another good friend of mine, Luigi Vera, is having his clothing store’s 1st Anniversary Party, complete with food, drink and a runway model show. Plus, it’s 50% off that day, throughout the entire store…can’t beat that! A perfect time to begin shopping for White Party outfits, I’d say…

Jim Winsor (jim@sdpix.com)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jim.winsor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimwinsor

Friday, February 12: I think I’ll start things off low-key with the Love and Lust Party at House.Boi, 6to 9pm. There’ll be all my favorite shirtless House.Boi models there, a Svedka host bar and music by DJ Marcel. Plus I can shop for a new Mardi Gras outfit for the weekend…

Saturday, February 13: First stop of the night will obviously have to be our Active Duty Military Ball at Rich’s, with music by DJ Nikno. As usual, miltary and/or camo attire is encouraged, and the first 500 boys through the door get commemorative dog tags.

And then after that, it’s off to after-hours at Spin Nightclub for Michael Mack presents “Beads” with DJ Taj. It’ll be Andrey Roy’s birthday celebration that night, so if you see him make sure and wish him a happy one!

Sunday, February 14: As I mentioned here last week, this night is the debut of a brand spankin’ new event, Circuit Sundays downtown at Sidebar in the Gaslamp. Here’s some new info on the 30-person limo shuttle: Plans are for it to depart from the Ralph’s parking lot in Hillcrest beginning at 8:30pm, and to continue running back and forth between there and Sidebar every half hour, until the last one leaves Sidebar at 1:30am. We know it’s inconvenient for many of you to party outside of Hillcrest, so we’re trying to make this exciting new event as safe and hassle-free for you as possible.

Monday, February 15: What Mardi Gras would be complete without a visit to Bourbon Street? Monday will be day 6 of Bourbon’s “7 Days of Decadence,” and will feature our newest Pix event, Shake at Bourbon Street. In fact, this Shake will be the Booty Shakin’ Semi-Finals, with a 1st place prize of $300.

Tuesday, February 16: This is the big one! The 9th Annual Absolut Hillcrest Mardi Gras Street Party celebration will take place today, rain or shine, between 6 and 11pm:

“The event is sponsored by the GSDBA Charitable Foundation and the Hillcrest Business Association. All proceeds from the street party benefit both organizations. The GSDBA Charitable Foundation issues annual Youth Scholarships.

The festival will feature live entertainment, special guest performers, and an exclusive V.I.P. area. Food and other drink will be available for purchase from participating vendors and venues. Additionally, full liquor will also be served during the event. An array of other surprises, plenty of beads, and various other party favors will also be part of the festive evening. Hillcrest Mardi Gras remains a 21 and up age event.”

So, that’s my plan…six events in five days. See you all…wherever I see you!

Jim Winsor (jim@sdpix.com)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jim.winsor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimwinsor

This story broke late last night:

Elected officials intervene — demand Board changes at Pride
Princetta, Karim and Worrell to step down
Morgan M. Hurley, Copyeditor Tue, 01/26/2010 – 6:51pm

(SAN DIEGO) Sources close to SDGLN state that elected officials – all current and former San Diego City Councilmembers – have joined together in a collective effort to resolve the crisis and scandal that has rocked San Diego Pride in recent weeks.

State Senator Christine Kehoe, City Councilmember Todd Gloria, City Councilmember Carl DeMaio and former City Councilmember and Assembly candidate Toni Atkins have united their call for Chair Phillip Princetta, Treasurer Mike Karim, and Secretary Carl Worrell to step down.

Kehoe, Gloria, DeMaio and Atkins met with the Board over the weekend and have been aggressively working the phones to bring about this resolution.

An agreement was reached this afternoon. Princetta, Worrell and Karim have agreed to resign, but not until a slate of former Pride Board members is in place.

A new Board will be announced this week.

And this one this morning:

BREAKING: Elected officials call for reinstatement of nine board members, names submitted to Pride in official memorandum
Pridegate offenders Princetta, Worrell, and Karim to step down
Margie M. Palmer Wed, 01/27/2010 – 7:21am Updated, January 27, 10:00 a.m.

(SAN DIEGO) As reported first by SDGLN on Tuesday, the embattled offenders in the Pridegate scandal have agreed to step down and appoint an interim Board.

