As we look back on the year 2009, we are grateful to the Bay Area Reporter, now the largest and oldest ongoing LGBT newspaper in the country, for the opportunity to contribute this biweekly column, which we began writing in 2005. What a privilege to dash all over the city attending events large and small, and then to report back to you readers on the diverse social scene and the incredible people who make it happen. Thank you, publisher Tom Horn and my editor Roberto Friedman, for the support and encouragement along the way, as well as help from other staff and contributors, including Cynthia Laird, Colleen Small, Michael Yamashita , Matthew Bajko, Jim Provenzano, and Sweet Lips. Although many have supplied great photographs to support this column, including Bill Wilson , Joe Pessa, Rich Stadtmiller, Rick Gerharter, and Rink Foto , our primary source of coverage for the many events during the year is Steven Underhill, always cooperative, positive, and creative.

While we relish the excitement of multiple events each night, it takes a sturdy escort to keep up and perhaps later to help us remember the names of those who were there. Thank you, Jacques Michaels , Lenny Broberg, Michael Loftis, Will Whitaker, Gary Virginia , James Holloway , Dean D'Onofrio , Eric Forbes, Joe Mac, Lu Conrad, Julian Marshburn , and Tom Oliver for being by my side. But beyond all others, Richard Sablatura has been my constant companion, generously giving his time, providing transportation, mixing amiably, looking handsome, and always treating us with such respect.

There would be no On the Town column without the incredibly diverse range of events happening all yea

New Year's Eve-a-go-go in the Castro. Photo: Steven Underhill

r long. We thank the hard-working people behind large, local organizations like the Pride Committee, Folsom Street Events, Castro Street Fair, Academy of Friends, Frameline, and others, for providing a wide variety of creative, stimulating events, always carefully managed and providing important income to many local charitable organizations. And we appreciate the many opportunities to support these charitable groups directly at their own fundraising events, from annual galas to award dinners, and from casino nights to speaker luncheons. National groups, like GLAAD, HRC, NCLR, DIFFA, and AmFAR certainly recognize the large, generous LGBT population here, and we appreciate their major annual events, featuring international celebrities, noted elected officials, and extravagant settings.

In the face of increasingly restrictive city regulations, we applaud the ongoing efforts of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence , the Imperial Court , the Ducal Court , Krewe de Kinque , the Leather clubs, and others to keep the party alive in San Francisco. Thank you, Janine Shioto and Mike Lane for Fresh at Ruby Skye, Gus Bean for his many special dance events, Ingu Yun for Sundance Saloon, Harry Lit for Lazy Bear events, Ken Henderson & Joe Seiler for the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation musical events, Harry Denton for Sunday's a Drag, Marc Huestis for fabulous Hollywood nights, Heklina for keeping the Trannyshack mystique alive, Juanita More! for her unique parties, the great guys behind Remember the Party, Anna Conda for Charlie Horse, Betty Sullivan for Ladies' Night, Patrik Gallineaux for Dancing with the Drag Stars, and the SOMA Bare Chest and Desperate Divas Calendar Models. In addition, there are so many talented entertainers, like Tom Orr, Marga Gomez, Trauma Flintstone , Bebe Sweetbriar , Pollo del Mar, Juanita Fajita, Katya Ludmilla Smirnoff-Skyy, Carly Ozard, and Garza , and creative producers, like Gary Virginia, Mama Sandy Reinhardt , Mark Paladini, Lord Martine, Sean Ray, Suzan Revah , Tita Aida, and Lisa Geduldig, who are constantly giving us a reason to get out of the house, often generously supported by bars and clubs, like 440 Castro, The Edge, The Mix, Triple Crown, Trigger, Cafe Flore, Martuni's, Encore Lounge, Aunt Charlie's, Deco Lounge, Marlena's, The End Up,  Powerhouse, Eagle Tavern, and Lone Star.

We are so thankful that artistic entertainment of all kinds is readily available all year long, some of it specifically geared to the LGBT community, but it will only continue if we support their efforts with our attendance and financial support. Spend an evening at the New Conservatory Theatre, the Rrazz Room, the Castro Theatre, or Teatro ZinZanni. Enjoy a concert with the SF Gay Men's Chorus, the Lesbian/Gay Chorus, the Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, Chanticleer, or the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony. Catch a performance of the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Theatre Rhinoceros, or the campy drag Golden Girls.

As 2010 begins, watch this column to keep up with the constantly changing but ever-vital social calendar of our community. If you read about an event which appeals to you, make it a point to attend next time. If the dynamics of a group attract you, that may be a great social connection for you. If the cause of a charitable group rings true to you, find time in your schedule to pitch in as a volunteer. We look forward to crossing paths with many of you in 2010.