Urbanite

Strange but true: Archbishop to bless 100-ton subway drill

Thursday April 30, 2009 6:39 PM By Heather Haddon

Archbishop Timothy Dolan, below, will bless the massive drill digging the No. 7 extension Friday. (Photo courtesy MTA; Dolan photo, Archdiocese of New York)

By Heather Haddon

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan hasn’t wasted time getting his hands dirty.

In his first two weeks on the job, the city's Roman Catholic leader has toured the World Trade Center site. He threw out a pitch for the Mets and noshed on city hot dogs. Now, he’s getting close to a 100-ton boring machine.

Dolan will bless the drill used to dig the $2.1 billion extension of the No. 7 line Friday, MTA officials announced. Sandhogs now cutting the 7,100-foot twin tunnels flowing west from Times Square requested Dolan’s grace.

Priests have blessed the subway drills over the years, but not someone of Dolan’s stature, MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said.“Building tunnels through bedrock deep under Manhattan is a dangerous enterprise,” Donovan said.

Dolan will not venture into the tunnel but give his blessing from the street at West 25th Street and 11th Avenue.

The MTA lowered the head of the boring machine into the earth in February. Its 44 cutters are mounted on a massive disk measuring 22-feet in circumference.

Tags: mta, no. 7, dolan, transit

amNewYork letters to the editor

Thursday April 30, 2009 4:38 PM By Sara Baumberger

Enough with the increases and cuts

Re “MTA’s ‘horrific’ scenario,” April 30: I cannot believe the MTA wants two fare hikes in the same year. It is absolutely outrageous that they are doing this to us, the riding public, who use the subway and bus on a daily basis. First, they want to raise the fare, and second they want to cut service. Now they’re talking about eliminating overnight subway service. I’ve had it with these increases. Enough!

— David Bowman, Brooklyn

Why must Bloomy spend so much?

Can our evasive Mayor Bloomberg please explain how hard-core Republican Rudy Giuliani won two mayoral elections in NYC without spending seven times more than his Democratic opponent? Bloomberg’s entire argument was that he needed to unfairly outspend his competitor by record amounts because NYC is a Democratic city that won’t vote Republican.

— Shauna Erlbaum, Brooklyn

Kelly responsible for subordinates

Re “Commish Kelly bashes cops accused of rape,” April 29: This is surprising since I’ve always heard that the head of an organization is responsible for the conduct of his subordinates. Does he actually feel that he bears no responsibility for the training and supervision of the troops? Perhaps if he spent less time promoting his reputation as “counterterrorism chief” and more time running his department this

type of incident would not occur.

— John Ost, Manhattan

Tags: letters to the editor

Drink a block: Amsterdam Ave., btwn 80th and 84th sts.

Thursday April 30, 2009 4:37 PM By Julie Gordon

Friends hang out at 420 Bar & Lounge. (Marie Claire Andrea)

By Alexis Korman

The Upper West Side has seen a dining renaissance, with NYC favorites such as Fatty Crab and Mermaid Inn opening outposts there. After a good meal, it’s only appropriate to head to a solid watering hole. While some spots along Amsterdam Avenue are more appropriate for drinkers looking to relive their fraternity-house days, these spots between 80th and 85th streets are laid-back but offer something other than beer pong as a source of entertainment.

420 Bar & Lounge

420 Amsterdam Ave., at 80th Street, 212-579-8450

You may smirk at the name of this lounge, but there’s no smoking of any kind allowed. (“420” is just the address). Behind the velvet curtains lies a dim drinking den with two stories, three bars and a long happy hour (drink specials last until 8 p.m.). A DJ also spins hip-hop and top 40 hits most nights.

The Dead Poet

450 Amsterdam Ave., btwn 81st and 82nd sts., 212-595-5670

Opened by a former English teacher, this Irish pub offers serious beer variety: 16 choices on tap and a dozen by the bottle. True Guinness fans who think they can knock back 100 pints (not in just one night, thank goodness) should consider joining the 100 Pints Club, in which bartenders track the progress of regulars over time. The prize? Having your name inscribed on a plaque above the bar.Fred’s

476 Amsterdam Ave., at 83rd Street, 212-579-3076

Dog lovers will adore Fred’s, which was named after a black Labrador Retriever and whose walls are covered with portraits of neighborhood pooches. Looking to learn some new tricks? Pick up one of the bar’s board games for a little friendly competition. Furthering the animal theme are gratis Goldfish crackers for imbibers. Fred’s also offers an affordable dinner menu (burgers, mac and cheese, pasta, sandwiches) and a smaller twilight menu, served from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Hi Life

477 Amsterdam Ave., at 83rd Street, 212-787-7199

Martinis are the name of the game at this retro, eclectically decorated bar, where every night of the week brings a different drink special, such as $5 cosmos on Thursdays and Saturdays and $13.95 pitchers of beer on Mondays and Tuesdays. And if you don’t like the bar’s song selection, head to its “15 Minutes of Fame” party on Friday nights, which gives patrons just that — 15 minutes each to play whatever tunes they want from an iPod.

The Blue Donkey Bar

489 Amsterdam Ave., btwn 83rd and 84th sts., 212-496-0777

Games including Buck Hunter, Pac-Man and air hockey give the Blue Donkey a retro vibe. Between game rounds, grab low-priced beers (starting at $3) and $1 sliders served on donuts (instead of buns) from the attached Homer’s World Famous.

Tags: bars

Viral video: Break dance, break skulls

Thursday April 30, 2009 3:47 PM By Sean Joseph

Not sure if this was part of the routine...

Tags: viral video, television, break dance, failblog

Outdoor festivals: The season is upon us

Thursday April 30, 2009 2:07 PM By Julie Gordon

Just outside Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 115th Street between 1st and Pleasant Avenues the Giglio Boys performed their annual Dance of the Giglio where roughly 100 men carry a wooden, five story, hand-sculpted tower while a brass band plays Italian folk songs. (RJ Mickelson/amNY)

By Elaine Paoloni

The scent of pulled pork wafting through a park. Jazz music softly bouncing off brownstone facades. Performers entertaining all ages in the middle of a usually bustling street. While the warm weather is cause alone for celebration, there’s nothing better than bringing the party outdoors. Here are a few of our favorite upcoming al fresco festivals:

Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair

May 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Greenwich St., btwn Chambers and Hubert sts.

FREE

Tribeca’s annual family day is a two-part event featuring a family-themed film festival and an outdoor celebration full of games, family activities, food from local restaurants and stage performances. “We’re partnering with American Express for a cool cooking demonstration stage,” said Nancy Schafer, executive director of the Tribeca Family Festival. “And at the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival [occurring simultaneously with the fair] there are interactive sports displays for kids of all ages.”

Ye Old Village Fair

212-366-1451

May 16, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Bedford St., btwn Morton and Christopher sts.; Barrow St., btwn Seventh Ave. S. and Hudson St.; Commerce St., btwn Seventh Ave. S. and Barrow St.

FREE

This neighborhood festival couldn’t be more picturesque, with a backdrop of quaint brownstones on winding West Village streets. The main stage, where varying acts of live music swap out during the day, is surrounded by a dance area. There may be the requisite street fair kebabs and lemonade, but there are also homemade baked goods and beer and wine. The lineup of hawkers likewise has a neighborhood bent: In addition to tube socks and pashminas are arts-and-crafts vendors offering limited-edition work.Museum Mile Festival

June 9, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Fifth Ave., btwn 82nd and 105th sts.

FREE

It’s not every day you can visit nine of the city’s top cultural institutions for free. It’s also not every day you can spill out onto Fifth Avenue for 23 traffic-free blocks. “It’s one big block party,” said Robin Schatell, festival coordinator. “It’s the only time the avenue is closed to traffic and it’s not a parade.” Whether you start at the top at El Museo del Barrio or at the bottom at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, there’s lots of fun along the way: chalk drawing, live music, clowns, jugglers, drawing classes and more.

Big Apple BBQ Block Party

June 13-14, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Madison Square Park

FREE

From the Carolinas to Texas, 14 pitmasters from around the nation showcase their talents alongside some local favorites at this tribute to sweet, smoky meats. “You can taste authentic pit barbecue from some of the best pitmasters for $8 a plate — far less than what it costs to travel to their hometowns,” said Kenny Callaghan, co-founder of the event. Buy a $100 FastPass in advance and you can cut the lines — it includes $100 worth of food credit. Live music, seminars and cooking demonstrations round out the day.

Giglio Sunday

July 12, procession starts about 1 p.m.

275 N. 8th St., Williamsburg

FREE

If you’re fascinated by rituals, Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Dance of the Giglio is tradition at its best. The giglio is a 4-ton, 65-foot tower that sits atop a float flanked by poles, which burly Brooklyn men hoist into the air periodically, making the float “dance.” They inch their way to the intersection of Havemeyer and North 8th streets, where the giglio meets another float known as la barca. The whole dance lasts into the evening. In between the strongman show, you can enjoy Italian food, drink and music.

Self Magazine Workout in the Park

May 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Rumsey Playfield, Central Park

$15 advance tickets only, includes one-year subscription to Self magazine

Runners and cyclists aren’t the only ones who can take their workout to the park. At this women’s magazine-sponsored event, New Yorkers come out not only for killer classes such as Stiletto Strength, Beach Body and Rock Bottom, but there are beauty treatments and product samples to be had. Jump to your heart’s content in the Rebounding Zone. Yoga and Pilates instruction are offered in the Quiet Zone.

Tastes around town

If your main craving is for food, then head to these culinary festivals, where you can sample the flavors of each neighborhood:

• Taste of the Lower East Side (May 7), grandstreet.org

• Taste of Tribeca (May 16), tasteoftribeca.org

• New Taste of the Upper West Side (May 30), newtasteuws.com

• Taste of Times Square (June 8), timessquarenyc.org

• Taste of LIC (June 9), licnyc.com

Tags: entertainment

Bone marrow drive for 5-year-old New Yorker

Thursday April 30, 2009 1:53 PM By Julie Gordon

Help little Kai. Almost five years old, he's living with a rare form of leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. The test to find out if you can donate is fast and easy — just a Q-tip swabbed inside your cheek.

Here are the details:

Saturday, May 2

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Montessori School of Manhattan, 53 Beach St., btwn Hudson and Greenwich sts. Call 212-334-0400 for more information.

Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9

Whole Foods, 270 Greenwich St., btwn Murray and Warren sts. Call 917-287-4039 for more information.

Street graffiti in Manhattan: 'V' for vexed

Thursday April 30, 2009 1:51 PM By Emily Ngo

My colleagues and I have, for several weeks, been searching for the meaning behind the serif "V" spray-painted at the entrances of at least two subway stations along 34th Street. What do they stand for? What haven't they been removed? Who put them there? Is it this guy, below?

— Emily Ngo

Tags: manhattan, art, subway, mystery, the alphabet, graffiti

Snapple to buy New Yorkers two slices and a drink

Wednesday April 29, 2009 7:55 PM By Garett Sloane

Wow, it’s just like 1994: Two slices and a Snapple, please.

Snapple, on the comeback trail with its new look and high-fructose-free iced tea, thinks it has found the way into New Yorkers’ hearts: Free pizza at some of the city’s best pizzerias.

Snapple has developed a promotion that is likely to draw lines around the block next week. Every weekday next week, the company will give away two slices and a Snapple to 500 customers at different locations. The company also said that throughout next week it will give away 150,000 Snapples at locations throughout the city.

Here is the pizza schedule that includes a date at Famous Joe’s on Carmine:

Monday, 10:30 a.m., Spinelli Pizza at 425 Seventh Ave., between 33rd and 34th streets

Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Famous Joe's Pizza at 7 Carmine Street, between Bleecker Street and Sixth Avenue

Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Silver Spoon Diner at 58-21 Junction Blvd. in Queens

May 7, 10:30 a.m., My Little Pizza at 114 Court St., between Atlantic Avenue and State Street in Brooklyn

May 8, 10:30 a.m., Mezza Lunna Pizza at 98 Eighth Ave., corner of 15th Street

The first 500 customers get the deal.

Tags: snapple, free pizza, new york city, famous joe's pizza, spinelli pizza, my little pizza, silver spoon diner, mezza lunna, restaurants, advertising

MTA annouces "beyond doomsday" scenario for straphangers

Wednesday April 29, 2009 7:43 PM By Heather Haddon

Members of the Facebook group "1,000,000 People Against the NYC MTA Fare Hike" protest in Union Square Tuesday.

(Photo courtesy Transportation Alternatives)

By Heather Haddon

Imagine no late night subways in New York City.

That scenario — once seemed impossible in the “city that doesn’t sleep” — may be an option now that the MTA’s finances have gotten so bad.

Nothing “is off the table,” MTA chief Elliot Sander said yesterday after the agency board meeting.

Facing a $2.8 billion deficit by 2010, Sander said that the agency is forced to consider a second round of fare hikes, service cuts and layoffs to implement this year that are “beyond doomsday.”

“They are just unbelievably difficult and I think some would view them as horrific,” Sander said.

Off-peak service and routes outside the core of Manhattan are especially vulnerable, according to a source close to the agency. And while ending overnight subway service is a possibility, Sander said he thought it wouldn’t save much money.With service already about to be scaled back and a fare hike on tap for May 31, the MTA is still pinning its hopes on Albany to deliver a bailout that would stall another drastic batch of cuts.

“The time for action has come,” MTA board chair Dale Hemmerdinger said. “At this point today, there is no tomorrow. There is no next week, there is no next month.”

MTA officials characterized any further cuts as especially painful since the agency will already be eliminating or reducing service on five subway lines and dozens of bus routes to save $1.2 billion this year.

“I’m pissed,” said Noam Tidhar, 35, an Upper West Side straphanger. “People are angry and furious about the first fare hike, let alone a second one.”

It would be the first time in MTA history that the agency increased fares twice in a year.

With a sense of urgency, the MTA board yesterday unanimously agreed to adopt an 18-month budget in order to speed up voting on cost reduction measures by six months — to this June. Agency officials argue that the sagging economy has continued to slash their revenues from taxes and toll and fare collections, leaving them with few options.

“This is the start of a serious shrinkage of the transit system,” said Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign, an advocacy group.

Meanwhile, in Albany yesterday, Gov. David Paterson said he had a “new idea” for a MTA bailout that could pass the Legislature, but he wouldn’t divulge any details. The Senate is expected to vote on a bill next week that includes an 8 percent fare hike, payroll tax and a $1 surcharge on taxis.

Newsday contributed to this report

Effective dates for doomsday cuts and fare increases:

May 31 - Fares increase up to 30 percent

June 28 - Dozens of bus routes eliminated or scaled back

July 26 - Station clerks yanked from 158 locations

Late Fall - Five subway lines closed or reduced

Timeline for second round of reductions:

May 27 - Outline proposal for service cuts or fare hikes

June 30 - MTA board vote on the plan

As soon as summer - Hold public hearings

As early as fall - Implement service cuts or fare increases

Tags: transit

Health commissioner tries to calm NYers as swine flu cases increase

Wednesday April 29, 2009 6:57 PM By Marlene Naanes

A pedestrian wearing a health mask walks in Times Square Wednesday as a news ticker announces the first swine flu death in the U.S. (AP)

By Marlene Naanes

Even as the number of confirmed swine flu cases climbed by five to 49 yesterday, city health officials sought to reassure jittery New Yorkers, stressing that the sick are recovering and that the virus’s punch has been relatively mild.

“We have not identified severe flu,” said Thomas Frieden, New York City health commissioner. “Up till now in New York City this virus is acting the same way seasonal flu acts.”

It is unclear how long the swine flu will spread or how severely it will affect people in New York, which has more than half of the cases nationwide, Frieden said.

“We’re not seeing five or 10 severely ill people…that could change tomorrow or the next day,” he said. “Only time will tell.”Most of the confirmed cases are from St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, where hundreds of students briefly developed mild flu symptoms, Frieden said.

Two other victims, a 19-month-old Bronx baby and a Brooklyn woman, are also recovering. The city is also investigating five more probable cases.

Frieden encouraged worried New Yorkers not to hoard anti-viral medicine, noting that some local pharmacies had run out.

He added that some suspected cases turned out to be seasonal flu, also asked people to go to the hospital only if they are ill.

“We’ve been dealing with a lot of rumors. …What we’ve found, mostly, is those are rumors,” he said.

Meanwhile, Good Shepherd School and St. Brigid School, both in Brooklyn, decided to close after students possibly came down with swine flu. The Health Department did not ask the schools to close but had closed St. Francis and P.S. 177, a school with ill siblings of St. Francis students.

St. Francis will remain closed until Monday while P.S. 177 will stay closed until the CDC rules on what strain the students are suffering from, Frieden said. Those results are expected by this morning.

A Manhattan school with some students being tested for swine flu remained open.

With AP.

Tags: new york, health, swine flu

The Clean Plates diet

Wednesday April 29, 2009 6:24 PM By Lucy Blatter

BabyCakes on the Lower East Side is a "Clean Plates" approved spot, because of its dedication to healthy food.

By Lucy Cohen Blatter

lucy.blatter@am-ny.com

We all know going out to eat is one of life’s greatest pleasures (no shopping, no cooking, no washing dishes). Unfortunately, it’s not always very healthy.

That’s where nutritional consultant Jared Koch and food reviewer Alex Van Buren come in. The two teamed up for the newly released “Clean Plates N.Y.C.,” described as “A guide to the healthiest tastiest Restaurants in Manhattan.”

The authors’ criteria for the 75 chosen restaurants were that animal products should be hormone-free (preferably grass-fed), the restaurants should use high-quality sugars and oils, not too much salt — and the food should taste good.

There are many vegan and vegetarian places among the listings, but some surprises too.

One of the biggest surprises is Mexican chain Chipotle. Koch defended the move (which he said is causing a bit of a stir) since the chain offers lots of vegetarian options and fresh vegetables and ingredients.

