Urbanite

Study: Indoor tanning a certain skin cancer trigger

Thursday July 30, 2009 11:02 AM By Heather Haddon

Using a tanning bed regularly is a deadly as taking arsenic, a shocking study to be published Wednesday says.  

The report found that the risk of skin cancer jumped by 75 percent when tanners started regularly bronzing on tanning beds before the age of 30.

“Tanning beds cause cancer, and there is no longer any legitimate excuse to allow their use,” said Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society.

Because of the findings, the UV rays emitted by tanning beds are being reclassified as a top trigger for skin cancer, similar tobacco and hepatitis B.

“I always knew it wasn’t good for your skin,” said Alice Passuello, 23, an occasional tan bed user from the Upper West Side. “Definitely 75 percent risk of cancer is not that encouraging and not worth the risk.”

The report, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a French institute run by the World Health Organization, are being published online today in the medical journal Lancet Oncology. Researchers deemed tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas.

The tanning industry has said that the bulbs used in bronzing beds expose sun-seekers to a safer form of ultraviolet rays. The report, a review of 20 previous studies about tanning and cancer risk, disputes that claim.

This year, nearly 70,000 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. More than 130 New Yorkers died from the disease in 2007, the most recent city figures.

Tanning bed use has increased among those under 30, as has the numbers of young people with skin cancer.

The Indoor Tanning Association, a trade group, said the classification change made tanning beds as dangerous as sunlight.

“The ITA has always emphasized the importance of moderation when it comes to UV light from either the sun or a tanning bed,” said Dan Humiston, association president.

Marleen Naanes and the Associated Press contributed to this story.

hhaddon@am-ny.com

Tags: skin cancer, tanning

City Council OKs Coney Island redevelopment

Wednesday July 29, 2009 7:28 PM By Ryan Chatelain

The thrill isn’t gone at Coney Island.

After six years of studies, negotiations and public hearings, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to convert the long neglected neighborhood into a revitalized, year-round destination has been given the green light.

“Now we move forward with a plan that will return Coney Island to its former glory,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

The City Council approved the 27-acre rezoning proposal yesterday by a vote of 44-2. The measure would allow for enclosed amusements, sit-down dining and hotels in the storied amusement district.

Further away from the waterfront, the project, which is expected to create 6,000 permanent jobs and 25,000 construction jobs, will also bring mixed-income housing, retail and infrastructure improvements to Coney Island, city officials said.

The city’s biggest goal, however, has been to protect the area’s dwindling amusements and add new thrill rides. The Bloomberg administration will seek a private operator for a new amusement park on city-controlled parkland.

Councilman Domenic M. Recchia Jr., who represents Coney Island and voted for the rezoning, said: “Hopefully we can make amusements better than what they are today, increase them and make it a year-round destination. This is not three months out of the year. During those other months, it gets awfully cold and awfully lonely in Coney Island.”

Before the city can move forward, it must acquire more than 10 acres of land owned by developer Thor Equities, which had been planning its own redevelopment project.

At a news conference before the Council voted yesterday, Recchia and Council Speaker Christine Quinn said the city and Thor had reached an agreement to sell the land.

However, Bloomberg and Thor spokesman Stefan Friedman said later in the day that the two sides were still negotiating. 

 “We are hopeful that these negotiations will result in a timely resolution and a brighter day for Coney,” Friedman said in an e-mail.

City officials admitted that the rezoning would not make everyone happy. But even those who objected to aspects of the plan said they believed city officials listened to their concerns in making concessions.

Dick Zigun, founder of the arts group Coney Island USA, said he was not happy about the possibility of four high-rise hotels along Surf Avenue, but appreciated that the Bloomberg administration promised more acreage for outdoor amusements than earlier proposals and will schedule the Shore Theater to be reviewed as a possible city landmark. 

Dennis Vourderis, co-owner of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, applauded the city for allowing him to retain ownership of his park. An earlier draft of the plan had Vourderis giving up about half of his park, including the Wonder Wheel, a city landmark.

“It’s a good thing for all of Coney Island, and certainly good for us,” Vourderis said. “We’re happy to be a part of someday the new Coney Island.”

Jason Fink contributed to this story.

New Yorkers largely approve of transit, Broadway revamp

Wednesday July 29, 2009 7:09 PM By Heather Haddon

New Yorkers love to bash the MTA, but they have to admit the glass isn’t always half empty.

Half of straphangers surveyed in a citywide poll released Wednesday rated subway service as good or excellent and 56 percent gave favorable marks to the MTA’s bus service.

“That sounds about right,” said Jon Openshaw, 27, of Greenpoint. “I live near the G train, which is notorious for just disappearing. But the E train is awesome -- always on time.”

In the survey of 1,300 city residents by Quinnipiac University last week, commuters from Manhattan and Queens generally gave the MTA higher marks for its subways and buses than those from the other boroughs. Most respondents said service had remained even during the last five years.

Still, 70 percent of those surveyed slammed the MTA’s recent fare hike.

“It’s a great system but people have issues with it, whether it’s the cost or it’s too crowded,” said Gene Russianoff, of the Straphangers Campaign.

An MTA spokesman declined comment.

In other findings in the wide-ranging survey:

- About 75 percent of those surveyed thought the Second Avenue Subway and No. 7 extension to the West Side wouldn’t be built on time.

- Most thought the MTA needed to improve its announcements about service disruptions.

-    About 60 percent supported the ban on vehicles on Broadway at Herald and Times squares. Respondents were split, however, about whether the city should create more pedestrian malls and few wanted a car-free space in their own neighborhood.

“The results so far have been very promising,” said mayoral spokesman Marc LaVorgna about the Broadway changes. “People seem to be enjoying the space.”

Sonia Casiano, 41, of Woodside, said she’s gotten used to the Times Square revamp.
“It gives you more space to walk,” she said.

Straphangers in midtown yesterday generally called their weekday commutes manageable, but want improved weekend service, cleaner trains and clearer announcements.

“Sometimes you can’t hear anything,” said Hadj Ba, 25, a frequent rider on the J, M and Z lines. “(They) will say the stop sometimes, and the next stop, they don’t say anything. Every tourist for themselves.”

Jason Fink and Marlene Naanes contributed to this story.
 
hhaddon@am-ny.com

Tags: MTA, Times Square, subways

'Bachelorette' couple starts 'normal' life

Wednesday July 29, 2009 6:31 PM By Julie Gordon

Just three months into shooting “The Bachelorette,” contestant Ed Swiderski popped the question to Jillian Harris on the season finale — and she accepted.

In the “real world,” jumping into an engagement like that isn’t typical. But the couple, who plan to wed next year, acknowledged that being removed from the real world sped up the process.

“In a normal circumstance, if Ed and I had been dating for those couple months, would he be thinking of a proposal? He might be thinking about it and I might be thinking about it, but because of ... social norms we probably would have held off,” Jillian told us yesterday.

Jillian even admitted to being worried about getting engaged so fast, but her dad told her this: “It’s not like you’re walking down the aisle right then.”

Ed said he looks at his proposal as the beginning of his and Jillian’s “normal relationship.”

Jillian plans to move from Vancouver to Ed’s place in Chicago either the first or second week of September.

And then they will start planning the wedding. During a press conference call, the duo said it will most likely be in Canada, not televised and filled with friends, family, good grub ... and lots of beer.

Tags: The Bachelorette

Chace Crawford: Too trashed for a shot ... but not for a beer

Wednesday July 29, 2009 6:20 PM By Julie Gordon

“Gossip Girl” star Chace Crawford knows his limits when it comes to drinking.

At “Gossip” actress Taylor Momsen’s birthday party at Hiro Ballroom on Tuesday, a female fan was overheard confessing her adoration for Crawford and then asking the star if she could buy him a shot.

His response? That he was completely “trashed,” but that the fan could buy him a beer instead, our spy overheard him saying at the MySpace-sponsored bash.

Also spotted: “GG” stars Ed Westwick, Jessica Szohr and Matthew Settle.

Tags: Chace Crawford, Taylor Momsen, Gossip Girl

MTA budget won't hike fares until 2011

Wednesday July 29, 2009 6:20 PM By Heather Haddon

The MTA released a $12 billion preliminary 2010 budget yesterday that is devoid of a fare hike or major service reductions for next year, but officials cautioned that many factors could change the plans.

“We’re balanced on a head of a pin, and lots of things could throw this off,” said Dale Hemmerdinger, the outgoing MTA board chair.

A nearly $2.3 billion state rescue plan spared straphangers from massive service cuts and a 23 percent fare hike this year. However, the MTA is still projecting a deficit of $350 million beginning in 2012, and unforeseen labor costs, fuel price spikes or an ongoing financial downturn could throw its finances into a tailspin, officials said.

Also, fare increases of 7.5 percent for both 2011 and 2013 will go forward as previously planned.

In order to balance the 2010 budget, the agency provided more details yesterday on some items it is cutting for next year, including:

- Elimination of a program to provide faster medical attention to sick customers at four stations in Manhattan and two in Queens

- Increasing the amount time before workers overhaul worn buses or inspect old subway cars

- Forgoing extra painting for stations

hhaddon@am-ny.com

Tags: MTA, budget, transit, subways

It's a Canadian invasion in NYC

Wednesday July 29, 2009 6:02 PM By Erin Lindholm

Poutine, P.E.I. Mussels, Tim Hortons. If these Canadian food staples are unfamiliar, chances are they won’t be for long.

Canada’s signature munchie dish, poutine, is about to get its own eatery on the Lower East Side.

Uptown, the first U.S. outpost of a popular seafood restaurant on Prince Edward Island is thriving.

And Tim Hortons, Canada’s go-to coffee and doughnut chain recently went from zero locations to 12, virtually overnight. 

Poutine
It used to be relatively difficult to find authentic poutine — piping-hot French fries drenched in thick gravy and topped with melting cheese curds. That’s all changing.

T-Poutine
T-Poutine, 168 Ludlow St., btwn Stanton and Orchard sts, 646-833-7444
T-Poutine, a casual eatery dedicated to bringing classic poutine ($3-$5) and a handful of poutine variations to revelers day and night, will open on the Lower East Side any day.

Hotel Griffou
Hotel Griffou, 21 W. 9th St., 212-358-0228 ext.1
This sexy new restaurant serves its own, decadent version of Poutine. Via Twitter, Freeman’s owner William Tigertt predicted that the duck confit poutine ($12) will be “the new artery clogging crack for downtown set.”

