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Greater Long Island Running Club's marathon prep

COMPILED BY PAT BURSON

April 28, 2008

TUESDAY

Get prepped for the marathon

Running the marathon Sunday? The Greater Long Island Running Club will have a free, pre-race clinic at 8 p.m. at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library, 999 Old Country Road, in Plainview. Call 516-349-7646 for more information. - John Hanc

GINGRICH AT BOOK REVUE. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will be speaking about and signing his new novel, "Days of Infamy," at 7 p.m. at Book Revue in Huntington (313 New York Ave., 631-271-1442).

EXAMINING PREJUDICE. Long Island Traditions, a regional nonprofit folk arts and architecture organization based in Port Washington, is launching "The Big Read," a program that examines the issues of prejudice and discrimination raised in Harper Lee's classic novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" during free events between April 30 and May 20 at Freeport Memorial Library (144 W. Merrick Rd.). It all kicks off at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Freeport High School (50 S. Brookside Ave.) with a screening and discussion of the film "El Norte," about two youths who flee ethnic and political persecution in Guatemala in the early 1980s and travel through Mexico to the United States. Other upcoming events include film screenings, a mock trial, panel discussions, book readings and conversations with Long Island residents involved in the Civil Rights Movement. For information and a full schedule of events, call 516-767-8803 or visit longislandtraditions.org.

GRAND THEFT RELEASE. The hotly anticipated (and slightly scandalous, for its violent content) video game "Grand Theft Auto IV" hits shelves Tuesday, with Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions available for $59.99. The special edition, with safety deposit box-like packaging, soundtrack, key chain and duffel bag, is $89.99.

WEDNESDAY

Attracting a new life

Do you want to "attract the life that you want"? James Arthur Ray, a motivational speaker, entrepreneur and author of "The Science of Success," says he can teach people to achieve wealth in all areas of their lives, including their bank accounts, relationships, minds, bodies and spirits.

Ray, whose insights also were featured in the popular full-length documentary "The Secret," will carry that theme forward with "The Secret of Attracting the Life You Want," a free live seminar from 7-9 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Long Island (1717 Motor Pkwy., Hauppauge).

Reserve at TheSecretofAttracting TrueWealth.com or call 866-646-3738.

THURSDAY

Meet, greet and sip

Sample the bounty from local restaurants and wineries during the Farmingdale Rotary Club Foundation's seventh annual Wine and Food Expo at the Huntington Hilton.

The $40-per-person event, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is a time for socializing and raising money to support philanthropic activities in Farmingdale and for anyone who wants "good food, good company and to meet with your neighbors," says committee chairman Louis LaRocco, a Farmingdale dentist. Call 516-694-1883 for more details.

CYBER BIDDING. On your mark! Get set! Bid! For the first time, Huntington Hospital is sponsoring an online auction to raise money for several of its patient centers. An assortment of items, services and outings - most of them donated - are up for grabs, including autographed books, designer clothing and accessories, collectibles, fantasy packages with athletes and entertainers, sports memorabilia, golf events and travel adventures. The auction starts Thursday at hh.cmarket.com and continues through May 30.

'IRON MAN' IN THEATERS. Beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday, the first screenings are happening around Long Island as Robert Downey Jr. turns superhero in "Iron Man." In the film, he stars as a wealthy inventor who lacks superpowers but has a nifty high-tech suit of armor. Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges co-star in the tale based on the Marvel Comics hero.

THE WEEKEND

Cinco de Mayo on the vine

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Saturday by learning how to make traditional sangria and tortillas at Palmer Vineyards in Riverhead (5120 Sound Ave., palmervineyards .com ). Sessions, $8, start at 12:30, 2 and 3 p.m., call 631-722-9463, ext. 10, to reserve a spot.

RADIO CITY

Gore, Giuliani move the world

He took home an Oscar for his documentary about global warming, won a Nobel Peace Prize and, oh yeah, was the country's second in command.

Friday at 8 p.m., former vice president and environmental crusader Al Gore will be on stage in Manhattan, the featured guest during the first Radio City Music Hall Speaker Series, "The Minds That Move the World." This is the second of four evenings in the series, put on by Madison Square Garden Entertainment, spotlighting top political leaders and pundits. Who's up next? Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Sen. John Edwards (May 28) and former President Bill Clinton (June 17). Tickets are $30-$500 at ticket master.com. Call 212-307-4111, or go to radiocity.com/speakerseries