PERSONAL NEWS #54

Yep, I'm late again in relating my latest "personal news". As some of my friends know, I can be fashionably late, which I think may be a New York thing. So strap yourselves in folks, because it’s going to be a long ride. Giddyup!

On Sunday, April 17th, I volunteered my time to help out at Cadman Plaza rest station during the annual MS Walk. I've been doing volunteer work for the NYC MS Society since 1993. At first I was participating in the actual walks et al and now it's strictly volunteering my time to help out at "rest stops" and their NYC office. Helping out at the “rest stops” is always a lot of fun. One gets to meet some cool people and sometimes walk away with freebees. The main thing is its all for a worthwhile cause. This year the weather was great, sunny, warm and a perfect spring day.

On the 18th, I had lunch with a few co-workers [Jean & Gloria]. We worked together back when I was at E&Ys Wall Street area office. We gossiped about some of the quirky, annoying people we work with in our respective departments and from there on to relationships, weddings, etc. Yah know chick stuff.

On Wednesday, April 20th, was the NYC DoP conference call and no one showed up. I waited 15 minutes, but it was just little ole me. Total bummer. . .

The following evening was the monthly NYC Chapter Dept of Peace [DoP] board meeting. It was held at a Board Members office in midtown Manhattan. This time I brought two different kinds of homemade cookies for all to enjoy. They disappeared rather quickly. [Smiling] Those in attendance were Ellen, Kevin, Carol, Karen, Vlad, Coco, Joe, Maria and I. It was great seeing Coco and Vlad, as it’s been several months. We had an excellent, fun, productive meeting and as Board Secretary I took the minutes. If you live in the NYC area and would like to join our monthly NYC Dept of Peace conference calls, the next one is on May 18th at 9pm. Visit our website [www.nyc-dop.org] for dial-in information. Or check out http://www.meetup.com/ for a DoP meeting in your area. There are lots of them throughout the US.

On Friday, April 22nd, Ellen and I had a good long conference call with Cate at Congressman Kucinich's DC office. This call was to go over loose ends regarding his upcoming speaking event on Long Island.

Was supposed to participate in the annual "March of Dimes Walk" on April 24th with other E&Y employees. Woke up that AM not feeling well and the thought of walking 3.5 miles in cool, windy rainy weather wasn't appealing.

April 27th was Administrative Professionals Day and one of my bosses [Debra] took me out to lunch at Lattanzi on Restaurant Row in theater district. We had a most enjoyable lunch, talked about ALL sorts of topics, one of which was her announcement of being preggers. And that she's due in November, two months after her first wedding anniversary. The food at Lattanzi's is wonderful. I had grilled salmon, tender veggies, polenta and a slice of tiramisu.

On Thursday, April 28th, attended a mandatory Administrative Assistant meeting in the afternoon, which was about technology and HR. [It was okay, though at times abit of a yawn.] That evening I checked out a Public Advocate Forum, which was being held downtown, and organized by "Democracy for America". One of the candidates you've heard me talk about lately is Norm Siegel. He was the last one to speak and it wasn't surprising that the incumbent [Betsy Gotbaum] was a no show. The other candidates in the race for Public Advocate are … Jay Golub, Michael Benjamin and Andrew Rasiej. Afterwards ballots were passed around to vote on whom we thought was most qualified for the position. On May 6th DFA will tally up the votes from forums and meetups to see whom DFA will endorse for the Public Advocate race this year. I’ll post DFAs announcement next week, here on the Duchess Blog. Stay tuned………

After a few months of prep work, conference calls, discussions and many emails -- Congressman Kucinich spoke at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation church in Manhasset [Long Island]. Took Friday [April 29th] off from work, so that I'd be prepared and ready. Met up with Ellen [NYC Friends of Kucinich co-chair] at 3pm in Times Square subway. We went to Astoria on subway and then transferred to a bus bound for LGA. All the while discussing the agenda and latest updates. Got to LGA at 4:30pm and in plenty of time before the congressman’s flight was due, which was supposed to be at 5:10pm. Was the flight on time? Hell no, it was over 10 minutes late. To kill time we had refreshment at a food court, I went over my notes and Ellen double checked the vegan food she brought for Kucinich. After much waiting in "baggage claim" area we spotted Kucinich, waved and smiled at him. He did likewise and gave each of us hugs. Yep, we got hugs. Is this man cool or what? Staten Island friends of Ellen provided car service and we drove through rush hour traffic to the church in Long Island. The drive took about 25 minutes. Ellen, Sally and I sat in the back gabbing about Olympics/World Fairs. David was driving and DJK was in passenger seat talking on his cell phone most of the time.

The grounds of the church are rather extensive and all the dogwood trees were in gorgeous bloom. [Stupid me forgot to take pix of the grounds. Duh!] The event organizer, Christel, joined the five of us and more introductions. Before going inside David took a group shot of us using the congressman’s camera, as well as mine and Sally's.