P.E.I. Mussels
Flex Mussels
174 E. 82nd Street, btwn Lexington and Third aves, 212-717-7772
NYC restaurateur Robert Shapiro brings a taste of Prince Edward Island to the Upper East Side. The specialty is P.E.I. mussels, widely considered the best farm-raised mussels available.

In fact, the mussels here are often driven directly from P.E.I. farms, where they are served 23 different ways (all between $16-$20). The Maine (lobster, smoked bacon, corn, white chowder, parsley) pairs beautifully with a Unibroue ‘Maudite’ beer from Quebec brewery Unibroue.
Décor elements, too, are all either from Flex Mussels in Charlottetown or  imported from the island.

Canadian doughnuts
Tim Hortons
There are 12 locations in NYC. Visit timhortons.com for a list.
In one of the most ambitious debuts in recent memory, a dozen Dunkin’ Donuts locations were transformed into Tim Hortons over a weekend earlier this month. 80 percent of Canadians get their daily coffee fix at Tim Hortons.

Start out with a cup of coffee and an assorted bag of doughnut holes, called Timbits, which come in seven flavors: original, chocolate, sour cream, old fashioned, honey-dipped,maple and blueberry cake.

Tags: Tim Hortons, PEI Mussels, Flex Mussels, Canada, Canadian food, T-Poutine, Poutine

Restaurateur Q and A: Michael Psilakis

Wednesday July 29, 2009 4:23 PM By Lucy Blatter

Michael Psilakis of Kefi, Mia Dona, Anthos and Miami’s Eos, opened Gus & Gabriel on the Upper West Side on July 1. We spoke to him about his new place, which specializes in classic comfort foods, a departure from the Greek cuisine that’s made him famous.

Where did the name come from?
My dad was Gus and my son is Gabriel.

What was the vision?
All my restaurants start with a thesis — this was feeding your inner child and now it’s embracing your inner child.

It’s about taking American pub food and making it all from scratch. Making our own hot dogs, sauerkraut and relish — everything on the hot dog and everything else is homemade.

If there’s a pickled something on the plate it’s homemade. That was the benchmark for us, we didn’t want to do anything that was processed.

What’s your favorite dish?
I really love the homemade beef hot dog. Either Chicago style with pickles, onions and peppers, or with chili and cheese.

What’s the drink selection like?
There are 50 beers and 80 whiskeys. The bar is based mostly on brown spirits, a lot of whiskey. We have 10 tap beers (artisanal stuff) plus 40 cans and bottles.

We offer shot, flask and bottle options (you can use the bottle next time).

How about the atmosphere? What was the vision behind that?
We started with stain-glass light fixture you’d find at an old-school pubs and then went from there. It’s a little more sophisticated than what you’d find at a pub.

Does it have a Greek feel? How is it different than your other places?
It’s a very big deviation for me. Looking back at all the restaurant I’ve opened, this one really stretches what I’ve known for.

It’s challenging. You’re putting yourself out there against other chefs who have dedicated their lives to creating American food, which I haven’t.

But the idea came about cooking with my son who is 3. For me, food has always been an expression of an emotional attachment, my biggest goal would be to take someone on a journey to a place where they can reminisce.

The hope is that you’re coming in to a restauarant and it’ll bring you to a time where it’s more carefree.

Is it family friendly as a result?
We have a children’s menu. The thing about the Upper West Side is that it’s suburbia in the city.

It’s a place that evolves as the night goes on. At 5, 7, 9 there are different demographics. We’re setting up different lighting formats and different playlists.

What are the prices like?
The average check is around $25. The portion sizes are big and the food has a lot of flavor. If you’re not going to drink, you could come and leave for a very reasonable price. Entrees are mostly $10.95-$14.95.

What was it like opening a new restaurant in the recession?
I can’t lie and say it wasn’t something that came into my mind. After Kefi, I fumbled around with what I would come up with. It got shelved for almost eight months. Prices are obviously value driven. I want people to be able to come to the restaurant once a week. It’s a neighborhood place. Trying to focus on neighborhood. Hope is that it’s somewhere they can call their own. It’s a place that feels like home.

Gus & Gabriel, 222 W. 79th St, 212-362-7470
 

For foodies: Food and Wine Fest, cupcake tea, pizza tour and more

Wednesday July 29, 2009 4:02 PM By Lizbette Ocasio-Russe

2009 TD Bank Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival: The festival will take place today through Sunday at various Harrah’s properties in Atlantic City, N.J. Chefs from the Food Network and Bravo will host, demonstrate and mingle with guests at more than 20 events, including a wine tasting with Tom Colicchio, a Cajun cooking class with Emeril Lagasse and a dinner with Guy Fieri. Tickets range from $30 to $2,000, with most events $100 or less. Go to acfoodandwine.com for tickets.

Cupcake Tea at the Ritz-Carlton: Satisfy your sweet tooth with style by sampling a variety of cupcakes at the Ritz-Carlton. Cupcake Tea is $25 per person and includes a Flight of Five Assorted Mini Cupcakes and your choice of Ritz-Carlton blend tea, hot chocolate, milk, chocolate milk or one non-alcoholic beverage. This event is running Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 31. Reservations are required, 212-521-6125.

24 Prince cooking classes: If you want to kick your cooking up a notch, join Nolita restaurant 24 Prince and “Top Chef Chicago” contestant Nikki Cascone for a series of Backyard Cooking Classes beginning Aug. 12, and every second Wednesday of each month to follow from 6 to 8 p.m. The classes are $35 per person and include dinner. For registration, contact Emily Halverson at emily@24prince.com or 212-226-8624.

Meet the author of ‘Clean Plates NYC’: Having trouble finding healthy, delicious dining options in the city? Nutritionist and author of “Clean Plates NYC” Jared Koch will be at the Whole Foods Market in Columbus Circle next Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. to talk about incorporating healthier eating habits into your life and introduce his book that evaluated hundreds of restaurants on healthfulness. This event is free.

Brooklyn pizza tour: Craving some pizza? Don’t miss the Brooklyn leg of the 5-Boro Pizza Tour on Sunday, Aug. 9, where you can try five or six slices of the best pizza from the borough. It is open to the public and the only cost is for the pizza (plus people must provide their own modes of transportation). Locations include Motorino in Williamsburg, Sam’s Restaurant in Carroll Gardens, Luigi’s in Windsor Terrace and L&B Spumoni Gardens in Bensonhurst. For more information on this and other tours, visit iwantmorefood.com.

Celebrate Julia Child at Saul Restaurant: Saul Restaurant, on Smith Street in Brooklyn, will pay homage to Julia Child on Thursday, Aug. 13, with a celebratory dinner, re-creating some of her famous dishes.  The cost is $65 per person, with a  $45 wine-pairing option. For reservations, call 718-935-9844.

Tags: Atlantic City, Brooklyn pizza tour, Julia Child

Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival this weekend!

Wednesday July 29, 2009 11:27 AM By Lucy Blatter

A trip to Atlantic City this weekend will entail a lot more than just gambling. The 2009 TD Bank Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival will take place from Thursday, July 30 through Sunday, August 2 at various Harrah’s Entertainment-owned resort locations in AC. Chefs from the Food Network and Bravo will host, demonstrate and mingle with guests at more than 20 events.

Events include:

1)    Top Chef's Tom Colicchio will uncorks select wine tastings at The Pool at Harrah's Resort.
2)     Emeril Lagasse will teach his famous Cajun cooking at Showboat.
3)    Guy Fieri will create a summertime clambake in the historic Dennis Courtyard at Bally's on the world famous Atlantic City Boardwalk.  He’ll also create a feast.
4)    Ingrid Hoffmann will host a rooftop dinner and a movie
5)    Duff Golman will host a gospel brunch


Go to acfoodandwine.com for tickets.
 

Less-pricey cuts of meat great for the grill

Wednesday July 29, 2009 10:21 AM By Lucy Blatter

With barbecue season in full swing, we asked NYC-based meat purveyor Jake Dickson, owner of Dickson's Farmstand Meats, for advice on some lower-priced cuts fit to grill.

Forget filet mignon, these cuts will cook up nicely (and inexpensively).

Beef
Dickson suggested flanken, sometimes called Korean-style short ribs, cut thin.
He recommended marinating the meat before barbecuing, which helps break up some of the tougher muscles.

“Another good option is flatiron,” he said, “cut from on top of the shoulder blade.”

It’s a tender cut; you don’t even need to marinate it, just give it a quick sear, he said.

Pork
Dickson said there are good deals to be had in hams this time of year.

Instead of doing them as a roast, he suggested getting a cross-cut leg steak (also known as a fresh ham steak). It’s a more tender cut, which is good for quick cooking.

Lamb
While rib chops can be really expensive, that doesn’t mean frugal shoppers have to give up on lamb altogether. Dickson said a butterflied leg of lamb is great on the grill.

If you want to be adventurous, try the Denver Rack or lamb riblets. “I would never recommend them as an entrée, though” he said, “they’re rich and very fatty. I char them on the grill as an appetizer.”

Get more advice
When in doubt, Dickson said, ask your butcher or even the person behind the counter at the supermarket for help. “Most are trained pretty well. You don’t necessarily need to buy what’s out there on display.”



 

Tags: barbecue, grilling, less-expensive cuts of meat, meat

A Food Lover's Guide to Kensington

Wednesday July 29, 2009 10:16 AM By Nancy J. Brandwein

This stretch of Church Avenue may be low-key and scruffy, but wedged between dental clinics, discount stores and beauty parlors are restaurants and shops representing a dozen nationalities, including Polish, Albanian, Thai and Bangladeshi.

Take the F or G train to Church Avenue. Start at McDonald Avenue and walk toward Coney Island Avenue.

Sugandha
483 McDonald Ave., 718-438-8773
While all Bangladeshi restaurants here offer inexpensive steam table fare, Sugandha’s looked more sprightly, and the savory yellow lentils and delicately spiced chicken biryani ($5.50) will win you over.

To Be Thai
126 Beverley Road, 718-435-0459
This Thai offers friendly service and fresh, herb-laden dishes at great prices. The $6.95 lunch special includes a crispy veggie spring roll (or soup), salad, soda and Thai standards, such as Panang curry, done absolutely right.

Dan’s Select Meats
205 Church Ave., 718-438-1982
More than a purveyor of quality, inexpensive meats, Dan’s offers cases of Russian Baltika beer, homemade Russian salads—from tasty beet and cabbage to layered herring and mushroom—as well as whole smoked mackerel (“Skumbrija”), and vats of pickled cucumbers and sauerkraut.

