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  • Stepped-up subway security continues into work week

    Sunday November 30, 2008 3:01 PM By Rolando Pujol

    Subway riders returning from the Thanksgiving holiday can expect to see an increased police presence in the subway Monday.

    The New York Police Department said it stepped up patrols in the subway system after an unsubstantiated al-Qaida threat targeting the subways became public last week.

    Police yesterday said the extra manpower would still be evident today and did not say when it would cease.

    The Associated Press reported it had received an internal FBI memo, saying that in September the terrorist group “may have discussed targeting transit systems in and around New York City” during the holiday season.

    The police said they added officers out of an abundance of caution.

    -- Marlene Naanes

    Tags: subway, terrorism, nypd, al-qaida, transportation, transit

  • First Ladies Club

    Sunday November 30, 2008 2:55 PM By Sean Joseph

    Bess Truman and Mamie Eisenhower

    By Linda Perney

    Special to amNewYork

    At first, nobody even knew what to call them. Over the years, the titles switched from Lady Washington, Presidentress, Queen Dolley — for Dolley Madison — and Mrs. President, for Mary Todd Lincoln.

    Today we know them as first ladies — but even that title didn’t sit well with the most glamorous of them all. After instructing the White House telephone operators to refer to her only as “Mrs. Kennedy,” Jacqueline Kennedy remarked: “The one thing I do not want to be called is ‘first lady.’ It sounds like a saddle horse.”

    As Michelle Obama, 44, prepares to move into the White House, comparisons between the Kennedys and the Obamas have been rife: two stylish, sophisticated couples, with young children, each president representing a firm break with the past: Kennedy as the first Catholic to be elected, Obama as the first African American.

    Indeed, Sasha Obama, 7, will be the youngest White House occupant since Caroline and John-John. And although the Harvard-educated lawyer has vowed that her first responsibility is being “mom-in-chief,” Michelle Obama is a formidable presence in her own right.Family first

    The Obamas are the latest link in a chain of first families that have come to symbolize the country’s aspirations. At the turn of the 20th century, Teddy Roosevelt, his wife, Edith, and his six children were “America’s Family.” The problem for them was: How much publicity was too much?

    Much to Edith Roosevelt’s dismay their young sons were photographed with their pets, and the president’s eldest daughter became “Princess Alice,” with her smoking and horse betting. When asked about Alice’s behavior, TR responded: “I can either run the country or I can attend to Alice, but I cannot possibly do both.”

    Jacqueline Kennedy declared her children off-limits to photographers, but the president, aware of their charm, often set up photo-ops while she was away.

    The first lady’s changing role

    For much of history, first ladies stayed out of politics, although many functioned as private advisors.

    Among the exceptions: Mary Lincoln — one of the most reviled of the first spouses — held a séance in the White House and brought in mediums and mystics, and her detractors claimed she interfered in the president’s business.

    In the 1980s, Nancy Reagan, left, famously consulted an astrologer and her meddling “began to interfere with the normal conduct of the presidency,” according to her husband’s chief of staff, Donald Regan.

    The traditional side of the first lady’s role was perfected by Mamie Eisenhower and Bess Truman — neither of whom talked much to the press.

    Bess once said that “a woman’s place in public is to sit beside her husband and be sure her hat is on straight.”

    Laura Bush, who once described herself as ‘“George’s echo,”’ falls into that niche, says Catherine Allgord, visiting professor of history at California’s Claremont McKenna College. And in many ways, so did Nancy Reagan.

    “The Reagans were very much in love, but there’s a difference between love and partnership. I’m quite sure Nancy Reagan would never have called herself Reagan’s partner,” Allgord says.

    If anyone created the mystique of the first lady, it probably was Dolley Madison, Allgord said. “She pioneered the role of the charismatic figure in her husband’s administration” from 1809 to 1817.

    Both of Woodrow Wilson’s wives were activists. The first, Ellen, took on the project of improving Washington’s black slums. The second Mrs. Wilson was accused of “running the country” when her husband suffered a stroke during his second term.

    During the Depression, Eleanor Roosevelt traveled the country as the eyes and ears of her husband, who was in a wheelchair. “She is our yardstick,” says Myra Gutin, a historian and professor of communications at Rider University. “She’s the one we measure our first ladies by.”

    Yet, for all her political acumen the world she lived in would never have accepted her as a candidate for the presidency in her own right.

    All that changed with Hillary Clinton in the 1990s. “Like it or not,” says Allgord. “A new brand of first lady emerged with Clinton, and it’s something that we have to expect — having a first lady who could go on to become a public servant.”

    Mamie Eisenhower celebrates her 63rd birthday in 1959.

    Tags: politics, michelle obama, barack obama, first ladies. history, teddy roosevelt

  • Is Michelle Obama the next Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush or Jacqueline Kennedy?

    Sunday November 30, 2008 1:32 PM By Marlene Naanes

    (Associated Press)

    By Marlene Naanes

    With former First Lady Hillary Clinton on the verge of being named the country’s top diplomat, speculation turns to the incoming presidential spouse, Michelle Obama, and whether she too will follow suit in a high profile role.

    It would seem natural for the 44-year-old Obama — a Harvard grad and a high-powered attorney — to be involved in her husband’s policy discussions. However, Obama’s self-proclaimed role as “mom-in-chief” and her willingness to leave behind her job as a top hospital executive during her husband’s campaign, is leading some political experts to believe she will be a more traditional First Lady.

    “She will be concerned with the ceremonial activity, discreet political activity and a project,” said Myra Gutin, author of “The President’s Partner: The First Lady in the Twentieth Century.” “She’s not going to be like Eleanor Roosevelt and she’s not going to be like Hillary Clinton.”

    Still, other experts believe that after the first family is settled into the White House, it will only be a matter of time before Obama does what comes naturally to her and step into the limelight on important issues, just as Roosevelt did with civil rights and Clinton with healthcare. Experts note that while claiming not to be a wife with political ambitions, Obama fervently spent 20 months campaigning for her husband, speaking on the need to offer more support for military families and helping all parents struggling to support their children.“With her achievement it will be hard for her not to be a strong First Lady,” said Dianne Bystrom, director of the Iowa State University Catt Center for Women and Politics. “I don’t see that she will resort to playing a behind-the-scenes role. I don’t think it is in her makeup and I don’t think its part of her marital role.”

    She has high energy and the ability to multitask, said Debbie Walsh, director of Rutgers’ Center for American Women and Politics.

    Many speculate that the country’s fascination with Obama’s sense of style may make her the next Jackie O, but experts said she unlikely sees herself as a fashionista and would not consciously play up that role.

    However, as the country’s first black first lady, she will have a very significant place in the nation’s history.

    “One of the most important roles she can play is really changing the way Americans view black women,” said Keli Goff, an author and political analyst. “Presenting a strong, attractive black woman who is not sexualized, who is actually going to become first lady is incredibly powerful. Who they are as a family is just as important as whatever issues they take on policy wise.”

    Tags: politics

  • 3 hurt in Murray Hill shootings

    Sunday November 30, 2008 1:05 PM By Marlene Naanes

    By Marlene Naanes

    mnaanes@am-ny.com

    Three people were shot outside a Murray Hill church early Sunday, stunning residents and workers in the usually safe neighborhood.

    The shooting occurred just after 4 a.m. near the St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral at East 34th Street and Second Avenue, police said. 1010 WINS reported that the victims were leaving a party at the church when the shooting occurred, which police did not confirm.

    None of the victims had life-threatening injuries. They were taken to Bellevue Hospital, where they remained in stable condition yesterday afternoon, police said.

    The motive of the shooting remains unclear, and no arrests have been made, police said.

    A 38-year-old man was shot in the back, a 21-year-old woman was shot in the leg and a 17-year-old boy was shot in the foot.While teeming with nightspots, Murray Hill is a relatively safe and quiet neighborhood with low instances of violent crime. Residents and workers said parties are common in the church’s basement, but were surprised to hear one had turned so violent.

    “It’s a quiet family area—there’s no reason to have trouble around here,” said Spiro Argyros, who works at the Gemini Diner, which is across the street from the Armenian church. “I don’t know why this happened.”

    So far this year, the 17th Precinct, which covers Murray Hill among other neighborhoods, reported one murder and 66 felony assaults. —among the lowest number of those crimes in Manhattan precincts.

    The shootings happened in the same area on Second Avenue where a man stole knives from a restaurant and stabbed two people before police shot him in October 2007. The man, Lee Coleman, and his victims survived. Coleman was sentenced to 16 years in prison in October.

    Photo: via flickr's moacirdsp

    Tags: murray hill, crime, shootings, 17th precinct, st. vartan armenian cathedral

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Sunday November 30, 2008 12:54 PM By Sara Baumberger

    Obama should make Bush, Cheney, explain actions

    The first thing I’d like to see Barack Obama do in 2009 is force Bush and Cheney to explain what happened to their promise that Iraq’s oil billions would pay for their (fake) war in Iraq. Instead we taxpayers got stuck with the bill. This was classic bait-and-switch. Obama should seize their assets and Halliburton’s and force them to reimburse the trillions we lost.

    — Milton Katsis, Manhattan

    The world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ

    Re Dennis Middlebrooks’ letter, “There are other holidays besides Christmas,” Nov. 28-30: There is no other feast celebrated all the world over like the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s mighty hypocritical of people of faiths other than Christians to try and demean the meaning of Christmas. Granted it does not mean what it used to because it’s a commercial business, it’s about stuff instead of salvation, but if Jesus would not have been born and his message passed through generations, what would merchants be using as excuse for selling toys and cameras? I think we should take away the national holiday and make it a personal or floating day we can take any time to celebrate whatever we feel like.

    — Ana Martinez, Flushing

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • It's official: Sen. Clinton will be named secretary of state

    Sunday November 30, 2008 12:49 PM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    They looked liked bitter enemies during the campaign, but now it’s official: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are a team.

    Tomorrow, Clinton will be announced as President-elect Obama’s choice for secretary of state, after a deal was struck with Bill Clinton over his charitable foundation.

    “I am thrilled that Sen. Clinton is going to be our new secretary of state,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan). “As senator and as First Lady she has represented what is best about our country.”

    The choice comes amid growing speculation about who’ll fill Clinton’s soon-to-be vacated senate seat.

    Gov. David Paterson, a fellow Democrat who will appoint her replacement, has given no indication of whom he will choose and many believe he’s still weighing his options. Front-runners include Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Queens), and Rep. Kristen Gillibrand (D-Hudson), among many others.

    To pave the way for Hillary, former President Clinton agreed to release the names of donors to his foundation, step away from its day-to-day management and refuse donations from foreign governments to the annual Clinton Global Initiative, among other restrictions.

    The former president had long refused to disclose the identities of contributors, saying many gave on the condition of anonymity.Sen. Richard Luger, (R-Ind.), the top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, said there will be “legitimate questions” raised about the former president’s extensive international involvement, but said he would vote to confirm Hillary Clinton.

    The announcement, to be made at a news conference tomorrow morning in Chicago, is part of a rollout of Obama’s national security team, which will include Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who will keep his current job, and retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones, who will be appointed national security adviser.

    A report over the weekend said Clinton had turned down an offer to chair the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, a perch that has been used to funnel huge amounts of federal money to senators’ home states.

    Rep. Peter King, (R-Massapequa), said he did not believe turning down that post would prove a blow to New York and its ailing economy.

    “The appropriations committee is important day-to-day but I think she does more for New York and the country as secretary of state,” he said.

    “I think it’s an excellent choice,” he added. “Hillary Clinton’s a Democrat and I’m a Republican but I have great regard for her ability. I consider her a centrist.”

    (The AP contributed to this report)

    Tags: hillary clinton, barack obama, transition, secretary of state, politics

  • St. John the Divine rededicated seven years after fire

    Sunday November 30, 2008 11:35 AM By Rolando Pujol

    The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is rededicated Sunday. (Alana Abel/amNY)

    By Rolando Pujol

    The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, the world's largest Gothic cathedral, was rededicated Sunday, capping a seven-year, $41.5 million renovation that followed a devastating fire shortly before Christmas 2001. The six-alarm fire was another stunning blow for a city that in just three months had absorbed the attack and destruction of the World Trade Center followed soon thereafter by the deadly crash of Flight 587 in Queens.

    Now, seven years on, the 601-feet-long church is completely reopened, and has been sumptuously restored. A service Sunday morning celebrated the grand revival of the seat of New York's Episcopal diocese, and was attended by thousands of people, including Sen. Charles Schumer, soon-to-be Secretary of State nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton, and members of the engine and ladder companies that battled the blaze on Dec. 18, 2001.

    As David Dunlap explains in the Times, the firefighters made key decisions during the blaze that avoided even further damage: "For instance, to avoid the need to ventilate the fire by breaking stained-glass windows, firefighters drew smoke through the baptistry, which adjoins the north transept," which was destroyed and is where the blaze began. That decision caused significant smoke damage in other parts of the church, which were cleaned and repaired. The loss of the stained-glass windows would have been incalculable.

    Notable icons of the church were also restored. The church's Great Organ was played for the first time since the blaze, and two 17th century Italian Barberini Tapestries were restored and unveiled as well.

    The church itself is still under construction and will likely be for generations. It was initially dedicated in 1941, even though its cornerstone was laid in 1892.

    amNewYork's Alana Abel attended the service this morning and filed these photos. Find more on this morning's service here.

    Hillary Clinton addressed the congregation.

    Tags: cathedral church of st. john the divine, morningside heights, 9/11, flight 587, 2001, barberini tapestries, episcopal church

  • Vintage trains are back for the holidays

    Sunday November 30, 2008 7:31 AM By Rolando Pujol

    A vintage train runs on the V line last December. (Kristen V. Brown)

    Nobody seems to like the V line much (except perhaps folks who enjoy space to spread out and aren't in any great rush), but only a Grinch would badmouth it in December.

    Starting today and continuing every Sunday through Dec. 28, the MTA will run vintage trains between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. between Queens Plaza and Second Avenue in Manhattan.

    But wait, there'e more. We know this certainly hasn't been a season of good cheer for the MTA and its straphangers, but you can at least try to get into the holiday spirit on the rails by stopping by Grand Central Terminal during December. The MTA has its annual light show in the Grand Concourse, and its holiday train show at the Transit Museum's annex at GCT continues through Jan. 19.

    -- Rolando Pujol

    More: Story and blog post with pictures from amNY's ride aboard the vintage V last year.

    Tags: mta, vintage trains, history, holiday traditions, v line, grand central terminal, transportation, transit, subway, queens, manhattan

  • Macy's vs. Gimbels: Their Herald Square rivalry isn't over yet

    Friday November 28, 2008 9:43 AM By Rolando Pujol

    On this Black Friday, when tens of thousands of people will cram into Macy's in Herald Square, it's easy to forget that Gimbels was also a big draw for many of those shoppers, as it held court just down the street for the better part of the 20th century. Of course, Gimbels was never quite as sophisticated, and was always something of the underdog. Its final Black Friday in Herald Square came in 1985, and it would be gone by the next fall.

    Still, references to their legendary rivalry still come up. There's the old saying "Would Macy's tell Gimbels?" And thank goodness for annual showings of "Miracle on 34th Street," which makes reference to the old retail battle and helps keep Gimbels' legacy alive.

    Now, Gimbels hasn't entirely gone away. Its ghosts haunt the Manhattan Mall, which is Gimbels former home. But up in the sky, on West 31st Street near Sixth Avenue, a huge painted sign for Gimbels still lords over its former neighborhood. The sign is atop the department store's former warehouse building. Alas, its "G" is partially missing, but that doesn't undercut the beauty of this scrappy survivor.

    Macy's has two generations of similar signs atop its vast emporium, but they are easily visible only from neighboring high-rises.

    In that one respect, Gimbels manages to top Macy's, some 22 years after Gimbels vanished.

    -- Rolando Pujol

    Two painted Macy's signs on the east side of the Herald Square store. (Photos by Rolando Pujol)

    Tags: macy's, gimbels, shopping, signs, holiday traditions, herald square, manhattan, skyliner, real estate, history

  • Rabbi and wife from Brooklyn killed in Mumbai

    Friday November 28, 2008 9:15 AM By Rolando Pujol

    (AP) An ultra-orthodox Jewish group based in Brooklyn confirmed Friday that a New York rabbi and his wife were among the dead in a series of terrorist attacks in India that have claimed more than 150 lives.

    In response to the Mumbai attacks, New York City police beefed up patrols around large hotels and Jewish centers, including the Lubavitcher headquarters, said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne.

    "This is indeed a very sad day," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said at a news conference. "It is a reminder to all of us just how connected we are."

    The department already was on alert because of a warning earlier this week of a possible al-Qaida plot to strike the city's rail systems over the holidays.

    "I assure you that here in New York City, we are resolved to be vigilant," Kelly said.Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his wife, Rivkah, who ran the Chabad-Lubavitch movement's local headquarters in Mumbai, India, were killed during a hostage standoff at the center, said Rabbi Zalman Shmotkin, a spokesman for the movement.

    The center was one of 10 sites attacked beginning Wednesday.

    The couple's toddler son, Moshe Holtzberg, was rescued Thursday by an employee and is now with his grandparents. A second son, who was ailing, was with relatives in Israel when the attack occurred.

    "Gabi and Rivky Holtzberg made the ultimate sacrifice," said Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice chairman of the educational arm of Chabad-Lubavitch.

    "As emissaries to Mumbai, Gabi and Rivky gave up the comforts of the West in order to spread Jewish pride in a corner of the world that was a frequent stop for throngs of Israeli tourists. Their selfless love will live on with all the people they touched. We will continue the work they started."

    Members of the movement gathered at the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters Friday hours before the start of the Jewish Sabbath to pray for the families of the dead. One of the group's leaders, Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, spoke at a news conference.

    "We express deeply heartfelt condolences to the parents and family of this beautiful young couple and to the family and loved ones of each of those who have been so brutally murdered," said Krinsky, calling the attack on the Jewish center a "senseless, barbaric act."

    The Holtzbergs arrived in Mumbai in 2003 to serve the local Jewish community. The two ran a synagogue, offering religious instruction and helping people dealing with drug addiction and poverty, Kotlarsky said.

    Holtzberg "was the finest and nicest gentleman that you can imagine," a weeping Kotlarsky said at the news conference. "You never saw him without a smile . . . he was always cheerful and greeted everyone pleasantly . . . a real mensch."

    Gavriel Holtzberg's last known phone call was to the Israeli consulate to report that gunmen were in his house, the group's leaders in Brooklyn said. In the middle of the conversation, the line went dead.

    Twelve hours after gunmen stormed the center Wednesday, Sandra Samuel, a cook at the center, heard little Moshe's cries outside the room in which she had barricaded herself. She opened the door, grabbed the toddler and ran outside with another center worker.

    The little boy's pants were soaked with blood, and Samuel said she saw four people lying on the floor as she fled.

    Krinsky said the boy will turn 2 on Saturday. "Today, he became an orphan," he said.

    Authorities said three other hostages and two gunmen were also killed but they weren't immediately identified.

    Gavriel Holtzberg, 29, was born in Israel and moved to the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn with his parents when he was nine. He had dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship. Rivkah Holtzberg, 28, was a native of Afula, Israel. The couple had lived in New York before going to India.

    The Lubavitchers were one of many Hasidic groups that were uprooted from Eastern Europe by the Holocaust and came to the United States.

    They became the most outward-looking of the ultrareligious groups, constructing giant Hanukkah menorahs in public places, proselytizing among less pious Jews and building Chabad centers from Sao Paulo to Bangkok.

    The once-tiny sect has swelled in number and influence.

    Estimates of followers vary widely, ranging from the tens of thousands to a million or more. About 4,000 full-time emissary families direct more than 3,300 institutions around the world.

    Tags: brooklyn, terrorism

  • LI Wal-Mart worker killed in Black Friday costumer stampede

    Friday November 28, 2008 9:00 AM By Rolando Pujol

    Investigators outside the Green Acres Mall in Nassau County, where a part-time worker was killed Friday morning.(Patrick E. McCarthy for Newsday)

    BY JOSEPH MALLIA and JONATHAN STARKEY

    Newsday

    Bargain-hungry shoppers stepped on a fallen Wal-Mart worker, who died Friday morning, after the crowd knocked down the store's front doors -- and the worker -- during the "utter chaos" of a Black Friday shopping melee, Nassau County police said.

    "A throng of shoppers . . . physically broke down the doors" at around 5 a.m. Friday and knocked the 34-year-old part-time worker to the ground as the crowd pushed its way into the store at the Green Acres Mall, Nassau police said.

    "This crowd was out of control," said Nassau Police Det. Lt. Michael Fleming, who is investigating the death. He characterized the melee as "utter chaos."

    Read the whole story here.

  • From the archives: Have a monstrous Thanksgiving

    Friday November 28, 2008 8:34 AM By Rolando Pujol

    We blogged this over at amNY's Digital Popcorn film blog last year, but thought we'd share it with Urbanite readers:

    TV Guide ad via www.dvddrive-in.com

    To this day, I associate Thanksgiving with Channel 9's Holiday Movie Festival. You could forget football, or reminiscing with the family around the dinner table. The real action was in front of the tube as WOR trotted out monster classics from its RKO library. On Turkey Days from 1976 to 1985, New Yorkers were treated to such classics as King Kong, Mighty Joe Young and a host of Godzilla movies.Now, I am not a big monster movie fan, but what appreciation I have for these films comes from repeated exposure by local TV stations back before they spiffed up their schedules, affiliated with networks, and turned their backs on classic reruns, cartoons and creaky movies. Now, you have to go to niche cable channels or turn to DVDs to see films that were once part of a regular TV diet. It's too bad these changes mean many kids today will not be exposed to nontraditional programming fare, nor will they form precious "holiday film festival" memories such as the ones New Yorkers over 30 share.

    Indeed, like many longtime New York television traditions, the Thanksgiving film festival faded in the mid 80s as viewing habits changed with the advent of the VCR and cable. Soon, other movie traditions like Drive In Movie on Channel 5 -- a tremendous showcase for rare Kung Fu and horror films -- were also gone. For a superb overview of these TV traditions, visit www.dvddrive-in.com. Here's their write-up on the Holiday Film Festival, along with a tribute to Drive In Movie, Chiller Theater from Channel 11, and Creature Features from Channel 5.

    But we digress. Returning to the Holiday Movie Festival, a YouTube contributor who offers rare-as-a-hen's-tooth videos from old New York television has compiled an almost 10-minute-long sequence of movie clips, bumpers and even old commercials for New York staples such as Crazy Eddie that will give you a sense of what it was like to spend Thanksgiving watching monster movies on Channel 9 in the early 1980s. Watch below, and happy Thanksgiving!

    -- Rolando Pujol

    Tags: holiday tradition, thanksgiving, wor-tv, wnew-tv, wpix-tv, godzilla, chiller theatre, creature features, drive-in movie, holiday film festival, throwback thursday, entertainment, television, old school, holiday traditions, history

  • A very 'Special' retro T-shirt

    Friday November 28, 2008 8:10 AM By Rolando Pujol

    We don't plan to do much Black Friday shopping, but our morning RSS crawl turned up a gift we must have right this second.

    Thursday, we engaged in a little "Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" nostalgia, and shared our fond memories of the "CBS Special Presentation" promo that aired from the early 1970s to early 1990s. It signaled it was time for old-fashioned fun with Snoopy and the gang.

    Well, the Web site Retroist reports that you can actually own a shirt modeled on the CBS special animation.

    It ain't cheap, at $28, but who can resist the pitch:

    You can almost hear the drums and horns break in as the family gathers around the TV for a night of holiday specials. (Think Frosty or Rudolph.)

    The shirt is available from Wire and Twine. And watch the intro here.

    -- Rolando Pujol

    Tags: cbs special presentation, holidays, nostalgia, old school, holiday traditions, fashion, entertainment, advertising

  • Urban archaeology: What do ragamuffins have to do with Thanksgiving?

    Thursday November 27, 2008 2:16 PM By Rolando Pujol

    Ephemeral New York explores one of our Thanksgiving history obsessions. You see, once upon a time in neighborhoods around the city, Halloween really wasn't the season for going "trick or treating." It was Thanksgiving day! Kids would dress up and go around begging. These little ragamuffins would knock on your door and ask "Anything for Thanksgiving" in a kind of way that would make Fagin proud. The outings seemed to be confined to certain Brooklyn neighborhoods populated by European immigrants, but there were reports of the tradition thriving elsewhere in the city.The tradition petered out in most places by the early 1960s, and Halloween became the definitive day when it was societally accepted for children to ask unfamiliar adults for gifts.

    Once you're done with your turkey and the games are off the air, take a few minutes and learn about this lost New York City tradition. Here's a look at how the tradition played out in Greenpoint. And even more here and here. And please share your recollections and insights in the comments.

    -- Rolando Pujol

    Tags: urban archaeology, ragamuffins, thanksgiving, holiday traditions, brooklyn, history

  • Fewer holiday gifts for charities

    Thursday November 27, 2008 1:06 PM By Ryan Chatelain

    Sister Nancy Chiarello, right, and others prepare Thanksgiving dinner in the kitchen of The Dwelling Place, a transitional shelter for women in Hell’s Kitchen. The shelter relies solely on private donations. (Photo by Jefferson Siegel)

    By Lana Bortolot

    Special to amNewYork

    No longer counting on the largess of corporate donors, the city’s nonprofit groups are preparing for the inevitable: a season of nongiving.

    “None of us has an idea how this is going to effect us, but for sure, no one is going to be giving the way they’ve been used to giving,” says David Eng, vice president of public affairs at The Tenement Museum.

    Each plunge in the roller-coaster Dow means a little more teeth-gritting: Nonprofits in good health are scrutinizing budgets or halting expansion plans, while struggling nonprofits wonder how they will keep the doors open.One organization, the New York Rescue Mission, is down 11 percent in revenue, and held a radio-thon at its recent Thanksgiving banquet to raise $12,000.

    “It’s pretty clear that smaller groups will have to either reduce services or [their employees] will volunteer for a while because they have a lot of heart,” says Fran Barrett, executive director of the Community Resource Center, a management consultancy for nonprofits. “But there will be a lot of slowing down or shutting down.”

    High 5 Tickets to the Arts, which provides $5 tickets to the arts for teens, is among the groups dealing with the slowdown. Fewer organizations are purchasing group tickets, and with significant losses in corporate funding, general manager, Chris Kam says: “We’re struggling with trying to switch over to a larger number of smaller, individual donors.”

    The downturn also has delivered a triple slam to direct-services organizations: funding has declined, while the price of commodities and the need for services has increased.

    Kristin Reiersen, who works at two food pantries through the AmeriCorps program, says overall food costs have gone up 11 percent from last year and some staples — peanut butter, pasta and garbanzo beans — increased 70 percent.

    “We used to be able to give families salmon, tuna, and chicken or beef. Now we’re able to give them only tuna,” says Reiersen, who works at the community food pantry at Saint Bartholomew’s Church. The situation there was dire enough that the church launched a food drive to restock its shelves.

    The challenging times require creative thinking, says Sister Nancy Chiarello, founder of The Dwelling Place, a transitional shelter for women. She has arranged for residents to speak at parishes in return for special collections on behalf of the shelter.

    The Dwelling Place relies 100 percent on private donations, says Chiarello, “When you depend on the generosity of people, it’s not a guaranteed income.”

    Lorie A. Slutsky, president of New York Community Trust, which distributes money to some 2,500 nonprofits, says the quickness of the downturn has left people anxious and stunned — and that affects donor psychology.

    “Americans are and feel less wealthy, and that will influence the attitude of people who will give.” However, she added, “I have always been impressed with the enormous generosity of New Yorkers.”

    And these are the times when nonprofits need that generosity the most, says Eric Muscatell, development director at The American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR). “We all need folks to stay the course and stay with us — even if they’re giving less.”

    HOW THEY’RE COPING

    New York’s well-known organizations are taking steps to prepare for tough times ahead.

  • The Tenement Museum has scaled back on renovations to a new visitor’s center and expanded gift shop.

  • WNYC has developed a contingency budget, delaying some staffing needs and discretionary spending, and is holding off on program expansion.

  • amfAR has put a freeze on hiring and program expansions.

  • New York Cares has trimmed budgets, and will refocus efforts away from expansion and more toward direct client services such as the volunteer income tax program.

    Tags: economy, recession, charities

  • Local Indian community in shock over terrorist attacks in Mumbai

    Thursday November 27, 2008 11:19 AM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    Members of New York’s Indian community reacted with shock, horror and prayers today to the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, with many anxiously calling friends and relatives.

    “I just talked to my sister-in-law in Mumbai and she said it is horrible there, nobody is going out,” said Subhash Kapadia, the owner of Sam and Raj Discount Appliance in Jackson Heights, Queens, which has a large Indian community. “They are really scared, they are staying home.”

    Kapadia, 65, who was born and raised in Mumbai and came to the United States in 1968, said he had been glued to the TV since news of the attacks broke yesterday.

    “I have lots of friends, lots of family there,” he added. “I’m concerned about my country and concerned about Mumbai.”Shyamji, a priest at the Hindu Center in Flushing, said about 70 people showed up today for morning prayers, more than three times the number on a typical day.

    “We pray to God to give peace to the community,” said Shyamji, who uses only one name. “We pray for the departed souls.”

    At least 125 people were killed in a series of attacks throughout the city, including rampages at two five-star hotels, where terrorists sprayed gunfire and set off bombs. More than 300 were wounded.

    Ramesh Chadha, the Indian vice consul in New York, was in his office today monitoring reports on TV and the Internet.

    “We are watching and waiting, hoping for an improvement in the situation,” he said.

    Mayor Michael Bloomberg attended a prayer service at the Hindu Temple Society of North America in Flushing.

    “New Yorkers, including the hundreds of thousands that trace their roots to that part of the world, stand together and reject the depraved methods of the terrorists,”

    Bloomberg said in a statement. “New York is in many ways similar to Mumbai: It is a wonderfully diverse city that is a leading center for business, education, science and the arts. I extend my deep sympathies to the families of those killed and to those wounded in [yesterday’s] attacks.”

    Several people interviewed today compared Mumbai to New York, noting that the Indian city is considered the financial capital of the country and one of its principal tourist draws.

    “It’s shocking, just shocking,” said Shobha Watal, the manager of Shobhas Hair and Beauty Salon in Glen Oaks, Queens. “You can’t believe anything like that can happen anywhere in the world.”

    Tags: terrorism, india, mumbai, queens

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Thursday November 27, 2008 10:56 AM By Sara Baumberger

    There are other holidays besides Christmas

    I have a message for all of those holier-than-thou types who are offended by the greeting “Happy Holidays” in place of “Merry Christmas:” Guess what? There are other holidays this time of the year besides Christmas. Thanksgiving and New Year’s are celebrated by everyone, African-Americans celebrate Kwanzaa, Jews celebrate Hanukkah, Wiccans celebrate the Winter Solstice, and atheists have their own holiday called Humanlight. Christians need to recognize that they do not own the season.

    — Dennis Middlebrooks, Brooklyn

    No election to fill Joe Biden’s senate seat?

    Re “Biden Aide Chosen to Succeed Senate Seat,” Nov. 25: The story concerning Vice President elect Joseph Biden, who was also on the ballot in Delaware for re-election to the United States Senate, was insightful. Why the need to run for two public offices at once? Did Sen. lack faith in fellow Sen. Barack Obama’s ability to win the presidency? As a result, when assuming the office of vice president on Jan. 20, 2009, his old senate seat will become vacant. There will be no special election to fill the seat. Just like the old career politicians who play in the smoke-filled back room political clubhouses, the Democratic governor of Delaware rather than voters selected Biden’s replacement. Is this an example of the “change” we have been promised by the new team of Obama-Biden? Sounds more like the same old game with some new faces to me.

    — Larry Penner, Great Neck

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • Councilwoman Jessica Lappin may run for public advocate

    Thursday November 27, 2008 10:29 AM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    City Councilwoman Jessica Lappin may throw her hat in the ring for public advocate, a member of her staff said.

    Lappin (D-Manhattan) is “strongly considering” joining a crowded field to replace Betsy Gotbaum, who does not plan to seek re-election, according to the staff member.

    Also expected to run in the Democratic primary next year are Council members Eric Gioia, (D-Sunnyside); Bill de Blasio, (D-Brooklyn); John Liu, (D-Flushing); attorney Norman Siegel and Assemb. Adam Clayton Powell, (D-Manhattan).

    Lappin, 33, served as chief of staff to former Council Speaker Gifford Miller before winning election in 2005. She represents the Upper East Side.

    In an interview last week, before she made her intentions for higher office known, Lappin said she has spent her time in the council pushing for more park space, tightened safety regulations for construction cranes and more schools in her district.

    The public advocate, a position created in 1993, presides over City Council meetings and serves as an ombudsman for city government.

    It is one of two citywide elected offices expected to open up next year, as City Comptroller William Thompson plans to run for mayor.

    Tags: politics, city council, public advocate, city hall dispatch

  • Throwback Thursday: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

    Thursday November 27, 2008 10:13 AM By Rolando Pujol

    Peanuts holiday specials were sacred viewing events for generations of U.S. children. The specials were shown on CBS merely once a year, sponsored usually by McDonald's and Peter Paul Cadbury, and introduced with the wild, bongo-infused "CBS Special Presentation" animation that sent kids into paroxysms of anticipatory glee.

    Nowadays, of course, you can watch the DVD or play clips from YouTube whenever you wish, but nothing quite replaces the feeling of watching a Peanuts special as it airs on television. Tonight, you'll get your second and last chance to watch it over the air this year, as ABC, which now owns the rights to Peanuts specials, will present it at 8 p.m.

    "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" is one of our favorites. It's from 1973, several years after the original Halloween and Christmas specials, and it definitely has a funky feel. Woodstock is there, with his antics accompanied by the impossible-to-get-out-of-your-head song "Little Birdie." Vince Guaraldi, the genius behind the original Peanuts' music, penned a haunting, maudlin theme for the special. (It was among his last major works for the specials -- he died at age 47 in 1976.) And we meet Franklin, who is black, as well as Peppermint Patty and Marcie.

    Above, we bring you the "sponsored by" credits from the 1980 showing, which feature Guaraldi's Thanksgiving theme. And click HERE for the CBS Special Presentation jingle, which is actually a cut from a soundtrack of a Hawaii 5-0 episode. CBS, please learn a thing from these guys and bring it back!

    We'll thank you.

    -- Rolando Pujol

    Tags: throwback thursday, a charlie brown thanksgiving, peanuts, vince guaraldi, cbs, abc, television

  • Steamy drinks for the holidays

    Thursday November 27, 2008 6:21 AM By Julie Gordon

    The Nina Simone, a warm drink served at midtown east lounge Haven (Phil S. Kropoth)

    By Lauren Epstein

    An icy cold beer just doesn’t have the same effect during the end of November as it does in July. Luckily, bars have created delectable, hot alcoholic drinks to keep you motivated to leave your apartment — even on the chilliest of nights.

    Haven

    244 E. 51st St., btwn. Second and Third aves., 212-906-9066

    This new Upper East Side restaurant and lounge transports you to an era of sultry jazz, with its early 20th century décor and warm vibe. General Manager Steve Remminy’s description of Haven as “cigar bar meets bordello” makes this venue a unique treat for Midtown East neighborhood patrons. Furthering Haven as a hot-spot: The steaming — and delicious — drink aptly named The Nina Simone ($14). Holding true to the flavor and sizzle of its namesake, The Nina Simone is a tasty blend of cognac, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, ginger and black pepper. The ingredients are strained and steamed, then topped off with maple syrup.Bar Martignetti

    406 Broome St. at Cleveland Pl., 212-680-5600

    This Soho bistro attracts NYU students and 30-somethings alike with its indie music, funky tin roof and worn-in furniture. Also luring in the crowds is Bar Martignetti’s steamy Stonewall Jackson ($12). Named after the Confederate general, this drink gives a little Southern heat with apple cider, bourbon, clover and orange.

    Apotheke

    9 Doyers St., btwn. Bowery and Pell St., 212-406-0400

    Have an ailment? Apotheke has a remedy. Known for its expert mixologists and made-to-perfection cocktails, Apotheke offers winter drinks that won’t fail to impress. Try the Persimmon Cider ($15), a combination of Persimmon-infused Montecristo dark rum, pureed fresh persimmon and aromatic herbal infusion; or the Autumn Harvest ($15), made of Saigon cinnamon, bourbon and Long Island unfermented cider.

    Pegu Club

    77 W. Houston St., btwn. West Broadway and Wooster St.

    212-473-7348

    Climb the long, dimly lit staircase of this Soho restaurant and lounge known for its unique drinks. Making a comeback to the winter menu this season is Pegu Club’s famous Tom & Jerry ($12). Made with warm milk, eggs, rum, cognac, bitters and Christmas spices, this concoction is a spiced-up version of the classic eggnog.

    Quarter Bar

    676 Fifth Ave. at 20th St., Deep Slope, Brooklyn

    718-788-0989

    Quarter’s version of a Hot Buttered Rum ($9) is a true treat, made of Captain Morgan’s spiced rum, Gosling’s Black Seal rum, honey, cinnamon, cloves, hot water and butter. The carefully selected jukebox ranging from indie rock to funk and soul only adds to Quarter’s cozy charm.

    Rise

    2 West St. at Battery Pl.

    212-344-0800

    Found on the 14th floor of the Battery Park Ritz-Carlton, this modern lounge not only has a spectacular view of the Verrazano Bridge and the Statue of Liberty, but also specializes in a multitude of winter beverages. Our favorite is The Italian Job ($18), made up of Frangelico, Bailey’s, coffee and fresh whipped cream. These days, The Italian Job is a much-needed cocktail after a long day on nearby Wall Street.

    Tags: bars

  • Feds warn of 'plausible' terror plot against subways

    Wednesday November 26, 2008 7:33 AM By Rolando Pujol

    (AP) Federal authorities are warning law enforcement personnel of a possible terror plot against the New York City subway and train systems during the holiday season, and police are beefing up security in preparation.

    An internal memo obtained by the Associated Press says the FBI has received a "plausible but unsubstantiated" report that Al Qaeda terrorists in late September may have discussed attacking the subway system.

    A person briefed on the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the intelligence-gathering work, said the threat may also be directed at the passenger rail lines running through New York, such as Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road, which are particularly busy with Thanksgiving holiday travelers.

    A U.S. counterterror official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said senior government officials have been briefed because the FBI very recently received credible information about possible attacks over the holiday season, and authorities are particularly concerned about this long holiday weekend.

    FBI spokesman Richard Kolko confirmed only that his agency and the Homeland Security Department issued a bulletin Tuesday night to state and local authorities, and the information is being reviewed.

    Department of Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said the warning was issued as a routine matter, but added that there may be an increased police presence in New York and other large cities.The internal bulletin says Al Qaeda terrorists "in late September may have discussed targeting transit systems in and around New York City. These discussions reportedly involved the use of suicide bombers or explosives placed on subway/passenger rail systems," according to the document.

    "We have no specific details to confirm that this plot has developed beyond aspirational planning, but we are issuing this warning out of concern that such an attack could possibly be conducted during the forthcoming holiday season," according to the warning dated Tuesday.

    NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said they have received an unsubstantiated report and as a result have "deployed additional resources in the mass transit system."

    While federal agencies regularly issue all sorts of advisory warnings, the language of this one is particularly blunt.

    Intelligence and homeland security officials are working with local authorities to try to corroborate the information "and will continue to investigate every possible lead," the memo says.

    Rep. Peter King, the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, said authorities "have very real specifics as to who it is and where the conversation took place and who conducted it."

    "It certainly involves suicide bombing attacks on the mass transit system in and around New York and it's plausible, but there's no evidence yet that it's in the process of being carried out," King said.

    Knocke, the DHS spokesman, said the warning was issued "out of an abundance of caution going into this holiday season."

    No changes are being made to the nation's threat level, or for transit systems at this time, he said.

    "However, transit passengers in larger metropolitan areas like New York may see an increased security presence in the coming days," Knocke said.

    The increased personnel could include uniformed and plainclothes "behavior detection" officers, federal air marshals, canine teams, and security inspectors, Knocke said.

    Tags: terrorism, subways, plot, nypd, mta, transit, transportation

  • The Cover Story: Pirates: They yarrr back

    Tuesday November 25, 2008 3:40 PM By Emily Ngo

    By Emily Ngo

    The newest crop of high-seas scallywags has an advantage or two over their pirate predecessors. They’re tech-savvy, media-friendly and increasingly brazen.

    The Somali bandits are equipped with GPS, satellite phones and spinmiesters to share their story with the world.

    “Up to this point, there’s never been interest in pirates in the United States except for Hollywood fantasy,” said John Burnett, a former merchant seaman who was attacked by the outlaws in 1992 in the South China Sea.

    Pirate hijackings have tripled since early 2007. There have been 96 attacks in Somali waters this year, with 40 ships hijacked. Fifteen ships — and about 300 crew — remain docked off the coast as pirates negotiate ransoms.

    Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nigeria and other poverty-stricken coastal nations have known their fair share of piracy, but the recent spate near Somalia indicates the northeast African country is an ideal breeding ground, experts said.

    “These are hot-tempered people who have been living in anarchy since 1991,” when the Somali government collapsed, said Burnett, author of “Dangerous Waters: Modern Piracy and Terror on the High Seas.” “And everyone over the age of 12 has a Kalashnikov rifle.”While the Kenyan government reports that pirates this year have netted about $150 million, conservative estimates put the ransom profits at closer to $30 million.

    Among the most precious seized cargo is $100 million in crude oil aboard the Sirius Star, a U.S.-bound Saudi tanker captured on Nov. 15. The pirates, who initially demanded $25 million in ransom, moved the vessel farther out to sea after Islamic militants vowed to fight them. The captive crew are “fine” and were permitted to contact their families, a pirate called Daybad told The Associated Press.

    Somalis taking up the pillage-and-plunder lifestyle include fishermen who lost their livelihood to European businesses, coast guard members trained by Western security firms and “ordinary young men or farmers who were attracted to piracy by the great wealth on offer,” said Roger Middleton, a piracy expert at Chatham House, a British think tank.

    The pirates’ effectiveness has likely caught the eye of Islamist extremists, experts said.

    “There have long been fears that al-Qaida has seen Somalia as a prime recruiting ground,” Middleton said. “The growth of al-Shabaab [a Muslim insurgency group in Somalia] over the last year has reignited fears that young Somalis may become radicalized.”

    The problem is escalating, but naval forces cannot possibly patrol all the seas. “OK, let’s say you capture a bunch of pirates. What are you going to do with them?” Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell asked ABC News.

    “It’s only going to get worse,” Burnett said. “There only solution is a functional and effective government in Somalia.”

    -----

    Infamous scallywags: Real and fictional

    By Amanda Mangus

    JOHN “CALICO JACK” RACKHAM: John Rackham, known as “Calico Jack,” is infamous for his flag, now known as the pop culture symbol for piracy.

    MARY READ: A notorious female pirate from Calico Jack’s crew, Mary (known as Mark) Read dressed as a man in battle and as a woman at other times.

    “BLACKBEARD” EDWARD TEACH: Legend has it that Blackbeard wove lit matches into his beard to intimidate his enemies. He’s the stereotypical seafaring pirate.

    SISTER PING: She hijacked ships on the South China Sea from the 1970s to 1990s and smuggled thousands of Chinese immigrants to the West.

    CAPTAIN HOOK: The villain in J. M. Barrie’s novel and play “Peter Pan” has a hook as a hand. Peter Pan cut it off and fed it to a crocodile, who liked the taste and follows Hook around, hoping for another bite.

    CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW: Pepe Le Pew and Keith Richards inspired Johnny Depp’s portrayal of this anti-hero of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.

    LONG JOHN SILVER: Known for Treasure Island and the seafood-serving fast-food chain, Long John set the pirate precedent of having a peg-leg and a talking parrot.

    -----

    High-sea history

    1220-1186 B.C: The “Sea Peoples,” a group of maritime nomads, terrorize the eastern Mediterranean, ushering in a “Dark Age.”

    75 B.C.: No less a force than Julius Caesar is held for ransom by pirates on the Aegean Sea.

    Fifth century: St. Patrick, at the tender age of 16, is enslaved by pirates.

    The age of the Vikings (the 700s-early 1000s): The Norse warriors take the seas and spread terror from northern Europe to Italy.

    Swashbuckling in the Caribbean (mid-1500s- early 1700s): Yes, those pirates of the Caribbean were real well before Johnny Depp made Captain Jack Sparrow infamous. Much of our understanding of this period, however, has more to do with fanciful Hollywood plots than reality.

    1800-1850: The U.S., British and European navies virtually wipe out organized piracy in the Caribbean, the Far East and China. But as long as the high seas are used for commerce, there will be pirates.

    -----

    Blend in using this pirate lingo tutorial:

    Shiver me timbers: An expression of shock or disbelief.

    Hornswaggle: To cheat or defraud, often of money.

    Black spot: A death threat among pirates.

    All hands hoay: A command for all to convene on the ship’s deck, usually for action.

    Davy Jones’ locker: The imaginary place at the ocean bottom that holds dead pirates.

    Tags: pirates

  • Cops have been shooting at him for years

    Tuesday November 25, 2008 3:24 PM By Ryan Chatelain

    Jesse Oldshein, now 90, shown on the left in 1961, was the face on the NYPD firing target for nearly 50 years. (Photo on right by Robert Mayer)

    By Rocco Parascandola

    Special to amNewYork

    “The Thug” has finally been identified, it seems.

    The man who inspired the menacing mug on paper targets used at NYPD firing ranges since the 1960s is not actor Ernest Borgnine or boxing great Rocky Graziano, as some suspected.

    It’s Jesse Oldshein, a former NYPD sergeant who is now 90 and living in Florida.

    “That’s me,” Oldshein said from his home in Boynton Beach. “I was up at the range one day. They asked to take my picture. They said pose in a boxing stance. Next thing I know, my face is on the target.”Questions about the real-life identity of the man behind the visage resurfaced recently when Newsday reported that the NYPD is phasing out the image for one that looks like Mr. Clean and another that looks like a Martian.

    After the story ran, a retired detective came forward and fingered Oldshein.

    Oldshein said he never gave much thought about the mug, but his wife, Francine, remembers other cops teasing him about it.

    “It was a big deal back then,” she said. “So many people came over to us. ... ‘Hey, Jesse, I shot at you today.’”

    Rocco Parascandola is a Newsday staff writer.

    Tags: nypd

  • Texts tell of transit trouble

    Tuesday November 25, 2008 3:22 PM By Ryan Chatelain

    By Marlene Naanes

    Let your cell phone help you get to work.

    Subway and bus riders can receive text messages and e-mails about transit delays starting today.

    The MTA is allowing straphangers to customize their alerts for particular subway and bus lines. Riders can also be flagged if there are snafus on bridges, tunnels and the commuter rails.

    “If you know about a service disruption before you leave your home, or now, even as you are making your way to a subway or rail station or a bus stop, you can avoid the frustration of delays by seeking an alternate route,” said MTA executive director, Elliot Sander.The initiative partially stemmed from the communication breakdown on Aug. 8, 2007, when millions of subway and bus riders were left stranded with little or no information during a severe storm and flood.

    The new system will cost the MTA $10,000 a month.

    To subscribe to the service, visit the MTA Web site, www.mta.info.

