Friday, October 2: You may know Tom Hayden best as one of Jane Fonda’s former husbands, but we liberals know him as a longtime peace activist, which once made a guy cool. Today, he’ll talk about “endless war,” citing the $1 quadrillion cost of all U.S. fights since 2001. That’s a lot of alimony.

7:30 pm. Tom Hayden at Park Slope United Methodist Church [Sixth Avenue at Eighth Street in Park Slope, (718) 624-5921], www.brooklynpeace.org.

Hot kid stuff

Saturday, October 3: It’s a full day of family action from the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens’ annual chile pepper festival (with food and music!) to the 43rd annual Ragamuffin Parade in Bay Ridge — the annual pre-Halloween classic for kids of all ages. We couldn’t pick between these two great events, but maybe you can.

Noon–6 pm. Chile Pepper Festival at Brooklyn Botanic Garden [1000 Washington Ave., at Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, (718) 623-7220]; 1 pm. Ragamuffin Parade [Third Avenue between 72nd Street and 92nd Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-4928].

A great bridge

Sunday, October 4: We’re sick of the Brooklyn Bridge getting all the attention, but today, the Manhattan Bridge gets the spotlight all to herself as the iron span celebrates its 100th birthday (though the actual 100th anniversary is Dec. 31). There’ll be events all day, including fireworks at dusk.

Day starts with a 7:15 am bike tour led by the Manhattan borough historian, then includes a 9 am parade, a 2 pm time capsule dedication on the Manhattan side and a 7 pm fireworks celebration.

Cash on hand

Thursday, October 8: Johnny Cash is no longer with us, but one of his greatest gifts, his daughter Rosanne, will be at St. Anne’s Warehouse to sing songs off her new LP, “The List.” The name refers to a list of “essential” country songs that Johnny insisted Rosanne learn. Of course, she has her own take.

8 pm. Rosanne Cash at St. Ann’s Warehouse [38 Water St. at Dock Street in DUMBO, (718) 254-8779]. Also Friday, Oct. 9.

Super duper

Friday, October 9: Remember those family vacations with you and your brother beating each other up near Mount Rushmore while Dad filmed it all in grainy Super-8? The folks at the Brooklyn Lyceum have taken the medium, but changed the message with a festival of movies made on a single 50-foot roll of Super-8 film. Invite your brother, but leave your films in the attic.

7:30 pm. Super-8 Film Festival at the Brooklyn Lyceum [227 Fourth Ave. at President Street in Park Slope, (718) 857-4816]. Tickets are $7.

View the full nightlife and events calendars.

Two film fests compete with two classics

By Ben Muessig

Cinema: “The Warriors” goes head to head with “Lavender Lake” at rival film fests this weekend. Comments (1).

Elizabeth Nunez’s new novel finds her ‘In-Between’

By Meredith Deliso

Books: The Bed-Stuy-based writer goes back to her Trinidad roots for her latest book. Comment.

Wednesday, Sep. 30, 2009

Red Hook vendor wins the Vendy Award

By Sabrina Jaszi

Dining: It’s a vindication for the borough — and the Red Hook vendors. Comments (1).

Magic Carpet Day Camp

Guac and roll from Vendy Cup winner

Dining: They may be newly minted Vendy Award winners, but Fernando and Yolanda Martinez are still the same as they were before Saturday’s decisive victory over outer-borough vendors. As such, they gladly gave us the recipe for the simple-but-perfect guacamole from their home state of Pueblo. Comment.

Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2009

The two Joshes of Stone Park Cafe to open Chinese restaurant

By Ben Muessig

Dining: The creative team behind Park Slope’s acclaimed Stone Park Café is planning an affordable Chinese restaurant just blocks away the much-loved New American eatery. Comments (2).

Tiny Tim this ain’t! Big ukulele fest comes to Jalopy

By Sabrina Jaszi

Music: The Jalopy music hall on Columbia Street has emerged as one of the city’s leading blues and folk spots. So why is the venue playing with toys next month, when the Paris Uke Fest comes to town? Comments (1).