Dinosha Albanian Village
319 Church Ave., 718-851-9773
This is a preserved fruit lovers’ paradise. Sour cherry compote sits alongside rose hips jam and “grape-pumpkin-eggplant” (!) preserves, along with a freezer-full of borek, Albanian cheese or spinach pies.

Bastek Deli Inc.
321 Church Ave., 718-437-1081
This Polish deli is a go-to spot for half-moon shaped pierogis, filled with potato and cheese, sauerkraut and mushroom or pork ($5.29/lb or about ten pierogis).

Golden Farm
329 Church Ave., 718-871-1009
Their awning epitomizes Kensington, advertising “Russian – Ukrainian – Polish – Turkish – Israeli- Kosher- Organic – Gourmet Food.” Inside you’ll find “Japanese – Chinese – Mexican,” staples and delicacies, too.

Russian Homemade Cuisine
505 Church Ave., 718-484-0156
Three men swirl batter in an assembly line at this blini factory, which caters to the wholesale market. Five excellent mushroom and potato blini to-go are about $5.50.

Old Brick Restaurant
507 Church Ave., 347-425-8391
A group can enjoy a four-course dinner for $15 at this cozy BYOB “Italian, Balkan and Mediterranean.” Stick with cevapi—kebabs of minced veal, lamb or beef—fragrant rice, homemade yogurt, and luscious tiramisu.

Taqueria Los Poblanos
733 Church Ave., 718-436-5705
Authentic Mexican foods, such as zesty shrimp ($2.75) and pork al pastor ($1.50) tacos are prepared Puebla style. Next door La Flor de Santa Ines sells fixings to make your own.
 
NYC Icy
905 Church Ave., 347-789-1849
The one hipster spot on Church, NYC icy provides palate cleansers for your polyglot food walk. Their icys and creamy icys ($2.00/two scoops/$4.00 four scoops) are chock-full of fruit and intense flavors—lemon basil, lychee and apricot. Go now:  It might close this fall.

Shayna’s
907 Church Ave., 718-282-8190
Shayna’s serves Trinidadian & Guyanese goodies—from jerk chicken ($6.50) to rich goat/beef roti ($4.00-$6.50/$1.50 for flaky “roti skin”) and Peanut Punch, a kind of peanut-butter milkshake ($3.00).










 

 
 

Open casting call for 'Sex and the City 2'

Tuesday July 28, 2009 6:39 PM By Julie Gordon

Get ready for one heck of a line — and plenty of Manolo Blahnik-wearing women.

Grant Wilfley Casting is holding an open call for “Sex and the City 2” on Aug. 4 at Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W. 18th St.). SAG members can audition from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and non-SAG actors from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The film starts shooting in New York in August.

According to Grant Wilfley’s Web site, the movie is seeking actors to play “models, celebrity types, upscale socialites, urban club-goers, gays and lesbians, international types (Middle Eastern, Arabic, Asian, European, British) and professional soccer players.”

Um, what do gays and lesbians look like?

Tags: Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker

Mischa Barton's rep: She is 'doing and feeling signficantly better'

Tuesday July 28, 2009 6:17 PM By Julie Gordon

Following a recent hospitalization and psychological evaluation, Mischa Barton is set to begin shooting her new CW drama, “The Beautiful Life.”

“She’s obviously doing and feeling significantly better,” a rep for the actress, 23, told us Tuesday.

Production on the TV show, in which Barton plays a fashion model, is slated to begin Friday. Barton’s rep said her exact start date is unclear, but she “definitely will appear in this episode onward.”

The show was supposed to begin production in NYC last week, but producers cited set problems — not Barton’s health issues — as the reason for the delay.

“We are happy to report that Mischa Barton is doing well and excited to start to work, as we all are,” executive producers Mike Kelley and Karey Burke told us in a statement Tuesday.

Barton’s meltdown wasn’t the first time the starlet has seen trouble. In 2007 she was sent to the hospital for an alleged reaction to cold medicine and arrested on suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession.

'Real' Tru Blood to hit stores in September ... as orange soda?

Tuesday July 28, 2009 6:21 PM By Perrie Samotin

Perrie Samotin

Look, I love HBO's campy vamp dramedy "True Blood" just as much as the next person, but I tend to think the network is taking the whole bloodsucker craze a bit too far.

It was announced Monday that the show's fictional beverage, Tru Blood, will be available for purchase in stores this September — but instead of it being, you know, actual blood, it's now orange soda.

What?

According to the press release:

"The once-fictional Tru Blood beverage has now emerged as a real Blood Orange
carbonated drink ... The beverage boasts a crisp, slightly tart and lightly sweet tang, and the bottle has been crafted to replicate the appearance of the vampiric sustenance found on the series — blood type, logo and all."

No offense to those looking forward to running into their local bodega and grabbing a six-pack of Tru Blood orange soda, but I think this is consumerism at it's worst. I have to wonder who, exactly, this is being targeted to. I'd like to think that even die-hard fans of the show could separate entertainment from reality.

However, it seems there's actually been a demand for this.

"From its first season, fans have been enamored with the show and have expressed a keen interest in the Tru Blood beverage," [said] James Costos, vice president, Licensing & Retail at HBO. "We're extremely excited to be able to bring this original drink to life."

Yeah, it's interesting on the show, when it's actual synthetic blood created by people in Japan as a way to integrate vampires into mainstream society, not orange soda.

If I saw saw someone walking down the street swigging a bottle of O negative Tru Blood with a straight face, I might die laughing.

Suit up in a flattering way

Tuesday July 28, 2009 5:40 PM By Allie Rolnik

 It’s a classic problem — love the beach, hate the beachwear. Itty-bitty bikinis are great for the models who wear them in the magazines, but what do us mere mortals do to hide those flaws that are so easily covered up in the winter months? Jodhi Meares, founder and creative director of tigerlily swimwear, and Amelia Stanley, head designer for the company, told us how to lift the misery out of bathing suit season and get us ready for some fun in the sun.

Rock a one-piece: Thanks to cutouts and elegant styles, one-piece bathing suits are no longer the dowdy. “A one-piece is always really elegant,” Meares said. “It really accentuates a woman’s body and her waist.”

Flatter your bust: Women with smaller busts should go big on prints and frills. Ladies with larger chests should choose suits with small geometric patterns and prints. “Embrace your body,” Stanley said. “Embrace your curves.”

Get a spray tan: A sun-kissed complexion is always flattering, but we all know how dangerous the sun can be. “A good fake tan goes a long way,” Stanley said. Opt for a spray tan to get that back-from-the-beach glow, without the nasty UV rays.

Suits by tigerlily are sold at Azaleas (223 E. 10th St., 212-253-5484). 

Tags: Shopping, fashion, swimwear, tigerlily

Viral Video: Slap Chop remix

Tuesday July 28, 2009 5:03 PM By Emily Hulme

We've all seen the commercial for the Slap Chop. Here, DJ Steve Porter has remixed it into a danceable club hit. Slap on!

Tags: viral video

C worst, No. 7 best in annual subway report

Monday July 27, 2009 4:45 PM By Heather Haddon

C train riders, you have plenty to kvetch about.

The Manhattan-Brooklyn line ranked dead last among 22 subway lines surveyed by the Straphangers Campaign. The annual report released Wednesday compared scheduled service, breakdowns, crowding and cleanliness.

“It's never working,” said George Williams, 40, a longtime C rider from Brooklyn. The line suffers from regular breakdowns and less frequent service, the State of the Subways survey found.

The C also has some of the oldest cars in the fleet, dating back to 1964, which may figure in the problems. The line probably won't get new digital cars until 2014, a NYC Transit spokesman said.

The No. 7, in contrast, arrived every two and a half minutes during rush hour and was spick-and-span, the report found. The L train also ranked high. Both lines have benefited from a new managerial approach, with one person in charge of each line, that has been implemented systemwide this week, said Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign.

Overall, train breakdowns increased from last year's report. Transit recently had to cut back on maintenance because of its ailing budget, Russianoff said.

New cars rolling out throughout the system have dramatically improved train reliability from a decade ago, Transit said. The survey does not reflect car updates made on several lines this year.

Anastasia Economides contributed to this story.

Best overall: No. 7

Worst overall: C

Most scheduled service: No. 6,7,1

Least scheduled service: M,C,W

Least breakdowns: N,Q,No. 2

Most breakdowns: C,G,V

Least crowded: V,Q,B

Most crowding: L, No. 4,N

Tags: NYC Transit, subway, State of the Subways

Viral video: Ice Age in the nth-dimension

Wednesday July 15, 2009 4:11 PM By Emily Hulme

Based on the popularity of "Ice Age 3-D," College Humor imagines what the franchise would be like if they took it into the 4th dimension and beyond.

For foodies: Caviar, Wing-eating contest, cocktail competition, Restaurant Week cocktails and more!

Wednesday July 15, 2009 2:50 PM By Lucy Blatter

A wing-eating contest will take place at the Siren Festival in Coney Island. The event's sponsored by Frank's Red Hot sauce.

Wing-eating contest: The first-ever “Atomic Wings” Buffalo Wing Eating Contest is taking place at the 2009 Siren Music Festival Saturday in Coney Island. To participate, sign up at the Atomic Wings booth between 12-2:30 p.m. Ten competitors will be chosen to participate in the contest, which will take place live at 5:30 p.m. Entrance is free, for more information visit siren.villagevoice.com

Celebrate National Caviar Day: In celebration of National Caviar Day on Saturday, The Russian Tea Room is offering 25 percent off all caviar selections. The offer begins Saturday and will continue on Wednesdays from July 22-September 2. 150 W. 57th St., 212-581-7100.Cocktail competition at SushiSamba: SushiSamba will hold its first Cocktail Competition Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. in celebration of the count down to their ten year anniversary.

Contestants will be given 10 ingredients, a Leblon product and 15 minutes to come up with the perfect cocktail. A panel of judges will select the top five cocktails that will move to round two where the five remaining contestants will battle it out for the win. They will receive another set of fresh ingredients with 20 minutes to create a new cocktail. The prize includes a $500 gift certificate to SushiSamba, a Leblon gift basket and an invitation to SushiSamba's ten year anniversary in November. Plus, the winning cocktail will become the official SushiSamba 7 sambatini for August. One of the 20 spots available can be reserved by calling SushiSamba 7 at 212-691-7885 by Saturday, entry is free.