“The person who started the company was committed to hormone-free fast food and good food, and they’re still doing that. Within the fast-food category, they’re doing the best,” he said.“I’m pretty adamant about not eating animals that are pumped with hormones and antibiotics, so if you’re going out to eat at a place where they serve meat like that, go for a fish or a vegetarian option like pasta,” Koch said. He always suggests clients order pasta al dente, which has a lower glycemic index than overcooked pasta and causes less of a spike in blood sugar.

“No matter what you’re eating,” Koch added, “if you add a good amount of vegetables, it will counteract the toxic effects.”

Koch pointed to the overconsumption of trans fats (now banned in NYC) and refined sugars as Americans’ biggest eating woes. “But there are lots of places in the city that are making delicious desserts with good quality sweeteners, such as agave, honey and maple syrup,” he said.

“New York is one of the better, if not the best, cities to eat healthy,” he said. “So many chefs care about their ingredients, and what they’re serving to their customers.”

Some Clean Plates-approved restaurants

Telepan (Upper West Side)

Elettaria (Village)

Candle Cafe (Upper East Side)

City Bakery (Flatiron) (tip: walk past all the baked goods and hot chocolate and head to back for a wholesome brunch)

Babycakes (Lower East Side)

Uncle Marky's Organics (Midtown East)

Pure Food and Wine (Gramercy Park)(tip: you can go less expensive and more casual around the corner at their tiny outpost One Lucky Duck)

Souen (Village)

CraftSteak (Chelsea)

Community Food and Juice (Morningside Heights)

Tags: clean plates n.y.c., craftsteak, chipotle, jared koch, restaurants

amNewYork letters to the editor

Wednesday April 29, 2009 5:21 PM By Sara Baumberger

Gov’t must get more involved in MTA

Has anyone reviewed the cutbacks they are proposing with the increase? They are cutting service and still considering imposing another hike at the end of the year. Politicians had better do something ... oh, but wait — they don’t ride the subway, they ride limos.

— Marianne Scott, Brooklyn

MTA needs a new finance whiz

The MTA seems to be very quick and talented at devising fare hikes, yet struggles to maintain funds and allocate them properly. How can an agency have the gall to propose two fare hikes in one years’ time and still lose millions of dollars? When are they going to take the right fiscal steps, such as limiting free rides for employees, cutting exorbitant pay of the higher-ups, and selling their vacant property at 370 Jay St. in Brooklyn, which could be worth up to $200 million, according to Borough President Marty Markowitz?

— George McCook, Woodside

Report card column was closed minded

Re “Bam’s bold start defined by promise, pitfalls,” April 29: You might want to add some more open-minded thinkers to your columns. Even an honest Obama supporter would have to admit that the first 100 days did not go well. Does $900 billion — when he campaigned to cut spending — sound like a grade deserving of an A or B? If so, I wish I had the same people grading when I took atomic physics in college.

— Paul Russo, Brooklyn

Tags: letters to the editor

Take your mama out

Wednesday April 29, 2009 5:01 PM By Lucy Blatter

Inakaya is a Port Authority area restaurant that could be an interesting (and different) spot for a Mother's Day meal.

By Emily Mathis

Special to amNewYork

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10. If Mom’s making the trek in from the suburbs, and is either unable or unwilling to navigate the city, there are plenty of good restaurants in or around the major transportation hubs. There’s no better place to people watch and she won’t have to worry about missing the last train home.

Grand Central:

The city landmark’s diverse and always classic dining options make it the leader of the pack in terms of terminal food, but terminal restaurants take their Sundays off seriously. Below are two great (and open) options.

Michael Jordan's Steakhouse: Executive chef and Bronx-native Frank Dyer began his career at his family’s legendary chain, The Blarney Stone. Now he serves up filet mignon ($34 - $42), buffalo Ribeye ($38), lamb T-bone ($37), and swordfish “steak” ($27), on the north and west balconies of a legend, under the name of a legend.

23 Vanderbilt Ave., btwn (North and West balcony), 212-655-2300

Cipriani Dolci: The Venetian-style international chain’s Bellini ($11.95), pastas such as pumpkin ravioli with almonds ($21.95), and entrees such as calves liver ($29.95) and an astounding club sandwich ($18.95) make it New York Magazine’s pick for best bar food.

89 East 42nd St btwn Park and Vanderbilt aves., (West balcony), 212- 973-0999Penn Station:

On Sundays the best bets for dining lie beyond the tracks. There are plenty of options within a few block radius:

Niles Restaurant: Located on the ground floor of the Southgate Tower Hotel the restaurant mixes funky and simple with metal and white backgrounds, vibrant lighting and James Rizzi’s playful art depicting mundane tasks and city events. They offer a special Mother’s Day brunch menu with specials such as prosciutto wrapped asparagus and ciliegine over mesculun greens ($12), a roast prime rib of beef with oven roasted tomatoes and haricot vert ($28), or pan-roasted breast of chicken with fuji apples, potato pancakes and baby broccoli ($19). Full brunch and dinner menus also available.

371 Seventh Avenue btwn 30th and 31st, 212 629-0210

Keen’s Steakhouse (Dinner only): Class and charm are retained inside the wooden walls of this landmark steakhouse. The sole survivor of the Herald Square Theatre District, it has withstood the tests of time thanks to quality oysters, lobsters, sole, USDA prime grade, handpicked and dry-aged on site steak, and specials such as the famed 26-ounce mutton lamb chop.

72 W. 36th St. btwn Fifth and Sixth 212-947-3636

Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse: Rumored since the 1930’s to have the best steak sauce around, the magical substance was once guarded in an iron vault and more protected than Southern whiskey during the prohibition era. Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse features USDA Prime beef steaks selected by the owner from ranches in Nebraska and aged 21 – 28 days.

440 Ninth Ave. btwn, 34th & 35th 212-244-0005

Port Authority:

Maybe it’s the lack of a food car or driver’s affinity for rest stop food, but buses have never been quite as romanticized as trains. In effect, fine dining and bus terminals seem an unlikely pair. But at least two joints are proving that stereotype wrong.

Metro Marche: This French Brasserie proudly stands its ground in the underground bus terminal, and has become a meeting point of theater guests and travelers alike. Their brunch menu offers a variety of omelets such as the ever-pleasing bacon, cheddar, and tomato ($10.95) or the more adventurous shrimp and avocado ($12.95), and throwbacks like red flannel hash ($8.95), banana oatmeal brulee ($7.95), cinnamon raisin challah French toast ($8.95), and entrees from fish and ships ($14.50) to and mussels marnieres ($15.95). Closing at 6 p.m.

625 Eighth Avenue at 41st St., 212-239-1010

Inakaya:Kneeling chefs thrusting paddles of sushi and traditional Japanese dishes at customers is the norm here. The Japanese Robatayakit joint (like Japanese barbecuing) has been opened for just over two months old and very expensive and offers items such as the $65 kinki ( deep sea snapper) shipped straight from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market and $10 chicken thigh skewers. Sushi rolls range from to $5-$15.

231 W. 40th St. between Seventh and Eighth aves., 212-354-2195

Tags: mother's day, grand central, penn station, port authority, restaurants

This week's dining news and events

Wednesday April 29, 2009 4:53 PM By Lucy Blatter

Rosa Mexicano's Cinco de Mayo celebration features margaritas, guacamole and giveaways.

Inaugural Mexican Masquerade at Rosa Mexicano: On Cinco de Mayo (next Tuesday), Rosa Mexicano’s first 200 guests (after 5 p.m.) decked out in Mexican costumes will receive a complimentary shot of tequila in a collectible shot glass and the possibility of giveaways and prizes throughout the night. The chain’s special fresh fruit muddled margaritas made tableside will be available all day. Maracas, piñatas, music and fiesta favorite Guacamole en Molcajete, top off the day.

61 Columbus Avenue at 62nd St., 212-977-7700 (Lincoln Center)

1063 First Avenue at 58th St., 212-753-7407

9 E. 18th St., btwn Fifth Ave. & Broadway, 212-533-3350

50 cent Tequila & Tacos at Elizabeth: From 5 – 7 p.m. on Cinco de Mayo, the swanky Nolita bar/restaurant is offering dirt cheap tacos and tequila – 50 cents will get you a shot of Tanteo tequila or a taco. Other tequila-based cocktails, including margaritas, are $5.

265 Elizabeth St. btwn Prince and Houston, 212-334-2426

Chef named for opening of The Pierre hotel: Stephane Becht, a 29-year veteran chef will be in charge of the Pierre Hotel’s new lobby lounge, 24-hour in- room dining for hotel guests, and all catering events. The Fifth Avenue hotel will reopen June 1 following a $100 million renovation. Becht’s previous work experience includes La Grenouille in New York, four restaurants in France, Delano in Miami, L’Orangerie in Los Angeles, and many more. His most recent position was corporate executive chef for the Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Lines.

To book a room at The Pierre, TajHotels.com 800-743-7734

Tags: margarita, rosa mexicano, cinco de mayo, restaurants

Michelle Obama: Shoes you can't use

Wednesday April 29, 2009 4:27 PM By Emily Ngo

(Getty)

First lady Michelle Obama spoke at the Capital Area Food Bank on Wednesday in D.C. Great cause, but her shoes? Not so great. Looks like she borrowed them from 10-year-old Malia or someone else in the Sketchers crowd.

Jill Biden, Vice President Joe Biden's wife, was also in attendance. Her more-mature Tory Burch flats are peeking into the left side of the photo.

New Red Mango flavored unveiled (and tasted)

Wednesday April 29, 2009 1:34 PM By Lucy Blatter

Red Mango will unveil its newest flavor on Saturday, with free tastings from 12-4 p.m. The flavor, Tangomonium, is described as having "notes of fruit and citrus." To me, it tasted like a creamsicle. Yum!

Tags: red mango, frozen yogurt, tangomonium, food

Jacques Torres fights to save his kisses (and hands out freebies too!)

Wednesday April 29, 2009 11:24 AM By Lucy Blatter

Jacques Torres is currently involved in a battle with Hershey's. The chocolatier is offering the controversial Champagne Kiss bonbons for free in all three of his city locations today.

In case you haven't heard, famed chocolatier Jacques Torres is currently involved in a battle with Hershey.

The chocolate giant has ordered him to stop selling his Champagne Kiss bonbon, saying it infringes on Hershey’s Kisses trademark.

Torres has declared that he is not going to stop selling his Taittinger Champagne Kiss, describing himself as the David to Hershey's Goliath. He has petitions in all three of his locations and has started a web site, www.savejacqueskiss.com .

Today from 12 pm – 3 pm Torres will give away 10,000 samples of his Champagne Kiss bonbon at his three Manhattan locations.

100 days: Obama's bold start defined by promise, pitfalls

Tuesday April 28, 2009 8:34 PM By Emily Ngo

President Barack Obama has wrapped up his first 100 days in office by launching an ambitious and broad agenda. (AP)

By Emily Ngo

He campaigned for office on a platform of swift and sweeping change. Now, 100 days into his historic presidency, Barack Obama is pressing to fulfill that promise.

Supporters hail the nation’s first black president for acting decisively on a slew of issues. Critics contend that Obama, taking on too much too soon, is steering the country down the wrong path.

Here’s an overview of key actions Obama, 47, has taken since his Jan. 20 swearing-in:

Economy

Tackling the most daunting issue plaguing the nation, Obama signed a $787 billion stimulus into law with little Republican support. He and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner then introduced bailout plans for the financial and auto sectors, vowing increased oversight and putting a regulation overhaul into motion.

The road to recovery, however, was made bumpier by several Cabinet candidates’ tax problems and AIG’s controversial $165 million bonus payout. How soon joblessness eases, and whether consumer confidence is restored, remains to be seen.

“The stimulus package is going to be the key to his administration, the big enchilada,” said political consultant Jerry Skurnik of Prime New York. “If he can turn it around, he’ll be considered a success. If he doesn’t turn it around, then he’s got a big problem.”What’s next: It’s still too soon to gauge the success of Obama’s spending bill, but he awaits Congress’ decision this week on his proposed $3.6 trillion budget, which is likely to face resistance; evaluates the bank stress test results; and prepares the nation for another possible surge of stimulus.

Foreign policy

The commander in chief vowed a troop withdrawal from Iraq by the end of 2011 and planned a buildup in Afghanistan. He also has nearly reversed the doctrine of former President George W. Bush on international adversaries, loosening restrictions on Cuba and opening up channels of communication with Iran and Venezuela.

“Where [Bush was] aggressive and antagonistic and constantly getting us into trouble unnecessarily, Obama is pragmatic and realistic and willing to let people work with the United States,” said Democratic media consultant Joseph Mercurio.

What’s next: The president’s largest foreseeable challenges will be the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the Taliban foothold in Pakistan, said political analyst Doug Muzzio, a professor at Baruch College. Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also will need to manage North Korea’s nuclear threats and push for a peaceful solution for Israel and the Palestinians.

National security

Among Obama’s early initiatives were the scheduled closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison and the ban on torture tactics. He released confidential CIA memos on Bush-era interrogation methods earlier this month. Obama’s first national security test was the Somali pirate attack on an American-flagged ship followed by the near-pandemic swine flu outbreak.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney led the GOP attack, arguing that Obama has made the U.S. more susceptible to a terror attack.

What’s next: The president and Clinton must figure out how to share resources with the Mexican government to fight drug cartels along the border, convince countries to take on Gitmo detainees and combat swine flu panic.

Other issues

Obama is fleshing out his plans for a larger social safety net. Campaign promises to make health care universal and immigration more inclusive “have not yet been fully addressed, but you see some movement on them, at least conceptually,” Muzzio said.

Obama’s order to allow federal funding for stem cell research demonstrated a less ideologically and religiously constrained stance than his predecessor, Muzzio said.

Obama also is working on climate change issues, said campaign strategist Kevin Wardally of Bill Lynch Associates, promoting a cap-and-trade program for carbon emissions and halting offshore oil and gas drilling.

“Here you have a president who’s in command of himself, command of the issues, command of the room,” Muzzio said.

Obama has managed a strong start, but “the next nine months are likely to prove more difficult than the first three,” said Brookings Institution fellow William Galston, former policy adviser to President Bill Clinton. “It is easier to broach issues than to resolve them.”

Tags: president barack obama, 100 days, congress, white house, stimulus, economy, war, politics

First lady to make national service fashionable

Tuesday April 28, 2009 8:30 PM By Emily Ngo

By Emily Ngo

Slipping seamlessly — and sleevelessly — into the spotlight, first lady Michelle Obama has enjoyed high approval ratings for her gracious manner and fashionable presence.

“One has a little bit of concern that she’s being seen as a decoration, because there’s so much attention paid to what she’s wearing,” said Liza Mundy, author of “Michelle: A Biography.”

Moving forward, however, the 45-year-old Obama is expected to lend her celebrity to a handful of domestic, family-oriented causes, Mundy said.

Among those issues the Harvard-educated mother of two has favored are:

* Benefits for working parents, such as extended maternity leave

* Support for military families

* Volunteerism and national service

* Behavior modification and better eating habits

* Bridging the gap between the White House and the D.C. community“She’s very aware of people who didn’t do as well as she did in life and feels an obligation to the community,” Mundy said. “In general, she’s made quite a graceful entrance.”

Tags: michelle obama, fashion, volunteerism, national service, politics

Swine flu and fear spread with new cases in the city

Tuesday April 28, 2009 6:57 PM By Marlene Naanes

Sano Shinsuke wears a mask to protect from swine flu as he walks through Times Square after arriving on a flight from Japan Tuesday. Shinsuke said he feared catching the illness. (AP Photo)

By Marlene Naanes

A simple sneeze on the subway took on sinister overtones yesterday for New Yorkers rattled by the news that the city’s swine flu cases hit 44, with possibly hundreds of more residents infected.

As the threat grew more palpable, some New Yorkers and tourists began walking around in face masks. Three midtown pharmacies had sold out of the masks and experienced a heavy stream of hand sanitizer sales.

“I was just in the train, and people were coughing and sneezing,” said Sylvia Rivera, 52, a West Sider who said she'd probably buy a mask. “I would move away … I don't want to die. Every time people sneeze around me, I feel, ‘Do I have to run away?”

Driving the growing worry was news that a 2-year-old Bronx boy and a Brooklyn woman were hospitalized with suspected swine flu, as 35 other possible cases in Manhattan and Queens were being tested. Furthermore, “many hundreds” of students at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens may have the illness. All 44 confirmed city cases have been recorded at the Fresh Meadow school, which remains closed.A second Queens school, P.S. 177, which is near St. Francis Prep, has been closed as 12 students, some siblings of St. Francis students, are being tested. The spread of the disease across the country continued with 67 confirmed cases, including those in New York.

“I fully expect we will see deaths from this infection,” said Richard Besser, acting director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The disease originated in Mexico, where it killed scores of people. The confirmed cases in New York City are linked to travel there.

Officials at Duane Reade and Rite Aid said their stores saw a spike in demand of face masks, hand sanitizer and Tamiflu. The city health department recommends that people with flu-like illnesses don a face mask. But for some, there was no antidote to paranoia.

“You never know if someone on the subway has it,” said Candice Rubins, 22, of Brooklyn. “I try to avoid people I don't know” if they look sick.

Andrew Breiner, Newsday and the AP contributed to this report.

Tags: swine flu, fear, new york, mexico

Part two of MTA fare hike could surface next month

Tuesday April 28, 2009 6:29 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The MTA could unveil another fare hike or additional service cuts as soon as May without a bailout from Albany, sources said.

The agency announced Monday that it faces a $621 million hole, even after a fare hike of up to 30 percent and dozens of service cuts beginning next month.

The MTA must slap straphangers with more pain this year, as the agency forecasts an additional $1 billion deficit in 2010, a spokesman said.

“The budget has to be reconciled,” MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said.

