NY Times Guantanamo Ad / World Can't Wait

Since February, prisoners at Guantanamo have been on hunger strike.  World Can't Wait has been pondering hard on what more we can do to create a political situation where Obama has to back down, release at least a few of the men at Guantanamo, and be forced into closing the prison. All of our frequent protests, petitions, call-ins, editorials and op-eds are part of what's needed.

The major missing ingredient in this moment, though, is the collective voices of artists, intellectuals, politicians, religious and cultural figures who are respected and beloved for being voices of conscience, speaking as one to demand that the torture of Guantanamo be ended. *It's time and past time, as we reach 100 days of the prisoners' hunger strike*, that we provide a way for them to speak out together, and for that message to be seen.

Dennis Loo of Cal Poly Pomona has drafted a message planned as a full page ad in /The New York Times/ http://www.worldcantwait.net/index.php/calls-to-action/8236-world-can-t-wait-to-place-new-ad-against-guantanamo-in-the-new-york-times which could serve as such a vehicle. 

It has been signed by over 900 people in the past week, including John Cusack, Wallace Shawn, Junot Diaz, Noam Chomsky, Daniel Ellsberg, Eve Ensler, Dave Eggers, Glenn Greenwald, Paul Haggis, Bianca Jagger, Ariel Dorfman, Erica Jong, Michael Moore, Ron Kovic, Tom Morello, Mark Ruffalo, Nancy Kricorian, James Schamus, Joyce & Max Kozloff, Carl Dix, Oliver Stone, Cindy Sheehan, and Cornel West, joined by attorneys for the Guantanamo prisoners, law professors, clergy and academics.

Because we can only afford an "advocacy" rate at /The Times/, at $52,030, which runs on a stand-by basis, it's urgent that we submit the ad as soon as possible.  The prisoners' hunger strike is the dynamic factor making any change possible in the administration's action to release them.

The message powerfully challenges us to look at Guantanamo as "part of larger, alarming developments" including the NDAA, targeted killing by executive order, and the prosecution of whistleblowers, "most flagrantly in the torture, slander and draconian legal charges against Bradley Manning."

It says, "It is up to people to stand up for principle and morality when their institutions and public officials refuse to do so. The fates of those who are maimed or killed by our government's policies are inextricably intertwined with our own: we must listen and respond to their cry for justice. We must demand their release now, before they lose their lives as well."

We hope you will sign on, and help fund this project so that we can go to print very quickly.

SIGN http://org.salsalabs.com/o/1170/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=13340

DONATE https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1170/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=5872

 Some of the Costumes

I wore to

Misti-Con

in

Laconia, NH

 Walking Tour

Around

Greenwich Village

on a Sunny

May 4th

with a Friend

 Sneak Peek

at

Some of My Accessories

for upcoming

Misti-Con

CATCHING UP ON SOME NEWS

The 1% Bug-Out Plan:  Why Third-World Billionaires are Buying Fortresses in London, New York and Miami

Lynn Stuart Parramore, AlterNet

http://www.alternet.org/economy/1-bug-out-plan-why-third-world-billionaires-are-buying-fortresses-london-new-york-and-miami?akid=10289.9992.6TigNf&rd=1&src=newsletter820068&t=7

Citywide Water Monitoring System is Suspended After Agency Cuts Funding

Patrick Wall, DNAinfo New York

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130503/new-york-city/citywide-water-monitoring-system-is-suspended-after-agency-cuts-funding?utm_content=madmessnet@aol.com&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Citywide%20Water%20Monitoring%20System%20Is%20Suspended%20After%20Agency%20Cuts%20Funding&utm_campaign=Bike%20Share%20War%20Rages%20at%20Village%20Forumcontent

The Fascinating Ways Meditation Transforms Your Brain and Why it Makes You Feel Better

George Dvorsky

http://www.alternet.org/fascinating-ways-meditation-transforms-your-brain-and-why-it-makes-you-feel-better?akid=10289.9992.6TigNf&rd=1&src=newsletter820068&t=15