Summer Restaurant Week drink specials: In honor of Restaurant Week (now-July 31), several restaurants are offering drink deals. Wildwood Barbeque is offering $3 mugs of draft beer with lunch or dinner prix-fixe menus. Atlantic Grill, Blue Fin, Blue Water Grill, Isabella's, Ocean Grill and Ruby Foo's Times Square are offering $24.09 bottles of wine at lunch and $35 bottles of wine at dinner.

Summer Saturdays at Rouge Tomate: Celebrate Summer Saturdays in the city with Rouge Tomate's two promotions. The eatery is offering half-off the entire wine list for the evening, and its lower level lounge, StirRED, is offering half-off the cocktail list from 6-8 p. m. Both offers run through Labor Day. 10 East 60th St. btwn. Madison and 5th Aves., 646-237-8977, rougetomatenyc.com

Tim Hortons sugar alert!

Wednesday July 15, 2009 12:08 PM By Julie Gordon

Tim Hortons at Penn Station (AP)

I stopped at the 34th-and-Seventh outpost of NYC newbie Tim Hortons to grab a free cup of Joe this morning (coupons in amNewYork!) and was surprised to see that a small iced coffee has 80 calories. Why? Liquid sugar! But don't worry. If you want to avoid the extra calories (and sweetness), just ask for your drink minus the liquid sugar.

Tags: restaurants

A doughnut wars update

Wednesday July 15, 2009 10:44 AM By Lucy Blatter

Both Dunkin' Donuts and Tim Hortons were handing out coupons this morning.

We have to admit: We’re starting to enjoy the doughnut and coffee wars.

This morning, at the 96th Street and Broadway subway station (which, mind you, is located in between a McCafe-serving McDonalds, Dunkin’ Donuts and Tim Hortons), a sandwich-boarded Dunkin’ Donuts representative was handing out $1-off coupons while a Tim Hortons rep, just a few feet away, passed out coupons for a free small coffee at Timmies. We’ll take 'em both.

And honestly, it seems this highly publicized rivalry is likely to give both java brewers a, er, jolt.

Tags: dunkin' donuts, tim hortons, restaurants

US Open serves up temp jobs

Tuesday July 14, 2009 7:26 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Anastasia Economides

Special to amNewYork

Roger Federer and other tennis celebrities won’t be the only persons serving at the US Open in Flushing next month.

The event’s staffing company is seeking to fill 700 temporary service jobs at the Open, which runs from Aug. 25 to Sept. 13. Positions include concession-stand managers, cashiers, servers and cooks.Amerivents prefers that applicants have experience in customer or food service, along with a knack for service with a smile.

"We've already seen a high demand this past week," said James Della Pace, president of Amerivents. "There's an increased number of registrations, well over last year's, but we expected that with the tough economy."

Apply at www.amerivents.com and click under Talent Registration.

The work schedule is flexible, but workers are expected to commit for the full three weeks, Della Pace said. Pay ranges from $8 an hour and up, depending on the position.

Tags: us open, jobs, economy, recession, job front, sports

Debbie Rowe: I was not paid off to dump MJ kids

Tuesday July 14, 2009 7:12 PM By Marlene Naanes

(AP photo)

The mother of Michael Jackson’s two eldest children is angrily denying reports that she agreed to a $4 million payoff to walk away from the kids, her attorney said yesterday.

Debbie Rowe’s lawyer demanded a retraction from the New York Post for its front page article claiming that Rowe accepted money from Jackson’s mother to abandon attempts at gaining custody of Michael Jr., 12, and Paris, 11, according to TMZ.In other Jackson developments:

-Katherine Jackson, the pop star’s mother who has custody of his three children, and her husband, Joe Jackson, told ABC yesterday that they’ve lived separately for 15 years, he in Las Vegas and she in Los Angeles. In a rare interview with the couple, Katherine said she and her husband see each other all the time despite the distance.

-In London on Monday, hundreds of fans held gathered around the O2 arena where Jackson would have held his first concert to pay tribute.

(Marlene Naanes with AP)

Tags: mj, debbie rowe, children, entertainment

MetroCard could be singing its swan song

Tuesday July 14, 2009 6:22 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The mighty MetroCard - loved by harried New Yorkers, hated by perplexed tourists — could be headed for its last swipe.

Incoming MTA chief Jay Walder supports newer, easier payment methods for the subways and buses, such as the “Oyster card” he introduced to the London system.

The payment method allows riders to pass a plastic card across the turnstiles to deduct the fare. Like E-ZPass, the funds are replenished online or from a user's credit card - meaning no more annoying waits at the MetroCard machine.

“The people of London like Oyster,” Walder said Tuesday. “Everyone likes it.”

Walder stopped short of promising Oyster would soon surface in the Big Apple, saying he would leave “the details for the future.”Regardless, officials will need to address the fate of the MetroCard shortly. The 2005-2009 capital plan stated that MetroCard machines “were reaching the end of their useful lives” after first debuting in 1999. The cards themselves were introduced in 1994, but didn't catch on for several years.

NYC Transit launched a pilot payment method similar to Oyster in 2006. The Smartcard placed a chip on a rider’s key or credit card that the turnstile registered.

Expanding the Smartcard service has been on hold since, but Transit found that rider response was “favorable,” according to an April report.

Tags: metrocard, mta, transit

New MTA CEO will emphasize funding, transparency

Tuesday July 14, 2009 6:07 PM By Heather Haddon

Jay Walder, the incoming MTA chief, stands next to Gov. David Paterson during the announcement of his appointment Tuesday.

By Heather Haddon

Incoming MTA CEO Jay Walder and transit advocates agree that his first priority should be to provide secure funding for the agency’s capital investment.

“The challenge for the MTA is pretty clear. We must have a longterm financial solution,” said Walder, 50, who joined Gov. David Paterson Tuesday in announcing his appointment as head of the world’s largest transportation provider.

Walder, who served a stint with the MTA 14 years ago and then went on to take a top role in the London transportation system, is poised to replace Elliot “Lee” Sander, who was pressured to leave the agency in May. Walder will serve a six-year term in a newly-created position merging the chairman and chief executive officer roles.

Walder, a Queens native, also emphasized Tuesday his goal of restoring public trust and financial transparency at the MTA but declined to discuss specifics.

Advocates, meanwhile, also had a ready list of tasks they would like Walder to focus his smarts on. They include:- Devising new budget oversight for the agency

- Reducing rush hour crowding

- Providing rapid bus service, especially in the boroughs

- Installing new technology, such as cell phone service in the subways

Those who know Walder described him as capable and articulate.

“He’s just incredibly smart on the details and very straightforward,” said Ellyn Shannon of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA.

Paterson is gunning for Walder to be confirmed Wednesday, when the Senate reconvenes, according to a transit source. But Senate leaders said they want to hold a series of joint hearings on the candidate before the confirmation process.

Tags: mta, jay walder, transit

NAACP gets pitch from top Republican

Tuesday July 14, 2009 6:01 PM By Jason Fink

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele addresses the NAACP 100th anniversary convention Tuesday in Manhattan

By Jason Fink

The 100th anniversary convention of the NAACP in Manhattan may seem an unlikely place to try to sell the Republican Party, but that’s just what GOP chairman Michael Steele did Tuesday.

“The GOP and the NAACP have very often missed real opportunities to communicate and engage each other,” said Steele, the first African-American to be elected chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Steele, 50, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, who won a protracted battle to head the party after its resounding defeats on election day last year, joked with attendees at the week-long convention being held at the Hilton Hotel.“If a black man can become chairman of the Republican National Committee, then anything is possible,” he said.

The changing face of the NAACP and of national politics were very much on the minds of convention goers, who will be addressed by President Barack Obama Thursday and whose proceedings Tuesday took place as Sonia Sotomayor sought to become the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court.

“We have to get ready to look at what this country’s becoming: A melting pot of leadership,” said Adrian Jones, 38, a delegate from Nashville. “Now the minority groups are the majority.”

Lottie Tann, 67, the NAACP’s New York state treasurer, said the organization is now focused on inequities in education, health care and the criminal justice system.

“Today racism is still alive but it’s a different animal,” said Tann, of Brooklyn.

She said the local chapter had fielded thousands of requests to see Obama’s speech, which will be his first official event in the city.

“It’s a wonderful thing that is happening in our 100th year,” she said. “When he came to speak to us during the campaign he promised he would be back.”

Tags: naacp, politics

Shopping with Sandra Lee

Tuesday July 14, 2009 5:45 PM By Lucy Blatter

Food Network star Sandra Lee shows our own Perrie Samotin some shopping tricks at Whole Foods.

By Lucy Cohen Blatter

New Yorkers are known for their discerning palates and love of haute cuisine — so long as someone else prepares it. When it comes to shopping and cooking, many Big Apple dwellers are clueless.

We solicited Food Network star Sandra Lee, host of Sandra’s Money Saving

Meals, to teach staffer Perrie Samotin how stock her kitchen

for less.

Lee joined Samotin, who recently moved into a new apartment with her

boyfriend, and was hoping to get learn some culinary basics, in

scouring the aisles of upscale foodie paradise Whole Foods.

Sandra Lee's shopping basics

1) Prepare in advance

Grabbing food on the way home from work is a recipe for disaster (and

overspending). Instead, she suggested, make a shopping list every week.

2) Note unit prices

Look for the best price per pound or unit price. Lee said this is the way to

read value per dollar.

3)Look below and above eye level *

Most stores keep the most expensive, name brand items at eye level.

4)The fishmonger is your best friend

Ask the fishmonger what the best value is that day. But, in general,

tilapia is the most affordable fish, followed by cod and then halibut.

Some staples1) Buttermilk pancake mix

The mix can be used to make biscuits, waffles and scones, too. Keep it in an

airtight bag in the fridge. “I keep everything in the fridge so it lasts

longer,” Lee said.

2)Maple syrup

In addition to its more traditional uses, it can be used in recipes that

call for vanilla or karo syrup.

3)All-in-one herbs

Lee uses pumpkin pie spice for recipes that call for nutmeg, cinnamon and

allspice. She also uses grill seasoning and Italian seasoning often. “When

you use dry herbs, rather than fresh herbs, you don’t have to use as much,”

she said.

4)Vanilla extract

A pantry staple, vanilla can replace almost any extract in a recipe, Lee

said.