    Tags: mta, transit

  • Henican: Somali pirates a swashbuckling downgrade

    Tuesday November 25, 2008 3:10 PM By Emily Ngo

    They don’t say “matey.”

    They haven’t forced anybody to walk the plank.

    There isn’t an eye-patch or a Jolly Roger or a shoulder-perched parrot in sight.

    What kind of sad-sack pirates are prowling the waters off Somalia? Someone ought to take these wannabes to a “Pirates of Penzance” road show — or at least a Johnny Depp matinee! Don’t they have any respect for the noble traditions of piracy?

    Sure, these seafaring gangbangers have grabbed their share of floating real estate, 40 ships this year. The pirates are still holding 15 of them plus 300 crew. And in the most audacious attack so far, these latter-day Jean Lafittes commandeered the Saudi supertanker Sirius Star and its 2 million barrels of crude.

    OK, one loud “YAAAR!” for that.

    But these Somali pirates have been comporting themselves more like low-level mobsters than proud swashbucklers of the sea, appreciated more for their strong-arm earning potential than for courage or derring-do.

    Where’s the rough-hewn code of honor? Where are the peg-legs? If Captain Hook had been a part of this sorry mob, he’d have been calling out for help from Tinkerbell.

    These are pirates-light.In the Somali town of Eyl, where many of the sailor hostages are being held, special restaurants have been opened to accommodate the dining preferences of the pirates’ international guests. How thoughtful, huh? And the pirates have shown real flexibility in their ransom terms, reportedly coming down to $15 million from $25 mil for the Sirius Star.

    Whoever heard of pirates with a holiday sale? Now they’re even getting cheery references from their hostages.

    British sailor Peter French, lounging aboard the captured Sirius Star, just told the BBC:

    “The pirates are no problem whatsoever. We’ve had no mistreatment. Hopefully, we get a phone call to our families soon. All in all, we’re not too badly off. The boys are quite happy. We’re talking to them, reassuring them. Apart from the inconvenience of being locked up, our life is not too bad.”

    They’re the perfect gentlemen pirates, soiling a once-proud and frightening name.

    Quick, someone give these modern pirates a hug!

    Tags: pirates, bbc, henican

  • How lame of a duck is Bush?

    Tuesday November 25, 2008 2:25 PM By Pete Catapano

    By Pete Catapano

    Are Americans aware that the man in the White House is still named Bush?

    As the economy spirals, it seems that Americans and the media are looking toward President-elect Barack Obama for the solutions, even though he doesn’t have any authority yet, seemingly pushing President George W. Bush to hyper-lame-duck status.

    Yesterday, Obama named his top economic advisers, while promising to jolt the economy as the market had its third-straight up day.

    However, Bush may have a lot more clout, thanks to the crisis, that many realize, some watchers say.

    “He has no influence, but a fair amount of power,” said Patrick E. Egan, assistant professor of politics and public policy at New York University. “In a sense, Bush is one of the most consequential lame-duck presidents because of the $700 billion in bailout money he’s put under the control of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.”Just by looking at the poll numbers and feeling the way the wind blows, it’s not so surprising that Obama’s getting the attention; Bush currently has an approval rating of 20 percent according to the latest CBS poll, while the president-elect is still riding the wave of his historic victory.

    As company after company gets on their knees in Washington begging for billions in bailout money, houses are foreclosed or have plummeting values and the unemployment rolls get bloated, it’s hard for many to turn to Bush for the solution.

    In fact, some columnists are telling Bush to step down now and let Obama start putting his plans in place.

    In a New York Times op-ed last week, columnist Gail Collins said the president and Cheney should resign because “Bush … hasn’t got the clout, or possibly even the energy, to do anything useful.”

    Egan added that during the most presidential transitions, the administration is usually just “winding down,” but while the public is readying for a President Obama, what Bush is doing under these circumstances can’t be ignored.

    “We’re in a crisis and that requires day-to-day management and response,” he said. “While the public is ready to move on, Bush is still in control and making big decisions every day.”

    Tags: bush, obama, politics

  • Despite fewer travelers, holiday will still cause headaches

    Tuesday November 25, 2008 1:42 PM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    Don’t be fooled into thinking that traveling this week will be easier than in years past because fewer people are expected to trek to family get-togethers.

    “There will be some havoc,” said Robert Sinclair, Jr., a spokesman for AAA New York. “To the average motorist it will be as bad as it has ever been.”

    The AAA predicts that there will be a 1.4 percent decline nationwide in people traveling more than 50 miles this Thanksgiving week compared to last year.

    Similarly, air travel is expected to drop by about 10 percent this year, said David Castelveter, a spokesman for industry group, Air Transport Association. However, with airlines cutting flights by roughly the same amount, the planes themselves will be as crowded as ever.

    “Thanksgiving is the busiest travel period of the year,” Castelveter said.The Port Authority, which expects 1.35 million passengers at the region’s three major airports, is urging travelers to leave extra time and is asking those picking up passengers at Kennedy Airport to use the “cell phone lot,” a free parking area away from the terminals where they can wait for calls from people arriving.

    For those traveling by train, Amtrak is requiring reservations for all trains in the Northeast and is telling passengers to allow at least 45 minutes at the station to pick up tickets. Travelers will be limited to two carry-ons, not including purses and laptop bags.

    Tomorrow, Amtrak expects 128,000 passengers, a 65 percent increase over the 78,000 for a normal Wednesday. Last year, Amtrak had 665,000 riders between the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the Monday after.

    A spokesman for the rail line, Clifford Cole, said the agency has not made projections for expected ridership, but said that “a good number of our trains are already sold out.”

    Tags: thanksgiving, travel, holidays, airlines, trains

  • Giving leftovers a makeover

    Tuesday November 25, 2008 12:47 PM By Lucy Blatter

    By Lucy Cohen Blatter

    Don’t let the party end tomorrow night. Chances are your fridge will be stocked with food, and your home filled with friends and family all weekend. So why not give your Thanksgiving meal a second chance to shine?

    Since Thanksgiving dinner is all about tradition, the weekend’s meals should be a bit more creative, says Jeanne Benedict, a Celebrations.com lifestyle party expert.

    “You can give leftovers a makeover by adding bold flavors and spices,” she says.

    Benedict suggests adding Latin flavor with cilantro or lime, or adding Indian flavor with cumin and curry.

    She said the three foods that hold up best post-holiday are cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and stuffing.

    “You can make leftover cranberry sauce into a chutney by adding onion, vinegar and salt,” she says. “Sweet potatoes can be used as a filling for something else, or put in a baking cup, covered with goat cheese and warmed.”

    Stuffing, she says, “can be used for stuffed mushrooms the next day. Just mix in some gouda or Parmesan cheese before stuffing them.”Cathie Filian, co-host of DIY Network’s “Creative Juice,” suggests turkey potpie as a good option. “Pre-made pie crusts are on super sale this time of year. Just mix the turkey with a can of mushroom soup and veggies and you’re done. You can also make the pies in small ramekins, use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of leftover crusts and use the shapes to decorate the tops of the pies.”

    Keep in mind that for leftover turkey to be safe, it must be stored properly. “Be sure to carve the whole thing and let it cool before you put it away; you don’t want to put it in the refrigerator when it’s warm,” Filian says. She also suggests storing it with little oxygen. “You don’t need to go as extreme as vacuum-packing; if you’re using Ziploc, double bag it.”

    Filian is such a fan of leftovers that she has them on the brain when she’s cooking for the main event. “If I know there’s a family favorite, I’ll double it to make sure there are plenty of leftovers.”

    One of Filian’s go-to family recipes is cranberry salsa. “Thanksgiving weekend is all about football, so I like to have avocado dip and salsa. I buy salsa from the supermarket’s refrigerator section, drain it and stir in about a quarter of a cup of fresh cranberry sauce, adding more to taste. It’s great because it’s sweet and hot.”

    Post-Thanksgiving meals are “about echoing the best parts of Thanksgiving but really reinventing it, and getting people excited for the holiday season,” says Benedict. “Make sure it’s all light and fun.”

    RECIPES:

    Crispy Sweet Potato Ravioli

    Ingredients:

    2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes

    2 tablespoons brown sugar

    1 cup cornmeal

    1 (50-count) package round wonton wrappers (about 3-inch diameter)

    Canola oil

    Directions:

    1. Combine sweet potatoes, and brown sugar and heat in the microwave until warm.

    2. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and scatter a heavy layer of cornmeal over paper.

    3. Moisten edge on one side of wonton wrapper with water. Place 1 teaspoon sweet potato mixture in center of wonton. Fold wonton in half and pinch together edges to seal.

    4. Place on prepared baking sheet and refrigerate, covered, until ready to cook.

    5. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook about 6 raviolis at one time until golden brown on one side, about 3 - 5 minutes.

    6. Flip raviolis and cook until golden on other side. Remove with slotted spatula on to paper towels to drain excess oil.

    7. Repeat process using 1 tablespoon of oil for each batch. Serve immediately.

    Courtesy of Jeanne Benedict

    Turkey Pot Pie

    Ingredients:

    1 pound turkey, cut into small cubes

    4-5 slices of butter

    1 large onion

    8 ounces sliced mushrooms

    1/2 cup dry white wine

    1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

    1 1/2 cups frozen peas, corn and carrots (thawed)

    1 egg yolk

    1 tablespoon water

    2 purchased pie crusts (rolled)

    Steps:

    Over medium heat in a large skillet, brown the turkey pieces in butter. Once brown remove the turkey from the pan and add thinly sliced onion, cook for 2 minutes, add the mushrooms and cook until tender.

    Remove the onions and mushrooms from the pan and set aside. Add the wine to the pan; stir to loosen the any pieces. Add the mushroom soup, Bring to a boil. Stir in the peas, corn carrots, onion mushroom and turkey. Remove from heat.

    Preheat oven to 425°. Place one crust into a 9” pie, fill with soup mixture. In a small bowl, blend the water and egg with a fork. Brush the edge of the pie crust with the egg and water, place the second piecrust onto top. Use a fork to seal the edges together. Brush the edges with the egg and water.

    Bake 30 minutes

    Courtesy of Cathie Filian

    Leftover Stuffing Casserole

    Ingredients:

    2 cups of turkey, cut into small cubes

    1 1/2 cup leftover stuffing

    1 1/4 cups organic chicken stock/broth

    2 tablespoons flour

    1/4 cup cold water

    1 package frozen broccoli, cooked & drained

    1/4 cup sour cream

    Cheddar cheese

    Directions:

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the stuffing evenly across the bottom of a greased casserole dish. Next add a layer of turkey.

    Heat the chicken stock to boiling. In a small bowl blend the flour and cold water. Add to the boiling stock. Reduce the heat to low and stir constantly until thickened. Add the broccoli and sour cream, stir to blend.

    Pour stock mixture over the turkey and stuffing. Bake for 15 minutes, remove from oven and top with cheese, bake for 5-10 minutes more or until the cheese is melted.

    Courtesy of Cathie Filian

    Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich:

    Ingredients:

    8 ounces sliced leftover dark and/or white meat turkey, sliced

    2 tbsp butter

    2 tbsp mayo

    2 pieces, cooked bacon

    ½ cup leftover stuffing

    1 oz Cranberry Lambic beer to moisten stuffing

    4 slices Swiss cheese

    Leftover green beans or other veggies

    2 slices thick white bread

    Directions:

    On outside of bread slices, spread butter evenly (as if you were making a grilled cheese). On the inside of the slices, spread mayo evenly. Stack turkey, cheese, bacon, stuffing (with beer) and veggies on top of one slice of bread. Place other slice on top pressing down firmly to hold together. Insert four toothpicks into each corner of the sandwich. If necessary, cut tops of toothpicks off so they are not sticking out.

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a nonstick pan, brown on each side, for approximately 3 minutes each side. Remove from pan and place on oven sheet. Roast for 10 minutes at 350 degrees, flipping at halfway point.

    Recipe created by Samuel Adams’ chef partner, David Burke

    Tags: thanksgiving leftovers, cathie filian, jeanne benedict, food

  • T-Day preview: A Smurfy parade

    Tuesday November 25, 2008 12:45 PM By Rolando Pujol

    By Amanda Magnus

    Special to amNewYork

    The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday will be a little different than the 81 celebrations before it: It will be Smurfy.

    Thirteen huge inflatables will float above this year’s parade, including three firsts: a Smurf, Dr. Seuss’ Horton the Who and Buzz Lightyear.

    “I’m excited for the Smurf float because my dad used to love the Smurfs as a kid and he’s taking me to the parade,” said 9-year-old Brett P., a New Jersey resident who’s been going to the parade since he was 2.

    The parade officially kicks off the holiday season with more than 10,000 participants, including marching bands, cheerleaders, and performance groups. More than 3.5 million people flood the parade route, and more than 50 million viewers tune in on television.Some New Yorkers will be busy cooking or traveling and plan to see the blowing up of the balloons tonight. From 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. the public can catch the action on the Upper West Side: Enter at West 79th Street and Columbus Avenue.

    Lorraine Flaherty and her 7- and 10-year-old daughters are going to watch the parade on television, even though they’ve come all the way from Seattle to New York for the holiday. Flaherty grew up in Manhattan and used to go to the parade as a child.

    “It’s too crowded now, and you have to get there so early. It’s no fun anymore,” she said.

    IF YOU GO:

    The 2.5-mile parade route begins at 77th St and Central Park West and ends at 34th St and Seventh Avenue. The holiday tradition begins at 9 a.m., but people start arriving as early as 6 a.m. Here are the recommended spots to watch the parade:

    • Central Park West from 75th Street to Columbus Circle.

    • Broadway between Columbus Circle and 36th Street.

    • Limited spots on the south side of 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue.

    • Questions? Call the Macy’s hotline at 212-494-4495 or visit macysparade.com

    Photo: AP

    Tags: thanksgiving, holiday tradition, macy's parade, smurfs, holiday traditions, manhattan, history, entertainment

  • Office taste test: Tim Tams

    Tuesday November 25, 2008 10:32 AM By Lucy Blatter

    Baz Luhrmann’s “Australia” opens tomorrow, but that continent is getting our attention for an entirely different reason. Popular Australian chocolate biscuits Tim Tams have arrived in America (they will only be available until March and exclusively at Target).

    We received some samplings yesterday, and, immediately, our mid-afternoon sugar cravings were satiated.

    These cookies are made with chocoholics in mind: beneath a smooth layer of fudge and between two layers of crispy biscuits a layer of chocolate crème awaits.

    To satisfy Americans’ love for all things sweet, Pepperidge Farm has added a caramel variety in addition to the traditional chocolate crème.

    The best way to eat them is also the most traditional way — dip them into a cup of warm, milky tea and let the outer layer of chocolate melt a bit. It's extremely decadent, but good.

    Tags: tim tam, australia, food

  • Viral Video: Adult choir caught Ridin' Dirty

    Tuesday November 25, 2008 9:52 AM By Rolando Pujol

    Bridging the gap between generations can be tricky. And sometimes, a little

    messy.

    The FBC Senior Adult Choir's attempt to introduce their congregation to a

    mix of the hottest hip-hop tracks from the last few years is just one

    example.

    And while they might not be pooin' when it comes to "Ridin' Dirty," their

    take on Outcast's "Hey Ya" is about the best thing you could hope for given

    the circumstances.

    Tags: viral video, television

  • Attention food-lovers: This week's dining briefs

    Tuesday November 25, 2008 5:44 AM By Lucy Blatter

    By Emily Ranager

    Special to amNewYork

    Nov. 30, Turkey Count Hike: Join the Urban Park Rangers to find the centerpiece of your holiday dinner in its native habitat. Beginning at 10 a.m., hike the Siwanoy Trail, burn off some Thanksgiving calories and see how many turkeys you can count. 895 Shore Rd., Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, 718-885-3467. Free.

    Through Dec. 2, Canstruction: Come see the contents of your kitchen pantry make art at this exhibition of giant sculptures built with cans of food. From 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, see 40 sculptures built by New York City’s top architectural and engineering firms. After the sculptures are dismantled, all canned goods will be donated to City Harvest, a non-profit food rescue mission. The Winter Garden, World Financial Center; www.canstruction.org. Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to donate canned goods.

    Dec. 4, Seasons Meatings: Learn to create impressive holiday spreads of cured meat in this class at Murray’s Cheese. From 6:30 to 8 p.m., discover the rules, faux pas and myths surrounding eating salami and other cured meats. 254 Bleecker St., www.murrayscheese.com, $50.

    Dec. 6, Holiday Cooking Class at Pamplona: Impress your guests with Spanish-style holiday tapas from Pamplona’s Chef Alex Ureña. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you’ll start with a light breakfast, learn to prepare small plates like goat cheese and membrillo croquettes, and finish with a light lunch with Spanish wines. Pamplona will hold additional holiday classes on Dec. 13 and 20. 37 E. 28th St., 212-213-2328, $75 per class.

    Tags: dining briefs, city harvest, urban park rangers, murray's cheese, pamplona, food

  • The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's new home in SoHo

    Monday November 24, 2008 3:25 PM By Pete Catapano

    Want to see Madonna's pointed bustier? Now you can

    By Ron Bishow

    Special to amNewYork

    Have you wondered what happened to the urinal from CBGB after the legendary rock club closed?

    Well, it’s safe and sound along with thousands of other music artifacts at the brand new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in SoHo. While the museum will officially open Dec. 2, the public can get a first look during preview tours starting today.

    The 25,000-square feet mini-museum, costing $10 million, sits in the brick-walled basement of an Old Navy store at 76 Mercer Street..

    It is the first time the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has extended its brand beyond the main museum in Cleveland, and New York City was the logical choice.

    “New York City has been vital to the history of music, so having the museum here, especially in SoHo, was very important,” said James Henke, vice president of Exhibitions and Cultural Affairs for the museum.

    Illustrating this point is a 26-foot scale model of Manhattan located in the “New York Rocks” gallery, which lights up in 24 places marking key locations in NYC rock history. The room also contains a CBGB installation and articles of clothing and other artifacts from New York musicians like The Ramones, Blondie and Patti Smith.

    Artifacts from The Ramones and Blondie will be on displayThe Annex holds five other unique galleries with categories like “Roots & Influences” and “Moments to Movements,” and a special exhibit, “Revolution Rock: The Story of the Clash,” which originated at the Cleveland museum. The Clash is the first of rotating exhibits that will change around every six months.

    “The goal is to not only give people a unique experience, but also just a taste that will drive them to head back to Cleveland,” Henke continued.

    Visitors receive headsets when they enter the museum, but instead of hearing the voice of a virtual tour guide, you hear the music of the artist whose memorabilia you are looking at.

    It takes about 90 minutes to go through the Annex with tickets costing $28. But for the preview tours that run through Monday, tickets will be reduced to $26. Visitors are let in 100 at a time at 15-minute intervals starting with a 10-minute movie in the “Immersive Theater.” Tickets are available at the box office or at www.rockannex.com.

    Tags: ramones, cbgb, blondie, soho, museums, music

  • Travelers indulge in airport luxury

    Monday November 24, 2008 2:37 PM By Jason Fink

    By Marlene Naanes and Jason Fink

    As the holiday travel season ramps up, your vacation could start while you're waiting in the terminal.

    Local airports increasingly are offering more pampering, including spa treatments, beds, showers, and even food delivery.

    “Ten years ago they never had this,” said Tacie Saltonstall, who was at Kennedy Airport today after missing a connecting flight.

    “We screwed up the flight this morning and I was like, ‘yes, we get to spa it,’” she said.

    It’s likely that with the busiest — and often times most stressful — travel week of the year upon us, many other travelers will also indulge at the airport.

    Between Wednesday and Sunday, Kennedy is expected to see 629,000 passengers and LaGuardia 281,000, according to the Port Authority. With the average flight delay for departures this year at Kennedy reaching an hour and six minutes, and an hour and three minutes at LaGuardia, travelers have plenty of time for a facial or a comfortable nap.

    “It’s a destination,” Laurie Malen, 48, of Manhattan, said of the new JetBlue terminal at Kennedy. “It’s full service.”

    The newly opened JetBlue terminal is among the most striking examples of the trend towards turning airports — once dreary way stations brightened by the occasional newsstand or McDonald’s — into combination mini malls and lounges.

    There, passengers can dine on sushi or tapas or opt for a massage. There is also a play area for children, a pharmacy and free Wi-Fi. Other terminals at Kennedy also have their own high-end offerings, such as stores selling diamonds, Rolexes and Ferragamo shoes.Kennedy’s eight spas have become so popular that they now offer membership with discounts.

    “Our members will usually come to the airport very early,” said XpresSpa coordinator Ronald Dolloway.

    Alison McCall, 54, an Upper East Side resident on her way to visit family in Florida for Thanksgiving, did just that today. She treated herself to a foot massage and browsed at the Muji store.

    “It’s a lot more interesting and relaxing to walk around than just stewing about your flight delays,” she said.

    Some travelers in the international terminal at Kennedy said that America is actually behind the curve when it comes to full-service airports.

    Richard Sherman, 37, who lives in Cape Town, South Africa, and works for the United Nations, said that in Singapore, there is a pool and outdoor deck at the airport and in Malaysia, frazzled travelers can enjoy a sauna.

    Still, not everyone has been drawn to linger at airports.

    “I just want to get in and out,” said Felicidad Reyes, 29, of Brooklyn. “As long as they have coffee and water, that’s all I need.”

    Tags: airports, travel, holidays

  • Poor economy no excuse for looking bad

    Monday November 24, 2008 2:06 PM By Julie Gordon

    By Mina Hochberg

    If your beauty regimen is burdening your purse, it might be time for an overhaul of the products you buy. To help you out, here are 20 worthwhile finds ranging from $1 to $20.

    $1

    e.l.f. shimmering facial whip, $1; at Target

    It will give your cheeks a natural glow that’s just as rosy as pricier blushes.

    $2

    Tropez two-timers eyeshadow, $1.99; at drugstores

    Two shadows in one palette make this a true bargain buy.$3

    Kiss My Face olive oil bar soap, $2.99; at Whole Foods

    Doubling as a facial and body soap, this soap is a favorite among Kiss My Face fans.

    $4

    Tone sugar glow exfoliating body wash, $3.50; at drugstores

    This comes in a whopping 18-ounce bottle, and is a steal for the price. It leaves your skin surprisingly soft with a subtle, pleasant melon scent.

    $5

    Wet N Wild ultimate minerals powder foundation, $4.99; at drugstores

    Avoid pancake face with this affordable, effective powder foundation.

    $6

    Aveeno skin relief body wash, $5.99; at drugstores

    A small dollop of this unscented body wash goes a long way.

    $7

    Clean & Clear morning burst detoxifying facial cleanser, $6.49; at drugstores

    It’s hard to find a cheap facial cleanser that actually gets the job done, but this one leaves your face feeling refreshed and squeaky clean.

    $8

    TRESemme colorTHRIVE(is “colorTHRIVE” part of the name? if so, it should be bolded?) shampoo and conditioner, $3.99 each for 25-ounce bottle; at drugstores

    ColorTHRIVE shampoos and conditioners cater to different hair colors.

    $9

    Purpose dual treatment moisture lotion with SPF 15, $8.99; at drugstores

    Most facial moisturizers cost twice as much for half this amount. Plus, the lightweight formula doesn’t leave a sticky film on your face.

    $10

    Farmhouse shea butter lotion, $9.95; at Aphrodisia, 264 Bleecker St., 212-989-6440

    The divine lavender scent makes this a luxe purchase minus the luxe price. It also makes this lotion a great alternative to daytime perfume.

    $11

    Tarte fRxtion, $11; at Sephora

    Tarte’s fRxtion is a lip exfoliator and emollient in one: One side scrubs away dead skin, the other side moisturizes and enriches.

    $12

    Alba papaya enzyme facial mask, $12; at Whole Foods

    Some masks need to be slathered on, but not this one. A paper-thin layer is all you need for a tingly clean face.

    $13

    Burt’s Bees thoroughly therapeutic honey and shea body butter, $13; at CVS

    Body butters typically cost more than $20, but Burt’s Bees offers a wallet-friendly one that packs a lot of moisture in one application.

    $14

    Physicians Formula organic wear 100 percent natural origin bronzer, $13.95; at drugstores

    If your pale face needs a touch of color during the winter months, there’s no need to pay department-store prices. A few swipes of this bronzer will give you a subtle, summer-worthy glow.

    $15

    Philosophy ‘Amazing Grace’ to go, $15; at Sephora

    This perfume from Philosophy, popular for its subtle floral scent, comes in larger, more expensive bottles. If you’re only an occasional perfume user, though, the portable size should last for months.

    $16

    Jason Natural apricot shampoo and conditioner, $7.95 each; at Whole Foods

    If you’re looking for an inexpensive upgrade from your average drugstore brand, try these. The apricot scent is sweet but not overpowering.

    $17

    Kiehl’s malleable molding paste, $16.50; at Kiehl’s, 109 Third Ave., 212-677-3171

    To tame flyaways while retaining volume, run a tiny dab of the paste through your hair. A jar of this can last for months. It’s also great for creating a slightly tousled style.

    $18

    C.O. Bigelow tropical fruit face scrub, $18; at Bath and Body Works

    You wouldn’t guess it from the extremely gentle sensation, but this scrub is capable of some serious polishing action. It also smells like a lovely basket of fresh fruit.

    $19

    LORAC lip stain, $19; at Sephora

    A heavy-duty lip stain that actually stays put all night. The intense gloss will make heads turn.

    $20

    Tweezerman nail rescue kit, $20; at Sephora

    If you can’t afford a spa manicure, invest in this handy nail kit. It contains three tools — cuticle pusher, cuticle snipper and nail file — to give yourself a quick and easy manicure.

    Tags: shopping, beauty, sephora, kiehl's, tweezerman, lorac, economy

  • Hunger in the city: NYC's largest soup kitchen on track to serve most meals in its 26-year history

    Monday November 24, 2008 1:56 PM By Rolando Pujol

    By Amanda Magnus

    Special to amNewYork

    New York City’s largest soup kitchen expects to serve 330,000 meals this year, the greatest amount in the organization’s 26-year history.

    “We’re in a sort of perfect storm here,” said the Rev. Liz Maxwell, the executive director of Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen on West 28th Street and Ninth Avenue, at a news conference yesterday.

    Even as the soup kitchen copes with record need, donations from individual and foundations have dropped because of the recession, Maxwell said.Heidi Siegfried, the vice-chairwoman of the Hunger Action Network of New York State, said that since 2004, the number of children in New York City who have used a soup kitchen or food pantry at least once has doubled, to one in five.

    The problem has legislators in Albany concerned. Assembly members are fighting to roll back some tax cuts to the wealthy, as well as protect state health and nutrition programs, said Richard Gottfried, (D-Manhattan), the chairman of the Assembly’s health committee.

    Dolores Quintero, 46, says she lives on $106 a month. For every check she receives, she has to choose amonmg laundry detergent, household needs, or toiletries. She called the way she had to live “disgraceful and embarrassing.”

    Food stamps are not enough, Quintero said. “More depend on going to food pantries and soup kitchens than ever before.”

    Veda Myers, of he Hunger Action Network of New York State, said communities across the state are wrestling with growing numbers of people who rely on soup kitchens. Her group used to get a maximum of three calls a day from people asking about found stamps. Last Friday, they received four times as many calls.

    “A lot of people who own homes and have jobs are applying for food stamps,” Myers said.

    Tags: hunger, soup kitchen, economy, holy apostles soup kitchen, neighborhoods

  • Go somewhere: This week’s travel deals

    Monday November 24, 2008 12:14 PM By Lucy Blatter

    By Emily Ranager

    Special to amNewYork

    See the Paris Sights: See the Eiffel Tower with this Paris Affair package from Air France Holidays, starting at $1,139 per person for double occupancy. The price includes round-trip airfare from JFK or Newark, six nights’ accommodations, hotel transfers, breakfast daily, a Bateaux Mouches river cruise, tickets to a Paradis Latin show, hotel taxes and fuel surcharges. About $130 in airport taxes are extra. Depart daily Dec. 1 to 11 or Jan. 8 to March 25, 2009. Deadline based on availability. Additional dates and hotel upgrades are available starting at $90 per person. www.airfranceholidays.com; 800-237-2623.

    Bermuda Birthday Bash: To celebrate Bermuda’s 400th birthday, JetBlue is offering package getaways to the island’s pink sand beaches starting at $365 per person for double occupancy. The rate includes round-trip airfare from New York and three nights at the Surf Side Beach Club, which is near the capital city of Hamilton. Taxes of $93 per person are extra. Two other hotels are also available for an additional charge. Book by March 27 and travel through March 31, 2009. Priced normally, the package would cost about $300 more. www.jetblue.com; 800-538-2583.Arizona Getaway: Take a break from your economic worries at the Miraval Tucson resort and spa, where you can save 20 to 40 percent on several all-inclusive vacation packages. The Authentic Remedy package, for example, starts at $399 per person, per night and includes accommodations, all meals, an introduction to organic wine class with tasting, daily cooking demonstrations, programs like horseback riding and Quantum Leap, where you’ll jump (harnessed) from a 25-foot pole, a desert sunset hike, a daily spa treatment and more. No minimum length of stay; offer valid through Jan. 31, 2009. Holiday blackout dates apply. www.miravelresorts.com; 800-232-3969.

    Venice Calling: Cruise the Grand Canal with this package vacation to Venice, starting at $699 plus taxes per person for double occupancy. The price includes round-trip airfare from New York on Alitalia, four nights at the Hesperia, a two-star hotel in the heart of Venice, breakfast daily and fuel surcharges. Hotel upgrades are available from $36 extra. Depart mid-week through March 31; booking deadline based on availability. Holiday blackout dates apply. www.tourcrafters.com; 800-482-5995.

    Tags: travel deals, venice, arizona, bermuda, paris

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Monday November 24, 2008 12:08 PM By Sara Baumberger

    MTA, sell the naming rights to train stations

    I have a suggestion to help raise money for the MTA: train station naming rights. It is a big business for stadiums, so why not sell the naming rights to subway stations, bus stops and bus depots? An example: 42nd Street — Walt Disney Station. I am sure the publicity and consistent daily exposure to tens of thousands of commuters would encourage big corporations and businesses. I think all revenue options should be tried. Those new bus stands could also have the name of a business or corporation that is located in that area.

    — David Paz Sr., Maspeth

    Equal rights: Women still have a long way to go

    As a white woman, I understand black pride at Obama’s election. So much emotion was expressed about how blacks could not even vote “back then.” Blacks obtained the vote in 1867 — but black males only. Women were not granted the vote until 1920. Gender bias in the election was hardly addressed. Though I feel proud of the election of a black president, I sure do feel Anne Wilson Schaef’s “Original Sin of Being Born Female.” So far to go.

    — Doris Rosenhaus, Manhattan

    So, what happened to ‘change,’ Barack?

    It seems like every week Barack Obama is either backtracking on his promises (leaving Iraq under a time table, repeal of tax cuts for the wealthy, etc.) or filling positions with the same people who supported civil rights abuses and the Iraqi occupation. What’s going on here? He is looking more and more like the consummate politician and less like the man of change he sold himself as. The line from a famous Who song says it best: “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”

    — Christopher Pratesi, Westbury

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • Viral Video: Cat vs. Roomba. Cat wins.

    Monday November 24, 2008 11:55 AM By Rolando Pujol

    Cats have won the war against the vacuum. Or, at least the robot vacuum.

    The rest of the Internet is buzzing about one feline in particular who got

    over his fears and tamed the wild Roomba. Riding around in circles, this

    little tabby has had a viral impact, spawning a number of video remixes.

    But the original is still the best.

    Tags: viral video, television

  • Christmas villages bring the holiday to life

    Monday November 24, 2008 9:31 AM By Lucy Blatter

    By Emily Ranager

    Special to amNewYork

    There are plenty of Christmas villages that can bring the holiday season to life. Here, a few of our recommendations:

    Koziar’s Christmas Village has been spreading holiday cheer in Bernville, Pa. for more than 60 years, and this year it’s bigger than ever. Gaze at more than half a million twinkling lights, tour themed buildings like Santa’s workshop, and see this year’s new outdoor train display. Bernville is about 2 1/2 hours by car from Manhattan. The nearest Amtrak station is in Lancaster, about 30 miles away. Hours through Jan. 4, 2009 are Monday to Friday, 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 5 to 9:30 p.m. $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for ages 6 to 12. www.koziarschristmasvillage.com.Experience yuletide festivities the way the colonists might have in Colonial Williamsburg. The historic area is decked out in natural trimmings, like three miles of pine roping and more than 2,500 fir wreaths; at night the streets are lit with illuminated cressets. Holiday Decorations packages start at $81 per person per night and include accommodations in the Governor’s Inn, lunch at one of the historic dining taverns, a Christmas decorations walking tour. Come Dec. 7 for the Grand Illumination, which celebrates the season with fireworks, music and candlelit buildings. Holiday events last through Dec. 31: visit www.history.org for the full calendar. Williamsburg is about six and a half hours by car from Manhattan and is also served by Greyhound and Amtrak.

    Visit Main Street in Stockbridge, Mass., the inspiration for Norman Rockwell’s painting of a quintessential New England town at Christmastime. On Dec. 6 and 7, downtown Stockbridge will be decked out with lights, decorations and antique cars, much like it would have been when Rockwell began painting the image in 1956. The town will also host events like a holiday house tour, a caroling luminaria walk and a holiday concert. Stockbridge is about three hours from Manhattan by car. The closest Amtrak station is in Pittsfield, which is about 12 miles away. www.stockbridgechamber.org.

    Stockbridge at holiday time. Credit: Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce

    Tags: koziar's christmas village, christmas villages, colonial williamsburg, stockbridge, travel

  • New York's well-off: Yes, we can pay taxes

    Sunday November 23, 2008 3:55 PM By Emily Ngo

    Though Kevin Johnson will likely feel the income tax bite under Obama, he has donated time and money to the Democrat's campaign. (RJ Mickelson/amNY)

    By Emily Ngo

    Kevin Johnson cast a ballot for Barack Obama knowing he was likely casting away thousands of his own tax dollars.

    The 31-year-old radiologist believes the price is worth a stronger America.

    “It’s a shared sacrifice and a shared responsibility,” said Johnson, a Manhattan resident and a member of the 3,200-strong Doctors for Obama group. “I’m fully aware of what it will cost me, but this much is expected of us.”

    While the vast majority of working Americans would see tax relief under President-elect Obama’s plan, 5 percent — individuals earning more than $200,000 and households earning more than $250,000 — would see a significant hike. If Obama’s proposal becomes reality, taxes for the top two income tiers would rise from 33 percent and 35 percent to 36 percent and 39.6 percent.

    Still, Obama’s appeal has resounded with the well-off. Americans in the $200,000-plus bracket voted for the nation’s first black president over John McCain 52 percent to 46 percent, according to CNN. Celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Warren Buffett who would pay millions more in income taxes, turned out in droves to elect the Democrat. And support groups such as Young American Scientists for Obama and Investment Bankers for Obama popped up on the Internet.

    “The notion that at the national level rich people vote for Republicans because they cut their taxes, it’s just wrong,” said Daniel Gross, an economics expert with Newsweek and Slate. “For a lot of well-off people, there’s a lot more to life than marginal tax rates and capital gains.“In New York, all the biggest private equity and hedge fund people, like Bob Rubin, they’re always Democrats,” Gross added.

    Overwhelmingly liberal New York, with its higher cost of living and higher concentration of young professionals, probably will feel a bigger tax bite than the rest of the nation. Obama would raise the taxes of affluent New Yorkers by at least $16 billion during the next two years, resulting in a net state payout of $3 billion after his pledged credits and subsidies, according to the Manhattan Institute.

    About 10.5 percent of the state’s taxpayers earned more than $200,000 in 2006, compared to the 5 percent national rate, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

    “The upper-middle class in New York isn’t worried about taxes because there are so many other things promised by Obama,” said “Grand New Party” co-author Reihan Salam, who warns Obama supporters may not be as happy with the circumstantial alternative minimum tax.

    “Republicans were stupid to just talk about taxes all the time,” Salam said.

    Health care, abortion rights, stem cell research, gay rights and climate control were among the issues that attracted voters to Obama.

    “This is a good time to look at the bigger picture,” said Allan Kessel, a 39-year-old Brooklyn doctor who admitted some colleagues were deterred by Obama’s tax plan. “If there were no major, major extraneous issues, we would have a lot more upper-income people voting based on their economic self-interest.”

    Manhattan attorney Steven Newmark said he kept the faltering economy in mind when he and Young Lawyers for Obama helped to raise more than $1.4 million for the president-elect’s campaign.

    “Perhaps one of the reasons Barack won is because so few people do meet that description” of an affluent American, argued 31-year-old Newmark. “A person’s wealth is not just measured in how much they pay in taxes, there are always other issues involved.

    “If he does nothing else, I believe President Obama will restore competence to government and hopefully restore confidence in government, and that alone is an important achievement,” Newmark said.

    High hopes and expectations for the Obama administration overshadow the tax issue, Johnson echoed. “He’s come up with a system that’s more palatable to Republicans and to Democrats — something that we can all rally around,” he said. “This is a new and refreshing way to govern.”

    Tags: barack obama, taxes, politics

  • Pols offer money solutions for MTA

    Sunday November 23, 2008 3:47 PM By Ryan Chatelain

    By Marlene Naanes

    With a month to go before the MTA board votes on a huge fare hike and draconian service cuts, elected officials are scrambling to give the agency money-generating ideas to stave off the drastic measures.

    To help fill the transit agency’s expected $1.2 billion deficit next year, Comptroller William Thompson proposed yesterday creating a new vehicle registration fee to generate about $365 million in new funds for the MTA. City Council Members Eric Gioia (D-Sunnyside) and David Yassky (D-Brooklyn) suggested the MTA could sell or lease some of its priciest or underused real estate.

    “Instead of asking subway and bus riders who can least afford it to dig deeper into emptier pockets for less service, we need imaginative ideas that will ensure that those who benefit from a healthy transit system pay their fair share,” Thompson said at a news conference outside Grand Central Terminal.Thompson, who is running for mayor, proposed adding a weight-based vehicle registration fee that would raise $100 per vehicle weighing 2,300 pounds or less plus nine cents for every extra pound. He will submit his proposal today to the Ravitch Commission, a governor-appointed body charged with finding funding for the MTA. It will reveal its recommendations on Dec. 5.

    Under the plan, a small vehicle such as a Toyota Yaro would cost $100 and a Lincoln Navigator would cost $430—in addition to an existing bi-yearly $30 vehicle use tax and a smaller weight-based state registration fee.

    The annual fee would also be an incentive for people to buy smaller, more fuel-efficient cars and could be coupled with a parking-zone regulation that only allows city-registered vehicles to park overnight, he said.

    The comptroller’s office said a similar transit-funding registration fee exists in Seattle. Transit advocates commended the plan and urged the Ravitch Commission and lawmakers to approve it.

    “The share that riders pay of the transit’s systems cost is going to go up from 69 percent which is the highest by far in the nation already to 83 percent, putting a hard burden on the riding public,” said Straphangers Campaign staff attorney Gene Russianoff. “It’s really a choice we can either pay a lot more for one of these to get a lot less service...or we can look to smart ways to come up with money to keep the system whole.”

    Gioia and Yassky proposed yesterday that the MTA could use its properties more efficiently, noting that maintaining the agency’s Madison Avenue headquarters is an inefficient use of the public’s money. They suggested that the building could be leased for $1,047.40 per square foot, and should be sold or leased.

    Gioia is running for public advocate, and Yassky is a candidate for comptroller.

    Another property the MTA leases from the city at Jay Street in Brooklyn is largely vacant, the councilmen said. The councilmen also called on the MTA to release a report that they say details the value of all the agency’s real estate and suggests that it sell or lease some to plug budget gaps.

    An MTA spokesman said revenue-generating opportunities with the agency’s real estate are limited because many facilities are run under lease and are not actually owned by the MTA. Of Thompson’s idea, the agency said: “We are working cooperatively with the Ravitch Commission … and appreciate the support of all elected officials who have proposed ideas for funding the transportation network.”

    Tags: politics, mta, transit

  • Duane Reade shows off new look

    Sunday November 23, 2008 3:45 PM By Garett Sloane

    WEB.jpg

    The Duane Reade at West 34th Street and Eighth Avenue is sporting a new sign and has a whole new look. (RJ Mickelson/amNY)

    Last week, Walgreens may have lighted Times Square’s brightest sign, but another pharmacy chain doesn’t want its New York roots forgotten.

    At the Duane Reade at West 34th Street and Eighth Avenue, just a subway stop away from the Times Square Walgreens, the New York retailer got a makeover, part of a quiet campaign that is sweeping locations throughout the city.

    The new look is sleek, classy and urban outside, and more open, less cluttered and brighter inside. The chain is also emphasizing its New York roots with an image of the skyline behind the cashiers at the West 34th and Eighth Avenue store and a slogan that reads: Uniquely New York Since 1960.

    Also, a poster out front shows the classic Duane and Reade street signs that mark the company’s first location.Shoppers at the store yesterday noticed the new look.

    "It looks like a foreign store more than an American store," said Denny Lewis, 60, of midtown. "The fixtures seem taller [than before], and it's more

    streamlined," he said. "It has a different twang to it."

    A turnaround campaign dubbed the “Duane Reade Full Potential” plan began under former chief executive Rick Dreiling in 2006 and continues under his successor, John Lederer, who has spoken of “elevating” the Duane Reade brand since he took over in April.

    In his first conference call with investors he touted his experience in “merchandising, improving operations, brand building and driving scaleable growth.”

    There are 245 Duane Reade stores in the city and surrounding areas, and more than half have undergone some remodeling. The company has reported stronger sales at the upgraded locations.

    The redesign campaign has also led to new pharmacy services, new higher-end products on the shelves, and even fresh sandwiches at some locations.

    Duane Reade executives would not comment for this article.

    Duane Reade stores are ubiquitous but have had a reputation for sloppiness, a stigma the new campaign appears to be trying to address as it faces increased competition from chains such as CVS and Walgreens. Walgreens in particular is making a heavy push into the city with plans to open 30 stores in the next three years on top of the 53 it already has here.

    Duane Reade may be “uniquely New York,” but Walgreens is making itself right at home with its high-profile Times Square locale, which marks its return to the “Crossroads of the World” where it had a store until the 1970s.

    Aline E. Reynolds contributed to this report.

    Tags: duane reade, walgreens, cvs, rick dreiling, john lederer, pharmacy, retail, shopping, manhattan, grocery stores, economy

  • Web suicide spurs concerns over online communities

    Sunday November 23, 2008 3:29 PM By Emily Ngo

    By Emily Ngo

    The very public Internet suicide of 19-year-old Abraham Biggs has renewed debate over the growing dependency on virtual communities and whether regulations are needed to monitor Web content.

    “It’s very, very sad that he felt the only people he could talk to were people who were strangers to him,” said Elayne Rapping, a pop culture analyst at SUNY Buffalo. She argued yesterday that some troubled teens are blurring the distinction between the real world and an Internet world.

    “Young people assume that they have real communities online, but it’s hundreds of friends they’ve never met,” Rapping said. “There’s something very alienating about that.”

    Many feared the Miami teenager’s fatal drug overdose would generate “copycats.”

    “If you look at some of the school shootings, there’s usually some type of chatter online,” said Manhattan-based psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert. “People are using the Internet as a way to spread the message and orchestrating.”Meanwhile, attorneys said a negligence lawsuit is unlikely without proof that administrators at Justin.tv, where Biggs posted a link from bodybuilding.com and sent broadcasts of himself in the hours before his fatal drug overdose Wednesday, knew what was happening and had the means to intervene.

    The possibility of censorship, however, seemed daunting with millions of live-streaming videos being uploaded nationwide, experts agreed.

    “It’s not like someone who goes on the Internet and commits suicide is worried about being prosecuted,” pointed out Syracuse University pop culture professor Robert Thompson.

    Bloggers yesterday rallied against Internet regulation while giving their condolences to Biggs’ family.

    “Internet has absolutely everything that the real world has — both the good and the bad aspects,” wrote Svetlana Gladkova, on profy.com, “but hoping that disabling the tools that make some of the events possible will prevent them from happening will hardly help anyone.”

    “May his Father and Family have the peace they need in this devastating time,” said Peter Carlock, on opntalk.blogspot.com. “However, having said all that, the Fathers anger is misplaced. His call for censorship is false. There is NO ONE to blame but his Son. Period.”

    Thompson emphasized there have, in the past, been suicidal people egged on by onlookers: “The only difference here is that it was done on the Internet and not on a ledge.”

    Tags: viral video

  • New Yorkers buzzing about a possible Giants-Jets Super Bowl

    Sunday November 23, 2008 3:27 PM By Ryan Chatelain

    Leon Washington scored two touchdowns yesterday in the Jets’ 34-13 blowout win over the Titans. (Photo by Getty Images)

    By Ryan Chatelain and Aline E. Reynolds

    The Jets yesterday did what no team in the NFL has been able to do since the start of the football season nearly three months ago: They handily beat the previously undefeated Tennessee Titans, leaving no doubt in the minds of New Yorkers that they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

    And with Gotham’s two football teams on a roll, New Yorkers are buzzing about the possibility of a Big Blue-Gang Green matchup in Super Bowl XLIII.

    “It would be great for the city,” said Ian Wallach, 26, of Murray Hill, a Jets fan watching the game at Stout, a sports bar in midtown. “You’re guaranteed a huge party, whoever wins.”With a 34-13 victory yesterday over the team that has the best record in the league, the Jets improved their mark to 8-3 — tied for second-best in the AFC.

    “After this, we should look at ourselves as a great team,” veteran Jets cornerback Ty Law said after yesterday’s game.

    The defending world champion Giants yesterday also trounced their opponents, the Arizona Cardinals, 37-29, despite stars Brandon Jacobs and Plaxico Burress missing all or most of the game with injuries. At 10-1, the Giants have the best record in the NFC and have a three-game lead in the NFC East division.

    While teams from the same state have faced off in Super Bowls twice before — including the Giants’ win over the Buffalo Bills in 1991 — never has there been a showdown between franchises from the same city in the NFL’s championship event.

    “We’ve been through enough with the economy,” said Jessica Sattler, 30, of Manhattan. An all-New York Super Bowl “would be a good boost for the city,” she added.

    The talk has evoked memories of and comparisons to the 2000 Subway Series, in which the Yankees defeated the Mets for baseball’s world title.

    While some sports fans said a cross-town World Series trumps a Giants-Jets Super Bowl, Wallach disagreed.

    “The Super Bowl is one game, one event. That adds to the importance and the hype,” he said.

    Not everybody was convinced, however, that a Giants-Jets clash was likely.

    “I think one of the two teams will falter before the Super Bowl,” said Keith O’Brien, 29, a Jets fan from Greenpoint.

    Newsday contributed to this story.

    Tags: jets, giants, nfl, sports

  • Cuomo seen as top contender for senate seat

    Sunday November 23, 2008 2:18 PM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    With Sen. Hillary Clinton all but assured of getting the nod to become President-elect Barack Obama’s secretary of state, the speculation now is that New York’s attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, is the front-runner to be her replacement.

    One news Website, examiner.com, proclaimed Cuomo the “all but certain” choice for the seat, though several people yesterday cautioned that the report is jumping the gun.

    “I think you have to take the governor at his word that he will make a decision when the vacancy occurs,” said Evan Stavisky, a Democratic political consultant based in New York.

