Thanks to all of you who responded to my posting awhile back about the formation of a new Mark Twain interest group in New York City, the Mark Twain Circle of New York. I am pleased to finally drop the other shoe by announcing that our inaugural brunch meeting will be held from 1 to 3 PM Saturday, July 18. There is no membership or admission fee; brunch is $9.50 per person. The only membership qualification we can think of is a fairly lively interest in Sam Clemens'/Mark Twain's writings, life, and times. I have reserved the upstairs room at Pete's Tavern, 129 East 18th Street (NW corner of Irving Place). This is one of New York's more venerable watering holes and something of a literary landmark. At least, they like to believe that O. Henry wrote "The Gift of the Magi" there, scribbling furiously in the second booth on the right while his anxious paced the floor. It's a nice story. To make this a certifiable Mark Twain occasion, I will plan -- if time permits -- on presenting a short slide talk on "Mark Twain's New York." Other than that, this will be an informal get-together, intended to let New York-area Twain lovers meet one another and find out if there are enough of us, and enough interest and enthusiasm, to support a new literary, but not particularly academic, group -- one that, ideally, can arrange for guest lecturers, book discussions, and other special events at future gatherings. For reservations, please contact me via e-mail at [log in to unmask], or call 212-242-5546. Peter Salwen