7 Chilling Facts About Retirement in America that Should Make Obama Tremble Before Cutting Social Security and Medicare

Lynn Stuart Parramore, AlterNet

http://www.alternet.org/economy/7-chilling-facts-about-retirement-america-should-make-obama-tremble-cutting-social-security?akid=10299.9992.Wm979R&rd=1&src=newsletter821207&t=4

The Corporate Betrayal of America – Ripping off the Public, Running off with the Profits to Avoid Taxes

Paul Buchheit, AlterNet

The huge multinationals have made it clear; they don’t feel obliged to give anything back to the people who made it all possible.

http://www.alternet.org/corporate-accountability-and-workplace/corporate-betrayal-america-ripping-public-running-profits?akid=10299.9992.Wm979R&rd=1&src=newsletter821207&t=8

America’s Hired Death Squads and Torture Teams are still Operating in Iraq

William Boardman, Reader Supported News

A 15-month investigation exploring war crimes long denied by the Pentagon lays out the tragic truth.

http://www.alternet.org/world/americas-hired-death-squads-and-torture-teams-are-still-operating-iraq?akid=10299.9992.Wm979R&rd=1&src=newsletter821207&t=12

Pennsylvania Court Deals Blow to Secrecy-Obsessed Fracking Industry – Corporations Not the Same as Persons with Privacy Rights

Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet

http://www.alternet.org/fracking/pennsylvania-court-deals-blow-secrecy-obsessed-fracking-industry-corporations-not-same?akid=10315.9992.6Tkli5&rd=1&src=newsletter823405&t=7

Give the People What They Want!  Taxes that Pay for Jobs, Education, Healthcare and Science

Mattea Kramer, Tom Dispatch

http://www.alternet.org/give-people-what-they-want-taxes-pay-jobs-education-healthcare-and-science?akid=10315.9992.6Tkli5&rd=1&src=newsletter823405&t=21

 Central Park

on a

Saturday Afternoon

PERSONAL NEWS #219

April 1^st and 2^nd, I had two chiropractor appts to deal with my lower back issues [ie: Sacroilitis and Sciatica].

April 4^th, I attended the monthly TGTSNBN meetup at Stone Creek lounge.  It was good fun and great seeing friends / acquaintances.

April 6^th started out with an appt at my chiropractor office, and then heading into Manhattan for my 30^th Anniversary celebration at The Parlour.  I celebrated with some friends regarding my move to NYC 30 years ago in the spring of 1983.  Some relatives said I would not last six [6] months and here I am in 2013 a proud survivor.  Afterwards, I went to a friend’s birthday dinner party at Westway Diner.

On April 7^th I had my usual private yoga class with Fabrice, and then afterwards I headed into Manhattan for a much needed acupuncture appt.

April 9^th, I attended a dual committee [ie: PF and Fundraising] meeting for BFP.  Discussion centered on prep work and organization for an “honorees” event hosted by BFP in the autumn.

April 10^th, I had dinner [PUKK on 1^st Avenue] with Kim Grover in the East Village.  She is from my hometown in Westchester County and we went to the same schools.

April 11^th, I attended a film screening of "Bowling for Columbine", which was hosted by BFP.  Afterwards, those of us who attended had a discussion on the film.  I'd never seen the film by Michael Moore and found that many issues "then" haven't quite been resolved in today's society. The NRA is still a serious issue and more gun violence has happened since Columbine. What is wrong with this country and our society?  Do any of my regular blog readers have any thoughts on this?

April 13^th, I met up with my friend Jackie at the entrance to Brooklyn Botanical Gardens on Eastern Parkway for a leisurely stroll.  I had my camera, iPad and Sasha the Sock Monkey with me for the adventure.  It’s been 11 years since I strolled through these lovely gardens and it was delightful this time, despite the weather being abit overcast.  Took lots of photos and was especially impressed with the Japanese Hill & Pond Garden.  I noticed many changes to the botanical gardens and all for the better.  Afterwards, we strolled over to Flatbush Avenue for a tasty dinner at Dao Palate.  The pumpkin soup was especially good.  After we parted ways, and as I was walking along 7^th Avenue, I decided to stop into Cocoa Bar for a slice of Vegan chocolate cake.  Yum!  They had free WiFi, so I decided to hang out for abit.  Overall it was a very nice day.