    By all accounts, Gov. David Paterson, who will appoint Clinton’s replacement, is keeping it close to the vest. As he eyes his own re-election bid in two years, Paterson needs to consider crucial political constituencies — upstate voters, the state’s Hispanic political leadership, and women.

    “Getting Cuomo out of the state may be wise for Paterson,” said Bruce Berg, chairman of the political science department at Fordham University.

    Cuomo ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2002 and has been viewed as a possible rival to Paterson in 2010.Berg also suggested Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn), one of the other names that have cropped up repeatedly.

    “She might do far more for Paterson’s re-election chances in gaining support from Hispanic New Yorkers,” he said.

    A Paterson spokeswoman today did not respond to a request for comment and the governor has said publicly only that he will not select himself.

    “At this point, it’s all speculation,” said John Milgram, Cuomo’s press secretary.

    A Marist poll released last week showed Cuomo with the support of 43 percent of respondents, far higher than the other contenders in the survey: Velazquez, Rep. Steve Israel (D-Happaugue), Rep. Nita Lowey (D-White Plains) and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens).

    Tags: politics

  • From government to gourmet

    Sunday November 23, 2008 1:11 PM By Lucy Blatter

    By Karen Tina Harrison

    Special to amNewYork

    The big career switch:

    From city agency to citywide entrepreneur

    Who pulled it off?

    Mark Newhouse, 36, co-founder of Nu-Kitchen, a gourmet meal delivery service (www.nu-kitchen.com), was deputy commissioner of NYC Small Business Services.How’d you go from desk to dinner table?

    I was a political science major and had several jobs in NYC government. It’s incredible to see close-up how this amazing city works. But I also have a Wharton MBA and was fascinated by the creativity and strategizing that go into a business startup.

    I started Nu-Kitchen four years ago with my friend Bryan Janeczko, a Wall Street finance guy. We thought that enough New Yorkers would be into healthy, delicious, chef-cooked meals that would appear at their door.

    Our first delivery was to six Upper West Siders. Now we have thousands of customers throughout the metro area and hundreds of menu items.

    What’s your job like?

    Bryan handles operations — the actual meals and deliveries — and I supervise marketing and business development. My day is nonstop meetings, emails and phone calls. I work on distribution deals to deliver meals to condo complexes, offices and gyms. I also oversee marketing, our Web site and customer service. And I taste a lot of food to keep up with restaurant and grocery trends.

    What goes into founding a home delivery service?

    For any startup, you need capital or the connections to raise it and an innovative product that will lure customers. You must be passionate, learn from your mistakes and know your client inside out. Nu-Kitchen’s are busy singles and couples tired of restaurant takeout.

    What else is there to know?

    Money is tight in a startup. But the potential is huge for entrepreneurs, especially if your company gets bought out.

    No one really chooses to start a new business. When you love something enough, it will choose you.

    Ex-City Haller Mark Newhouse started Nu-Kitchen, a meal delivery service. (Jeff Doder)

    Tags: careers, nu-kitchen

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Sunday November 23, 2008 11:30 AM By Sara Baumberger

    Story’s source had self-serving opinion

    Re “The Struggle to Shelter,” Nov. 21-23: Timely piece on the homeless family problem in these tough economic times, but getting broker Barbara Corcoran’s opinion to buy Manhattan real estate because it will be “expensive once again” wasn’t surprising. Why don’t you get P.C. Richard’s thoughts on buying a new air conditioner during the next heat wave?

    — Anthony Mangia, Manhattan

    What are the MTA execs going to sacrifice?

    Re “MTA Unveils the Pain” Nov. 21-23: The plan to save the MTA is to charge more for less service. What about telling us what executives and employees plan to give up? Is there no one brave enough to request an audit of their books before mass transit gets worse? Every time they whine about their funds, miraculously they manage to find hundreds of millions.

    — Bunny Abraham, Manhattan

    Obama’s cabinet: Out with the old, in with the old

    Barack Obama’s theme has been change, out with the old and in with the new. But he’s filling his cabinet with old hardware and rusty hinges. What happened to new faces and fresh ideas? He needs to have a chat with Dennis Kucinich and Ralph Nader to clear his mind of political junk.

    — Michael Perez, Manhattan

    $4 million for bridge could have been better spent

    Spending $4 million to rename the Triborough Bridge is frivolous, especially when we are facing economic chaos. There are other priorities for which the money could be used. How about using it to improve MTA so it doesn’t have the audacity to increase the fares!

    — Alberto Gomes, Manhattan

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • Guns N' Roses' Bumblefoot on his love of hot sauces (and, of course, 'Chinese Democracy')

    Friday November 21, 2008 11:25 AM By Rolando Pujol

    By Kaili Boyd

    Special to amNewYork

    Guns N’ Roses guitarist Ron Thal is serious about his music – and his hot sauces.

    With the long-awaited release of “Chinese Democracy” days away, Thal – known professionally as Bumblefoot – talked about his love of all things spicy and his contribution to Guns N’ Roses’ first album in 17 years.

    “I was looking to bring something new to the songs that may not have been there before,” said Thal, who joined the band in 2006, after most of the “Chinese Democracy” songs had been written.

    The 39-year-old New Jersey native tried to resurrect what he calls the “sleazy guitar rhythms” behind the Axl Rose vocals that give the new songs the classic Guns N’ Roses feel. But Thal’s loyal fans will recognize his trademark fretless guitar shredding, which lends his Bumblefoot touch to the album.

    He’s not worried about inevitable comparisons to former GNR guitarist Slash.

    “People will always compare one thing to another…,” Thal said. “My only concern is being better than I was yesterday, being the best I can be for the fans. They deserve the best.”Fans will decide whether they’re getting the best after “Chinese Democracy” is released on Nov. 23, following years of delays. The album, available exclusively through Best Buy, can be purchased on CD and vinyl, as well as online in a downloadable format.

    Thal’s no stranger to online music sales: He became one of the first musicians to put his work on the Internet, more than a decade ago.

    “I thought it was a great way to connect with a new audience,” Thal said. “For me it was no different than being on the radio – the only difference is that you get to search and download your play list and listen to it whenever you want.”

    While the music industry was slow to embrace the Internet, it proved a godsend for Thal. “I had a computer hooked up to the old Napster and would release a few songs from my collection… to me it was the new way of putting out a single – you put it on Napster and let people download it,” he said.

    Thal, who has scored music for SEGA video games and wrote the theme to VH1’s “That Metal Show,” released his eighth solo album this summer, titled “Abnormal.”

    He’s also working on a venture that has nothing to do with music: his own line of hot sauces. Thal’s been experimenting with capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, which is stronger than commercial grade pepper spray.

    “I’m basically getting to the point where I can tolerate a pure molecule of capsaicin,” he boasted as he added a bit of sushi to his wasabi at a Princeton, N.J. restaurant last week.

    Tags: guns n' roses, bumblefoot, chinese democracy, music, entertainment, new jersey

  • 'Canstruction' site puts focus on hunger in city

    Friday November 21, 2008 10:57 AM By Rolando Pujol

    If it's Thanksgiving, then it's time for Snoopy, even in can-sculpture form. (Photos: Ivonne Snavely)

    By Ivonne Snavely

    Special to amNewYork

    A giant rat on a hunger strike picketed next to a full-bellied Snoopy. Just around the corner, Michael Phelps came up for air as he swam some laps.

    Oh, and one more thing: All of these sculptures are made of cans full of food – 161,000 of them to be exact, painstakingly designed and stacked by 40 teams of engineers and architects competing in the annual pre-Thanksgiving “canstruction” competition at the Winter Garden in lower Manhattan.

    The teams began work at dinnertime Wednesday and finished around dawn Thursday. Or at least most of them did. At midmorning, at least one straggler was still there, repairing a portion of a baseball-stadium sculpture that had toppled.

    Leah Kaplan, who took part in the competition for 14 years and now helps to run it, stood in front of a model of Giant Stadium taller than she is.

    “It is a lot of work, but I luckily didn’t have to stay here until the bitter end,” she said, laughing as she described the previous night’s construction frenzy. “There were teams everywhere, cans here and there and the last team didn’t leave until 5 o’clock this morning.”

    The high-concept Michael Phelps canstruction ...

    New York City joined more than 100 cities across North America this year in holding the event, which is meant to raise public awareness of hunger and contributions for local food banks.

    The sculptures will be on display through Dec. 2, after which all of the canned goods used in the structures will be donated to City Harvest for distribution to food pantries, soup kitchens, elderly and day care centers.

    “Between natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires and then of course the economic crisis, food pantries need help more than ever,” said Kaplan.

    The rules of the competition are simple. No glue or magnets are allowed and tape must be kept to a minimum. This way it will be easier to take apart the cans for donation.

    Each piece of art also had a name that had to do with cans or hunger and a description of it. For instance, a sign next to a shark with open jaws proclaimed, “No need to fear, but make no mistake, this one will attack hunger.” And with his claws of canned chocolate syrup and tail of pink soda cans, Scrabby the red rat stood firm with his “Strike Against Hunger” sign.

    Another sculpture shaped like a bridge was called the “AlasCAN Bridge to Nowhere,” and was made up of cans of Beefaroni, stewed tomatoes, black beans and coconut milk.

    “AlasCAN Bridge to Nowhere actually does span the divide and bridges the gap between hunger and health right here in NYC,” said a sign in front of it., adding that it was a “healthy pork-barrel item.” A Sarah Palin doll stood on the bridge, waving.

    “I’m going to take a picture of this. This is so cute,” said John Manages, from Venezuela, while aiming his camera phone at another sculpture.

    Within the first two hours after the exhibit opened yesterday, there were about 100 visitors. Peter Panchav of Merrill Lynch stood looking at the sculpture of Michael Phelps, whose head jutted out from a platform of bottled water, his nose made up of red cans and his swimming goggles and cap of black cans.

    Panchav said he did not know what the can art was about, but that he thought it looked "amazing."

    Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to bring a donation of canned goods.

    Tags: canstruction, winter garden, lower manhattan, thanksgiving, hunger, charity, stuff that's cool

  • This is gonna hurt: MTA unveils the budget pain, and no punch is pulled

    Thursday November 20, 2008 5:14 PM By Rolando Pujol

    By Marlene Naanes

    As early as June, riders could see a subway fare hike to $2.50 and harsh service cuts that would cram already crowded trains.

    The grim future facing subway riders was part of the 2009 budget the MTA presented at its board meeting on Thursday, provoking fevered opposition from some in the audience.

    “We cannot simply announce proposals today that says to people barely making it we’re going to sink you,” Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer said in the public comment period.Other parts of the MTA plan to close a $1.2 billion budget gap next year include:

    - Increasing fares on express buses from $5 to $7.50 and on Access-A-Ride from $2 to $4

    - Reducing service for about 15 subway lines and eliminating the Z and W lines

    - Making more than 130 changes to bus service, including slashing entire routes

    The MTA also reiterated its intention to increase fares again in 2011 by 5 percent.

    With less funding from the city and state governments and tanking real estate and tax revenues during a tough economy, MTA officials said they had to make tough decisions to keep the system from sliding back to the disrepair of the 1970s.

    MTA Board Chairman Dale Hemmerdinger stressed that the federal government needs to invest in mass transit and Albany needs to accept recommendations from the Ravitch Commission — a governor-appointed body charged with finding new funding for the agency — if there is any hope of easing the budget crunch.

    Gene Russianoff, the Straphangers Campaign staff attorney, noted that with next year’s proposed fare hike, riders would be paying more than 80 percent of the cost to

    run the subways.

    “It’s just plain unfair,” he said. “Around the world, transit is subsidized.”

    Tags: transit, fare hikes, budget cuts, mta, transportation, economy

  • Far from his native Mexico, Queens resident seeks fame -- and lost father

    Thursday November 20, 2008 4:52 PM By Rolando Pujol

    People en Espanol shared with Urbanite this interesting human interest story. Read on ...

    When Eduardo Rodríguez won People en Espanol's "Sexiest Man" contest a few weeks ago, he thought a door had opened to make his dreams come true about becoming a model and finding his father Eduardo Chaidez, who he hasn't seen since he was a boy. In fact, one of the reasons why the 24-year-old Mexican and Long Island City resident joined the contest was so that his father might be able to recognize him if he saw him in the magazine.

    "What I most want in the world is to find him, to hug him and tell him that I love him, and that I've missed him. I don't have any resentments, and I don't need any explanations about why he left," says Rodríguez."Everyday, my heart tells me that I'm closer to finding him," says bartender Rodríguez, who fell in love with the idea of a career in entertainment when he attended the 50 Most Beautiful People party thrown by the magazine at a club in New York.

    "When I say all those celebs, I said, one day I'm going to be like that and that's how I'll be able to find my dad," explained Rodríguez, who hasn't seen his father in 20 years, since his mother and him moved from Mexico to Los Angeles, after the couple's marital problems.

    "My mother doesn't talk about him. The only thing I know is that they had problems, and they separated, but it probably had to do a lot with age, because she was only 15 when she had me, and my father was 25," says Rodríguez.

    More (in Spanish) here and here.

    Tags: media, queens

  • amNY series, day three: City braces for rise in homeless

    Thursday November 20, 2008 3:40 PM By Ryan Chatelain

    New York City is legally obligated to shelter the homeless and officials have pledged to meet demands even if the weakened economy means a diminished budget. (RJ Mickelson/amNY)

    By Ryan Chatelain

    As record numbers of newly homeless families check into city shelters, a likely symptom of a weakening economy, observers are asking how much worse the problem might get.

    While New Yorkers could see an increase in the number of homeless people sleeping on sidewalks in the coming months, residents shouldn’t expect their quality of life to suffer, said Heather Mac Donald, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute who studies homelessness.

    First of all, because the city has a legal obligation to shelter the homeless, the number of people sleeping in public should remain minimal – although thousands still spend the night outside.But New Yorkers should not feel less safe because rises in crime have never been directly linked to the economy, and aggressive panhandling would only fester if residents tolerate it.

    “There’s plenty of soup kitchens in this city,” Mac Donald said. “With the amount of assistance that is offered, nobody needs to go hungry.”

    New Yorkers interviewed last week said they have yet to notice more homeless people on city streets, adding that they don’t feel threatened by the ones they do encounter.

    “It just makes me feel bad for those guys,” said John Watkins, 41, of the Flatiron district, who said he recently witnessed Au Bon Pain workers in Union Square giving bread to people who appeared hungry.

    “I think you just question if they really are beggars,” said Nicole Sherry, 24, of the East Village. “You see the same people every day. You feel guilty, but I don’t know if I should give them money.”

    Ma cDonald said one of the few ways New Yorkers’ lives could be impacted is if the city and state governments are forced to dedicate more taxpayer money to accommodate a rising homeless population, potentially taking dollars from other government projects or services.

    To date, the increase in homelessness is isolated to families with children. More than 8,200 families, accounting for more than 26,000 individuals, were living in shelters as of last week. In September, 1,464 new families entered shelters, a record high for the third consecutive month since the city began tracking such numbers 25 years ago.

    Other homeless segments in shelters – single adults and adult families -- were down in October compared to a year earlier. However, that could soon change if the economy continues its downward spiral.

    “We’re really in the early stages of the recession,” said Patrick Markee, senior policy analyst for the Coalition for the Homeless, an advocacy group. “We haven’t really seen the last of the job losses and the impact of the economic downturn on the city. I think there’s going to be a ripple effect from the Wall Street layoffs that’s going to continue for at least many more months.”

    Overall, more than 35,000 people are in the city’s shelter system. The total number of homeless in the city is difficult to pin down, but some estimates exceed 50,000.

    Making matters worse, Markee said, is that homeless prevention services were among the victims of city and state budget cuts this year and could be on the chopping block again in 2009.

    In many cases, prevention services – landlord/tenant mediation, one-time rent payments, employment assistance -- stave off eviction at a small fraction of the cost to house a family in a shelter, about $31,000 a year, Markee said.

    “At a time of economic downturn, you should be putting more money into those programs because there’s going to be greater need and greater demand for services,” Markee said.

    Robert Hess, director of the city’s Department of Homeless Services, said the Bloomberg administration is striving to strike the right balance “between prevention and providing shelter” as it makes tough budget decisions. Hess said he’s confident the city will meet the demand to shelter the homeless even if Homeless Services’ budget is cut again.

    “I think the mayor has been very firm in that commitment,” Hess said.

    Tags: homeless, economy

  • amNY series, day three: Q&A with Barbara Corcoran: Buyers, these are the 'good old days'

    Thursday November 20, 2008 3:30 PM By Ryan Chatelain

    Barbara Corcoran opened her real estate business in New York in 1973 and is now an author and real estate expert who appears regularly on NBC's "Today" show.

    How bad you do remember the 1970s being?

    In a nutshell, no one wanted to live in Manhattan. And if I had to, in a nutshell, talk about Manhattan today, I would say everyone wants to live here.

    I remember traveling as a young broker (in the ’70s) to different conventions, as brokers do. When people would hear that I was a real estate broker in Manhattan, they, honest to God, looked at me like they were shocked I was alive and standing there and telling them.

    I remember when Trump Tower was built in ’80, ’81. That was the clear bellwether change because I distinctly remember going to those same conventions and having an opposite response. People were saying, “Oh, it must be some glamorous.”Is there anything you miss about that era?

    Oh sure. I really miss having the bag people on every other block. I miss going to the Theater District and not being able to bring my parents because I thought they couldn’t defend themselves if they were attacked. I miss terribly the squeegee washers on the 59th Street Bridge. I miss the sense of dread going down a street that had no one walking on it. I miss the dogs, and all of them going wherever they wanted to go. I lived on 81st and York at the time, and I used to pick my block based on the aroma in the air. Some blocks were cleaner than others, and I would go out of my way to walk down those blocks.

    How do you see the current economic crisis affecting New York?

    Real estate and jobs are kissing cousins. The most important jobs in the city that set the tone in the city … is Wall Street. So when Wall Street has a problem, real estate feels it immediately.

    Right now, everyone’s worried. I’m not worried about real estate prices at all. I think there was going to be somewhat of a shakeout anyway, and this just sped it forward or made people face reality.

    Do you see the economic crisis eroding the quality of life in the city at all?

    No. I think the only thing that could erode the quality of life in the city is who we have in office and how the city is run. I remember even in great real estate years, with the wrong administration, the city deteriorated pretty quickly.

    In those years when the squeegee cleaners got back on the streets and you saw a little more graffiti, before Giuliani came in, the city was going back in the other direction. That had nothing to do with fiscal crisis; that had to do with lack of leadership.

    When we emerge from all this, will we notice much of a difference between 2005 and 2010?

    Yes, there will be a big difference. Real estate will be more expensive once again, and everyone will look back and say, ‘Why didn’t I buy then?’ Because the truth of the matter is these are the good ol’ days everybody dreams about. ‘If only, if only.’ But when they happen, when prices start to soften and you can get a good deal, everybody’s too afraid to step out because they don’t want to be the last fool in who bought when he could have bought cheaper the next year.

    -- Ryan Chatelain

    Tags: 1970s, crime, economy, history, barbara corcoran, real estate

  • Take me out with my ball team

    Thursday November 20, 2008 3:24 PM By Ryan Chatelain

    Yankees and Mets coffins cost $5,995 — about $1,000 more than a comparable traditional casket. (Photo by Tiffany L. Clark)

    By Ryan Chatelain

    Steven Galante is a die-hard Mets fan, and he has the casket to prove it.

    Galante, 42, of Smithtown, Long Island, is the first known area resident to purchase one of the new coffins emblazoned with baseball team logos and colors.

    “You wear your favorite hat when your team plays,” Galante said. “I guess, when you’re dead, why not go out in the best way that you want to?”

    The first batch of the caskets is being distributed to funeral homes nationwide and cost $5,995 each — about $1,000 more than a traditional coffin made of similar materials.Twenty teams’ caskets will be available by December, including the Yankees and Mets. The manufacturer, Michigan-based Eternal Image, plans to have all 30 franchises accounted for by the end of 2009.

    Since the company began selling team-branded urns in 2006, CEO Clint Mytych said the Yankees have attracted the most customers. Two other sports leagues also may be added to Eternal Image’s future roster, he said.

    At a time when the funeral industry is focusing on the celebration of a life, rather than mourning a death, the baseball caskets are enlivening a typically grim experience.

    Galante learned of the coffins in June when he attended his grandmother’s funeral at The Branch Funeral Home in Smithtown. Branch co-owner John Vigliante told Galante about the coffins that were slated to hit the market.

    “I said, ‘Hey, the first day you get them in, let me know. I’ll be planning my funeral,’ ” Galante recalled. He pre-purchased his casket a week after Branch received its first shipment last month.

    Since then, the Mets and Yankees coffins have been a hot topic of conversation among clients, Vigliante said.

    “They may feel like, ‘For me, that’s too much. But maybe for Uncle Joe, he would love this,”’ he said.

    The velvet-lined caskets are made of 18-gauge steel with exterior white ash wood accents — the same wood used in major-league bats. Logos adorn the outside shell, as well as an inside panel and pillow.

    Mike Coutu, 23, who lives on Long Island and works in the Financial District, said he’d consider being buried in a Mets coffin.

    “I know my roommate from college would be all for this,” said Coutu. “He’s a huge Mets fan, too. He would definitely do it.”

    When shown a photo of the coffins, Yankees fan Alex Duque said the caskets weren’t for him but conceded that other fans would welcome them.

    “That’s totally extreme,” said Duque, 31, of midtown. “But I guess if that’s how you want to go out … why not?”

    Tags: yankees, mets, baseball, sports, funerals, zany

  • Tying the knot like a superfan

    Thursday November 20, 2008 3:18 PM By Ryan Chatelain

    By Emily Ngo

    Before you take your love of New York baseball to the grave, you may first want to flaunt it down the aisle.

    Manhattan designer Linda Bekye created an elaborate Yankees-themed wedding dress in 2003 that sold for $1,800. Full-length, pinstriped and bedecked with sequins, the satin gown was meant to match Bekye’s $350 Yankees tuxedo.

    Canada-based Magic Mud also offers wedding cake toppers for $185 featuring a bride and groom sporting miniature Yankees caps.

    If you want to be more discreet, wedding garter sets emblazoned with Mets or Yankees logos are available on eBay for about $30.

    Tags: mets, yankees, weddings, sports, zany

  • "Black Friday" looks bleak for Fifth Avenue and beyond

    Thursday November 20, 2008 2:21 PM By Garett Sloane

    The holiday window display at Barneys New York has a hippie vibe, hoping shoppers will show some love this season. (Getty)

    By Danielle Sonnenberg

    Special to amNewYork

    Attention city shoppers: There are unheard of bargains to be found this holiday season, even at super-luxe Fifth Avenue retailers.

    The sales came sooner this year, weeks before “Black Friday” — the day after Thanksgiving — which is the traditional start to the holiday shopping season. Retailers depend on the holidays for a large piece of their yearly earnings — up to 40 percent, according to the National Retail Federation. This year, however, customers are having a harder time parting with their money than they’ve had in decades.

    “Retailers are going to do whatever they can to get customers to spend money in their store,” said Rebecca Flach, director of public affairs at the Retail Council of New York State.The retail climate is frigid, with some analysts predicting holiday sales to decrease from last year.

    Still, other analysts are a little less bleak and are forecasting an anemic 1 percent to 2 percent rise in holiday sales.

    A recent stroll through some of Manhattan’s luxury department stores revealed a retail landscape barren of shoppers and pockmarked by sale signs.

    At Saks Fifth Avenue, where the company has predicted a tough holiday season, the store has resorted to discounts that are sure to hurt its bottom line. Prices for Dolce & Gabbana were 40 percent off weeks before “Black Friday.”

    Meanwhile, a saleswoman at Bloomingdale’s said that this is the first time prices on Burberry products have been cut before Christmas.

    Also, earlier this month, Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman were trying to generate customers with one- and five-day sales.

    “I recently went to Macy’s Herald Square to find clothing for job interviews, and found racks of clothing on sale, some of which were marked 75 percent off,” said Ailene Morgan, 37, of Manhattan.

    Small businesses are also getting creative to attract holiday shoppers.

    The owners of New London Pharmacy in Chelsea are offering free services from foot massages to mini-facials.

    “Sometimes nothing makes you feel better than a makeover and a glass of wine,” said New London co-owner Abby Fazio.

    With all the holiday discounts, Flach has only this advice for shoppers who still have income to spend: “If there is a must have on their list, they should pick it because it may not be there after Christmas.”

    Tags: saks fifth avenue, barneys, macy's, bloomingdale's, bergdorf goodman, black friday, thanksgiving, shopping, retail, luxury, new london pharmacy, holidays, manhattan, holiday traditions, economy

  • Bouley shuffle causes cheers and jeers in TriBeCa

    Thursday November 20, 2008 2:16 PM By Lucy Blatter

    By Lucy Cohen Blatter

    lucy.blatter@am-ny.com

    David Bouley has heads spinning – and some neighbors fuming -- with the musical-chair moves among his TriBeCa eateries.Last month the famed chef-restaurateur opened brasserie Secession in the space that previously hosted Danube, at 30 Hudson Street. Two weeks ago, he relocated his upscale Bouley restaurant to 163 Duane Street from 120 West Broadway.

    Plans are in full swing to move Bouley Bakery and Market -- now located at 130 West Broadway -- across Duane Street into the former Bouley restaurant space, where it will be transformed into a gourmet grocery. The restaurant above Bouley Bakery will then expand into the ground floor space.

    A block away, at Reade Street and West Broadway, construction is in full swing on Bouley’s tri-level Japanese restaurant and cooking school, Brush Stroke.

    This flurry of activity, all within a two-block radius, has sparked the usual outpouring of cheers and jeers.

    “Bouley’s done amazing things. He’s brought in a lot of revenue without bringing in noise; it’s not like he’s opening nightclubs,” said resident Amanda Denaro.

    “He’s done a great job energizing this neighborhood,” said Sharon Hershkowitz-Levy, who owns the nearby Balloon Saloon. “He’s brought in the right type of consumer to the neighborhood. I’d rather have him than an OTB across the street.”

    Neil Winokur, who lives at 16 Hudson Street in the building that houses two Bouley establishments, said the chef “does construction and plumbing without asking permission of the (co-op) board. He thinks he can do whatever he wants because he’s a big deal, celebrity chef.”

    Julie Nadel, another building resident who led the Community Board 1’s failed efforts to block Bouley from attaining a liquor license for Brush Stroke, agreed. Nadel was the president of the co-op board when Bouley moved his businesses in and describes him as “a very difficult tenant.” She pointed to his refusal to comply with buildings regulations, tendency to create unsafe construction conditions and one specific incident, in 2006, when there were two carbon monoxide leaks. While Bouley could not be reached for comment, during the liquor license debate, he told The Tribeca Trib newspaper, “There’s a lot of history between this woman and I, and it’s unfair to have a sort of witch-hunt.”

    But Nadel insisted, “My concerns are about health and safety, it’s really nothing personal. There’s just a history here of the king doing what he wants to do.”

    Tags: bouley, david bouley, danube, secession, bouley bakery, neighborhoods

  • Throwback Thursday: 'The Day After,' 25 years later

    Thursday November 20, 2008 11:31 AM By Rolando Pujol

    Twenty five years ago tonight, New Yorkers who turned on Channel 7 were treated to one of the most-hyped media events of the 1980s: "The Day After." The TV movie depicted what millions of Americans grew up fearing: The terrifying transformation of the Cold War into a very hot, nuclear war, with the inevitable destruction of civilization as we know it.

    It's difficult to convey today just how much hysteria surrounded this movie in the fall of 1983. The buildup and fallout was tremendous: News stories, think pieces in magazines, and worried school principals dispatching letters to parents urging them to take care in how they handled the viewing of the film.

    As part of our weekly Throwback Thursday feature, we figured we'd take you there. Fuzzymemories on YouTube has posted every commercial break (Commodore 64 was a big sponsor!) from the historic airing of "The Day After," along with news briefs that give you some insight into the heated discussion surrounding the film. What's more, he has included a complete episode of ABC News' "Viewpoint," a live telecast shown after the movie with notables such as celebrity astronomer Carl Sagan and Vietnam War-era Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara discussing the Cold War and the film's implications with a studio audience. Not to be missed.

    Embedded above is the actual attack segment. Click HERE to see the commercials and the episode of "Viewpoint."

    To get in the spirit of the anniversary, we offer some words of warning: Parental discretion advised.

    -- Rolando Pujol

    Tags: the day after, nuclear war, cold war, throwback thursday, 1983, abc, ted koppel, television

  • MTA chief reacts to amNewYork cover story

    Thursday November 20, 2008 11:02 AM By Rolando Pujol

    By Marlene Naanes

    MTA Executive Director and CEO Elliot Sander at a news conference Thursday responded to three angry riders who aired their despair about fare hikes and service cuts in an amNewYork cover story. (Read it after the jump.)

    The riders Tom, Kevin and Alex told the MTA that service cuts would mean reverting to the 1970s, and a fare hike is inevitable because the agency never listens to riders.

    “Let me say to Kevin and to Tom and to Alex…these cuts and the hike are anathema to us,” Sander said. “It is not what we want to do.”

    Sander spoke to the riders after he proposed a 23 percent fare hike next spring and “very severe” cuts in subway and bus service at an MTA board meeting. He noted the hike and cuts would be necessary to close a $1.2 billion gap in the agency’s budget unless proposals from the Ravitch Commission, a governor appointed body charged with finding funding for the MTA, were approved by Albany.

    “I would urge Kevin, Tom and Alex to urge their elected officials…to implement the recommendations of the Ravitch Commission…so we can prevent these cuts and service hikes,” Sander said.Click to enlarge

    Tags: mta, transit, elliot sander, economy, transportation

  • amNY series, day two: Q&A with Curtis Sliwa

    Wednesday November 19, 2008 7:50 PM By Rolando Pujol

    Radio host Curtis Sliwa founded what became The Guardian Angels in 1979.

    Just how bad were the bad old days?

    It was like dawn of the dead. It was like zombies roaming around, dope fiends, drug dealers…vulturizing the city. The Bronx was burning. People were fleeing. We are nowhere near that situation. Back then you felt, particularly if you worked the graveyard shift, when the sun went down the thugs ruled everything on the ground. You felt like you were wearing pork chop pants going into a cage of Doberman pitchers.

    What do you miss about that era in New York?

    Absolutely nothing. Some people say, “Oh I wish we had the old Times Square.” I say if you want that, go to Camden, go to Detroit. You want some of that old time crime, sleaze and slime?

    In what way, if any, do you see the city's quality of life eroding?

    There are more homeless people. You have some squeegee posses out there. The subways are just a moving caravan of people trying to shake you down for money.

    When the Wall Street crisis is over, how different a place will New York be?

    It all depends on who’s the shot caller, who’s the mayor. If it’s a weak mayor…we’d be back to the old days in no time. You need somebody who understands public safety is do or die for the city. If you haven’t guaranteed public safety, the tourists aren’t going to come. If you have crime, they [Wall Street] abandon ship, and now they don’t need to be in the city…because the whole world is virtual now.

    1978, 2008: Which year would you rather live in and why?

    2008 without question. You can actually in 2008 close your eyes sometimes and not worry that your neck will be slit ear to ear. Whereas in 1978…arson...gang violence…you couldn’t close your eyes. At anytime people could come out of the woodwork. You don’t have that feeling now. It’s more relaxed.

    -- Marlene Naanes

    Tags: curtis sliwa, economy, crime, history, 1970s, guardian angels, old school, neighborhoods, endangered nyc

  • amNY series, day two: Little things mean a lot

    Wednesday November 19, 2008 7:39 PM By Rolando Pujol

    By Marlene Naanes

    The writing may be literally on the walls.

    Graffiti arrests and incidents are rising and many are concerned that this, and other quality-of-life crimes, will increase next year with fewer police on the streets.

    “The officers we have are focused on serious crime … and as a result quality-of-life crimes are up,” said City Councilman Peter Vallone (D-Queens), chair of the council’s public safety committee.Graffiti and overall noise complaints remain at historic lows, and city figures show streets are cleaner than they’ve been in 30 years. However, statistics also show requests for graffiti cleanup are more than double what they were last year.

    Vallone wants to see more cops on the street.

    "You’d have to be really thick headed to not understand that more police officers means less crime," Vallone said.

    He and others have proposed money-saving alternatives to canceling the next police academy class, including getting money from tort reform in Albany, implementing fees for companies that put cell phone antennas on top of buildings and restoring a tax on commuters.

    "There are other ways to raise money," he said. "The Police Department should be the last place to cut."

    City statistics show slight increases in complaints concerning private trash collectors, residential and commercial noise and complaints about homeless encampments. Some officials attribute the boost in quality-of-life complaints to the popularity of 311—about a million more calls came in during fiscal 2008 compared to the year before.

    However, when enough people sense a subtle shift -- one too many aggressive panhandlers, increased delays for trains, reports of muggings in the neighborhood -- the positive view of city life can turn.

    "If there's a perception that your basic services are not being maintained, people really notice that and it really affects the quality of life and it's going to give people pause about staying here," said Jonathan Bowles, director of the Center for an Urban Future.

    Lynette Willis stays away from a certain street corner in Fort Greene section of Brooklyn late at night because she knows she will be bothered.

    “There’s been a lot of drug addicts…panhandling, being rude, throwing bottles,” said Willis, 31.

    Jennifer Garofolo, 40, who lives in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, knows all too well about the plague of dealing with annoying, routine problems. She repeatedly calls the police about noise and public drunkenness and is worried about a few vacant storefronts giving the area a dingier feel.

    Police only respond some of the time, and she worries about the possibilities of having fewer officers on the streets next year.

    “If the police don’t respond at all, it’s a free for all,” she said.

    Rolando Pujol contributed to this report.

    Tags: quality of life, crime, economy, peter vallone, graffiti, history, neighborhoods

  • amNY series, day two: Keeping an eye on crime

    Wednesday November 19, 2008 7:19 PM By Rolando Pujol

    With the economy in free fall, amNewYork examines how the budget crisis might impact the city's quality of life. This is day two of a three-day series. Read the first-day installments: Preventing a 70s decline, Breslin Q&A, and Henican column.

    By Marlene Naanes

    Murder, rape, and robbery citywide are up slightly this year, and while it’s impossible to say what’s driving the increases, residents in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn have a theory: It’s the economy, stupid.

    “This neighborhood has really gentrified really rapidly, and coupled with the economy, crime has gone up,” said Michael Jester, 27, who has witnessed violent robberies and has a friend who was beaten for her iPod, cell phone and purse. “I feel there’s a real tension in the past year. They seem to be getting a lot more brazen in the middle of the day.”

    Experts will tell you that a tanking economy does not necessarily mean crime rates will soar, and said it’s too soon to draw a correlation this early into the economic crisis.

    Still, observers note that crime remains at historic lows, and there is little reason to believe we are at the start of a precipitous safety decline. But Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to combat city deficits by cutting a police academy class next year undoubtedly will be felt on the streets."We will be at the lowest level on the police force since I came to the council in 1997," Councilman Vincent Gentile (D-Brooklyn) said at a recent budget hearing. "It's a dangerous game to play when public safety is compromised."

    The police force is about 36,000 strong and could drop to 34,000 with recruit class cuts, according to Councilman Peter Vallone (D-Queens), chair of the council public safety committee. It peaked at 41,000 during the Giuliani administration. About 1,100 cadets would have been in the police academy class.

    “I can tell you that the police commissioner and the fire commissioner's job is to do more with less and I think they are more than up to it,” Bloomberg said recently. “The police commissioner's job, if you remember, was made particularly difficult when we came into office and he had to do more with 3,000 fewer cops and he brought crime down.”

    Councilwoman Letitia James, a Democrat who represents Clinton Hill and Fort Greene, is not so sure. She recently started a task force to combat a spike in robberies, burglaries and other crimes in the area. In fact, she plans to organize neighborhood crime watches.

    “Call me in six months,” she said. “I would have to sound the alarm because I do not want to return to the days of the seventies when the quality of life was an issue in Brooklyn.”

    Areas in the city that have seen increases in crime include Staten Island’s 123rd Precinct, where community leaders contend a rapid growth in population is partially to blame.

    Too many guns on the street have led to spates in violent crimes in areas around South Jamaica, according to the community board there where crime is up almost 9 percent in the 113th Precinct.

    The police department did not respond to requests for comment on the specific increases but said in a statement: “Crime in New York City continues to decrease to record levels.”

    Some experts said that increases in crime can be statistically misleading when the number of crimes committed is low.

    Richard Aborn, a crime expert and former president of the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City, said it’s too soon to tell if hot spots will remain hot through the end of the year, and if the economy or police class cuts will affect crime next year.

    “The NYPD is very skilled at watching crime trends and tamper them down quickly,” he said. “We don’t know which way it will go yet. A blip is not a trend.”

    Jason Fink contributed to this report.

    Tags: economy, crime, politics, neighborhoods

  • City Living: Cobble Hill

    Wednesday November 19, 2008 7:12 PM By Rolando Pujol

    Children enjoy a crisp fall day in Cobble Hill this weekend. CLICK HERE FOR 27 MORE PHOTOS OF COBBLE HILL ON AMNY'S FLICKR STREAM. (Photos: Phil S. Kropoth)

    By Miranda Siegel

    Special to amNewYork

    As one of the components of BoCoCa, a name dreamed up by brokers to describe the ritzy patch of wine bars, stylish boutiques and gift shops in northwest Brooklyn, Cobble Hill blends rather seamlessly into neighbors Carroll Gardens and Boerum Hill.

    As well, the plentiful retail options and packs of yoga-glow moms pushing expensive baby strollers draw inevitable comparisons to that other pretty enclave across the Gowanus Canal, Park Slope.

    But Cobble Hill is smaller and more intimate, especially east of Court Street where the noise and fuss gives way to peaceful little streets, gardens with wrought-iron fences and pre-Civil War era townhouses.

    “It's a great place to get lost in,” Frank Baldaro said. “Incredibly romantic surroundings, and the architecture has a sort of Dickensian flavor to it.”In addition to the unique architecture, Cobble Hill is defined by a number of long-time residents—particularly aging Italians—and the concentration of Middle Eastern businesses near Atlantic Avenue.

    The neighborhood is also home to younger residents who feel they have outgrown areas such as Williamsburg and Bushwick, but don’t yet have families of their own.

    “Sure, there are hipsters, but it's not Williamsburg,” Baldaro said. “And too many strollers but it's not Park Slope, either.”

    But everyone can agree that Cobble Hill is one of Brooklyn’s most beautiful neighborhoods.

    “Once I saw the view from my building, it was so easy to fall in love with Cobble Hill,” said Kim Correll. “All of the brownstones look like something out a movie. I feel lucky to live here.”

    FIND IT

    Cobble Hill is defined by Atlantic Avenue to the north, Smith Street to the east, Degraw Street to the south, and the BQE to the west.

    THE ONE THING YOU MUST DO

    Cobble Hill Historic District is nineteenth-century Brooklyn at its loveliest; go deep into the belly and get lost in the little streets, then take it easy in Cobble Hill Park.

    The Chocolate Room is at 269 Court St.

    TO EAT

    You can get just about anything here: Middle Eastern (around Atlantic Avenue); New American (along Smith Street); French bistro; sushi; cheap Chinese; juice bar; even raw and vegan food. There are also a few high-end dessert places and bakeries with table service.

    The Chocolate Room

    The super-cheery staff loves your corny “chocoholic” jokes at this gourmet binge palace, where the brownie sundae — a boiling hot specimen encased in chewy hot fudge, complemented by house-made ice cream — will turn you into a believer. The bourbon vanilla flavor is excellent, but the standout is the mint chip: It’s like a milky mint leaf.

    269 Court St. 718-246-2600

    Bocca Lupo

    To get away from the chaos on Smith Street, head deep into Cobble Hill to this lovely wine bar and restaurant: There’s great service, delicious small plates, an affordable wine list, all kinds of meats and cheeses and a laid-back vibe. Try the mint panna cotta with strawberries or the assortment of flavorful bruschette.

    391 Henry St. 718-243-2522

    Yemen Café

    This authentic Yemeni joint distinguishes itself from the rest of the Atlantic Avenue pack with its succulent boneless lamb, plump chicken with root vegetables, and unique fatah: warm homemade bread bits soaked in honey and butter.

    176 Atlantic Ave. 718-834-9533

    Joya

    Housed in a cavernous candle-lit space with a DJ, this affordable, popular (but worth the wait) Thai restaurant has great sticky rice, delicious curries, and a great bar.

    215 Court St. 718-222-3484

    Sweet Melissa Patisserie and Crémerie

    Possibly the best place to bring your daughter (or anybody, for that matter) in the area, Sweet Melissa serves excellent pastries, traditional High Tea and small meals. The Cremerie next door crafts egg creams, waffle sundaes and ice cream sodas.

    276 Court St. 718-855-3410

    Nectar

    This cheery little juice and smoothie bar also serves wraps, salads, elaborate grilled cheese sandwiches, Ciao Bella gelato and breakfast all day long.

    198 Court St. 718-855-6166

    Sam’s Restaurant

    A reminder of the heyday of Cobble Hill’s Italian population, this no-frills restaurant has been cooking up reliable red-sauce Italian food since time immemorial.

    238 Court St. 718-596-3458

    Ceol Pub at 191 Smith. St. is a great Cobble Hill Irish Pub.

    TO PLAY

    With so many bars and lounges (particularly on Smith Street) it’s easy to stay local and have fun. If you want to go elsewhere, the Lower East Side is a short trip on the F, and fifteen minutes on the G drops you smack in the middle of Williamsburg. If it’s beat-up furniture, good coffee, and free WiFi that you’re after, check out Tea Lounge (254 Court St. 718-624-5683).

    Clover Club

    Swank without being snooty, Clover Club features a menu of delicious, complex cocktails that one patron compares to “full meals that someone invented recipes for.” If you come by on the early side, it’s a good place to do work, too.

    210 Smith St. 718-855-7939

    Boat Bar

    Low-lit and vaguely seedy, this neighborhood dive bar wins points for its awesome jukebox filled with mix CDs, comfy couches, board games, pinball machine and fun-loving crowd.

    175 Smith St. 718-254-0607

    BookCourt

    A bright neighborhood bookstore with in-store “literary events” (they’ll start up again in March 2009). The back room offers chairs for reading and a floor so polished you’ll have to resist the urge to slide across the room in your socks.

    163 Court St. 718-875-3677

    Robin des Bois

    A French bistro and wine bar filled with all sorts of antiques, where happy diners feast on French toast and Bloody Marys under a large statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Don’t miss that dried-out crocodile in the window.

    195 Smith St. 718-596-1609

    Bar Tabac

    At this bar and bistro, there’s plenty to please drinkers (frothy Belgian beers) and teetotalers (tart, pulpy lemonade) alike. Delight in the excellent all-French wine list, read the paper over brunch and enjoy a greasy little bucket of frites. Open late.

    128 Smith St. 718-923-0918

    Ceol

    A welcome change from Smith Street’s slicker options, Ceol offers a warm, pubby Irish atmosphere complete with shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, frosty pints of Guinness, live music and karaoke.

    191 Smith. St. 347-643-9911

    Examining the offerings outside the Community Bookstore.

    TO SHOP

    Smith and Court streets are packed with shops selling gourmet food, housewares, clothes, pastries, meats, toys, gifts — you name it. There are a few small markets embedded in the otherwise residential historic district; Trader Joe’s just took over the former Independence Bank building on Court Street; and IKEA and Fairway are just a short bus ride away.

    Dear Fieldbinder,

    There are many women’s clothing boutiques in Cobble Hill, but the best place to blow your cash is Lara Fieldbinder’s serene and enticing shop. The hand-picked pieces are more refreshingly stylish than outright sexy and the saleswomen are helpful without being intrusive.

    198 Smith St. 718-852-3620

    Community Bookstore

    Who likes digging for treasure and doesn’t mind dust, cramped spaces and mind-boggling clutter — just like your favorite packrat uncle’s apartment? Everything’s here, from that elusive Sanskrit picture book to that beat-up copy of “The Human Condition.”

    212 Court St. 718-834-9494

    Sahadi’s

    Enter this haven of Middle Eastern goodies and take a big whiff. Heaven! Shoppers from all over are drawn to the big bins of beans and pulses, fresh cheeses, dried fruit and olives soaking in brine—all at great prices.

    187 Atlantic Ave. 718-624-4550

    Rashid Music Sales

    The retail outpost of America’s oldest and largest distributor of Arab music offers plenty of new sounds to explore and new stars to idolize.

    155 Court St. 718-852-3295

    Damascus Bakery

    Cheap homemade pita by the bag, a case of spinach and meat pies, handmade Syrian cheese, a fridge full of dips and some of the best baklava in the city make this shop a fine choice for Middle Eastern goods.

    195 Atlantic Ave. 718-625-7070

    Rocketship Graphic Novels and Comics

    The graphic-novel nerd will be in heaven in this un-snooty shop, where the small but extremely well-chosen selection offers both familiar and unusual choices as well as works by local artists.

    208 Smith St. 718-797-1348

    The counter at Stinky Bklyn

    Stinky Bklyn

    Stinky indeed! In addition to super-pungent cheeses of all sorts, there are huge ham-legs, pointing upward like Rockettes’ gams on the counter near the front, which are ready for carving.

    261 Smith St. 718-522-7425

    Tip: Tickets are $6.50 a pop on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

    TO DO

    Strolling along Smith Street, Court Street and Atlantic Avenue, popping into boutiques and shops, should be enough to keep you busy in Cobble Hill.

    Cobble Hill Historic District

    The warren of narrow, treelined streets east of Court Street is crammed with lovely pre-Civil War era houses, many with wrought iron fenced and ornate detailing. The carriage houses on Verandah Place are particularly stunning.

    Hicks Street to Court Street and Atlantic Avenue to Degraw Street

    Cobble Hill Cinemas

    A neighborhood theater where the lobby is decked out in old-school murals, tickets are $6.50 a pop on Tuesdays and Thursdays and there’s a pumpin’, charmingly dated preshow animation that advises you to be quiet and turn off your cell phone.

    265 Court St. 718-596-9113

    Cobble Hill Park

    This small park surrounded by houses has an old-timey look to it: You can take a load off under one of the trees while your kid scurries around the playground.

    Clinton Street at Congress Street

    Workingmen’s Cottages

    America’s first low-rent housing units, which were built in 1877 and inspired by similar buildings in London, were among the first to offer plumbing and well-ventilated spaces to the working class.

    Warren Place at Baltic Street, east of the BQE

    Some of the nicest real estate you'll see in Brooklyn is in Cobble Hill.

    REAL ESTATE

    The landmark area west of Court Street has some of Cobble Hill’s most desirable properties: gorgeous 19th-century townhouses on narrow tree-lined streets.

    “In addition to the historic brownstones, the area offers walkability, great schools, pretty 19th-century churches and a neighborhood feel,” said Emily Fisher, associate broker at Halstead Brooklyn LLC. “It used to be sort of a stepchild to Brooklyn Heights, but today plenty of families prefer Cobble Hill—it’s a little quieter than Brooklyn Heights.”

    Added Robin Rae at Brick Real Estate, “Many young professionals are moving here: young lawyers, financial types, and those who work in the creative arts are all attracted to the proximity to Manhattan and varied retail options.”

