NBC's veteran newsman Tom Brokaw and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Bob Woodward addressed a sold out crowd at Long Island Association's fall luncheon held at the Crest Hollow Country Club. The topic was the 2004 presidential race.

As a compulsive news junkie, you can only imagine how excited I was to hear the two ledgendary journalists reveal their thoughts on the upcoming presidential campaign, and shed their insight on the current administration.

Neither believe it's going to be a nice race. Brokaw stated, "We are one country, but two nations." And went on to say, he's never before seen this strong a division within the country.

However, Woodward, clearly not a fan of either candidate, reassured the audience that in his opinion, neither of the two candidates battling it out for the White House were hate driven. He then recalled a dark time in American history, when "all the president's men" were indeed motivated by greed.

Regardless of your opinion on the 2004 Presidential race, or whether you agree with either Tom Brokaw and Bob Woodward, each offered valuble insight for each attendee to think about.

The North Shore Historical Museum celebrates "Rum Runners of the Gold Coast"

If you haven"t made your reservations yet...break out your Roaring Twenties garb and tea cups! Dana Cherubini Sedlmayr has charted the course for this years NSHM Gala on Friday, Nov. 12 at Manhasset Bay Yacht Club in Port Wahington, beginning at 7 p.m. ~ Enjoy a seaside evening of cocktails (hush-hush!), dinner, dancing, entertainment, and live and silent auctions. (Speakeasy attire optional)

The Gala Auctions will bring ashore tantalizing treasures ~ European Trips, Caribbean vacations, jewelry, designer apparel, home decor, Broadway theater and TV show tickets, fine art, catered parties and various gift certificates.

This year's NSHM honoree is Angela Susan Anton of Anton Publications. Angela has served on the Board of Trustees for the Museum, and is currently on the Advisory Board. Her support of the museum has been unwavering.

Call 759-6970 for more information.

Award-Winning Artist Megan Sirianni made her U.S. debut, Saturday Oct. 2, at the Mistretta Galleries in Locust Valley.

A hundred or more guests sipped cocktails and soaked in the sounds of French music while walking through the absract artists exhibit. Paintings such as Angelic Flight, Limbus Patrum I and II, Birth of Passion I and II and others are for sale at the Mistretta Galleries, located at 394 Forest Avenue in Locust Valley, through the end of October. For more information call 671-6070.

In November, the Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation (LIAF) will kick off Alzheimer's awareness month with their 17th Annual Remembrance Ball to be held Friday, Nov. 5, at the Garden City Hotel. Also, on Wednesday, November 17th, LIAF will host a candle lighting ceremony at Sunrise Senior Living in Dix Hills beginning at 7pm to commemorate and honor those affected by this devasting brain disease. The public is invited.

To learn more about the Long Island Alzheimers Foundation's events, support groups, Coping andCaring Conferences, Memory Lane Club, Al'z Club, and other innovative programs call 767-6856 or visit their website LIAF.org