DURHAM -- John Bolton, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during the George W. Bush presidential administration, will give a talk titled "Obama's New International Order," at Duke University Oct. 1.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Room 3041 at Duke Law School, and is free and open to the public.

Bolton gained a reputation for his outspoken views on reform in the United Nations and his opposition to U.S. membership in the International Criminal Court. He is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

Bolton's experience over three Republican administrations included senior positions with the Department of Justice and the U.S. Agency for International Development. As a senior State Department official in charge of arms control and international security, he helped craft the United States' post-9/11 foreign policy.

The event is sponsored by the Duke University Program in American Grand Strategy, the Federalist Society at Duke Law, Duke's Program in American Grand Strategy, the International Law Society and the Triangle Institute for Security Studies.

Benefit Sunday for fire survivors

DURHAM -- The Tavern, 1900 W. Markham Ave., will host a 4-8 p.m. benefit on Sunday for two Duke University graduate students -- Joanna Wiersma and Leyna DeNapoli -- who lost their homes and possession in a Sept. 14 first on Maple Drive.

A $10 entry fee will be charged at the door, all of which will go into a fund created for the two students. There will also be free food from the two Johns -- Papa Johns and Jimmy Johns -- and an appearance by the OnlyBurger (the only burger you'll ever want), burger truck.

The fundraiser is the idea of 80s arena rock cover band Pleather, featuring Duke graduate student and guitarist Jeff Headd.

Three bands in all will donate their time and talents on Sunday. 1st Slime, an instrumental garage/rock band, will open the show and be followed by local teen singer/songwriter Caroline and capped by the headliner, Pleather.

There will be instant door prizes and raffles for gift certificates and items from Mad Hatter Bakery, Dain's Place, Francesca's Dessert Cafe, Ben Jerry's, Bean Trader Coffee, Elmo's Diner, OnlyBurger, and Locopops as well as a variety of prizes donated by Duke Graduate Student Affairs.

Murder victims remembered

DURHAM -- Durham's murder victims will be remembered during a ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday at St. Philips Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall, 403 E. Main St.

A reception will follow.

Friday is National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims. The Durham Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children will honor the day with a remembrance ceremony for local victims and their survivors and the unveiling of the chapter's Murder Wall. The public is invited.

For more information, contact Mina Hampton or Diane Jones, co-leaders of the Durham Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children, at (919) 477-3177 or (919) 491-0821.

-- Keith Upchurch

West Durham reunion Oct. 17

DURHAM -- Current and former residents of West Durham are invited to the West Durham Reunion 3 at 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at the alcohol-free Pleasant Green Community Center on Pleasant Green Road.

The adults-only reunion is $18 per person in advance and $20 at the door.

The theme will be Halloween, but it's costume-optional. Prizes will be given for most original costume as well as sexiest, funniest, most gruesome and best all around.

The reunion will include a 5:30 p.m. dinner catered by Ted Wheeler as well as entertainment and a dance.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, weather permitting, For more information, or to reserve a spot, call Nina Greenhill at (919) 286-9646 or (919) 724-9893.

Contact Mark Donovan at mdonovan@heraldsun.com or (919) 419-6655. E-mail news of interest to our readers to news@heraldsun.com.