    TO BUY

    $609,000 for a one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom duplex with shared patio (Clinton Street at Amity Street)

    $839,000 for a 1220-square-feet two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom duplex in converted schoolhouse (401 Hicks St.)

    $2,950,000 for a five-bedroom, two-bathroom carriage house with original details (Verandah Place)*

    $4,995,000 for a six-bedroom, two-bathroom 1843 Greek revival townhouse with large garden (Amity Street)*

    RENT

    $2,600 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in pre-war townhouse with original details and terrace (Clinton Street)*

    $1,950 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in pre-war townhouse (Henry Street)*

    $3800 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in pre-war townhouse with terrace (Court Street)*

    $4000 for a floor-through three-bedroom apartment (Henry St.)

    *Contact: Brian Lehner, senior vice president at Brown Harris Stevens. 718-858-5423

    IF YOU BOUGHT IN… 1990

    Townhouse on Verandah Place: $2,950,000

    In 1990, adjusted for inflation: $450,000

    Townhouse on Amity Street: $4,995,000

    In 1990, adjusted for inflation: $650,000

    DID YOU KNOW?

    • Cobble Hill was originally called “Ponkiesburg,” which is roughly the Dutch equivalent of the area’s current name.

    • Many restaurants and shops in Park Slope also have outposts in Cobble Hill: Coco Roco, Bird, Tea Lounge, Chocolate Room and Sweet Melissa Patisserie are a few.

    • The corner of Atlantic Avenue and Court Street was the site of one of the most important posts during the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Brooklyn.

    • American novelist Thomas Wolfe once lived at 40 Verandah Place.

    • Saturday Night Live’s short film “The Line” was shot outside Cobble Hill Cinemas on Court Street.

    Q & A WITH KIM CORRELL

    Kim Correll, 29, is a business development representative living in Cobble Hill.

    What are your favorite places in Cobble Hill?

    Bocca Lupo, and Clover Club has great drinks… the Southside Fizz is awesome. If you ask anyone where you should go for beer and good, cheap food, they’ll direct you to Trout. Teddy is good for clothing and accessories, like a purse or a cute pair of earrings.

    What’s so great about the area?

    It’s historically preserved, which is a big asset: No high-rises and lots of narrow streets. And the shopping is fantastic, so I rarely go into the city anymore to buy gifts. Also, it’s also easy to get to the IKEA and the Fairway: The 61 bus takes you right there.

    What’s not so great?

    I live on Hicks overlooking the BQE, and what sucks is that the other side is not historically preserved: They’re building condos right across from my house and it’s wrecking my view of the city!

    What type of person would like the area?

    Pretty much anyone who is historically sensitive, though I doubt many older people would want to move here, as most buildings have been preserved and therefore have no elevators. A woman on my floor who has been here 23 years is thinking of moving because her friends can’t come up the stairs anymore to play cards.

    Do you see any big changes on the horizon for the area?

    There’s not a lot of turnover here — I don’t really see people moving in or out. I think the economic situation is keeping people around, and also when it comes to buying a house, this is a destination, not a stepping-stone.

    What about gentrification?

    It’s as developed as I could ever imagine it getting. Even though Cobble Hill has gentrified, it’s been able to maintain its soul: You still see people sitting on their stoops at night when it’s warm out talking to other people in the neighborhood.

    THE FACT SHEET

    Community Board 6

    Libraries

    Brooklyn Public Library – Carroll Gardens

    396 Clinton St. 718-596-6972

    Transportation

    Subway: F, G to Bergen St.

    Bus: B61, 63, 65, 75.

    Police Station

    76th Precinct

    191 Union St. 718-834-3211

    Fire Department

    Engine 202/Ladder 101 (Red Hook)

    31 Richards St. 718-403-1402

    Banks

    Ridgewood Saving Bank

    244 Court St. 718-923-0300

    Independence Savings Bank

    179 Pacific St. 718-625-2843

    Supermarkets

    Trader Joe’s

    130 Court St. 718-246-8460

    Met Food

    486 Henry St. 718-237-2829

    Crime stats

    The 76th Precinct, which include Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Columbia Street Waterfront District and Red Hook, reported four murders, three rapes, 75 robberies and 97 burglaries so far this year. For the same period last year, there were three murders, seven rapes, 98 robberies and 78 burglaries.

    Schools

    PS 29, 425 Henry St.; Brooklyn Heights Montessori, 185 Court St.; School for Global Studies, 284 Baltic St.

    Tags: city living, cobble hill, brooklyn, real estate, shopping, architecture, history, restaurants, nightlife, stuff that's cool, neighborhoods, gentrification, food, development, arts

  • Museum of American Finance takes trip through Wall Street's trading past

    Wednesday November 19, 2008 3:53 PM By Garett Sloane

    Kerbstone brokers engaged in a frenzied and disorganized form of trading

    on the street in the 19th century. (Museum of American Finance)

    By Garett Sloane

    A retrospective on the history of trading on Wall Street — the latest exhibit at the Museum of American Finance — is supposed to give visitors a look at how much has changed, but just as striking is how much has stayed the same.

    The exhibit “Trading on the Street,” which opens today, shows how trading has evolved from chaotic curbside auctions of the late 18th century through the time of ticker tape and telegraph until today’s digital age. It also offers a glimpse into past panics that are eerily reminiscent of today’s current troubles.One could imagine that the disreputable “stock-jobbers” of the 18th century, who were outlawed by the New York State Legislature in 1792, were no less despised than some elements within the trading world today. One could also imagine that the media of the mid-19th century would just as easily lampooned former Lehman Brothers CEO Richard Fuld as they did Jay Gould, who was dubbed the “Mephistopheles of Wall Street” and incited a panic by trying to corner the gold market in 1869.

    The term “stock-jobbers,” which can be read in the original text of regulations from 1792, referred to the men publicly trading shares on Wall Street. The practice was banned as a result of a panic: A well-known investor, William Duer, a secretary to Alexander Hamilton, was heavily leveraged and his collapse shook the market.

    “He was making a lot of trades with borrowed money,” said Leena Akhtar, curator of the temporary exhibit.

    After the regulations banning public trading, a group of 24 investors banded together to trade privately, creating the precursor to the New York Stock Exchange. They signed the “Buttonwood Agreement,” which is the centerpiece of the exhibit and is on loan from the New York Stock Exchange.

    The exhibit is most valuable in showing how the techniques of trading have changed, and covers a lot of ground in a small space. There are original 18th century stocks and bonds, one issued to Patrick Henry, on display. Also, etchings and engravings show the commotion of early trading.

    “Everybody knows that iconic image of chaos on the trading floor,” Akhtar said.

    The exhibit takes visitors through the official founding of the New York Stock and Exchange Board in 1817, and shows scenes of the less-organized Curb Market dating back to the early 1840s, which became the American Stock Exchange in about 1930. A fascinating bit of history was an engraving of Gallagher’s Evening Exchange, one of the first organized after-hours markets in the Civil War period for traders to continue after the closing bell.

    Also, worth viewing is the model of a 1939 trading post, the horseshoe-shaped structures on the floor of the exchange, which have evolved from hubs receiving information via pneumatic tube to the electronic-monitor posts of today.

    The exhibit ends with a look at the modern Bloomberg terminal, which feeds traders today with up-to-the-second data and allows for instantaneous transactions. It’s a long way from when stock quotes and other information were transmitted by messenger boy and sometimes even by carrier pigeon.

    ‘Trading on the Street’ opens

    When: Nov. 20 to March 20

    Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday

    Where: Museum of

    American Finance,

    48 Wall St.

    Cost: Adults, $8; students and seniors, $5; children 6 and under, free

    Tags: wall street, museum of american finance, trading on the street, jay gould, william duer, richard fuld, lehman brothers, history, curb market, new york stock exchange, stock-jobbers, gallagher's evening exchange, american stock exchange, museums, manhattan, economy, banks

  • Building height limits approved for Lower East Side, East Village

    Wednesday November 19, 2008 12:42 PM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    The City Council voted today to put the lower back into the Lower East Side, approving zoning changes that would limit building heights on most blocks to eight stories.

    “Today we take the first step in preserving the low-scale nature of our historic community,” said Councilwoman Rosie Mendez (D-Manhattan), who represents most of the area.

    The rezoned area — 111 blocks bounded roughly by 13th Street to the north, Grand and Delancy streets to the south, the Bowery to the west and Avenue D to the east — has seen a surge in development in recent years.

    Advocates for the plan argued that high-rise construction, exemplified by the 20-story Hotel on Rivington, threatened the character of the neighborhood.

    “Up until the economic downturn we were facing a plethora of out of place, out of context high-rises,” said Councilman Alan Gerson (D-Manhattan), who represents part of the area.The council voted 42-0 to approve the plan, which includes provisions to preserve and create new affordable housing and assistance for tenants faced with eviction.

    However, not everyone was happy about the changes.

    Josephine Lee, coordinator for the Coalition to Protect Chinatown and the Lower East Side, called the plan “racist” because it could push high-rise development into Chinatown, putting pressure on longtime residents.

    “When you protect only one neighborhood, the developers are going to go to the outskirts,” she said. “Evictions on Bowery in Chinatown have already begun.”

    The approved zoning caps heights at 80 feet for most blocks and allows for 120 feet on the larger streets, including Houston, Delancy and Avenues A, B and C. Buildings on Chrystie Street can go up to 145 feet, Gerson said.

    Tags: development, lower east side, east village

  • A restaurant row emerges in Harlem

    Wednesday November 19, 2008 11:33 AM By Lucy Blatter

    By V.L. Hendrickson

    Special to amNewYork

    Once known to gourmets only as the home of Fairway’s biggest store, an area known as West Harlem Piers is emerging as a culinary hotspot. “We now have a restaurant row,” a long-time West Harlem resident and activist, Savonna Bailey-McClain, says. “We have choices.” The restaurants inhabit the once-empty warehouses on 12th Avenue from 125th Street to 133rd Street, near the new West Harlem Waterfront Park and the Cotton Club. Water taxi service, retail stores, and another restaurant (for which a bidding war is currently taking place) are all planned for the area. The cuisine at these restaurants ranges from Latin-inspired seafood to barbecue to authentic Italian, offering it up with live music, spacious dining rooms, and valet parking.

    Photo: RJ MickelsonDinosaur Bar-B-Que

    646 W. 131st St.

    Entrée price range: $13-25

    212-694-1777

    For almost four years, Dinosaur has served up a little bit of the south in West Harlem. The menu features pork shoulder, beef brisket, barbecued fried rice, and fried green tomatoes in a fun, kid-friendly atmosphere. Try the “Big Ass Pork Plate” or “Ode to Elgin,” named in honor of a hot sausage made in Elgin, Texas.

    Hudson River Café

    697 W. 133rd St.,

    Entrée price range: $15-34

    212-491-9111

    Diners can feel the energy of this restaurant from two blocks away. Watch Amtrak trains zip by on the bi-level, heated patio while sipping a signature cocktail, or dine inside on seafood dishes with a Latin/soul flair. The café attracts a hip set and has a changing menu to accommodate early diners or late-night scenesters.

    Talay

    701 W. 135th St.

    Entrée price range: $12-$25

    212-491-8303

    Even the fire escape is ornate at Talay, a Thai-Latin eatery with a pair of 10-foot cats greeting diners at the door. Chefs King Phojanakong, of the Kuma Inn, and Phet Schwader, of BLT Steak, serve up dishes like pork and chive dumplings, arroz valenciana, saffron rice with sausage and mussels, and lemongrass marinated ribs. The second level is a bottle-service lounge and club.

    Covo

    701 W. 135th St.

    Entrée price range: $11-$20

    212-234-9573

    New and old Harlem meet in this homey Italian eatery with a laid-back atmosphere. A large brick oven imported from Verona, Italy, gives the space a rustic feel, and the restaurant offers over 15 authentic pizzas. On weekends, the space fills up with families that have biked up the West Side. Adults can select wine from a 160 varieties and sample classic Italian dishes.

    Body Restaurant & Lounge

    701 W. 135th St. (entrance on 12th Avenue)

    Entrée price range: $14-24

    212-694-1416

    Mirrored doors lead up to this ultra-modern space at the end of restaurant row. Best known as a nightclub, the clean and creamy interior welcomes visitors into its three rooms. Body offers an upscale but casual menu and outdoor seating. A roof deck will be coming soon.

    Tags: harlem, harlem piers, dinosaur barbeque, talay, body restaurant and loung, covo, hudson river cafe, food

  • Calling all foodies: This week’s dining events

    Wednesday November 19, 2008 11:00 AM By Lucy Blatter

    By Emily Ranager

    Nov. 20, Beaujolais Nouveau: The third Thursday in November traditionally marks the release of Beaujolais Nouveau, a fruity red wine made from Gamay grapes and produced in France. Join other wine lovers and uncork a bottle at Jules Bistro, where there will be complementary appetizers, dinner specials from the Beaujolais region and live jazz from 8:30 to 11 pm. All attendees will be entered to win two round-trip business class tickets to Paris. 65 St. Marks Place, 212-420-0998.Nov. 22, Under Pressure — An Evening with Thomas Keller: To celebrate the release of his new cookbook, Chef Thomas Keller of French Laundry and Per Se will hold a talk about sous vide, a vacuum sealing and water bath technique for precision cooking. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m drink wine, snack on hors d’oeuvres and learn about how to implement the technique in your kitchen. All guests will take home a personalized copy of “Under Pressure,” which retails for $75. The Astor Center, 399 Lafayette St.; www.astorcenternyc.com, 212-674-7501. $125.

    Through Nov. 23, Eat Dessert for City Harvest: In honor of National Pomegranate Month, the Dessert Truck and PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur have teamed up to create a pomegranate macaroon. Buy three of the treats for $3 and PAMA will make a donation to City Harvest, a non-profit that distributes food to the needy. You can find the Dessert Truck at Park Avenue and 52nd Street Monday to Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and at St. Marks Place and Third Avenue daily from 6 pm to midnight. www.desserttruck.com.

    Nov. 23, Edible Insects: Bring the kids to discover which insects and other arthropods make a healthy part of your diet. Beginning at 1 pm, learn the bugs to eat, where to find them and even sample homemade chocolate chip cricket cookies. Blue Heron Park Preserve, 222 Poillon Avenue, Staten Island; 718-967-3542. Free.

    Tags: dessert truck, thomas keller, beaujolais nouveau, pama

  • Take a cab, they'll pay your tab

    Wednesday November 19, 2008 8:27 AM By Lucy Blatter

    Now, no matter where you live, you have no excuse not to party on the Upper West Side. From now until January 1, the uptown outpost of Villlage Pourhouse (932 Amsterdam Avenue between 108th and 109th streets) will match up to $25 in cab fare with a bar tab. If you are downtown and crave a change of scenery, just hop in a cab, and be sure to ask the driver for a receipt. Once you arrive, the bartender will start your tab with a credit for the same amount as your fare.

    Tags: village pourhouse, entertainment

  • Henican: Too many signs of a scarier New York

    Tuesday November 18, 2008 4:09 PM By Rolando Pujol

    Here in tough-times New York, all of us have to cut back where we can.

    So when I landed the other night at JFK, I didn’t head straight for the taxi line. I was alone. I was traveling light, just an over-the-shoulder carry-on. Did I really need a $45 taxi ride — plus toll and tip — when I could jump on the $5 MTA AirTrain to Howard Beach, then grab the A train home?

    It was my first time on the AirTrain, and I have to say: What it lacked in charm, it made up in efficiency. Clean, shiny and hushed, a perfect emblem for easy-money, pre-9/11 financing in New York.

    The subway was another story.The A train took a good 15 minutes — maybe 20 — to arrive. And when the doors opened, I swear I stepped off the platform into 1974. The car was filthy. A crumpled McDonald’s bag was on the seat beside me. Loose newspaper pages were blowing around on the floor. I didn’t notice any ’70s-era graffiti. But you could barely see out the windows, they were so scraped up with 2008 scratchiti.

    And the service! A bridge was out on the way to the Rockaways. So half the people in my car — including three moms with strollers and cranky kids — were doubling back at Rockaway Boulevard for a subway-bus-subway shuttle reverse.

    “And now they want to raise the fare to $3?” one of the moms grumbled over her shrieking child.

    I just shrugged.

    You can’t prove a social trend from a single subway ride. And I did get home eventually.

    But lately, I keep noticing signs of a New York slip-back — little reminders of the last time the world’s greatest city really was in undeniable decline.

    Have you noticed it too?

    More homeless people on the sidewalk and in the subway. Garbage sitting longer in the street. A few more boarded-up buildings in iffy neighborhoods while the owners struggle with their bankers or try to decide if the renovation numbers still make sense.

    I don’t drive. So I can’t speak first-hand about squeegee men. But I hear talk.

    Then I read that the city is skipping a recruit class at the Police Academy. And I hear about the giant budget deficits that loom in Albany and at City Hall.

    Don’t you have to wonder?

    Are we returning to shabbier times in the city? Are the various troubling signs coalescing into a genuine trend? Are we about to make the mistakes we swore we’d never make again?

    The last time we were here, in the 1970s, the politicians did as politicians do: They tried to cut the things that no one would notice, not at first, anyway. Subway maintenance. Police, fire and sanitation headcounts. Teacher training. Building inspectors.

    A few quiet years of this, and the city was hollow at its core.

    As I rode the A train home the other night, I was remembering another train ride. I’m guessing 1990. The worst of the bad days were behind us. The city had inched back.

    This time, I was on the No. 1 train, heading to the Bronx with David Gunn. He was president of the Transit Authority. He deserves a major part of the credit for pulling the subway back from its last abyss. As we rode and talked about New York’s hard road back, Gunn reached down and grabbed a candy wrapper from the subway car’s floor.

    He was the president of the Transit Authority and he was picking up trash.

    “It’s the little things,” Gunn said when I asked him why he did that, the wrapper still in his hand. “Before you know it, those little things turn into big things. And then the whole thing comes crashing down.”

    Tags: henican, economy, 1970s

  • Breslin Q&A: 'Everybody's going broke'

    Tuesday November 18, 2008 4:03 PM By Rolando Pujol

    Jimmy Breslin is an iconic New York journalist. The Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist has covered everything from sports to civil rights. Breslin, now 78, worked for several newspapers, including Newsday and the New York Daily News.

    amNewYork discussed the current economic crisis and how its effect on New York might compare to the tough times the city endured in the 1970s.

    Is the city heading in the same direction it went in the ’70s?

    You didn’t have the [expletive] kids from Washington Heights getting killed in a war with Iraq. That’s the first thing.

    You’ve got unemployment. … You just had three big auto companies going broke. Banks folding. Who ever heard of a bank bouncing? Checks did, but the banks never did. It was nothing like this. You could go get a loan in the ’70s. You can’t get a loan today. You can’t do anything.

    Everybody’s going broke. … That’s why this is worse than anything we’ve had.Will the current economic crisis impact the quality of life in the city?

    I don’t know about the quality. It’s always been good. It’s a big, crowded city. It’s great. I think the condition of the people in it is getting tough.

    You’re talking about financially?

    Money! When they’re broke, they’re a joke.

    And what will that mean for New Yorkers?

    When you go broke, anything could happen. It’s all money. They’re trying to fight a war and have a good economy at home. The problem with that is that it can’t be done, and they don’t want to even discuss this or admit it.

    Franklin Roosevelt said you can’t have guns and butter. That’s 60 years ago. And we’re trying to have super technology and splendor at home. What happens is the splendor drains out of life.

    -- Ryan Chatelain

    Tags: jimmy breslin, economy, new york, 1970s

  • amNY series: 1970s rerun? Fiscal crisis reviving urban fears

    Tuesday November 18, 2008 3:56 PM By Rolando Pujol

    With the economy in free fall, amNewYork examines how the budget crisis might impact the city's quality of life. This is the first of a three-day series

    By Rolando Pujol

    Could this be 1974 all over again?

    That’s not quite as crazy as it sounds. A number of troubling indicators has some New Yorkers worried about a 1970s rerun, and most of the problems disturbingly predate the recent Wall Street meltdown.

    Crime has flared up in certain neighborhoods, shelters report a record number of newly homeless families and complaints about graffiti have soared. The big wild card, of course, is the impact of the growing fiscal crisis.

    In 1974, the city was similarly beginning to realize the extent of its problems, said Julia Vitullo-Martin, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute who has been sounding the alarm.

    “It gradually dawned on New Yorkers that they were faced with a severe fiscal crisis, and that solutions were not all apparent,” Martin recalled.

    Back then, municipal bankruptcy was barely averted, 600,000 jobs evaporated, city services collapsed and many fled.

    The Bloomberg administration insists history will not repeat itself. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has embraced the challenge, so much so that he successfully overturned term limits in a bid to stay on."We’re still going to keep our streets safe, we’re still going to keep our streets clean,” the mayor said on his radio show last Friday.

    While several observers see his leadership as key, others worry his prescription to cover the $4 billion budget shortfall — which includes raising taxes and cutting the next police class — could do harm.

    “We have yet to see the impact and the effects of the cutbacks in the police class,” said

    Councilwoman Letitia James, whose Brooklyn district has seen a spate of violence. “It is definitely a concern of mine.”

    Underscoring that 1970s fear, observers agree the city needs three things: low crime, basic services and reliable infrastructure.

    “It’s clearly too early to know how bad this is going to be,” said Jonathan Bowles, director of the Center for an Urban Future. “The recession of the mid ’70s ended up being extremely deep ... People left the city because they didn’t have jobs and that led to empty neighborhoods and crime increases and disinvestment.”

    Different times

    Unlike 1974, Bowles sees “a lot of positive signs about New York” — safety, improved schools and the positive view of city life. Still, he said, “the sheer number of job losses that could happen could spell real problems for neighborhoods across the city.”

    But here’s a vital difference: The problems of the 1970s were far more complicated, partly the result of poor fiscal management.

    “In the ’70s the city was in decline. In fact, even as early as the 1950s everyone was predicting that the city — not just New York but all cities — were really doomed,” said Kenneth T. Jackson, a Columbia University professor and editor of “The Encyclopedia of New York City.”

    Signs of trouble

    Crime remains historically low, but there are pockets of trouble, including Staten Island, which as of two weeks ago was the only borough where overall crime is up — about 1 percent. Gun violence has roiled the area around South Jamaica, where crime is up almost 9 percent.

    Bloomberg has said Commissioner Ray Kelly has effectively policed the city, even with several thousand fewer cops. “If we were to have a crime wave that he couldn’t cope with, you can rest assured he and I would have a quick conversation and we’d find a way to divert resources to that,” the mayor said recently.

    But Martin says the city needs to focus more on quality of life — and get more cops on the beat.

    “Our sidewalks are mess, streets are a mess, there’s dirt all over the place, quality-of-life offenses are clearly going up, there’s graffiti all over the place, there’s awful acid vandalism that one sees increasingly in the subway,” Martin said.

    Ryan Nerz, 34, of Fort Greene, wonders what’s next. “If there’s any dread, it’s that it can only go down from here,” he said.

    One comfort is that crime needn’t necessarily follow economic declines. But the opposite can happen: The 1980s saw an economic boom, yet crime soared, Jackson noted.

    What’s next?

    Strong mayoral and City Council leadership is seen as key. Bowles praised Bloomberg’s leadership, and Jackson describes the mayor as “simply the best option we have right now.”

    Still, 1974 is never far from mind, as is the one indisputable link between then and now: Unease.

    “We don’t know what’s going to happen. A lot of people in the fiscal crisis of the 1970s left New York,” Martin said. “I hope that doesn’t happen this time. That would be catastrophic.”

    Marlene Naanes and Amanda Magnus contributed to this report.

    ****

    CRIME WATCH While crime remains at historic lows in 2008, certain categories are up from last year, and parts of the city have seen troubling flare-ups:

    Murder: up 6%

    Rape: up 1.4%

    Robbery: up 1.7%

    Felony assault: down 8.1%

    Burglary: down 6.5%

    Grand larceny: down 2.4%

    Grand larceny auto: down 4.4%

    Crime overall: down 3.4%

    HOT SPOTS

    STATEN ISLAND

    This borough has seen an increase in key categories:

    Murder: up 100 %

    Rape: up 34.1 %

    Robbery: up 1.5%

    Grand larceny: up 3.3%

    Crime overall: down .34%

    123rd Precinct: (South Shore)

    The local community board cites population increases as a reason for the spike.

    Robbery: up 73.6%

    Burglary: up 18.1%

    Grand larceny auto: up 18.1%

    Crime overall: up 3.59%

    QUEENS

    Queen South:

    Murder: up 68.4%

    Grand larceny: up 3.3%

    Crime overall: down 1.52%

    Queens North:

    Robbery: up 5%

    Grand larceny auto: up 1.5%

    Overall crime: down 3.75%

    111th Precinct: (Bayside, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale, Hollis Hills and Fresh Meadows)

    Robbery: up 15.2%

    Grand larceny: up 9.2%

    Grand larceny auto: up 9.9%

    Crime overall: up 1.58%

    BRONX

    Murder: up 3.6%

    Rape: up 6.8%

    Robbery: up 4.7%

    Crime overall: down 3.3%

    BROOKLYN

    Brooklyn South

    Murder: up 29.5%

    Robbery: up 9.8%

    Crime overall: down 2.25%

    72nd Precinct: (Sunset Park and Windsor Terrace)

    Grand larceny auto: up 34%

    Crime overall: up .78%

    47th Precinct: (Woodlawn, Wakefield, Williamsbridge, Baychester, Edenwald, Olinville and Fishbay)

    Robbery: up 32.9%

    Grand larceny auto: up 1.3%

    Crime overall: up 3.44%

    ****

    A glance at the series:

    DAY 1:

    Could the city revert to its 1970s nadir? We look at the challenges the city faces to stay safe and livable amid signs of trouble that predate this unprecedented fiscal crisis.

    Columnist Ellis Henican ponders several uncomfortable reminders of the last time the world’s greatest city really was in undeniable decline.

    A Q&A with legendary journalist Jimmy Breslin, who has seen New York at its worst and its best.

    Crime and quality of life: How bad is it out there? We look at the numbers.

    DAY 2:

    While overall crime is down, parts of the city are seeing frightening spikes. Should we be worried and what do these spikes really mean?

    How will the economic slowdown impact the city's quality of life? Observers see keeping graffiti in check and streets clean as essential parts of the mission to preserve 15 years of gains.

    A Q&A with Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, who has noticed several signs of trouble.

    DAY 3:

    As record numbers of newly homeless families check into city shelters, a likely symptom of a weakening economy, observers are asking how much worse the problem might get.

    A Q&A with Barbara Corcoran, the real-estate maven who got her start during New York's bad old days.

    Tags: history, neighborhoods, economy

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Tuesday November 18, 2008 2:53 PM By Sara Baumberger

    Secretary of state: The case for Hillary Clinton

    Hillary Clinton for secretary of state would be an inspired choice. Because of her years as first lady, very few Americans have more firsthand contacts with world leaders than Clinton. She is an extraordinary woman with an intellect and energy that she directs full throttle at everything she does. She received 18 million votes in the primaries. Obama and she split the popular vote. Millions of her supporters held their noses and voted for Obama only because they did not want another Republican in the White House. Hillary campaigned very hard for Obama and demonstrated that she is a team player. She’s ranked 68 out of 100 in terms of seniority in the Senate, where seniority means everything. It is now the right time for her to leave the Senate.

    — Reba Shimansky, Manhattan

    Giuliani’s run for office: Rudy never sees the light

    Re “Don’t count out a Rudy run,” Nov. 17: Rudy Guiliani is contemplating another run for the White House and maybe governor of N.Y. What he should do is move to Alaska, along with Peter King of Long Island. They should settle down in an area where the sun doesn’t shine for three to four months, because these two will never see the light, no matter how hard they try.

    — Michael Perez, Manhattan

    Let the oil companies bail out the auto industry

    If Detroit’s Big Three automakers go under, their epitaph will read: “Rust in Peace.” Let the oil companies bail them out, because after all, they are their best customers.

    Herb Stark, Massapequa

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • Spitzer's call girl to set for TV interview

    Tuesday November 18, 2008 2:05 PM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    The high-end call girl at the center of the scandal that brought down Gov. Eliot Spitzer will talk about her life in the business during a TV interview to be aired Friday.

    Ashley Dupre’s tryst with Spitzer in a Washington hotel room in February was described in a federal affidavit as part of the case against her escort service, Emperor’s Club VIP.

    Dupre sat down with Diane Sawyer of 20/20 in an interview that will air at 10 p.m.

    In a press release, ABC said Dupre “speaks candidly about what life as a high-end escort is like, how an upper middle-class, girl next door got into the profession and the psychological journey she continues to experience.”

    It does not say whether Dupre will discuss her most famous client, whose promising political career went down in flames this year when it was revealed he had been a customer of the pricey prostitution ring.

    The public attention and criminal investigation of the escort service eventually forced Spitzer to resign March 12. On Thursday, federal prosecutors said they would not charge him criminally.

    Four people pleaded guilty to running the prostitution operation.

    Tags: eliot spitzer, ashley dupre, media

  • MTA seeking bailout money from feds

    Tuesday November 18, 2008 1:30 PM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    MTA officials were in Washington today lobbying for bailout help for transit systems as speculation grew that the agency’s severe budget deficit next year would force the elimination of subway lines, among other nightmarish scenarios.

    “The MTA is facing an enormous deficit that will not be closed with any easy

    solutions,” Gov. David Paterson said in a statement.

    Metropolitan Transportation Authority representatives met with Washington officials asking to be included in any future stimulus packages, said agency spokesman, Jeremy Soffin. They also joined their counterparts from 11 others transit agencies in asking the Treasury Department to guarantee $2 billion in lease deals previously backed by the failed insurance giant AIG.

    Like other transit agencies, the MTA entered into deals in which it sold rail cars and other equipment to banks and then leased them back at a discount.

    Soffin would not say how much money the agency has on the line as a result of the AIG-backed deals. He would only say that “our exposure is less than the others.”Meanwhile, the MTA board will reportedly unveil a budget Thursday that will call for the elimination of the W and Z subways lines, service cuts on the G and M lines, cancellation of weekend and late night service on dozens of buses as well as layoffs for 1,500 workers.

    This is in response to a $1.2 billion budget deficit the MTA is forecasting in its $10.9 billion budget for next year.

    Paterson has formed a commission to come up with solutions to the deficit. The Ravitch Commission, which is to release its recommendations Dec. 5, will reportedly call for tolls on all East River bridges.

    Right now, the federal government provides about $1.5 billion a year to the MTA for capital projects, according to Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

    “The federal government certainly needs to step up its funding for public transportation,” he said.

    Marlene Naanes and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

    Tags: mta, bailout, subways, transit

  • Unusual turkey side dishes

    Tuesday November 18, 2008 11:57 AM By Lucy Blatter

    By Lucy Cohen Blatter

    lucy.blatter@am-ny.com

    While cranberry sauce and stuffing are sure-fire hits on Thanksgiving, there are other simple side dishes that can turn a traditional meal into a sensational one. In the revised tenth anniversary edition of Mark Bittman’s “How to Cook Everything,” the New York Times columnist provides a list of “28 Crowd Pleasing Thanksgiving Side Dishes You May Not Have Considered.” Here, two unusual sides that are as easy as they are delicious.

    CARROT SALAD WITH CUMIN

    1 ½ pounds carrots, grated

    Juice of 2 oranges

    Juice of 1 lemon

    2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

    1 teaspoon ground cumin, or more to taste

    Salt and freshly ground black pepper

    1. Use the julienne disk of a food processor to cut the carrots into the fine shreds or cut into 1/8-inch slices.

    2. Whisk together the juices, olive oil, and cumin; sprinkle with salt and pepper and pour the dressing over the carrots. Toss, taste and adjust the seasoning, and serve.

    ALTERNATIVES

    Beet salad with cumin: Cook the beets, peel, and slice. Substitute 1 clove garlic, minced, with the orange juice.

    Whole baby carrot salad with cumin: Substitute 1 ½ pounds whole baby carrots for the grated carrots. Skip step 1. Trim the green tops and halve the carrots if they are on the big side (longer than 4 inches); steam or boil the carrots until barely tender (you want a bit of crunch here), then shock and pat dry. Proceed with the recipe.FENNEL BAKED IN STOCK

    Other vegetables you can use: celery, leeks, or onions.

    1 large or 2 small fennel bulbs, trimmed and sliced

    2 cups any stock, more or less

    2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

    Salt and freshly ground black pepper

    1 cup bread crumbs, preferable fresh

    ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

    Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

    1.Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Put the fennel slices in a gratin or similar ovenproof dish. Pour in enough stock to come to a depth of about ½ inch. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with bread crumbs and the Parmesan if you’re using it.

    2. Put in the oven and bake, undisturbed, until the fennel is tender (a thin-bladed knife will pierce it with little or no resistance) and the top is nicely browned, 45 to 50 minutes. Add more liquid during baking if the dish gets dry. Serve immediately or keep warm in the oven for up to 30 minutes. Garnish with parsley before serving

    ALTERNATIVES

    Fennel baked in orange juice: Substitute 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice for half the stock. Omit the Parmesan and add 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves and/or ½ cup chopped almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans.

    Fennel with onions and vinegar: Add 1 medium onion, sliced, 1 tablespoon chopped garlic, and 2 tablespoons sherry, balsamic, or other flavorful vinegar. Omit the bread crumbs if you like and substitute 1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram or oregano leaves (1 teaspoon dried) for the Parmesan.

    Tags: mark bittman, how to cook everything, thanksgiving side dishes

  • Silver Towers now a city landmark

    Tuesday November 18, 2008 11:53 AM By Ryan Chatelain

    Seven sites were designated as city landmarks Tuesday — including a "superblock" of three 30-story residential towers designed by famed architect I.M. Pei.

    The so-called Silver Towers in Greenwich Village were completed in 1967 and are clustered around a sculpture modeled on a piece by Pablo Picasso. Two of the buildings are used for NYU faculty housing, and the third is a co-op apartment building.

    “It’s widely known as one of the finest modern residential complexes in the city,” said Robert B. Tierney, chairman of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. “The configuration, style and park-like setting of the towers create an undeniable tension between the buildings themselves and the space they occupy.”

    Other buildings that are now protected as landmarks are:

  • The Guardian Life Insurance Company Annex at Union Square East.

  • The Morris B. Sanders Studio and Apartment in Turtle Bay.

  • The New School’s Former Baumann Bros. Store off Union Square West.

  • Pratt Institute’s Renaissance Revival building in Greenwich Village.

  • A former FDNY firehouse in midtown

  • A WPA-era pool complex in Red Hook

    -- amNewYork with AP

    Tags: landmarks, architecture, silver towers, nyu

  • What's in season: Cabbage

    Tuesday November 18, 2008 11:53 AM By Lucy Blatter

    By Ben Muessig

    Special to amNewYork

    If you're craving fresh fall greens, you'd better act fast — the first frost marks the end of the season for most leafy veggies.

    Cabbage is a hearty fall veggie, but it can't survive in freezing weather for long.

    "Once it gets below 25 degrees, the fall greens get a little unhappy," said Nate King, one of the owners of Rexcroft Farms, which sells fruits, vegetables and meats at the greenmarkets around the city.

    "We check the weather and if it's going to get cold, we take as much as we can out of the ground," he said.

    Once it's out of the ground, this multi-purpose vegetable is perfect on the plate.

    Try serving a side of cole slaw, a simple cabbage soup, a fiery Asian-style kimchi or an Irish-inspired meal corn beef and cabbage.

    No matter how you serve it, cabbage is packed with fiber, vitamin C, potassium and manganese, and it's loaded with vitamins A, B6, calcium and iron.

    Fresh heads of cabbage cost about $3.Recipe: Corned beef and cabbage

    5 lbs corned beef brisket

    6 peppercorns

    3 carrots, peeled and quartered

    3 onions, peeled and quartered

    1 medium-sized green cabbage, quartered

    4 tablespoons melted butter

    Place corned beef in water with peppercorns. Cover pot and boil, reduce heat and simmer for five hours or until tender, skimming occasionally. Add carrots and onions during last hour, and cover again. Add cabbage during the last 15 minutes. Transfer meat and vegetables to a platter and brush the vegetables with melted butter. Serve with boiled parsley potatoes, cooked separately.

    Courtesy of epicurious.com

    Tags: corned beef and cabbage, food

  • How to have the world's easiest Thanksgiving

    Tuesday November 18, 2008 11:45 AM By Lucy Blatter

    1119EAT5c%28C%29Citarella.jpg

    By Emily Ranager

    Special to amNewYork

    The city’s premier purveyors of fine food will offer various Thanksgiving packages.

    FreshDirect will deliver complete Thanksgiving dinners to your door. Feasts for four-to-six ($149.99), eight-to-12 ($199.99) or 14-to -18 ($299.99) include a whole turkey, choice of four to five side dishes like maple-roasted yams with marshmallows and green beans with caramelized apples, choice of various types of stuffing, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, gravy and choice of desserts. Order by Nov. 23 for delivery on Nov. 25 or 26. www.freshdirect.comWhole Foods is offering several fully-cooked prix-fixe Thanksgiving dinners for pick-up. Turkey dinners for two ($52.99), eight ($159.99) or 12 ($229.99) include turkey, traditional New England stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans with almonds, cranberry-orange relish, gravy, organic dinner rolls and pumpkin or apple pie. The grocer also has vegan-friendly dinners for $19.99 per person and lots of a la carte starters and sides. Order by noon on Nov. 25 at wholefoodsmarket.com or your nearest store.

    At Dean and DeLuca, meals for six to eight ($280) or 10 to 12 ($520) include one turkey, porcini stuffing with gravy, Brussels sprouts au gratin, bourbon sweet potatoes with almonds, cranberry sauce with cardamom and cream cheese biscuits. Orders ship next-day beginning in mid-November. Take note: the turkey arrives frozen, so order enough in advance to defrost it. www.deandeluca.com

    Citarella is offering a broad selection of prepared Thanksgiving dishes a la carte. Some staples include whole roasted turkeys ($59.99 for 12 pounds), glazed sweet potatoes ($6.99 per pound), sausage stuffing ($6.99 per pound) and cranberry conserve with pecan ($6.99 per pint). Many vegetarian options are also available. Orders must be placed by Nov. 23. 212-874-0383. For an additional $6, orders may can be delivered.

    At Fairway, feasts for six ($125) or 12 ($199) include an oven-ready turkey, choice of butternut squash or autumn vegetable puree soup, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, candied sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans with shallots, sausage stuffing, herb mushroom stuffing, dinner rolls and pumpkin or apple pie. Order by 5 p.m. Nov. 23 and pick up Nov. 26 or 27. Delivery is also available. 866-392-2837.

    Food Emporium is offering dinners for 2 (for $69.99), 4-6 (for $139.99/ready to cook and $149.99/cooked) and 8-10 ($219.99/ready to cook and $234.99/cooked). The dinner for two features two cornish game hens, while the other two have 12 and 16-lb. turkeys respectively. Each includes plenty of sides and dessert. Order by Nov. 24. 212-381-0885.

    Tags: fairway, citarella, fresh direct, dean and deluca, whole foods, food emporium

  • Thanksgiving dinner in a flash

    Tuesday November 18, 2008 9:02 AM By Lucy Blatter

    By Lucy Cohen Blatter

    lucy.blatter@am-ny.com

    As delicious as it is, the Thanksgiving meal can be a pain to make. Luckily, the team at Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine has laid out strategies for conquering a previously impossible task: Putting together a Thanksgiving dinner in 60 minutes flat.

    Spiced pumpkin mousse trifle. Courtesy of Everyday with Rachael Ray.Pamela Mitchell, the magazine’s executive food editor, provided tips to help almost anyone pull it off.

    “People can save at least two hours if they think about cooking turkey in parts rather than cooking the whole bird,” she said. “You don’t need to worry about cooking time or carving time, plus, you don’t have to worry about having a bird carcass left over either. So few people actually make homemade stocks from carcasses anymore, so it’s often a challenge to get rid of those.”

    Mitchell stressed the acceptability of store-bought foods such as cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, already sliced vegetables and frozen pie crusts. “Supermarkets have really changed and they offer so much more choice. And for Thanksgiving you can go a little more high-end, with the more gourmet brands.”

    A stress-free Thanksgiving also requires plenty of planning ahead. “It really pays to be organized,” Mitchell said. “You need to start planning — figuring out the menu and making sure special dietary restrictions are taken into account. You need to make a shopping list, and figure out foods that you can make in advance and freeze. It also helps to clear spaces in the fridge and on countertops,” she said.

    Here, some recipes from the November/Thanksgiving issue of “Everyday with Rachael Ray” that can make a 60-minute Thanksgiving meal a reality:

    EARLY BIRD TURKEY

    Serves 8

    Prep time 5 mins

    Cook time 55 mins

    Two 2 ¾ pound boneless turkey breast halves with skin on

    One 2 ¼ pound bone-in turkey thigh

    1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

    1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

    ½ teaspoon salt

    1 tablespoon pepper

    1 lemon, halved crosswise

    ½ cup chicken broth

    Store-bought cranberry sauce

    1. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees. Arrange the turkey parts on a rimmed baking sheet, tucking the smaller end of each breast under to make an even thickness. Drizzle with olive oil and season with thyme, salt and pepper. Place the lemon halves, cut side down, in the pan. Roast until meat thermometer inserted in each piece registers 155 degrees, about 55 minutes.

    2. Transfer the turkey parts to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil; let stand for 20 minutes before slicing.

    3. Meanwhile, pour the chicken broth into the baking sheet, scraping up any browned bits. Pour into a microwaveable cup; skim the fat that rises to the surface. Microwave on high power for 1 minute. Serve the turkey pan sauce with the sliced turkey and cranberry sauce.

    APPLE AND DATE STUFFING

    Serves 8

    Prep time 10 min

    Bake time 10 min

    1 bunch scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced

    1 golden delicious apple

    2 tablespoons butter

    ½ teaspoon pepper

    1 2/3 cup chicken broth

    One 10-ounce bag stuffing mix

    ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted

    1/3 cup chopped dates

    1. Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. In a large saucepan, cook the scallions, apple, butter and pepper, stirring, over high heat, for 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the stuffing mix, pecans and dates until combined.

    2. Transfer the stuffing to an ovenproof serving dish and bake for 10 minutes.

    SPICED PUMPKIN MOUSSE TRIFLE

    Serves 8

    Prep time 10 min

    3 cups heavy cream

    One 15-ounce can pure pumpkin puree

    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

    ½ teaspoon ground ginger

    Pinch ground cloves

    Pinch salt

    One 7.5-ounce jar marshmallow cream

    3 cups chopped gingersnaps, plus crushed gingersnaps for sprinkling

    3 tablespoons dark rum

    1.Using an electric mixer, beat the cream until stiff. Reserve 2 cups whipped cream for serving; refrigerate until ready to serve.

    2. In a large bowl, stir together the pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt. Fold in half of the marshmallow cream, then half of the whipped cream. Repeat with the remaining marshmallow cream and whipped cream until combined.

    3. In a medium bowl, sprinkle the gingersnaps with rum.

    4. Spoon one-third of the pumpkin mousse into a clear glass serving bowl, spreading evenly, and sprinkle half of the cookies on top. Repeat with half of the remaining cookies, then top with the final layer of mousse. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve, at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours. Just before serving, top with reserved whipped cream and sprinkle with the crushed gingersnaps.

    Credits: Everyday with Rachael Ray

    All these recipes, and more, are available at rachaelraymag.com/thanksgiving

    More Tips from Pamela:

    DEFROSTING A FROZEN TURKEY

    Defrosting a turkey in your refrigerator can take five days. As a short cut, immerse the turkey (still in its wrapping) in cold water in your sink for about seven hours for a 15-pound bird. Just be sure to change the water every 30 minutes.

    LOOK BEYOND THE OVEN AND STOVE

    Microwaves can cook vegetables in about half the time; a slow cooker does all the work for you; and a rice cooker can be used to make a variety of rice dishes. Added bonus: Using these appliances saves space on your stove and in your oven.

    Tags: rachael ray, thanksgiving, turkey, stuffing, pumpkin trifle

  • Free pizza!

    Tuesday November 18, 2008 6:34 AM By Lucy Blatter

    Opus, the Upper East Side’s gluten-free Italian eatery and bar, is offering free slices of pizza with the purchase of any drink at the bar everyday from 5 – 6 p.m. Opus is located at 1574 Second Avenue near 82nd Street, (212) 772-2220.

    Tags: opus, pizza

  • Racist incidents mar excitement over Obama election

    Monday November 17, 2008 2:50 PM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    The election of Barack Obama as the nation’s first African-American president has been hailed as a milestone of racial reconciliation, but it has also exposed some of the ugly truths about prejudice in America.

    Even in New York, where Obama is hugely popular and racial tolerance is often worn as a badge of virtue, a recent spate of violent incidents show a backlash by some already inclined towards hate. It also proved that the goal of racial harmony remains a long way off.

    “You are always going to see people who hang on to their prejudices,” said L’Heureux Lewis, an assistant professor of sociology and black studies at City College.

    “The work of reconciliation doesn’t come from having historical amnesia,” said Lewis, who called for a deeper, more genuine conversation about race.On Staten Island, two white men have been charged with hate crimes for beating 17-year-old Alie Kamara, a Liberian native, with a pipe on election night while yelling “Obama.”

    Authorities said today they are still seeking others in connection with the incident, described as “a despicable crime” by Staten Island District Assistant District Attorney Mario Mattei.

    Also on Staten Island, residents of a racially diverse neighborhood awoke last week to find Swastikas and anti-Obama graffiti scrawled on cars and buildings.

    Meanwhile, on Long Island, Ku Klux Klan literature was distributed last week in Suffolk County and graffiti reading “Kill Obama” was written on cars, prompting a Secret Service investigation.

    These follow hundreds of incidents of racial threats throughout the country since the election, including the burning of crosses on the yards of Obama supporters.

    However, it’s not clear whether these acts represent an increase in overall hate crime.

    “This country’s history (of discrimination) can’t be overturned or reversed through one political event but through a series of small steps over the course of many generations,” said Ilya Leybovich, 22, of Prospect Heights.

    The NYPD did not respond to requests for information yesterday on bias crimes in the city.

    “Unfortunately, incidents of hate violence remind people that racism still exists,” said Margaret Fung, executive director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

    She said that the hope expressed by some that with Obama’s election, America entered a “post racial” period is probably naïve.

    Jon Erario, 33, of Staten Island, called the election of Obama “a step in the right direction.”

    “Hate crimes will always be around,” he said. “The election didn’t totally eradicate that, but it opened people’s eyes.”

    Aline E. Reynolds and the AP contributed to this report.

    Tags: hate crimes, obama

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Monday November 17, 2008 1:45 PM By Sara Baumberger

    MTA needs to accept responsibility, not bailout

    Re Ellis Henican, “Pony up, D.C.: Bail out the MTA,” Nov. 14-16: I’m not happy about the large government bailouts, yet I understand realistically that maintaining these large companies may protect people nationally and internationally. However, as an NYC resident who rides the subway every day, I would never expect the country’s taxpayers to bail out our transit system. The MTA is a local problem, not national. Unfortunately, the bailouts seem to be raising the expectations of some who would prefer to take government handouts, rather than assuming responsibility caused by poor management and mishandling of funds and actually fixing it.

