SAN DIEGO – Charles Robert Cook, known by friends and loved ones as Chuck, died Monday afternoon from injuries that resulted from a car accident in July. He was 35 years old.

News of Cook’s death sent shockwaves across the University of San Diego (USD) campus as well throughout the local LGBT community, as he was an active participant in many campus and community activities and organizations.

SAN DIEGO – John DeMiranda, president and CEO of Stepping Stone of San Diego, was elected to the City Heights Area Planning Committee (CHAPC) at a meeting Monday night.

DeMiranda, who has been at the helm of Stepping Stone since 2008, recently moved to the City Heights neighborhood, which is also home to the organization’s residential treatment facility and administrative offices.

Receiving a graduate degree from Harvard University, DeMiranda has worked in the alcohol and drug problems field for more than 34 years and is in long term recovery.

(Editor's note: Tom McSorley wrote this commentary on behalf of and with the support of the 4 Friends but takes personal responsibility for the opinions expressed within. The 4 Friends Collaboration includes Being Alive, Townspeople, Stepping Stone and Special Delivery -- four organizations with a common mission, to help meet the unmet needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.)

Speaking as the 4 Friends, a collaboration of San Diego’s AIDS Service Organizations, after 30 years of fighting this fight, we should have something to say.

As owner of MSE Landscape Professionals, Mike Seymour loves having an outlet that is both creative and serves the community.

"I love working with my customers to create something special that will be enjoyed for years," Seymour said.

Through his gay son, Seymour also became aware of various organizations he could participate with and donate resources to, in order to help these charities provide invaluable services to the LGBT community.