I know what you're all thinking: "Hal, it must be nerve-racking to be such a highly recognizable media

mogul in light of recent events involving the anthrax attacks on hard-hitting news icons such as yourself."

Well I appreciate your concern, but I'm confident that I shall remain safe through this crisis for two fundamental reasons: 1) I don't open my mail in response to this column; someone else does (it's not that I'm such a bigwig that I don't have time to open mail, it's just that I write this column from home) and 2) I seldom get mail. When I do get a response, it's either e-mailed or delivered verbally at a bar. So at this point I would consider any mail I receive to be suspicious, since I never got that much before.

Then again, there's also the harsh reality that perhaps I'm not the big media mogul you think I am (I hate to burst your bubble, devoted reader), and I'm probably not worth wasting a couple spores on. Although I am Yankee capitalist swine who looks at women and drinks beer, I'm probably not going to be the specific target of anything. So like most of America, I should STOP BUGGING OUT and go on with my life.

Of course, I have that luxury because I'm fundamentally healthy (knock on wood) and my family

remains intact. That's not the case for all of us.

Nick Rowe grew up in South Africa before moving to Hoboken. He was killed in the World Trade Center disaster. His sister, who lives in the Avril Elizabeth Home for the mentally handicapped in South Africa, depended on Nick for financial support. Now that he's gone, Richie Browne, Nick's former neighbor and the proprietor of The Quiet Woman Pub (557 First St., Hoboken) is accepting donations for his sponsorship in this Sunday's New York City Marathon. All donations, which are being accepted at The Quiet Woman, will be forwarded to the Avril Elizabeth Home.

Also, on Saturday Nov. 10 at Company B's (Route 17 South, Ramsey, Bergen County) there is a fundraiser

for Linda Donofrio. In July, Linda was diagnosed with stage-3 breast cancer after the birth of her third

child. Medical expenses have piled up since then, so in an effort to help soften he blow all proceeds will

be donated to Linda's cause. The Connolly Brothers (John and Rob), an area band, will be playing from 1-5 p.m., and the $55 cover gets you an all-you-can-eat buffet and open bar featuring 50 draught beers. Plus local businesses have offered tremendous prizes, from dinner for two to sports tickets and memorabilia that will be up for auction, in addition to a 50/50 raffle. For more information, contact John or Beth Connolly at (201) 825-1712.

I know there has been a lot of call lately to give to a cause, but that's what we Yankee capitalist swine

tend to do.

If you know how I can effectively waste $50 in the

metro area, please write to:

"Hal Wastes His Wages"

c/o The Hudson Current

1400 Washington Street

Hoboken, New Jersey 07030

Or via e-mail:

Current@hudsonreporter.com

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