    — Monica Shane, Brooklyn

    Where’s the money? MTA’s books need inspecting

    Can New Yorkers believe anything the MTA says? How soon we forget that a few short years ago, the MTA was caught red-handed with a $1 billion surplus when they said they were broke. No more bailouts. It’s time for businesses like the MTA to open their books for the public to inspect on a weekly basis. I don’t know about you, but I am seeing record numbers of people riding public transportation. Where’s the money?

    — Tom McLaughlin, Hicksville

    Nativity scenes in school: Avella fights a good fight

    I would like to applaud Councilman Tony Avella, who plans to force the City Council to review its ban on nativity scenes in public schools. Now the Department of Education allows religious symbols like the Islamic crescent and star, the Menorah and the Christmas tree, but not the baby Jesus. I guess there is no room at the inn, as well as in our schools. I hope Avella succeeds.

    — Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks Village

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • The verdict is in: Subway’s new flatbreads are good!

    Monday November 17, 2008 1:23 PM By Lucy Blatter

    If you’re tired of their famous $5 footlongs, you may want to try the new Subway flatbreads (available in chicken florentine and steak & bacon melt varieties). We here at amNewYork received a sampling of the new sandwiches, which Subway is calling “Hot, Tasty & Fresh Toasted.” By the time they got to our office, they weren’t quite hot, but they were, indeed, tasty. According to one office taste-tester the bread was “soft, chewy and believably textured.” The complementary sauces — which included generous pouches of canola and olive oil — were also a hit.

    Overall, out of a possible score of 10, these sandwiches got a 7. One editor said the sampling “made me want to go across the street and get one for lunch.” Perhaps there is no greater compliment.

    Tags: subway, subway flatbreads, food

  • This week's travel deals: Mexico, Iceland, Greenland, the U.S. and the Virgin Islands

    Monday November 17, 2008 9:50 AM By Lucy Blatter

    By Emily Ranager

    Thanksgiving in Mexico

    Forget the turkey and spend Thanksgiving in Cancun, where Last Moment Discount Travel has package deals starting at $812 per person in a double room. The price includes round-trip airfare from LaGuardia, seven nights at the three-star Oasis Cancun resort, hotel transfers, and all meals and alcoholic beverages. Other hotels are available for $70 to $90 extra. Travel Nov. 24 through Dec. 1. Call 212-681-6665 or 718-715-0264 by Nov. 22 to book.Discounted hotel rates

    Affinia Hotels is offering special Thanksgiving rates at its Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. properties for trips Nov. 21 to 30. Stays at the Affinia Chicago, which is just steps from the Magnificent Mile, for example, start at $129 per night, down from a usual rate of $162. Reserve by Nov. 29 using the offer code THANKS. You’ll also receive a 25 percent discount on a future Affinia booking from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2009. 866-246-2203.

    Adventures in Iceland and Greenland

    The financial crisis in Iceland means great deals for travelers, like this Winter Madness Package to Iceland and Greenland for $1,149 per person for double occupancy. The price includes airport-hotel transportation, six nights in Iceland and Greenland, round-trip flights between Reykjavík, Iceland, and Kulusuk, Greenland, daily breakfasts and all taxes and fees. The package price goes down as the value of the Icelandic krona continues to depreciate: it’s about $300 cheaper than it was last week. International airfare is not included, but round-trip flights from New York in mid-January start at $818, according a recent Kayak search. Depart Tuesdays Jan. 6 to March 31, 2009. Package must be booked at least two weeks prior to departure. 866-949-0129.

    Virgin Islands for less

    Take a break from the cold for less with these perks from the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association. More than 20 participating resorts, throughout St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, are offering a fifth night free and a $300 American Express traveler’s check at check-in, adding up to an average savings of about $500 per couple. For example, a round-trip flight from LaGuardia and five nights at the three-star Sapphire Village Resort is $778 per person in mid-January. Additional taxes are about $159. Book by Dec. 10 and travel between Dec. 15 and March 31, 2009.

    Tags: mexico, virgin islands, iceland, greenland, hotel deals, travel deals, flight deals

  • Some luck can get you into Obama's inauguration

    Sunday November 16, 2008 2:51 PM By Pete Catapano

    By Marlene Naanes

    So many New Yorkers want to go Barack Obama’s historic inauguration that Sen. Charles Schumer’s office has already gotten more than 100,000 phone calls from people asking for tickets.

    Other elected officials have also reported getting thousands of requests.

    Schumer announced yesterday he would hold a statewide Internet lottery to distribute 350 free tickets as fairly as possible.

    “The election of Barack Obama caused huge excitement and the excitement continues because it seems just about everybody would like to go to the inauguration,” Schumer said at a news conference yesterday. “When you get so many different requests and hear so many different good reasons there’s no good way to do this other than a lottery, which will be perfectly fair and perfectly democratic.”The opportunities to make money for the tickets are so great eBay and StubHub banned reselling tickets on their sites. Apparently the sites made the move after Sen. Dianne Feinstein heard the tickets were being auctioned for five-figure price tags and began writing legislation to make it a crime to resell them.

    Schumer’s office has received 1,000 calls a day asking for inauguration tickets and he said a lottery will prevent selling off tickets by printing the winners’ names on them.

    About 240,000 people are expected to attend Obama’s inauguration on Jan. 20 at the U.S. Capitol.

    The deadline to apply for Schumer’s lottery is Nov. 30 and the random drawing will be held on Dec. 5. People can ask for one or two tickets through the senator’s Web site, or by fax at 202-228-3027.

    The office of Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan) has also received thousands of inquiries for tickets so far but it’s unclear how her office will distribute them. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn) received so many requests by phone that his office set up a special function on its Web site and is also considering a lottery.

    “They keep coming in,” said Nadler spokesman Ilan Kayatsky. “There’s definitely been an incredible amount of interest.”

    Tags: obama, election, inauguration, politics

  • The Cover Story: Giuliani looking to make a comeback?

    Sunday November 16, 2008 2:17 PM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani may now have his sights set on Albany and is also not discounting a second shot at the White House.

    With the state Republican party badly wounded following this month’s Democratic landslide, the hard-charging former two-term mayor is emerging as the favorite to lead the GOP back to power as a candidate for governor in 2010.

    “He’s an impact player, he’s a game changer,” said Assemb. James Tedisco (R-Schenectady), the minority leader. “He could put the Republicans back on the map.”

    Asked about the possibility of a gubernatorial run following a speech in Dubai, Giuliani left the door open.

    “I don’t know if I’d be interested in it, but I’ll think about it when the right time comes along,” he said.

    “No one knows whether you’ll do something again until you come to the point of: ‘Is it possible to do it again? Would you have a chance of winning?’” he said of a second White House bid.

    Even if he decides to return to public service, there are doubts as to whether Giuliani could translate his strength as a tough law-and-order mayor into votes when Americans are now more concerned about the economy and jobs than about crime and terrorism.

    “It’s very clear after the last election that it’s the economy. He’s going to have to focus on that,” said John Friscia, chairman of the Staten Island Republican Party.And at a time when “change” and “unity” are the political buzzwords of the day, Giuliani’s reputation for divisiveness could hurt him as well.

    “Rudy’s problem is he doesn’t like people,” said former Mayor Ed Koch, who added that he will support Gov. David Paterson for re-election.

    “He divided the city when he was mayor,” said Angela Darkins of Queens. “He got all the glory for 9/11, but he was just doing his job. The whole thing of using terrorism as propaganda is horrible."

    Riding a surge of popularity following the 9/11 attacks, Giuliani vaulted to the front of the pack of Republican presidential candidates last year before stumbling in the Florida primary, where he had pinned virtually all his hopes.

    “His presidential primary campaign came as close as you can come to an unmitigated disaster,” said Douglas Muzzio, a professor at the Baruch College School of Public Affairs. “He became a strident pit bull against the Democratic candidate and that will come back to haunt him.”

    Despite his past missteps, even Giuliani’s critics agree he is still a force to contend with should he run for governor.

    “Without question he is the most formidable Republican candidate,” Koch said.

    Howard Singleton, 56, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, credits Giuliani with “cleaning the city up.”

    “He’s done a good job in New York City, so I’d vote for him,” Singleton said.

    Amanda Magnus and the Associated Press contributed to this report

    Tags: rudy giuliani, governor, ed koch, politics

  • Upper West Side councilwoman targets sidewalk scaffolds

    Sunday November 16, 2008 1:53 PM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    More than 20 percent of sidewalk sheds – the plywood enclosures put up during construction work on building facades – on the Upper West Side do not display proper permits, a new survey says.

    According to the study by City Councilwoman Gale Brewer, the lack of permits makes it difficult, if not impossible yesterday, to determine whether the sheds or the scaffolds are part of legitimate construction projects or have simply been left up after the work is done.

    “Obviously there’s a concern for safety,” Brewer (D-Manhattan) said yesterday. “People complain to us that they stay up even when it seems like no work is being done.”

    A Department of Buildings task forced in charge of inspecting sheds and scaffolds to determine if they are in compliance has only about 15 people on it, Brewer said. Calls to the department today were not returned.Building owners are required to have their facades inspected every five years and scaffolding is erected for that work to be done. In addition, building owners often build sheds beneath the scaffolding, complete with lighting and plywood over the sidewalks.

    In response to complaints from neighborhood residents, Brewer’s office surveyed every block in her district – 54th Street to 96th Street from Central Park West to the Hudson River – and compared what they observed with what is listed on the Department of Buildings Web site.

    They found that of 147 sheds in that area, 31 did not display permits or had information different from what the city has on file. In addition, 18 do not display expiration dates for the permits.

    One shed, on Columbus Avenue and 84th Street in front of a Gristedes supermarket, had its scaffolding license expire in 2006 and a shed license expire in April, Brewer’s office said. A manager from the store did not return a call for comment yesterday.

    “We’re just not aware of how legal a lot of the scaffoldings are,” said Elizabeth Malko, who lives in the neighborhood. “I have no idea if it’s going to fall down tomorrow.”

    A manager at the Gristedes referred calls to the corporate office and a man who answered the phone there said no one was available for comment.

    Tags: sidewalks, construction, gale brewer, real estate

  • Mr. Bloomberg goes to Washington

    Sunday November 16, 2008 1:28 PM By Jason Fink

    Associated Press photo

    By Jason Fink

    Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be in Washington tomorrow lobbying top congressional leaders and members of President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team on how to spend federal money to shore up the economy.

    Bloomberg plans to tell Obama transition officials that rather than earmarking dollars for specific roads, bridges and mass transit projects, the new president should set aside a pot of money for infrastructure.

    “If we’re going to be spending money to boost our economy, we should be investing in infrastructure that will pay dividends down the road,” said Stu Loeser, mayoral spokesman.Loeser said the mayor will not advocate for spending on specific projects, such as the city’s subways or bridges.

    “There will be time to argue those things on the merits,” he said.

    Bloomberg will also meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada); Sen.-elect Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), the chairman of the House Financial Service Committee, which wields influence over the spending of the recently-passed $700 billion bailout package.

    Loeser said Bloomberg would express concern that industries other than financial services are now lining up in hopes of getting a portion of that money.

    “Our primary goal is obviously to protect New York’s biggest employers,” Loeser said.

    Tags: mayor michael bloomberg, bailout package, politics, city hall dispatch, economy

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Sunday November 16, 2008 12:04 PM By Sara Baumberger

    Why aren’t the Yankees making cuts, too?

    I’ve got two questions for the Emperor of City Hall: 1. If “all” of NYC must take the pain of our government’s failures, what “sacrifices” are George Steinbrenner and the Yankees making? 2. If Bloomberg is telling the truth that stadiums are so profitable, why do the Yankees need hundreds of millions of our tax dollars? This has got to be the dumbest lie ever. And, if we taxpayers are paying for half of the new Yankee Stadium, why aren’t we getting half the eventual profits in return? Mike Antoinette better watch his head, because it seems like he’s losing it!

    — Tanya O’Langan, Manhattan

    Clinton cabinet selection is a good idea for Obama

    There is some speculation that Sen. Hillary Clinton could be selected by President -elect Obama for a cabinet post, as maybe secretary of state. Well, if that is true, that would be a most wise decision for she has much to bring to the table and knows many world leaders and is most respected. She would truly be a welcome asset to President Obama’s administration. If true, let me say this, “You go girl.”

    — Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks Village

    Letter writer used some pretty fuzzy math

    Re Allisyn Swift’s letter “Obama’s campaign money: Here’s some math,” Nov. 13: Perhaps you should have mailed Ms. Swift a calculator rather than printing her erroneous letter. If 33 million people had each given $5, the total would have been $165 million, not $1.5 billion claimed by Ms. Swift. Furthermore, the Obama campaign raised $640 million during the campaign (according to the Wall Street Journal), quite a bit more than Swift’s claim of $80 million.

    — Kevin Keller, Manhattan

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • From stocks to rocks

    Sunday November 16, 2008 11:58 AM By Lucy Blatter

    By Karen Tina Harrison

    Special to amNewYork

    The big career switch:

    From stock trader to jewelry designer

    Who pulled it off?

    Emily Armenta, 37, a former trader at Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley, owns Armenta, a fine jewelry line sold at 75 stores including Takashimaya and neimanmarcus.com.How did you go from earnings to earrings?

    Finance was exciting and eye-opening. But I’ve made my own jewelry since childhood. When I went for my MBA a few years ago and had to create a fictitious company, of course I came up with a jewelry business. I designed 50 samples and sold them to a store. Armenta was up and running.

    What is your job like?

    At first I wore every hat. But I hired great people to run sales, marketing and finance, so now I focus on design. I do a lot of research, brainstorming, sketching and inspecting stones. And I travel to see big buyers and run “trunk shows” in stores.

    What makes for a successful jewelry designer?

    You must be innately creative and competitive. You need to know the jewelry industry and who your customer is. Then you have to consistently give her something different — me-too’s don’t last. My heritage is Spanish, and my designs are inspired by classic, bold Spanish pieces. Jewelry people share a bond. We love beautiful things!

    How is the pay?

    I didn’t draw a salary my first two years. But if your jewelry hits a nerve and you stay committed to quality and innovation, you’ll do fine. If you’re bought out by a bigger company, you’ll get a windfall and possibly stay on as chief designer.

    What else is there to know?

    When I see mothers and daughters buying my designs, I realize I’m in the heirloom business. And it is just exhilarating when Halle Berry wears your ring on the cover of In Style magazine.

    Jewelry maven Emily Armenta once worked the trading floor. (Phil Bayliss)

    Tags: emily armenta, careers

  • In faltering economy, need for networking grows

    Sunday November 16, 2008 11:51 AM By Lucy Blatter

    By Lucy Cohen Blatter

    lucy.blatter@am-ny.com

    The outlook on today’s job market is not entirely dismal. According to Liz Lynch, founder of the Center for Networking Excellence and author of “Smart Networking,” companies are indeed hiring, they are just going about it differently.

    “They are choosing not to use pricey recruiters or job board postings that result in hundreds of responses. They’re going the networking route instead,” Lynch said.

    She provided some networking tips to help you land a job in this tough economy.Let online networking sites help, not hurt. Lynch suggests removing any photos or information from MySpace and Facebook pages that you would not want a future employer to see. Also, register for more job-focused sites such as LinkedIn, or Biznik.

    Be proactive on the networking Web sites. Use the sites to research and search for people who may be able to help you in your field.

    Don’t let shyness get in your way. A self-proclaimed introvert, Lynch provides tips for overcoming social anxiety. “Start small. Begin reconnecting with people you already know,” she says. “Bounce some ideas off of them and gain some confidence.”

    She suggests attending alumni events, too. “That’s much less intimidating than walking into a place cold.”

    For complete career changes, be willing to work. The volatility of today’s job market means many people are doing career 180s. Lynch suggests finding the industry association and contacting its programming coordinator.

    “Tell them you want to meet some people and offer to volunteer for their next event,” Lynch suggested. “It’s a good way to meet a bunch of new people before an event starts. It also helps because it’ll probably be a smaller group.”

    Tags: liz lynch, networking, smart networking, careers

  • Throwback Thursday: Circuit City's problems inspire memories of Crazy Eddie

    Thursday November 13, 2008 7:27 PM By Rolando Pujol

    You never know what joys await in the basement. Our friend still has a Crazy Eddie bag in hers, untouched for at least 20 years.

    The economic crisis does not seem content to leave any business unscathed. This week, it was Circuit City's turn to shudder as the electronics chain took cover under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a last ditch effort to stay in business. And Best Buy is now warning about disappointing holiday sales.

    Well, all this disappointing talk has us hankering for a simpler time, to the days when electronics chains meant one thing in New York City -- Crazy Eddie. There were others, of course: Brick Church, Savemart, (with Don Adams as the spokesman, talking into a shoe phone, Agent 86 style!), the unbeatable and ultimately defeated Wiz and Trader Horn for starters.

    But nothing quite gets the nostalgia engines going better than a nice old Crazy Eddie commercial. We've always thought it would be fantastic to bring this chain back -- even one brick-and-mortar location, we theorize, would be teeming with nostalgic New Yorkers looking to get in on pitchman Jerry Carrol's "insane" deals. (And no, he was NOT the real Crazy Eddie. The story's here.) While you try put that "crazy" business plan in action, lose yourself in this assemblage of Crazy Eddie ads that await you after the jump. You'd be insane not to revisit these chestnuts.

    -- Rolando Pujol

    Want even more? There's more here.

    Tags: crazy eddie, circuit city, best buy, old school, throwback thursday, television, shopping

  • Ellis Henican: Pony up, D.C.: Bail out the MTA

    Thursday November 13, 2008 3:11 PM By Sean Joseph

    They’re bailing out the bankers.

    They’re bailing out insurance giant AIG.

    Pretty soon, they’ll be bailing out the auto industry too.

    Hello? Remember us?

    If Washington is feeling momentarily generous, if even the Republicans are saying, “Now’s the time to lend a helping hand” — well, I know a highly worthy recipient, and it’s rumbling beneath our feet.

    Bail out the New York City subway!

    There’s a tragic hard-luck story right at the MTA.

    A $1.2 billion hole in next year’s budget year. A bus-and-subway fare that could go to $2.50 or $3 a ride. Longer waits for buses. More crowded trains. The prospects of tolls on the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges.

    Who knows? The MTA board members could even be forced to give up their cars.

    OK, that much we could live with. But in a city whose economy is built on top of mass transit, somehow the people have to get around.

    And all David Paterson has to offer is a warm I-feel-your-pain. The bleak numbers, the governor said, are “another reminder of the dire fiscal situation facing all New Yorkers.”

    Gee, thanks, Governor. That’s supposed to make us feel good?

    Gene Russianoff of the Staphangers Campaign, who has survived numerous transit battles, said Thursday that the current squeeze is a real one. The best the riders can hope for, he added, is to spread the pain around.

    “The riders shouldn’t make up the entire deficit with high fares and major service cuts,” he said.

    So pony up, Washington. From the suites to the streets to the subway!

    George W. Bush was in New York Thursday trying to calm nerves on Wall Street as the Dow dipped below 8,000 and then shot up 552 points. Of course, he arrived by air and moved through the city by motorcade.

    But even Bush recognized that something has to be done, and quickly. “I’m a market-oriented guy,” he said, “but not when I’m faced with the prospect of a global meltdown.”

    But don’t look up, Mr. President. Look down.

    Tags: henican

  • Airline passengers facing ever-increasing fees

    Thursday November 13, 2008 2:38 PM By Jason Fink

    BY JASON FINK AND AMANDA MAGNUS

    New Yorkers visiting family for the holidays will find that the cost of air travel these days doesn’t end with the purchase of the plane ticket.

    It’s $15 for a checked bag and can be another $15 for a seat with extra leg room or $2 for curbside check-in. For some airlines, the list of a la carte fees seem endless.

    “I couldn’t even have gone home if my parents hadn’t sprung for the tickets,” said James Webb, 19, who lives in the East Village and plans to visit his parents in New Mexico for Christmas.

    Some fees have been around for a few years but as gas prices skyrocketed over the summer, airlines began piling them on. New Yorkers who have cancelled vacations and postponed trips earlier this year in an effort to save money will be in for a shocker when they start flying again for the holidays.

    “These airlines make these changes so quickly it can get by you,” said Terry Trippler,

    a travel consultant.The days of complimentary meals and drinks are fast coming to a close, as the airlines now charge for a host of food options that range from the $10 for a “premium sandwich and chip combo” on American Airlines to the $3 trail mix on Delta. Even bottled water and soft drinks don’t come free anymore on US Airways, where it’s $2 a pop.

    Perhaps the starkest example of the nickle-and-diming is the fees for checked luggage. As rules on the size of carry-ons and restrictions on bringing liquids on board were enforced, passengers felt more pressure to check bags. However, now there are fees for checking them in, as well as penalties of up to $175 for oversize or overweight bags.

    Within the past year, carriers also added “fuel surcharges” as oil prices climbed, though the cost of a barrel has gone from a peak of $147 in July to $55 Thursday.

    The surcharges could add more than $100 to a ticket.

    “I’d like to know why, even though fuel prices have gone down, airlines haven’t taken off fuel surcharges,” said Sylvia Stein, 58, of Brooklyn.

    David Castelveter, a spokesman for Air Transport Association, an industry group, said that the low oil prices hasn’t much helped the airlines’ bottom line.

    “The price of fuel has been higher much longer than it has been lower,” said Castelveter. “The U.S. aviation industry will lose between $4 and $6 billion this year.”

    However, in the face of piling travel costs, the industry’s explanation doesn’t sit well passengers.

    Kate Hanni, executive director of the Coalition for an Airline Passenger’s Bill of Rights, called added fees “totally deceptive.”

    “It’s a bait and switch,” she said.

    Tags: airlines, holidays, airports, travel

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Thursday November 13, 2008 2:07 PM By Sara Baumberger

    If we censor one group, we censor them all

    Re: “Latino Group May Sue Kin of ‘Attack’ Teens,” Nov. 12: Talk about racial idiocy! That’s the only way to describe the complaint from Hispanics Across America that the parents of the teenage suspects in the targeting and slaying of a “Mexican” (actually Ecuadorean) immigrant are to be blamed for this “hate crime.” Not only is such posturing sheer racial rhetoric, and the legal maneuvering contemptuous of the suspects’ legal presumption of innocence, but a civil complaint brought against the parents on the theory that these youngsters were taught to hate is both presumptuous and preposterous. What’s next — a lawsuit to enjoin radio disc jockeys from mocking illegals or to halt the broadcasting of offensive opinions because such talk is “racist,” “hurtful,” and “causes” some idiots to commit “hate crimes”? The Hispanics Across America group ought to read the U.S. Constitution, namely the provisions guaranteeing the right to free speech and to due process, lest they invite censors and lawsuits to chill their own free speech.

    — Michael Meyers, Executive Director, New York Civil Rights Coalition, Manhattan

    Gay rights movement needs a good leader

    The first gay marriages in Connecticut mark a step forward for civil rights. With the passage of California’s Proposition 8, which only recognizes unions between a woman and man, and the vice-presidential debate, during which both tickets refused to support same-sex marriage, the nation desperately needs an identifiable leader to champion the rights of gay Americans. If only the president-elect, so ideal in so many ways for our country, was on the right side of this issue.

    — David Terhune, Brooklyn

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • Grand Central's Vanderbilt Hall polished for Holiday Fair

    Thursday November 13, 2008 12:40 PM By Garett Sloane

    Vanderbilt Hall underwent a $4.7 million restoration, and is now ready to host the Holiday Fair. (Alana Abel)

    By Jessica Troiano

    Special to amNewYork

    Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall is ready for its close-up.

    After an eight-month cleaning and restoration, the room will host its 10th annual holiday fair, which opens Saturday and runs for about six weeks.

    Fifteen years have passed since the hall underwent a rejuvenating facelift, and it was due for another polishing.

    “It just needed a touch-up,” said Wayne Ehmann, chief architect for Metro-North Railroad.The $4.7 million historical restoration replaced 100 floor slabs made of Tennessee pink marble and repaired 1,000 feet of cracks in the Caen-stone walls. With an eye toward energy efficiency, crews changed 600 bulbs in the hall’s five chandeliers to fluorescent bulbs.

    “We searched high and wide to find compact fluorescent light bulbs that duplicated the look of the incandescent bulbs,” Ehmann said. “We wanted to match that warm color.”

    Vanderbilt Hall served as a waiting room for long-distance travelers before Grand Central became a daily commuter hub. During winter’s Holiday Fair, the hall is an extension of the terminal’s coveted retail space. This year’s fair features 74 vendors selling handmade clothing, jewelry and gifts.

    The crumbling economy did not stop more than 300 vendors from applying for a space at the fair, said Karen Weber, director of marketing for Jones Lang LaSalle, the retail manager of Grand Central.

    The location guarantees heavy foot traffic — 700,000 people pass through the terminal each day.

    “That’s one of the reasons these vendors really want to be here,” Weber said.

    The Soap and Paper Factory, a Hudson Valley-based company that sells stationary and all-natural bath and body goods, will be among new vendors at the market. The company typically sells online and to other retailers, and the fair is its first retail experience, co-owner Shannon Burch said.

    “We thought it would be great exposure,” Burch said. “We create products with New Yorkers in mind.”

    No matter what customers are looking for, Grand Central’s fair has one simple advantage over other fairs, Weber said.

    “It’s inside. It’s warm. And it’s in one of New York City’s most beautiful landmarks,” she said.

    Tags: grand central terminal, holiday fair, the soap and paper factory, historical restoration, vanderbilt hall, karen weber, wayne ehmann

  • A food-lover's to do list

    Thursday November 13, 2008 5:40 AM By Lucy Blatter

    By Emily Ranager

    Nov. 15, Gobble, Gobble! Talkin’ Turkey: Bring the kids for this afternoon discussion about everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving bird. Beginning at 1 p.m., learn fun turkey facts and make your own turkey craft. Recommended for children under 12. Salt Marsh Nature Center, Marine Park, Brooklyn; 718-421-2021. Free.

    Nov. 17-19, New Tang Dynasty TV International Chinese Culinary Competition: Join fellow Chinese food enthusiasts to watch the best chefs of traditional Chinese cuisine battle it out. Tickets to the Nov. 17 preliminary sessions from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., or from 3:30 to 8 p.m. are $50. Tickets are $70 for the global finals from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or from 3 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 18. Feast on five styles of Chinese cuisine at the awards ceremony on Nov. 19. $180 for regular admission and $280 for a VIP reception at 6 p.m. at Peking Hunan Park restaurant, 100 Park Avenue; www.ntdtv.com.

    Tags: chinese food, turkey

  • It's hard out there for a thug: NYPD retires famed firing range target

    Wednesday November 12, 2008 3:43 PM By Rolando Pujol

    BY ROCCO PARASCANDOLA

    Special to amNewYork

    The Thug just got whacked.

    The NYPD has said goodbye to the menacing paper target that officers have fired at since the 1960s and replaced him with two new targets, one who looks like Mr. Clean and another resembling a Martian or a mummy.

    Officially, the target is known as Silhouette SP-83A but in police circles, it’s known as “The Thug” or “The Worrell,” after former firing range instructor Sgt. Fred Worrell. While some believe The Thug looks like Worrell, others argue he was modeled after actor Ernest Borgnine or even boxer Rocky Graziano.

    Regardless, the target has a shaded area covering the head and torso, making it difficult for instructors to see from a distance the shot patterns, according to NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne.

    The new targets are shaded differently and are easier to determine how a shooter scored.

    Rocco Parascandola is a Newsday staff writer.

    Tags: nypd, thug, firing range, history, old school

  • City Living: Flushing

    Wednesday November 12, 2008 3:06 PM By Rolando Pujol

    The hustle and bustle at the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and Main Street typifies the energy of downtown Flushing. Below, the Unisphere has become the symbol of Queens — and its plaza is popular with skateboarders. CLICK HERE TO SEE 26 PHOTOS FROM FLUSHING ON OUR NEW FLICKR STREAM. (RJ Mickelson/amNY, top; below, Alana Abel)

    By Magdalene Perez

    Special to amNewYork

    Flushing is a neighborhood of stark contrasts. From sprawling green lawns in suburban north Flushing to the grit and activity of Chinatown, Flushing has it all.

    Lovers of the outdoors can find thousands of acres of green, either in pristine Kissena Park or Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the site of two World’s Fairs — in 1939 and 1964. And for those whose taste in sports is more geared to pulling out the plastic than cycling or running, discount stores, specialty shops and deals abound along Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue. Those who live here will save a pretty penny on rent as well.

    The neighborhood has a rich history of tolerance. Shortly after Dutch settlers colonized the area in 1645, a small group of English settlers made waves when they refused to abide by a ban on practicing the Quaker religion. Today, Flushing is considered by some to be the birthplace of American religious freedom.It’s only appropriate for a neighborhood that has become a haven for immigrants. Years ago, the area was dominated by Irish, Italian, German and Jewish immigrants, but during the past two decades the number of Asian-Americans has quadrupled. Today, there are people from every part of the Asian continent, but especially China and Korea.

    That’s not to say Flushing is for everyone. It’s far from Manhattan — this is no Astoria or Long Island City. Those taking the No. 7 train can expect the ride to Manhattan to take at least 30 minutes outside rush hour. And non-Chinese speakers may not adapt easily to downtown Flushing, which is home to the most concentrated Asian population in the New York area.

    Others love Flushing for the same reasons. A world of culinary delights awaits in the urban core, from sweet-filled sesame balls to bubble tea. And certainly the ethnic diversity extends far beyond the pan-Asian continent.

    So check it out — visit the Unisphere, get your shop on in Flushing Mall and stroll north Flushing for a look at the picturesque Tudors.

    Homes along Carlton Place in Flushing, Queens. (Photo by RJ Mickelson/amNY)

    REAL ESTATE

    Downtown, which centers around Main Street and the No. 7 train, is in the heart of busy Chinatown, where apartments start at $750 a month for a studio, $900 for a one-bedroom and $1,200 for a two-bedroom. Those who prefer to rent in a two-family home can find one-bedrooms ranging from $1,000 to $1,400 a month and two bedrooms starting at $1,400, according to Laura Copersino, a broker for Prudential Douglas Elliman. Buyers of a co-op downtown can snag a two-bedroom for $250,000 to $350,000.

    To rent

    $1,300

    for a one-bedroom in a six-story condo (Pople Avenue at College Point Boulevard)

    $1,600

    for a two-bedroom in a

    two-family home (38th Avenue

    at 149th Place)

    $1,850

    for a three-bedroom in a

    semi-detached brick house with two-car parking (150th Street at Northern Boulevard)

    To buy

    $1,288,000

    for a four-bedroom Colonial in north Flushing (Parsons Boulevard and 37th Avenue)

    $1,550,000

    for an eight-bedroom, six-bath house (Leavitt Street

    near 33rd Avenue)

    $349,000

    for a one-bedroom in a high-rise condominium (147th Street

    at Delaware Avenue)

    $999,000

    for a three-bedroom, two-and-

    a-half bath in north Flushing

    Contact: Laura Copersino, 718-819-4011

    FIND IT

    Flushing is bounded by Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to the west, Francis Lewis Boulevard to the east, Jewel Avenue to the south and Willets Point Boulevard to the north.

    Carom Cafe and Billiards on 3402 Linden Place is a hangout for neighborhood kids. F-Shah Faizam, 17, of Flushing plays pool. (Photo by RJ Mickelson/amNY)

    TO DO

    Chinatown

    Main Street near Roosevelt Avenue

    Shop and eat to your heart’s content (on the cheap!) in this, New York City’s largest Chinatown.

    Shea Stadium

    Casey Stengel Plaza

    Say goodbye to the original home of the New York Mets, now awaiting demolition to make room for the new Citi Field, scheduled to open in 2009.

    New York Hall of Science

    47-01 111th St.

    718-699-0005

    Bring the whole family for a day of fun experiments and learning. From microbiology to math, it’s all hands-on.

    Flushing Quaker Meeting House

    137-16 Northern Blvd.

    718-358-9636

    This wood-shingled house is the oldest house of worship in New York City. Built in 1694, it is still used as a Quaker meeting place every Sunday.

    John Bowne House

    37-01 Bowne St.

    718-359-0528

    Back when New York City was little more than a Dutch colony known as New Netherland, this quaint English Colonial was home to one of the settlers who petitioned Gov. Peter Stuyvesant to allow freedom of worship in 1657. The petition, known as the Flushing Remonstrance, is recognized today as a forerunner of American protection of religious freedom. Today the house is a museum.

    Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

    Perimeter Road between 111th and 131st streets

    718-760-6565

    The most recognizable feature of this park is the Unisphere, a 12-story stainless-steel globe built for the 1964-65 World’s Fair. But other attractions abound. There are 1,255 acres of fields, meadows, lakes and playgrounds, with space for baseball, soccer, tennis, basketball and cricket. Not to mention a children’s farm and zoo.

    Kissena Park

    Oak and Rose avenues

    718-359-1297

    You’ll feel far from the city watching the turtles, ducks, herons and egrets at this park’s namesake, Kissena Lake. For cyclists, there is a 400-meter, state-of-the-art velodrome track.

    Queens Botanical Garden

    43-50 Main St.

    718-886-3800

    Created as an exhibit in the 1939 World’s Fair, the botanical garden has rose, bee, herb and perennial gardens as well as changing displays.

    Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao is at 36-12 Prince St. in Flushing. (Photo by Alana Abel)

    TO EAT

    If you like — or love — Chinese food, this is the neighborhood for you. Flushing has a plethora of Asian restaurants. The ambience and décor may be non existent in some of these spots, but your tastebuds will thank you. Pizza and diners also abound, but white tablecloth spots are harder to find.

    Yei Mei Fung Bakery

    135-38 Roosevelt Ave.

    718-886-2607

    With so many colorful breads, sweets and cakes to choose from, this bright, stylish shop is almost impossible to resist. Just stay firm when your basket starts to fill up — the salesgirls are masters of suggesting additional treats, ranging from $1.50 to $4 each. Another green tea muffin, anyone?

    Pho Vietnamese Restaurant

    38-02 Prince St.

    718-461-8686

    One classic Vietnamese dish that’s hard to resist is the big bowl of pho, a beef soup that comes with noodles, veggies and sides of bean sprouts, basil and lime ($5). The thin-sliced raw beef cooks in the piping hot broth. Try the spring rolls, $6, to complete the experience.

    Sun Ji Hui Mian

    136-31 41st Ave.

    917-838-1011

    Watch in awe as the noodle master in this no-frills basement shop expertly hand-pulls your dinner. The broad noodles are tossed in a broth with glass noodles, cilantro and chunks of fatty lamb, $4. You can also add beef, bean sprouts and greens to your liking. Finish the meal-size bowl with a vinegar-soaked side of cucumbers and julienned potatoes.

    Rose House

    Queens Crossing, 136-17 39th Ave.

    718-359-7673

    Outfitted in chandeliers and luxurious red and gold, this English tea house couldn’t feel further from the gritty bustle of Main Street around the corner. Sip your tea — black, Moroccan, peach or anything in between — with English-style cakes. On the way out, snag a gift box packed with loose teas, bone China or fruit preserves.

    THE BUZZ

    The city has pushed for redevelopment in downtown Flushing, including the huge Flushing Town Center and Flushing Commons developments, each totaling more than $500 million.

    Together the two will add 1,500 apartments and more than one million square feet of retail space.

    But with new development comes new neighbors, and current residents are pushing for more, said Marilyn Bitterman, district manager of Community Board Eight.

    “There’s a concern for schooling, and there’s also a concern for traffic,” Bitterman said.

    To offset the influx, the Community Board is asking developers to build at least one parking space per apartment. And there’s already one location in mind for a new school: Willets Point.

    Gao's Chess School in the Flushing Mall at 133-31 39th Ave is a great place for your youngsters to learn of art of chess and Chinese checkers. (Photo by RJ Mickelson/amNY)

    TO PLAY

    Nightlife lovers are best advised to keep a MetroCard handy — the watering hole options in Flushing are somewhat limited. For those who prefer daytime entertainment, a handful of arts and culture hotspots thrive.

    Queens Museum of Art

    New York City Building, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

    718-592-9700

    Suggested admission to this contemporary art museum is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children. In addition to cutting-edge exhibitions, the hall is home to the world’s largest-scale model of an urban area, the Panorama of New York City.

    Flushing Town Hall

    137-35 Northern Blvd.

    718-463-7700

    Not a municipal center, but rather an entertainment hub. Here you will find contemporary dance, live jazz, classical music and art exhibitions.

    Star Karaoke

    14416 Northern Boulevard

    718- 445-7777

    Grab a private room in this karaoke joint and rock to your own beat. The songs include English language and Chinese selections, and some rooms come equipped with disco lights and tambourines.

    Paradise Alley

    41-09 150th St.

    718-460-6941

    Find friendly service and an outdoor patio at this bar, located across from the Murray Hill LIRR stop.

    Kelly’s Pub

    13611 41st Ave.

    718- 359-9668

    The bartenders serve up strong, cheap drinks at this dive. A jukebox and the crowd of regulars should keep you coming back.

    TO SHOP

    In stores along Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue, shoppers who don’t mind the sometimes-pushy throng can score clothes, stationery, and affordable household goods. Check out the Old Navy, or head to Flushing Mall to hit many stores at once.

    Benetton Discount Store

    40-06 Main St.

    718-461-7777

    The price-conscious can find fashionable steals at this United Colors of Benetton outlet.

    Toy Qube

    Flushing Mall, 133-31 39th Ave.

    718-939-8605

    This shop specializes in the world of designer vinyl toys. So if you’ve got a gift in mind for that (most likely adult) friend who just has to have a limited-edition glow-in-the-dark Kaws doll ($1,110), or one of the latest mini figurines from Kidrobot, $7 to $8, this is the place to buy.

    Joyce Shop

    Flushing Mall, 133-31 39th Ave.

    718-359-4678

    You can find Hello Kitty-style stationery, stickers and toys at this teen-centric shop.

    THE Q&A

    Tom Finkelpearl is the director of the Queens Museum of Art.

    What attracts people to Flushing?

    First and foremost the food. There are really good Asian cuisines available — Chinese, Korean, Indian and others. If you want to experience inexpensive and authentic Asian food, this is the neighborhood.

    How has the neighborhood changed?

    Since the 1970s, the transformation has been complete. It was getting kind of worn around the edges, but now it’s been changed by the new influx of energy and money.

    It’s become a much more Asian neighborhood with a bustling downtown center, but if you walk three or four blocks from Roosevelt and Main you’ll be on pretty quiet, comfortable Queens streets.

    Is Flushing experiencing gentrification?

    I haven’t seen a situation in which the bad side of gentrification is coming out. The trend is toward fairly expensive real estate, but I don’t think it’s going to sap the neighborhood of character. It’s been an incremental change, I think in a good direction, toward increased property values and safer streets.

    Is there one thing you wish you could change?

    One of the frustrations has been the inconsistency of the 7 train. It’s the only line that goes to Flushing, and if they’re doing track work, it can be really frustrating.

    Any little-known facts?

    The Queens library is the most-used branch library in the United States. It’s an amazing institution. It’s not just about books and DVDs on the shelf; they also do shows and events there in many different languages.

    THE FACT SHEET

    Transportation: Subway: No. 7 train to Willets Point Boulevard/Shea Stadium, Flushing-Main Street

    Train: Long Island Rail Road Port Washington Branch to Flushing/Main Street,

    Bus: 19, 65, 66, 25, 34, 44, 32, 14, X32 to Main Street; 28, 16, 13 to 37th Avenue

    Library: Queens Library, 41-17 Main Street, 718-661-1200

    Community Board: Community Board Eight, 718-264-7895

    Police Precinct: 37-05 Union St., 718- 321-2250

    Crime: The 109th Precinct, which includes Downtown Flushing, East Flushing, Queensboro Hill, College Point, Malba, Whitestone, Beechhurst and Bay Terrace, reported four murders, 13 rapes and 217 robberies so far this year, compared to five murders, 15 rapes and 189 robberies this time last year.

    Fire Department: Engine 273 / Ladder 129, 40-18 Union St.

    Schools: P.S. 163, 159-01 59th Avenue; PS 024 Andrew Jackson,141-11 Holly Avenue; PS 201 Kissena School, 65-11 155 Street; Queens College School, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard; JHS 237, 46-21 Colden Street; H.S. 425 John Bowne High School, 63-25 Main Street; Townsend Harris High School, 149-11 Melbourne Avenue (private)

    Tags: city living, queens, flushing, history, neighborhoods, real estate, shopping, restaurants, architecture

  • Obsessed fan had 'secret crush' on Paula Abdul

    Wednesday November 12, 2008 1:11 PM By Jason Fink

    Paula Goodspeed, who committed suicide near Paula Abdul's house last night. Photo by soopsa via flickr

    By Jason Fink

    The mentally disturbed former “American Idol” contestant who killed herself near Paula Abdul’s house nursed an obsession with the star, on whom she had a “secret crush.”

    On her Myspace page, Paula Goodspeed, 30, who was found dead of an apparent drug overdose inside a car near Abdul’s Los Angeles home Tuesday night, posted a lengthy narrative about her audition, as well as a seductive photo of the 1980s pop icon beneath the caption: “My secret crush. Shhhhhhhh!!!!!!!”

    The car in that Goodspeed was found in had a vanity license plate that reads "ABL LV,” a possible reference to her obsession, in a Los Angeles Lakers frame. Abdul was once a Lakers’ Girl dancer.

    Goodspeed’s unsuccessful audition on “American Idol” was broadcast in February 2006; she also had tried out for the show “So You Think You Can Dance,” she wrote on Myspace.

    During her “Idol” audition, Goodspeed sang “Proud Mary” and was roundly criticized by all three judges, including the famously acerbic Simon Cowell, who noted that her fashion sense reminded him of Abdul’s from her heyday.

    “There’s a similarity here, more than just the name,” Cowell told her.“I take that as a compliment because you’re beautiful,” Goodspeed responds, looking at Abdul, in what is now an eerie exchange.

    In a brief profile aired on the show, Goodspeed shows life-sized drawings she made of Abdul and host Ryan Seacrest calls her Abdul’s “No. 1 fan.”

    Police sources told TMZ that Goodspeed overdosed in the exact same area about a year ago and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Threat Management division had opened an investigation.

    Celebrity fixations have become increasingly common, as the people who develop them have more to feed their obsessions through the Internet and the explosion of entertainment-based television, said Stuart Fischoff, a media psychologist.

    “There’s so much information available about celebrities that they begin to feel they know this person and once they think they know them it’s a slippery slope,” said Fischoff. “They turn to celebrities to give their lives some structure, some fantasy of greater fulfillment.”

    He said Goodspeed’s going on “Idol” likely signaled her belief that she could become close to Abdul.

    Such people, said Fischoff, are often compensating for feelings of loneliness and low self-esteem.

    “It’s an adrenaline injection into their lives,” he said.

    Goodspeed’s family alerted authorities Monday night that they hadn’t seen or heard from her and were concerned she might try to harm herself.

    In a statement, Abdul said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened. My heart and prayers go out to her family.”

    (AP contributed to this report)

    Tags: paula abdul, american idol, celebrities

  • Whiskey for 88 cents

    Wednesday November 12, 2008 1:07 PM By Lucy Blatter

    For New Yorkers who need a stiff drink despite (or because of) the economic pinch, Whiskey Town and 8coupons are partnering up to assist with your imbibing. On Thursday, Nov. 13 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., drink as many Evan Williams whiskey drinks as your liver can handle for just 88 cents each. To get the deal, visit

    www.8coupons.com/discounts/whiskey-town-new-york-10003#11190, text yourself the coupon and show it at the door. Whiskey Town is at 29 E. 3rd St. between Second Ave. and Bowery; 212-505-7344.

    Tags: whiskey town, food

  • Turkey Day takeout

    Wednesday November 12, 2008 12:25 PM By Lucy Blatter

    By Lucy Cohen Blatter

    lucy.blatter@am-ny.com

    Busy New Yorkers rejoice: This Thanksgiving, you can have gourmet-quality, restaurant fare in the comfort of your own home. And aside from dialing in the order, you won’t have to lift a finger. Below is our list of restaurants that offer takeout meals for the holiday:

    Charlie Palmer’s Metrazur

    Grand Central Terminal, East Balcony

    212-687-4600

    This Grand Central-set restaurant is a convenient choice for those commuting on Thanksgiving Day. The $40 per person takeout menu includes a free-range turkey (served carved or whole) and traditional trimmings, including apple sage stuffing, cranberry sauce, truffle mashed potatoes and homemade bourbon-flavored pumpkin pie. Additional sides are available for $8 each. There is a six-person minimum and orders must be placed by Friday, November 21.

    Dovetail

    103 W. 77th St.

    212-362-3800

    Chef John Fraser’s passion for local ingredients is clear in this restaurant’s $75, three-course menu. Highlights include a Brussels sprouts salad with Serrano ham and cauliflower; gnocchi with bacon, figs and treviso; slow-roasted turkey with leg roulade, Swiss chard, currants and pomegranate-cranberry relish; pecan Pie and apple strudel with Armagnac ice cream. Place orders by the morning of Nov. 25.Grayz

    13-15 W. 54th St.

    212-262-4600

    Gray Kunz’s midtown spot celebrates the season with dishes such as roasted turkey served with bread dumplings, chef Martin Brock's interpretation of classic bread stuffing, as well as chanterelle mushroom potage with leek dumplings and pumpkin pie with maple walnuts, vanilla cream and cranberry confit. The price is $65 per person ($35 for children — minus soup). Place your order 48 hours ahead.

    Hill Country

    This Texas barbeque joint offers a feast for 9-12 people that includes whole pit smoked turkey, cornbread and honey butter, four sides and two pies for $255. There is also a smaller meal option designed for 5-8 people available for $175. The restaurant suggests ordering 48 hours in advance.

    30 W. 26th St.

    212-255-4544

    iCi

    246 DeKalb Ave.

    718-789-2778

    This Brooklyn eatery offers three takeout packages. Customers can choose between a three-course dinner (for $45), just the turkey, or individual sides (including Brussels sprouts with bacon and apple for $5 and cornbread and sausage stuffing for $5. Orders must be placed by Nov. 22.

    L’Absinthe

    227 E. 67th St.

    212-794-4950

    This brasserie-restaurant offers an a la carte menu featuring the classic Thanksgiving foods, with a French twist. Appetizers (such as butternut squash soup, foie gras terrine and Alsacienne pizza) range from $12 to $19. The classic turkey, stuffing, and sides entrée is $29.50, while other options are available, such as lamb and pike quenelle. Desserts, which includes pumpkin soufflé, apple crumble and fruit salad, are $12 to $16. Orders should be placed by 3 p.m Nov. 26.

    Southern Hospitality

    1460 Second Ave.

    212-249-1001 Procrastinators rejoice. This Upper East Side barbeque spot (co-owned by Justin Timberlake) will be taking take-out orders until 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The $45-per-person menu offers a choice of appetizers (including Memphis-style turkey sliders, chili, or an autumn salad), a choice of entrees (house-smoked turkey breast, a wet rib and dry rib sampler, or a fried shrimp platter) and dessert (bourbon-flavored pecan pie or Memphis-style chocolate cobbler).

    Sylvia’s

    328 Lenox Ave.

    212-996-0660

    This Harlem mainstay’s pick-up package feeds eight to 12 people and goes for $325. It features Sylvia’s signature soul food, including roast turkey, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, yams, cornbread and sweet potato pie. Deadline for placing pick-up orders is Friday, Nov. 21.