April 14^th, after I had my delicious and healthy morning smoothie, I went to my weekly private class at the yoga center in my hood.  I asked Fabrice if we could have it outside in the sunny, grassy courtyard, and he agreed.  It was abit breezy, but overall with the warmth of the sun, it was a very good class.  Next week I am going to try the Qigong class.

April 15^th, I attended a Tax Day Forum after work, which was hosted by Ft Greene Peace and also Brooklyn for Peace. The main speakers were Mike Zweig, Professor of Economics/Activist, and Mark Dunlea, Community Organizer for Hunger Action Network.  The forum was fascinating, informative and some facts were such eye-openers.  Such as; $682 billion on war spending by the US in 2012 …. 26 soup kitchens in NYC during the late 1970s and now there are 1300 …. 28 million people without jobs throughout the US …. Deficit not the issue, but the economy is the serious issue.  For those of us taxpayers who live in NYC … $4 billion was spent for Iraq / Afghanistan wars during the 2012 fiscal year.  NY State taxpayers forked over $10.3 billion for Iraq / Afghanistan wars.  Many of these facts are noted on The National Priorities Project website [ www.costofwar.com ]

April 18^th, I attended the monthly “Friends of Tolkien” meetup and main topic of discussion was season three of “Game of Thrones” on cable TV, as well as The Hobbit movie/book.  Afterwards, I headed down to Union Square, to purchase some Downton Abbey books from B&N.

April 20^th, after Dana cleaned my apartment, I headed into Manhattan to meet up with Dennis for a delightful, leisurely afternoon of strolling The Highline, and then dinner at Bus Stop Café.  Afterwards, Dennis and I drove up to the Eastside of Manhattan and he dropped me off at Central Park before heading to an appt.  My only gripe about the day was the chilly wind and the subways being messed up.

April 21^st, I participated in my first ever Qigong class at the yoga center in my hood, and afterwards I had an appt with Dr Tan in Manhattan.

April 22^nd, I participated in the monthly BFP A&C committee meeting, which was very productive.

April 23^rd, after getting therapy at my foot doctor’s office, I headed uptown to All Souls Church for Wither America:  Decline or Renewal? with Cornel R. West, Ph.D.
 
Professor Cornel West talked about issues of economic justice and injustice.  Dr West and co-author Tavis Smiley wrote a recent publication called, The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifest.  Cornel West is professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary, Professor Emeritus at Princeton University, and a prominent and provocative democratic intellectual. He is the author of several best-selling books, including Race Matters and Democracy Matters, and has appeared frequently as a guest on the PBS program hosted by Tavis Smiley, the Bill Maher Show, the Colbert Report, CNN and C-Span. He also co-hosts with Mr. Smiley the radio program "Smiley and West" broadcast on PRI around the country, appeared in the film, The Matrix, and has made three spoken word albums, including Never Forget. Professor West earned an undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Harvard and a doctorate in Philosophy from Princeton. In addition to Union Theological Seminary and Princeton he has also taught philosophy at Harvard, Yale and the University of Paris.

April 25^th, I attended the “14 years after Columbine: Guns in America” Forum and Q & A with Leah Barrett, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, and Kim Russell, Founding Member and Communications Director of Moms Demand Action.  Was held at The Commons and hosted by BFP.

Evening of April 26^th, I went to the Somethin’ Jazz Club on East 52^nd Street to hear Veronica Nunn and her quartet performs some grooving jazz.  It was enjoyable and I picked up some CDs.

On April 27^th, I headed into Manhattan to see Wendy for the first of several fittings for my latest HP themed ensemble.  She also showed me some of her pix from recent trip to London the HP Tour.