MTA staff started sketching out additional doomsday scenarios last month, when it became apparent that the agency’s deficit had grown beyond the original $1.2 billion estimate, according to a source close to the agency. Those traveling during off-peak hours or outside the core of Manhattan are especially vulnerable to service cuts.The MTA board will discuss a time frame for filling the new deficit during its board meeting Wednesday, but won’t put forth specific plans, officials said.

Up in Albany Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee passed its $1.76 billion MTA rescue plan, which would raise fares by 8 percent, impose a payroll tax and instate a $1 taxi surcharge. The Senate amended the bill to exclude livery cars from the fee.

The clock on the May 31 fare hike is quickly ticking. Even if the Senate’s plan passes, the MTA would have to raise fares more than 8 percent because of the lost time, Ortiz said.

Tags: mta, subways, fare hike, transit

City finance head resigns amid ethics probe

Tuesday April 28, 2009 6:17 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The city’s finance chief resigned yesterday, two weeks after the mayor called for an investigation into her alleged ethical misconduct, including an affair with one of her staffers.

Martha Stark, 48, was caught employing three family members and dating former assistant commissioner Dara Ottley-Brown. Last month, she resigned from a real estate company that paid her $90,000 in 2007. Stark also faced scrutiny after she retained a parking judge who fudged his time sheets.

“I want to thank Martha for her years of service,” said Mayor Mike Bloomberg in a brief statement.

Randy Mastro, Stark's attorney, said she resigned to “keep her private life private.”

“New York City has lost one of its finest public servants,” Mastro said. “Martha did nothing wrong here.”Stark, who became the first black woman to run the department in 2002, received a salary $189,700. Her official last day is Friday, whereby Michael Hyman, a deputy finance commissioner, will be appointed as the acting department chief, according to a spokesman for the mayor.

The city wouldn’t comment on how far the investigation has progressed.

Tags: politics

Manny's Music May Be Saved

Tuesday April 28, 2009 6:16 PM By Pete Catapano

By Emily Hulme

ehulme@am-ny.com

For weeks, it looked like Manny’s Music was singing its swan song, but the midtown staple might keep selling guitars for years to come.

The landlord of the Music Row business, the Rockefeller Group, said yesterday it has been in negotiations with Sam Ash Music, the owner of Manny’s, for up to a year to extend the lease for the shop, a staple on 48th Street since 1935.

Manny’s did not respond to calls for comment.

Manny's Music on 48th Street (Photo by Ryan Thatcher)Earlier this month, Manny’s owner Paul Ash retracted a statement he made to the New York Post saying that the Rockefeller Group failed to renew the lease.

“We were surprised and disappointed by Paul Ash’s statements in the NY Post on April 6 saying that the landlord has chosen not to renew the lease for the property occupied by Manny’s Music,” said Sandra Manley, Rockefeller Group spokeswoman. “As the landlord, we would be happy to have Manny’s Music continue as a tenant in the building.”

In his retraction to the Post, Ash said: “We have not made a final decision regarding whether to continue the Manny’s business or to use the location for a Sam Ash store. Any decision regarding the future of the Manny’s business will be solely our own.”

Regardless of Manny’s fate, other owners on Music Row fear the strip, where stars as big as The Beatles and U2 shopped, fear the stores will one day be gone.

“There was nothing but music when I opened,” said Rudy Pensa, who opened Rudy’s Music in 1978. “It was 15 music stores, now we are four.”

The culprit, of course, has been rising rents in around Times Square.

Pensa hasn’t been pressured to move yet, but expects it any day.

“I think it’s getting close to the end of an era, not just for Manny’s but for all of 48th, which is really, really bad, for the heart of the city.” He said. “But what are we going to do? I’ll be here until I can be here.”

The blogger on Lost City, who writes under the name Brooks of Sheffield, first reported on Manny’s troubles, and agreed that Music Row is on life support.

“It’s fairly inevitable, since Manny's and much of the other music-related stores on the street are owned by Sam Ash,” he said. “And Ash management, in their comments, have been pretty fatalistic about Music Row's future. If Ash won't

fight for Music Row's survival, who will?”

But not everyone is predicting the worst.

“Obviously [Manny’s is] an institution so people are curious as to why it’s closing,” said Mike Rock, a manager at the Sam Ash guitar store said before the latest news of Manny’s possible survival. “But as far as I know, we’re not going anywhere.”

Tags: manny's music, sam ash, rudy's, music row, 48th street, the beatles, u2, endangered nyc, retail, neighborhoods

Cinco de Mayo mania

Tuesday April 28, 2009 5:01 PM By Lucy Blatter

Food Network's Ingrid Hoffman suggests pulled pork and micheladas for a Cinco de Mayo party. Recipes below.

By Lucy Cohen Blatter

Next Tuesday, New Yorkers will swig margaritas in honor of Cinco de Mayo. Though it’s often mistaken as Mexico’s Independence Day, the holiday actually commemorates the Mexican army’s defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. While the anniversary is celebrated somewhat in the Southern Mexican state of Puebla, it is celebrated most in the U.S.

In honor of the somewhat inauthentic holiday, we asked Ingrid Hoffmann, a Food Network personality, for some authentic Pueblan recipes. She suggested Tinga Pueblana, a Mexican pulled pork dish that's served with tortillas. “It has potatoes in it, so it’s a whole dish in one pot,” she said. “For a party, it’s a less time-consuming option than making little appetizers.”If you’re looking to incorporate true Mexican flavors into another dish, grab some chipotles, poblano chilies, green tomatillos, cilantro and lime. And of course, you can always make rice, beans and seafood.

Of course, Cinco de Mayo is as much about drinking as it is about eating, and Hoffmann suggested washing your chips and salsa down with either a Paloma cocktail (consisting of tequila, some kind of citrus, sparkling lime soda and grapefruit juice).

If you’re looking for a little spice, try a Michelada, which combines beer, hot sauce, worcesteshire sauce and chili powder.

As far as decorations go, Hoffmann said Cinco de Mayo parties should be kept casual. “People are looking to party, so the more casual and easy you make it, the more fun it will be.” For a natural feel, she suggests using corks and writing the name of the dishes you serve on those.

If you want to add a little bit of color to your party without making it look like one big pinata, Hoffmann suggests sticking to three colors.

Trying filling a sombrero with chips (place it in a bowl first to balance it), and decorate the place with traditional Mexican paper flowers (which are easiest to find online).

Recipes:

Michelada

1/4 cup kosher salt

3 tablespoons chili powder

2 limes, cut into 4 wedges each

4 (12-ounce) bottles beer

Hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)

Worcestershire sauce

Combine the salt and chili powder in a small bowl and transfer to a flat plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of each beer mug and dip it into the chili-salt to coat the rim. Squeeze the juice of 4 lime wedges into each mug. Add a lime wedge to the mug and fill with ice. Add 1 bottle of beer, a dash of hot sauce and a dash of Worcestershire sauce and serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ease of preparation: easy

Mexican Pulled Pork (Tinga Pueblana)

Serves 8

1 pound (about 3 medium) russet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 (2 to 3-pound) pork loin

1 yellow onion, chopped plus 1/2 yellow onion left whole

2 garlic cloves, smashed

2 bay leaves

12 ounces raw chorizo, casing removed

5 small tomatoes, peeled, cored and chopped

2 canned chipotle chiles en adobo, finely chopped (seeds removed for less heat)

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram

Salt

For serving:

16 corn or flour tortillas

4 avocados, sliced

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Lime wedges

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook until tender, 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Place the pork in a large pot of water. Add the onion half, the garlic, and the bay leaves and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently until the pork is cooked through, about 45 minutes. Remove pork from the water and set it aside until it is cool enough to handle (discard cooking liquid). Using your fingers or two forks, shred the meat into small pieces and set aside.

Break the chorizo into small pieces and fry it over medium-high heat in a large skillet or pot until it is completely cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chorizo to a paper towel-lined plate. Add the chopped onions to the same skillet and cook until soft, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the shredded pork, the potatoes, the tomatoes, and the chipotle chiles and cook until the tomatoes break down, about 15 minutes. Return the cooked chorizo to the pan and stir in the vinegar, thyme, marjoram and some salt. Continue to cook over medium heat until some of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes.

While the pork cooks, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tortilla and warm for 10 to 15 seconds. Flip and continue to warm until the tortilla is pliable and heated through, about 10 to 20 seconds. Place on a plate, cover with a kitchen towel, and set aside; repeat with the remaining tortillas (or warm the tortillas in the microwave: stack them on a plate and cover with a damp cloth; microwave for 30 seconds and keep them covered until you’re ready to serve).

Place the tinga in a serving bowl or bring to the table in the cooking pot. Arrange the tortillas, avocado, and cilantro on a platter so each diner can fill a tortilla with meat and accompaniments. Pass a bowl of lime wedges around.

Tags: cinco de mayo, ingrid hoffmann, pulled pork, tinga pueblana, food

amNewYork letters to the editor

Tuesday April 28, 2009 4:30 PM By Sara Baumberger

FAA needs to have some consideration

Re “Air scare recalls 9/11,” April 28: Here is just another example of the FAA operating on its own accord. Not only did it almost get away with not releasing the data on bird strikes, but it also conveniently kept secret the flyby of a 747 jet coming dangerously close to the NYC skyline. They claim that if they revealed the act, it would break with federal law regarding classified information, but that is a lame excuse. Just say, “There will be aerial exercises on this day, in this location, and don’t be alarmed.” Have some consideration!

— George McCook, Woodside

Will someone be fired for screw-up?

Don Imus got fired for making a stupid, offhand remark on the radio. Let’s see if the head of White House Military Office has to give up his cushy job and benefits for panicking an entire city. (Don’t hold your breath.)

— Elliott Capon, Port Monmouth, N.J.

Thank you, stranger from the No. 6 train

I want to publicly thank the man who grabbed my purse, which I accidently left on the 6 Uptown train, and brought it to me after I got off at the 86th Street stop early last Saturday morning. I am very thankful to this gentleman and wanted people to know that there are nice people in NYC who do nice things. I am going to make sure to “pay it forward” and do the right thing for a stranger when I see the opportunity to help someone.

— B.J. Kelsey, Mahanttan

Tags: letters to the editor

Developing: 2 hospitalized for swine flu in city; hundreds of school kids possibly infected

Tuesday April 28, 2009 3:00 PM By Rolando Pujol

(AP) New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says two people are hospitalized with suspected swine flu.

City Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden also said Tuesday that “many hundreds” of schoolchildren are sick with suspected cases of swine flu.

Bloomberg says the hospitalizations are separate from the outbreak at a private school in Queens.

If they are found to be swine flu they would be the first in the U.S. connected to the outbreak.

The mayor says the hospitalized are a child in the Bronx and an adult in Brooklyn.

The U.S. has more than 60 reported cases of swine flu, mostly in New York City. The sickness has killed dozens in Mexi

Food Network launches site for 20-somethings

Tuesday April 28, 2009 2:59 PM By Lucy Blatter

"Top Chef"'s Spike Mendelsohn and "Next Food Network Star"'s Kelsey Nixon are stars of a cooking show on the Food Network's new food2.com site geared at the 20-something crowd.

By Emily Mathis

Special to amNewYork

In attempt to pull in more of the short attention-spanned, 20-something crowd and fewer of the “can sit through an entire T.V. show”, 40-somethings, Food Network has launched Food2.com, a multimedia site focused on cooking, eating, and drinking.

Original video series include the under-five minute “Kelsey & Spike Cook: By the Book and Off the Hook,” hosted by “Top Chef Chicago’s” Spike Mendelsohn and “Next Food Network Star’s” Kelsey Nixon. In each episode Nixon gives time-tested recipes such as French toast with pecan syrup, while Spike goes more adventurous with the likes of brown butter and grape pancakes.The site will also feature “Kitchen Conspirators” following the three chefs behind Brooklyn underground supper club Whisk & Ladle as they prepare dishes for their guests. Tips such as where to get the best sushi roller, recipes for the best mint julep, and a blog discussion on musician K’Naan versus Naan, are geared to the new demographic. To top it all off, the site is Twitter and Facebook integrated. The current site is in beta form so it is a bit sparse but seems a promising resource once it figures itself out.

Tags: food network, food2.com

MTA shaves cost, features from 96th Street station rehab

Tuesday April 28, 2009 2:49 PM By Heather Haddon

(Illustration courtesy NYC Transit)

By Heather Haddon

The much-anticipated rehab of the 96th Street station will be cheaper, faster and a little less accessible for handicap riders.

Engineers have shaved $26 million from the renovation to the station serving the No. 1, 2 and 3 line by reducing the depth and width of the underground platform, according to MTA renderings presented Monday.

Officials expect the $93 million project to wrap up 20 months earlier that previously scheduled, as workers won’t have to drill into the bedrock or relocate many utilities.

Still, the redesign does not include a new escalator included in the original plan. Engineers also removed one of the three elevators originally proposed.The MTA expects the project to complete by 2010. Street-level work first began in 2007.

Tags: mta, 96th street, manhattan, transit

White House stages jet photo op over lower Manhattan, terrifying New Yorkers

Monday April 27, 2009 7:31 PM By Jason Fink

The plane that flew over lower Manhattan Monday morning. (Courtesy WNBC)

By Jason Fink

Talk about stupid.

Panicked New Yorkers — including Mayor Michael Bloomberg — were left furious and dumbfounded Monday over why the military would stage a photo op with a low-flying Air Force One look-alike, trailed by an F-16 fighter jet, buzzing lower Manhattan without warning.

“We thought we were under attack again,” said Laorie Crystal, 50, who lives in Battery Park City and was walking her dog at the time. “It was very scary.”

The White House later apologized for the confusion.

AP

“Clearly, it was a mistake in judgement,” said an Obama administration official who asked not to be named.

Thousands of jittery office workers in lower Manhattan, many compelled by traumatic memories of 9/11, streamed out of buildings shortly before 10 a.m. yesterday, when the plane — a Boeing 747 — flew over the Financial District at somewhere between 1,000 and 1,500 feet. Some witnesses even reported to the NYPD that the planes were at no more than 500 feet.

The flight was staged to capture updated its file photos of Air Force One with the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop.

“Everyone panicked, as you can certainly understand,” said John Leitner, a floor trader at the New York Mercantile Exchange Building.

The Federal Aviation Administration sent an e-mail Thursday to the NYPD and to an official in the mayor’s office, informing them of the mission but no one told Bloomberg, who only found out when his BlackBerry lit up with the news yesterday.

Bloomberg said he was “furious” no one told him.

“Had I known about it I would have tried to stop it,” the mayor said.

The city often releases information when it is planning to conduct a drill related to terrorism. In this case, however, the FAA made it clear that revealing news of the flyover would break federal law regarding classified information, according to Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne, the NYPD’s top spokesman.

Meanwhile, the city official informed by the FAA of the mission but who failed to notify Bloomberg “has been reprimanded” and a disciplinary letter placed in his file, according to a mayoral spokesman.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), one of a chorus of elected officials who blasted the FAA, said not telling the public beforehand “defies logic and borders on simply being cruel.

“To not realize that people would see this stunt in broad daylight and think of 9/11 defies logic and shows the FAA is completely asleep at the switch,” Schumer said.

Newsday and the Associated Press contributed to this story.

Tags: 9/11, white house, lower manhattan, zany

Astoria residents temporarily without power, evacuated

Monday April 27, 2009 7:27 PM By Marlene Naanes

It was déjà vu all over again for a block of Astoria residents yesterday after an outage left scores of residents without power on one of the warmest days of the year.

The neighborhood, hard hit during a days-long power outage in the summer of 2006, got a little taste of power trouble starting at 11:45 a.m. yesterday when a smoldering service box containing electric cables sent carbon monoxide into nearby homes and severed power.

About 40 people were evacuated and 25 customers lost power. A customer represents one meter, so potentially hundreds of people were left powerless. The incident happened on Crescent Street, between 23rd and 24th avenues. Power was restored by evening, said Chris Olert, a utility spokesman.

The cause of the outage is under investigation.

(Marlene Naanes)

Tags: astoria, con ed, power outage, weather

Straphangers face more pain as MTA drowns in debt

Monday April 27, 2009 6:32 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The fast-approaching fare hike and service cuts won't come close to keeping the MTA in the black, meaning straphangers could get hammered again.

Plummeting ridership and tax revenues have led to another $621 million in losses this year. That's on top of the $1.2 billion deficit that MTA will begin filling next month with a fare increase of up to 30 percent and dozens of service cuts.

Next year, meanwhile, brings a new problem for the MTA and straphangers as the agency predicts it will have a $1 billion deficit, triple what it originally thought.

It's unclear whether that will mean a new round of fare hikes and service cuts, but the board is expected to discuss the new deficit at the meeting Wednesday.

After years of record increases, MTA officials expect ridership to decline by more than 7 percent this year because of the fare increase and the number of people of out work.

“The state of our finances is dire,” said MTA chief Elliot Sander, during the agency's board meeting. “We need Albany to come to the rescue.”But funding plans under consideration by the state won't fully cover the MTA's $1.8 billion deficit for this year. Both versions of the plan in the Assembly and Senate leave a hole of about $200 million, according to the latest projections. The agency could absorb a deficit of that size in the short term, but the Senate's proposal — relying payroll taxes, an 8 percent fare increase and $1 surcharge on taxi rides — would fall too short in coming years, said MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin.

Meanwhile, up in Albany:

• The Senate Transportation Committee advanced its $1.76 million rescue plan for the MTA along party lines. Democrats hope to pass the bill next Wednesday, but support for the proposal has crumbled.

• A growing chorus of leaders, including Gov. David Paterson, blasted the $1 surcharge on taxi rides included in the Senate's proposal, as half of it goes to funding transportation projects outside the city.

Even if Albany acts, it's fast becoming too late to reverse the fare increase. Local stations will begin to receive the new fare table next week in preparation for the May 31 hike, Transit spokesman Paul Fleuranges said.