    Telepan

    72 W. 69th St.

    212-580-4300

    The three-course, $79 meal includes appetizer choices such as house-made prosciutto and salami, house smoked brook trout and squash tortelloni; entrées such as organic turkey, seared duck breast, heritage pork, roasted trout or wild striped bass. Dessert choices are spiced applesauce cake, port custard Napolean, pumpkin bread pudding, chocolate pecan tart and a selection of homemade ice cream and sorbets. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. Nov. 25.

    Some specialty options:

    Lebanese

    Al Diwan

    210 Avenue A

    212-375-1300

    The menu includes a Lebanese-style turkey stuffed with rice nuts, raisins, ground beef and Middle Eastern spices. Sides include hummus, baba ghannouj and fattoush (a Lebanese salad with cucumber, tomatoes, mint and pita), and dessert is baklava. Prices vary by number of guests: $60 for two, $120 for four, $180 for six and $200 for eight to 10 people. Orders must be placed 24 hours in advance.

    Kosher

    Abigael’s on Broadway

    1407 Broadway

    212-575-1407

    A four-course meal features butternut squash soup, an autumn medley salad, and entrée choices including turkey breast, sausage-stuffed chicken breast, rib-eye steak, cedar plank salmon, and prime rib. Dessert choices include apple crisp, pecan torte and molten chocolate cake. Everything is available as a complete meal or a la carte. Order by the beginning of Thanksgiving week.

    Vegetarian

    Counter

    105 First Ave.

    212-982-5870

    A four-course meat-free menu includes an autumn salad of arugula, endive, pear, parmesan and vegetable chips; a hubbard squash bisque, a porcini and chestnut roulade and a pecan tart. Dinner is $45 per person. Orders must be placed 24 hours before Thanksgiving.

    Indian-Latin Fusion

    At Vermilion

    480 Lexington Ave.

    212-871-6600

    For $50 per person, diners can pick up a Thanksgiving meal at this Indian-Latin American midtown eatery. Dishes include bhuna bhutta roasted corn soup; Indian black cardamom smoked turkey breast, Brazilian feijoada, Indian sarson ka saag (a green similar to mustard greens), panch-puran cranberry chutney, pumpkin pie horchata and white chocolate "goan" pudding. Orders must be placed by 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day for groups less than 10, the day before for larger ones.

    Tags: thanksgiving, metrazur, dovetail, l'absinthe, grayz, hill country, ici, southern hospitality, sylvia's, telepan, abigael's, al diwan, counter, vermillion, food

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Wednesday November 12, 2008 11:59 AM By Sara Baumberger

    Concentration camps in Poland: Get it right

    Re “German Nazi Hunter seeks Ohio Suspect,” Nov. 11: Concentration camps were built only by Germans on Polish territory and under Nazi occupation. Your article suggests that Polish people killed Jews in Polish concentration camps. Unfortunately, in addition the story was printed on Independence Day in Poland.

    — Tadeusz Kawalek, Greenpoint

    Obama’s campaign money: Here’s some math

    Re Robert Canuto’s letter “Some Campaign Money Must Have Been Corporate,” Nov. 10: For those who are still nonbelievers in the power of individuals to change the tide in this country, I have looked up some concrete figures: Obama won the popular vote by 50 percent with 66,354,771 votes. If only half of those people (33,177,385) gave only $5 each, then Obama’s campaign would have cleared more than $1.5 billion. Obama’s campaign didn’t make more than $80 million. So there’s the math. It’s not only totally possible that individuals financed what is now being called the smartest campaign in history, it’s a fact.

    — Allisyn Swift, Brooklyn

    MTA should ask for a government bailout

    I have the perfect solution for the MTA’s estimated $1.2 billion shortfall for 2009. Why not ask for a bailout from the federal government? Everybody and his brother is asking for one. It seems to be all the rage and with two powerful senators, Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer, this should be a slam dunk. This way, the cost can be spread out among the whole country and not just among New York commuters.

    — Robert W. Edwards, Bay Shore

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • M96 bus riders have the slowest ride in town

    Wednesday November 12, 2008 6:19 AM By Marlene Naanes

    By Marlene Naanes

    mnaanes@am-ny.com

    Slower than a meandering mouse, more sluggish than a walking elephant, unable to make it across 96th Street before a running chicken—it’s the M96 bus!

    The uptown Manhattan bus earned the Straphangers Campaign’s annual Pokey award today for clocking the slowest pace of all the bus lines at a crawling 3.7 miles per hour. Even an ambling elephant’s pace of 4.5 beat out the speed of the M96 at noon on a weekday, and a mouse and running chicken would win hands down in a race, according to a Straphangers Campaign study.

    “Riders know from bitter daily experience that it can often be faster to walk than to take the bus,” said Gene Russianoff, spokesman for the group.

    Transit advocacy groups Straphangers Campaign and Transportation Alternatives rode 22 of the city’s slowest bus routes to determine the pokiest buses. The groups also awarded the M101, M102 and M103 routes with a Schleppie for the most unreliable bus service.

    The routes—which run along 3rd, Lexington, Amsterdam and Lenox Avenues—fell victim to one in four of its buses running bunched together or having big gaps in service, the study said. The advocacy groups used New York City Transit statistics to determine the winner of the Schleppie.

    New York City Transit noted that the Pokey and Schleppie winners are routes, like many other buses, compete with double-parked cars, traffic, bicycles and pedestrians. The agency has implemented several programs to speed up buses in the city, including bus-only lanes and fare collection before boarding, and one program on the Bx12 has reduced travel times by 14 to 25 percent and ridership has increased, officials said.

    “As more [of those bus] routes and other planned service initiatives are rolled out, the Straphangers’ Pokey and Schleppie awards could be headed for spots on the endangered list,” transit officials said in a statement.

    According to the study, the slowest bus routes in each borough are:

    -B63, between Bay Ridge and Cobble Hill, 4.9 mph

    -Bx19, between Bronx Botanic Garden and Upper Manhattan, 5.3 mph

    -M96, Crosstown on 96th Street, 3.7 mph

    -Q56, between Jamaica and East New York, 6.1 mph

    -S42, between New Brighton and St. George Ferry Terminal, 11.4 mph

    The most unreliable bus routes in the boroughs are:

    -B44, between Sheepshead Bay and Williamsburg, 24 percent reliable

    -Bx41, between Wakefield and the Hub, 20.7 percent reliable

    -M101/2/3, between Upper and Lower Manhattan, 26.1 percent reliable

    -S74, between Ferry Terminal and Tottenville, 22.1 percent reliable

    -No Queens bus route qualified.

    Tags: transit

  • This week's recipes: Crazy for chocolate

    Wednesday November 12, 2008 4:51 AM By Lucy Blatter

    This week's recipes feature The Mermaid Inn's signature (and easy!) chocolate pudding and a chocolate hoho that's quite labor intensive, but worth the effort.

    The Mermaid Inn’s Signature Chocolate Pudding

    4 cups whole milk

    1 cup fine quality dark chocolate, roughly chopped

    ½ cup cocoa powder

    1/3 cup sugar

    ½ cup cornstarch

    Optional: Freshly whipped cream for garnish

    1. Combine milk, sugar, chocolate, and cocoa in a small pot and heat it over a medium flame, stirring intermittently until the chocolate is melted.

    2. Put the cornstarch in a small mixing bowl and add a little of the warm chocolate milk you’ve just made to make a smooth paste.

    3. Add the paste to the pot and continue to heat the mixture until it just boils. Turn the pot down to a simmer and cook for about 2 minutes.

    4. Ladle the pudding into 4 glass bowls and refrigerate until chilled and set.

    5. Garnish simply with freshly whipped cream.

    Serves 4-6 peopleSalted Caramel HoHo

    Chocolate Biscuit

    3/4 cup cake flour

    1/2 cup cocoa powder

    8 whole eggs, separated in two different bowls. You will only need 6 egg yolks but the whites of 8 eggs.

    3 tablespoon hot water

    1 cup plus 2 tablespoon sugar

    1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

    1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray 1 half sheet tray with nonstick oil & line with

    parchment paper.

    1. Dissolve the cocoa into 3 tablespoon of hot water, stir until you have a smooth

    paste.

    2. Add 1 cup of sugar to the "yolk bowl," and beat the yolks to three times the volume with the whisk attachment on a standing electric mixer.

    3. Add the vanilla and cocoa to the yolks, whisking to thoroughly combine.

    4. Sift half of the flour over the chocolate mixture, gently folding together. Repeat with the remaining half. Be careful not to over-mix.

    5. Whip the egg whites with cream of tartar, and remaining 2 tablespoon of sugar to stiff

    peaks.

    6. Gently fold the whites into the chocolate batter. Again, be careful not to over-mix or it will deflate the batter. Quickly pour the batter into you prepared pan and smooth.

    7. Bake for 10 minutes, until the top of the cake springs back when lightly touched.

    8. Cool just until the pan can be handled. Flip the cake out onto a clean dish towel. While the cake is still a little warm, roll it up in the dish towel and let it cool coiled up.

    Salted Caramel Filling

    1 cup sugar

    1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

    1/4 cup water

    1/2 cup plus 4 tablespoon heavy cream

    2 oz. or 4 tablespoon butter

    1 teaspoon salt

    1. Put the sugar, water, and cream of tartar in a heavy-bottomed sauce pot.

    2. Cook the caramel to a deep brown over medium heat.

    3. Remove the caramel from the heat, carefully whisk in the heavy cream and butter.

    4. Cool to room temperature.

    Separately:

    2 cup heavy cream

    1/2 cup confectioners sugar

    1 teaspoon vanilla

    4 tablespoon sour cream

    1. Mix the heavy cream, confectioners sugar, vanilla and sour cream together.

    2. Whip to stiff peaks. Fold in the cooled caramel & refrigerate overnight.

    To Assemble:

    Powdered sugar for sprinkling

    1. Position your roll of chocolate cake lengthwise on the counter. Unroll & spread with a 1/4" thick layer of the cold caramel cream. Gently roll the cake back up with the cream inside. Wrap the entire roll with plastic wrap & freeze overnight.

    2. Remove from the freezer. Cut “hoho” into thin slices. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

    Makes one roulade. Serves 10

    Adapted from a recipe by Chef Meg Grace at The Redhead

    Tags: chocolate hoho, the mermaid inn, chocolate pudding, food

  • Cover story: Office workers feel pinch of lost perks

    Tuesday November 11, 2008 3:09 PM By Garett Sloane

    By Annie Lok

    Special to amNewYork

    The dark economic times have ushered in a new era of thrift, and many New Yorkers lucky enough to have jobs are finding that their workplace perks are quickly disappearing.

    From multinational giants to small offices, businesses are cutting back on food, drinks, cab rides and other benefits. While the belt-tightening makes sense weighed against the need to save jobs, workplace experts caution that such cutbacks could lead to a loss of job satisfaction.

    The CEO at one Manhattan digital media company reported tightening spending habits, opting to serve domestic beer over microbrews at weekly office gatherings.

    “The fact that we’ve downgraded the quality and quantity of our beer selection is trivial compared to the expense cuts that may need to happen,” the CEO wrote in an e-mail. The executive asked that an interview, in which he discussed the difficult budget decisions, not be used for this article.His is not the only company in a tight situation.

    Publishing company Mansueto, which owns Fast Company and Inc. magazines, took away snacks and free gym access last month, according to Mediaweek.com. One Manhattan ad agency did away with its game room. A blog site for lawyers, AboveTheLaw.com, noted that a city firm cut its fee-free ATM. And Google — famous for its free employee meals — recently sent a memo to its New York City workers that cafeteria hours were being shortened.

    Some offices are even doing away with the quintessential perk: The water cooler.

    “When they got rid of those, people complained,” said a worker for a Chelsea garment company.

    Like many employees and managers at companies that have scaled back, the worker did not want to be identified. Employees cited fear for their jobs and executives spoke of not wanting to disturb their workers.

    Undoubtedly, the loss of the little benefits at work can easily lead to decreased morale and greater implications down the line.

    “Now is really the time when people begin to question whether the organization is looking out for itself or looking out for them,” said Steven Blader, assistant professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business, who specializes in organizational behavior and negotiation.

    Open communication, fairness and including workers in budget decisions helps keep staff resentment at bay, Blader said.

    “It’s just a reality of our times that cuts will have to be made,” he said. “Why not include employees in those decisions?”

    At least one city company is not taking away the little extras. Francesco Realmuto, co-owner of three L’Arte Del Gelato stores in Manhattan, said his dozens of employees still get free frozen dessert. He said it simply comes down to morale.

    “It’s about the atmosphere, about giving back to employees,” Realmuto said.

    Aline Reynolds contributed to this story.

    Tags: perks, mansueto, inc, fast company, google, offices, l’arte del gelato, economy

  • Q & A with: Kee Ling Tong of Kee's Chocolates

    Tuesday November 11, 2008 1:41 PM By Lucy Blatter

    When it comes to chocolate bonbons, the city’s most fickle palates head to Kee’s Chocolates on Thompson Street for Kee Ling Tong’s handmade creations. amNewYork caught up with Tong.

    How did you become a chocolatier?

    It was a fluke. I worked at JPMorgan for many years but I felt I never fit in. In 1999, I got tired of the rat race and decided to make a change, so I went to culinary school for two years. After that I worked in a few bakeries and restaurants and found that I did not like baking at all. In the summer of 2001, I was working in a patisserie, but after 9/11, I stayed home and started practicing making chocolates because I was never good at it in school. I found that I really enjoyed it.You have some pretty unusual flavor combinations (such as chili peppers with chocolate, lemongrass-flavor chocolates and balsamic vinegar dark chocolate) what’s the source of your inspiration?

    I eat out a lot because I don’t really cook for myself. When I see an item on the menu that I think may go well with chocolate, like lemongrass, I go home and try it.

    Do you have a preferred chocolate that you use?

    I use an outside couverture called “Noel”, and I use a blend of other chocolates to make the inside. It doesn’t matter about the chocolate you use — the final process if what you are after. The flavor has to come through. Of course, there is a difference between high end and low end chocolate, but anything in between is fine too, when it comes down to it. It’s just chocolate.

    Why do you think people love your chocolate so much?

    Freshness has a lot to do with it. I’m pretty sure a lot of the La Maison Du Chocolat chocolate is pretty good if it’s made in New York. Chocolate that is shipped is three days old. And anything on display can be five days old.

    Where do you see your business going in this economy?

    No doubt the economy will somehow affect the chocolate industry; but only to a minimum. Although it can be considered a luxury good it is still much more affordable than, let’s say, having dinner at a four-star restaurant for two.

    The chocolatier in her shop. Credit: Alana Abel

    Tags: kee's chocolates, food

  • Piazza to spill beans on Met days

    Tuesday November 11, 2008 6:37 PM By Pete Catapano

    By Pete Catapano

    Former Met Mike Piazza, the face of the team from 1998-05, is penning a still-unnamed autobiography that will give some insight on his days at Shea, Newsday's Jim Baumbach reports.

    "He will also talk about the personalities and players from his days with the Mets, including Bobby Valentine, Pedro Martinez, and Rickey Henderson and many others," a news release for the book said.

    Bobby V in disguise

    Here's some other books by sports athletes that have made headlines in the past:

    Jim Bouton – “Ball Four” (1970)

    One of the first tell-all baseball books, Bouton was blacklisted after he wrote of drinking and drug use in the sport. It was the first to reveal Mickey Mantle’s alcohol abuse.

    Jose Canseco – “Juiced” (2005)

    Canseco gave specifics on steroid use in baseball and named names, including Jason Giambi and Mark McGwire.

    Wilt Chamberlain “A View From Above” (1991)

    The NBA star claimed to have sex with more than 20,000 women.

    Sparky Lyle “The Bronx Zoo” (1979)

    The Yankees pitcher gives day-to-day detail of the chaos of the team’s 1978 season, including commentary on Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson.

    Tags: mets, books, sports

  • Going loco for cocoa

    Tuesday November 11, 2008 6:16 PM By Lucy Blatter

    By Ya-Roo Yang

    Special to amNewYork

    Luscious, dreamy, sinful, decadent, delicious… all words heard at the 11th Annual Chocolate Show at Pier 94 over the weekend. Judging from the near fire hazard crowd and an admission line that rivaled those at the polls, there is no doubt that even the most diehard dieters find it hard to resist the complex aroma, velvety texture and “melt in your mouth” creaminess of good chocolate.Thousands of years before it became the rage for European royalty and food snobs alike, the Mayans and the Aztecs began drinking chocolate. In fact, many culinary historians speculate that today’s confections such as milk chocolate, granache and truffles were probably created to improve the taste of stale and moldy cocoa beans that took months to reach Europe.

    “Most people forget that chocolate is a material,” said Rhonda Kave, owner of Roni-Sue Chocolate. “You need a good chocolatier to so something with it.”

    So what makes a good chocolate? It depends on the quality of the cocoa beans and how they are processed. Regular chocolate bars sold in candy stores are made from undistinguished, mass farmed cocoa beans processed in automatedå plants, and they have a low percentage of cocoa solids and cocoa butter and high percentages of sugar and milk solids.

    Higher cost fine chocolates are typically made from cocoa beans selected for their specific flavor profiles and processed in small batches. These are usually darker, with higher percentages of cocoa solids and cocoa butter, and have a richer, more intense chocolate taste.

    “Fine chocolate is complex, and highly affected by its terroir and processing,” said Rachel Zoe Insler, chocolatier and owner of Bespoke Chocolates. She works with 8-10 different kinds of high-quality chocolate to create the 15 different confections at her shop.

    For the average consumer who just wants to enjoy some good chocolate, reading the label helps. Just bear in mind that while a high percentage of cocoa may mean a richer taste, it is also more bitter, so sometimes a little sugar and milk solid is not a bad thing.

    As for the chocolate’s level of saturated fat, the health conscious can relax. It’s the type of fatty acid that the human body can easily process into an unsaturated form. In fact, several studies have shown that dark chocolate’s antioxidant phenolic acids are beneficial to heart health, and cocoa flavanols boost blood flow to the brain. Good excuse to eat more chocolate.

    Five spots to get your chocolate fix:

    Bespoke Chocolates

    Chocolate from the winner of pastryscoop.com’s Golden Scoop award

    Due to open the week before Thanksgiving

    6 Extra Place

    No phone yet

    Debauve et Gallais

    Former chocolatier to the king

    20 East 69th St.

    (212)734-8880

    Kee’s Chocolates

    The go to place for NYC chocolate connoisseurs

    80 Thompson Street, NYC

    (212)334-3284

    La Maison Du Chocolat

    Classic French chocolate

    30 Rockefeller Center

    (212)265-9404

    Pierre Marcolini Chocolates

    The place to go for the best Belgium chocolates

    485 Park Avenue

    (212) 755-5150

    Photo: Associated Press

    Tags: chocolate, bespoke chocolates, chocolate show, food

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Tuesday November 11, 2008 5:12 PM By Sara Baumberger

    Make Bush and Cheney accountable for crimes

    George Bush, Dick Cheney and company are criminals who need to be made accountable if we are to ensure that we do not have a dictatorship in the future. They must be prosecuted now, if the new administration is to be enabled to carry out the mandate for peace and the rule of law under our constitution, while releasing the government and citizens from military and corporate control. There is no excuse now not to begin proceedings!

    — Leonard and Ellen Zablow, Manhattan

    Young voters had little impact on the election

    Re “Young Voters Proved their Clout,” Nov. 10: As reported on NBC national news on Nov. 5, if you subtracted all votes from voters under 30 years of age from the final winning tally of Barack Obama it would have affected only two minor electoral states and Obama, would still have won the election handily. It would seem in the final analysis, for all their noise, the under-30 voters had little impact on the outcome of this election.

    — Larry Walczak, Brooklyn

    Obama campaign money: A little bit makes a lot

    Re Robert Canuto’s letter, “Some campaign money must have been corporate,” Nov. 10: I am a part of the working class and while I couldn’t afford the maximum

    donation, I and my friends contributed to Obama’s campaign.

    Each payday, we’d send as little as $5 and as much as $25. What we and Obama understood was that every little bit counts. A few drops make a puddle.

    —Jasmine Anderson, Manhattan

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • UNO anyone?

    Tuesday November 11, 2008 6:59 AM By Lucy Blatter

    Get ready for some childhood flashbacks. Mama’s Mudsliders, the West Village eatery that serves up retro-American comfort food, will host an UNO tournament every Thursday night, starting at 8. There is a two drink minimum, but no admission fee. Players who bring a copy of any listing (including this one) will receive 1/2 off sandwiches this Thursday night only.

    Tags: uno, mama's mudsliders, food

  • This week’s travel deals

    Tuesday November 11, 2008 5:43 AM By Lucy Blatter

    By Emily Ranager

    Enjoy island relaxation

    Relax in the Dominican Republic with a vacation package from EZ GO Travel, starting at $825 per person for a double room. The price includes round-trip airfare from JFK, seven nights at the five-star Iberostar Dominicana in Punta Cana, airport transportation, all meals and drinks and some activities. Depart mid-week through December 15. Deadline based on availability. 847-296-0230; www.ezgotravel.com.

    Travel to Israel for less

    El Al is offering sale fares from JFK and Newark to Tel Aviv, Israel. Travel by March 31, 2009 and direct round-trip airfare starts at $991, plus about $84 in taxes and fees. Lowest fares are for select dates through December 29 and Monday departures through March 9. For other dates, fares are $1,055. www.elal.co.il

    Get a night free at the Ritz

    Book with your American Express card and get a fourth night free at dozens of Ritz-Carlton hotels around the world. The offer is based on double occupancy and is good for stays through Dec. 19. For example, a four-night stay at the luxury Ritz-Carlton South Beach over a weekend in mid-November is $987; normally, the price would be $1,316. The complementary night will be credited at check-out. Deadline based on availability. www.ritzcarlton.com.

    Ski Wyoming for half price

    Ski packages at the Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyo. are 50 percent off for trips through April 5, 2009. Nightly rates start at $95 per person in a double room for stays of four nights or more and include accommodations, daily lift tickets at the Grand Targhee Resort or the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, breakfast and transportation to and from the slopes. A $20-per- night resort fee and six percent taxes are additional. 800-443-6139; www.springcreekranch.com.

    Photo: Getty Images

    Tags: travel deals, israel. dominican republic, ritz-carlton, skiing, jackson hole

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Monday November 10, 2008 2:11 PM By Sara Baumberger

    Cheney has overstepped his power in Iran

    Though I am certainly no friend of Iran, I feel Vice President Cheney has far exceeded his office by attempting to influence American foreign policy to the extent that he has. This has been especially frightening, as this abrogation of the responsibilities of office has been committed in an administration headed by a president whose leadership abilities are suspect. In this light, it can be viewed as an attempt to hijack the office of the president. In these waning days of the administration, Cheney must be made an example of as a warning to all future usurpers of power, foreign and domestic.

    — Marshall Curson, Manhattan

    Honor our veterans today

    Today is Veterans Day, a time to remember all of our veterans, both living and deceased. We need to keep in mind the sacrifices these brave men and women made to protect this great nation of ours. I ask Americans to fly the flag of our nation from both businesses and homes in honor of these brave Americans. And please, if you know of a veteran, call them and say thank you. To all veterans, thank you for your courage and bravery to a nation that owes you.

    — Frederick R.Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks Village

    Bloomberg not fighting for tenants’ rights

    John McCain said losing one’s home violates the American dream, and I’m glad to see he hated Emperor Bloomberg, too. I’m losing my home because the landlord wants the place back for a friend and I have no rights under the law. I love my apartment and want to stay, and Bloomberg said he’d help people prevent

    evictions. But when I called 311, they said I was out of luck. Bloomberg is an enemy of the American dream.

    — Remy Shapiro, Manhattan

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • New White House seeking employees

    Monday November 10, 2008 1:58 PM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    With the economy tanking and employers everywhere tightening their belts, one outfit is definitely hiring.

    It’s got about 8,000 openings, will look great on your resume and has a reputable address: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

    President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team is now asking for applicants online, and New Yorkers, many of whom were so excited to see him elected, may get their chance to go to Washington and put their ideals into action.

    New Yorker Alison Winfield, who volunteered for the Obama campaign, said she has already filled out a form on Obama’s transition Web site, www.change.gov, to receive a job application.

    “My interest is in community service and working for the common good,” said Winfield, who graduated Columbia University in 2005 with degrees in astronomy and visual arts.Though many of the big-ticket positions, such as cabinet secretaries, will be selected from the rarefied world of former senators, governors and Fortune 500 CEOs, there will literally be thousands of lower-level positions in all departments of the new Obama administration.

    And though the application process is in its infancy — the actual applications are not even available yet — one career counselor says it might be a good place for a recent college grad to look.

    “We’re telling our students to think outside the box a little bit,” said Diana Gruverman, the director of employer services at NYU. “If you were hoping for a job on Wall Street or elsewhere in finance, maybe that’s not going to happen right now so we’re encouraging people to look at government.”

    Dan O’Brien, 25, a student at Columbia’s Teachers College, said he has a friend who went to work for the Obama campaign after losing his job at Lehman Brothers. His friend now hopes to go work for the new administration, he said.

    “Some of my friends are in the wait-and-see phase for applying to work for the government,” he said.

    Hank Sheinkopf, a political consultant who worked for former President Bill Clinton, agreed that turmoil in the private sector might draw more people to government jobs.

    “It’s a good place to go to wait this out until the next shoe drops,” he said.

    Of course, the best shot for employment is knowing someone on the inside, and one of the most important qualifications will be political loyalty, experts say.

    “They will want people who have publicly supported Obama,” said Kathryn Dunn Tenpas, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute.

    But even if an applicant falls short this time, Tenpas said, the executive branch of the federal government is notorious for quick turnover and opportunities will likely come again.

    “The whole personnel process never ends, the window is open all the time,” she said.

    Amanda Magnus contributed to this story

    Tags: barack obama, white house, employment, economy, jobs, careers, politics

  • Day Trippin’: Ringwood State Park

    Monday November 10, 2008 12:32 PM By Lucy Blatter

    By Lucy Cohen Blatter

    Lucy.Blatter@am-ny.com

    Ringwood State Park, nestled in northeastern New Jersey’s Ramapo Mountains, spans more than 4,000 acres. It’s located less than an hour from Manhattan, but the mountain and lake views feel a world away from the city. There are two historical manor houses, a botanical garden and a large lake, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.RINGWOOD MANOR HOUSE

    (973) 962-2240

    Designated a National Historic Landmark, this 51-room Gothic-style mansion with neo-classical embellishments (designed by Stanford White) was home to well-known ironmasters for more than 100 years. Martin J. Ryerson purchased the historic ironworks and began building the present Manor House in 1807 while still operating iron forges and furnaces on the property. The final owners were the Cooper-Hewitt family, who used the property as their summer house. In 1936, Erskine Hewitt donated a large amount of land and the home to the state of New Jersey. The house remains as the Hewitts left it, and features all of their original furnishings. It is open Wednesday through Sunday, year round, with free tours given every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    SKYLANDS MANOR HOUSE AND STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN

    (973) 962-9534

    www.njbg.org

    With its English Jacobean style, Skylands Manor was designed for Clarence McKensie Lewis, a stockbroker and civil engineer, and built in 1920. The 44-room mansion contains rooms with antique paneling as well as new American Oak paneling and large windows, some of which contain 16th-century stained glass. Tours are offered one Sunday per month from March through November. The Botanical Garden Holiday Open House, which features seasonal decorations in the house, will run Dec. 4 - Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be Champagne receptions between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on those days.

    Ninety-six acres of formal gardens — on which the Skylands Manor house is situated — are open to the public year round, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The garden contains an extensive variety of plants, evergreens and deciduous trees and shrubs. Self-guided and guided tours are available.

    In addition to the formal gardens, the State Botanical Garden includes about 1,000 acres of woodlands, with miles of hiking trails.

    SHEPHERD LAKE RECREATION AREA

    Hiking

    An intricate system of marked hiking trails, with varying degrees of difficulty, is available to the public.

    Multi-use trails

    Multi-use trails are available in the park’s Skylands section for horseback riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling (none of that equipment is provided).

    Hunting

    Hunting is permitted in designated areas of the park. Deer and a variety of small game can be found. Those interested must register at the office for a permit.

    Picnicking

    Visitors can picnic along the Ringwood Brook and at Shepherd Lake. Tables, grills, playground equipment are available at each site.

    Sport Shooting

    (973) 962-6377

    A family business for more than 30 years, Thunder Mountain Trap and Skeet offers four skeet fields, four trap fields, a practice trap and five stands where visitors can shoot clay targets. It is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays (when the area is open until 10 p.m.), Fridays and weekends throughout the year. Children from age 10 can shoot at the practice trap. There are also National Rifle Association-certified instructors available.

    SUMMER ACTIVITIES

    Swimming

    Swimming is permitted in the 74-acre Shepherd Lake from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lifeguards are on duty.

    Fishing

    Ringwood Brook, Sally’s Pond and Shepherd Lake all offer fishing for those with a valid fishing license. The areas are stocked with rainbow and brown trout.

    Boating

    (973) 962-6999

    Rowboats, canoes and small sailboats may be launched or rented. Electric motors may be operated on Shepherd Lake, but must be properly registered.

    GETTING THERE:

    The park’s main office and information center is located at 1304 Sloatsburg Rd. in Ringwood, N.J.

    (973) 962-7031

    Take Route 287 to exit 57, follow signs to Ringwood State Park.

    The State Botanical Garden includes about 1,000 acres of woodlands, with miles of hiking trails.

    Tags: ringwood state park, ringwood manor house, new jersey, new jersey state botanical garden

  • MTA: Riders could feel significant brunt of billion-dollar deficit

    Monday November 10, 2008 9:25 AM By Marlene Naanes

    By Marlene Naanes

    mnaanes@am-ny.com

    Straphangers may have to bail out the MTA — again.

    Commuters will have to pay significantly higher fares or deal with service cuts if the MTA doesn’t get outside help to fill deficits that will reach $1.2 billion next year, officials said yesterday.

    “I think that the word draconian is not inappropriate. I think that they would be very, very significant,” MTA executive director Lee Sander said of possible service cuts.

    The MTA was facing a $900 million budget gap in July when it released its 2009 budget, but the crumbling economy has deepened the hole by $300 million, the officials said at a special meeting of the authority's finance committee.The agency still expects a $575-million deficit next year even with proposed fare and toll increases that would yield 8 percent, making an even higher hike or service reductions likely without outside help.

    The MTA has not yet released details on how the hikes would affect the base fare and MetroCards. Fares were already hiked by about 3.5 percent this March.

    "Whatever that mix of what we come up with in terms of fare and toll increases or service reductions, there is no question that they would have an impact significant on our customers and the functioning of our region," Sander said.

    The MTA said the gap is from declining real estate taxes, interest payments on bonds and the city and state's inability to provide additional funds because of their own deficits. The agency is hoping that the Ravitch Commission, a governor-appointed body in charge of finding more funding for the MTA, will come up with some solutions to avoid drastic changes in service and fares.

    While the commission’s recommendations could help the MTA, it might just shift the burden elsewhere. So far, the only proposals include creating a payroll tax on employers, resurrecting the mayor’s congestion pricing plan or charging drivers to cross the toll-free East River bridges.

    “It's a regressive tax on middle class and working New Yorkers, it falls on residents of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, and it would create untenable traffic jams,” said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn, Queens).

    Any hike probably wouldn’t take effect until mid-2009 at the earliest as the MTA waits to see if the state legislature acts on Ravitch Commission recommendations

    Transit advocates hoped any plan crafted by the Ravitch Commission would take at least some of the burden off riders, saying service cuts would be “nonsensical” because almost half the subway lines cannot fit any more passengers during rush hours.

    "A fare hike is likely, but it shouldn't be just the riders who are bearing the burden of running the system," said Straphangers Campaign staff attorney Gene Russianoff. "The idea that they would load on more and make it even a higher burden is outrageous."

    Gov. David Paterson said the MTA’s announcement yesterday is emblematic of the “dire fiscal situation facing all New Yorkers.”

    “The MTA’s subway system, buses and extensive regional commuter rail network are the lifelines of the greatest city in the world, and I will continue to work with [the Ravitch Commission], MTA Chairman Dale Hemmerdinger, MTA CEO and Executive Director Lee Sander, Mayor Bloomberg and the legislative leaders to ensure our transit system continues to serve the 8.5 million people who depend on it each day,” he said.

    Tags: mta, fares, economy, transit

  • Obama's years in New York left lasting impression on colleagues

    Sunday November 9, 2008 1:24 PM By Jason Fink

    Barack Obama at the CUNY office of the New York Public Interest Research Group with colleague Diana Mitsu Klos. Photo by Alison Kelley

    By Jason Fink

    When 23-year-old Barack Obama, then a recent Columbia graduate, walked into the office of the New York Public Interest Research Group after answering an ad for a job, his supervisor had a warning for him.

    “I told him he would make less than $10,000 a year,” said Eileen Hershenov, who was the downstate campus coordinator for NYPIRG. “He laughed and told me that was a step up for him.”

    As president-elect Obama prepares to move into the White House, relatively little is known about his five years in New York in the early ’80s. It was a period of transition for Obama, a time of soul-searching and uncertainty. It was also when Obama first worked full-time as a community organizer, a role that would define his young life and help shape his political outlook.As a project coordinator for NYPIRG on the City College of New York campus in Harlem for three months in 1985, Obama spent hours with students in the trailer that served as the group’s office just below 140th Street and Convent Avenue, giving lessons on how to organize rallies and letter-writing campaigns, how to speak to legislators and lobby for change in public policy.

    Former colleagues recall a “fabulously intelligent” and confident young man who was intensely interested in the idea of creating political change from the ground up, an idea that would resurface years later in his meteoric political rise.

    He stood apart from some of the more radical students on campus, they said, and believed strongly in working within the system.

    “He had a seriousness of purpose,” recalled Diana Mitsu Klos, then a school organizer working out of the CCNY office. “His tenure was brief but anyone who met him received a strong and lasting impression.”

    Obama worked that spring semester, from February through late May, on several NYPIRG projects, including the Straphangers Campaign.

    Alison Kelley, who was a sophomore at CCNY and later became board chairman for NYPIRG, remembers working with Obama to improve the City College subway station at 137th Street and Broadway, which was dirty and had poor lighting. Kelley said she remembers Obama's tenure at NYPIRG as being in the spring semester of 1984.

    On May 1, Obama and others traveled to different stations as part of a “May Day” push to bring attention to the system’s problems and get people to sign letters addressed to local officials and the MTA.

    She said he was among the early leaders in the successful push to get CUNY to divest itself of holdings in apartheid South Africa. He also led voter registration drives and campaigns to keep tuition down at CUNY.

    “We had other organizers who were competent people but he really stood out,” said Kelley. “Everyone knew that he was going to do something remarkable.”

    While admiration and respect for Obama was no doubt inspired by the work he did, Kelley said for some of those around him, it went a little further.

    “I had a crush on him," she said. "Every single female had a crush on him.”

    Still, Kelley and others said they sensed a restlessness in the future president, a desire to begin a new chapter. Obama has written little about his life in New York; he has described his years at Columbia as a time of isolation and was once quoted as saying he lived “like a monk.”

    Shortly after working for NYPIRG, Obama moved to Chicago.

    When he told Hershenov he was leaving, she literally got down on her knees and begged him to stay, she said.

    “I wanted him to stay because he could appeal to so many different people,” Hershenov said. “People who were very interested in identity politics, people who were apolitical and people on the left and the right. He appealed to students across a political spectrum.”

    Tags: barack obama, nypirg, city college, straphangers campaign, politics

  • Harriet's Alter Ego thrives in creative ways

    Sunday November 9, 2008 1:21 PM By Garett Sloane

    Hekima Hapa, left, and Ngozi Odita dress a model for a fashion show that the boutique owners hosted Friday at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple in Fort Greene. (Jefferson Siegel)

    By Garett Sloane

    gsloane@am-ny.com

    Creativity and energy are two necessary traits for small business owners looking to survive these tough economic times.

    Fortunately for the owners of Harriet’s Alter Ego, a Brooklyn fashion boutique and art gallery, their business model is based on those characteristics.

    “All around us businesses are closing. So we are definitely seeing [the hard times],” said Ngozi Odita, co-owner of the store at 293 Flatbush Ave. “That’s when you have to get creative. Are we going to stay here and wait for customers to bang our door down or are we going to get proactive?”Odita, 33, and her business partner, Hekima Hapa, 35, are nothing if not proactive. They created an African-inspired clothing line after they met about 10 years ago. They built a customer base by vending at street fairs in the city, and then created a center for their activities at a Brooklyn storefront in 2002.

    They are also creative when it comes to financing their operations with a blend of personal savings, nontraditional loan sources, bartering and community relationships.

    “Because we are such an open space and open to the community at large, people are always willing to help out,” Odita said.

    From their storefront, Odita and Hapa have created a network that relies on raw materials from as nearby as Harlem and as far away as Africa to create clothes that are sold in stores as far away as Japan. They have come a long way from the days of city street fairs and flea markets.

    “If you have an idea or something you really believe in, you can’t let anything stop you,” Odita said.

    Tags: harriett's alter ego, ngozi odita, hekima hapa, retail, fashion, boutique, flatbush avenue, brooklyn, small business, shopping, economy, arts

  • MTA's budget crisis expected to grow while panel considers East River tolls

    Sunday November 9, 2008 1:20 PM By Marlene Naanes

    (photo courtesy of flickr's frizztext)

    By Marlene Naanes

    mnaanes@am-ny.com

    The MTA today is expected to shed light on its worsening financial crisis, with transit observers speculating its 2009 deficit could now be as deep as $1.5 billion.

    The bad news follows reports that an MTA advisory panel is looking to propose tolls on all East River bridges and suggest another try at congestion pricing.

    The MTA in July had announced a much smaller $900 million deficit when it first unveiled its 2009 budget. The agency also proposed fare and toll hikes that would yield 8 percent in revenues.

    But with MTA real estate taxes slumping and the Wall Street crisis worsening, transit observers are expecting the deficit to balloon.

    “It’s clear things aren’t going to be good and probably much worse than what we thought in the summer,” said William Henderson, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. “Just how much worse is the question.”

    The MTA announced the special meeting two weeks ago, saying they would revise revenue and ridership projections in the 2009 budget. Full details of the revamped budget will be discussed at a regular board meeting later this month.The Ravitch Commission, a governor-appointed body charged with crafting a revenue-generating plan for the cash-strapped agency, is considering adding tolls on the free East River bridges to possibly raise $1billion for the cash-strapped agency, according to published reports.

    The Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg and 59th Street bridges are currently toll-free while MTA-owned crossings into Manhattan cost $5. Charging tolls on the free bridges would take MTA, city and state approval, a task that would not come easily considering charging tolls on those bridges have been discussed for almost a century.

    Opponents of the tolls said they would be an unfair burden on outer-borough residents.

    “At this point, there isn't any question that the MTA is in need of a bailout, however, the costs should not be imposed only on a narrow cross-section of working New Yorkers through a most divisive of approaches pitting boroughs against borough,” according to a statement by City Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing), who is chairman of the council’s transportation committee. “A fair solution can only be found in a broad-based revenue source.”

    An MTA spokesman could not be reached for comment.

    A payroll tax on employers and Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s failed congestion pricing plan is also under the Ravitch Commission’s consideration, published reports said.

    Transit advocates said such new revenue sources seem more likely to materialize than additional funding from the cash-strapped city and state.

    “These may be painful policies but they are just the ones to prevent a whopping fare hike and service cuts,” said Straphangers Campaign staff attorney Gene Russianoff.

    Tags: transit

  • New York Public Library survives in a digital world

    Sunday November 9, 2008 12:55 PM By Garett Sloane

    By Mark Brooks

    Special to amNewYork

    The New York Public Library has kept pace with the digital world: Dusty stacks are now bits of information online and easily downloadable to your home computer.

    The NYPL’s Web site has few rivals in terms of free media content, and at a time when households are cutting their entertainment budgets, logging on to the library for books, movies and music makes sense.

    The library’s offerings are finding their way in an age when digital media players of books and music are in most consumers’ hands. Audiobooks are available for MP3 players and e-book files are compatible with iPhones and other smartphones. Movies can be played on iPods.As for one of the most popular e-book devices, the Amazon Kindle: You won’t be able to read the NYPL’s catalog. That incompatibility with libraries, however, did not stop Oprah Winfrey from recently endorsing the Kindle as a transformative device, but library lovers should beware.

    Amazon sells books for the Kindle and doesn’t plan on opening it up to libraries, Amazon spokesman Andrew Herdener said. The library is compatible with other digital readers, including the Sony PRS505.

    The vast e-catalog is impressive, but just because library members can download it doesn’t mean they can keep it. Borrow is still the operative word.

    The books expire after three weeks, and then members have to reorder the files. And there’s also a chance a title is out at the moment.

    Some things never change, but one thing e-members can kiss goodbye are late fees and closing time: The library is open all hours online.

    Tags: new york public library, amazon, kindle, sony, ipod, e-book, technology, economy, books

  • Layaway is the frugal way to shop

    Sunday November 9, 2008 12:41 PM By Garett Sloane

    Burlington Coat Factory has offered layaway payment options since 1972. (Phil S. Kroputh)

    By Danielle Sonnenberg

    Special to amNewYork

    Has America’s wild, debt-ridden consumerism been tamed?

    Shoppers have been spooked silly by the economy, and they are changing their free-spending ways. Some are even turning to the most frugal payment plan of all: layaway.

    That’s right, there has been a resurgence of layaway deals at stores in the city and elsewhere. Layaway buying — popular during the Great Depression — is the polar opposite of using a credit card: Shoppers put down some money, but don’t take home the items until they have paid off the bill in installments.“It’s good when I want to buy something but I also have bills to pay. I can live with waiting a little bit,” said Joshua Juarbe, 27, of Queens, who was found shopping at Burlington Coat Factory in Manhattan. He put down $26 and is on his way to owning a blazer.

    Burlington Coat Factory has offered the layaway option since 1972. Kmart is heavily promoting layaway in some of its stores, so people can shop now and pick up their gifts by the time the holidays roll around. TJ Maxx and its sister store Marshall’s also offer the payment plan.

    The percentage of layaway sales at Burlington Coat Factory grew from 4.6 percent in August to 5.3 percent last month, according to The Associated Press.

    Layaway shopping is becoming more popular as credit card companies put customers on tighter leashes. People just don’t have the access to credit that they used to.

    “Consumers are underwater and they can’t borrow from banks,” said Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates, a national retail consultant based in New York.

    Still, paying for something but not taking it home right away doesn’t appeal to everyone.

    “I’m a last-minute shopper, so it wouldn’t work for me,” said Steve Hertz, 34, of Brooklyn.

    Tags: retail, burlington coat factory, kmart, tj maxx, marshall's, layaway, holiday sales

  • 'Sex and the City': Sequel predictions

    Sunday November 9, 2008 12:14 PM By Julie Gordon

    By Julie Gordon

    Now that Kim Cattrall has prematurely confirmed a “Sex and the City” sequel, our minds are churning with potential storylines (Though, to be fair, a rep for New Line Cinema said involved parties are “only in discussions at this point”).

    1. In season 5 of the TV show, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) says, “In New York City, you are always looking for a job, a boyfriend or an apartment.” Well, in the movie, our lucky heroine gets all three, leading us to think she’ll lose one in the sequel. Since the first film focuses so much on love, we predict a Carrie work crisis will take up a chunk of sequel screen-time.2. That said, it wouldn’t be “Sex and the City” without Carrie-Big break-up drama. Maybe the couple will be a part of a juicy, Page Six-esque scandal — a nightmare for the press-shy Mr. Big (Chris Noth).

    3. What makes Charlotte (Kristin Davis) so endearing in the TV show is that she strives to have the “perfect” life, but something always stands in the way. In the movie, everything is perfect! Charlotte needs a dose of a drama in the form of a new man or a secret that makes her question her devotion to Harry (Evan Handler).

    4. Samantha (Cattrall) is single at the end of the movie, so that means one thing: Sex. Perhaps she’ll reunite with her hunky Los Angeles neighbor?

    5. Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Steve (David Eigenberg) had so many marital problems in the first movie we think it’ll be smooth(ish) sailing for them. Maybe they’ll even adopt a sibling for Brady.

    6. The movie’s sex scenes were tame compared to the show’s. We’re predicting the same level of nudity, unless producers are looking for an NC-17 rating.

    Click hear to read about the actors' hopes for a sequel.

    Tags: "sex and the city, " sarah jessica parker, kim cattrall, cynthia nixon, kristin davis, entertainment

  • Joe the Plumber is now Joe the Drinker

    Sunday November 9, 2008 12:12 PM By Julie Gordon

    Joe the Plumber (real name Samuel Wurzelbacher) had quite the New York nightlife experience on Saturday night.

    Wurzelbacher and pals got lost en route to Jay-Z’s high-class 40/40 club, stopping at Flatiron bar Live Bait for a pit stop and directions before evenutally finding their way to the club, he told us on Sunday via phone from Cincinnati. The two bars are a few blocks from each other.

    “Wow, it’s intense,” said Wurzelbacher, describing the city’s scene. “It’s just a lot for a country boy.”

    The country’s most famous “plumber” said 40/40 was a blast, he liked the music “everybody was super nice” and his name was even announced over the loudspeaker.

    Wurzelbacher was in town taping a guest spot on Mike Huckabee’s FOX News show.Also spotted this weekend:

    Celebrity chef Mario Batali almost getting hit by a car while crossing West Fourth Street at Sixth Avenue on Friday afternoon.

    “Gossip Girl” star Jessica Szhor hanging out at the Lucky Shops event with her family, who were visiting from Wisconsin.

    Tags: joe the plumber, politics, bars

  • Career 180: I ink, therefore I am

    Sunday November 9, 2008 12:06 PM By Lucy Blatter

    By Karen Tina Harrison

    Special to amNewYork

    The big career switch:

    From Web designer to tattoo artist

    Who pulled it off?

    Friday Jones, 33, is the in-house tattoo maven at Chelsea’s Xac Anthony Salon .How’d you go from IT to ink?

    I apprenticed to a tattoo artist while in college in Florida and got licensed. I moved to LA to do graphic design for movies and TV, and later to Silicon Valley for dot-com Web design. All the while I was moonlighting doing tattoos. After 9/11 I wanted more nurturing work and went full-time. This job is all people, all the time.

    How’d you break out of the tattoo pack?

    I was friends with Angelina Jolie and gave her a Billy Bob tattoo that she talked about. Now my clientele is a range of cool people including entertainers. I’ve worked with Aaron Neville, Janeane Garofalo, Rachel Robinson, Robbie Williams, and Aubrey O’Day.

    Is tattooing a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle?

    It may look that way, but it’s competitive. You must be 100 percent trustworthy as well as a unique and versatile artist. I work hard. I study tattoo history and technique, go to conferences and shows, hobnob at clubs, concerts and gyms. Xac Anthony Salon helps manage my business, but most tattoo artists are on their own.

    Do you feel a lot of responsibility?

    Totally! Tattoos are hard to undo. I get to know my clients and come to understand their inhibitions and dreams. Together we decide what communicates their personalities. They might be into fierce “full sleeve” tattoos, or petite jewel-like designs, or proud tribal or ethnic patterns. These days, clients are curious about white tattoos with a quiet glow.

    What else is there to know?

