This was a difficult year for many families. So many of us were affected by Hurricane Katrina, and people responded generously just as the Neediest campaign began.

The decline leaves us concerned. The income gap between rich and poor in New York is greater than anywhere else in the country. That's all the more reason for us to hope for a closing surge in contributions and in donors.

We've already seen the yen hit a little bit by people moving away from instant belief that there was going to be an interest-rate tightening. Japanese economy is still quite robust and my mid-year expectation is the yen will strengthen from where it is today.

9/11 changed us, in indescribable personal ways, but also by forever altering our downtown community. As we enter our fifth Festival, we are honored to showcase a film that portrays a story of bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who dedicated their lives that day aboard United Flight 93. We are humbled to host their families, first responders and others who were most profoundly affected that day.

Several people told us to come here. It's like a MASH hospital.

I ought to point out that the Dinosaur movie really is by coincidence being released this week, ... People give us too much credit. We weren't smart enough to coordinate all this.