MICHELLE KONDOS from New Orleans survived Hurricane Katrina by evacuating ahead of time. She and her boyfriend stayed at a friend's house in Mississippi during the storm. Her centrally located apartment was in an area that was mostly flooded, but the water stopped short a few doors down from her building. She wrote just the other day:

Yes, Michael and I are planning on staying in New Orleans. But things are still pretty rough here- garbage pick-up only JUST started about a week ago. I'm sure you can imagine (although you may not want to!) what 6 weeks of garbage roasting in 93 degree heat all over a city smells like. And many people still don't have electricity, phone or gas. Fortunately, we have all three. But the worst thing is the fact that so many people just aren't coming back- at least not for the foreseeable future. Mostly because they've lost their homes or jobs or both. At night when you drive around, whole neighborhoods are just dark. Pretty eerie. One thing that really brings it home is that there are so few musicians that have returned home. Quiet empty clubs in New Orleans??? Unthinkable, a few months ago. I think the city will come back but it's going to be a long and complicated haul. It's a good thing that the city has such a strong spirit beause it sure needs it now.

MARIA ZABOREK is fighting endometrial cancer and would appreciate all our prayers. Maria currently lives in Houston, Texas and is an active, dynamic woman who has travelled to 24 countries and loves dancing, which she hopes to do again soon. She is also hoping she can make it to Mexico! Please keep her close in your thoughts and send prayers for a complete remission.

JESSICA BOURQUE is pregnant with twins!! She's due at the end of December, hopefully delivering a pair of Capricorns won't be too difficult! Jessica's very excited, warm blessings and good thoughts are appreciated.

JANE MARTIN has completed a new body of work which opened at the Boltax Gallery, in Shelter Island, NY on October 7th. Pluto has been transiting her Ascendant. Bravo Jane!!

CARLIN DIAMOND is off for a 3-month journey with her husband Jed in Australia and New Zealand. Jed will be promoting his books and his work with Men Alive. Carlin no doubt will be connecting with other astrologers, healers, midwives, artists and shamans. They are looking forward to the trip of a lifetime. Best wishes to Carlin and Jed!!

CATHY LINDSAY's divorce is final (finally!). There was an announcement in her local paper (can you believe that? like weddings) Hubby has moved out, she has refinanced her house in her own name, is on her own now and much happier.

MICHELLE SILVA and her sister just returned from a fairy-tale trip to Paris and the south of France, where they stayed in castles, met with gourmets, and generally lived the good life. Vive la France!

PAM THIEL is a new grandmother, with the arrival of Amir (a merry soul!), son to her daughter Natalie.

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Local AP members will also be gathering twice this month, once on Nov 5-6th in Mill Valley, CA for a chart practice/holiday social/slumber party, and once on Nov 19th in Sebastopol, CA for more chart practice. Contact me for info on the Nov 5-6th gathering, or Joyce Van Horn for info on the Nov 19th session.

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AP audio materials from Napa are slowly getting put into digital format and will soon be available on CD or as MP3s -- yes! You will soon be able listen to Steve on your iPod! I am starting with the Moon Intensive session, which was never mastered on cassette. Stay tuned for more info! I'll let you know when the first set is available.

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And for those who have asked about me personally, yes, my relationship with Dru, a triple Scorpio, is still really good. We've been together now for nearly a year. Pluto is currently squaring my 7th house Sun, with Neptune is also conjuncting my Moon/Asc. And I remember looking ahead with trepidation about those two planets hitting the three most important symbols in my chart at the same time, and worrying about what would happen!!

Despite my chart's 7th house focus, I've lived so long as an Aquarian (Moon, Asc, and Venus conj Uranus) that I honestly never expected a relationship. Still, after 6 years with the ups and downs of internet dating, including quitting in disgust several times, I remember deciding to follow an inner voice that said to simply keep my shingle out, otherwise someone looking for me might never find me! So no one was more surprised than me when he walked through the door -- it had been so long and the odds were so slim! But there you go, proof that it can happen. And if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone!

The Pluto square I've decided is about cleaning out and transforming my relationship attitudes and skills, which of course requires a partner (and a Scorpio doesn't hurt). And Neptune seems to be all about vulnerability and surrender. It's (really) hard to be open and genuinely vulnerable with an equal and partner -- there isn't much safety in being naked and revealed. But the truth is, as hard as it is, I'd have it no other way.

Because in aging, the exit door of life gets closer, the mystery of death looms closer, and everything seems to be preparation for that transition. Thus may I learn, with help, to open up in time so that when the inevitable comes I'm able to surrender more fully, open my arms wide and say "take me, I'm yours" with acceptance and gratitude. I dream and pray for that.

Thanks to everyone who asked.

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So that's the news for this month! Please let me know if you have any news to share next month.

Much love,