Baby, Baby, Baby.

Greetings!

I'm passing along some of the best news possible from our former members and friends Mariko and Howard Beck. As of yesterday, they've traded the wild and crazy lives of a New York Times reporter and intrepid freelance journalist to that of the wilder, crazier lives of a NYT reporter and an intrepid freelance journalist who are now responsible for a beautiful new baby. Howard's email follows below... please join me in offering them the heartiest congratulations and best wishes.

-Brent

From: Muckraker@aol.com

Family/friends/peeps--

Mariko and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of a bouncing baby journalist named Talia Mirei. (I haven't actually seen her bounce yet, but I'm told it's what babies do, so I'm just assuming that much until I finish reading the instruction booklet.)

After much procrastination on her part (clearly taking after Dad), Talia arrived at 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn. She checked in at 6 lbs, 15 oz and 19.5 inches, and she's a beauty
(clearly taking after Mom).

Mariko's doing great but needs a few days in the hospital to recover. Everybody should be home by Friday evening. I'll be bringing Mariko her cell phone when I head back there in a bit, and hopefully she'll be able to make a few calls. Digital photos by the dozen will be zipping through cyberspace shortly.

We can't wait for y'all to see her.

peace,
--howard