The Harlem Book Fair is THIS Weekend!

It's a little late notice, I know, but if you happen to be anywhere near New York this weekend I highly recommend checking out the Harlem Book Fair. It's legendary in these parts, and unlike other book related events it features food so good, and so Southern fried soulful, you'll think you're in back in Dixie. And the book stuff is pretty dope too: this year Walter Mosley, Amiri Baraka and Eloise Greenfield are being honored; there will be tribute to Octavia Butler and Ossie Davis; and newly crowned CNN talking-head/ former Congressman J.C. Watts will be on hand to talk to you about how literacy and crime are linked (is it ok that I still don't like Watts? I really think it is.). Despite Watts' appearance, I'm still gonna say this event is bound to be a good time. Check it.

Georgia Rules!

Last night was the world premiere of the Jane Fonda/LindsayLohan/Felicity Huffman flick Georgia Rule here in NYC, and the event was staged, happily enough, as a benefit for the Women's Media Center. As such, I not only got to attend, but earned myself an All Access pass by offering to work for a bit before the show actually started. It turned out to be one of those great red carpet events that you see on Access Hollywood every night, made much better by the fact that with my pass I could go pretty much anywhere I wanted, even onto the red carpet itself.

The movie was, by all accounts, much better than expected (quite good actually. I can't believe I'm saying this, but people really need to start giving Lohan a bit more credit--despite all the shenanigans, she's a pretty talented little actress). But the best part of the night came at the afterparty, at The China Club. Someone had the brilliant idea to play the song "Do the Jane Fonda" by Mickey Avalon in the VIP lounge, and within seconds, Jane and La Lindsay were in the middle of the dance floor, breaking it down white-girl style. Freakin' amazing.

My friend Don Hazen writes more about the event on the Alternet blog-- but seriously, it was one of the best things I've seen in ages. Two new hips, a white satin pantsuit and 69 years of experience was all Jane needed to get that party started. Superb!

Philanthropy, Finally

So yesterday marks the first day of blogging I've missed since I started this little site 3 months ago. Apologies all around, but I've got an aching back that kept me out of the ring.

To finally clear up the mystery surrounding the NYWF event last week: Abby Disney (that's the Minnie heiress), philanthropist extraordinaire, got up on the dais at last Thursday's event and as part of her acceptance speech issues this challenge: she asked everyone at the event to pick up an envelope and donate a little more money to the NYWF. Pretty standard, right? Except that she offered as our inducement to do so, the carrot that she would match every dollar we donated that morning, to the dollar, up to $1 million.

A cheer spread across the room. But that wasn't all--Abby had more for us. We were next instructed to pick up a card on our table that had the rest of the rules of this game printed on it. Part 2 of the challenge grant goes like this: We were all instructed to make a second contribution to any organization of our choice within the next 90 days. This donation should a) be a stretch (i.e., it should be more than you were used to giving) and be made instead of something else you wanted (say bye bye to that new pair of shoes), and b) should be given to an organization that reflects your deepest passion about social justice and social change.

Now once we've done these things, we are supposed to email the folks at the NYWF and let them know how much we've donated, where, and how it fulfills the criteria listed above. All on our honor. And if all of these elements are executed correctly, Abby Disney told us, she will again match those gifts to these other orgs, up to $1 million.

This time there was a hush. What? So not only the NYWF gets all this money, but so do all these other orgs we care about?? No way. But it's true--and utterly amazing.

So for the rest of this whole week, Abby Disney gets my vote for philanthropist of the decade. Every single person at my table picked up her checkbook and wrote another check. What a wonderfully innovative way to inspire people to give... and to really build a movement across organizations. This is truly what we need more of in America.

Philanthropy Rocks

So I got to begin my day this morning with a huge, fun, bang: the 20th annual New York Women's Foundation breakfast. I was invited by my friends Liz and Ingrid, and joined by my friend Susan (all of whom I've mentioned before). The food was what it was, of course, and don't get me started about paying $150 for a plate of fruit ( I know, I know: my money was going to a good cause), but let me tell you: if you ever have a chance to attend one of these NYWF breakfasts, go. Not only because the honorees tend to be great, as do the 2400 other women in the room there to support them, but also because this event, like none of the others I attend on a semi-regular basis, always seems to leave me with a little extra oomph to get me going, get me giving, get me passionate about why supporting women's organizations is so important.

Tomorrow I'll tell you a little more about why this year's event was so special (hint: it has to do with the dedication and generosity of a "Minnie" heiress), but for now, I'll leave it at this: there are more than a few really good--no, great--people in this world... and we all have a chance to join their ranks. Go visit the NYWF and find out how.

TO DO: Stay Juicy!