5)Chocolate chips and cocoa

She recommended having both on hand. She suggests buying regular cocoa

(Dutch cocoa has fewer antioxidants).

6)Small package of flour

Unless you’re cooking for a lot of people it’ll take a long time to use up

a large bag, Lee said, so make sure it doesn’t go bad, buy a small size.*

7)Pasta

Since pasta lasts a while, stock up. You can never have too much, Lee said.

8)Tomato sauce

Lee suggested going for a basic tomato sauce (which is often the least

expensive). You can than doctor it up yourself with cream, vegetables, etc.

Plus, she said, you can use it on pizza and bruschetta.

9)Conventional rice

It’ll last better, taste better and is more economical than instant rice,

she said. For a simple (and inexpensive) meal, Lee suggested adding a

protein (like beans).

10)Apple cider and white vinegar

Lee said these can be used for most recipes calling for vinegar. And, she

said, “white vinegar makes a great cleaner.”

11)Stocks

Lee suggested having vegetable, beef and chicken stocks on hand. They’re an

easy way to add a ton of flavor without doing much work. In the bouillon

cubes vs. boxed stocks debate, Lee said you have to weigh your options and

decide whether or not you’d rather spend the time cooking the bouillon cube.

“Everything is about weighing time vs. cost,” she said.

12)Yellow mustard

This is a must-have for sauces and dressings.

13)Granola

Lee likes eating granola as a snack, but she’ll also often sprinkle it on

parfaits.

14)Plain corn flakes

These can be used as crunchy coatings for chicken, and other savory dishes.

15)Fresh pizza dough

Store-made pizza dough is less expensive than the frozen variety, Lee said.

And you can use it to make pizzas, bread, even pigs-in-blankets.

16) Blocks of cheese

Lee suggested shredding your own brick of cheese, “You’ll save about 50

percent,” she said.

17) Eggs

If the stamped date is only a little while away, don’t worry. That’s just

the sell-by date, not the expiration date.*

18) Butter

“Whipped butter is more expensive, and you’re just paying for air,” Lee

said, “so just get the brick instead.” Also, Lee suggested buying unsalted

butter. You can always add salt if you need it for a recipe.

19) 80-90 percent lean hamburger meat

“95 percent lean is almost double the price,” she said. There’s a little

more shrinkage, but it’ll taste better, she added.

20) Whole chicken

Lee said buying a whole roaster is about 50 percent less expensive than

buying a chicken in pieces.

21) Seasonal fruits and vegetables

Out-of-season fruits and vegetables are much more expensive than those in

season. If you have to buy out-of-season items, go for frozen.

22) 5-lb. onion and potato bags

These offer the best value, and they’ll stay fresh for a long time,

especially if they’re put in the fridge.

23)Pre-chopped mushrooms

Pre-chopped mushrooms are a major time-saver, and they’re often the same

price as whole mushrooms.

Tags: sandra lee, food network, whole foods, restaurants

Do good, eat well

Tuesday July 14, 2009 5:21 PM By Lucy Blatter

Beth Ostrosky will be a special guest at tomorrow night's Do-Good Dining at Shorty's .32. Credit: Getty

Shorty’s .32 in Soho, will kick off its “Do-Good Dining at Shorty’s .32” program tomorrow with guest Beth Ostrosky and the North Shore Animal League.

Executive chef Josh Eden will donate $1,000 in addition to a portion of the evening’s business to the North Shore Animal League.

Guests will receive a complimentary cocktail and will be eligible to enter a $10 raffle to win a dinner for two at Shorty’s .32. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and will continue until midnight.

199 Prince Street (btwn MacDougal and Sullivan sts.). For reservations call 212-375-8257, walk-ins are also welcome.

(Lizbette Ocasio-Russe)

Tags: restaurants

Study: pedestrian accidents up, ticketing down

Tuesday July 14, 2009 5:09 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

Traffic fatalities increased 26 percent between 2005 and 2007, while the number of summons issued for failing to yield to pedestrians are down 12 percent during those years, according to a report released yesterday.

Comparing studies in which city drivers have been spotted speeding with the current rate of enforcement, the study by the Transportation Alternatives advocacy group estimated that a driver could fail to yield every single day and only get ticketed once in 1,589 years.

“This is very frightening,” said Edith Prentiss, an advocate for people with disabilities. “You wonder why you ever leave your house.”

Report authors recommended that the city deploy more police to hazardous intersections and create an Office of Road Safety to study pedestrian crashes, as it recently did for bicycles.The NYPD, who oversees traffic agents, said that pedestrian crashes have fallen overall in the last decade and the installation of red light cameras helps catch hundreds of thousands of reckless drivers a year.

“The city streets remain their safest in history,” NYPD deputy commissioner Paul Browne said.

Tags: new york, streets, accidents, transit

Southwest brings a porch to Bryant Park

Tuesday July 14, 2009 5:01 PM By Lucy Blatter

Southwest Airlines is adding some suburbia to Bryant Park.

If you've walked by Bryant Park recently, you may have noticed an unusually suburban atmosphere.

Southwest Porch, set up by Southwest Airlines, has been designed to look like an outdoor living room. The stylish area features free wifi, rocking chairs and large lounge chairs.

Guest can enjoy specialty cocktails or beers, like the Southwest Summer Ale, and a menu created by Tom Colicchio, inspired by Southwest Airline's destinations.

(Lizbette Ocasio-Russe)

Tags: restaurants

Viral video: Cheese Zone

Tuesday July 14, 2009 2:17 PM By Emily Hulme

Not much can be said about this remixed Japanese advertisement for cheese curry ramen. You just have to watch it.

Tags: viral video

A sweet Canadian invasion: Tim Hortons is here

Monday July 13, 2009 8:42 PM By Rolando Pujol

A Tim Hortons in Brooklyn (AP)

By Lucy Cohen Blatter and Anastasia Economides

If a Canadian coffee and doughnut chain has its way, New York City won’t just run on Dunkin’.

Twelve former Dunkin’ Donuts reopened Monday as Tim Hortons, Canada’s largest fast-food chain. The locations are owned by Riese Corp., which had a falling out with Dunkin’.

What’s more, three Tim Hortons will open by late August in existing Cold Stone Creamery outlets as part of an ongoing co-branding initiative.Canadians around the city were rejoicing at the opportunity to have their favorite java and doughnuts. And as Tim Hortons offered free coffees, Dunkin’ Donuts responded by passing out $1-off coupons near some locations.

Transplants from north of the border were doing their part, talking up the joint Monday to curious colleagues.

“Some co-worker who is Canadian told me about this place so I decided to check it out,” said Dash Teter, 24, who sampled a small coffee and glazed doughnut and said it was better than Dunkin’ Donuts.

Dyanne Robinson, 55, a Macy’s employee, also visited the Tim Hortons on 34th Street near Seventh Avenue. She tried out an apple fritter and the free coffee.

“It’s OK. I’m still a Dunkin’ Donuts fan, but I’ll give it another chance,” Robinson said.

Tim Hortons is a novelty in New York, but there are already 500 locations around the country. Until Monday, the nearest was in Meriden, Conn., some 82 miles away.

Longtime New Yorkers might recognize the name. Canadian hockey player Tim Horton played for the Rangers for two seasons starting in 1969, five years after he founded his namesake coffee chain. He was killed in a car accident in 1974.

Tags: tim hortons, dunkin' donuts, riese, retail, restaurants, real estate, manhattan, brooklyn

In the Rockaways, surf and small business

Monday July 13, 2009 8:36 PM By Garett Sloane

Bobby Vaughn is the owner of FTW surf shop.

By Shayndi Raice

Special to amNewYork

Most people don’t think of New York City as a hot spot for surfing.

But since the city legalized the sport at two beaches in the Rockaways in 2004, the area has increasingly become a surfers’ haven. And local shops that cater to surfers are finding the recession is actually boosting business.

After all, why travel to Malibu when waves await at the end of the A line?

“One of my friends described us as recession-proof,” said Steve Stathis, 59, owner of Boarders Surf Shop near Beach 90 in Rockaway Beach. “People can still enjoy reasonably priced leisure activities. Just for a day out, you can come down here and rent a surfboard for $25 for four hours.”Stathis said that at the end of the winter, his business was down 40 percent. But that didn’t deter him from ordering the usual amount of merchandise for the summer, including more surfboards to rent.

His calculation was simple: Surfing locally would become a cheap and popular option in recessionary times. “We think we hit the nail on the head,” he said. “We’re seeing people in here that we’ve never seen before.”

Business this summer was slow in June, but is now on pace with past summers, Stathis said.

Bobby Vaughn, 34, said his business has benefited from city surfers sticking closer to home. In April, he opened up a surf shop, FTW, which sells higher-end gear. He does not rent equipment and his surfboards start at about $600 apiece.

He said that so far business is brisk.

“People can’t afford to go to other places,” he said. “A lot more people are staying local.”

Surfers at the beach last week shared those sentiments.

“Here, beaches are free. You only have to a buy a board once and you have it for life,” said Michael Terriberry, 30, of Maspeth.

Another surfer, Liz Henry, 23, of Brooklyn, was out with friends on a warm day.

“I can go as often as I want to go to the beach,” Henry said. “I can’t afford to go somewhere else.”

Tags: the rockaways, surfing, surfing in new york city, small business, bobby vaughn, ftw, surf shop, boarders surf shop, economy, queens, retail, shopping, sports

Review: HBO's 'Grey Gardens' released on DVD

Monday July 13, 2009 8:31 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Rolando Pujol

"Edie!" the cranky call comes from the cluttered upstairs bedroom.

"Yes, mother," comes the beleaguered Pavlovian response from somewhere amid the filth downstairs.

The dance of love, devotion and co-dependency that was the fascinating bond between mother Edith "Big Edie" Beale, and her artistically frustrated, curiously attired daughter, Edith "Little Edie" Beale, has been mined several times, most famously in the 1975 documentary "Grey Gardens," by the Maysles Brothers. A recent Broadway adaptation was a critical success, and fed the insatiable appetite for new takes on the story of Jackie' O's black-sheep relatives. They isolated themselves in a decaying East Hampton mansion, Grey Gardens, gradually falling from Bouvier family opulence into such stomach-turning squalor that they were almost evicted by Suffolk County heath department authorities (That Camelot cousin saved the day).