“Million of New Yorkers are scratching their heads and getting very, very angry,” said Gene Russianoff, of the Straphangers Campaign.

The agency's board will begin to discuss options to plug this year's during its meeting Wednesday. MTA officials could not say yesterday if it would need to enact additional cost saving measures this year.

Tags: mta, new york city, transit

Peace, art and food: A cost-cutting sojourn to Montreal

Monday April 27, 2009 5:24 PM By Lucy Blatter

Jean-Talon Market is a paradise for foodies in Montreal.

By Laura Neilson

Special to amNewYork

This year, Montreal celebrates the 40th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's famous bed-in (from May 26-June 2), which took place at the city's Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel. To honor the event, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is hosting a free exhibition entitled "Imagine: The Peace Ballad of John and Yoko," through June 21. The show features an impressive collection of photographs and memorabilia chronicling the couple's protest, as well as their artwork and campaigns for peace.

The exhibition alone is well worth a visit to the Canadian city, but the strength of the US dollar (1.2 Canadian dollars to the US dollar), combined with many other affordable offerings, will make a weekend stay in the North American French capital feel like a jetlag-free trip to Europe—for a fraction of the price.

SATURDAY

Despite the bed-in theme, you won't want to laze about this weekend. Get an early start and make your way over to the Museum of Fine Arts (mmfa.qu.ca) to avoid the inevitable crowds.

New Yorkers have strong opinions about everything—burgers included. That said, head a few blocks north from the museum to M:Bgr (2025 Drummond St., mbrgr.com) where you can customize your own burger for lunch. Choose from three different types of beef, chicken breast, tuna or a veggie patty. Try a side of the classic Montrealais dish known as poutine: French fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds.

For more art, make your way to the Museum of Contemporary Art (macm.org), where $8 CAD gets you in to see the works of renowned artists like Louise Bourgeois, Richard Serra, Nan Goldin and Sam Taylor-Wood. Or eschew admission fees and stroll through the nearby galleries to check out Montreal's growing art scene.Try La Fabrique Bistrot (www.lafabriquebistrot.com) for dinner. This new open-kitchen gastropub offers a small, but diverse menu of contemporary updates on traditional Quebecois fare. Save room for the pain perdu dessert—a delectably sweet and salty nod to the breakfast classic (entrees range from $15-$27 CAD).

SUNDAY

Even the most strident fan of NYC bagels will appreciate Montreal's enthusiasm for the baked good. The city claims to turn out the world's finest, perhaps best-exhibited at Fairmount Bakery (74 Fairmount West) and St-Viateur Bagels (263 St. Viateur West), where a healthy rivalry has existed for years. Both are located just blocks away from each other, so take your pick for breakfast—or sample one from each.

After carb-loading, walk along Boulevard St-Laurent, a hopping thoroughfare lined with eclectic boutiques, record shops, vintage stores and eateries for all cravings.

Continue your food-fueled day by visiting the Jean-Talon Market (marche-jean-talon.com/), a European-style marketplace that's been a major shopping destination for the city's inhabitants since the 1930's. In addition to flower stalls and gorgeous displays of produce, you'll find plenty of exquisite artisanal goods to bring home.

It's worth the wait for a seat at Schwartz's (schwartzsdeli.com)—not only is the bustling deli a Montreal institution, but should you manage to polish off one of their hefty smoked meat sandwiches, you probably won't need much of a dinner.

Where to Stay

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel (fairmont.com)

Through June 21st, the hotel where John and Yoko held their famous bed-in is offering a promotional package that includes complimentary breakfast for two, and a gift CD featuring Lennon's “Give Peace a Chance." Rooms start at $199 CAD a night. Suite 1742 (John and Yoko’s room) is also available starting at $599 a night.

Also, from June 1-October 15, more than 20 hotels throughout Montreal are participating in the "Sweet Summer Deal" promotion, which offers a third night of stay at half price. Regular nightly rates range from $130CAD to $199 CAD. For more information visit tourisme-montreal.org/Offers/Summer

Upcoming Festivals and Summer Events

The Montreal International Jazz Festival (July 1-12) – Now in its 30th year, this 11-day festival welcomes 2.5 million visitors and more than 3,000 musicians for an astounding series of 650 concerts—more than half of which are free. It's the largest international event of its kind, complete with a 3-day guitar show as well as activities and games for kids. For more information: http://www.montrealjazzfest.com

Just For Laughs Festival (July 16-26) – Hot on the heels of the jazz extravaganza, this annual comedy event will host performances by more than 1,700 comedians including John Cleese, Lewis Black, and Bill Cosby. Some shows will require tickets, however more than 1,200 of this year's comics will participate in free outdoor activities. For more information: http://www.hahaha.com

Tags: montreal, bed-in, john lennon, yoko ono, travel

Viral video: Where's the bridge?

Monday April 27, 2009 5:15 PM By Sean Joseph

If your friends all jumped over a creek, would you?

Tags: viral video, television, failblog

This week's travel deals

Monday April 27, 2009 5:09 PM By Lucy Blatter

Wayfarers is offering $800 per-couple discounts for their Vienna to Prague walks.

$800 off Wayfarers’ Vienna to Prague eight-day walk: Hike between two of Europe’s oldest cities with nightly dinners featuring local cuisine and wine and accommodations at a 16th century monastery, a former synagogue, and a hotel dating from the 1400s.

The seven to ten mile per day hike takes you through the Czech Republic’s fairytale-esque woods full of rare flowers, cities of famed Baroque architecture, charming villages with some of Europe’s oldest breweries, and ends with a walk across Charles Bridge and visit to the world’s largest ancient castle, Prague Castle. Book by May 29 for an $800 per couple reduction for travel July 11th -18th or September 12th – 29th. Pre-reduction price is $3,895.

TheWayFarers.com or 800-249-4620

Orbitz adds features and cuts fees: Last week Orbitz released its “Total Price” hotel search results featuring upfront price per night with taxes and fees. Recently, Orbitz and Cheaptickets dropped their flight booking fees, and for rooms booked by July 15th Orbitz is cutting booking fees on hotels around the world.

Orbitz.com Montauk Yacht Club Resort and Marina’s Mother’s Day package: The nearby resort’s package includes one-night accommodation, a one-hour Swedish massage for moms (a $110 value), breakfast in bed for two adults and up to two kids, and a complimentary mother’s day yoga class. Rates for stays in newly renovated portion begin at $411 and $381 for upgraded area. Available through May 31st.

MontaukYachtClub.com, 888-692-8668

Santa Fe Mother’s Day cooking retreat $376/two nights: The Muy Sabrosa Cooking School’s package includes accommodations in a double occupancy room at the Inn on the Alameda, a two-and-a-half hour cooking class on chile, wine, or salsa with lunch for two at the Santa Fe School of Cooking (a $120 value), daily breakfast and afternoon wine and cheese reception, and a $40 gift certificate for dinner at the inn’s neighbor restaurant, Mucho Gusto. Travel May 8 – 10 and select dates through December 2009.

888-984-2121, InnOnTheAlameda.com

Westin Riverfront Resort’s Thank You Mom Spa Getaway: The $279/night Avon, Colorado package includes accommodations in a Studio Suite with fireplace, $100 credit at the resort’s spa offering treatments such as river stone massages and coffee foot replenishers, $40 credit at Restaurant Avondale, and a complimentary robe.

Available through May 31st and based on double occupancy rooms.

866-716-8137 or StarWoodHotels.com, use promo WESMOM

Tags: travel deals, montauk, sante fe, orbitz, vienna prague, cheap tickets

New swine flu cases reported at New York City school

Monday April 27, 2009 5:06 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

There are 20 more cases of swine flu at a Queens Catholic school, city officials confirmed Monday, adding that the number is likely to exceed 100 once all the testing is completed.

In New York City, there is now a total of 28 confirmed cases, with another 17 likely, said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

“We are monitoring this illness very carefully,” Bloomberg said.

All the people with suspected and confirmed cases are from St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows, which was closed Monday and will be closed again Tuesday. Several students from the school spent spring break in Mexico and city officials say the strain matches one found there, where nearly 150 have died and more than 1,000 sickened from the swine flu.Officials have described the cases in New York as mild, and yesterday city Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said all but two of the more 100 people reporting symptoms have improved. The two who did not get better did not get worse, he said.

The city is asking all students to fill out questionnaires about their health and travel and about a third have done so.

Though the infections represent only one “cluster,” administration officials cautioned that the illness could crop up elsewhere.

“We wouldn’t be surprised if we see other cases in the city,” Frieden said.

Tags: swine flu, health

Fun facts about rats

Monday April 27, 2009 4:37 PM By Heather Haddon

(Illustration courtesy NYC Transit)

By Heather Haddon

Surprise: rats living in the city subway system do not grow into marsupials, and life in the tunnels is tough. The MTA revealed the following facts about its rodent population during a board presentation Monday:

- The average subway rat is 16 inches long, with its tail accounting for about half of that length

- Female rats have an average of 24 vermin babies during their lifespan

- Rats live about six months. They succumb to extermination campaigns, oncoming subway cars, the stress of living underground and “deadly battles with other rats” accounts for their short lives, the MTA said.- Rats do not grow to the size of cats, but they do fluff up their fur when frightened. Subway vermin typically weigh no more than a pound

- The population of vermin living underground is unknown, but it is limited to “small pockets,” according to the presentation.

Tags: transit

amNewYork letters to the editor

Monday April 27, 2009 4:07 PM By Sara Baumberger

It’s time for U.S. to start talking

It’s high time that the Obama administration fulfilled its campaign promise to enter into talks and establish diplomatic relations with countries that we currently have to use Swiss or other diplomatic channels to reach out to. We cannot consider that, by cutting ourselves off from countries such as Cuba, Iran and North Korea, we are in any way doing ourselves a favor. It’s time for us to shape up and approach the 21st century with a new openness.

— Paul Corell, Brooklyn

Swine flu is hardly a pandemic

Re “Fear spreads over swine flu,” April 27: Calling this current outbreak of swine flu a “pandemic,” as you did in today’s article, is irresponsible. The American Heritage Dictionary defines a pandemic as, “Epidemic over a wide geographic area and affecting a large proportion of the population.” Twenty cases in this country, and 1,500 on this continent, hardly rise to that level.

— Cara Greene, Astoria

Country is better off after 100 days

The concept of 100 days’ measurement of any president is more media exercise than serious debate on the direction of a new administration. However, the only measuring stick of President Obama should be: “Are you better off then you were 100 days ago?” I am better off because mypresident reads, writes and listens. I am better off because my president is not only respected, he is liked.

— Larry D. Fowler, Brooklyn

Tags: letters to the editor

Questions and answers on swine flu

Sunday April 26, 2009 8:46 PM By Rolando Pujol

What is swine flu?

It is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but it can happen.

Is it contagious?

Yes, and officials say it is spreading from human to human.

What are the symptoms in people?

They include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

How do you catch it?

It can occur through contact with infected pigs or with a person with swine flu.

Is there medication for it?

Yes. Antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

What can I do to protect myself?

Take everyday steps, such as covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands often with soap and water, avoiding close contact with sick people, and staying home when you get sick.

Can I get it from eating or preparing pork?

No.

(Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

Swine flu outbreak recalls 1976 Fort Dix case

Sunday April 26, 2009 8:32 PM By Rolando Pujol

President Gerald Ford is inoculated on Oct. 14, 1976 as part of the "Roll Up Your Sleeves, America" campaign following an outbreak of swine flu in Fort Dix, N.J. that left a young recruit dead. (Via doctorzebra.com)

1976 swine flu outbreak at a glance

* In 1976, hundreds of soldiers at Fort Dix army base in New Jersey became infected with a form of swine flu. One man died.

* Fearing a repeat of the 1918 bird flu outbreak that killed 675,000 people, President Gerald Ford ordered a nationwide vaccination program. About 40 million Americans were vaccinated.

* The program was stopped after more than 500 Americans developed a severe paralyzing nerve disease as a result of the vaccinations. Thirty people died.

The handling of the 1976 case is now seen as a public health debacle, Shari Roan writes in the Los Angeles Times. And that was close to the view at the time, as well, as evidenced by these vintage Time magazine articles here and here.

Tags: swine flu, gerald ford, 1976, fort dix

New York City is at center of swine flu outbreak

Sunday April 26, 2009 6:29 PM By Jason Fink

A masked Edison High School student, who wished not to be identified, leaves New York Hospital Queens after being diagnosed with the flu, and, according to his guardian, left, will await test results to determine if it is of the swine flu strain. AP photo

By Jason Fink

New York City is at the center of a swine flu outbreak that was declared a national health emergency Sunday by federal officials who said that additional and more severe cases will likely crop up in the coming days.

So far, there have been at least eight confirmed cases in the city — all students at St. Francis Prep School in Fresh Meadows, Queens. The students’ symptoms were described as relatively mild, though they were infected with the same strain of the virus found in Mexico, where more than 80 people have died. City officials are now on high alert.

“We are looking for outbreaks elsewhere,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at a news conference Sunday. “Every few hours, we look at the data, we check the reports.”Nationwide, 20 people have been infected in five states, with New York having the most number of cases. In response, the federal government has released over 12 million doses of anti-viral medicine.

In addition, the city is:

-Receiving a shipment of 1,500 treatment courses of Tamiflu

-Monitoring ambulance calls and prescriptions filled at pharmacies

-Checking absentee rates and school nurse visits

-Closing St. Francis Prep today and tomorrow to await test results from other students

“It all sounds pretty dangerous,” Dionne Ward, 39, of Manhattan, said after hearing about the rapid developments of the outbreak. “Flus can be cured most of the time, but if this one can’t, people should be worried.”

More than 100 students at St. Francis have reported flu-like symptoms and Bloomberg said some of their family members are sick as well. A group of students spent spring break in Cancun, though city officials would not say if they were among the eight confirmed to have the illness.

Because the flu is a new strain, federal health officials said that they doubt the seasonal flu vaccine would protect people from this virus.

City officials are urging people not to go to the hospital with mild symptoms but only if they feel sick enough that they would have gone anyway.

“My mom left me a voice mail last night telling me to get a face mask,” said Paige Kollock, 31, of Manhattan.

Andrew Breiner, Heather Haddon and the AP contributed to this story

Tags: swine flu, public health

April heat wave shatters records in New York City

Sunday April 26, 2009 5:33 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Andrew Breiner

Special to amNewYork

An April heat wave had New Yorkers flocking to city parks and beaches Sunday as weather records came toppling down.

Temperatures in Central Park reached 92, shattering the 1942 record of 84, according to the National Weather Service. LaGuardia Airport also smashed 1957’s record of 80 degrees with a sweltering 91.Brian Ciemnecki, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Upton, said that the high temperatures are due to an area of high pressure off the Southeast coast, which typically form later in the year. “It’s also known as a Bermuda High,” he said, “It pulls up a lot of warm air from the south.”

Monday should be a little cooler, and isn’t likely to be record-breaking, but Tuesday should be another scorcher, with a high near 90.

Tuesday night, a cold front is set to move in, keeping highs to around 70 on Wednesday and only the low 60s on Thursday.

Latest National Weather forecast here.

Tags: heat wave, april, national weather service

Jets fans mixed on newest Gang Green QB

Sunday April 26, 2009 4:50 PM By Marlene Naanes

By Andrew Breiner and Marlene Naanes

The football season is months away, but the Jets’ new charismatic quarterback Mark Sanchez already has fans dreaming of better days ahead.

“It's great that we've got somebody,” said Elliott Seaver, 59, Manhattan. “(Kellen) Clemens wasn't that good. We have a great defense, good running backs, and now we need a good passing game.”

In Saturday’s NFL draft, the Jets traded five players with the Cleveland Browns to move up to the No. 5 pick so they could land Sanchez. With Brett Favre retiring and Clemens untested and unreliable, the Jets needed to make a bold move that could help end the 40-year Super Bowl drought.

Fans embraced the University of Southern California import, even saying he has more promise than No. 1 draft pick Matthew Stafford, another quarterback that went to the Detroit Lions.“I think Sanchez was a good pick,” said Alex Slavin, 39, of Brooklyn. “Who were they going to put in without him? Mark my words, he will be better than Stafford.”

Some fans weren't exactly running out to buy Sanchez jerseys, but they said anyone was better than Clemens, who has barely played since 2007 when the Jets went 3-5 with him as a starter. Many Gang Green faithful yesterday said they were optimistic with the young QB but not expecting a Super Bowl out of Sanchez —and he wasn't promising one either.

“All I can promise is that I'm going to work hard," he said after he was drafted.

He would first have to start, and whether he would win out over Clemens remained unclear.

“I don't think Sanchez will play next year, but give him a couple (years) and he could be good,” said Kyle Marchese, 42, a Giants fan from Manhattan. “It's good to have a new, young player in New York. They need some fresh blood.”

Some fans weren't so quick to get excited about the new Jet.

“It was a pretty expensive deal, so I hope it pays off,” said Anthony Monticello, 35, of Manhattan. “I have no idea whether it will work out. I haven't seen enough of him.”

With AP

Tags: new york, jets, qb, mark sanchez, gang green, fans

Some wonder if recent college protests are a blast from the past

Sunday April 26, 2009 4:47 PM By Marlene Naanes

By Marlene Naanes

Joan Wile ran in radical University of Chicago circles in the 1940s, later joined the anti-nuke movement and eventually tried to stop teenagers from signing selective service cards when draft registration was resurrected after Vietnam.

Years later, local college students seem to be following in her footsteps — but for very different reasons.

In the past few months students have taken over school buildings three times, demanding the removal of administrators, scholarships and access to school financial information.

“I wish they were out protesting the war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan,” said Wile, now a member of the Granny Peace Brigade. “During Vietnam when students took over universities it was about the war, it was important. It helped change policy.”