The action came after intervention by four GLBT elected officials: State Senator Christine Kehoe, Councilmember Todd Gloria, Councilmember Carl DeMaio, and former Councilmember and Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins.

“As elected leaders, we had a responsibility to relay the concerns we have heard from so many in the community to the Pride board,” said Gloria. “Upon sharing our thoughts with them, the board put the best interests of the community and the organization ahead of themselves and agreed to an orderly transition of Pride governance to an interim board consisting of past board members. This was an important first step to rebuilding the public’s trust in San Diego LGBT Pride.This action will ensure that planning for this year’s Pride celebration will continue and that the San Diego’s largest civic event will take place as scheduled.”

“This will provide a fresh start for Pride and the continued planning for this year’s successful event,” said Senator Kehoe.

SDGLN has obtained a memorandum by Senator Kehoe in which nine past Board members were named. The list was presented by the elected officials for interim appointment until a permanent Board can be put in place.

The list includes Jeri Dilno, Andrea Villa, Judi Schaim, Larry Ramey, Chris Shaw, Bob Leyh Vertez Burks, Romer de los Santos and Anne Hewett.

Gloria is pleased with the outcome of the meeting, which will ensure the continued success of the largest civic event in the City.

“I look forward to seeing a new Pride board implement measures that will increase transparency and public participation in the actions it takes.”

Although there is still the matter of the rehiring of staff to be resolved, these resignations are a huge step forward. It’s now time, I think, for the community to come together, heal the rifts which developed during this whole unfortunate episode, and help make San Diego Pride 2010 the best one ever.

And I think a message of thanks is due to the three departing board members. Not only for eventually doing the right thing and resigning (hence saving Pride from perhaps irreparable divisions) but also for their years of valuable service to San Diego Pride prior to the most recent controversy. As this YouTube video of Dr. Princetta (posted August 2008) reminds us, these were not easy years for the board of San Diego Pride:

Click here to view the embedded video.

As I said above, let the healing process begin.

Jim Winsor (jim@sdpix.com)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jim.winsor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimwinsor

“According to the Union-Tribune, San Diego Police are seeking help identifying a thief who appears to be targeting gay men at a popular Hillcrest watering hole:

The suspect, who has identified himself as “Paul” or “John,” has picked up at least two men on separate occasions Dec. 2 and 18 at Urban Mo’s on University Avenue near Third Avenue, San Diego police said.

The victims, who were in their 30s, ended up inviting the suspect back to their homes in North Park and Bankers Hill. When they woke up, they discovered that items such as laptops, cash, credit cards and Chargers gear had been stolen.

Investigators believe the suspect may have slipped drugs into his victims’ drinks to knock them out.

The thief is described as black, in his 20s, between 6 feet 1 inch to 6 feet 3 inches tall, about 170 pounds, bald, with a thin build and a gold earring in his left ear.

Anyone with information that might assist this investigation is asked to call Crimestoppers at (888) 580-8477. Crimestoppers is offering a reward of $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case.”

And to add to this, according to a Mo’s security guard I talked with, other than that somewhat vague description, we really don’t really have any clear image of what this guy looks like. As you can see from the video the suspect was very crafty, careful to always tilt his head down when he passed by the security cameras. So, he seems to be a pro…so, be on your guard out there!

The latest on Pride-gate: The “Pride Board reinstates two former board members, other candidates ’still being considered,’” and an “Open letter to the community from San Diego Pride’s Board of Directors.”

It appears the current board is gambling that over time the outrage will fade, and that by July our desire to party will outweigh the calls for a boycott (in other words, they figure that convincing gays to boycott Pride would be like convincing 6-year olds to boycott Christmas). However, judging by the various public comments to these stories thus far, the anger out there remains unabated…making this a dangerous gamble at best. And regardless of how it turns out, ultimately a rather selfish one, IMO.

Oh well, in happier news…a whole bunch of new photo albums from last week (posted below), including a big night at Spin Nightclub. As I predicted last week, the boys came there in force on Saturday to catch a rare appearance by superstar DJ Tony Moran. As you can see by the photos, it was definitely a fun fun night!

And look for me this Saturday night at these two upcoming big events of the weekend: Cub Club SD: Year of the Cub at the Flame, and our Atlantis: The Club Under the Sea Party at Rich’s. See you all there!

Jim Winsor (jim@sdpix.com)
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