Barry is a short-haired black cat. He is 2 years old and has been neutered.

Why I'd make a great companion

I'm a mellow and easy-going companion, content just to feel loved. I like to take my time approaching new situations. While I am a bit shy with new faces and places, I warm up as I become more familiar with my environment.

Type of home I'm looking for

Because I am shy, I will do best in a home without young children.

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation’s (SDHDF) board of directors has selected John Brown as the organization's new executive director, effective Feb. 1.

Brown comes to SDHDF after most recently serving as executive director of Family Services of the Desert, one of the oldest non-profit organizations in the Coachella Valley.

Brown's resume also includes service as executive director of the Desert AIDS Project from 1998 to 2004.

Is it really about the guns? Are people really pissed about the possibility of new gun laws in our country – or are they pissed that it’s a black man standing up and saying we need to get real about gun laws and regulations, and background checks.

I only ask this question because of what I witnessed on Friday while shopping for a few groceries. I grocery shop at our local Marine Base Commissary, so all of the patrons are active duty, retired or National Guard service members.

SAN DIEGO -- Recognizing a need to represent the diverse voices in the LGBT community, Caleb Rainey started a multicultural book group held twice monthly at Bluestocking Books in Hillcrest. The group was created in part from Rainey’s thought that “literature can open up conversations,” he said.

“There seems to be a gap in regards to conversation around race and sexuality,” the 24-year-old recent graduate said. “I was hoping to start filling that gap through literature.”