Protesters at New York University in February and at the New School, which had takeovers in December and this month, have been showered with almost equal amounts of support, scorn and ridicule for their tactics and demands. Some of the most leavened measure of the protests’ legitimacy came from veteran activists like Wile.Yotam Marom, 23, a student at the New School who took part in a December protest by occupying a cafeteria, said student activists are also involved in broader causes but also feel its important to change the world around you.

“This is an area we can take responsibility for in an act to change it and the world outside of it,” he said.

NYU students took over a cafeteria and presented a laundry list of demands in February, which included more transparency in the budget and scholarships for students from the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, New School students have asked for the university president Bob Kerrey to be removed, among other demands. The December New School protest yielded some concessions from the school, but the one earlier this month only resulted in student arrests or suspensions.

Many criticized whether the student demonstrators’ demands called for taking over a school building.

“They have the right to protest but there are better ways to solve the problem,” said Sheldon Sucre, 24, a Manhattan Community College student. “Protesting like this should be a last resort.”

However, the demonstrators said they had tried other methods and felt a more public act would get the attention their causes deserved. “Why am I paying $50,000 a year for a school that treats me like a number, that doesn’t let me know where my money is spent?” said Emily Stainkamp, 18, one of 18 NYU student protesters suspended. “There’s no reason not to want to improve your school.”

Tags: college, protest, new york university, new school, granny peace brigade

'Ugly Betty' shoots at Citi Field

Sunday April 26, 2009 3:53 PM By Julie Gordon

Center row, from left to right: Daniel Eric Gold, America Ferrera, Christopher Gorham, Dreama Walker

Eric Mabius and Sarah Lafleur (Photos: Marc S. Levine/New York Mets)

By Kyle Stack

It took a show based in Queens to become the first TV program to shoot scenes at the Mets’ new Flushing ballpark, Citi Field.

ABC’s “Ugly Betty” shot part of its May 21 season finale at the Mets game Friday. During those scenes, Betty (America Ferrera) “starts to really examine her relationship with Matt [her boyfriend] and her ex, Henry,” said producer Jim Klever-Weis.

“Betty” filmed mostly before and after the game. The character Daniel (Eric Mabius) even threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

During play, the Delta Sky 360 club — the most exlusive seats in the ballpark — was a backdrop for shooting.

“It’s a nice branding exercise to reach additional audiences — not your typical demographic Mets game,” said Dave Howard, executive vice president of business operations for the Mets.

Tags: entertainment

Classic sign: All is well at Tout Va Bien in Hell's Kitchen

Sunday April 26, 2009 3:00 PM By Rolando Pujol

Photo by Jefferson Siegel

Jefferson Siegel sends along a gem of an old neon sign that still shines bright at 311 W. 51st St. between Eighth and Ninth avenues. Tout Va Bien is a French restaurant dating to 1949. Its Web site tells us this spot was a favorite of the French fleet, who would make a "bee line" to the Hell's Kitchen joint. It does have its devoted fans, according to these Yelp reviews. Check out this write-up of a recent visit to Tout Va Bien, which concludes with a definitive thumbs-up: "It deserves to live on."

More from amNY's sign collection here.

Tags: tout va bien, signs, endangered nyc, restaurants, history, manhattan, architecture

Getting your cover letter and resume in gear

Sunday April 26, 2009 2:59 PM By Lucy Blatter

Job seekers need to ace their cover letter and resume-writing skills before they can find a new job.

By Lucy Cohen Blatter

Before you can wow them with your charisma, you need to land an interview. Career search counselor, John West Hadley, founder of John Hadley Associates, has easy-to-follow advice on creating a cover letter and resume that spark interest, but leave employers wanting more.

Cover letter

A cover letter should be tailored to the specific job for which you are applying. “Tell me a few key things that will get me excited to talk to you,” Hadley suggested. He said to use the template “ICPQRS.”

“I see”:

P- Passion.

Q- Qualification

R- Results (Examples of relevant results).

S- Self Confidence.“It doesn’t matter how long it is, as long as every part leaves someone wanting to read more,” said Hadley.

Your cover letter is a marketing letter that gets someone interested in reading the resume, Hadley said.

Resume

“The resume is your sales brochure. It’s your chance to get an employer really excited about you,” he said. “A lot of people see it as a bio, but as an employer that’s not what gets me excited. What I care about are the results you might bring to me.” Hadley, a former hiring manager, said there are three fundamental questions you can use to guide your resume building.

1) Does it give off a strong professional image?

“I’m drawing a picture about how you go about your work and how you present yourself from everything you send me,” Hadley said. On a basic level, he said that means making sure there are no typos or grammatical errors. The next level is a professional look —Are things aligned properly? Does it look neat? Is it edited well? Is the right stuff included? “You want to prove you’re someone who can communicate well with potential superiors,” he said.

2)Does it pass the 10-second test? “Right away it should give a clear picture of the package that you bring to the table and why I should be interested,” Hadley said. He also stressed not to include an objective on your resume. “That’s important once we meet and I want to know more, but what’s really important at this stage is what you bring to the table and what you can bring to me and my company. What are the types of problem you might solve for me?”

3)Does it prove you will deliver? Give a clear picture of the actual results you have produced so the employer sees a strong, result-oriented professional. Hadley suggests that instead of saying, “I was responsible for management of the compliance unit of my company,” say “I was responsible for increasing productivity by 60 percent over two years without increasing headcount.” “When you throw a simple metric into your resume, it makes it much more believable,” he said.

Tags: job front

This week's job fairs and events

Sunday April 26, 2009 2:55 PM By Lucy Blatter

There are lots of job fairs and events taking place in New York city this week. So if you're looking for a job, check them out!

Monday, April 27th: Small Business Development Center’s Financing Your Business Workshop

Time: 3 – 6 p.m.

Location: Monroe College, 2375 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, Ustin Hall – Room U112

To register: Free, call 718-960-8697 to pre-register

Tuesday, April 28th: How to Transition Your eBay Hobby into a Thriving Business

Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m.

Location: The New York Public Library, Science, Industry, and Business Library, Room 018, 188 Madison Ave.

To register: Free, call 212-592-7000 for more information

Tuesday, April 28th: Healthcare and Life Sciences Job Fair

Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: The New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Avenue

To register: Free, pre-register at NYDailyNews.com/jobs/jobfairs/index.htmlTuesday, April 28th: Annual Staten Island Economic Development Conference

Time: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 1100 South Ave., Staten Island

To register: Free, for more information 718-477-1400

Friday, May 1: Free Job Search Expo hosted by the Bronx Library Center

Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: Bronx Library Center, 310 East Kingsbridge Road

To register: Must register by calling 718-579-4257

Saturday, May 2nd: By Women For Women: How to Start & Operate your own business

Time: 1 – 4 p.m.

Location: New York Public Library, Science, Industry & Business Library, Lower Level, 188 Madison Ave.

To register: $49 in advance, $59 at the door, 212-264-4507 or info@scorenyc.org

Tags: job fairs, job events, job search, new york job fairs

Career closeup: Private chefs feed New Yorkers at home

Sunday April 26, 2009 2:49 PM By Lucy Blatter

Private chef Jennifer Ophir at work. Credit: Amy Walen

By KAREN TINA HARRISON

Special to amNewYork

Private chefs get to run the kitchen show, with saner hours and more diner contact than restaurant chefs.

What private chefs do

Private (also called personal) chefs work for one or a few clients in their homes, planning, shopping for, cooking and sometimes serving meals. “Being a private chef is like running your own restaurant,” says Nils Noren, program director of the French Culinary Institute (frenchculinary.com), the downtown chefs’ school that graduated Bobby Flay, David Chang, Wylie Dufresne and Dan Barber.Private chefs are freelance and make their own schedules. French Culinary-trained Jennifer Ophir, pictured, cooks for three Manhattan clients four days a week and moonlights as a food stylist and cooking teacher.

How private chefs get trained

Today’s chefs learn their craft in culinary programs. French Culinary Institute’s certificate course, offered full- and part-time, takes 600 hours. Some private chefs get hired right out of school; others have worked in restaurants.

What private chefs need

“Unlike restaurant chefs, you deal one-on-one with your diners,” says Ophir. “Word-of-mouth builds your clientele, so you need a strong work ethic and social skills to back up your kitchen chops.” Additionally, private chefs “need to manage their own scheduling and billing,” she says.

What private chefs can expect

New York private chefs earn about $50-$150 an hour, which includes food shopping. Perks include travel to clients’ vacation homes, plus “constant variety, working in beautiful kitchens and cooking food that your clients love,” says Ophir.

Adds Noren, “The work can be extremely creative. Even if you just graduated from culinary school, a private chef is the head chef.”

Job snapshot: Private Chef

Salary range: $50-$150/hour (includes food shopping)

Background: Restaurant experience and/or culinary school

Skills needed: Kitchen expertise, social personality

Downsides: you work weekend and holiday hours; you can never slow down, cut

corners or delegate

Forecast: Steady demand in NYC for private chefs

Learn more: frenchculinary.com; bls.gov/oco/ocos161.htm

Find a private chef through:

-Friends' referrals

-Local cooking schools: frenchculinary.com; iceculinary.com; ciachef.edu

-Agencies: privatechefsinc.com, newyork.personalchef.com

Tags: private chefs, personal chefs, culinary school, job front

Viral video: A sticky, artificial-cheesy mess of a keyboard

Sunday April 26, 2009 1:21 PM By Sean Joseph

World's Largest Cheeto and the Optimus Maximus from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

An ordinary Cheeto can wreak havoc on any keyboard. So Adam from Gizmodo decided to see what would happen when he ate the world’s largest Cheeto over the world’s most expensive keyboard.

Tags: viral video, television, technology, cheetos

Sample sales: April 27 to May 3

Sunday April 26, 2009 11:20 AM By Julie Gordon

The Vivienne Tam spring '09 show (Getty)

French Connection

April 27, 28 and 30, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; April 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 261 W. 36th St., btwn Seventh and Eight aves. 212-221-3157

Men's and women's clothing, shoes and accessories are up to 70 percent off. Women's one-shoulder tops that were $98 are $15, and shorts that were $128 are now $30. Men's striped polo tees are $15 instead of $58, and cardigans are $25 instead of $88.

Slane & Slane

April 29, 2 to 6 p.m.; April 30, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; May 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 48 W. 25th St., btwn. Sixth Ave. and Broadway, 11th Fl.,212-691-5820

Get 50 to 60 percent off on jewelry from Slane & Slane. Select sterling silver rings, originally $120, are now $60. Eighteen-karat yellow gold cuff bracelets are $1,000, down from $2,175. Freshwater pearl necklaces, originally $330, are now $165.Vivienne Tam

April 29, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; April 30, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; May 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 260 W. 39th St., btwn Seventh and Eighth aves., 11th Fl., askvivienne@viviennetam.com

Vivienne Tam's feminine, soft-looking dresses are up to 75 percent off. A peony-print, ruffle-sleeve dress that was $385 is now $175. A two-tone purple dress drops to $195 from $425.

Ted Rossi

April 30 and May 1, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 15 E. 30th St., btwn Fifth and Madison aves., Suite 300, 212-683-1726

Python, leather and Swarovski crystal-encrusted handbags and jewelry are up to 75 percent off. Bangles and cuffs start at $20; leather clutches start at $80.

Fun facts about the MTA’s trash

Thursday April 23, 2009 9:36 AM By Heather Haddon

(Seth Wenig/Associated Press)

By Heather Haddon

In honor of the ongoing hoopla about Earth Day, New York City Transit issued an extensive list of what it recycles each year:

- Nearly 8,500 tons of refuse, or about half of the trash collected from the system’s 468 subway stations

- More than 69,000 tons of metal, glass, plastic and paper amassed at train yards and other NYC Transit facilities

- Nearly 1,790 old subway cars have been sunk off the coasts of six states along the Atlantic seaboard to form habitats for marine life

- The amount of recycled refuse was 71 percent last year, compared to 54 percent in 2003

Tags: mta, recycling, new york city, transit

Viral video: A new take on the birds and bees

Thursday April 23, 2009 9:18 AM By Sean Joseph

Next time a kid asks you how a baby is made, show them this simple G-rated video.

Tags: viral video, television

MTA deficit flirts with $2B as prospect grows for even more fare hikes and service cuts

Wednesday April 22, 2009 3:45 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The MTA is in an even deeper hole than everyone feared.

The agency's deficit has ballooned by as much as $700 million this year,

possibly pushing the total to $1.9 billion, sources close to the MTA said.

So even if an Albany bailout comes through, straphangers could still be

dealt painful service cuts and even another fare hike beside the increased

already planned.

"Things are going to get worse, because the economy is worse," said Gene Russianoff, of the Straphangers Campaign.

Straphangers recoiled at the news.

"It sucks," said Courtney Gordinier, 27, of the Meatpacking District, when

asked about the upcoming hike and the prospects of another. "I'd rather

take the bus to work, but I'm going to bust out my bike."The agency is putting through a fare increase of up to 30 percent and dozens

of service cuts, assuming Albany doesn't come up with new cash. Those

measures, however, were sketched out to fill a smaller budget gap of $1.2

billion.

Aaron Donovan, an MTA spokesman, declined to confirm the amount on the

deficit, but said officials will discuss ways to fill the additional hole

during its full board meeting next Wednesday.

But an internal memo sent by agency chief Elliot Sander Tuesday alluded to

the MTA's grim financial outlook

"We expect to forecast our revenues and preliminary indications are

certainly not encouraging," Sander wrote to agency heads and board members.

The fare increase, that will push the cost of a monthly MetroCard to $103,

is slated to roll out May 31.

"Of course it's going to impact me," said Sasha Rodriguez, 21, of Washington

Heights. "We don't get paid enough to raise the buses or trains."

Workers are making "progress" toward reprogramming fare boxes, MetroCard

machines and turnstiles, New York City Transit spokesman Paul Fleuranges

said.

Meanwhile, Albany's efforts to rescue the MTA continued to meander yesterday

as the Senate hunted for 32 votes for its proposal. The latest plan would

generate $1.76 billion through an 8 percent fare increase, $1 taxi surcharge

and three new motor vehicle fees.

"The transit system is on the precipice," said Neysa Pranger, spokeswoman for

the Regional Plan Association, an advocacy group. "If Albany can't act,

we're looking at a shrunken transit system [and] ever rising fares."

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) gave the plan his blessing yesterday,

according to a published report. But even it clears the Senate, money earned

from the proposal wouldn¹t cover the new deficit.

"In the state with the most transit users, it's an abomination that that we

should be going through this," said Andrew Albert, a nonvoting MTA board

member.

The MTA will officially announce the deficit during the board's finance

committee meeting Monday. Officials had previously said that the MTA is $323

million behind in state and real estate taxes this year.

"The finance committee will not be pretty," Russianoff said.

In his memo, Sander directed agency chiefs to impose a "hard freeze" on

spending, including no new hiring or overtime. Purchases and contractors

must also be sharply curtailed, Sanders wrote.

Tags: new york city, mta, fare hike, transit

Years later, city installs school-bus tracking system

Wednesday April 22, 2009 3:34 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The city Department of Education is launching a pilot program to outfit school buses with GPS devices — about four years after the City Council called for the measure to safeguard children.

Fifty buses are being outfitted, Spokeswoman Margie Feinberg said Wednesday. They will be tied into the city’s information grid that now tracks emergency vehicles.

The City Council will hold a hearing Thursday on a bill that would require the city to install GPS units in all 6,000 school buses. The program would cost about $600,000, said Councilman John Liu (D-Queens), a bill sponsor.

“It costs too much not to do this,” Liu said. “On the second day of school, a five-year-old child was missing for five hours on a bus.”The Council sponsored similar legislation in 2005, but shelved it because the DOE testified that a GPS tracking system would be running in the buses by 2006, Liu said.

Feinberg said city officials will testify about the bill Thursday.

Tags: doe, school buses, new york city, transit

Beyond Wall Street: Schools chip in on rescue

Wednesday April 22, 2009 3:23 PM By Ryan Chatelain

By Ryan Chatelain

New York City’s universities — which account for more students than the entire population of Boston — are being called upon to help rescue the city from its economic woes.

“When you can assemble as many high-end academic institutions as we have here in New York, this is the place by definition where you’re going to have a lot of really smart people,” said Robert Lieber, deputy mayor for economic development.

While the city’s universities, which have more than 600,000 students, are cultivating the usual young talent, the newly unemployed and other professionals seeking career changes are heading back to school — and not necessarily by enrolling in traditional, years-long degree programs.

After launching his all-natural fruit beverage business, Star Power, last year, Vik Venkatraman, a Columbia alum, approached the Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs (CORE), a student group, to help develop his internship program.Owning a small business that employs about six full-time employees, Venkatraman has leaned on interns to help with sales, marketing and public relations.

“The toughest thing is to find good help,” said Venkatraman, 25. “And the reason I went back to Columbia is I know what it’s like to be a student there. I know what to expect with a Columbia student.”

But there are many other ways New York’s universities are pitching in during the recession.

Columbia’s School of Continuing Education, for example, has created a post-baccalaureate program that acts as a bridge for those lacking the prerequisites to enroll in graduate school.

“What we’re seeing is a lot of people who are transitioning from business, in particular finance, to other areas,” said Tom Harford, the program’s director.

NYU alumni, too, are flocking back to their alma mater for ideas. The school’s Berkley Center for Entrepreneurial Studies has always opened workshops and seminars to students and alumni. In recent months, attendance at such events has doubled, mostly due to alumni who are considering starting their own businesses, said Jeffrey Carr, executive director of the Berkley Center.

“When the whole crisis started, there was a lot of crying and gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands that people weren’t going to start businesses,” Carr said. “But quite frankly, we’ve seen the opposite. It’s an opportunity for people to reinvent themselves.”