April 28^th, after I had my delicious and healthy morning smoothie, I went to my weekly private class at the yoga center in my hood.  Since the weather was sunny, warm with a slight breeze, we had the class outside the yoga center on mats.  It was a really good class.  Afterwards, I hopped on the subway and headed out to Queens to visit with my friend Debbie.  We caught up on news, played with her cats, went out to dinner at a nice Thai place and she loaned me one of her hats for one of my Misti-Con ensembles.

On April 29^th, after work, I stopped by the Halloween costume shop down near Union Square to see Wendy about fitting / design for my latest ensemble.

 Views Along The Highline

Saturday, April 20th

 Recent Visit

to

Brooklyn Botanical Garden

JOIN ME TODAY IN SUPPORTING THE "Youth PROMISE Act"

Dear Friends,

I just took action by writing the President and my Members of Congress in support of the Youth PROMISE Act, which was reintroduced recently in Congress. I hope you will check out the information below, and if inspired, write your Members of Congress! This is important. www.youthpromiseaction.org

The Youth PROMISE Act (Youth Prison Reduction Through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support and Education Act) is critical bipartisan legislation.

The Youth PROMISE Act will provide our hardest hit communities around the country with the support and funding they need to effectively address youth violence issues.  By specifically focusing on proven or promising violence prevention and smart intervention strategies, this bill ensures we are funding programs that save lives and give every young person the opportunity to meet his or her potential.

Why do we need the Youth PROMISE Act?  Because many neighborhoods across the country could be described as our own war zones.  Our children in particular are faced daily with horrific levels of homicide and violence, and according to social scientists, many suffer the same kind of post-traumatic stress as our soldiers returning from war.  How can we allow this to continue?

Homicide is the second leading cause of death for all youth (the leading cause for African Americans).  All the while, we have the highest levels of incarceration of any nation in the world, with some of the strictest and most punitive oriented laws.  We have only 5% of the world’s citizens, yet have 25% of it’s prisoners.  Clearly our strategies for dealing with the challenges before us are not working, and the consequences are DEVASTATING for those caught in the crossfire.

Please write your Members of Congress today! Tell them to support the Youth PROMISE Act. >>  http://www.youthpromiseaction.org

Local communities across the country are leading the way in developing and implementing innovative, evidence-based prevention and intervention practices that engage and divert at-risk youth proactively -- before they slip into cycles of violence, incarceration and despair.  And, these community-based practices have been shown to reduce rates of violence more effectively and at a substantially lower cost than criminal enforcement and incarceration.

But their current reach is limited by vastly inadequate and sporadic funding, and the absence of a comprehensive framework to engage community stakeholders, evaluate program effectiveness and to collect data and coordinate and share research. The Youth PROMISE Act will help greatly meet this need, empowering communities by building on local strengths to invest in what works.

This Act resonates across the political spectrum because it is community-based, accountable, and replicable.  Local leaders who know their communities best determine which youth and gang violence programs should be given initial funding.  Then, the selected programs must prove they are working in order to receive additional funding, and they are given resources to do so. Finally, those programs that show themselves to be effective best practices can continue, and some may serve as models that can be adapted for use in other communities across the country.

Additional benefits:

• It will partner with universities as regional research partners;
• Establish a national resource center for proven juvenile justice practices;
• It would do this by engaging a wide range of community stakeholders to serve on local PROMISE Coordinating Councils.
• Much more...

Show our youth that we have their backs.  Learn more and take action now at: http://www.youthpromiseaction.org

 Brooklyn Botanical Garden

April 13th

Visit with a Friend

 Celebrating

30 Years

in
New York City

with Friends

 At The Parlour
April 6th

 Back at Jean's

for

Easter Breakfast

with the

Parents

PERSONAL NEWS #218

March 2^nd, I had an appt with Dr Tan for acupuncture treatment, and afterwards I headed uptown to see Wendy about HP costume.  After the matinee at the theatre, Wendy and other ushers watch movies downstairs.  While there we watched the 1957 TV showing of Cinderella with Julie Andrews.  After grocery shopping at Westerly’s I headed home and rented season one of “Downton Abbey” for my weekend viewing pleasure.