    A tattoo is many things: a poem about freedom, a bond with human history, a declaration of what you feel inside. People walk out of here transformed.

    Photo: Heath McBride; hair, Callie Carvajal; makeup, Lysette Drumgold

    Tags: angelina jolie, robbie williams, aaron neville, tattoo, friday jones

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Sunday November 9, 2008 11:36 AM By Sara Baumberger

    Some campaign money must have been corporate

    Re Brill Branger’s letter, “Obama’s funding came from individual donations” Nov. 7-9: You say 91 percent of Obama’s campaign funding came from individuals. Please tell me from which auditing firm did you get these figures? And let’s say even if that is true, how many of these individuals are from big corporate interests, Wall Street interests (as he voted for the bailout, just like McCain), and big corporate lawyers? I seriously doubt a majority of his funding came from the working class poor and the working middle class!

    — Robert Canuto, Hollis

    Everyone celebrated Obama’s victory

    I am struck by the fact that, for some reason, many newspapers including amNewYork, seem to focus on pictures of black people celebrating Obama’s victory. Although this day has much importance for us as black people, in my Brooklyn neighborhood everybody was out on the street celebrating a new chapter in American history that we all brought about. White, black, Asian, Hispanic and everyone in between made this day come about. White parents with babies in tow were celebrating on the streets alongside their mixed and black neighbors. There are many people who, blinded by their racism, think that an Obama presidency will cater to black people, despite the fact that he chooses his advisors across color lines and is of mixed race himself. Please stop sending this message. Show people of all colors celebrating the candidate that we all chose in a landslide victory that only happened because of the collaboration of Americans of all colors. No more divisive messages through the media. One country, one flag, one ruler, one people, the American people.

    — Allisyn Swift, Brooklyn

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • Economy has college students rethinking career paths

    Thursday November 6, 2008 2:58 PM By Pete Catapano

    Columbia students sit together at their co-op, where they share the cost of living and food to save money. (RJ Mickelson/amNY)

    By Jed Kim

    Special to amNewYork

    Mollie Schwartz has been having more fun than usual these days. She blames it on the bad economy.

    “It’s great for me, because whether the economy is up or down, I don’t have any money anyway,” Schwartz said. “So I’m only seeing the upside of this.”

    The upside for Schwartz, 21, a senior at Columbia University, is that mealtimes at the co-op where she lives have become great social events. More students are staying in to eat, because they can’t afford to go out as much anymore.

    “We can’t fit everyone around the table, which has never happened before, which is really exciting,” Schwartz said. “I think that the co-op has grown more cohesive this semester.”

    But for most college students — like everyone else — the bad economy is making them rethink their futures and worry about how things largely out their control will impact their lives. So they’re cutting back on spending, and making tough decisions about their career paths.Patricia Imbimbo, director of the Starr Career Development Center at Baruch College, said that it’s too early to quantify just how many students are switching majors because of the crisis. However, she said that her office has seen a great increase in students scheduling appointments with career advisers.

    “Last year we had a two-week waiting list,” Imbimbo said. “We're up to three weeks right now.”

    At Schwartz’s co-op on a recent Monday, the evening meal was tacos, rice seasoned with cilantro, corn, beans and brownies. Inside the tacos was a vegetarian meat substitute. The choice wasn’t because the students are vegetarians. The co-op is for Jewish students, and for them, fake meat is more affordable than the kosher meat they would normally buy.

    “We have to be more careful about buying more expensive food that we would like but that can’t necessarily feed 30 people,” Schwartz said.

    Other students have also been seeing the effects of the economy. The Columbia Economics Society is a student-run organization that often acts as a liaison between undergraduate students and financial firms that hire students straight out of college.

    Sue Yang, 19, a sophomore and the co-vice president of the club, said many students have shifted their interest from investment banking toward consulting.

    “It has definitely pushed students to be more open with their career choices,” Yang said.

    Yang said that more students have joined the society as a result of the troubled economy. Even though the society has grown and the members have become more supportive of each other, Yang said that the economy weighs on the students’ minds.

    “It makes our time here seem all the more fleeting,” said Yang. “Freshmen even are more concerned about what’s going to happen to them after college.”

    Trudy Steinfeld, executive director at the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development, said that many students are looking at the economic crisis as an opportunity to rethink their career choices. Steinfeld said that her office encourages students to be creative with their career path.

    “We really try to get students to realize they’re probably going to have three careers and seven to eight jobs, so they need to be flexible,” said Steinfeld. “Career development is a life-long process, so it’s OK for students to take a step back and reassess what they want to do.”

    However, many students feel that the weak economy means they should be less adventurous with their time in college.

    Galina Arnaut, 19, is majoring in art history at NYU. She said that she has been having serious discussions with her mother about her choice of study.

    “We were talking about my major, and she said that maybe because of the economy, art history is not very practical,” Arnaut said. “The last thing people want when they don’t have any money is art.’

    Arnaut said she is now thinking of switching to a double major in business and journalism.

    “I’m going to have a ton of debt when I graduate, and me not having work when I graduate is just not an option.”

    (With Amanda Magnus)

    Tags: college, econony, columbia, nyu, economy, education

  • London brand to arrive on NYC skyline

    Thursday November 6, 2008 1:40 PM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    A bit of London haute couture is coming to the New York City skyline.

    Burberry, the high-end British clothing brand, plans to hang its shingle – in the form of a large, illuminated rooftop sign – at 444 Madison Ave.

    The Burberry sign is expected to replace the New York sign, which was erected for the magazine of the same name and whose offices occupied the building from 1996 until recently. Before that, New Yorkers may remember it for the Newsweek sign that marked that publication’s offices.

    “It gives the company an opportunity to brand the property,” said Frank Marino, a spokesman for Westbrook Partners, which owns the 42-story, 500,000-square-foot building, between 49th and 50th streets.The London-based company, which will have offices and a showroom on the 13th through 16th floors, with perhaps retail on the ground floor. It expects to move in some time after March, said Marino.

    Though Burberry has not yet applied for a permit, Kate Lindquist, a spokeswoman for the Department of Buildings, said the company would be allowed to have a sign of similar size to the current one. A digital display of the time and temperature now sits beneath the corporate name.

    New buildings are not allowed to install such signs, but 444 Madison Ave. falls under a grandfather clause. That fact no doubt appealed to Burberry, said Marino.

    “It’s something that is rare, it’s a commodity,” he said.

    Tags: burberry, signs

  • New bike share program coming to NYU

    Thursday November 6, 2008 1:18 PM By Jason Fink

    By Jason Fink

    Students and staff at NYU may soon be getting some free wheels.

    A group of students is starting a pilot program that will allow anyone with an NYU ID to use communal bicycles for up to three hours a day during the week and six hours on weekends.

    The program, based on a similar one in Paris, is aimed at making trips between classes more convenient for students while also serving as a model for eco-friendly transportation.

    Lindsi Seegmiller, a senior majoring in environmental studies who serves as a project coordinator for NYU Bike Share, said the response has been good.

    “Every time someone hears about it they want to sign up,” she said. “It’s a perfect campus for a bike share because we’re spread out but we’re not too spread out.”The program, which is still being developed, would work like this: Bicycles would be kept at two locations – a dorm on East 7th Street and the bike parking lot at Tisch Hall on West 4th Street – and those who want to borrow one would reserve a time on a Web site by entering their NYU ID number.

    The person would go to the location at the appointed time and swipe their card to open a box containing the keys to the lock on the bike they reserved. The bike can then be returned to either place.

    “It’s designed to offer folks an alternative method of getting around campus,” said Christopher James, a spokesman for NYU.

    Organizers don’t know exactly when the program will start. Thirty bikes have been purchased and the computer system is being developed. The project is being funded with a $13,000 grant from the NYU Green Grants Initiative, said James.

    Tags: nyu, biking, transportation

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Thursday November 6, 2008 12:07 PM By Sara Baumberger

    Obama’s funding came from individual donations

    Re Michael Perez’s letter, “Where did Barack’s Funding Come From?” Nov. 6: 91 percent of President-elect (I love saying that) Obama’s presidential campaign funding came from individuals. I tossed in a few dollars, as did most Americans who are ready for a change. Let me ask you, on what day is Gov. Palin going to donate her $150,000 Republican wardrobe to charity?

    — Brill Branger, Weehawken, N.J.

    Thank you for not listening to ‘sad truths’

    Re J. Andrew Smith’s letter, “Dems Should Back Edwards,” Jan. 4-6: I’m ecstatic that people chose to act on what they felt was right instead of the defeatist logic expressed by Smith in January. He said, “Neither a woman nor black man will pick up a red state ... So Hillary and Obama should forgo their personal ambitions, realize this sad truth and put all their support behind Edwards.” People shouldn’t be swayed into going along with any so-called “sad truth.” No individual or movement has made any inspirational waves of progress by going with the flow. I’m proud of President Obama and Americans for not being afraid to move forward. Now, President, continue to make us proud.

    — Regina Roberts, the Bronx

    Olbermann’s point-of-view made for interesting TV

    Re “Winners, Losers,” Nov. 6: Keith Olbermann, a loser in this election? His commentaries were colored by a point of view, but unlike “Fox Noise,” he never denied having a point of view. He consistently highlighted facts about the campaign that the rest of the media ignored or drove by, trusting that the public was mentally equipped to deal with the truth and make the right decision, which they were and did.

    — Marc Beschler, Manhattan

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • 'Top Chef': Where are they now?

    Thursday November 6, 2008 11:28 AM By Julie Gordon

    A dish at 24 Prince, which is owned by former "Top Chef" contestant Nikki Cascone

    By Kara Warner

    As the new season of "Top Chef" gets ready to premiere on Wednesday, we talked to former contestants to see what they've been up to since the show's end.

    Nikki Cascone, season four, owner/executive chef at 24 Prince

    How has being on ‘Top Chef’ impacted you and your career in NYC?

    “Top Chef” has given me the platform to do things a little bit faster than I would have on my own. It has put my name out in the public in a big way so that getting my book out there and the clothing line I am working on have a broader audience. My restaurant was impacted by hosting more tourists coming in and specifically seeking out “Top Chefs.”

    Do you think more people are interested in cooking now because of the show?

    Yes, definitely! I had a mom come over to me almost in tears while on the “Top Chef” tour saying that because of the show she now feeds her family differently. Her teenagers and husband now make dinner gatherings a more important part of the day and are interested in what she’s cooking. Wow. My youngest fan is eight years old and he traveled here with his mom to meet me because he was so upset when I was cut from the show.

    What advice do you have for beginners?

    Work through school so you are prepared when you graduate. Don’t let fear of the unknown stop you from experimenting ... the more of a library of products you have the more you can create.

    How do New York restaurant-goers differ from those in other cities?

    I think the country is overall more savvy but I think New Yorkers have higher standards because of the competition and great food easily accessible to them.

    Is there anything you cooked on the show that you currently have on the menu?

    I do make a Lasagnette special which I prepared in the first episode.

    What is the most popular item at 24 Prince?

    Mac & Cheese rolls. [I hate them] but customers love them so I cant take them off the menu ever. Also I make a truffle chicken salad with pancetta that draws a lot of regulars.

    Hung Huynh, season 3 winner, working on a new restaurant in Manhattan

    How has Top Chef affected how people view food and restaurants?

    I think “Top Chef” has its impact on the country and parts of the world because it is educating the viewers on better cuisine, and many different ingredients and cooking techniques. I definitely think that people are more interested in dining out and cooking more often because the show has so many different situations where the audience, when paying attention, can learn different elements to cooking.

    How has it impacted you and your career?

    “Top Chef has tremendously impacted my career.” I have been able to connect with the greatest chefs in the world, and industry leaders.

    What is your favorite ingredient?

    I answer with fish sauce.

    Tags: entertainment, top chef

  • 'Top Chef' takes Manhattan

    Thursday November 6, 2008 10:45 AM By Julie Gordon

    By Kara Warner

    Reality TV junkies and foodies have reason to rejoice. Bravo’s Emmy-nominated culinary competition “Top Chef” kicks off its fifth New York-based season on Wednesday. To celebrate the occasion, we’re taking a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the show tick and how our fair city adds its special flavor into the high stakes drama.

    For those unfamiliar with the show, each episode features chefs of various backgrounds and specialties competing against each other in two challenges. One is the “quick fire,” in which contestants have to cook a dish or are tested on culinary techniques using specific ingredients or a theme in under an hour. The second is the larger scale “elimination challenge,” which often requires one or more courses and that the contestants be divided into teams for completion.“New York is one of the most competitive environments for restaurant chefs,” said executive producer Dan Cutforth of the decision to bring the show here. "It has the whole ‘If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere’ kind of thing and it was a great way to show that we were upping the stakes for the chefs.”

    Cutforth, whose production company Magical Elves is also behind “Project Runway” and “Last Comic Standing,” added that the intensity and drama that normally builds throughout the season starts in the very first episode.

    "[We] throw them straight into the middle of New York," he says. "I can't tell you what the challenge is but it’s an amazing location where all of New York is the backdrop and there's a moment that's incredibly competitive and sums up the sink or swim aspect of the city.” An aspect that was translated by moving production through all five boroughs.

    “We tried to make it really balanced," said co-host and judge Padma Lakshimi. “We did stuff that wasn’t high-end [to showcase] all the different traditions of New York eating. We wanted it to be a true reflection of New York culinary life.”

    Though doing so presented plenty of logistical challenges for the production team, especially since the main kitchen and cast were located in Bushwick, Brooklyn, but a lot of the shopping and filming occurred in the city. We were also surprised to learn that each episode, which airs in a neatly-packaged one-hour segment, takes two, sometimes three days to shoot, depending on the travel involved.

    “A quick fire challenge usually takes about five hours," Cutforth said. “The judges table takes about five hours, which sounds crazy when you think of how long it's on TV, but it’s a very in-depth

    process. There’s no artifice to it,” he said.

    And although the show's cast and crew are more than sleep-deprived at the end of the grueling 5-week shoot, sans the finale, Cutforth said there are plenty of benefits to the job: One being that he occasionally gets to taste the food.

    “We shoot every dish that is made on the show,” he explained. “[The chefs] make a separate one for what we call ‘food porn’ where it’s shot in beautifully lit conditions so that it looks like an illustration from a cookbook or food magazine. After they’re finished at food porn it usually finds its way to the control room for us to taste it. Sometimes it’s a little bit cold but it's a nice little perk of the job.”

    And what about Padma’s favorite perk?

    "For me just sleeping in my own bed," she said of this season. “[But] New York is the culinary center of the universe and it was great to finally have the show come here for the first time.”

    "Top Chef New York" premieres Wednesday November 12 at 10 p.m. on Bravo.

    Tags: "top chef, " padma lakshmi, entertainment

  • Nightlife review: Cain LUXE

    Thursday November 6, 2008 10:38 AM By Julie Gordon

    By Kara Warner

    New York needs another nightclub like it needs more taxis — especially in these trying economic times and especially in that famed (and club-crowded) three-block radius in west Chelsea.

    However we have to give credit where it is due. In this case, to the masterminds behind the newly re-opened/re-designed Cain LUXE, for working with a space they already had and improving upon it. The 27th street hotspot has been transformed into a "fantastical Parisian paradise, outfitted in sheen mohair and brass, with subtle South African touches," as per the venue’s press release. "The paradoxical design elements of ‘Paris meets Africa’ will create a glittering, decadent playground with an undercurrent of raw, animalistic energy.” Now who doesn't want a little animalistic energy thrown into their nighttime experience?One of our favorite elements of Cain LUXE is the introduction of New York City’s first champagne sommelier, whose sole job is to ensure the perfect pairing of champagne (of which they promise an expansive menu of the most diverse and decadent bottles, including tasting a of a Krug d’Ambonnay 1995 retailing for $4,000 and a white gold wrapped bottle of Dom Perignon, retailing for $30,000) and occasion.

    Oh and if champagne isn’t your thing, try the signature cocktail, The Cain Tusk, which includes bourbon, maple syrup, an egg white and lemon drops, and is garnished with a flaming orange peel and a stick of cinnamon. Yes, flaming orange peel.

    We also love Raising Cain, the club’s gritty-sexy troupe of 10 dancers who perform specially choreographed routines nightly.

    Of course, to enjoy this club, one must enjoy the whole clubbing atmosphere and what is particularly nice about Cain LUXE is its smaller more intimate size, which allows enough guests for a party atmostphere, but not so many that you hate your life for being in such a crowded, massive space.

    Cain LUXE

    544 W. 27th St., between 10th and 11th avenues

    212-947-8000

    Tags: entertainment, cain luxe

  • Nightlife review: Chloe 81

    Thursday November 6, 2008 10:33 AM By Julie Gordon

    Chloe 81 is located beneath Lower East Side restaurant Casanis. (Sam Horine/Metromix.com)

    By Julie Gordon

    Bored of the Lower East Side? That’s understandable, but we enthusiastically recommend trying the ’hood one more time, as newbie Chloe 81 makes a trip there worth it.

    The space is unmarked, so look for a bouncer standing by a shadowy and underground-leading staircase, immediately to the right of French restaurant Casanis. Head downstairs and be transported to a red, white and golden "Old New York.” The lounge — for Chloe is a reservations-mostly lounge, definitely not a "drop in for a pint" type of bar — glows with a clean and kitsch-free classy charm that’s a welcome antidote to the preciousness of the city’s recent speakeasy and Prohibition-era venues.The beautifully tiled room is filled with red booths, dimpled-leather armchairs, pressed tin and various sources of flattering glow: The candles, wall sconces and bar bottles all glitter and bounce their quiet light off the reams of gleaming ceramic surfaces.

    Moreover, the diminutive subterranean space actually understands most New Yorkers' nightlife requirements: Danceable music, good drinks with prices that (mostly) don't make you wish you were at home drinking boxed wine, food served late, a relaxed yet polished vibe and a good-looking crowd you wouldn't mind brushing elbows with at the tight bar.

    Speaking of the bar, we recommend the cucumber martini ($14), a sweet and refreshing medley of cucumbers and mint, or the Chloe mojito ($10), which has a similarly summery flavor but a lower price tag. The trio of tap beers go for a reasonable $5 (but the glasses are a little smaller than we’d prefer).

    Upstairs neighbor Casanis’ French fare is available until midnight. Chef Sebastian Maczko offers typical bistro dishes with typical NYC bistro prices: steak béarnaise goes for $20, a burger and fries for $15. The bar also offers a decent selection of pastas, ranging from $14 for simple dishes to $19 for risotto with scallops.

    After a little eating and drinking, head to the makeshift dance floor squeezed between the back booths and the small, low bar area. The mix coming from the DJ booth is a nice mash of classic and indie rock, plus ’80s and ’90s tunes. It’s relaxed, never ridiculous.

    The bottom line: Chloe is of the best bars we’ve visited in quite a while. Since reservations (or your name on the guest list, if there’s a private party) expedite entry, plan ahead: The reservations line is 212-677-0067.

    Chloe 81

    81 Ludlow St. at Broome Street

    212-677-0067

    Tags: restaurants, chloe 81

  • Throwback Thursday: Please stand by, "The Honeymooners" will be right back

    Thursday November 6, 2008 10:21 AM By Rolando Pujol

    A screen shot from an airing of "The Honeymooners" in 1982. Moments later, the film developed a technical glitch and the "11 Alive" logo was displayed. (Via tapthat2012 on YouTube)

    By Rolando Pujol

    With broadcast TV just a few months away from going all digital, it's difficult to think of a time when it was absolutely analog. Back when TV stations like WPIX presented many of their programs on 16 millimeter films -- projected through devices called telecines -- you could never be sure the film chain would make it to the closing credits without an embarrassing snafu.

    Here, courtesy of the superb archivist of New York television, tapthat2012, is a prime example of one of these malfunctions, shown below. During a 1982 showing of "The Honeymooners," the screen suddenly flashes white and then goes grey, and with an accompanying "thunk" sound, an "11 Alive" slide is plastered on the screen. The announcer, Ralph Lowenstein, informs viewers that there is a problem with "the picture portion" of the program, and asks us to hang on. Elevator music entertains us in the meantime. But just when we think we're trapped in "Please Stand By" hell, we hear the show's audio whirring back on -- even while the announcer is still speaking and the music is still playing. Finally, we're back to show.

    TV is so boring today.

    Tags: throwback thursday, wpix, 11 alive, the honeymooners, ralph lowenstein, television, old school

  • Obama win could open other doors for minorities

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 4:23 PM By Ryan Chatelain

    By Ryan Chatelain

    For many civil rights leaders, electing a black president was the pinnacle in their fight for equality. But Barack Obama’s historic victory Tuesday may spur political breakthroughs for other minority groups, observers say.

    An Obama presidency could open the door for more minorities in public office, prompt the rest of the world to re-evaluate perceptions of African-Americans and perhaps, oddly enough, encourage a sizable number of blacks to join the Republican Party.

    “Obama’s victory signals to black Americans and to every American that race ain’t what it used to be,” said Michael Meyers, executive director of the New York Civil Rights Coalition. “I can’t tell you how many people really thought that people would not go out and vote for him because of his race.”

    Keli Goff, an author and political analyst, said that once Americans, even those in largely white communities, grow accustomed to having a black president, it could pave the way for others’ political careers.“It makes it a heck of a lot easier to not mind having a black sheriff in your small suburban town or a black superintendent in your school district that is predominantly white,” Goff said. “It makes a lot of things a lot more palatable because it’s not going to look so strange if the president that you see on television every single day is a black man.”

    Blacks aren’t the only minority group who could benefit from Obama’s win.

    “I think it gives us the aspiration to seek higher public office beyond city council or district leader or Congress,” said Elba Montalvo, executive director for the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, a nonprofit group.

    Calvin O. Butts III, a civil rights activist and pastor of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church, even suggested that the GOP could soon see an influx of black members.

    “It’s no longer a racial thing,” he said. “Now people can really start arguing from the point of view of issues.

    “There are a lot of black people who say, ‘I’m conservative like some of the people on the right, and now I don’t have to make bones about being a black man.’ ”

    Sherry Wright, 44, a Harlem resident, said she believes a successful Obama presidency could change the way the world views African-Americans. She specifically mentioned the stereotype of the deadbeat absent father, addressed by Obama in his Father’s Day speech this year.

    “It’s so important that other cultures respect us as black people,” Wright said.

    Lauren Johnston contributed to this report.

    (Photo by Getty Images)

    Tags: politics, barack obama

  • City Living: Clinton Hill

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 4:05 PM By Rolando Pujol

    Beautiful real estate on Washington Avenue in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. (Photo by RJ Mickelson/amNY)

    By Craig Raphael

    Special to amNewYork

    When the oil executive and philanthropist Charles Pratt built himself a mansion atop a scenic hill in Brooklyn, other wealthy industrialists followed suit, transforming the rural locale into a suburban enclave.

    Today, Clinton Hill is best known for the exquisite Romanesque mansions and adorned brownstones built during that time, as well as the institute founded by Pratt, which specializes in architecture, art and design, and information and library science.

    The Pratt Institute and the neighborhood’s housing stock are what have traditionally lured students and residents.

    “A big draw is the architecture — there’s unique brownstones and quite a few landmarked mansions, buildings that you wouldn’t find in other areas,” said Robin Lester.

    But now the neighborhood has many other things to offer, including a growing number of locally-owned shops and restaurants on Myrtle Avenue.

    Dubbed “Murder Avenue” during the sharp decline of the 1970s, the street has improved dramatically since then, with the help of community groups and citizens throughout the neighborhood who have made efforts to open new businesses and restore housing, much of which was in a state of disrepair.

    As crime has subsided, other commercial corridors like Fulton Street have experienced their share of the revival. A seemingly endless street paving project has stunted growth along the corridor, but a new wave of cafes and bars has recently popped up.Families continue to relocate to Clinton Hill to take advantage of the tree-lined streets, quick commutes to Manhattan and strong sense of community.

    “It feels like a small town; people hold the door open for you,” said Phil Myrick.

    He added, “It’s in a good groove. A lot of people wanted a greater variety of services, and that’s all happening now.”

    FIND IT

    Clinton Hill is bordered by Clinton Avenue to the west, Classon Avenue to the east, Park Avenue to the north and Atlantic Avenue to the south.

    TO EAT

    Charming eateries are scattered throughout Clinton Hill, with the majority on Myrtle Avenue. The neighborhood offers something for everyone — laid-back cafes with classic comfort food, textbook greasy Chinese and Mexican, and a hookah bar that serves tasty Middle Eastern grub.

    Castro’s

    Giant burritos stuffed with tangy pork and enchiladas with green sauce are among the highlights at this popular Mexican restaurant. Chips and salsa are free if you dine in and there’s a lovely outdoor garden in which to enjoy them.

    511 Myrtle Ave. 718-398-1459

    Kum Kau

    Many locals boast that Kum Kau, which has been around since 1975, has the best greasy Chinese food in Brooklyn. Standouts include sesame shrimp, Tai Chin chicken and roast pork with broccoli.

    463 Myrtle Ave. 718-638-1850

    Brown Betty Café

    Stop by this warm, welcoming eatery for delicious Thai iced coffee and many enticing brunch options, including free-range jerk chicken, rum-raisin French toast and breakfast pizza: a pizza round topped with tomato, avocado cheese and two over easy eggs. They also serve dinner.

    466 Grand Ave. 646-591-7483

    Mike’s Café Diner

    A neighborhood melting pot that’s packed to the brim on weekends, Mike’s offers diner favorites at dirt-cheap prices. Arrive early on weekends for the crispy fried chicken and waffles — they’re worth their weight in gold.

    328 Dekalb Ave. 718-857-1462

    Square Root Café

    Vintage soda and cigarette machines create a retro diner feel at the recently opened Square Root Café. On Wednesday nights the cafe hosts independent film screenings; on the next two Sundays check out live jazz 4-7pm.

    584 Myrtle Ave. 718-230-7077

    Choice Market

    Rich, flaky pastries and pies, aromatic coffee and generous sandwiches are among the reasons Choice Market is so popular. When the weather is warm, outdoor benches are a great place to relax and people-watch.

    318 Lafayette Ave. 718-230-5234

    Zaytoons

    The decor may be clichéd, but the food is anything but, in particular the hummus, babaghanouj and fattoush salad, which are impossibly tasty and fresh. Cap off your meal with a draw on the hookah pipe.

    472 Myrtle Ave. 718-623-5522

    TO PARTY

    Clinton Hill offers a variety of locales in which to hear live jazz, attend a movie screening or simply sip drinks with friends.

    Outpost Lounge

    By day, this appealing lounge serves up specialty coffee drinks, freshly squeezed juices and a number of food options; by night, it has drink specials, DJs and live music. It also hosts art exhibits, outdoor movies and other special events.

    1014 Fulton St. 718-636-1260

    Rope

    A relaxed spot that caters to the hipster crowd, Rope features a jukebox, weekly trivia nights and a lively backyard with a grill during the summer.

    415 Myrtle Ave. 718-522-2899

    Tamboril

    Formerly the site of a porn shop, Tamboril serves new Latin cuisine and hosts weekly Latin jazz bebop sessions. On Nov. 13, the restaurant’s official grand opening will feature a live jazz band and new works by the artist Al Johnson.

    527 Myrtle Ave. 718-622-5130

    Bar Olivino

    On a nondescript block of Fulton Street lies this enticing wine bar, an outpost of the Olivino wine shop next door. It’s perfect for lingering with a small group, even more so because of reasonably priced wine and appetizers.

    899 Fulton St. 718-230-4675

    TO SHOP

    Boutique shops and unique offerings are much of what give Clinton Hill its special charm. Most stores are located on Myrtle Avenue, but those outside the main drag are worth a special trip.

    Karen’s Body Beautiful

    Scrubs, lotions and hair treatments are all freshly made at Karen’s, and the store kitchen is right there to prove it. Fragrant, seasonal soap offerings include mandarin clove, precious plumeria and milkshake.

    436 Myrtle Ave. 718-797-4808

    Polish Bar of Brooklyn

    Creamy pink walls create a calming effect at the Polish Bar, which offers a full menu of nail, makeup and waxing treatments. Complimentary scrubs and lotions enhance the typical salon experience.

    470 Myrtle Ave. 718-622-5363

    Dope Jams

    Dope Jams has a solid vinyl collection with a heavy concentration in R&B, soul and house. They also sell books and incense in addition to bargain LPs off the street.

    580 Myrtle Ave. 718-622-7977

    Heavenly Crumbs

    Perfectly moist cake nestled under rich, creamy frosting makes the cupcakes at Heavenly Crumbs among the best in the city. The bakery is also known for its specially designed cakes, which range from stylish wedding towers to designer bags and shoes, which almost pass for the real thing.

    355 Franklin Avenue. 718-623-6271

    Repop

    In the shadow of the Brooklyn Navy Yard lies this groovy thrift store, which sells vintage furniture, decorative lamps, and collectibles. It also features rotating art exhibitions that open on the first Friday of every month.

    68 Washington Ave. 718-260-8032

    TO SEE

    The best way to experience Clinton Hill is to meander on Clinton and Washington avenues, taking in the lush greenery and historic architecture, before making your way to the commercial centers of Myrtle and Fulton avenues.

    Myrtle Avenue Public Art Walk

    This past summer, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership launched its public art initiative, which brings installations, sculpture and interactive exhibits to neighborhood sites. Now on display are paintings by artist Anne Lafond (on the windows of several Myrtle Avenue shops), as well as the “Tree Hugger” exhibit, an environmental art project by artists Wiktor Szostalo and Agnieszka Gradzik (scattered throughout Myrtle Avenue).

    Pratt Sculpture Garden

    The largest contemporary sculpture garden in New York has featured the work of global artists since it opened in 1999. Sculptures can be found throughout the Pratt campus, though most are concentrated in the main garden on Dekalb Avenue.

    Dekalb Avenue between Classon and Grand.

    Brooklyn Flea

    The popular Brooklyn Flea gathers a dizzying array of vintage furniture, clothing and accessories, in addition to artisan crafts, to a vast high school parking lot every Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Vendors rotate from week to week so there’s always something new to be found.

    357 Clermont Ave.

    ESSENTIAL CLINTON HILL

    Walk down Clinton and Washington Avenues and admire the ornate brownstones. Check out the various Pratt mansions, including the George Dupont Pratt House at 245 Clinton Ave., and the Caroline Ladd Pratt House at 229 Clinton Ave. Want a chance to step inside one of these beauties? The Society for Clinton Hill runs a house tour every two years, and the next tour will be held in 2009. For more information visit www.societyforclintonhill.org/

    REAL ESTATE

    In addition to its famed historic houses, Clinton Hill offers more affordable real estate, including artist lofts, pre-Civil War frame houses and apartments in high-rise co-ops. Housing closer to the border with Bedford-Stuyvesant is also less expensive.

    Many families and young professionals have relocated to the area to take advantage of the low rent and generous space allotments, by Brownstone Brooklyn standards.

    “There are a lot of good-size family-type apartments,” said Mark Kalinoski of Tungsten Realty. “It has been a very good place to get duplexes at a reasonable price.”

    TO RENT

    One bedroom with hardwood floors, large living room and granite countertops: $1,450

    One bedroom in converted factory building with hardwood floors, doorman and roof deck: $2,146

    Three bedroom, three bathroom with tall ceilings, landscaped yard, and basement: $3,800

    TO BUY:

    Seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom multifamily house on Clinton Avenue with wooden floors and original details: $1,800,000

    Two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo with terrace and large rooms: $795,000

    RECENTLY SOLD:

    Six-bedroom, four-bathroom on Classon Avenue: $885,000

    Six-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom on Washington Avenue: $999,000

    Rentals courtesy of Mark Kalinoski, The Tungsten Group, 212.991.6515. Other listings from trulia.com.

    Q&A WITH ROBIN LESTER

    Robin, who writes the community-centric ClintonHillBlog, has lived in Clinton Hill for four and a half years.

    What attracts people to the area?

    In addition to the architecture, it’s very green — lots of big old trees which are gorgeous in the spring and fall. There’s also local businesses and unique amenities.

    What are some of your favorite things about the neighborhood?

    Clinton Hill is the New York I was always looking for but could never find. I’ve really gotten to know my neighbors and on the whole people are very friendly. It’s really unlike any other neighborhood in that it has a very strong local character.

    What are some things you don’t like about the area?

    It could use slightly better subway access. The G is not as bad as I thought it would be, but the C is really lacking — the cars are dirty and it doesn’t come that often. We could also use a good bookstore; we don’t have one and neither does Fort Greene.

    What are some of your favorite places to eat?

    Maggie Brown on Myrtle has a warm interior and good comfort food. Brown Betty also has a very intimate atmosphere and a great dinner menu given its size. I also love Choice Market — the pastries are gorgeous and it’s a really good place to socialize.

    How has it changed since you’ve lived here?

    In many ways it has changed for the better. There’s a greater variety of food options, local services and shops. I’ve also heard that a few of the local schools are improving. On the negative side, there are many people moving in who have been priced out of other places, and while a lot of them are eager to get involved, there’s definitely a contingent of wealthier newcomers who aren’t as amenable to the neighborhood culture.

    How do you think it will change in the future?

    With rising rents, I worry that it will no longer be an option for young, creative people. If I was trying to move here now I wouldn’t be able to afford to buy an apartment. I also don’t want it to become the next Park Slope and turn into a stroller parking lot.

    THE BUZZ

    Many residents are concerned about a recent wave of crime in Clinton Hill and neighboring Fort Greene. Several shootings have been reported in recent months, and in a particularly gruesome incident, a dismembered body was found in a box outside of Fort Greene Park.

    Council member Letitia James organized a town hall public safety meeting last month to address residents’ crime related concerns, which was also attended by local police and Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes.

    DID YOU KNOW?

    Many notable alumni have graduated from Pratt Institute including actor Robert Redford, photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and Tupperware designer Morrison Cousins.

    The Pratt Institute Library was Brooklyn’s first free library when it opened on Jan. 4, 1888.

    Rapper Notorious B.I.G. grew up at 226 St. James Place, at the southern edge of Clinton Hill.

    Clinton Hill is in fact situated on a hill; as a result, it is more resistant to flooding and hurricane damage than neighboring hoods.

    FACT SHEET

    Library

    Clinton Hill Branch, 380 Washington Ave. at Lafayette Avenue718-398-8713

    Police Station

    88th Precinct, 298 Classon Ave. 718-636-6511

    Fire Department

    Engine 210, 160 Carlton Ave.

    Food Markets

    C-Town Supermarket, 325 Lafayette Ave. 718-783-8656;

    Associated Supermarket, 492 Myrtle Ave. 718-789-9674‮

    Transportation

    Subway: G to Clinton-Washington Ave., Classon Ave.; C to Clinton-Washington Ave.

    Bus: B38 (Dekalb Ave), B48 (Classon Ave) B54 (Myrtle Ave), B61 (Park Ave)

    Banks:

    Bank of America, 49 Myrtle Ave. 718-852-1548;

    Sovereign Bank, 200 Willoughby Ave. 718-636-3886

    Crime

    The 88th Precinct, which also covers Fort Greene and the Brooklyn Navy Yard, has reported three murders, seven rapes, 186 robberies, 102 felonious assaults, 152 burglaries, and 88 grand theft autos thus far in 2008.

    Schools

    PUBLIC

    ELEMENTARY:

    P.S. 11 (Purvis J. Behan School) 718-638-2661

    P.S. 20 (Clinton Hill School) 718-834-6744

    MIDDLE:

    M.S. 113 Ronald Edmonds School 718-834-6735

    HIGH:

    Benjamin Banneker Academy 718-797-3702

    PRIVATE

    Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School 718-857-2700

    St. Angela Hall Academy 718-622-6919

    Tags: city living, real estate, clinton hill, brooklyn, shopping, restaurants, architecture

  • Hope, and some skepticism, in NYC about Obama

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 2:49 PM By Pete Catapano

    Sherri Wright of Harlem celebrates Obama’s victory. (RJ Mickelson/amNY)

    By Benjamin Sarlin

    As election night excitement gave way to thoughts of how Barack Obama would govern as president, New Yorkers expressed their hopes and fears for the next administration, often divided along lines of age and race.

    In his victory speech, Obama proclaimed that “change has come to America” and many young New Yorkers said they were hopeful the country would reach new heights under his leadership – even if it might take a while to get there.

    “I feel that from now on, something big will happen. It’s something we all have to share and it won’t be overnight,” Shaidyn Cedeno, 22, an electronic design student at City College said. She added that she was “willing to wait” while the presidents’ policies were implemented.

    Hannah Gold, 21, a junior studying political science at Hunter College, said she did not expect instant results and was glad that Obama used his victory speech to warn Americans that change would take “more than one year and more than one term.”

    “I’m going to be really patient with him, change takes a lot of time,” Gold said. For Gold, change meant improving America’s image around the world, where President Bush’s policies have alienated many former allies. “I want to earn the respect of other countries again,” she said.Harlem resident Lion Thornton, 26, said he was hopeful Obama could follow through on his campaign promises.

    “I think he can. I don’t know if he will, but I think he can,” Thornton said, “It’s politics, so you never know.”

    Among their grandparents’ (and great-grandparents’) generation, however, many expressed fear of the coming Obama presidency.

    Ray Salzillo, 98, said she was “not in favor” of Obama, largely due to suspicions about the president-elect’s race.

    “He will help only his own people,” Salzillo said as she watched news of the election from Steinway Senior Center in Astoria yesterday, “I hope the people of his race will mind their business and not bother the whites.”

    Several elderly white residents in her neighborhood expressed pessimism that Obama’s policies would match his rhetoric.

    “I have no hope,” said Jon Jacobi, 82, a Croatian immigrant, “The economy is very bad and he’s just going to become a scapegoat for big business.”

    “I saw the Depression and two World Wars and I think he does not know what he’s talking about,” said one 91-year old woman, “I just don’t like this world today.”

    For Carol Mitchell, 68, an African-American woman, however, expectations for Obama were high on hopes that the country was moving past racial and religious divisions.

    “I feel wonderful,” Mitchell said, “I’ve been waiting for things to change a long time. We have to live together, all races and religions, and we’re going to join together to make a better America. We’re in the right frame of mind.”

    Tags: obama, election, harlem, politics

  • In New Delhi, New Yorkers savor Obama's win

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 2:46 PM By Rolando Pujol

    Expats watch the returns at the swank coffee shop Choka La in south Delhi. Below, a girl shows her U.S. pride. (Kristen V. Brown)

    By Kristen V. Brown

    Special to amNewYork

    Tucked away on a dusty side street of a deserted New Delhi shopping center, 100 or so Obama fans crammed into a small coffee house, eyes fixed firmly on CNN reporters as the West Coast polls neared closing.

    With all the fervor of New Year’s Eve – party hats, Statue of Liberty tiaras and all – the entire room counted down the seconds. At 10:30 a.m. Indian Standard Time, CNN declared Barack Obama the next president of the United States. The Democrats of India’s capitol city went wild.

    “Don’t you feel proud as a country,” asked Priya Malhotra, a New Yorker and Indian native on a visit home.

    Karsten Thomas Strauss, a Columbia University graduate student interning at The Economic Times in Delhi, was elated.

    “Being here with other Americans is great,” said Strauss. “The crowd has kind of exploded here, you wouldn’t find this kind of energy sitting at just any coffee bar in Delhi.”According to the U.S. State Department’s 2005 estimates, 6.6 million Americans live abroad, making the overseas constituency the size of the 13th largest state, after Virginia. Of those, 57,000 expat voters reside in South Asian countries like India, where more than 500 voters watched the election in India's major cities.

    The morning election watch was just one in a series of election events hosted by the Indian chapter of Democrats Abroad, the official overseas branch of the U.S. Democratic Party.

    Earlier this season the group registered American voters in Delhi’s bustling Khan market, broadcast the debates, and played games like Palin bingo (yelling bingo every time Palin used words like “hockey mom” and “Joe six pack” during the VP debate).

    This year Carolyn Sauvage-Mar, a Fort Green transplant and chair of Democrats Abroad India, served as one of the eight voting members of the worldwide group at the Democratic National Convention.

    “Basically, we connect Americans to the politics back home,” said Sauvage-Mar, who helped found the India chapter of Democrats Abroad in 2004.

    Back then, she notes there wereas just four members. Yesterday, however, the swank coffee shop Choka La in south Delhi was jam-packed with American and Obama supporters from around the world, flailing their arms and waving “Vote Obama” posters in excitement as CNN International projected state after state going to the Democrats.

    “It’s an electrifying moment, I think this is a victory not just for America, but for everyone in the world,” said Sourish Bhattacharyya, an Indian Obama supporter and executive editor of local paper, Mail Today.

    Cheers erupted from the audience once more as Obama included “those watching tonight from beyond our shores,” in his acceptance speech dedication.

    “It’s been a long road,” said Sauvage-Mar, sipping her victory Champagne.

    Tags: barack obama, india, election, politics

  • Who said print is dead? It's alive and well when the headlines tout Obama's victory

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 12:44 PM By Rolando Pujol

    By Benjamin Sarlin

    Unable to find a copy of Wednesday’s New York Times with news of Barack Obama's historic victory on the cover?

    You're not alone: Copies flew off newsstands as fast as they arrived and the paper was sold out at stores throughout the city by mid-morning.

    Copies of the Daily News, New York Post, and amNewYork were also in short supply, quickly snapped up by New Yorkers looking for news and perhaps details on the election and souvenir to remember it by. (The Times printed 50,000 more copies Wednesday afternoon.)

    The demand for Nov. 5 papers was so great that it even spawned a lucrative market on eBay.

    One copy of the New York Times had drawn a bid of $100 yesterday afternoon – a markup of over 6,000 percent from its original $1.50 price – and many other city papers were attracting bids of $10 or more on the auction Web site.

    Tags: barack obama, newspapers, media, politics, new york times, ebay

  • City events fit for a food lover

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 12:35 PM By Lucy Blatter

    By Emily Ranager

    Nov. 7-9, New York Chocolate Show: Indulge your sweet tooth at this 11th annual event for chocolate lovers. From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, watch demonstrations from pros like Jacques Torres of Jacques Torres Chocolates and Fritz Knipschildt of Chocopologie, view a chocolate art exhibit, and taste lots of samples, of course. Pier 94, 12th Avenue and 55th St.; www.chocolateshow.com, 212-307-7171. $28 for adults, free for children under 12.Nov. 7-9, Tastings New York City: Get a taste of everything from gourmet foods to driving luxury automobiles at this sampling event. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, savor samples from the city’s best restaurants, sip wine, coffee and tea, and plan getaways at the lifestyle pavilion. Pier 94, 12th Avenue and 55th St; www.tastingsnewyorkcity.com. $75.

    Nov. 8, Apples, Apples, Apples!: Learn about the history of one of America’s favorite fruits at this family-friendly event at the King Manor Museum. From 12 to 1 p.m., listen to apple stories, make apple crafts, and learn about ways to use apples outside the kitchen. 150th St. and Jamaica Avenue, Queens; 718-206-0545. Free.

    Nov. 10-17, Brasserie 8 1⁄2 Anniversary Celebration: To honor eight and a half years in business, this modern French bistro is offering a tasting of eight and a half special dishes, including pork belly croque madame and short rib pot au feu, for $28.50 per person. Chef Julian Alonzo will also serve a selection of “Petits Plats,” like escargots with lamb sausage and garlic butter, for $8.50 each. 9 W. 57th St.; 212-829-0812.

    Through Nov. 23, Total Medieval Experience: The Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe, has teamed up with New Leaf Café to offer a prix-fixe medieval dinner inspired by a different country each week. From Tuesday to Sunday during dinner hours, feast on your choice of three courses from France (through Nov. 9), Italy and Germany (Nov. 11 to 16), or England (Nov. 18 to 23). One Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park; 212-568-5323. $48.

    Photo: Raspberry truffles in case at Roni-Sue Chocolates in the Essex Street Market. Newsday.

    Tags: chocolate show, tastings new york city, king manor museum

  • For political junkies: Now the withdrawal

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 12:34 PM By Rolando Pujol

    Does your living room look like this? (AP)

    By Jason Fink

    For those New Yorkers whose ideal Friday night date has become MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and her wry smirk, or were riveted when John King worked his magic on CNN’s slick wall-mounted electoral map, the end of the election means one thing: Campaign withdrawal.

    Though millions across the city cheered and danced in the streets after Barack Obama won the presidency, an undercurrent of anxiety permeated the excitement. After all, the presidential campaign that began more than a year ago and has since dominated cable news and the blogosphere virtually 24/7 is now over.

    “It’s kind of taken over my life,” said William Harvey, 25, of Washington Heights. “There will be withdrawal. I’m kind of addicted to it.”

    Harvey, a violinist and staunch Obama supporter, said during the long campaign season he spent two to four hours a day reading political coverage on the Internet. He conceded the end of the election will free up more time to practice his instrument but said it might negatively impact his social life.

    “There are some people who I won’t know what to talk about with,” he said.Dr. Petros Levounis, director of the Addiction Institute of New York at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, said such obsessions stimulate the pleasure-reward pathways in the brain, working in a similar way to drugs or alcohol.

    “There’s no question that someone can develop a strong habit in following these political campaigns,” Levounis said. “And when the campaign is over, they get a sense of emptiness, or a letdown, something missing in their lives.”

    He said doctors had seen similar reactions to TV shows such as “American Idol.”

    Max Alvarez, 38, an Upper West Side resident, began the long campaign season last year as a supporter of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in the Democratic primaries. When Richardson dropped out, he switched to Hillary Clinton and then, last week, knocked on doors in Pennsylvania for Obama.

    “The day after (the election), I think I’m going to sleep,” Alvarez said last night during a rally in Harlem for Obama. “After that, I guess I’ll have to find something else to talk about, something else to update my Facebook page with.”

    While the die-hard political junkies are feeling let down at the end of what must have been the most discussed and dissected election in modern history, the professionals know there is always another race around the corner.

    Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic political consultant and veteran of Bill Clinton’s 1996 campaign, offered tips for what he called “post-electoral depression.”

    “Get out of town,” he advised. “Don’t look at the television for a while, forget about politics and have a nice meal and a bottle of wine with someone you like.”

    Coverage of the campaign last night on CNN in Times Sqaure. AP photo

    Tags: barack obama, 2008 election, campaign coverage, politics

  • amNewYork Letters to the Editor

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 12:18 PM By Sara Baumberger

    Hope and promise: The essence of America

    This election was spirited, to say the least, and founded upon the hope and promise of change. Now that the Democrats have swept the field, perhaps the maddening gridlock of the last eight years in the political process will be expunged and we can go forward with reasonable debate that ends in defining problems and solving the important issues facing us.

    — Herbert P. Peckham, Manhattan

    Obama restores integrity and intelligence to office

    There is a phenomenon in American politics that may strongly influence future elections. It involves running a campaign with integrity, intelligence and respect. It seeks to cross and even transcend traditional human and political divisions. It exemplifies behavior that assumes hope and good will define the American character, not fear and bias. It is called The Obama Effect.

    — David Terhune, Brooklyn

    Where did Barack’s funding come from?

    Obama founded his campaign on removing the influence of special interests. “They have not funded my candidacy, and they will not run my White House,” he said repeatedly. Yet here they are, waiting in the wings: bankers and lawyers who helped broker the bailout that benefits only them, and puts taxpayers in the red for the next 30 years or so. Will he disclose where the money came from? No, because he’s just another puppet having his strings pulled. They love it when the public spends time watching TV programs instead of paying attention to Congress reducing our civil rights under the Patriot Act, and taking away our public lands for private interest groups. Does anyone remember Rachel Carson?