The Bloomberg administration has even worked to bring the unemployed and universities together. Last week, the city launched a pilot program called JumpStart at SUNY’s The Levin Institute. The three-month program, which includes 10-week internships, helps former Wall Street workers who recently lost their jobs by teaching them entrepreneurial skills.

In March, the city and The Levin Institute unveiled another entrepreneurial training program, FastTrac NewVenture, for professionals from a wide range of fields.

“It gives people real practical training that they can immediately turn around and apply in order to get commitments from the venture capitalists so that they can give folks the opportunity to begin working,” Lieber said.

Photo: Vik Venkatraman presents his all-natural fruit drink, Star Power. (Photo by RJ Mickelson/amNY)

Tags: education, colleges, nyu, columbia, beyond wall street, finance, economy

Brooklyn No. 5 riders win, No. 4 travelers lose

Wednesday April 22, 2009 2:21 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

Brooklyn No. 5 riders, prepare for smoother commute.

The MTA is looking to ferry No. 5 trains into Brooklyn beyond the rush hour, when they currently terminate at the Bowling Green station. The proposal, which will be considered by the MTA board next week, would extend No. 5 service to the Flatbush Avenue-Brooklyn College stop between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The change would begin in June if passed.

But the shift comes at the expense of No. 4 riders. The agency would run four fewer No. 4 trains along the line during the time period, causing some additional crowding on the line, according to MTA documents.“It’s a tradeoff,” said William Henderson, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA.

The expanded service would not cost additional cash, according to the proposal. It would also better balance the schedules between the No. 4, 5, 2 and 3 trains, officials said.

Tags: mta, subway, no. 4, no. 5, brooklyn, transit

Water Taxi Beach to open outposts at South Street Seaport, Governors Island

Wednesday April 22, 2009 2:06 PM By Jason Fink

The original Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City. Mihnea M. via flickr

By Jason Fink

New Yorkers looking for a day at the beach this summer will have two new options: Lower Manhattan and Governors Island.

New York Water Taxi, which created the seasonal 44,000-square-foot “beach” in Long Island City in 2005, will open smaller replicas, at South Street Seaport on Memorial Day weekend and at the north end of Governors Island on July 4.

The beach in Queens, which features trucked-in sand, picnic tables, a volleyball court, food and a bar, will also open on Memorial Day weekend.The 18,000-square-foot beach at the seaport, on the north side of Pier 17, will have a mini golf course in addition to food and drink concessions.

The Governors Island beach - a converted parking lot - will have a basketball court, live music on weekends, and will be accessible by ferry from the Battery Maritime Building and New York Water Taxi.

Swimming is prohibited at all the beaches.

Tags: summer, beach, south street seaport, governors island, entertainment

Q & A with Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation

Wednesday April 22, 2009 2:02 PM By Lucy Blatter

Susan Ungaro is the president of the James Beard Foundation. Credit: Arnold Adler Photgraphy.

This year’s James Beard Awards will celebrate “Women in Food.” We spoke to Susan Ungaro about this year’s event James Beard Awards.

What does it mean that James Beard will focus on "Women in Food”?

After the traditional awards at Lincoln Center, we’ll have a gala reception at Avery Fisher Hall, and the theme is women in food. Lidia Bastianich is the gala chair. Joyce Goldstein and Emily Luchetti (both past Beard Award winners) helped put together a celebration of over 20 female chefs to do tastings. We’re going to feature a female mixologist and a wine tasting will be led by Andrea Immer Robinson.

Why have the focus now?

We thought it was time to show that the foundation has awarded over 270 Beard honors to women — that includes chefs and restaurateurs, cookbook authors and more. Sixty three women have been nominated this year; some, such as Ruth Reichl, have multiple nominations.

Women have achieved a lot both in the back of house and kitchen and front of house.

Also, James Beard was a mentor to Alice Waters, Julia Child and Barbara Kafka. Julia Child was one of the first to suggest we have a foundation in his name. This summer is the debut of the new movie about Julia Child — that was another inspirational point. Stanley Tucci, who’s in the movie, will be a host and we’re going to show a trailer.

Is the restaurant business really male-dominated?

I think the fact that we’re honoring women in food, shows that it’s not male dominated. It’s just populated more by men.

Women have made great strides — in restaurants, on-air and also in journalism. Just look at the Food Network, so many of the new, up and coming chefs are women.

How do you hope to bring women into the spotlight?

People joke that a woman’s place is in the kitchen. But we believe a woman’s place is running a kitchen. I just want to focus on the fact that women are achieving a lot of great things. This is a celebration, it’s not a defense.

How is it to be a woman leading a flagship-organization in a male-dominated field?

You know, I never even thought of myself as first female president until right now. Never even crossed my mind. That has to tell you something.

Tags: food

The James Beard nominees weigh in on their favorite city restaurants

Wednesday April 22, 2009 1:38 PM By Lucy Blatter

Two James Beard Award nominees, Pichet Ong and Joe Bastianich, named Gotham Bar and Grill among their favorite New York City restaurants.

By Lucy Cohen Blatter

On May 4, The James Beard Foundation will bestow its coveted awards on some of the culinary industry’s most outstanding talent.

In advance of the event, we caught up with four New York-based nominees and asked them to do the honoring — in this case crowning their favorite city restaurants (aside from their own), in both the fine dining and budget categories.

Joe Bastianich of Babbo, nominated for outstanding restaurant

“Gotham Bar and Grill, one of the city’s most long-standing, classic restaurants, still serves high-quality food after 25 years,” Bastianich said. He said he usually eats there about twice a month. To him, menu standouts include the toro tuna appetizer, grilled octopus and miso-marinated black cod, “though there are too many favorites to name,” he said. “They have great wine service and some of the best floor service in the city.” Plus, he said, “their $25 lunch deal is one of the best deals in town.”

In terms of budget spots, Bastianich goes to Grand Sichuan on 24th and Ninth Avenue about once a week. “It’s my favorite Chinese restaurant,” he said. “Get the lobster Sichuan style, fresh killed chicken with black bean sauce and green beans and shrimp dumplings. You can get lunch for $15,” he said.Pichet Ong, nominated for outstanding pastry chef

When asked for his favorites, Ong replied, “There are too many to mention!” But, he said, “for dinners out, I love Falai, WD-50, Gotham Bar & Grill and Jean Georges. “I usually love tasting menus, particularly seasonal ones,” he said. When asked to pick one standout, Ong said he always orders Jean Georges’s molten chocolate cake. “I’ve had it for 18 years, and I’ll have it for another 18.”

“For bargain, I love Dim Sum Go Go, Wondee Siam, Rhong Tiam and Grand Sichuan,” he said.” The dim sum at Dim Sum Go Go is the best in New York. I love the orange beef at Grand Sichuan, the basil duck at Wondee Siam and the eggplant salad at

Rhong Tiam.”

Dan Barber of Blue Hill, nominated for outstanding chef

Barber said it was hard to pick favorites, but he recently ate at Bouley in its new space, “and thought it was great.” He said he “tried about 20 different courses, and it was all delicious. The new menu was great.” The main thing, he said, is to order the tasting menu, so you can have lots of little tastes of everything.

For budget dining, he recommended Dumpling House on Eldridge Street. He favors the steamed vegetable and scallion pancake. “We go there every moment we can, when ever I get off of work early,” but, “it’s not enough,” he said. And just how cheap is it? “It’s real cheap,” he said. “You can’t spend more than $5.”

Aldo Sohm, sommelier at Le Bernardin, nominated for outstanding wine service

Sohm said his favorite restaurant for a splurge (aside from Le Bernardin) is Per Se. “I like it because it has class and style and the people who work there deliver a truly unique dining experience,” he said. “I also love the view over Central Park.” Sohm’s gone a few times, and said he doesn’t look for a favorite dish, “because I don’t want to limit myself. They offer such a amazing experience and take such good

care of you, that you can leave yourself in their capable care.”

To save, he recommends Pearl Oyster Bar. He likes the West Village neighborhood and the “casual atmosphere.” And, he said “the food is simple but very good.I looooove their lobster roll and mussels, but I always try something new too.”

Tickets for the awards, which are $400 for James Beard members, $450 for the general public, are still available through jbfawards.com or 212-925-0054.

Tags: james beard foundation, james beard awards, pichet ong, joe bastianich, dan barber, aldo sohm, restaurants

amNewYork letters to the editor

Wednesday April 22, 2009 11:48 AM By Sara Baumberger

Mets, Yanks fans could give back

Instead of adding a dollar to every taxi ride, how about the MTA gets 50 cents from every Mets and Yankees ticket sold? Taxpayers helped to build the new stadiums — this is one way they can give something back.

— Leslie Billig, Manhattan

How does torture compare?

Re Suzy Sandor’s letter, “Torture shouldn’t go unpunished,” April 21: Sandor wants those who promoted “torture” prosecuted and mentions confinement with insects (a caterpillar). I am thrilled that Sandor is more upset that the beast called Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was waterboarded and confined with a caterpillar than about the fact that this same beast boasted about “beheading the Jew Daniel Pearl” with his “sacred hand.” Likewise, as for those who say that we “are better than this” (such as our president, who bows before a Saudi king where rape victims are flogged and apostates are beheaded), how does waterboarding compare with the tactics used by a Democratic administration to win WWII, which included the killing of 220,000 civilians in the firebombings of Hamburg, Dresden and Tokyo?

— James Longo, Livingston, N.J.

Blago should get a one-way ticket

I’m disappointed in the ruling denying Rod Blagojevich permission to fly to the jungles of Costa Rica and participate in a reality TV show. I was hoping the judge could have at least met the request halfway and allowed Blago a one-way ticket.

— David Terhune, Brooklyn

Tags: letters to the editor

'Gossip Girl' tour to launch next month

Wednesday April 22, 2009 10:59 AM By Julie Gordon

Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass), left, and Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen)

By Julie Gordon

“Gossip Girl” fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at the show when On Location Tours launches a themed tour May 1. (On Location is behind the "Sex and the City" tour, among other TV and movie tours).

The $40/person, three-hour bus tour will make 30 stops, including the following:

• The Fifth Avenue building where Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) lives

• Eleanor Waldorf’s meatpacking district shop

• The restaurant where Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) and Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley) had their second date

• Constance Billard School for Girls and St. Jude School for Boys

• Henri Bendel

• The New York Palace Hotel

Starting May 1, the $40/person tour will run every Friday and Saturday at noon, leaving from the Palace Hotel. Private tours are also available. Get tickets by calling 212-209-3370 or visiting screentours.com.

Tags: gossip girl, entertainment

This week's dining briefs

Wednesday April 22, 2009 10:46 AM By Lucy Blatter

The Darkening Theater drink will be served at several city restaurants, in honor of the TriBeCa Film Festival.

By Emily Mathis

Special to amNewYork

TriBeCa film festival cocktails: Stolichnaya is the official vodka of the 2009 TriBeCa Film Festival, taking place now through May 3. In honor of the festival, B.R. Guest mixologist Eben Klemm has created a cocktail, called "Darkening Theater", made with Popcorn-Infused Stoli, Salted Coke Syrup and garnished with Caramel Popcorn, which will offered at Blue Fin, Blue Water Grill, Primehouse New York, Vento and Wildwood Barbeque.

Archaeological Institute of America Gala: This year’s gala will celebrate the organization’s 130th anniversary, Archeology Magazine’s 60th and honor Harrison Ford. It will also feature a traditional Mayan feast prepared by Mayan archeologists Patricio Balona and Ben Thomas, and Capitale executive chef, Jason Munger. A silent live auction for trips to visit ancient Maya and Roman ruins will be held. Tuesday April 28th from 7 – 10 p.m. at Capitale located on 130 Bowery St. at Bowery and Grand sts. (212-334-5500).Individual tickets: $500-$1,000, Tables of 10: $5,000-$10,000

Buy tickets at Archaeological.org/Store/ or 617-353-8709Marea opens on a charitable note next Friday, May 1st: Chef Michael White and Chris Cannon will open their newest restaurant with a party benefiting Citymeals-on-Wheels. A $64 general admission ticket will provide 10 meals to homebound, elderly New Yorkers, while the $160 VIP tickets provide 25. VIP ticket holders may also attend a 6 –7 p.m. pre-event cocktail hour. General admission is 7 – 10 p.m.

240 Central Park South, CityMeals.org for tickets

Savor the flavors of midtown: The annual Grand Gourmet- The Flavor of Midtown event, hosted by Grand Central Partnership will feature sample dishes and beverages from more than 30 midtown places, such as Bobby Van’s Steakhouse, Metrazur, and Murray’s Cheese Shop. The event benefits Grand Central Neighborhood Social Services Corporation, the city’s largest not-for-profit homeless service. General admission is $75. VIP is $300. Thursday, May 7th from 7 – 9:30 p.m.

Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall East 42nd St. at Park Ave.

Call 866-468-7619 or TicketWeb.com for tickets

Le Cirque celebrates 35 years: A special $74 reduced price six-course tasting menu will be offered with items such as wild burgundy escargot with gruyere gnocchi, black sea bass steamed with morels, bacon, and organ broth, duck breast, and a chocolate ganache with Frangelico ice cream. Available through April 30th. The restaurant has also extended its restaurant week menu featuring a three-course lunch ($28) or dinner ($35) for the rest of 2009.

151 E. 58th St. btwn Lexington and Third aves., 212-644-0202

Taste and sounds of Appalachian Mountains: Opera and wine are standard at Chanterelle’s Sunday Salon events, but this Sunday, enjoy an afternoon (3 - 5 p.m.) of bluegrass and select Appalachian Mountain cheeses at the upscale TriBeCa restaurant. The $65 price also includes wines chosen by sommelier Roger Dagorn and small plates by chef David Waltuck.

2 Harrison St. at Hudson, 212-966-6960

American Cancer Society’s fourth Taste of Hope festival: The annual culinary, wine, and spirits festival ,held on April 28th from 6:30 – 10 p.m., will feature more than 40 restaurants and vendors, an unlimited open bar, and gift-filled organic tote valued at more than $100 for all attendants. VIP attendees can watch demonstrations by top chefs, including sushi rolling by Blue Ribbon Sushi chefs. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society, general admission is $150 and $250 for VIP. Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St., 212-463-0071 (Emily Mathis)

Tags: dining events, tribeca film festival, archaeological institute of america, american cancer society, chanterelle, le cirque, grand gourmet- the flavor of midtown

Going green on the cheap

Tuesday April 21, 2009 4:36 PM By Ryan Chatelain

Energy auditor Tony Christoforou recommends unplugging some electronics and

appliances, such as a microwave, when they’re not in use. (Photo by Katya Pronin)

By Ryan Chatelain

Shelling out thousands of dollars on new windows and appliances doesn’t make much sense for New York City renters, but there are easy, affordable ways to reduce your carbon footprint — and save on bills in the process.

amNewYork enlisted the help of energy auditor Tony Christoforou, of Pillar to Post home inspection, to look around Arts and Entertainment Editor Julie Gordon’s Kips Bay apartment for energy- and money-saving opportunities.

Here are some of his suggestions — all for less than $50.Seal the deal

The biggest drain on home energy is poorly sealed windows. But if you don’t want to pay $150-$200 a pop on eco-friendly windows, you could simply install weather stripping ($4.48 for 10 feet of black foam tape) and caulking ($1.98 for a 10-ounce tube) in gaps around the windows. Those repairs alone could cut your heating bill by up to 10 percent.

Windows were a major problem for Gordon. One of her three had a large gap above the upper pane.

Unplugged

Leaving a single appliance or electronic device plugged in while turned off may not seem like a big deal. But when you add it all up, their standby power accounts for about 10 percent of all residential electricity used nationwide, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Gordon’s TV, DVD player and microwave, for example, are using standby electricity when not in use.

Christoforou suggests connecting some appliances and electronics to a power strip and shutting it off. A six-outlet surge protector costs $13.99 at Best Buy.

Start a fan club

Cutting down on the time you run your air conditioner can significantly reduce your energy consumption. That’s why Christoforou recommends installing ceiling fans. Low-end ceiling fans cost about $46.

“Ceiling fans are pretty efficient,” Christoforou said. “Just crack the window and have the fans going. You’d probably save quite a bit.”

While Gordon said she doesn’t believe installing a ceiling fan is an option for her, she does use a floor fan in her bedroom.

Lights for longer

Not only do compact fluorescent light bulbs drain about a quarter of the electricity that their incandescent competitors do, they last eight to 15 times longer.

A two-pack of 23-watt bulbs (the equivalent of a traditional 100-watt bulb) costs $6.88 at The Home Depot. “You’re not talking big, big savings,” Christoforou said. “If it costs you $35 a month to light your apartment, it might cost you $20.”

Tags: earth day, green homes, environment

Google gives users a say in their online lives

Tuesday April 21, 2009 3:07 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

Now there’s another reason to Google your ex.

The search engine behemoth is allowing users to exert some control over what people read about them on the Web.

The company Tuesday launched a tool to create personal profiles that will appear on the bottom of search results pages when someone looks up a name.“When searching for yourself to see what others would find, results can be varied and aren't always what you want people to see - whether it's someone else with your name, or the finishing time from that 5K you ran back in 2002,” the company wrote on its blog. “We want to make that better and give you more of a voice.”

The service, which is open only to those who create a Google account, allows users to build what is essentially a mini Web site with information, photos and links to Facebook profiles or other Web sites.

The profiles will not replace the regular search results.

“Once again, Google is bringing an innovation to the Web that is noteworthy and helps promote Google, if nothing else,” said Robert Kubey, director of the Center for Media Studies at Rutgers University. “Before long Google will control the planet Earth.”

He added that many people will likely find the service useful, as often search results don’t reflect the most important part of someone’s life or work.

To create one, go to google.com/profiles or search “me” on Google and click on the link at the top of the page.

Tags: google, online, technology

Box wines: Moving beyond Franzia

Tuesday April 21, 2009 2:06 PM By Lucy Blatter

Boxed wine is getting more upscale, and appealing to cash-strapped oenophiles.