March 3^rd, I attended my private yoga class with Fabrice at the yoga center, and finished watching Downton Abbey on DVD.

March 7^th, I attended the monthly BFP board meeting at The Commons.  As always, it was interesting and informative, with discussions centering on lobbying our Brooklyn Congressional and City Council reps.

March 9^th, I embarked upon a “photo adventure” during the afternoon of Prospect Park.  I did something different and took the B43 bus down to the park from my neighborhood.  Took an hour and went some neighborhoods I normally wouldn’t venture into.  The weather on Saturday was sunny, 50 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.  I took some great pix of the boathouse, bridges, a ravine and even bird watchers.

March 10^th, I had a private class with Fabrice at the yoga center.

March 12^th, I attended the monthly BFP PF committee meeting and it was productive.

March 15^th, I had an appt with Dr Tan my acupuncturist.

On March 16^th, after Dana did cleaning of my apartment, I headed into Manhattan to see my friend Wendy at the costume shop.  Pay her for the rest of the HP new ensemble and catch up on news.  That evening I attended a party at an acquaintances place in my hood and had a fun time.

March 17^th, I attended my private yoga class with Fabrice at the yoga center.

March 19^th, I participated in the monthly BFP A&C committee meeting, which was held via conference call due to inclement weather.  The call was very productive and three important projects are now in the works.

Evening of March 21^st, I participated in the Misti-Con live webcast, and when that was completed, I jumped on the WCW conference call with Cindy Sheehan as guest speaker.

March 23^rd, I had a terrific time at the Tolkien Reading Day event, which was held this year at Books of Wonder. Many thanks to Teel James Glenn and Timdalf who were the MCs, plus everyone gave such great and diverse readings. Sam Szetela’s presentation of the Gollum and Bilbo "scene" was very amusing. Afterwards a group of us went to Hollywood Diner on 6th Avenue for dinner and more fun conversations. 

March 24^th, started off with my private class with Fabrice at the yoga center, and later on an appt with Dr Tan.

March 26^th, I attended the monthly BFP fundraising committee meeting, enjoyable, informative and productive.

March 27^th, I did volunteer work at the WCW national office.

March 29^th to 30^th, I visited my parents, brother and sister-in-law for the Easter holiday weekend in upstate NY.  While there my lower back troubles [ie: Sacroilitis and Sciatica] gave me grief and must see my chiropractor upon return to NYC.  Other than that I had a good, relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

 Tolkien Reading Day

Attendees

at

Books of Wonder

March 23rd

TJ and Timdalf with Me

at

Books of Wonder
March 23rd

Providing
the Intro to TRD

Good Afternoon, my name is Charlene, and I am co-chair of the “NYC Area Friends of Tolkien & Fantasy”.  We are hosting TOLKIEN READING DAY in conjunction with Books of Wonder and we’d like to thank them for this honor.  This is the second year we’ve hosted this delightful event at Books of Wonder.

Before we officially start Tolkien Reading Day, I’d like to briefly tell you abit about our group, which can be found through meetup.com   The “NYC Area Friends of Tolkien & Fantasy” was created in January 2011 by Apulia, Carole Linda Gonzalez, to keep our small group of Tolkien enthusiasts together and to honor the late Alexei Kondratiev, Celtic scholar, author of "The Apple Branch: A Path to Celtic Ritual", a prominent member of the Mythopoeic Society and a friend to some here.    

We have regular, monthly meetups and several “special” events throughout the year … such as celebrating Tolkien’s birthday on January 3^rd, picnics, attending movie viewings, talk shows.  Topics of discussion range from Tolkien to other genre; such as Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Sci-Fi, and yes even Downton Abbey.  Be sure to check out ""NYC Area Friends of JRR Tolkien & Fantasy" on meetup.com.

