NINA NEWS

A Reason To Dine

On December 1, the Columbus AIDS Task Force Offers a Reason To Dine.

Columbus, Ohio On December 1, World AIDS Day will be recognized globally as a way to raise funds, increase awareness, fight prejudice, and improve HIV education.

In an effort to raise funds and awareness, Columbus AIDS Task Force (CATF) is presenting a dining experience with the participation of many restaurants across the city. Participating establishments have offered a percentage of their profits on December 1 to CATF.

Our staff, clients, and volunteers hope that everyone finds a reason to dine out on World AIDS Day, said Peggy Anderson, CATF president and CEO. By joining us at the participating restaurants and bars in our community, you help create change by learning more about HIV and supporting the HIV community.

With HIV infections on the rise, now is the time to make a statement about how the community fights HIV disease and stigma, Anderson. Participating businesses and volunteers will be distributing information about how individuals can start to protect themselves and those in their care.

Information for a Reason To Dine can be found at www.ReasonToDine.com.

With a staff of 30 employees and a significant number of volunteers, CATF continues to be one of the leading HIV/AIDS service organizations in the state of Ohio. It has been recognized by city and state government offices as a symbol of pride for public service, and has been providing care and prevention services for those living with HIV/AIDS in Central Ohio since 1984.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that more than one million Americans are living with HIV. More than a quarter of them do not know they are living with HIV. The CDC also estimates that more than 56,000 Americans contract HIV every year. The numbers make HIV prevention a national health priority. CATF is committed to continue service to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

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CATF is a full-service, community-based, non-profit AIDS Service Organization providing comprehensive care services, educational programs, and HIV testing. CATF primarily serves the seven counties making up the Central Ohio region; however, some of its programs serve central eastern Ohio. CATF is a United Way member agency and is CARF accredited.

CATFs mission is to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS through awareness, advocacy, and care.

Nina West Teams with the 1st National Touring Company of WICKED for DEFYING INEQUALITY in San Diego

Defying Inequality

occurs on Monday August 24 2009 in the Defying Inequality Map, 2891 University Ave

Performance Notes

DEFYING INEQUALITY" NATIONAL TOURING COMPANY OF WICKED TO HOST A BENEFIT CABARET PERFORMANCE PROMOTING EQUALITY & CIVIL RIGHTS.

Tickets-$100.00 Section 1, $50.00 Section 2, $35.00 Section 3 & LOGE. *All Tickets Already Include $3.00 Birch North Park Theatre Restoration Fee. There is $6.00 Convenience Charge PER ORDER for online & phone sales. This convenience fee is waived if tickets are purchased in person at the box office window during the normal business hours of Tuesday-Friday, noon-4:00pm.

No Children Under 5 allowed in the theatre. All sales are final.

THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES OF TICKETS AT ANY TIME. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

COCKTAIL RECEPTION AT 6:00pm FOR $150 VIP Ticket Holders (Please see the "Defying Inequality- $150 VIP" Event Listing to purchase these tickets), Special Invited Guests & The Cast of Wicked.

PERFORMANCE AT 7:30pm

WICKED, the event will feature members of the cast and crew as well as guest performers. This special one-night only event will benefit Equality California, Empire State Pride Agenda, Garden State Equality and Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, four non-profit charitable organizations working to legislate equality and protect civil rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. All proceeds will be distributed evenly among the four organizations.

DEFYING INEQUALITY will feature musical performances that support WICKED's theme of acceptance and illuminate the musical's message that people should not be judged on first impressions, and that in these divisive times we must come together to support one another's rights throughout the country and around the world. Performers include Donna Vivino (Elphaba), Nina West (2008 National Entertainer of the Year), San Diego's own Judy "The Beauty" Forman as well as many members of the cast of the First National Touring Company of WICKED.

Official Press Release- Alec Mapa

Press Release

Alec Mapa brings his signature style of comedy to Axis Club & Theatre. He got his first professional break when he was cast to replace B.D. Wong in the Broadway production of M. Butterfly. On television, he has made guest appearances on a wide variety of programs, including Jamie Foxx Show, Roseanne, Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, Friends, Murder One and Dharma & Greg. He co-starred with Jason Bateman in the short-lived 2001 comedy Some of My Best Friends. He played Adam Benet in the UPN comedy Half & Half.

He wrote and performed in a one-man play titled "I Remember Mapa", about his experiences growing up gay in San Francisco.

