David McReynolds, pacifist, socialist, east village militant calls us to remember the life of Norma Becker a leading NY trouble maker at PS 234, Saturday Nov. 3. I will see you there. "If you were one of those opposing the Civil Defense drills in New York City in the early sixties . . . If you were one of those who risked their lives in the South during the Civil Rights struggle . . . If you were one of those who joined the Fifth Ave. Peace Parade Committee to begin mass mobilization against the Vietnam War . . . If you were one of those who rallied at the United Nations in support of the Special Sessions on Disarmament in 1978 and 1982 (in 1982 there were a million of you, so you were probably there) . . . If you were one of those fighting nuclear power after the disaster of Three Mile Island . . . If you were on of those who finally questioned the rigid US policy in the Middle East which always favored Israel and ignored the suffering of the Palestinians . . . If you were one of those who helped organize for economic justice . . .

Join Us & Celebrate Change in 2008! For New York, the 2008 Election will be the time for pro-choice political change and the Planned Parenthood of New York City Action Fund is committed to making that change happen. But we need pro-choice New Yorkers like you! Fight for Your Rights. Party. Pro-Choice Poker! Saturday, November 17th, 2007 5-9pm Pete's Candy Store 709 Lorimer Street Brooklyn, NY 11211 Tickets $20 Meet other pro-choice New Yorkers, play a friendly game of poker and support the important political work of the Planned Parenthood of New York City Action Fund! Your $20 ticket to this fabulous party also gets you a one-year membership to the Action Fund. As a member, you'll get all the latest info on how to make pro-choice political change in 2008 and beyond. Click Here to RSVP!

If, like me, you haven't yet gotten over the loss of Grace Paley, author, anti-warrior, feminist, consider this protest-less reading at Cooper Union's Great Hall PEN American Center presents: A Tribute to the Life and Work of Grace Paley An Evening of Readings and Remembrance With: Michael Cunningham, Eve Ensler, Amy Hempel, Walter Mosley, Richard Price, Katha Pollitt, Francine Prose, Victoria Redel, Sonia Sanchez, Scott Spencer, Vera B. Williams Tuesday November 6, 2007, 7:00 p.m. The Great Hall at Cooper Union 7 East 7th Street at Third Avenue Subway: 6 to Astor Place or the R, W to 8th Street FREE ADMISSION - Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Three Bands will play to raise funds for DDDB’s legal fight against Bruce Ratner's plan for the “Atlantic Yards” development project. Grammy-winning band klezmer band the Klezmatics will play a special concert on November 8 at the Brooklyn Lyceum to benefit Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB). Two other area musical groups, Kakande and the Demolition String Band, will also perform. The benefit concert will raise funds towards DDDB’s state lawsuit challenging the Atlantic Yards project's environmental review and approval and the federal lawsuit challenging the state's abuse of eminent domain. Both of these lawsuits were organized by DDDB, and are funded entirely by individual donations from the community and fundraising events throughout the year. Both lawsuits are pending; a victory in either suit would mean that developer Forest City Ratner's Atlantic Yards project would not move forward. Concert Details are as follows: The Klezmatics, Kakande, and Demolition String Band Thursday, November 8 Doors at 7pm Brooklyn Lyceum 227 4th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215 (718) 857-4816 $20 in advance, $25 at the door

Okay, sometimes you gotta help even lawyers. This worthy event comes from the NY Bar Assn. (as an aside, these are the same people who rated Noach Dear, the new judge for the 5th Civil Court, endorsed by Vito Lopez, Marty Markowitz, Domonic Recchia, and a handful of other hacks, as completely unqualified):

As an expression of solidarity with our beleaguered colleagues at the Pakistani bar, the New York City Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the New York County Lawyers' Association, in conjunction with other organizations, invite you to attend a public rally in front of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street on Tuesday, November 13, from 1:00-1:30 p.m. The crude and brutal suspension of law and the legal system in Pakistan, and the repression of judges and lawyers there, require that we take a moment from our own busy schedules and demonstrate our concern. Because the images from Pakistan show the violent repression of Pakistani lawyers wearing their customary dark suit and white shirt, we request that you appear on Tuesday in similar attire, though this is not required. What is important is a strong show of support.

The American Institute of Graphic Artists displays to 50 best designed books and 50 best covers at its 164 5th Ave., gallery. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The 2007 Elections are done; the 2008 season has now begun! Come join us in getting an early start on the 2008 Congressional Campaign Season. Wine and Cheese with Steve Harrison At the Home of Catherine “Mac” O’Callaghan Sunday, November 25, 2007 4:00 to 6:00 PM 351 St. Paul’s Ave – Staten Island, NY Donation - $40.00 (or as much more as you can give!) RSVP (718) 720-0095 Let's review Vito's record: High Rating from the Christian Coalition: 81%; American Conservative Union: 78%; Vito Fossella voted NO to help provide affordable housing to low-income Americans still affected by Hurricane Katrina. Vito Fossella voted AGAINST help for American senior citizens (PDF) eight times out of nine (with one no vote) in 2006! Vito Fossella voted AGAINST a minimum wage increase every chance he could.