Their story has now been captured anew in HBO's "Grey Gardens," which premiered in April and is released on DVD Tuesday.If you are a devotee of the documentary (there are no casual fans of this film), you'll think it's the mid 1970s again and the Beales are back in all their campy decadence, living with their colony of cats and Wonder-bread-loving raccoon named Buster. This is one of those rare biographical films where everything clicks convincingly: acting, set design, the works. The filmmakers are careful curators of this rich material, though credit is due to the masterful performances by Jessica Lange as Big Edie and Drew Barrymore as Little Edie. (This film better clean up at the Emmys.) What's more, the HBO film tries to answer some questions about just how the Beales could have ended up this way.

Ultimately, the film renders a heartbreaking story of a desperate mother left alone in the world, clinging to a devoted daughter who gives up her Hollywood dreams to become, as they were known in 1970s tabloid stories, Jackie O's eccentric relatives.

In real life Little Edie escapes Grey Gardens only after her mother dies in 1977, and Little Edie dies in 2002 in Bal Harbour, Fla. While she reveled in the documentary's success, and even scored a Greenwich Village nightclub act in January 1978, one wishes that she could have lived to witness the crossover phenomenon that "Grey Gardens" has become in recent years. She is truly now a celebrity, an "acquired taste," as her mother says in the HBO film, but very much a celebrity in her own right.

Tags: grey gardens, hbo, entertainment

Debt stress eases, survey finds

Monday July 13, 2009 6:58 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

Got debt? Don't stress it.

That's what more and more Americans are saying, despite a bleak economic picture that includes mounting layoffs, sagging real estate values and a stubborn stock market that has struggled to hold its modest gains.

Debt-related stress is down 12 percent from last year, according to a new Associated Press/GfK survey. Perhaps fueling the optimism, 48 percent say the country is headed in the right direction, compared with just 18 percent who said that in 2008.“We've lived with it long enough, you get used to things,” said Simon Rego, a professor of psychiatry at Albert Einstein Medical College in the Bronx. “It's like jumping into a cold pool. Eventually, you feel warmer.”

He added that as the economy continues to stabilize, people feel less uncertainty, which leads to less anxiety about money.

Eddie Licciardo, 42, of Manhattan, a marketing consultant who is $2,000 in debt, said he now feels confident he can pay it off by the end of the year.

“I'm living within my means,” he said. “I'm saving this year. I'm taking my lunch to work with me, I walk - no cabs.”

The recession, the longest since World War II, has led to a newfound frugality, some say.

“People are doing things that make them feel they are taking charge of their lives again,” said Patricia Drentea, a sociology professor at the University of Alabama who studies debt and stress.

The poll found the share of people using their credit cards to buy what they want even if they don't have the money dropped to 19 percent, down from 25 percent last year. The national savings rate jumped to 6.9 percent in May, the highest since December 1993.

“I'm less worried about debt than last year,” said Esteban Diaz, 38, of Manhattan. “I spend only when I need to.”

The recession, which started in December 2007, has snatched a net total of 6.5 million jobs, and driven the unemployment rate to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent in June. Just yesterday, the city comptroller predicted that by next year, 400,000 New Yorkers will be unemployed, the most in 15 years.

However, credit and financial problems, which reached a crisis point last fall, have shown signs of easing.

“People now have some optimism that the worst is behind them," said Paul J. Lavrakas, a research psychologist and AP consultant who analyzed the results of the survey.

Not everyone has gotten the message.

“I'm more worried now,” said Kinsey Salsbury, 28, of the Bronx, who is struggling to pay back student loans. “The past year has been hard on us.”

The AP and Anastasia Economides contributed to this report

Tags: debt, stress, economy

MTA shakes up subway management across the system

Monday July 13, 2009 6:16 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The MTA is completing its overhaul of subway management this week, with managers now assigned to oversee every line in the system.

The 36 managers act as the CEOs of their lines, coordinating all departments, from platform cleaning to track maintenance. Six of the general managers oversee more than one line.

Officials must analyze train performance and respond to customer complaints, according to the job description. The managers take training before starting, and are to ride trains and visit stations along their lines.

Transit estimated it would save $7 million by cutting managerial jobs. The program is the first major managerial reorganization of the subways in more than 50 years.

“It’s a positive step to have an actual person to go to with complaints,” said Gene Russianoff, of the Straphangers Campaign.Officials predict the massive reorganization will also improve the cleanliness and timeliness of individual lines.

Advocates generally support the overhaul, but said performance will depend on the skill of individual managers and their ability to grasp a lot of terrain quickly. “The jury is still out,” said William Henderson, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA.

The line general managers debuted on the No. 7 and L in 2007 before moving to all the numbered lines last fall. This week the program is being extended to all the lettered lines.

Car cleanliness and overall performance improved on the No. 7 and the L lines after the program debuted. But those lines benefited from additional cleaners, which the expanded program won’t deliver.

Tags: new york city, transit, subways

Wanna get away? This week's travel deals

Monday July 13, 2009 5:22 PM By Lucy Blatter

The U.S. Virgin Islands are great vacation spots. And you don't need a passport. Credit: U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.

I love NY deal: Through September 7, stay for two nights and get the third night free in nearly 300 properties throughout the state, raging from the Hudson Valley to the Finger Lakes to the Adirondacks. Prices per night begin at $100. New York State has also partnered with Amtrak to offer a 20 percent discount on all fares to New York State destinations. iloveny.com/summer

INNtimate treasures in the U.S. Virgin Islands: This summer, experience any of the three U.S. Virgin Islands with a side of free Cruzan Rum when choosing from a variety of small hotels. You will also receive $50 in attractions and activity coupons, $50 in dining certificates and a USVI branded gift bag and T-shirt. This deal is based on a four-night minimum stay and is available for booking through Oct. 15, travel until Oct. 31. Reservations can be made through any travel agent or by visiting VisitUSVI.com or visitusvi.com

Club Med's $99 sale: For rates starting at $99 per night, you can choose from a variety of Club Med properties where you can discover indigenous cuisine, enjoy innovative children’s programs and more. A variety of children’s clubs and land and water activities are included in the promotion. Properties include Sandpiper, Florida; Cancun, Mexico; Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Turkoise, Turks & Caicos; Columbus Isla, Bahamas; Caravelle, Guadeloupe and Buccaneer’s Creek, Martinique. The sale is available for booking until August 31 for travel from through August 24, 2010 and requires a three-night minimum stay. To book go to clubmed.usClub Med's Best Friend Getaway: Grab your best friend and strengthen your relationship with a relaxing getaway. The package, which starts at $949/person for a four-night stay, includes accommodations in a newly renovated, luxurious suite as well as a massage treatment, gourmet dining and full open bar throughout the day, champagne upon arrival and daily yoga and fitness classes. Participating resorts include: Cancun, Mexico; Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Booking is available through December 23, per night. To book go to clubmed.us

All Afford, Atlantic City Express: If you have not gotten a chance to take advantage of the All Afford promotion and escape to Atlantic City this summer, don’t fret. The special offer has been extended until July 31, selling coach-class tickets at $29 and first-class tickets for an additional $25. Trips can be booked at acestrain.com or amtrak.com. Travelers can also find links to Harrah's Resort Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and book their whole trip at acestrain.com.

(Lizbette Ocasio-Russe)

Tags: club med, u.s. virgin islands, new york state

Levi Johnston: Palin can't hack it as prez

Monday July 13, 2009 5:20 PM By Marlene Naanes

(AP photo)

Levi Johnston, the father of Sarah Palin’s grandchild Tripp, said yesterday the former vice presidential candidate wouldn’t hack it if she ran for president— and he wouldn’t vote for her if she did.

“She’s very smart, but I just don’t think she can handle the stress level as governor,” the 19-year-old told NBC’s “Today” show yesterday. “I don’t think she can handle it as president or vice president.”

Johnston, who has a son with Palin’s daughter, Bristol, also said that Palin was not upfront with the public when she announced she was leaving her post as Alaskan governor to spend more time with her family. He said it was also about money.

After her failed VP bid, all sorts of offers were coming in, including pitches for reality TV shows. She also reportedly signed a book deal for somewhere in the ballpark of $7 million.“There’s been talk about it would be nice to just take the money and run,” Johnston told Ann Curry on “Today”.

Johnston, who is trying to get into acting and is shopping a Palin book idea, said if she does run for higher office, she wouldn’t get his vote.

“If you’d asked me that question a while back, I think I would’ve,” he said. “But after what she had done now, you know, quitting on Alaska, I don’t really think that she’s been the governor she could have for Alaska.”

Palin’s spokesperson did not respond to the interview by Monday evening, but has accused Johnston of lying during other recent interviews.

(Marlene Naanes)

Tags: sarah palin, levi johnston, president, politics

Asbury Park: Jersey boys and beaches

Monday July 13, 2009 4:29 PM By Lucy Blatter

A tea dance at Asbury Park's gay nightlife hotspot Club Paradise.

By Lucy Cohen Blatter

Take a stroll down the recently renovated boardwalk in Asbury Park and you’d never believe that not too long ago, the beach and boardwalk were almost entirely off limits, overrun with violence.

Thanks in large part to its popularity with the gay community, the town, made famous as a stomping ground for Bruce Springsteen (and his “Greetings from Asbury Park N.J.” album), is enjoying a resurgence.

This weekend’s festivities are geared toward the gay community. The annual Road Trip Weekend is a two-day event featuring beach parties, sports and arts events, and much more.

But this weekend, and all summer long, there’s truly something for everyone in this seaside town.

DURING THE DAY

Cookman Ave.

Asbury Park’s main retail thoroughfare is lined with stores, coffee shops and restaurant. Added bonus: It’s chain-store free.

Beach and Boardwalk

asburyparkboardwalk.com

Lining the Atlantic Ocean, Asbury Park’s sandy beach is worth the $5 admission charge.

The recently renovated boardwalk is lined with shops, restaurants and bars. At the north end, you’ll find the historic Asbury Park Convention Hall. True to its roots, it still feature lots of musical events (run by Live Nation), and other fun Jersey Shore spectacles, like the roller derby.

AT NIGHT

The Stone Pony

913 Ocean Ave., 732-502-0600

StonePonyonline.com

This legendary rock-music venue is credited with helping launch the career of Jersey Shore golden boy The Boss. Both Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi have been known to just

drop by.