By Lucy Cohen Blatter

If the thought of boxed wine conjures up images of college-favorite Franzia, think again. Several high-end wines are currently available in a box, and their value and eco-friendliness are helping them become true players in the wine industry.

Jenny Lefcourt, co-owner of wine distributor Jenny & Francois, which carries mostly French and all organic, sustainable an bio-dynamic wines, said she first became familiar with wine in a box while living in France, where it’s very popular.“Wine is an everyday drink there, and when people have one box of wine, they can just take a little bit every day. It’s conserved much better than in a bottle,” she said. Jenny & Francois distributes to boutique wine stores and restaurants, where some use the convenient boxed wines as their house wine.

Ryan Sproule, founder of Black Box Wines, sells about 10 different boxed wines from several regions.

“We cater to people who drink every day, people who would normally drink a $10-$12 bottle of Kendall Jackson wine.”

The Black Box containers, which contain about four bottles worth of wine, are sold for around $23 each and can last almost a month.

Jenny & Francois wines are the same size, last the same amount of time but are priced around $40.

“These are probably the highest-priced boxed wines on the market,” Lefcourt said, “But, people are not just looking for cheap, they’re looking for value. We didn’t want to compromise on quality.”

If bottled, similar wines would likely cost about $15-$17 a bottle, she said, making her box wine a value.

Boxed wines are cheaper for a few of reasons: distributors can forgo the high cost of bottling, and transportation and storage costs are lower because they’re so much lighter and more compact.

Their lightness helps make them green, too. Since they weigh so much less, the carbon footprint is smaller, and the boxed are biodegradable.

But as the average American’s knowledge of wine continues to grow, the question remains whether boxed wine can be taken seriously.

Scott Reiner, owner of Discovery Wines, says he sells a lot of boxed wine (he stocks three kinds — one from Washington state and two from France), but few ask for it upfront. They usually see it, are intrigued, or try it at a tasting and are pleasantly surprised.

Sproule says he can see a real difference in the perception of boxed wine when his company exhibits at trade shows.

“At first, people were shocked, now we find that most people have heard of boxed wine,” he said.

Sproule said his business has been red hot during the recession.

“People like not having to commit to a whole bottle and they’re certainly looking for value.”

Tags: boxed wines, black box wines, jenny and francois, food

Going green with your grub

Tuesday April 21, 2009 2:02 PM By Lucy Blatter

Farmer's markets are a great place to buy local, seasonal foods.

By Lucy Cohen Blatter

If Earth Day is inspiring you to go green, you’re in luck. There are plenty of small changes you can make in your kitchen and dining room.

Going organic

The price difference between organic and regular food is shrinking, said Barbara Beery, author of “Green Princess Cookbook.”

If you’re having trouble finding organic food, don’t be afraid to ask your supermarket to stock more, she said.

Beery pointed out that “the nutrient value is not much different between organic and nonorganic fruits and vegetables.” So, if you’re going to buy only a few organic products, Beery stressed they should be milk and meat. “Those are the ones that are laced with hormones,” she said.Staying local

“Even if you buy locally rather than organic, the very fact that the food comes from a nearby farm means fewer chemicals are being used,” said Terra Wellington, author of “The Mom’s Guide to Growing Your Family Green.”

The farther away the food originated, Wellington said, the more chemicals are used to keep it fresh, not to mention the energy needed to transport it.

Buying locally also means your food will be seasonal, which can be healthy and delicious.

To buy local and seasonal foods, visit your local farmer’s market, or join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group, where members receive fresh fruits and veggies from a local farm. If you want to go one step further, try setting up a community garden. Green Guerillas helps New York and Brooklyn residents do just that (go to greenguerillas.org).

Watch what you eat

The first step to greening your diet is cutting back on meat. “A single serving of meat requires 2,607 gallons of water,” said Kate Heyhoe, author of “Cooking Green.” If you can’t give it up completely, replacing some meat meals with vegetarian dishes is helpful.

When shopping for seafood, “make sure you’re buying sustainable seafood,” Wellington said. “Seventy-five percent of fish we purchase has been overfished or fished to capacity,” she said. (You can get a card at Seafoodwatch.org that lists all the fishes that are okay to eat.)

If you want to cut down your carbon footprint at home, you can cook things such as bulgur wheat and bean thread noodles, which don’t need to be cooked on the stovetop or in the oven, and can be soaked in boiling water instead. “Only six percent of a gas oven’s fuel goes into cooking the food,” said Heyhoe. “It’s the Hum-V of the kitchen.”

Reducing your carbon footprint in the kitchen:

1)Keep the refrigerator between 37 and 40 degrees. The fridge consumes more power than anything else (except AC and heating), so don’t make it too cold. You can use blue freezer packs for items that need to be colder.

Also, the less empty space in your refrigerator, the more efficient it will be, so spread things out.

2)Pilot light should burn blue, not yellow. You only need the lowest possible flame.

3)Use cork, recycled plastic or compressed cardboard cutting boards. Those are sustainable, and you’ll be surprised how well they work.

4)Take advantage of small appliances. Rice cookers, toaster ovens, crock pots and electric water kennels use a fraction of the energy of the oven or stove.

5)Run your dishwasher and washing machine after peak hours. This saves fuel at the power plant. It takes more raw material to create energy between 4-8 p.m.

6)Buy EnergyStar products. The prices are becoming competitive with regular appliances and they’ll save you money on electricity bills.

Tips courtesy of Kate Heyhoe

Recipe: Barbara Beery’s Dig-That-Earth-Day Hummus

Ingredients:

2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 to 3 medium-size cooked organic beets, coarsely chopped

2 cloves garlic, peeled

3 tablespoons organic lemon juice

¼ cup water

3 tablespoons tahini

½ teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon paprika

Garnish

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon minced organic flat-leaf parsley

Place chickpeas and beets in a food processor along with the garlic, lemon juice and water; process about 1 minute. Add more water if needed to form a smooth and creamy consistency.

Add tahini, cumin and paprika and belnd another 30 second to combine.

Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days. To serve, place in a shallow dish and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and minced parsley. Serve with plenty of whole grain bread and pita bread.

Green living tip: Connect to nature and grow your own garden. Grown fruits, veggies and herbs in pots of window boxes.

Tags: green living, earth day, green cooking, going green, energystar, food

Metro-North tests on-board announcements for new Yankee Stadium stop in advance of May 23 opening

Tuesday April 21, 2009 1:08 PM By Rolando Pujol

The electronic sign aboard a Metro-North train Saturday night already displays the name of the stop: Yankees -- East 153rd Street. The conductor had to clarify that the train was not stopping there -- yet. (Photo: Rolando Pujol)

By Melinda Hsia

Special to amNewYork

Attention Metro-North riders: Don’t be surprised to hear on-board announcements for the soon-to-open station at the new Yankee Stadium.

Metro-North has begun to test the electronic and audio announcements for the station, which will be called Yankees – East 153rd Street. It opens May 23, on time and on budget, officials at the commuter line said.Metro-North will move into the station exactly 24 months after the contract was finalized.

Tickets sales will begin on May 1. A one-way trip to the Yankees Stadium from Grand Central Terminal will cost $6.50 during peak hours and $5.00 off-peak. Fans coming from the Harlem and New Haven lines will pay the cost of traveling to Grand Central Terminal plus an additional $1 during peak time and $.75 off-peak for one-way tickets. For those with weekly or monthly passes there will be no additional charge.

But baseball fans won’t be the only ones to use the stop, as the station will operate like any other stop on the Metro-North line.

“We expect people in the Bronx to use it to go north for work more than for [going] down to Manhattan,” said Marjorie Anders, a Metro-North spokeswoman, “We do think

that there is a reverse peak for employment in Yonkers and Tarrytown.”

Trains will run every 20 minutes during rush hours and every hour at other times.

Tags: metro-north, yankee stadium, yankees, transportation, transit, bronx

Tiny Living to close

Tuesday April 21, 2009 12:06 PM By Julie Gordon

Tiny Living, the adorably small East Village shop carrying home goods for (adorably?) small New York City apartments, is closing its doors. It'll most likely happen at the end of the month.

We got an e-mail from the shop today saying:

"the recent economic downturn did not spare tiny, and we are forced to say goodbye.

thank you all for your patronage over the last 4 years. it's been our pleasure to

bring new and exciting space saving accessories to you!"

Furniture, pillows, kitchen gear and other home goods are up to 75 percent off.

Tiny Living, 125 E. 7th St., at Ave. A., 212-228-2748

Tags: shopping

‘Super’ savings at the market

Tuesday April 21, 2009 11:07 AM By Lucy Blatter

Julia Scott, aka Bargain Babe, knows all about saving at the supermarket.

Julia Scott, aka Bargain Babe, runs the fiscally savvy blog by the same name. We asked her to share tips on how to find savings down the supermarket aisles.

1)Go prepared. Shop with the week’s menu in mind, so you don’t buy a lot of stuff you don’t need.

2)Go full. If you shop on an empty stomach, you’ll make more impulse purchases.

3)Give yourself a food budget. And jot down the amount you spent later.

4)Stick to the top and lower shelves. Companies pay for premium, eye-level shelves, so foods lower down and higher up are usually cheaper.

5)Create a price list. You’ll get a good idea of stores’ highs and lows, and you’ll be able to know where to go for everything you need.

(Lucy Cohen Blatter)

Tags: supermarket savings

Cherry blossom festival at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Tuesday April 21, 2009 10:56 AM By Rolando Pujol

Cherry trees at the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden Tuesday afternoon. (Photos: Kate Blumm/courtesy Brooklyn Botanic Garden)

By Melinda Hsia

Special to amNewYork

This spring’s temperamental weather hasn’t thrown off a beloved Brooklyn tradition.

The cherry-blossom viewing season – or Hanami - is in full swing at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, with its collection of 220 cherry trees quickly coming into bloom.

With 42 different species of cherry trees, there are early, mid-season and late bloomers. The whole process can be tracked on the garden’s CherryWatch Web page.

“People have asked us if we have turned on the cherry trees like we have a magic switch deep in the boiler room or something,” said Kate Blumm, communications coordinator at the garden.The Cherry Esplanade, above, and the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, below. (Photos: Kate Blumm/courtesy Brooklyn Botanic Garden)

The blooming process isn’t exactly automated, but the trees are doing their thing right on time. The garden’s Web team checks on the progress of each tree daily to keep CherryWatch updated.

The weeping cherry trees surrounding the tranquil pond in the Japanese garden are at their peak, scattering pale pink petals over the water. Among other early bloomers are Yoshino cherry trees – the most common cherry tree in Japan – and Mount Fuji cherry trees with their snowy white blossoms. The Kanzan cherry trees that line the Cherry Esplanade should come into full bloom soon – just in time for the Sakura Matsuri cultural festival on May 2-3.

Hanami

April 4 - May 10

Adults: $8

Seniors (65 and over): $4

Students 12+ with valid IDs: $4

Children under 12: Free

Subway

2 or 3: Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn Museum

B or Q: Prospect Park

4: Franklin Ave

S: Prospect Park

Tags: brooklyn botanic garden, cherry blossom trees, hanami, holiday traditions, environment, entertainment

Mr. Met originates from his own dressing room at Citi Field

Tuesday April 21, 2009 9:43 AM By Max J. Dickstein

(Getty Images)

By Max J. Dickstein

Walking through the field-level tunnels of Citi Field on Sunday — the new ballpark's sixth regular-season date — I chanced upon an amusingly labeled room a few hundred feet down the hall from the visiting dugout along the third-base line.

The placard, complete with a Braille translation, read:

"Mr Met

1.35.07"

(Photo by Max J. Dickstein)

I asked a nearby attendant why the dressing room's door wasn't higher and wider to fit the Mr. Met's head. Amused, he told me that the team mascot had no room of his own in the Shea Stadium green room. Now a Mascot Hall of Famer, the jolly baseball-headed trickster who was born in the early 1960s has his own digs at Citi Field.

And then, as I returned my attention to the dressing room, Mr. Met and his crew rolled out of the dressing room a few moments later. The game's first pitch was just 45 minutes away, after all.

(Photo by Max J. Dickstein)

From the looks of the Mets mascot's cushy situation (though I did not peek inside the room) it seems this Onion article is further from the truth than you'd think.

Tags: mr. met, citi field, 1.35.07, dressing room, the onion, new york mets, queens, sports, zany

Viral video: Backboard faceplant

Tuesday April 21, 2009 9:42 AM By Sean Joseph

If you’re going to lower the basketball hoop to dunk, make sure you don’t run into it.

Tags: viral video, television, sports, basketball, failblog

What's in Season: Spinach

Tuesday April 21, 2009 9:29 AM By Lucy Blatter

Fresh spinach is in season, easy to cook and can be used in lots of recipes.

By Ben Muessig

Special to amNewYork

You can tell that warm weather is on its way when fresh greens start popping up in farms upstate — and farmer's markets around the city. This week, stock up on some of the season's first shipments of locally grown spinach.

So far this spring, regional spinach isn't as easy to find as locally grown baby greens — but farmers say it's worth going out of your way for Popeye's favorite food."Spinach is more mature than baby greens, so its flavor is much more developed," said Lisa Ossiboff of Phillips Farms in Milford, New Jersey, which is among the first farms in the region to harvest the veggie.

That more developed taste can add a slightly bitter jolt of flavor to a dish, whether it’s served spinach raw or cooked. Spinach can be a great base for seasonal salads. For breakfasts, try chopping spinach into omelets or making an order of eggs Florentine, served atop a bed of the leafy green and an English muffin.

Spinach is loaded with nutrients. Each green leaf is packed with vitamins A and C, as well as iron and magnesium. One cup of spinach boasts nearly double the recommended daily serving of vitamin K, which can help boost bone health.

Fresh spinach costs about $4 per pound.

Tags: seasonal vegetable, spinach

"Mr. Six," the dancing Six Flags mascot, is back

Monday April 20, 2009 4:57 PM By Garett Sloane

"Mr. Six"

By Garett Sloane

As mysteriously as he arrived, he vanished. Now, “Mr. Six” has been resurrected.

The enigmatic mascot for Six Flags, the national chain of amusement parks, was basically buried by the company’s top brass in 2006 after a stint as their face of summer fun. “Mr. Six” is the hairless, tuxedoed old man who dances crazily to “We Like to Party” by the Vengaboys.

Following a shake-up at the company, a new marketing strategy was conceived, one that ditched “Mr. Six.” In fact, a marketing company that sought the account even hosted a mock funeral for the character.

“Clearly, after a three-year hiatus we are ready to bring him back,” said Angie Vieira Barocas, senior vice president of marketing at Six Flags.Six Flags has begun to roll out an eight-commercial campaign using “Mr. Six.” The character doesn’t dance as much and he talks now, but only to judge how good a time people are having.

“He is the rater of fun,” Barocas said. Borrowing from last season’s campaign, “Mr. Six” has taken over the “more flags, more fun” duties from “Flagman,” a young Asian man who would screech the slogan in an Asian accent.

Some groups were offended by last year’s campaign, including the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Returning to “Mr. Six” was a matter of appealing to people’s sense of nostalgia, Barocas said.

“Mr. Six” will appear all summer at all U.S. locations, including Great Adventure in New Jersey. Oh, and he also Tweets now (twitter.com/TheRealMrSix).

One advertising company is feeling pretty good about the “Mr. Six” revival.

“I wish him well,” said Alan Kalter, CEO of Doner, which conceived the crazy old guy. Kalter said his team was dropped after the original run of “Mr. Six,” because the company thought they were out of touch. He said bringing the mascot back is a vindication of his vision.

The actor who plays “Mr. Six” is still a mystery. Barocas wouldn’t say if it’s the same person as last time. She only said: “ ‘Mr. Six’ is back.”

Tags: mr. six, six flags, great adventure, advertising, spokesman, mascot, return of mr. six, death of mr. six, ad campaign, economy, entertainment

Army of NYC commuters feeding new transit alert services

Monday April 20, 2009 2:33 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

Looking to avoid a stalled train or a dangerous bike lane? Your fellow commuters want to help.

A small army of impassioned travelers is feeding Twitter and other digital services with updates about rail and road conditions. Thousands of travelers have subscribed to the real-time updates on their cell phones and BlackBerries. The alerts help followers to switch commuting plans when trouble strikes.

“It's very, very helpful,” said Irka Seng, 43, an Upper West Side filmmaker who follows Metro-North updates for her commute to White Plains.

A mob of BlackBerries powers Clever Commute, a free service that tracks 30 buses and regional rail lines operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and NJ Transit. The service shoots out alerts (and ads) to more than 5,000 subscribers divided by line.

The large pool of informants makes the service timely, with WCBS news radio subscribing to Clever Commute for its transit reporting.

“We are generally faster, more detailed and free of the [transit agency] bias,” said Josh Crandall, the company's founder, who is looking to expand the service to city subways.In a different spin, one upstart service parlays transit alerts with dating notices. Launched last week, subwayalerts.com also features gossip and city transportation blogs.

“If you see someone you like, or you're running late, it will be useful,” said Vincent Mota, 31, a Williamsburg designer who helped found the service.

As for bicyclists, commuters frustrated by the icy conditions on city bridges started the NYC Bridge Report on Twitter in January. Nearly 200 subscribers follow the feed about road conditions, ticketing and non sequiturs such as lost eyeglasses.

The MTA also sends e-mails and text messages about service delays to more than 85,000 straphangers. The agency has delivered more than 39 million messages since November, firing off a record 130 alerts during a blizzard last month.

But some commuters complain that the MTA messages don't provide enough detail or alternate routes. Clever Commute has also trumped the MTA's response times in several incidences.

“No Power. No power on all 4 tracks - sitting in Cos Cob with another NY-bound train,” wrote a Metro-North commuter about 30 minutes before the official alert was dispatched.

