The Brooklyn Bridge

A monument to man's ingenuity and creativity, this world famous steel suspension bridge was designed by architect John Roebling between 1867 and 1883. Many lives were lost constructing the first "hotlink" between Brooklyn and Manhattan.

The bridge's renowned double-arched towers were set firmly into the East River's bedrock while the unprecedented use of steel cables allowed for future bridges to span great distances.

But the Brooklyn Bridge remains an original - like most NYC residents.

(Taken from http://www.nyctourist.com/bridge1.htm)

International Day of Peace

In 2003- 65,000 people gathered in Central Park to listen to the Dalai Lama deliver a message on the importance of compassion and living in harmony. "We have to make every effort to promote human affection. While we oppose violence or war, we must show there is another way -- a nonviolent way." The exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader stressed the importance of compassion and peace.

Heroin chic

I remember reading Malcolm X, where the author described the disastrous changes in Harlem with the introduction of heroin into the culture.

I've heard people position the "right" to take drugs as an issue of freedom.

I personally believe the whole culture has been co-opted, and that it is not a freedom at all. It is, rather, slavery. And someone is profiting from this, big time.

Making heroin, or any drug, chic, fashionable, the thing to do is a PR campaign, and if you followed it back to the money you'd find who is profiting from keeping the rest of us down, hooked, desperate to make the money to pay the pusher, and incapable of living any life but the life of "the next fix."

The anti-drug campaign that the Church of Scientology of New York is sponsoring is vital for the community.

If you want to help, contact the church. (212) 921-1210

The Anti-Drug

A friend of mine told me what a great time she had today, passing out anti-drug booklets on Times Square today.

Did you know the Churchof Scientology International published 5 million copies of these anti-drug booklets in something like 20 languages?

Incredible isn't it?

And boy is it needed!

Drugs really wreck lives. And the best way to handle drug problems is before they start.

Here's the Scientology anti-drug site for more information.

Church of Scientology Celebrity Cente

Here's a photograph of the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre in New York.









Here's there contact information:

Location:
65 East 82nd Street
New York, NY 10028
Tel: 212-288-1526
E-mail: ccnewyork@scientology.net
Web Site: www.scientology-ccnewyork.org

New York Autumn

I love a New York Autumn day, when the crisp air predicts a winter on the way.

A Weighty Suite

New York waitresses file $15 million lawsuit, alleging employer fired them for being fat:

According to Associated Press:

"An upscale East Side restaurant and bar is being sued for $15 million (€11.8 million) by two waitresses who say their bosses fired them because they thought they were too fat.

"The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Manhattan's state Supreme Court against the Sutton Place Restaurant and Bar says Kristen McRedmond, 27, and Alexandria Lipton, 25, were subjected to orders to disclose and record their weight, sexual harassment and a hostile work environment before they were fired in July."

I find the behavior of the employer and the male employees, described in the article, to be offensive and suppressive. As a somewhat "plump" woman myself, I sympathize with how these women must have felt.

But when we start creating 15 million dollar lawsuits to complain about it don't you think we're going just a bit too far?

I personally feel this makes a laughing stock out of women's causes.

Leave it to New York to come up with a case like this....

Remebering the Scientology Volunteer Ministers at Ground Zero

Stephan Hittman Chief Executive Officer 9/11 Foundation, Honorary Commissioner New York Fire Department

presented the following proclamation at the Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology of New York (an event attended by Mr. David Miscavige in acknowledgement of the courage and dedication of the New York Scientology Volunteer Ministers).

"In recognition of the humanitarian efforts of the Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology, and the help they provided to members of the Fire Department of the City of New York, in keeping with the principles developed by L. Ron Hubbard; and

"WHEREAS: FDNY and the 911 PROGRAM recognize this unwavering commitment to firefighters, to paramedics, to other rescue workers, in keeping with our proudest traditions; and be it known,

"THEREFORE: That FDNY and the 911 PROGRAM officially recognize this dedicated service to the citizens of the City of New York, and hereby bestow upon L. Ron Hubbard and the Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology, the FDNY and the 911 PROGRAM's Medal of Valor and 9–11 Service Award — on the occasion of the Grand Opening of the New York Church of Scientology."

New York Taxis

New York taxis are a phenomenon unto themselves.

First of all, there is no other place on Earth where a full 1/3 of the vehicles on the streets are taxis.

And then there is there are certain characteristics that make NY taxis stand out - such as a complete disregard for the safety of the driver, passenger, pedestrian and other motorists and a an impatience that fills the streets of NY with the sound of car horns throughout the day.

But what would NY be without them?

School time

One great thing about New York was that we started school a week later than everyone else in the country.

On the other hand, we always had to stay in school at extra week longer in June.

But I think I'd rather put it off a week than end off early, if I had by choice in the matter.