Club Paradise

101 Asbury Ave., 732-988-6663

paradisenj.com

Owned by famed dance-music producer Shep Pettibone, Paradise is the gay nightlife hot spot. DJs spin pop and dance music in two separate rooms. On Sundays, the pool provides a backdrop for tea dances from 4-8 p.m. Hamburgers, hot dogs and frozen drinks are served (entrance fee is $5).Ghost tours

327 Cookman Ave., 732-455-3188

paranormalbooksnj.com

Kathy Kelly, owner of Paranormal Books on Cookman Avenue, runs ghost tours

Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 8 p.m.($10 for

adults, $5 for kids). Haunted investigations take place twice a month from July-November. The price is $50, which includes dinner.

TO EAT

Stella Marina

800 Ocean Ave., 732-775-7776

StellaMarinarestaurant.com

Located at the south end of the boardwalk, this Italian spot features indoor

and outdoor seating, plus a large (and tasty) selection of pizzas, pasta and

seafood dishes.

TO STAY

Sixth Avenue House

305 Sixth Ave., 732-361-6609

sixthavenuehouse.com

This cozy bed-and-breakfast is just a couple of blocks from the boardwalk.

Each of its six rooms are decorated uniquely, but it’s all clean and quaint.

Added bonus: It’s pet friendly. During the summer, rates range from $99-$150 a night

during the week and $125-$250 on weekends.

The Empress Hotel

101 Asbury Ave., 732-774-0100

asburyempress.com

If you’re looking for a gay-friendly party atmosphere, this hotel, located directly across from the beach, is the place to stay. The hotel has 101 rooms, some of which overlook the beach. Club Paradise is attached to the hotel.

Party on the beach

Sand Blast

Sandblastonline.com

Part of this weekend’s Road Trip Weekend, Sandblast is a gay dance event on the beach, complete with the music of DJ Corey Craig, that begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday.($40 advance tickets, $55 at door. Under 25 pay your age.)

Explore history

Ocean Grove

Located a stone’s throw from Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, which is one-square-mile, was founded in 1869 by Methodist clergymen as an outgrowth of a camp meeting movement.

The land is still owned by the camp meeting association and leased to individual homeowners and businesses (it’s also a dry town). For a historical journey, check out the tents surrounding the Great Auditorium, which are occupied from May to September, just as they have been since 1869.

Tags: asbury park, travel

Tim Hortons v. Dunkin Donuts

Monday July 13, 2009 3:15 PM By Lucy Blatter

Tim Hortons' timbits had a slight lead over munchkins in our taste test.

Today, New Yorkers got their first tastes of Canadian donut and java chain Tim Hortons. And so far, it's looking like Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme might have cause for alarm.

Timbits, right, are much smaller than Munchkins.

In an informal office taste test, we found that Tim Hortons’ Timbits were favored slightly over Dunkin’ Donuts’ munchkin: 5-3. Tasters said the Timbits were denser, more cake-like, while Dunkin’s were airier. One taster said the Timbits felt less artificial. Not surprisingly, the Timbits were much smaller than their American counterparts.

But Tim Hortons is most famous for its coffee, and tasting it yesterday, we think it could really give Dunkin’ and Starbucks a run for their money.

Tags: tim hortons, dunkin donuts, krispy kreme, restaurants

Free coffee at Tim Hortons!

Monday July 13, 2009 11:06 AM By Lucy Blatter

In honor of their grand openings, 11 Tim Hortons locations around the city are offering free coffee today. Try it. We think you'll like it!

Here are the new Tim Hortons locations:

1 Penn Plaza (LIRR Level)

Madison Square Garden Taxi Ramp

401 7th Avenue (32nd Street)

22 Court Street (Brooklyn)

152 West 34th Street (7th Avenue)

761 7th Avenue (50th Street)

2 Penn Plaza (Amtrak Level)

47 East 42nd Street (Between Park & Madison Avenue)

1276 Lexington Avenue (Between 85th & 86th Street)

2547 Broadway (Between 95th & 96th Street)

1286 Broadway (Between 33rd & 34th Street)

451 Fulton Street (Brooklyn)

*More to come on Tim Hortons later.

Tags: tim hortons, food

Subway overhaul not jiving with landmark "Peace Pentagon" building

Sunday July 12, 2009 7:13 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The “Peace Pentagon” isn't making the MTA feel very groovy.

The home of one of the country's oldest anti-war groups is sinking into the earth - exactly where NYC Transit is overhauling the Bleecker Street station. Scaffolding propping up the landmark has forced the MTA to delay part of the $133 million project by two years. Work should have started in the area already, but now it won’t get going until January 2011.

The construction has caused major headaches for stores located along Lafayette Street, and business owners are desperate for the work to end.

“I have customers who call and ask if we are still open,” said Jack Wu, owner of the Adore Floral store, located next to the digging. “They are trying to modernize the system, but it's killing me.”Last year, the MTA started ripping up Lafayette to build a long-awaited transfer between the uptown No. 6 and the B, D, F and V lines.

But contractors couldn’t proceed with work at the northeast corner of Bleecker and Lafayette streets because the scaffolding put up in 2007 outside the A.J. Muste Memorial Institute is right where they need to dig. The institute, a foundation sponsoring liberal causes, owns the three-story brick building.

Getting past the impasse could be difficult, as supporters will have to scrape together hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix the building before removing the scaffolding. If they chose to sell the property, which the city valued this year at $1.5 million, the work could be delayed even longer as the structure changes hands.

“It’s really stressful and scary,” said Frida Berrigan, a peace activist trying to save the building.

The MTA is working with the owners of the Peace Pentagon and trying to figure out how to modify the scaffolding to get the work done sooner, Transit spokesman Charles Seaton said.

“We are looking at options,” Seaton said.

The “Peace Pentagon”

- Has provided low-cost rent to grassroots groups and the A.J. Muste Memorial Institute for 40 years decades

- One of the country's largest demonstrations, the 1982 anti-nuclear demonstration in Central Park, was organized there

- A.J. Muste was an anti-war activist and pastor who mentored Martin Luther King Jr.

Jeanne strole, co-director of A.J. Muste Memorial Institute outside of building located at 339 Lafayette (and Bleeker) which has been landmarked and was the headquarters of the activist collective "The Peace Pentagon". (Photo by Willie Davis)

Tags: subways, bleecker street, peace pentagon, transit

Sotomayor will answer questions on race, bias at Senate hearings

Sunday July 12, 2009 6:54 PM By Jason Fink

In this file photo, Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor meets with Senate Judiciary Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) in his office on Capitol Hill. AP Photo

By Jason Fink

Bronx native Sonia Sotomayor is expected to cruise to a seat on the Supreme Court, but the explosive topics of race and bias will likely provide its share of drama at her Senate confirmation hearings, which kick off Monday.

Republican senators Sunday vowed to grill Sotomayor over her comments that a “wise Latina” might make a better decision in a case than a white man.

“She has criticized the idea that a woman and a man would reach the same result,” Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), the ranking Republican on the committee, said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “That’s philosophically incompatible with the American system.”Members of the the Senate Judiciary Committee will also press Sotomayor, 55, for her views on hot-button social issues from affirmative action to abortion.

Still, few predicted her nomination would be held up and Republicans announced they would not try to filibuster the final vote.

“I believe she’ll be approved,” Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is one of Sotomayor’s biggest champions, said during an appearance on “Meet the Press.”

In the seven weeks since Sotomayor, an appeals court judge who grew up in New York City’s public housing, was tapped to be the first Latina on the high court, opponents have highlighted her comments about race, accusing her of bias. But that hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of supporters in her hometown.

“She had one misstep, saying she has a better opinion than a white male,” said Dave Percoskie, 61, of Manhattan. “I think that was out of context.”

Julian Zelizer, a history professor at Princeton, said GOP senators will raise the issue but will also tread lightly, fearing a backlash from Hispanic voters.

“In many ways the risks for Republicans are greater than the rewards they will get,” he said.

President Barack Obama called Sotomayor yesterday and complimented her for making courtesy calls to 89 senators.

Today’s hearings will consist of opening statements from the 12 Democrats and seven Republicans on the committee, as well as Sotomayor herself. The questioning will likely begin tomorrow and Democrats are hoping to have a full Senate vote before the August recess.

Anastasia Economides and the AP contributed to this story.

Tags: sonia sotomayor, supreme court, politics

Sales: July 13 to 19

Sunday July 12, 2009 6:10 PM By Julie Gordon

J. Crew

July 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 13 to 16, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 261 W. 36th St., btwn Seventh and Eighth aves., 2nd Fl., 212-947-8748

Clothing and accessories for women, men and children are below wholesale prices. Bathing suits that were $94 are now $15. Women’s tops that were originally $40 are now $10.

W.A. Studios

July 13 to 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 390 Fifth Ave., at W. 36th St., Suite 410, 212-397-3599

The summer jewelry collection is up to 80 percent off. Prices range from $5 to $45.

Lela Rose Wedding

July 15 to 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 224 W. 30th St., btwn Seventh and Eighth aves., 13th Fl., 212-947-9204, x 11

Gorgeous gowns from Lela Rose are on sale for 50 to 80 percent off. Dresses range from $500 to $3,000.

Nanette Lepore (shown at left)

July 14 to 16, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 225 W. 35th St., btwn Seventh and Eighth aves., 4th Fl., 212-594-0012

Bohemian-style pieces by the designer are up to 75 percent off. Dresses that retail for $335 to $595 are now $75 to $160. Coats are now $195 to $275, reduced from $510 to $760.Miguel Ases

July 15 to 17, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 150 W. 25th St., btwn Sixth and Seventh aves., suite 601, 212-337-9646

The designer’s high-end jewelry line is up to 70 percent off. Cash payment gives customers an additional 10 percent off.

Made Her Think

July 16 and 17, 1 to 8 p.m. 195 Chrystie St., btwn Stanton and Rivington sts., Suite 301-7, 212-228-2144

Bold, dramatic pieces of jewelry are up to 60 percent off.

Send sale listings to jgordon@am-ny.com.

Photo: Nanette Lepore's spring '09 runway show (Getty)

Tags: sales, sample sales, shopping, fashion

Police: Missing cleaning woman found bound and gagged, cross over mouth

Sunday July 12, 2009 5:56 PM By Marlene Naanes

By Marlene Naanes

mnaanes@am-ny.com

The body of a missing Manhattan cleaning woman was discovered kneeling, bound and gagged, in an office-building air duct, her gold crucifix caught in the duct tape around her mouth, police said yesterday.

Investigators are unsure if the cross was placed there intentionally or if its chain was inadvertently caught in the tape during the brutal killing of Eridania Rodriguez, 46, an Inwood resident and mother of three. Other chilling details continued to emerge this weekend as the medical examiner’s office officially ruled the death a homicide yesterday.