Mapa was a featured performer on the Logo original stand-up comedy series Wisecrack. He recently appeared as Vern, Gabrielle's gay best friend, on the hit ABC series Desperate Housewives. He currently plays recurring roles in Ugly Betty, as Suzuki St. Pierre, the gay on-screen host (and the alias of straight--and married-- journalist Byron Wu) of the fashion-oriented television channel that covers the inside gossip from Mode and other fashion magazines, and the animated series Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World, as Rick's flamboyantly gay uncle Bakla.

Mapa's film credits include parts in Bright Lights, Big City, Playing by Heart, and Connie and Carla, among others. He was recently featured in the movies Super Sweet 16: The Movie and Tru Loved. He also played as a stylist in the movie You Don't Mess with the Zohan. His latest film appearance was on the movie "Marley and Me" where he appeared to pick up Marley after Marley ran away to chase some birds on the beach. Currently he is hosting Transamerican Love Story. This show is a reality dating program starring transgender woman Calpernia Addams selecting from among eight potential suitors. In 2008, he hosted Dancing With Dogs on Animal Planet. Mapa also performed on the 2009 Atlantis Freedom Caribbean Cruise headlining in the Arcadia Theater, and did the best impression ever of an Atlantis cruiser finding out what day it is. He is sometimes confused with Rex Lee who plays Lloyd on the hit HBO Dramady "Entourage".

Mapa and Nina West Entertainer of the Year 2008 will hit the stage Saturday August 22nd at 8:30. Tickets and tables are on sale at Union Café and at www.columbusnightlife.com. Dont miss this funniest night of the summer!

Nina Gets Ready to Go Down the Rabbit Hole

With less than 2 weeks before a new National Entertainer of the Year is crowned, the excitement is definitely building in Columbus, Ohio. Friends of Nina West are preparing to travel with her to Louisville, Kentucky, celebrating both the system and the amazing entertainer and individual that is Nina West.

The excitement has been building for some time. The energy is palpable. Just last week, Nina took the opportunity to thank her hometown with a sold-out one-woman show. NINA! THANK YOU COLUMBUS was a show unlike any other the drag performer has done. Instead of the big production numbers, it was just our hometown girl, telling stories of her year, sometimes emotional, sometimes funny, and always entertaining.

Her numbers included a comedic musical/vocal piece telling her stories of going through airport security with her crown, talking of her friends she has made around the country, and her life after Entertainer of the Year. Emotional highlights included her video/live stage performance of Michael Jackson's "Will You Be There".

Timing is everything, and she has it.

Before the end of the night, Nina brought out an original painting of her as "Alice" from Lewis Carroll's ALICE IN WONDERLAND, as painted by local Columbus artist, Michael Owens. In true Nina fashion, she auctioned this painting off to charity, raising $650 for the SLS Pride Foundation, the organization supported by revenue raised from Entertainer of the Year, F.I., based out of Louisville, Kentucky.

We wish you the best, Nina, as you prepare for the closing of this chapter. We also look forward to turning the page to see what may be next for you. Best of luck.

Before the End...NEOY 2008

It really is bittersweet. Over the last year and a half, my primary focus has been centered on this pageantry system, and with precisely one month away until I step down from this title, my focus will yet again change. So, before the next winner is crowned as NEOY 09, before the lights dim on my reign, before my last video blog for EOY on August 2, I wanted to extend some thanks and gratitude to some people who really helped me make it to this point.

First and foremost, I have to thank the amazing community of Columbus, Ohio for always being there for me through the thick and thin of what I lovingly call my drag career. When I have been at my best and worst, you all have been there to embrace me and support me. Truly, I do all of this for my friends here in this amazing city, and I am not going to stop that anytime soon.

More specifically, I really want to thank all of the people who have come out to my shows at Axis or Union and just given yourself over to the 6'9 lady thing standing in front of you. I can't possibly thank everyone because all of your names escape me and this would be the longest blog ever, but know how much it means to me to see some many friends all the time at every show I do.