NYC has just one Republican Congressman, Vito Fossella, representing part of Brooklyn and Staten Island, the NY-13 Congressional district...and he is commonly considered one of Bush's tamest lapdogs, voting lockstep with Bush and against America about 90% of the time. Whether it is his flip flopping on Iraq, or his solid and consistent support of Bush's Iraq Quagmire or his refusal to support efforts to secure New York's port from terrorists, Vito Fossella is out of touch with Brooklyn and Staten Island. Steve Harrison was the underdog Democrat running against Vito in 2006. And, even though he was outspent 13:1, he got more than 43% of the vote. This was more than enough to finally get the DCCC to pay attention to this race. And they are poised to target NY-13 big time. If they do, this becomes a real contest. The DCCC likes to support people who start out with their own respectable fundraising numbers. So it is particularly important for us to show our support of Harrison and our opposition to Vito with some donations. Our friends in Manhattan can help by attending a Manhattan fundraiser for Steve Harrison's second bid to turn NY-13 blue on November 29th:

If you missed the Klezmer fest, have never been inside the 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, you can fix it all this Sunday afternoon. The synagogue has been restored as a non-sectarian cultural center-museum. It's wonderful. If you enjoy great buildings and careful restoration work this is for you (I've been sneaking in now and then as the work has progressed). To commemorate the grand re-opening and the National Historic Landmark’s 120th anniversary, the museum will hold an open house featuring free docent-led tours of the synagogue, traditional music and a Make-Your-Own-Rose-Window art activity for children. Eldridge Street Synagogue, 12 Eldridge Street 2:00PM - 5:00PM

If you missed the Klezmer fest, have never been inside the 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, you can fix it all this Sunday afternoon. The synagogue has been restored as a non-sectarian cultural center-museum. It's wonderful. If you enjoy great buildings and careful restoration work this is for you (I've been sneaking in now and then as the work has progressed). To commemorate the grand re-opening and the National Historic Landmark’s 120th anniversary, the museum will hold an open house featuring free docent-led tours of the synagogue, traditional music and a Make-Your-Own-Rose-Window art activity for children. Eldridge Street Synagogue, 12 Eldridge Street 2:00PM - 5:00PM

If you missed the Klezmer fest, have never been inside the 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, you can fix it all this Sunday afternoon. The synagogue has been restored as a non-sectarian cultural center-museum. It's wonderful. If you enjoy great buildings and careful restoration work this is for you (I've been sneaking in now and then as the work has progressed). To commemorate the grand re-opening and the National Historic Landmark’s 120th anniversary, the museum will hold an open house featuring free docent-led tours of the synagogue, traditional music and a Make-Your-Own-Rose-Window art activity for children. Eldridge Street Synagogue, 12 Eldridge Street 2:00PM - 5:00PM

Join Rosalie Caliendo, Larry Sternfeld and Marjorie Gersten As we meet, greet and support~ Steven Harrison Democratic Candidate for Congress in CD-13 In his run to unseat Vito Fossella Sunday, December 2nd from 3PM to 6PM 2400 East 3rd Street, Apt 605 (between Avenue X and Avenue W) Gravesend in Brooklyn, New York Wine and refreshments Suggested contribution $50.00 and up, or whatever you can contribute. NY Times Editorial Board endorsing Steve in his 2006 run: "Mr. Harrison...is an attractive alternative to Mr. Fossella in his own right. Mr. Harrison has a presence in both sides of the district; he resides in Brooklyn, while his mother and sister live on Staten Island. As chair of Community Board 10 in Brooklyn, he demonstrated leadership as he oversaw one of the city's largest efforts to contain overdevelopment through rezoning. He has a good command of the issues, and a feel for the concerns of the district. Mr. Harrison surprised many with his passion and keen intelligence in a series of debates with Mr. Fossella. The distinctions could not be clearer. We endorse Mr. Harrison for Congress."

To all our Friends and Neighbors, It’s the end of the year but the beginning of a new political season. We are supporting Steve Harrison for another run at Congress. The 2006 election proved Steve to be a candidate with fresh ideas, excellent debating skills and perhaps more importantly, honesty and integrity. He did really well last year with very little money. A strong show of support will help in gaining the financial support of the National Democratic Party and put our District well on the way to finally getting the Congressional Representative it deserves. We invite you to join us on December 2nd from 6-8PM at 14 St. Austin’s Place Staten Island 10310. Let’s party for Steve Harrison for Congress!!! We are trying to connect with some musicians for a Jazz scene or maybe we’ll just dance! Sincerely, Joyce and Ira Goldstein, Nancy and Bill Allert CALL with Questions: The Goldstein’s at 718 720 8849 or The Allert’s at 718 981 8560 Don’t forget to Email your friends…all are welcome!!! (If you can’t make it donations greatly appreciated. Send check to:

10 Safety tips when riding an ATV By: Donna Somerkin More and more these days, riders of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) are becoming injured or even killed when their ATV wrecks, enforcing the need for safe operating procedures. This is especially important for teenagers who are interested in riding ATVs and are less likely to practice safe conduct while operating the vehicles. Keep in mind that ATVs are just as dangerous as cars, motorcycles, trucks, or sport utility vehicles, so only operate them using the proper techniques and procedures. Many riders neglect the fact that these vehicles have the capability to extremely injure or kill the drivers, but in the correct hands, ATVs can be a fun way to spend time in the great outdoors. Follow these ten safety tips when riding any ATV and utility Trailer ATV accessory: 1.) Only drivers over the age of 16 should operate an ATV.