DNA Solves Downtown Assault
The Manhattan District Attorney's office last month linked the DNA sample of a man suspected of robbing and trying to rape a woman in the Canal Street subway station in 1996 with that of a recent parole violator. The link has led to an indictment, one of the few sexual assault cases in the state in which a suspect originally indicted as a "John Doe" was matched through a DNA profile to a known person and brought to trial.

The link means potential justice for the woman assaulted eight years ago.

On Halloween night of 1996, the 20-year-old exchange student from Germany was approached by three men in the passageway to the uptown No. 6 train in the Canal Street subway station. One of the men pulled a gun and demanded money. She gave him $27 and he started to flee, but then returned, held the gun to her neck and attempted to rape her.

That man, according to the District Attorney's office, was David Martinez.

The assailant was indicted as John Doe in 2001 for attempted rape, robbery and sexual abuse in the first degree. Martinez, 46, was arraigned on those charges in person Oct. 29.

Martinez had been in and out of jail for parole violations since 1992 after serving seven years in jail for a robbery in Midtown. He was last jailed in July. While confined, his DNA sample was taken. Had there not been a match, he would have been released in January, authorities said.

Taste of Wall Street
A Taste of Wall Street, an annual fundraiser for Wall Street Rising, will be held Nov. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bridgewaters, 11 Fulton St. The event features food tastings provided by dozens of Downtown restaurants, a silent auction and live entertainment. Tickets are $195 in advance or $225 on the day of the event. Go to www.wallstreetrising.org.

Free Legal Advice
A free forum on the legal issues confronting adults caring for aging parents will be held Nov. 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the New York County Lawyer's Association Home of Law, 14 Vesey St.

Topics include powers of attorney, living wills, health care proxies, guardianships and Medicaid planning. RSVP to info@nycla.org or by fax: 212-406-9252.

Firefighters vs. Chefs
A cooking competition pairing local chefs and firefighters will be held Nov. 9 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Tribeca Rooftop, 2 Desbrosses St. Their will also be an open bar, live auction, entertainment and tastings from Tribeca restaurants.

Tickets are $175 per person, or $2,000 for a table of 10 and $1,250 for a table of six. Proceeds benefit the Tribeca Organization and the firefighter's charity of choice. Call 212-996-0063 or purchase tickets online at www.tribeca.org.

Downtown Art Tour
A tour of Tribeca art galleries and artists' studios will take place Nov. 23 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The tour is led by artist and former Metropolitan Museum guide Jo Wood-Brown

Tickets are $65. Call 212-226- 5169, go to www.adayinart.com or email Woodbrown@nyc.rr.com.

Stocking Stuffer Benefit
A benefit dinner of Italian food, followed by music and dancing, will be held Nov. 17 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the The Gate House, 301 South End Ave.

Proceeds benefit Stockings With Care, an organization that gives holiday gifts to needy families. Tickets are $30. For reservations, call 212-488-8444

Cyclists at the Seaport
Organizers are expecting at least 5,000 bicyclists to set out from the South Street Seaport on the morning of Oct. 17 for the MS Bike Tour, a fundraiser for multiple sclerosis research. To register for the 30-, 60- or 100-mile ride, go to www.msnyc.org or call 212-463-9791.

Thanksgiving Volunteers
The New York City Rescue Mission, 90 Lafayette St. seeks volunteers to help serve the hungry and homeless during its annual banquet, held from noon to 7 p.m. on Nov. 22. To volunteer, call 212-962-3375.

Rebuilding Web Site
A web site recently launched by the Municipal Art Society details planning initiatives currently under way in Lower Manhattan.

The "Engaging Lower Manhattan" site features plan summaries, maps and a calendar of meetings, events and deadlines. Go to www.mas.org/Resources/issue2.cfm.