PERSONAL NEWS #39

Howdy All & Welcome back to another update with the Duchess. Back on October 3rd [my sister-in-laws b-day] I headed into Manhattan to check out an Art Fest at Gracie Mansion. On the way there I ran into Bill [fellow Kucitizen] manning a Nader table near an upper eastside subway stop. Hadn’t seen Bill since August so we chatted for abit. I’d never been to Gracie Mansion, which is off of East End Avenue around 86th Street. It was such a lovely, sunny day and such perfect autumn weather. Got to Gracie Mansion and NO Art Fest! Very disappointing! Instead I strolled around the delightful park [sorry, cannot recall the name of it] which overlooks the East River. Afterwards I walked briskly west along 86th Street to Fifth Avenue and then down to 65th Street or so. That’s where the Central Park Zoo is located. We employees at E&Y received free passes to the Zoo that weekend and I took advantage of the offer. Haven’t been to Central Park Zoo in like 12 years. It’s a small zoo and doesn’t take long to check out. I especially enjoyed viewing the Sea Lions, Marmosets and Baboons.

On Wednesday, October 6th, I participated in a conference call with other NYC Dept of Peace members at 9pm. Those on the call were … Carol, Kevin, Dawn, Coco, Ellen, Karen, Liz, Lynn and I. Topics of discussion were: working on a fundraiser for either Nov/Dec, February 2005 trip to Washington DC and mentioning of the 2nd Annual Brooklyn Peace Fair. [Fellow Kucitizen Cielito Pascual will be speaking at the Brooklyn Peace Fair.] To find out more about our group, go to:
http://www.nyc-dop.com

Brief notes regarding the monthly NYC Friends of Kucinich, which took place on Thursday, October 7th, and held at the "The Belt Theater & Bar" on 336 West 37th Street. Those in attendance were Kenny, BC, Emily, Ellen and I. Discussions ranged from universal healthcare, details on October 10th meeting with Dot Maver and Kucinich for Congress meetup groups. We also touched on the pros and cons of the Meetup.com organization and finally on DJKs upcoming birthday bash in Cleveland. Of which Ellen and Eric were going to attend. Hope to have news of their trip online soon. Stay tuned.

Brief write-up on meeting with Dot Mavers [National Campaign Mgr of the DJK 2004 Presidential Campaign] on Sunday, October 10th, at the 11th Street Bar in East Village. Those who showed up to meet with and have discussions with Dot were: Danielle, Nickolai, Tim, Gloria, William, Cielito, Paul, Albert, Linda and myself. It may seem like a small turnout, but it really worked in everyone’s favor, as we were able to have some terrific discussions. Dot Maver is a wonderful, congenial, intelligent and personable lady. She answered many of our questions regarding Dennis' presidential campaign and also how the situation was progressing for his congressional run. Some good news ... $17,000 was raised during Dennis' birthday weekend ... 11 states have now signed on to the Department of Peace, with Wisconsin being the most recent. Sincere thanks to ALL 11 states for their inspiring and wonderful efforts. Dot also mentioned the "Peace Alliance Foundation" [501 C4-C3]. Also the major issues on DJKs platform that we Kucitizens should focus on and keep in the forefront ... Healthcare, Peace & Civil Liberties. Announcement was made that the Department of Peace is holding a three-day event/forum in Berkeley, CA and that Dennis will be speaking at it. The dates are November 5th, 6th & 7th. To find out more contact their website at:
http://www.dopcampaign.org

OR email the DOP at ... info@dopcampaign.org. There was also mention of Thomas Frank's book called "What’s Wrong with Kansas?" and an interesting website:
http://www.actionforum.com

Overall it was a terrific and inspiring meeting. Afterwards I hung out with Linda and Paul. We drove back into Brooklyn to have dinner at a good/affordable Asian place in Bay Ridge and chat about politics. Then it was off to Paul’s place for cookies and tea, plus more political talk.