I also want to take the time out to thank some very important ogranizations that have helped shape me and make me who I am today. Columbus Stompers - Thank you for putting me in my first big benefit show 8 years ago. Aside from Virginia, you were the first ones to go to bat for me. I am so excited that you will share in my step down experience with me. I cannot wait for JULY 11! And best of luck this weekend in DC! Flaggots Ohio - Thank you for continuing to invite me to perform with you and for taking chances with me on some crazy shows and ideas. HRC - You let me be apart of the CMH dinner years ago and it was my first big hosting gig. I learned so much of what not to do that night! LOL Thank you. CLGSA - For Bat N Rouge and the laughs and the love. You guys are so freakin' amazing, and I cannot wait to see what you have in store for the Gay Softball World Series next year! CATF & BC/EFA - Thank you for allowing me to do some work for your organizations. I will continue to fight for HIV/AIDS education and awareness, and I will proudly do it with both of your wonderful organizations. Cap Pride Band - For the horny horns and the sounds of Fall!! Can't wait for the season ahead. Thank you for your support. CGMC - I always wanted to be one of you...it just never happened. To such an amazingly talented and fantastic group of singin' gays, thank you for including me on special events and benefits and always supporting me.

I really need to take some time out and thank all of the people who really worked on helping me get everything together for last year's prelim and national packages.

Junctionview Studios - Thank you for providing me a space to let me creativity run wild. It is my second home.

To My Denison Profs: Cyndi Turnbull, Peter Pauze, Rob Gander, Jon Farris, Fred Porcheddu, and the rest - Thank you for teaching me to hone my skills and my craft, and making me the person I am today.

To my sponsors: Union Cafe, Axis Nightclub, FindFred.com, Outlook Media, DeKuyper, Hornitos, Call Management Resources, Alexander's Jewelers. THANK YOU.

Kate Burdett, J Briggs Cormier, Jim Matyas, Ann Farrelly, Greg Smith, Dr. Jeff Kover, Chris Comeau, Todd Donahue, Erin Siwik, Donnie Waste, Josh Brown, Anya Herbert, Nicole Simmons, KC Kerrigan, Heath Knowling, Kyle Kline, Brooke Miller, Jenn & Jaime, Lori & Sara, Trina Hamlin, Craig Little, Jeff Redfield, Sally Sue Krohn, Drew Dobbins, Trent Willmore, Robbie Rickard, Matt Eisert, Mary Ann Brandt, Candy Panties, Lita Mannon, Paige Passion, Patrick McCarthy, PJ Sovocal, Stephanie Sexton, Danyel Vasquez, Ashley Adams, Coreroc, Michael Bush, Brian Reaume, Richie Webb, Missy Marlo, Freeta Lay, Sylvia Austin, Sonja Ross, Tony V., Nikki Stevens, John Guercio, Skip Mackall, and my girls at the CONNECTION - Hurricane, Asia, Mokha, Terry Vanessa Coleman, and the rest of the crew at Le Boy Le Femme! And of course there are hundreds of others that deserve to be singled out and thanked...know I thank you and love you and know that I would not be here without YOUR love and support.

TO MY EOY SISTERS - Wow that is a big deal! Thank you for welcoming me into your little club. You have all been there for advice and support in ways I never thought possible. I am so proud to call many of you my dear friends now. THANK YOU Dee, Erica, Daisy, Maya, Angelique, Tasha Long, Nina D, Monica, Elecktra, Necole, Raven, Roxy, Tasha Kohl...You are my idols and my inspirations. Now sisters. Overwhelmed. I love you guys.

TO MY EOY PROMOTERS - George & Eddie, Anthony Watson, Asia, Nick Hatley, Chandler Chubbs, Ian Foote, Mary Box & Kyle Richardson, Andy Yeoman, Kenny Bales, Kevin VanWagner, Anthony Nagy, John Vance, Vanessa Sites, Bruce Williams - Thank you for making my travels this year completely amazing and outstanding. Aside from meeting the contestants, your each made my year fanastic and exceptional. THANK YOU. If I could name each of you as Promoter of the Year, I would.

Tiffany Frost, Billy Crist, Ronnie, Shane Carpenter, Holly Bright, Hellin Bedd, Jason Hunter, Chad Vogt, Gregg Galvin, Scott Neff & Derek - Thank you guys for taking a chance and helping me with my national package. I would have been lost without all of the laughs and love you each provided.

Bob Taylor, Carrie Fairfield, Brent, Genesis, Daphne, Trinity, Nadine, Sabin, Chevelle, Jackie B - Thank you for unexpected and amazing friendships.

