The South Beach AIDS Project is in trouble. Unlike other organizations, SoBAP doesn't give fancy-dress balls and have celebrities appearing at black tie functions; they just give free help to those in need. Unlike other "charities", they don't pay themselves handsomely, attend foreign conferences, or buy themselves mahogany desks; they have an unpretentious office on Washington Avenue above a juice store. So, when a group like that finds themselves in a financial bind the best thing to do is call, who else? Thomas Barker.

The indefatigable Barker took up the call for help and gathered the town's clubs together for a fund-raiser. Good ol' Barker; he's transformed from a paid party monster to one of the most effective fund-raisers around.

Tomorrow, The Palace leads off the effort with benefit drag shows and pledges and money has already started to flow in from mine and Barker's requests. The Great Northern Court of The Countess Bedelia has even opend its treasury already and many members of our court have stepped forward, including the girls, who are donating their tips. We are all aware how tiring the mayoral campaign was, but now is not the time to rest; and--as I have seen before--The Palace patrons always seem to come through. They, more than anyone, know how fortunate we all are to live this splendid life in paradise and now's the time to be a little thoughtful of others.

In other words, Be Ready To Open Those Purses.