Aaron Donovan, a MTA spokesman, said they welcomed the additional services, but emphasized that transit authorities verify their updates before sending them.

“You can be confident that the information is accurate,” Donovan said.

Smoothing the commute

All of these digital commuting services are free:

Clever Commute: A peer-driven network dispatching emailing service alerts about 30 bus and regional rail lines operated by the MTA and NJ Transit. clevercommute.com

MTA: Sends out texts and e-mails about unplanned and scheduled service changes for individual lines. www.mymtaalerts.com

New York City Bridge Report: A Twitter feed for cyclists about the conditions on city bridges and bike lanes. twitter.com/nycbridgereport

Subwayalerts.com: An e-mail service packaging personals and gossip with city subways updates

Tags: mta, metro-north, twitter, commuting, transit

Getting back to nature in Panama

Monday April 20, 2009 12:01 PM By Lucy Blatter

Panama's La Amistad International Park has lots of flora and fauna. Credit:Authority of Tourism of Panama and Alfredo Maiquez

By Linda Perney

Special to amNewYork

Located a world away from the glitz of Panama City, Chiriqui province — in Western Panama, nestled between Costa Rica and the Pacific Ocean — is an ideal place to spend a few relaxing days getting back to nature.

Pristine beaches are perfect for sunbathing and rivers ripe for whitewater rafting and kayaking, not to mention the mountains — and forests — that seem to reach up into the clouds.Places to stay

Within its boundaries lie five national parks, including La Amistad International Park, whose management is shared with Costa Rica.

This is cloud-forest territory: a 407,000-acre retreat of tree ferns and dense, humid air; mosses are soft underfoot, and brilliant tropical flowers punctuate a world of green.

Much of the forest is as yet unexplored, but you can hike along trails that take you through this wilderness, with its brilliant birds — particularly red and green quetzals.

Just outside the park is the town of Guadalupe, alive with every sort of flower: agapanthus, birds of paradise, roses, lilies and masses of varicolored impatiens. The town is a major center for the flower trade, with much of the blooms sold down in the lowlands, and many exported for sale to Europe.

Nearby Volcan Baru National Park was established in 1976, and is named for the only volcano in Panama. Its mountainous territory unfolds over spectacular vistas of water and forest; when the weather is clear, you can see both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

The landscape changes fast here. Mountain roads twist past alpine-like meadows and valleys as well as banana and coffee plantations. Trout streams wind through the area, and the air is alive with the sounds of hummingbirds.

Where to stay

Los Quetzales Lodge and Spa is located just outside the Amistad Park — the only lodge in a national park. Accommodations include a lodge and two-story private chalets, with fireplaces, balconies and skylights. The lodge is surrounded by a 770-acre preserve; the riverside spa is a fine place to relax after a day of sightseeing.

Rooms start at $66 per night, which includes breakfast and a guided tour along the trails of the preserve.

Note: the hotel can make reservations for you to hike to Volcan Boru or go river rafting or horseback riding. For more information, go to losquetzales.com

Know Before You Go

The best time to travel to Panama is December-March (summer), when there’s less humidity and rain. The rainy season is May-November, but especially good deals can be found during those times. Mornings and early afternoons are usually sunny while later in the day, there’s intermittent rainfall.

Getting There

Chiriqui is a day trip by car from Panama City. Air Panama and Aeroperlas also offer flights from Panama City to the town of David. The flight, which take about 50 minutes, is about $80 each way.

Tags: panama, chiriqui province

This week's travel deals

Monday April 20, 2009 11:50 AM By Lucy Blatter

The U.S. Virgin Islands' Sizzling Sampler package features lots of deals, plus you don't need a passport. Credit: U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism

By Emily Mathis

Special to amNewYork

U.S. Virgin Islands’ Sizzlin’ Sampler: The U.S. Virgin Islands are offering more than $1,200 in savings for travel to the islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. Package highlights include: complimentary fourth nights at participating hotels, $300 air credit, $50 worth of coupons for attractions, $50 dining coupon, and a $500 coupon booklet.

Book through Oct. 15 for travel through Oct. 31

VisitUSVI.com, 800-372-8784

Southwest Airlines flies into NY: Beginning June 28, Southwest Airlines will begin flying in and out of LaGuardia, with 40 routes including eight daily non stop flights: five to/from Chicago (Midway) and three to/from: Baltimore/Washington. Special deals are available at Southwest.com or 800-435-9792Rock climb in Wisconsin: This summer, for $325 you can have two nights of camping at Devil’s Lake State Park, two breakfasts and lunches, one dinner, and guided rock climbing and hiking in Wisconsin. Available weekends:May 8 – 10, June 19-21, July 10-12, and September 4 –6 . No deadline, based on availability.

NWPassage.com or 800-732-7328

$499 to London: Gate 1 Travel is offering a $499 deal to London, which includes airfare and four nights at Thistle City Barbican Hotel. Upgrades are available for $10-70. Departure dates: April 29, May 6, 13, 20; additional dates available at an additional cost. Gate1Travel.com or 800-682-3333

Tags: travel deals, virgin islands, london, wisconsin, southwest airlines

Lauren Conrad isn't going to Spedi's wedding

Monday April 20, 2009 10:57 AM By Julie Gordon

Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (Photos: Getty)

By Julie Gordon

We know one person who won't be catching "Hills" star Heidi Montag's bouquet this weekend: frenemy Lauren Conrad.

Conrad said she is "probably not" going to former BFF Heidi's nuptials to boyfriend Spencer Pratt on Saturday. Heidi and Spencer eloped in an unofficial Mexico ceremony in November 2008, but plan to make it official this weekend in Pasadena, Calif.

"Yes, I was invited," said Lauren, who was promoting a voice role on this Sunday's "Family Guy."

In December, Heidi told us Lauren was a possible bridesmaid choice, along with Spencer's sister, Stephanie, or her own sister, Holly. Spencer also said the ceremony would "definitely" be televised for the "fans and haters."

Tags: entertainment

Snickers' punning New York City campaign

Monday April 20, 2009 9:51 AM By Rolando Pujol

By Rolando Pujol

Back in the 1980s, Snickers had a memorable ad campaign with the jingle, "Snickers really satisfies you."

Well, our hunger for cheesy ads was satisfied by this New York-centric ad campaign for Snickers chocolate bars down in the subway system. One ad advises straphangers to "Enroll at ChocoCollege." That's a sweet twist of course, on City College. Another one, and it's by far our favorite, pays homage to Dr. Jonathan Zizmor, easily the king of subway advertising with his ubiquitous ads for his East Side dermatology business.In the Snickers ad, we are advised that we can "Schedule a consultation with Dr. Feedzmore."

We love any campaign that wittily references the ads that sit right around it. And it seems most subway ads are for services such as those provided by Dr. Z, (we don't even want to talk about those foot-care ads) and the never-ending supply of colleges, institutes and universities promising a better future once you enroll.

The Snickers campaign has one thing in common with one of its muses, Dr. Zizmore: It's memorable and breaks through the ad clutter.

More: amNY is on New York Nonstop, WNBC's new 24-hour news channel. Reports on this and other topics routinely appear on Channel 161 (Time Warner) and 109 (Cablevision). Check it out.

Tags: snickers, dr. zizmor, advertising, subway, stuff that's cool

Viral video: 'Different' notes make it Disturbing Strokes

Monday April 20, 2009 9:10 AM By Sean Joseph

Replacing the “Diff'rent Strokes” theme song with bone-chilling music really gives the show a new perspective. What evil plans does Mr. Drummond have for Arnold and Willis?

Tags: viral video, television, music, diff'rent strokes

Sample sales: April 20 to 26

Monday April 20, 2009 7:28 AM By Julie Gordon

Frette and La Perla

April 20 to 24, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 4 W. 58th St., Fourth Fl., at Fifth Ave., 212-299-0400

Two luxury Italian brands — Frette linens and La Perla lingerie — are under one roof for a sample sale. Frette's bedsets and duvet sets are $550 (regularly $950 to $2,400), light quilts and bed covers are $400 (regularly $875 to $2,000) and robes are $50 to $100 (regularly $120 to $220). La Perla's bras are $40 to $60 (regularly $119 to $289), underwear are $20 to $40 (regularly $55 to $164) and sleepwear is $50 to $60 (regularly $184 to $500).

Mary Norton

April 21 and 22, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; April 23, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; April 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 12 W. 57th St., Suite 401, btwn Fifth and Sixth aves., 212-265-5800

Shop for handbags and shoes from celebrity favorite Mary Norton (Carrie Underwood and Cameron Diaz have been spotted in her designs). Get a black glitter leather clutch with Swarovski crystal embroidery for $238.50, originally $795. Cheetah-print calf-hair peep-toe shoes with Swarovski crystals are $178.50, down from $595.

Francesco Biasia

April 21 to 24, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 320 Fifth Ave., Suite 1100, btwn 32nd and 33rd sts., 212-290-8500

Wallets and handbags from the spring 2009 line and past collections are 50 to 70 percent off. Wallets regularly priced at $200 to $700 are $10 to $200.Kara Janx

April 22 and 23, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 242 W. 36th St., 8th Fl., btwn Seventh and Eighth aves. 212-594-4797.

Spring and summer dresses are 50 to 80 percent off. A wrap that can be worn five ways is $145, reduced from $350 (comes in fuchsia, violet and tangerine). A silk charmeuse deep v-neck dress is $135 instead of $365. A silk charmeuse rainbow-style dress was $350 and is now $145. Older styles are $30 to $50.

Furla

April 22, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; April 23 to 24, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 145 W. 18th St., btwn Sixth and Seventh aves., 212-388-0339

Get handbags, wallets, shoes, jewelry and key rings for up to 70 percent off. A leather shoulder bag that was $635 is now $395. A straw purse with an embossed leather trim is $195 instead of $410.

Sigerson Morrison, Me&Ro and Zero + Maria Cornejo

April 22, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; April 23, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; April 24, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Metropolitan Pavilion. 125 W. 18th St., btwn Sixth and Seventh aves., 212-925-3849

Score great deals on items from three designers. Get a black leather jacket that was originally $1,773 for $532. A satin crepe wrap dress, originally $734, is now $294.

ISDA

April 22, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; April 23, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; April 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 80 W. 40th St., Sixth floor, btwn Fifth and Sixth aves., 212-398-8340.

Get knit staples from ISDA, such as pants, sweaters, tees, dresses, tanks and shorts, for $25 to $100. In addition, 100 percent organic cotton home items from Plover Organic are 35 percent off.

Tags: shopping, fashion

Tuesday is Iced Coffee Day at Dunkin' Donuts

Sunday April 19, 2009 10:11 PM By Lucy Blatter

On April 21st, Dunkin' is offering 50-cent iced coffee, and 10% of sales from the day will benefit Homes for Our Troops, a non-profit organization that builds specially adapted homes for severely wounded veterans returning from combat with life-altering disabilities. So grab one!

Tags: dunkin donuts

Wine with a hint of Brooklyn

Sunday April 19, 2009 4:06 PM By Garett Sloane

By Lana Bortolot

Special to amNewYork

A Brooklyn vintner says she’s captured the spirit of the borough in a bottle.

In 2005, Alie Shaper founded Brooklyn Oenology, a winery that blends its grapes out on Long Island but distributes out of Brooklyn. The winemaker is part of a growing culinary scene in Brooklyn that focuses on artisanal products.Shaper sources the grapes from several wineries, and blends and bottles them herself on Long Island. She runs all other business functions — sales, marketing and distribution — from her Greenpoint office. She keeps it as local as possible, right down to the label art created by Brooklyn artists.

“A large part of what I’m doing is to tie together local product[s], the same way we might eat locally, a movement which is booming in Brooklyn,” she said.

Shaper, 36, left a career as an engineer in Silicon Valley to pursue the wine trade. In 1999, she started working in the tasting room of a Hudson Valley winery, then she worked for a wine distributor, and eventually she learned how to make wine as an intern at a crush lab on Long Island.

Her wines retail for $13 to $20, and they are sold in about 50 New York City locations, which are listed on her Web site, BrooklynOenology.com.

Business has slowed a bit during the recession, Shaper said. She produced about 500 cases last year, which was about the same amount as her first year, but down from about 4,500 cases in her second year. She also has suspended some expansion plans.

“Am I optimistic? Yes. Am I comfortable? No,” she said. “It’s always challenging to keep all the pieces moving. But the winemaking is the reward, and that’s the reason I started this business: to make a well-crafted product and something beautiful that you can have in your life every day.”

Tags: brooklyn oenology, wine making, grow local, local movement, small business, vintner, economy

Report: Slumdog Millionaire actress for sale by dad

Sunday April 19, 2009 3:27 PM By Marlene Naanes

BY MARLENE NAANES

It seems like a pitiful case of reality starting to imitate art.

The father of an adorable child actress in the the rags-to-riches tale, “Slumdog Millionaire,” is trying to sell his 9-year-old daughter for $300,000, claiming his desire to get his family out of the Mumbai squalor, a British tab reported yesterday.

The girl, Rubina Ali, starred as a young Latika, one of the main characters in the Oscar-winning film, which starts off with a ruthless gangster trying to profit from the street orphans he trains to beg for money. The film centers around a Mumbai teen from the slums who becomes a contestant on the Indian version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.”

“I have to consider what’s best for me, my family and Rubina’s future,” Rafiq Qureshi told the News of the World.“The child is special now,” one of Qureshi’s brothers said. “This is NOT an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child!”

The weekly tabloid said it learned from an informant in Mumbai that Qureshi was looking to sell his daughter to the highest bidder after a Middle Eastern family already approached him about paying to adopt her. A reporter from the paper posed as a rich Dubai sheik and met with Qureshi, who offered Rubina in exchange for £200,000 — roughly $296,000.

The paper yesterday posted a story and video clips of the meeting between Qureshi and the undercover reporter last week.

According to the story, Qureshi said he wanted to get his whole family out of the slums and alleged that the family received little for her appearance in the movie.

Though Rubina is still living in poverty, the U.S. producers of the movie have set up a trust fund to pay for the education and housing for her and other child actors in the film.

It is unclear whether authorities in India will take any action.

Tags: slumdog millionaire, adopt, sale, child, entertainment

MTA struggles to keep Herald Square escalators moving

Sunday April 19, 2009 2:42 PM By Heather Haddon

A straphanger makes his way down an out-of-service escalator at th 34th Street Herald Square subway stop. (Photo By RJ Mickelson)

By Heather Haddon

Straphangers are getting a lot of exercise lately at the Herald Square subway station.

Escalators in the system’s third-busiest station have ground to a halt, forcing commuters to find ones that work or simply to use the stairs.

The problem has gone on for months, despite many of the escalators being installed last year. Yesterday, five of the 12 escalators at the station were down.

“We come here specifically for the escalators,” said Hyman Muchnich, 84, of Brooklyn Heights. “They’re supposed to make it easier.”

The MTA spent $36 million last year to overhaul the Herald Square escalators. But the contractor, Fujitec America, didn’t install the equipment correctly and must make mechanical adjustments, New York City Transit officials said.

Throughout the subway system, the average number of failures on MTA-operated escalators jumped 46 percent in the last quarter of 2008 compared to 2006, according to the latest Transit reports.“We respond as quickly as possible in house,” said Transit President Howard Roberts during a recent MTA board meeting. “But we have little leverage with our current contracts to ... get warranty repairs made.”

Fujitec America could not be reached for comment Sunday.

An out-of-service escalator can severely curtail subway access for the elderly, the disabled or straphangers weighed down by a stroller or heavy bags. The longest escalator out at Herald Square yesterday has 46 steps. At least one sign at the station says some escalators won’t be back up until next month.

“You have a lot of mobile seniors in New York City,” said Evelyn Moss, 60, of Brooklyn. “We need some kind of way to get down to the subway.”

But the problems aren’t all Transit’s fault; some escalators are privately-owned, like the one at Union Square that’s been out for at least a year.

Up until recently, the MTA contracted with escalator companies that would install them for the cheapest price, creating a patchwork of models that require unique parts and service.

For example, the MTA has struggled to fix the escalators at the Flushing/Main Street No. 7 station as they are found nowhere else in the world, making it a scavenger hunt to find replacement parts. The escalators have gone down chronically since they were installed a decade ago.

“It has broken down so many times that no one can remember to count,” said Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing).

MTA officials have acknowledged that the system’s escalators need more attention.

Last year, Transit officials began replacing machine parts on a regular basis and rigged an alert system for when a device goes down.

Melinda Hsia contributed to this story.

By the numbers

163: Number of MTA-operated escalators

10: Their average age in years

3,500: Number of escalator outages during the last quarter of 2008

310: Average number of hours between an escalator failure during that period

Source: MTA

Tags: mta, escalators, herald square, transit

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps moves on

Sunday April 19, 2009 1:26 PM By Julie Gordon

By Julie Gordon

It’s fair to say that LuAnn de Lesseps, aka The Countess from Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New York City,” is obsessed with elegance, even stressing its role in helping her deal with a recent split from her husband of 16 years, Alexandre de Lesseps.

“I’m just trying to handle the situation with as much dignity as I can by remaining friends with my husband,” said the Countess, 47, whose count left her last month for a younger woman — and told her about it via e-mail.

“There’s no use making it nasty or bitter. We’re trying to do the best we can for our kids by not involving them in the nitty-gritty,” she added.LuAnn, who said she isn’t officially separated yet, is keeping her “countess” title, appropriate since her new etiquette and dating advice book, “Class with the Countess,” was released this week. She wrote it while she was still with Alexandre.

Though she can’t say anything about a third season of “Housewives,” LuAnn offered advice for the stars of the upcoming “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

“Be yourself,” she said.

Well, it certainly worked for the Countess.

LuAnn de Lesseps will sign copies of her book, "Class with the Countess" from 7 to 9 p.m. on April 21 at Borders (461 Park Ave., at 57th St.).

(Getty)