Rob Younkman - Thank you for being such an undeniable force and amazing supporter. I would gladly work for you anyday! See you tonight! HAHA

Rene, Matt, Kim, Tate - Thank you for always making me laugh and getting me through. Love you guys.

Alan Saunders, Rusty, and CSP - Thank you for being there when things sometime fall through, and thank you for always having my back. Break a leg with SWEET CHARITY!

Scott Nusbaum - You have become my partner in crime at work and I am so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for always watching out for me and taking care of me and listening to me when I have a case of the rambles. I love you.

SPECIAL THANKS TO my cohorts at Roy G Biv, Rajesh Lahoti, Ray Brown, Michael Council, Wilber Ische...you guys have stood behind me when things have been rough and always given me the support I need, I will always continue to do the same. No hesitation. I love you guys.

Cesar & Bootsie - Thank you for joining me in this different type of performance. You both are so amazingly talented. I cannot wait for the country to see you two break it down for my opening. I LOVE YOU BOTH!!

Pretty Punasti - I know you hate rehearsals, and for you to take a chance on this opening for me is absolutely amazing. Thank you for your time and care. Thank you most of all for the 8 years of amazing friendship.

Tim Casteel and Don - Thank you for all the help and assistance with those ridiculous sets last year, and the more ridiculous set pieces this year. You guys are nothing short of amazing.

Jeremy Austin - It has been a short time in our friendship but you have jumped in and helped in so many things without asking for anything in return. Thank you for this new friendship and all of the SICK-O-NING hair! ;)

Carol Payne - My web mistress and fruit fly...Thank you for always going with the flow and helping me promote myself and my adventures. You have been by my side for over 5 years now...and I see no end in sight. Thank you for all the hard work and the added little fan in Cozy!

Robert Trautman - For the graphics, the art work, and the friendship. Thank you.

Jason Bockis - The best in the business....thank you for your vision and talent and time. You made me fly at nationals, helped me change the colors of columbus, and gave me my own voice in video. Love you.

Mike Martinez - I have known you for so long...thank you for joining our band of merry misfits at nationals this year. I know we are going to have more fun because you are shaing in this experience with us.

MIchael Owens- Thank you for the beautiful art work and the amazing friendship.

Patrick Howell - For the beautiful costumes and friendship...i love you.

Jenn at Essenza - Ok, you have taken some of the best photos of me EVER. Thank you for taking that initial chance on me, shooting fabu photos, and sharing your life and friendship with me in the process.

Jason Pirucki - Show after show, set piece after set piece, costume change after costume change. You have seen me at my worst and best. Thank you for sticking by me, and loving me...i love you.

Anisa Love - Thank you for taking that second chance on our friendship, and thank you for going with me on this big monstrosity called my opening for EOY. You gonna hop it out, GRRRRL. Love you.

Rich Penix - Thank you for all the ads, all the creativity, and all of the love you have shown me over the years. Your friendship is cherished and unrivaled. I adore you. Thank you for helping me feel more confident and secure in my own skin when, at times, I was ready to hang up my wig.

Chris Hayes and Michael Daniels - Thank you for EVERYTHING. You both do so much for me, that it really does leave me speechless. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. An congrats on the mag! It is FAB!!

Matt Erhard - You were the organizer and go-to guy at nationals. Thank you for believing in me and for always supporting me, no matter the circumstance and the situation. You always have gone above and beyond for me. I appreciate it, and your friendship so much.

Chad Frye - You need pockets! And dammit you will have pockets! Thank you for the continued friendship over the years, and thank you for joining me in the adventure to help me close this chapter. I love you.

Katy Malys - Without a doubt, you are the "Sunshine Girl" of the group. Thank you for always having the best outlook and most positive spin on everything. Thank you for joining the rest of us "gals" and making us better for it. I love you.

Gustavo Bustos - For my gown. 'Nuff said.

Erica Andrews- The GIGS THE GIGS THE GIGS! Thank you for opening your arms to me and being nothing short of amazing. I hope there are more laughs for the HOUSE and the DOWN in the future. All my love.

Necole Luv Dupree - Thank you for being so wonderful to me from the get go. I will never forget those words before finals night ended and I was crowned, and I will never forget the love you have shown me throughout my reign. I love you, sis.

Penny Tration & Will Reed - Thank you. Penny...I know I have said this before, but you really are like the Jewish brother I never had...thank you for being so good to me these last few years. You two have been so good..from letting me and some dancers crash at your place before heading to Louisville, to bookings, to just friendship and love. You two are so amazing to me. THANK YOU.

Maya Douglas - Thank you for checking up on me and making sure I was making the most of this journey, knowing that half the time when you would call, I was shitting my pants because I was so nervous! My mother hen...thanks for keeping me focused and in line. Love you.

Savion Simpson - Black - My EOY HUBBY...thank you for sharing this journey with me, listening to me, and aloowing me to listen to you. I could not seen this last year without you or your smiling face. I love you.

Dee Ranged - Thank you for pushing me to the point of entering my prelim in the first place. Competition was never on my radar, but you changed my life, and for that I will forever be indebted to you. My sister in EOY and the YA-YA, I love you. SHOT?

Maria Garrison - for over 12 years, I have known and loved you. thank you for helping me out whenever I needed it, kicking me in the ass when I was least expecting it, and for loing me and being honest with me. I will never forget that or your friendship. I love you.

Freesia Balls - For being so patient with me, rolling with the punches, and laughing the entire way, I am so excited for what your future has in store and I love you. THANK YOU.

Samantha Rollins - Wow...you have been nothing short of incredible and amazing and such an amazing part of my life for the last 8 years. Thank you for working your fingers to the bone, listening to me, and helping me, sweaty face and all...i love you.

Mark Bryan - WOWSERS, we have been through it and then some. Thank you for the best choreography, the best laughs, and some of the funnest times I have had this year. You are amazing, and you have brought so much to my life. THANK YOU.

Alexis Stevens - WOW...thank you for following me on this journey and let me share in yours. We have had so many good times over the years and cannot wait to have many more. And thank you for celebrating your birthday with me on August 2nd. I am so proud of all you have donw and all you continue to do and I am so proud of our friendship. I love you.

Michael Bishop - Truly one of my greatest inspirations and the constant reminder to never give up and never stop believing in or chasing your dreams. I love you more than you will ever know and I am blessed to have you in my life and share in yours. THANK YOU.

Virginia West/Chris - We have had this long and and winding road together. Thank you so much for getting me started in this world we call drag 9 years ago. From WHO WANTS TO BE A DRAG QUEEN to NEOY, you have stood by my side, cheered for me, screamed at me, cried with me. We have shared it all and I am blessed to have you stand at my side, as I am to stand at yours. THANK YOU for being a constant point of inspiration and always being that true icon in my life. I love you, my DRAG MAMA, and owe so much of this to you. THANK YOU.

Miles - Thank you for your patience. Thank you for sharing your life with me. Thank you for loving me in all of this craziness and madness. These last few months together have been magical. I look forward to closing this chapter on EOY and starting a new chapter with you. I love you so much, thank you for loving me.

Patricia Taylor - THANK YOU. We have been friends now for over 12 years, and you have always been by my side. You were the first one to really put me in drag, oddly enough. Thank you for being there for the entire ride. You are my rock, and my shoulder to lean on. I am better because of you. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your life. Thank you for helping me create the character of Nina West. She is so much of you. Thank you for all the help with Maddy. Thank you for always having my back. For the honesty, the real, the rough, the good and bad....THANK YOU for just letting me be myself and loving every part of me. I LOVE YOU.

To Jasmine Knight and Olivia Pantene - Thank you for being my aunties and helping me throughout my journey to this point and beyond. you are missed and not forgotten. All my love.

This is so bittersweet. Looking out to this Sunday and then to July 31- August 2, I find that I am just simply overwhelmed, emotionally, physically, LOL financially. HA....But I look back at my year as NEOY 2008, and can share nothing but the extreme pride and joy I feel for how I have managed my prelims, and left my very own unique mark on a system that strives for individuality, creativity, and talent.

So many people are asking what is next? I am taking a break, but obviously not for too long as I will be doing Virginia's show at the end of August, Alexis' show in September, and then beginning work on my October show for sure. I will still be traveling and spreading the Columbus love, and who knows, maybe I will tackle a new medium. I know though that EOY has afforded me so many opportunities, and instead of looking at this as the end of something, I really know it is the beginning of so many other wonderful things. Just know that I could not have made it to this point without any of the help and love from so many of you. No one gets anywhere alone on their journey, so THANK YOU all for sharing in mine.

All my love,

Nina West

Entertainer of the Year 2008

PS I hope I don't get too emotional and write another one of these, but I can't make any promises! LOL

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