    — Michael Perez, Manhattan

    Tags: letters to the editor

  • Michelle Obama: First lady of fashion?

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 11:47 AM By Julie Gordon

    By Julie Gordon

    Michelle Obama’s red-and-black election night frock may have inched her further away from her burgeoning Jackie O. style status — and closer into Mrs. O. No territory.

    The future first lady — who has been praised in the past for her sophisticated, figure-flattering (and often affordable) choices — wore a Narciso Rodriguez dress Tuesday night that some called a fashion disaster. The look came straight from the American designer’s spring 2009 runway, though it was shown sans Michelle’s black cardigan.

    “Oh, it was terrible. It certainly didn’t equal what the historic moment was,” said Peter Ishkhans, host of the Style Network’s “Peter Perfect.”James Aguiar, host of ULTRA HD’s “Full Frontal Fashion,” called the dress a “rare misstep.”

    The black, satin wrapping at the bodice cut her in two parts, making her look larger than she really is, he said.

    “And satin is hard on television because it shows lumps,” he added.

    Michelle could have benefited from a simple, form-fitting dress or a wrap style a la designer Diane von Furstenberg, Ishkhans said. He noted that the Rodriguez piece didn’t fit properly, with material bunching.

    However, some commentators and members of the blogosphere praised Michelle’s choice.

    “In the past, she was veering toward more feminine dresses, but she’s a strong woman with great character,” said Jacqui Stafford, executive style director of Shape magazine. “She doesn’t need to be girly.”

    Though the Rodriguez number probably cost in the thousands, Michelle has publicly sported lower-priced items from chains. On “The Tonight Show” last month, the J.Crew-clad Michelle said she and her husband, president-elect Barack, have a policy of spending their own money on clothing.

    Rodriguez’s short dresses at Saks Fifth Avenue retail between $1,450 and $1,990. Rodriguez’s rep did not respond to a request for comment.

    So will the eye-catching piece be making its way to Americans’ closets? Not from brand A.B.S., which often copies red-carpet fashions. A rep said there’s been no mention of a knock-off.

    Tags: fashion, narciso rodriguez, michelle obama, barack obama

  • More freebies!

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 7:04 AM By Lucy Blatter

    To celebrate Barack Obama's win last night, TriBeCa's Kiva Cafe (139 Reade Street) is offering free (small and large) coffees all day today. For those who want to toast the Democrat's victory, free champagne will be available from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

    Tags: obama, champagne, democrats

  • Mayor Bloomberg to cut jobs; new cop class

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 6:18 AM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

    NEW YORK (AP) — No mayor in recent history has abruptly canceled the new class of police officers amid a budget crisis, but it is one of many extreme moves that Mayor Michael Bloomberg is making as he steers the city through an economic slowdown.Bloomberg was set to outline an update to the $59 billion budget

    plan on Wednesday that slashes jobs and spending in an attempt to

    bridge billion-dollar deficits, according to an administration

    official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the

    announcement had not been made.

    The sobering news includes the decision not to start a new class

    of more than 1,000 police cadets this January. The police

    department will go without those officers, and the next class will

    begin in July. It is an unusual decision for a mayor — during tough

    times in the early 1990s, both Mayor David Dinkins and Rudy

    Giuliani delayed the start date of academy classes by a few months,

    but did not cancel them entirely.

    Asked Tuesday about what he would announce in his budget update,

    Bloomberg said the city is “going to have some tough times, but

    I’m confident that, together, we can get through it.”

    Bloomberg has also been hinting for several months that a

    temporary $1 billion property tax cut he implemented last year may

    need to go. He is also cutting hundreds of jobs, closing dental

    health clinics that serve poor children and reducing nighttime

    staffing at five firehouses.

    The work force will shrink by 3,000 employees: 500 through

    layoffs and the rest through attrition, according to the official.

    The updated budget plan will show that the city faces budget gaps

    of $4 billion this year and next.

    To help bridge those deficits, Bloomberg asked all city agencies

    in September to come up with their own plans to cut spending by 2.5

    percent this fiscal year, which ends next June, and additional cuts

    of 5 percent the following year.

    Those are targeted to save $500 million this year and $1 billion

    in fiscal 2010.

    Along with eliminating the new class of police cadets, the city

    will cut 475 jobs in the education department. The majority are

    central administrative jobs, and about 50 are in schools, but not

    teachers.

    The firefighting training academy will reduce its program from

    23 weeks to 18 weeks to save operational costs. The mayor, who drew

    criticism when he closed firehouses to save money during his first

    term, also plans to eliminate nighttime engine companies in five

    firehouses that also have ladder companies. The move allows those

    firehouses to stay open but with fewer firefighters at night.

    The Department of Health will close its dental health clinics

    that serve some 17,000 poor children each year. Officials said the

    city would rather not shut down the program, but lacking other

    options they decided to eliminate a service that many families can

    access through Medicaid.

    Other cuts include eliminating 320 seasonal parks department

    jobs and not filling 187 sanitation jobs dedicated to street

    cleaning.

    By using his budget knife on such key jobs and services,

    Bloomberg is making some politically risky moves. It sets up a more

    difficult environment as he prepares to run for re-election next

    year.

    The billionaire independent mayor last month announced that he

    believes the city needs him to stay on past the end of 2009, when

    his second term ends, to manage the long-term effects of the

    financial crisis and economic downturn. In just a matter of weeks,

    he persuaded the City Council to change the law that limited him

    and other officeholders to two consecutive terms, and on Monday he

    signed the bill allowing him to run for mayor again.

    Bloomberg, who has enjoyed approval ratings in the 70s since his

    re-election in 2005, may see those numbers fall back to the levels

    of his first term, when he was making cuts and raising taxes to

    help reverse the city’s post-Sept. 11 economic woes. His political

    opponents will no doubt say the city cannot survive without the

    programs and jobs he is cutting.

    The mayor told reporters that his slimmed-down plan “certainly

    is not going to be the last step.” If revenues fall more than what

    is projected, he said, the city will take additional action.

    Tags: mayor michael bloomberg, nypd, politics, economy, crime

  • Harlem still celebrating Obama victory

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 6:10 AM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad


    Phitayaa McDonald, 19, center, joins others in cheering in support of President-elect Barack Obama on election day in the Harlem (AP Photo).

    (AP) - The signs of celebration could still be seen in Harlem the day after Barack Obama’s historic presidential win.

    In front of the handbag shop where she works, Ndeye Ndiaye, a native of Senegal, showed her joy as she danced. “Hurrah! He’s a good man and the 44th president is a black man,” she said.In front of the handbag shop where she works, Ndeye Ndiaye, a

    native of Senegal, showed her joy as she danced. “Hurrah! He’s a

    good man and the 44th president is a black man,” she said.

    At a kiosk on Broadway and 125th Street, every copy of the New

    York City newspapers marking the historic occasion was gone on

    Wednesday morning. “No more papers — sold out!” said vendor

    Miguel Estrada.

    Ibrahim Sisse, another Senegal immigrant who works as a street

    vendor, said Obama’s election gave him hope. “I have hope for

    several reasons. I hope for everybody including my nephews. They

    can have a higher rank in America. I hope for America, changing.”

    On Tuesday night, traffic was bumper to bumper around the

    neighborhood’s famed 125th Street with people popping out of

    sunroofs to wave at pedestrians who clogged sidewalks and traffic

    lanes. Honking car horns split the night air.

    Near the historic Apollo Theater, men played conga drums as

    revelers blew noisemakers.

    The crowd, with many people wearing Obama buttons and T-shirts

    and carrying U.S. flags, included elders who grew up under

    segregation and young parents who brought their children to watch

    the historic vote on TV screens.

    Tags: barack obama, harlem, president, politics, manhattan, history

  • Obama's win hits newspapers around the world

    Wednesday November 5, 2008 5:43 AM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

    The world was watching our historic presidential election, and here's how they see it:


    Newspaper covers in Croatia. (AP Photo)


    And in France (AP Photo)


    Obama on newspaper covers in London. (Getty Images).


    The Netherlands (AP Photo)

    Mbr>From Lebanon (AP Photo)
    The covers in Spain (AP Photo)


    Covers in Turkey (AP Photo)


    Kenya - Obama's father's home nation. (AP Photo)

    Tags: barack obama, politics, history

  • HISTORY! OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT

    Tuesday November 4, 2008 6:01 PM By Pete Catapano


    U.S. President elect Barack Obama (L) and Vice-President elect Joe Biden wave to their supporters after Obama gave his victory speech during an election night gathering in Grant Park on November 4, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images / November 5, 2008)

    BY REID EPSTEIN

    In a seismic change in American politics, Barack Obama [speech text] claimed victory Tuesday night over John McCain to become the next president of the United States.

    Obama's election gives the nation that enslaved black people as recently as 160 years ago a president whose father was born in Kenya. He will be the first elected black leader of a developed nation in the Western world.

    "Tonight," he said to a crowd of 100,000 in Chicago, "change has come to America."

    * SEE ELECTION RESULTS MAP: [HERE]

    * FULL ELECTION COVERAGE: [HERE]

    * PHOTOS: WORLD REACTS TO OBAMA WIN [HERE]The Illinois senator's victory became inevitable around 9:30 p.m. when the cable networks called Ohio in his favor.

    When the West Coast states of California, Oregon and Washington were put in his column shortly after 11 p.m., Obama passed the 270 electoral vote threshold to win the presidency.

    McCain, whom Obama throughout the campaign tied to unpopular President George W. Bush, conceded in a speech from Phoenix at 11:19 p.m. He called on his supporters to back Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

    "The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly," McCain said.

    The victory caps a grueling 20-month campaign in which Obama began as a decided underdog to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.). Obama wrestled the Democratic nomination from the formidable Clinton political machine, then took advantage of his massive fundraising advantage and the nation's economic crisis to defeat McCain.

    Clinton released a statement lauding Obama's "historic victory for the American people."

    "This was a long and hard fought campaign but the result was worth the wait," she said.

    Tags: neighborhoods

  • New York could see record voter turnout

    Tuesday November 4, 2008 1:21 PM By Rolando Pujol

    Voters wait in line outside the Convent Ave. Baptist Church in Harlem. AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

    By Jason Fink

    In what could be a record high turnout for the city, New Yorkers voted in droves today, lining up for blocks before the polls opened, waiting up to four hours throughout the day and mobbing polling places once again during the evening rush hour.

    In a state that neither presidential campaign considered up for grabs, and in a city where nobody expected the outcome to be much in doubt, voters showed a passionate – and persistent – desire to cast their ballots and be part of the historic election.

    Alana Rodriguez, 22, said she waited two and a half hours to vote at Borough Hall in Downtown Brooklyn at about 2 p.m.

    “If this is what it takes for me to exercise my civil duties, then this is what you’ve got to do,” said Rodriguez, a student at Brooklyn Law School. “It’s impressive, just the fact that they are this passionate about voting”Another voter at the same polling place, Carolyn Wilson, 61, said she had seen people waiting nearly four hours earlier in the day and some of them left before voting. She waited two and a half hours when, in previous years, it took about two minutes.

    “If I even dreamed this was possible I would have brought a book,” she said.

    Indeed, long lines were reported throughout the five boroughs, from Greenpoint in Brooklyn, where waits of an hour were common even in mid-morning, to the Upper East Side, where voters on East 82nd Street were lined up from Second Avenue all the way down the block to First Avenue at about 10 a.m.

    Voters throughout the city began showing up at polling places as early as 4 a.m., two hours before they opened.

    “I’ve never seen crowds like this,” said Gene Russianoff, an attorney for the New York Public Interest Research Group, which monitored voting problems throughout the city.

    He said his polling place in Park Slope was busier than he’s seen it in the more than the 20 years he’s lived there.

    “I showed up at 6 a.m., and normally at that time you can hear the crickets chirp,” said Russianoff. “Today there were easily 200 people on line.”

    Russianoff’s colleague at NYPIRG, Neil Rosenstein, said he expects a record turnout of as many as 2.75 million voters. There are 6.4 million registered voters in the city.

    The city’s Board of Elections dispatched 34,000 workers at 1,371 polling places to handle the heavy flow, said spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez-Rivera.

    "It's awesome, it should be like this every time," said William Ward, a 33-year-old computer programmer who voted in midtown.

    Even Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has not said whom he supports for president, waited 45 minutes this morning to cast his ballot on the Upper East Side.

    Besides long lines, there were also reports of broken down machines or people who found their names were not on voting rolls even though they were properly registered.

    Russianoff said his organization received hundreds of calls from voters, many of them complaining that machines weren’t working.

    One man, who voted at a polling place on West 158th Street, said the machine for his district broke down and there were no paper ballots available, said Russianoff.

    (Marlene Naanes and the AP contributed to this report)

    Tags: 2008 election, voter turnout, politics

  • White House 'First Pets': A historical timeline

    Tuesday November 4, 2008 1:02 PM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad


    FDR with his beloved Scottish Terrier Fala (File).

    By Lauren Johnston

    In recent years, the White House has been inhabited mostly by dogs and cats. But in earlier decades its representatives from the animal kingdom were far more diverse:

    George Washington: first president, 1789-97

    Was called the father of the American foxhound after he bred English and French hounds and created a distinct breed. Mentioned dogs named Drunkard and Tipsy in his journals.

    John Quincy Adams: sixth president, 1825-29

    The Marquis de Lafayette is said to have given John Quincy Adams an alligator in 1826. The animal reportedly lived in the East Room.

    Martin Van Buren: eighth president, 1837-41

    He had two tiger cubs as pets.

    Abraham Lincoln: 16th president, 1861-65

    His son Tad had a pet turkey named Jack. The bird was intended for Thanksgiving dinner in 1863, but Lincoln pardoned it for his son - sparking a tradition that still continues.Benjamin Harrison: 23rd president, 1889-93

    \Had a goat named "Old Whiskers" that he once chased down Pennsylvania Avenue after it took off with his grandchildren in a cart.

    William McKinley: 25th president, 1897 – 1901

    Had a pet parrot named "Washington Post," that is rumored to have been able to sing "Yankee Doodle."

    Theodore Roosevelt: 26th president, 1901-09

    Had a guinea pig named Father O'Grady, a badger named Josiah, at least five dogs including a bull terrier that ripped the pants off a French ambassador. Daughter Alice had a garter snake, Emily Spinach.

    Woodrow Wilson: 28th president, 1913-21

    Wilson kept a flock of sheep on the White House lawn during World War I and had a ram named "Old Ike" that liked chewing tobacco.

    Calvin Coolidge: 30th president, 1923-29

    He had dogs, raccoons Rebecca and Horace, a donkey named Ebeneezer, Smokey the bobcat, Enoch a goose and a wallaby and a pigmy hippo.

    Franklin D. Roosevelt: 32nd president, 1933-45

    The famous Fala, a Scottish terrier, was at FDR’s side through state dinners to treaty signings. She is depicted in the FDR memorial statue in Washington, D.C.

    More recent notable pets include Nixon's cocker spaniel "Checkers," Ford's golden retriever "Liberty," Reagan's Cavalier King Charles Spaniel "Rex," George H.W. Bush's English springer spaniel "Millie," Bill Clinton's chocolate Labrador retriever "Buddy," and "Socks the Cat," and of course current residents, George W. Bush's Scottish terriers Barney and Miss Beazley.

    Tags: petropolis, pets, election day, white house pets, politics, history

  • amNewYork Petropolis: All the presidents' pets

    Tuesday November 4, 2008 12:48 PM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

    By Lauren Johnston

    President Harry S. Truman famously said, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog,” and several of his successors in the Oval Office have followed that advice.

    In fact, many dogs living at the White House have been as well-known as their chief-executive masters - and sometimes more popular.

    FDR’s Scottish Terrier Fala reportedly got more fan mail than he did. Richard M. Nixon's name is scandal-tarred, but everyone remembers his cocker spaniel Checkers fondly. And George W. Bush’s pups, Barney and Miss Beazley, don’t seem much affected by his record low approval ratings. They’re too busy starring in holiday videos on their Web site.

    Clearly, the next pets to take the White House have some big paw prints to fill.And those who study the patterns of presidential pets say there is good reason for our nation’s leader to have an animal, whatever the species: unconditional love.

    “They are nonjudgmental. They love you whether you are a popular president or an unpopular president,” said Claire McClean, founder of the Presidential Pets Museum in Williamsburg, Va., which shows memorabilia and images of all the “first pets.”

    And a pet humanizes the president for his constituents.

    “It’s a pretty straightforward relationship and I think for the president, probably most of his other relationships are pretty complicated,” said Daisy Okas, spokesperson for the American Kennel Club. By the AKC’s count, 22 presidents of the nation’s 43 presidents have owned purebred dogs.

    “People can see the president is a regular guy to some degree, who can enjoy time with a dog,” she said.

    MORE PETROPOLIS:

    Kibbles 'n bits:

    * Political Chew Toys: You may purchase one of these toys to celebrate a victory for your candidate or to wallow in bitter disappointment over a loss. McCain and Obama squeaker toys available at www.headlinepettoys.com for $19.95.

    * MTA doggie duds: Represent your favorite transit lines with subway-inspired apparel for your pooch. Collars, leashes, hoodies and more available at www.transitmuseumstore.com

    * PetLifeRadio.com: These podcasts are free and cover health, caretaking and quirky features on dogs, birds, cats, fish and more through regular shows like "Wings 'n Things," "Cattitude," "Pets in the City," and "Doggy Dog World."

    * Dogs on film: Two dog photo books out this fall feature shots from NYC dog runs: Photographer Karen Ngo's "Indognito" shows dogs in costume (Little Brown and Company, $19.99). Michael Crouser's "Dog Run," features black-and-white action shots of dogs at play (Viking Studio, $32.00)

    Ask the Vet: Q+A with Dr. Phillip Raclyn, Riverside Animal Hospital

    Q: In May I had to euthanize my boy cat of 18 years due to stomach cancer. Is it possible that his longtime mate is mourning him after all this time? - Fern Purnell, Harlem

    A: I have had hundreds of clients who have related stories similar to yours. I have treated many pets and referred many pets for therapy to deal with behavioral changes after the death of a companion.

    I believe that cats have just as wide a range of emotions as dogs and humans, but I don't believe we humans are capable of understanding them. I believe most of cats' emotional lives remain hidden and undecipherable for us. Some of them make sense, and we tend to grab on to what we can understand.

    So in answer to your question, yes, it's very possible that your cat understood that her mate was gone and missed him terribly. There are a number of excellent books that deal with this topic. I'd highly recommend “When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals” by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson and Susan McCarthy and “The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy - and Why They Matter” by Marc Bekoff and Jane Goodall.

    Tags: pets, petropolis, george bush, fdr, fala, richard nixon, harry truman, election day, dr. phillip raclyn, riverside animal hospital, politics

  • Crazy for casseroles

    Tuesday November 4, 2008 12:41 PM By Lucy Blatter

    By Emily Ranager

    To Missouri native Emily Farris, the casserole is a beautiful thing.

    It’s easy to prepare, the ingredients can be cheap, and the combinations of foods that taste good when tossed together and baked in a Pyrex dish are virtually endless.

    “Plus, there’s often a lot of cheese on top,” Farris said. “And I love cheese.”She will challenge the common conception of casseroles as a mix of canned veggies and cream of mushroom soup reserved for church potlucks at her fourth annual casserole party on Monday. The competition invites amateurs and gurus to craft their best baked dishes and vie for the title of casserole champion. This year, the competition comes on the heels of Farris’ first cookbook “Casserole Crazy: Hot Stuff for Your Oven!” released in early October. The book contains 125 variations on the casserole theme — from a grown-up version of macaroni and cheese made with chèvre and sweet peas to old school tuna noodle casserole with Salsa Con Queso Cheez Whiz.

    Farris first realized that casseroles could be catchy with her East Coast cronies in 2004, four years after moving to Brooklyn from the Midwest. She was hosting a brunch and decided to make her signature Mac and Corn Casserole for the party, expecting her friends to snub it.

    “My friend who was a food snob ate three servings and went back to the Pyrex with a plastic spoon,” she said. “The idea of cheap comfort food just hadn’t ever occurred to him.”

    Farris organized the first annual casserole party soon after, inviting about a dozen friends to her apartment to share their dishes. The second year there was more interest, and by the third, demand to participate was so strong that she had to move the party to its current home at Brooklyn Label, an upscale diner in Greenpoint.

    The cookbook was next. “People were always emailing me for recipes, so it just made sense,” Farris said. She spent more than a year digging through family recipes and cookbooks published since 1920, modifying ingredients to include fresh vegetables and artisan cheeses, and taking out the MSG that was popular in the 1960s.

    Big name chefs like Paula Deen and Bobby Flay also contributed recipes to “Casserole Crazy,” but Farris laments having not yet met them. “I want to kick back and drink beer and eat barbeque and casserole with Bobby Flay,” she said. “I have a totally platonic food crush on him.”

    This year’s casserole party is closed to the public. Attendees applied on Farris’ website. Each will arrive with a casserole in tow. The grand prize winner will receive a gift from Le Creuset.

    Photo: Emily Wilson

    Recipe:

    The Greenpoint is inspired by the pierogies made in Farris’ predominantly Polish neighborhood. “I love all these flavors,” she said. “I just wanted to have them all in my mouth at the same time.”

    1 pound rotelle (wheel-shaped) pasta

    1 large heat-and-serve kielbasa

    1 large white onion, finely chopped

    2 cups sauerkraut

    4 tablespoons olive oil

    2 large portobello mushrooms, finely chopped

    2 cups creamy portobello or other mushroom soup

    1 cup grated parmesan cheese

    Salt and pepper

    16 ounces frozen sweet peas

    Potato chips, optional

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water. Cook to just under al dente, drain, and set aside.

    Cut the kielbasa into 1⁄4-inch slices. In a large saucepan over high heat, sauté the kielbasa slices, onion and sauerkraut in the olive oil. When the kielbasa is browned, add the mushrooms and sauté the mixture for another 3 to 5 minutes.

    In a large pot over low heat, mix the kielbasa mixture and the soup. When well mixed, add the pasta. When the pasta is well coated with the soup, add 3⁄4 cup of the parmesan while continuing to stir. Salt and pepper to taste. Add the frozen peas (they can, and should, go in frozen) and stir.

    Transfer mixture to a greased 2 1⁄2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1⁄4 cup parmesan on top of the casserole.

    Bake, uncovered, 40 to 45 minutes or until slightly brown on top.

    Optional: Once the casserole has browned, add a few handfuls of crushed potato chips (covered with a light sprinkling of parmesan cheese) and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until chips become golden brown.

    Tags: casseroles, emily farris, casserole crazy

  • What's in season: Turnips

    Tuesday November 4, 2008 12:34 PM By Lucy Blatter

    By Ben Muessig

    Cold weather is here, so why not welcome it with some of the chilly season's first fresh veggies? Turnips are a tasty, multipurpose treat that can play a part in any fall meal.Unlike many veggies, turnips have two edible parts — the hearty root and the nutritious greens. You can serve the root boiled, sauteed or made into a savory mash with butter and cream. Turnip greens are tinier and more tender than collard greens, but they boast a similar bitter flavor. Try simmering turnip greens with ham hock for a southern style side, or making a flavorful fall salad. Turnip root is high in vitamin C, while turnip greens are loaded with vitamins A and K, folate and calcium. These tasty root veggies are turning up at greengrocers around the city for about $2 per pound.

  • Actor Tim Robbins raises ruckus at polls

    Tuesday November 4, 2008 12:14 PM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad


    See the video at TMZ.com

    The actor Tim Robbins – known as much for his liberal politics as for his films – raised a ruckus with an election worker Tuesday morning after he showed up at a West Village polling center and found his name missing from the voter register.

    The vocal Democrat told the New York Times he’d been voting at the YMCA at 125 West 14th Street since 1997. A poll worker apparently told Robbins that 30 other voters had the same problem at that location.

    Robbins filled out an affidavit ballot, but did not submit it. He instead trekked to the Board of Elections office where officials verified he was a registered voter and a Civil Court judge ruled he must be allowed to vote.

    Robbins had appeared on the HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher” on Oct. 24 and warned voters to refuse provisional ballots and to fight for their right to vote if they ran into trouble at the polls.

    “I have the time and luxury to do this,” he told the Times of his ordeal. “If this is a systemic thing, what does that mean for the country?”

    - Lauren JohnstonMore celebs get out the vote: (from AP)

    • "I felt like my vote was the vote that put him into office. … And that may not be true, but that's how much power it felt like I had." – Sean “Diddy” Combs after voting for Barack Obama in Manhattan

    • "Our world is changing. It's changing right now, and I'm so happy to contribute to that,” singer Brandy in Manhattan Monday before heading to Los Angeles to vote for Obama.

    Tags: tim robbins, politics, election day

  • I voted Green in Queens, and gosh, I hope my vote gets counted

    Tuesday November 4, 2008 11:29 AM By Emily Ngo

    (AP)

    By Lynne Serpe

    “It’s not easy being green.” I used to say that if I had a nickel for every time a journalist opened an article or used that expression in a headline, I’d be rich.

    Of course, I would also be exaggerating: the Green Party hasn’t been covered in the mainstream media nearly enough to make me even financially solvent at five cents a reference. Especially this year, when it seemed like other third party or independent presidential candidates were getting covered more often than Cynthia McKinney, former six-term congresswoman (although still nothing like the free media the two-major party candidates receive every day).

    I just voted McKinney/Clemente on the Green Party line here in New York state. Greens and other activists had to gather 15,000 valid signatures from registered voters in the six (hot and humid) weeks between July 8 and Aug. 19 in order to give the voters in our state that choice.

    But I don’t know if my vote will be counted — because I had to cast a provisional ballot since I wasn’t listed on the voter roll.

    Uh-oh.I had been sent an article last week about how 1.6 million voters were being purged from the voters list. I even forwarded it around, and when I was interviewed about provisional ballots the other week, I referenced it. But I didn’t think it would happen to ME.

    A very nice poll worker asked me if I had experienced a problem voting in the primary. My answer? I didn’t vote in the primary. I’m a Green (listed as ‘other’ here in New York) so I wasn’t allowed to vote in the presidential primary in February or the state primary in September. My taxpayer dollars, however, were used to pay for it. But that’s another rant for another day.

    I registered at my current address last year, and received confirmation that my registration was received. When I returned from casting my provisional ballot, I checked the state elections website, and, sure enough, I’m listed at that address. Except I am also listed as “inactive.”

    I’m told I probably wouldn’t be listed as “inactive” just because I didn’t vote in the last two primary elections. But I don’t know what else to think.

    I received 11 pieces of mail from the Board of Elections, acknowledging my registration, my address and my polling site. I brought all 11 pieces of mail to the BOE just in case I had problems (and displayed them all, one by one, to the poll supervisor). As a third party member, I am no longer surprised when I have problems voting for the candidate of my choice — but I am annoyed. No, frankly, I am pissed off.

    I was given a paper affidavit ballot to fill out, and an envelope to put it into. Unlike California, which would give me a receipt and a phone number to call in twenty days to see if my vote was actually counted, I got nothing.

    In eight days, provisional ballots will be counted. Candidates and political parties receive a notice saying when it will happen, and I should be able to go observe — watch for hours and hours, hoping to be there and observing the right station when my envelope is found. If I am so lucky, then and only then will I know if my vote gets counted.

    In 2004, the Green Party stood up for the voters in Ohio and demanded a recount of the presidential vote. We did so not because we expected to win, or because we expected to change the outcome of the election — we did so because it is important for people to have faith in the voting system, to know whether their vote was counted.

    Four years later, voters around the country are still experiencing problems at the polls. Far too many voters face much greater barriers to participation than I did: felony disenfranchisement laws, voter ID laws, and voter intimidation ... the shameful list goes on.

    Some claim that a vote for the Green Party is a wasted vote anyway. But I disagree. There are many reasons I vote for Green Party candidates. I agree with the 10 Key Values of the Green Party; I believe in multi-party democracy and that diverse viewpoints at the legislative table would create better public policy; I believe that we need to look at problems holistically; that there are finite resources on this planet that we need to use wisely; and that people should come before profit.

    The Green Party has a vision — and a plan — for a just, peaceful and sustainable world. This is a legacy I wish to leave behind, a vision to fight for, and a party to vote for.

    This is why I find it easy to be green.

    So I will choose to have faith that my vote will be counted, and join with countless others to improve our democracy until every voter can feel the same.

    Tags: election day problems, queens, politics

  • Party Time: Election Style

    Tuesday November 4, 2008 9:34 AM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

    With the world watching our nation's presidential election results, New Yorkers are set to do what New Yorkers do best (well, one of the many things we do best): party. All sorts of spots around town are hosting election parties as the White House race hurtles toward its historic finish. You're sure to find one to suit your political persusian:

    6 p.m. Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century hosts Election Night

    results party; New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues.

    6 p.m. to 9 p.m. YMCA of Greater New York hosts “YMCA Teen Watch the Vote” Election Night watch party; Vanderbilt YMCA, 224 E. 47th St., between Second and Third avenues.

    6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Socialist Workers presidential candidate Roger Calero and vice-presidential candidate Alyson Kennedy host Election Night celebration for the 2008 Socialist Workers campaign; 307 W. 36th St., 10th floor, near Eighth Avenue

    6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community Center hosts Election Night watch party; 208 W. 13th St.

    7 p.m. The New York Young Republican Club hosts Election Night watch

    party; Women’s National Republican Club, 3 W. 51st St.,

    7 p.m. Times Square becomes outdoor election night viewing area as

    Charles Gibson, Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos anchor live ABC News coverage of election results from Times Square Studios, 44th Street and Broadway.7 p.m. Election Night Watch Party hosted by Kevin Powell, MTV, The Buzz

    International Group and Complex Media; Element, 225 E. Houston St., at Essex Street.

    7 p.m. The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial, Educational and Cultural Center hosts Election Night Watch party; 3940 Broadway, Harlem.

    7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Revolution Books hosts discussion with Carl Dix and Sunsara Taylor on “The Morning After The Elections and The Change We Really Need”; 146 W. 26th St.

    8 p.m. Harlem Democracy Prep Charter School hosts Election Night watch

    students conduct Get Out The vote campaign; 207 W. 133rd St.

    8 p.m. Michael Hardy, National Action Network Vice President, hosts

    Election Night watch rally; National Action Network National Headquarters, 106 W. 145th St.

    8 p.m. Internet video star Obama Girl and barelypolitical.com host

    Election Night party; Haven, 244 E. 51st St., between Second and Third avenues.

    8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Election night celebration for NYC advertising agencies;

    Catch-22, 4 W. 22nd St.

    8 p.m. to Midnight Election Night watch party; Blondies, 212 W. 79th St., between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.

    8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Congressman Charles Rangel hosts Harlem Election Night watch party; Harlem State Office Building Plaza, 163 W. 125th St., at Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard.

    8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Green Party Vice Presidential candidate Rosa Clemente and community members hold Election Night watch party; SBS Bar 33 Ave. B, at Third Street.

    8:30 p.m. New York Democratic Committee’s 2008 Election Night Celebration; Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, 811 Seventh Ave.

    Tags: election day party

  • The Sun has set, but its memory shines on sidewalks

    Tuesday November 4, 2008 8:27 AM By Rolando Pujol

    An honor box for The Sun at Lexington Avenue and East 22nd Street is among many still found on city sidewalks. (Jefferson Siegel)

    By Jefferson Siegel

    There are ghosts on the streets of New York that are not leftovers from Halloween.

    More than a month after the New York Sun ceased publication, their news boxes remain on many city streets, like this one on Lexington Avenue at East 22nd Street.

    Once upon a time locals consumed various dailies, most now defunct, including the Herald Tribune, the Journal American, the Mirror and the World Telegram. Many would publish several editions in the course of a single day.

    The Daily News used to publish a "bulldog" edition that hit the streets around 7 every evening. The Post published several editions a day, the last a stock market final with 4 p.m. closing prices. Before the Internet, an early edition of tomorrow's Times could be found on newsstands around 10 p.m. each night.

    The demise of The Sun leaves newspaper junkies with a little more time on their hands and a little less ink on their fingers.

    MORE: The Sun's Web site is still extant, where it's eerily still Sept. 30, its final day of publication.

    Tags: new york sun, newspapers, history, endangered nyc, manhattan, media, old school

  • Election Day freebies

    Tuesday November 4, 2008 8:11 AM By Lucy Blatter

    Photo: Ben & Jerry's

    Those looking for an Election Day snack today should look no further: Starbucks is offering free 12-ounce coffees, Krispy Kreme is giving away star-shaped donuts and Ben & Jerry's will offer free ice cream scoops between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. today.

    Upcoming freebies: In honor of its new locations, three new New York Crumbs bakeries will offer 1,000 free cupcakes to the first 1,000 customers on Friday, November 7. The free cupcakes will be available at the following locations: 501 Madison (corner of 52nd street), 1418 Lexington Avenue (corner of 93rd street) and 124 University Place (between 13th and 14th streets).

  • Long lines as New Yorkers get out the vote

    Tuesday November 4, 2008 5:46 AM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad


    Voters, many waiting more than an hour before the P.S. 92 polling site opened, stand in a line that snaked nearly three bloocks in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday Nov. 4 , 2008. The mural at center shows civil rights leader Marcus Garvey. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

    Vital Voter info: The average wait for most New Yorkers seems to be about one hour.

    * Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

    * Find your polling site location at www.vote-ny.com

    * Registered voters won't likely need ID as proof of address, but bring a photo ID or utility bill just in case

    * If you are registered but aren't listed in poll books, ask to vote by paper affidavit ballot

    * Don't wear clothing or buttons supporting the candidates or referendum to the polls

    * Call 212-VOTE-NYC with questions
    Election coordinator Feller Jean, center, assists a woman who was having difficulty with a voting machine at St. Marks Day School in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

    Tags: election day, crown heights, brooklyn, politics

  • No avoiding it: Tuesday is historic

    Monday November 3, 2008 2:54 PM By Ryan Chatelain

    Historic.

    The word’s been tossed around so loosely this year, it’s been losing some of its zing — cheapened perhaps forever as a political tool.

    Yes, we know: Barack Obama would be the first black president.

    Yes, we know: John McCain would be the oldest first-term president.

    Yes, we know: Sarah Palin would be the first female vice president.

    But those three facts, powerful as they are, are just a small part of the history being made here. No matter how the votes come in, Election 2008 really will rewrite the history books.Without a doubt, it’s the most expensive presidential race ever — on track to cost $5.3 billion dollars, up 27 percent from 2004.

    But 2008 has also been the election in which the fat cats lost control. Fifty percent of Obama’s money (and 37 percent of McCain’s) has come from people giving $200 or less. Fat-cat affirmative action, anyone?

    And here’s an equally staggering fact: It’s the first election since 1976 that doesn’t include a Bush or a Clinton on the ballot.

    Remember them?

    It’s the first time in several cycles where the red-blue map is being called into question. What that means for future years is anybody’s guess.

    It’s the first race in which the Internet really mattered — and not just as a fundraising tool. Those Facebook pages, Twitter updates and cell-phone trees were a big part of the Obama momentum. No one expects Republicans to be so out-Net-hustled again.

    Never before has a race had so many polls, so many pundits, so much coverage on cable TV. Never before has late-night comedy played such a role.

    This can’t be called the dirtiest campaign in American history, although it seemed at times like the dumbest one.

    Certainly, it was the first in which one candidate was accused of “palling around with terrorists” and a running mate announced her unmarried daughter was pregnant.

    We can argue if 2008 was the longest campaign ever. Starting the day after the last one ended, give it at least a tie.

    Not since 1972 have young voters felt so close to the action. We’ll see how many of them actually vote.

    It was the first time in forever an incumbent president had an approval rating this low — 25 percent. By the end, George W. Bush had joined Dick Cheney in the VP’s undisclosed location, while both parties seemed to run against the two of them.

    But here’s the historic fact that may echo longest and loudest of all: 2008 was the year that Republicans lost the Latinos, thanks to a few Nativist congressmen and some nasty talk-radio hosts.

    Will generations of future Hispanics stick with the Democrats the way black voters have? We don’t know yet. But that really could be rewriting the American electoral map.

    ¡Muy histórico!

    Tags: politics, barack obama, john mccain, sarah palin

  • Travel: Places the campaigners call home

    Monday November 3, 2008 1:24 PM By Rolando Pujol

    Lake Lucille in Wasilla. The Palins' home is on the left (AP).

    Barack Obama’s Home: Chicago

    Population (2000): 2.9 million

    Known For: Wind, deep-dish pizza, the Great Fire of 1871, Al Capone and other 1920s gangsters, and the White Sox.

    Famous Landmark: The Sears Tower, once the world's tallest building.

    Top Restaurant: Located on the 16th floor of the Trump International Hotel and Tower, Sixteen serves up fine contemporary American dishes with an international twist.

    Celebrity: Though born in Mississippi, Oprah Winfrey has made Chicago her home for more than 25 years.

    Climate: Winters are cold, with average temperatures hovering around 29 degrees and about 38 inches of snow accumulating throughout the season. Despite being nicknamed the “Windy City,” it’s not significantly windier than other U.S. cities.

    Don't Miss: The Loop Art Tour, a 2.7 mile walking route that takes you to the city’s public art installations, including sculptures by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró.

    Shopping: The Magnificent Mile, which connects the city’s Loop business district and affluent Gold Coast, is home to 3.1 million square feet of retail space. Shop to your heart’s content at 460 stores, including department stores like Neiman Marcus and luxury boutiques.

    Famous Store: Marshall Field’s was taken over by Macy’s in 2006, but you can still visit the flagship of the iconic Chicago department store on State Street in the Loop. It’s a National Historic Landmark and the second-largest store in the world.

    Hot Neighborhood: Wicker Park on the city’s West Side is home to scores of music venues, dive bars and cutting-edge fashion boutiques.John McCain’s Home: Phoenix

    Population (2000): 1.6 million

    Known For: Rich Native American history, authentic Mexican food, golf courses, and not observing daylight savings time.

    Famous Landmark: The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, known as the “Jewel of the Desert,” was designed by one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s students and has hosted celebrities and presidents since its opening in 1929. Irving Berlin penned “White Christmas” while sitting by the hotel’s pool.

    Top Restaurant: Since it opened in 2002, Barrio Café has earned rave reviews for its take on sophisticated Mexican cuisine and its selection of more than 250 tequilas.

    Celebrities: American Idol Jordin Sparks and her father, NFL defensive back Phillippi Sparks.

    Climate: Winters are mild. Temperatures from June through September are in the sweltering triple digits. The city averages 300 days of sunlight per year.

    Don't Miss: The Heard Museum, renowned for its comprehensive collection of Native American art and artifacts. The museum also puts on cultural events and festivals, like the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest each February.

    Shopping: Biltmore Fashion Park in the Camelback East neighborhood is home to almost 40 retailers, including Cole Haan, Ralph Lauren and Coach.

    Famous Store: The Brass Armadillo Antique Mall features more than 630 vendors peddling everything from Roseville pottery to Star Wars memorabilia and Revolutionary War muskets.

    Hot Neighborhood: Downtown Phoenix is the center of the city’s nightlife, with scores of sports bars and live music venues catering to the Arizona State University crowd.

    And for the VP candidates….

    Sarah Palin’s Home: Wasilla, Alaska

    Population (2000): 5,469

    Known For: Former home of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and the starting point of the Tesoro Iron-Dog 2000, the world’s longest snowmobile race.

    Famous Landmark: The Dorothy Page Museum & Historic Town Site, which was built in 1931 as a community hall and today houses artifacts from the town’s history.

    Celebrity: Chad Carpenter, creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip “Tundra.”

    Climate: Cool summers with average temperatures in the 50s. Winter temperatures average in the 10s with 50 inches of snowfall each year.

    Don't Miss: Independence Mine State Historical Park, the site of one of Alaska’s largest gold mining camps.

    Shopping: For much choice in retail, drive 40 miles southwest to Anchorage; Wasilla residents can only choose among Sears, Wal-Mart and Home Depot.

    Joe Biden’s Home: Wilmington, Del.

    Population (2000): 73,000

    Known For: Being the “Credit Card Capital of the World,” the first city in the U.S. to have its entire downtown under surveillance and an active theater scene.

    Famous Landmark: Built in 1798, Old Town Hall was the center of political and social activities in the city, once hosting reception dinners for the Marquis de Lafayette and President Andrew Jackson.

    Celebrity: Valerie Bertinelli, actress and Jenny Craig Weight Loss guru.

    Climate: Warm summers with average temperatures in the 70s. Cold winters with average temperatures in the 30s.

    Don't Miss: The Hagley Museum and Library, dedicated to the history of American enterprise, is the site of E.I. du Pont’s 1803 gunpowder works and includes restored mills, a workers’ community and the ancestral home of the du Pont family.

    Shopping: The Shipyard Shops at Riverfront Wilmington feature outlet stores in an outdoor setting.

    Tags: biden, chicago, mccain, obama, palin, phoenix, wasilla, wilmington, travel

  • New Yorkers could face long lines, confusion at polls

    Monday November 3, 2008 1:20 PM By Rolando Pujol

    By Jason Fink

    With turnout in tomorrow's election expected to be high, voting rights groups say New Yorkers should brace for long lines and be on the lookout for confusion at the polls.

    “It will be a huge problem,” said Margaret Fung, executive director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, which sued the Board of Elections two years ago to force it to hire more translators for Korean- and Chinese-language voters.

    Among the concerns raised by Fung and others is the fact that a surge in voter registration in October forced the Board of Elections to miss a deadline to get all the names in the poll books that voters sign before casting ballots.

    As a result, a second set of books had to be created with some 60,000 to 70,000 names.“A lot of voters don’t know there’s two separate books, so it takes some voters being assertive and saying, ‘I know I’m supposed to be here,’” said Gene Russianoff, an attorney for the New York Public Interest Research Group.

    Russianoff said the sheer volume of voters and poll workers makes it likely that there will be sporadic problems. New York City has 4.6 million registered voters, about 200,000 of whom registered in the first half of October.

    Officials from the Board of Elections could not be reached for comment.

    Larry Norden, counsel for the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School, who specializes in voting rights cases, also noted that there are always problems with the city’s lever voting machines.

    He did say, however, that those machines are preferable in some ways to the electronic ones that have caused problems elsewhere.

    “Generally, if something goes wrong with a (lever) machine, it’s only one machine, as opposed to the electronic machines where an entire county can go down,” Norden said.

    Tags: election day, voting, politics

  • Dems hoping to win majority in state senate

    Monday November 3, 2008 1:09 PM By Rolando Pujol

    City Councilman Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), left, is challenging state Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Howard Beach)

    By Jason Fink

    New York Democrats are hoping to gain the majority in the state senate for the first time in 44 years tomrrow, and a recent poll shows it could be within their grasp.

    Republicans hold a 31-29 seat advantage in the senate, with two vacancies that are expected to be split by the parties. If Democrats get a majority, they would control all levers of power in Albany; Gov. David Paterson is a Democrat and the party holds a significant majority in the Assembly.

    In New York City, among the more noteworthy races is between City Councilman Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) and incumbent Sen. Serphin Maltese, (R-Howard Beach), a 20-year veteran of the upper chamber.

    Maltese, a Republican in a Democratic-leaning district, has the backing of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said he would like to see Republicans hang onto the senate.

    “I’ve always thought that one-party rule is not good,” Bloomberg, an independent, said at a news conference last week. “I think when you have the checks and balances of two parties Democracy works better.”Addabbo enjoys a slim, 45-43 percent advantage, according to a poll released yesterday by the Siena Research Institute. That falls within the margin of error.

    The same poll found Republican state Sen. Caesar Trunzo of Suffolk County trailing his Democratic challenger, Brian Foley, by 56 to 34 percent.

    A spokesman for the Republican campaign, Joseph Conway, called the poll “wildly off the mark.”

    “We’re headed into the home stretch with more energy and enthusiasm than ever before,” he added.

    A poll released Thursday by Siena found two Republican senators in previously close races opening up wide leads.

    Sen. Joseph Robach had a 52-39 percent advantage over Democrat Richard Dollinger in Rochester and, in Erie County, Sen. Dale Volker was leading Democrat Kathy Konst by 50 to 39.

    “Everything depends on turnout,” said Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic political consultant and adviser to Minority Leader Malcom Smith (D-St. Albans). “Turnout is going to be more helpful to the Democrats because this is a blue state. There are certainly ticket splitters but the problem the incumbents face is this is a year of change.”

    If the senate is split evenly, Republicans would have effective control because tie-breaking votes are cast by the lieutenant governor; with that office vacant due to the elevation of Paterson to governor, Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) is acting lieutenant governor.

    The vacant seats were held by Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R- Rensselaer), who resigned from the senate this summer and John Sabini (D-Jackson Heights), who was appointed chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report

    Tags: state senate, joseph addabbo, serphin maltese, elections, politics

  • Outward bound! NYers stump in swing states

    Monday November 3, 2008 12:35 PM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

    By Lauren Johnston

    For many civic-minded New Yorkers, getting out the vote for this presidential election has meant getting out of town and making a lot of long-distance phone calls.

    New York is shaded dark blue on the electoral vote maps, but with a handful of key states still up –for grabs, volunteers from both parties have been heading by the hundreds to local phone banks and hopping buses to swing states.

    “There's not much to do in New York. Everyone has similar political beliefs,” said Stefanie Zuroff, a recent business school graduate from Manhattan. So she went to Ohio, which won the 2004 election for President Bush, to rally for Sen. Barack Obama.

    Tom Predhome, a Brooklyn resident, has helped organize 11 bus trips that shuttled more than 400 Obama supporters to campaign in Pennsylvania. The state went to Democratic Sen. John Kerry in 2004, but just barely.

    “It’s important because our country is seriously on the wrong track. That’s not just me talking,” said Predhome, 46, citing a recent New York Times/CBS News poll that found 85 percent of Americans share that view.Those pitching in from home have flooded local phone banks. And when it comes to toss-up states like Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia, Zogby International spokesman Fritz Wenzel said a cold call can go a long way.

    “People who are still soft supporters at this late date are looking for almost anything that can help them make a decision. Just the right message from just the right caller could be the deciding factor,” he said.

    City Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) has set up an Obama call center in Flushing that will remain open through Election Day. And even restaurants and nightclubs have opened their doors, including Mansion and Guastavino’s. The midtown club Touch hosted hundreds of volunteers on Sunday who logged 16,000 calls for Obama from its plush couches.

    McCain callers have been meeting at the Metropolitan Republican Club for the past month and the group McCain Manhattan, which has about 1,000 members, has organized trips to Pennsylvania.

    Chris Edwards, 35, spent several days making calls for McCain before heading to Wisconsin with the group Lawyers for McCain, where he will travel between polling centers to safeguard against voter fraud. “I really admire McCain for his leadership. I admire his character, as well,” he said.

    For Peter Herb, a Manhattan lawyer, this election marks his first real foray into grassroots activism. He traveled to Pennsylvania for Obama and joined Election Protection, a nonpartisan group the works to ensure people get to vote, and that their votes are counted.

    “I have felt helpless and uninvolved in the last two presidential elections and didn’t want to sit and watch again without doing anything,” he said. “If you want something to happen, you have to do something to help accomplish the end you seek.”

    Benjamin Sarlin and Amanda Magnus contributed to this report.

    Tags: