It’s not every day that a new species of frog is discovered -- especially in New York City. And it’s not everyone who is related to the person who discovers a new species. So we’re proud of Jeremy and “Rana Kauffeldi”. (There’s some really great coverage -- and cute pictures -- on this discovery. Just google new NYC frog.)

It's election night, so what the hell.  Here are two interesting questions that crossed my mind over the course of the day.  Please feel free to chime in, but please also do your best to respect the Gotham Blog rule against partisan politics.    

I am very excited, indeed grateful, that Election Day is here. I am a great supporter of every citizen’s right and obligation to vote. But that is not what prompts today’s reaction. I am looking forward to Election Day so that the robocalls will stop.

An article in the New York Times last week was about a study that showed that chocolate can improve memory.   There is something about flavenol, an antioxidant, especially epicatechin, that does something good to your brain.  The study did not mention, however, that it also does something bad to your stomach.  

Happy November 1st! Just to remind you we have an obligation to vote next week. As you consider who you're going to vote for this Tuesday, consider this:  

When we are on vacation we go to a bike friendly place that is flat and has bike lanes. We have been going there for 17 years and have never had a car. Biking is our main transportation, morning, noon and night. We have mid century "cruisers" without gears and pedal reversal brakes.To be honest, biking is always a vacation high light. It is both invigorating and sensuous  (especially biking into a warm night breeze).

I’m happy that the nurse from Maine was released from the isolation tent in New Jersey. I’m not happy that she is resisting the 21 day voluntary quarantine that seems to be the prudent suggested course of action. Not for a moment do I dismiss the inconvenience that goes with isolation but the “experts” can’t seem to agree that anyone is conclusively out of danger until the 21 days have passed. For me, it seems that caution should dictate until more is known. But that’s me.