Thursday night I went down to South Miami for the first annual Mr. Azucar pageant, which by the way was so professionally run I have to give props to owners Tony & Arturo!! They had 4 very qualified contestants, and in the end the new Mr. Azucar is Joshua Santiago (and very well deserved). The night starred house Diva’s Sophia Divine, Teresita La Caliente, Vegas Dion, as well as Kennedy Davenport (Miss Azucar), Angelica Monroe (Miss Divine), Maite West (Miss Noche Latina), Victoria Granty, Carmen V. Jones, and many more.

Then I headed a little further South to O’Zone for the Wild Things show which was featuring the 1^st annual Miss Trailer Trash USA contest, which was a funny take off on real pageants and featured the categories Lawn Chair evening wear, Dumb question, dumb answer and Beer chuggin contest. The night was hosted by Barbra Brice, TP Lords and Pussila. Pictured is Barbra Brice on stage in her Trailer Trash wear.

This past weekend was the 1 year anniversary of Steel nightclub, and Chris & Russell did not disappoint!! I went over there on Saturday when they featured the talents of Robert Rodriguez on the turntables. Saturdays are always packed at Steel, and the anniversary was even busier then usual. Pictured is owner Russell with JumpOnMarksList own Mark Haines.

Sunday was the last day of Hamburger Mary’s. Hey kids, don’t worry owners John & Cliff are closing for renovations and will re-open the restaurant in a few weeks, but it will be under a new name. What you ask is that name?? Well you heard it hear first……It will be called Rosie’s. Hope to see you all there for the Grand Opening……..stay tuned to this column for the details.

August's Monthly Miami - Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Business Networker will be held at new member Costa Vasca, 5779 SW 8th located near 57th and SW 8th St (Calle Ocho), from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. You will be treated to an unforgettable night of Spanish passion, sights, sounds and tastes! Admission is $5 for MDGLCC Members and $10 for future members. Don't forget to bring your business cards and a friend. For more information call 305-801-8910.

2006 Gay World Series needs your help.....First off, volunteers to assist at the fields from Tuesday August 15th to Saturday August 19th...What a great way to get up close and personal to the players...This is a great time for our community to come together and support each other, right here in our own ball field....The group also has a "wish list" of items that they are in critical need of. Your assistance is appreciated, and for more information, you can go to their website at www.series2006.com or contact Cheryl L. O'Bryan Series 2006 FTL - Vice Chair at (561)-793-5593

“A true champion for the GLBT community is running for for Broward County School Board and she needs our help. Jennifer Gottlieb has stood with our community for years.  She has been with us in Tallahassee in our campaign to pass a safe schools law that protects GLBT students.  As the public policy director at the Broward Teachers union Jennifer was a tremendous ally, and she was by our side when extremists tried to ban the “We Are Family” diversity training video in Broward last year.  You may also know Jennifer’s husband, State Representative Ken Gottlieb, who has been the lead sponsor of our safe schools bill in Florida every year it has been introduced. Jennifer’s opponent, Darla Carter, has been an outspoken CRITIC of GLSEN (the gay, lesbian, straight education network) and has opposed many other support programs for our students. Your support in the campaign will matter!  Jennifer is running a great campaign – she has picked up many important endorsements and has raised more money than her opponent.  But unseating an incumbent in a countywide race takes money.  Jennifer needs our help to get her message out. Please join me and Jennifer on Sunday, August 13th, at 5:00 at Storks.  She has been there for our community over and over again – now we need to be there for her. We hope to see you on Sunday, the 13.^”

Stonewall Library's Boys Movie Night Out Presents on Friday August 11 “BEAR CUB (CACHORRO).” Movie Starts Promptly @ 7:00 pm with a Suggested Donation of $2.00 and a Discussion following Movie (time permitting). Popular at film festivals worldwide BEAR CUB (CACHORRO) is a new style gay film from Spain. This movie delves in to the gay "bear" culture in Spain mostly looking at inter-personal relationships among a group of friends who are bears and some other aspects of their culture. Pedro (Jose Luis Garcia-Perez, nominated for a Goya - Spain's Oscars) is a gay dentist (Tooth Fairy). His sister leaves her son Bernardo at his place before going on vacation. Pedro becomes the boy's temporary guardian and primary care-giver while she is in India which ends up a prolonged stay. Pedro tries to become more parental but soon realizes Bernardo does not care and seems to like his uncle's friends. Pedro and Bernardo get along great until the grandmother starts to create problems. The grandmother believes that her grandson must not be raised by a gay man. The film brings up many of the issues confronting our community like HIV, family homophobia, body image, parenting and even blackmail.