[L to R -- Sally, Christel, DJK, Ellen & Duchess]

I was dressed in a dark blue pinstriped suit, with a shawl draped over one shoulder. We settled the congressman in a cozy room called the "Brides Room", gave him water, tea and an assortment of vegan edibles. By this time it was 6:45pm and some people were already showing up. Myself and two others [ie: Joe & Kenny] would be taking care of media people and writing down info. Since the congressman only confirmed the engagement 2 1/2 weeks prior, we couldn't get enough media to attend. Just three were there and they were all from Public Broadcast or Access stations.

We tried to interest WBAI, but they were either not interested or failed to send out a representative. [It was their loss.] They are a progressive radio station here in NYC, who seem more interested in black and latino topics. Though they claim otherwise. I'm not being racist, but 65% of their format is geared a certain way. That’s a known fact. Actually, one of their best programs is called "Democracy Now" and usually features Amy Goodman. We almost had Air America, but they backed down at last minute. Sigh!

At one point, while Ellen was microwaving the food, I had a conversation with DJK. He asked me what I did for work, since I mentioned I'd taken a vacation day from the office. Was curious on how he'd react if I mentioned I had been Office Manager of our small downtown office near the World Trade Center. You know, at the time of 911. This really peaked his interest and he asked what the "mood" was like in NYC since that tragic day. During his speech, later on, he brought up the topic of 911 and I could tell he was incorporating some of our conversation. Which I thought was really cool.

After 7:10pm I was mostly out in the reception area dealing with the media folk and greeting many of my friends/acquaintances [ie: Cielito, Thomas, Paul, Joe, Liz, Rob, Kenny, Penn, Kolya, Jessica] who'd shown up. One older dude made a comment about me giving people hugs. I replied I only give hugs to handsome men. The congressman’s speech was to begin at 7:30pm, but due to people arriving late at event, he wasn't able to go on until 7:45pm. We had a full house of over 500 in attendance. Hell yeah! WooHoo! DJK spoke for about 25 minutes and it was brilliant. He doesn't prepare a speech, but just wings it. [You know George W could never do that with his pea brain.] What followed was a fantastic, energized, diverse 60 minute Q&A segment. Great questions by folk in the audience from an 88 year old man to a 15 year old school girl. The congressman was brilliant and refused to stand behind the podium. With a wireless mike he walked around and really connected with the crowd.

The reception followed, but DJK decided to sit it out in the "Brides Room", as he was really tired from alot of traveling. Ellen stayed with him alot, as she was also his escort, but I also checked in and he asked me to be his diplomat/messenger. So back out to reception I went conveying that the congressman was abit tired from much travel, doing some meditation and also conducting business via cell phone. No one seemed to mind and the general buzz I was overhearing was very good. Yep, the evening was a success. Amen! Ellen knew I had to leave around 10:20pm, or I would lose my ride home with friends. I briefly chatted with her and the congressman, who was pleased to meet me and thankful for all I'd done. I got home around 11pm. Sadly the congressman couldn't stay on Saturday for the DoP luncheon at 1pm, but had to take an early flight back to Cleveland due to business matters.

The next day, April 30th, saw many of us NYC DoP members at a luncheon [Red Bamboo Soul Cafe in Greenwich Village] to talk with Dot Maver and Congressman Kucinich. Due to pressing business back in Cleveland, the Congressman had to take an early flight that morning. [That damn right-wing Democrat, Carolyn Maloney, was invited to the luncheon. Now grant you she is one of the co-sponsors of the DoP bill, which is great, but I still don't like the woman after the crap she pulled against the Jereski campaign last year. Grrrrrrrrrr] Anyhow ... I didn't have to sit near or converse with her. Which suited me just fine, thank you very much. The cafe service was great and the food was fabulous. Their vegan "death by chocolate cake" is absolutely amazing! I highly recommend getting it and sharing with a friend, lover or spouse. Many topics were discussed and everyone had a good time.

More "personal news" sometime next week. . . . . .stay tuned.

MESSAGE FROM DFA [Democracy for America] -- "THEY'RE POPPING UP EVERYWHERE"
We see more and more of them: great candidates committed to fiscal responsibility and grassroots democracy. Outside the Washington Beltway --working in state government, city halls, and local offices -- a fresh generation of leaders is taking shape. They set examples that Washington should watch and follow. We just added three of these new faces to theDFA-List, and they're worth getting to know. Meet them today: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/dfa-list

Shirley Franklin for Mayor
Atlanta, Georgia

Colleen Condon for County Council
Charleston, South Carolina

R.T. Rybak for Mayor
Minneapolis, Minnesota

We support real leaders and celebrate their accomplishments. That's why we have the DFA-List. But the support is only as good as you make it. Visit these candidates' websites, and help in any way you can. You can read about other candidates on the DFA-List here: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/dfa-list