Our MC’s this year are two fine, clever and talented gents … please give a warm welcome to Timdalf and Teel James Glenn.  Thank you and enjoy Tolkien Reading Day.

ANOTHER LIFE is back! Another Life is a surreal romp through the post-9/11 decade; an out-sized mogul (George Bartenieff) controls, cashes-in, and is undone in the only American play about the U.S. torture program. At the Theatre for the New City, 155 1st Avenue, between East 9th and East 10th Streets, Manhattan. Thursday – Sunday, March 28 – April 21. More at link!  http://www.theaterthreecollaborative.org/

 Chillin Down

at

Prospect Park

March 9th

Chillin at Starbucks

on a Sunday Afternoon

 Snowstorm in the Morning

and Throughout the Day

by Sunset clearing up

with Glorious Colors

[March 8th]

LATEST IN THE NEWS

Former UN Weapons Inspector – Don’t Repeat in Iran the ‘Tragic and Terrible’ Mistakes of Iraq

Jacob Chamberlain, Staff Writer

10 years after Iraq invasion, Hans Blix warns against those pushing false arguments for attacking Iran

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/03/06-9

Wealth Inequality in America – Seeing Reality

New Economics Institute

See the differences between what 9 out of 10 Americans think is the ideal degree of wealth inequality and what it really is.

http://www.commondreams.org/video/2013/03/06

Noam Chomsky – Can Civilization Survive Capitalism?

http://www.alternet.org/noam-chomsky-can-civilization-survive-capitalism?akid=10148.9992.hwfQMJ&rd=1&src=newsletter804872&t=5

It Wasn’t Bad Sex, It Wasn’t a Mistake, ‘It was Rape’ – Film Grapples with Society’s Dark Side

Eleanor Bader, AlterNet

Jennifer Baumgardner’s powerful new documentary gets eight women to describe one of the worst moments of their lives.

http://www.alternet.org/gender/it-wasnt-bad-sex-it-wasnt-mistake-it-was-rape-film-grapples-societys-dark-side?akid=10148.9992.hwfQMJ&rd=1&src=newsletter804872&t=9

The Worst Mistake in U.S. History – America Will Never Recover from Bush’s Great Foreign Policy Disaster

Peter Van Buren, Tom Dispatch

http://www.alternet.org/mission-unaccomplished-iraq-war-worst-mistake-us-history?akid=10154.9992.CXuksj&rd=1&src=newsletter805801&t=7

Mental Health Funding Cuts Sending Many Innocents to Prison

Sy Mukherjee, Think Progress

America’s jails are fast becoming the only place that will take mentally ill.

http://www.alternet.org/mental-health-funding-cuts-sending-many-innocents-prison?akid=10154.9992.CXuksj&rd=1&src=newsletter805801&t=19

Bradley Manning – The Conscience of America

Michael Ratner, Common Dreams

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/03/07-10

Has NPR Joined Peter Peterson’s Crusade Against Social Security and Medicare?

Dean Baker, Beat the Press

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/03/07-3

Latest
365 Project
Entries

PERSONAL NEWS #217

Feb 1^st, after working the afternoon at a client site, I had an appt with Dr Tan for acupuncture treatment.

Feb 2^nd, I attended a fascinating, informative and at times entertaining BFP retreat for the “board of directors”, of which I am one.  Then it was off to my private yoga class with Fabrice at the yoga center.

On Feb 3^rd, I headed up to CT to visit with my good friend Katherine, take her out to lunch and exchange our Xmas gifties.  I got home in time to watch last half hour of Downton Abbey.

Feb 4^th, I was having some concerns with my iPad and stopped by the Apple store in GCS after work to get it resolved.

Feb 5^th, Busy, productive evening starting with an appt with my lung specialist, then a much needed manicure and finally listened in on the monthly Peace Alliance conference call.