This info comes via the GirlieGirl Events newsletter:

On Saturday April 21st, from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Jivamukti Yoga School will offer a special workshop just for women! Titled “Stay Juicy” and led by Nadiya Nottingham, RYT, this workshop explores yoga and qigong (the art of managing one's breathing in order to achieve and maintain good health) as it relates to women’s sexual health.

Participants will how to bring real power to your pelvis and lower abdomen, while learning a unique fusion of the timeless teachings of yoga & qigong. Class begins with how to chant using the voice from the second chakra, engaging the pelvic floor and vaginal muscles.

We will also learn how to apply this new found awareness in asana. This includes:
*Sitting poses, standing and balance postures
*How to employ this work in every day life
*Raising your Jing life force: Qigongs Secrets to long, healthy life.

Students are encouraged to be brave in sharing ways to overcome old patterns and views around their sexuality. Sharing will be in small groups or in twos.

Tuition for “Stay Juicy” is $35 in advance or $45 the day of the event. To register, please contact Jivamukti Yoga School at 212-353-0214 or via their website at www.jivamuktiyoga.com.

I'm pretty sure I don't have a clue where my second chakra is, but I do like the idea of tapping into my Jing life force. I always did have a thing for Han Solo.

To Do: Practice Compassion

I'm posting this not only because I love the cause, but because the invite came to me via GirlieGirl Events with one of the quirkiest subject lines I've yet seen: "What do you get when you cross Russell Simmons with Gloria Steinem?" I don't know, but if the event involves watching Moby pound "gourmet vegan hors d’oeuvres and cocktails" (vegan cocktails???) it might be worth checking out.

The Deets
Farm Sanctuary in the City presents a Benefit for Compassion
Saturday, April 7, 2007
8:00 p.m. ~ midnight
at
Jivamukti Yoga School
841 Broadway, 2nd floor, New York, NY

Chaired by Russell Simmons; hosted by Sharon Gannon and David Life. Special Guests include: Moby, Martina Navratilova, Ally Sheedy, Gloria Steinem

Special Performance by Nellie McKay

Tix start at $100. Visit: www.farmsanctuary.org/join/NYC/ for more info.

To Do: Spend $1,000 to Breathe Same Air as Barack & Michelle

I won't be shelling out the cash for this particular fundraiser (not because I don't support Barack, but because I am trying to support myself), but if there are any of you out there who are interested in seeing the junior Senator from Illinois and his wife up close, here's your chance. Next Friday, March 9th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Barack and Michelle will attend one of their first major fundraising events here in New York, at the Grand Hyatt. If you're interested in learning how to get tickets (minimum donation: $1,000 per person), shoot me an email and I'll let you know more.

And for those who can't swing the price of that ticket, there'll be another event for the Obamas later that evening, where you can catch your glimpse for a more reasonable $100 a head. God bless those community organizing roots!

To Do: Stop Rape Now

My neighbor, who works with UNIFEM, let me know about an event taking place this coming Monday, March 5, at the UN. The panel, entitled "Stop Rape Now" will take up the issue of what the UN can do "to intensify its efforts to end sexual violence in conflict." Panelists will include: Fatou Bensouda, Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court; General Daniel Opande, UN Force Commander, Liberia and Sierra Leone; Eve Ensler, creator of The Vagina Monologues; Sapana Pradhan Malla, Director, Forum from Women, Law and Development; and will be moderated by CNN anchor Isha Sesay.

The event is scheduled to take place in Conference Room 4 of the General Assembly Building at UN Headquarters in NY, and will run from 1:15 to 2:45 pm. Guests who do not have a UN pass must pre-register for the event by emailing: gaella.mortel@unifem.org.

Take the time to lend the folks at UNIFEM your support on this important issue.

Lani Guinier and Juan Williams to Debate at Yale

For anyone who lives close enough to attend, this one is free and open to the public.

What: Debate on "Black Responsibility: By Whom and For What?"

When: Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Where: Yale Law School Auditorium, 127 Wall Street, New Haven

As part of Black History Month events at Yale, don't miss this fascinating exchange of views as Lani Guinier and Juan Williams debate the topic "Black Responsibility: By Whom and For What?" It will be held on February 20th at 7pm at the Yale Law School Auditorium. The event promises to be a lively debate in the Buckley/Sloan Coffin tradition.

For Your Calendar--GOP Debate at Reagan Library

I'm sure the first question is: why should we care? Well here's the hook: the event is being sponsored by MSNBC and Politico.com (which you should be reading if you aren't already) and will allow for viewers watching from the Politico website to submit their questions to the candidates in real-time, via email. It'll take place May 3rd, and represents the first time the Reagan Library will be used for a debate. This is your chance to ask the slippery little dudes the hard questions... or at least its our best shot at flooding the question pool with hostile inquiries about war, health care and the economy. Be there!