Feb 8^th, I worked half a day at the office and left early due to the blizzard.  I also had an appt with my chiropractor for lower back issues.  Also went outside periodically to capture the storm in motion with my camera.

Feb 9^th, I had an appt with Dr Tan for acupuncture treatment.  Total snow amount for northern Brooklyn was 8.5 inches, and heard that parts of Long Island got 30 inches.

Feb 10^th, I attended my private yoga class with Fabrice at the yoga center, and afterwards hung out at Starbucks using their free WiFi for my iPad.

Feb 11^th, I had a much needed appt with my chiropractor.

Feb 12^th, after my foot doctor appt, I attended a delightfully productive monthly BFP PF committee meeting.

Feb 15th, 10th anniversary of my being involved with peace and political activism.  The following is a brief "outline" of my story.  ****  My entry into peace and political activism started 10 years ago on Feb 15, 2003.  The day thousands of New Yorkers, and others from the Northeast, including a novice like me, came out to protest a possible, and yes illegal, invasion and occupation of Iraq.  It was a bitter cold day, but that did not stop us from raising our voices in protest and solidarity.  It was an amazing sight to behold and still resonates with me to this day.  On that day, a wonderful elderly Quaker couple took me under their wings and told me stories of activism from the 1960s to the present, as well as how to get “information”.  I am in debt to them and their kindness.  Over the ten years I attended more protests, rallies, vigils, forums, panel discussions, reading of books, progressive news articles, listen to WBAI and also volunteered on many progressive Democrat campaigns.  Through the latter I started meeting many fascinating, interesting and inspiring individuals who have become my friends and acquaintances.  I am truly blessed in knowing them.  Through the Kucinich 2004 presidential campaign, I became aware of the Dept of Peace and joined the NYC chapter [NYDoP].  I was active on their board, as well as a volunteer, from October 2004 until it disbanded in 2011.  During the years with NYDoP, other members and I attended three [ie: 2005, 2007 & 2009] amazing Peace Conferences down in Washington DC.  These days I am involved with World Can’t Wait and Brooklyn for Peace.  The continuation of learning non-violent action/communications is an ongoing process, as is activism in general.  It’s not a whim, nor a part time fad, but a strong part of my life until the end of my days.  Once you step into the light, there is no turning back to the darkness.

Feb 16^th, started out with Dana cleaning my apt in the morning, and then an appt with Dr Tan later on in the afternoon.  This was followed with seeing Wendy and getting my Hufflepuff dress robes creation started.  She did measurements and we discussed the designs overall look.

Feb 17^th, I attended my private yoga class with Fabrice at the yoga center, and from 5-7pm attended Jax’s birthday party in Manhattan.  Had fun at her party and got to see friends / acquaintances.  Got home around 7:30pm and watched Season Three finale of “Downton Abbey”.  Good episode and a cliffhanger at the end.  Season Four to air here in January 2014.

Feb 18^th, I did volunteer work at WCW office in the evening.

Feb 19^th, I went to see the Harry Potter exhibition at the Discovery Center during lunch time from work.  While there I ran into Christine, Debbie, Deanna, Mari and Jenna from TGTSNBN.  We had a great time chatting and browsing the gift shop.  Later that evening I jumped on a productive and informative BFP A&C committee conference call.

Feb 21^st, I attended the BFP hosted forum on US Military and Drones at The Commons.  Guest speakers at the forum [Drone Warfare – Is it Making the World Safer?] were Ann Wright [former US Army Colonel] and Nick Mottern [author & activist].

Feb 22^nd to 24^th, I visited with the parents, brother and sister-in-law in upstate NY.

Feb 24^th, I had an appt with Dr Tan for acupuncture treatment.

Feb 25^th, I attended my private yoga class with Fabrice at the yoga center.

Feb 26^th, I am now officially part of the BFP Fundraising committee and attended the monthly meeting this evening.

Feb 28^th, I attended the monthly BFP “Climate Action” committee meeting to hear the latest on fracking issues in NY and PA, plus climate change in general.