The woman died from asphyxia from the tape around her mouth and head, obstructing her airway, said medical examiner’s office spokeswoman Ellen Borakove. The woman’s ankles and wrists also were bound with duct tape, her hands behind her back, police have said.

The medical examiner’s office had not officially identified the body yesterday evening, but police believe it was that of Rodriguez, who was last seen at work at 2 Rector Street in the Financial District on Tuesday night.Investigators found the body Saturday on the 12th floor of the building where Rodriguez worked as a cleaning woman. The stench of decomposition and a one-foot pool of blood on the floor near an air duct led officers to the corpse.

The woman was still wearing her uniform, her shoes placed “neatly” nearby, police said.

Police have questioned several people but have not identified a suspect. One of those questioned, Joseph Pabon, 26, is an elevator operator in the building and had a key to the 12th floor, which has restricted access, according to the New York Post.

He has denied involvement in the murder and was released from police questioning when he asked for a lawyer. Police told the New York Daily News that Pabon, of Staten Island, cried when detectives asked him about Rodriguez, had scratches on his hands and arms and could not explain why he left work early the day the woman was reported missing.

That day, police found her cleaning cart on the eighth floor and her street clothes and purse in her locker.

(With Newsday)

Tags: missing woman, bound, gagged, police, crime

The layoff payoff: 4 New Yorkers pursue their dream jobs

Sunday July 12, 2009 4:39 PM By Lucy Blatter

Jack Bernowitz went from banking to cooking. His goal is to own his own restaurant. Credit: Caitlin Ragione

By Lucy Cohen Blatter

They say when one door closes, another opens. And that’s happening for many of the city’s unemployed.

Scores of New Yorkers are pursuing dream jobs they never might have sought out if not for the recession.

“Oftentimes someone goes into a career, is very successful, and then gets to a point … when they realize it’s not what they want to do. Now many people are trying to figure out exactly what they really want to do,” said Linda Stone, a New York University career counselor who teaches "Mid-Career Change.”

Allison Hemming, president of talent agency The Hired Guns, agreed: “I believe the other side of this recession is what I’m terming the New Individualism Movement.

“People are looking to be entrepreneurs,” she said.

We spoke with four New Yorkers who are reaping the benefits of career change.

Andrea Lala at Whole Foods. Credit: Willie Davis.

Andrea Lala, 34, investment banking to holistic health and nutrition

“I’ve been in this city working really hard for the last 12 years, and the lifestyle definitely caught up with me,” said Andrea Lala.

So when she was laid off from Barclays in June, she was glad that she had enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition at Lincoln Center last December.

Lala wants to combine her business background with her passion for nutrition to launch her own business, eventually offering corporate wellness programs.

Lala, who has savings and her fiance’s financial support, said she took a 75 percent salary cut. “But it feels so different to get up everyday and feel passionate about what you do; and to feel in control, rather than waiting for the next round of layoffs.”

Pete Versage, 54, information technology to ESL teacher

After working in the information technology field for 30 years, Pete Versage became disillusioned and left his job at a bank in May 2007.

After enrolling in Stone’s class, he decided to turn a volunteer teaching gig at the International Center, an English-training school in Chelsea, into a career teaching English for business.

“Money was not a motivating factor … but there’s certainly that element of fear as to whether there will be enough income generated,” he said.

Karen Seiger explores New York's markets for her upcoming book, "The Markets of New York." Credit: Dave Sanders.

Karen Seiger, 44, from marketing at American Express to guide book author

After her international marketing job moved overseas in 2007, Seiger and her husband vacationed in Paris. They used a shopping book titled “The Markets of Paris” as a guide.

She had always enjoyed writing, so she pitched a Big Apple version of the book to publisher The Little Bookroom.

“The Markets of New York” is due out in 2010.

Seiger is hoping to update future editions of the book and make writing her focus.

“The best thing is being able to do things on my own terms — both being able to prioritize and hold myself accountable for everything,” Seiger said. “The flip side is having to be very disciplined.”

Jack Bernowitz, 44, Lehman Brothers trader to pastry chef

When Jack Bernowitz sensed last fall that he might get laid off from Lehman Brothers after 20 years, he enrolled in the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan.

When he got his pink slip in January, he was already on his way to fulfilling a lifelong passion.

“I’d been cooking for my friends and family for years … I always knew I’d open my own restaurant.”

Bernowitz is honing his skills working as a pastry chef at Four Food Studio on Long Island.

“A trader has to work under pressure and constantly multitask at a hectic pace. Those skills definitely help me in the culinary world.”

Linda Stone’s six steps before transitioning:

1. Recognize that change is a process and that the pace of change varies.

2. Understand why you feel unfulfilled in your current job.

3. Assess your skills and achievements and figure out what you want to continue to develop.

4. Research and conduct informational interviews. Network.

5. Recognize that everyone has personal barriers and constraints in changing careers.

6. Develop short- and long-term goals with realistic objectives based on the first five steps.

Culinary schools see spike in enrollment:

The city’s culinary schools are currently seeing a spike in admissions and interest.

The French Culinary Institute reported that career enrollments are up 23 percent in the first half of 2009 versus the second half of 2008.

The Institute of Culinary Education has seen enrollment climb by 13 percent in the first quarter of 2009, leading them to increase the number of seats they offer in their career training by 109 — a 9 percent increase over 2008 and a 17.5 percent increase over 2007.

Tags: changing careers, job market, unemployment, layoffs, manhattan

Finding the right nonprofit for you

Sunday July 12, 2009 4:22 PM By Lucy Blatter

Take a look at small service organizations. Many local organizations need people to build homes for the needy.

By Lucy Cohen Blatter

It could be a result of Wall Street layoffs, the Obama administration’s reinvigoration of national service or a combination of factors, but across the country, there’s been an increase in interest in the non-profit sector.

We spoke to Amy Potthast, director of service and graduate education programs at Idealist.org, and asked her for advice for those looking to break into the non-profit world.

The first thing, she said, was to start noticing the nonprofits all around you — the hospitals, museums, schools, etc.

But, she said, advice differs greatly based on where you are in your career.

CAREER CHANGERS

Do your research. “Research the nonprofit sector as a whole,” Potthast said. She recommended checking out Idealist.org’s Guide to Non-Profit Careers, which gives advice for both career-changers and first-time job seekers.Become familiar with the sector and language. “Do informational interviews and listen to the words they use to describe the work,” she said. It’s important to know that. You’re going to sound like an outsider with business lingo.”

Match your skill set with the right association. “Once you know how to fit into the sector, you can continue to research the associations that are appropriate for you and your skill set,” Potthast said. “If you’re in accounting and marketing, we have the same jobs in the nonprofit world.”

Play up your ability to multi-task. If you’ve gained experience in lots of things throughout your career, Potthast suggests playing that up, “because a lot of times people wear many hats at small nonprofits.”

Show commitment to the issue. “Another thing that’s going to set you apart is proof that you’re committed to the issue. Having a volunteer track record is a really good idea. That should be on your resume,” she said.

FIRST-TIME JOB SEEKERS

Do a year or two of national or international service. “This is my first absolute piece of advice,” she said, pointing to Peace Corps and AmeriCorps.” Note that it takes about 18 months from the point of application to ship out for the PeaceCorps.

Look for lesser-known service options. “The problem is a lot of the larger organizations (especially Teach for America) are overwhelmed with applicants,” Potthast said. But there are plenty of lesser-known options. “Digging a little deeper is good. There can be a mom and pop AmeriCorp in your neighborhood. There’s even a program in India called IndiCorps, that’s for people of Indian descent. There are so many options.”

Through one of the corps you’re usually getting paid a basic stipend.

CURRENT CLIMATE

The nonprofit sector certainly has not gone by unscathed by the current economic meltdown, but Potthast ensures that there’s hope on the horizon.

“The veil is being lifted a little bit,” she said. “The organizations that are hiring are doing so cautiously, but there’s no more of a risk in working at non-profits.”

THE TAKEAWAY

“The main thing is to really do your homework,” Potthast said. Also, “making your resume is as relevant as possible. Those are the key points”

Plus, she added, “They want to make sure you’re going to get along with them. Showing your personality and being real in the interview is really important.”

Good Web sites:

Americorps.org

Idealist.org

Peacecorps.org

Cuso-Vso.org (Canadian, but they take American citizens and place them abroad)

Atlascorps.org (take Americans abroad and brings foreigners to the U.S.)

Tags: jobs, nonprofit, peacecorps, americorps, teach for america, job front

Bernie Madoff cocktail hits NYC bar

Sunday July 12, 2009 3:42 PM By Julie Gordon

By Julie Gordon

Bernard Madoff hasn’t just inspired ex-investors to head to the bar; he’s inspired one of the city’s top mixologists to whip up a new cocktail: The Madoff 150.

This past Saturday night at the Hudson River Cafe, a Madoff scam victim asked mixologist Alex Ott to concoct something powerful to “ease his pain,” Ott said. Ott’s solution? The Madoff 150 ($5) — named for the number of years Madoff will spend behind bars — made of Grand Marnier, tequila, crushed pineapple, cilantro, ginger and lime juice.

“One will forget his losses after imbibing this cocktail,” Ott said.

Photo: Bernard Madoff (Getty)

Tags: bars

Looking for work? This week's job fairs and events

Sunday July 12, 2009 3:10 PM By Lucy Blatter

Monday, July 13 — Company Contacts for Job Seekers

Location: NYPL’s Science, Industry and Business Library, 188 Madison Ave. at 34th Street

Time: 2:15-3:30 p.m.

To register: Free, call 212-592-7000

Tuesday, July 14-Wednesday, July 15 — NAACP National Convention Centennial Diversity Job Fair

Location: New York Hilton, 1335 Ave. of the Americas, btwn 53rd and 54th sts.

Time: July 14 - 12-8 p.m.; July 15 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

To register: Open to public

Wednesday, July 15 - Employment Resources at SIBL: Vault and Wet Feet

Location: NYPL’s Science, Industry and Business Library, 188 Madison Ave. at 34th Street

Time: 2-3 p.m.

To register: Free, 212-592-7000

Thursday, July 16 — Land Your First Media Job

Location: 475 Park Avenue S. 31 St.

Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

To register: $25, go to mediabistro.com/courses/cache/crs4916.asp?c=crsref

(Lizbette Ocasio-Russe)

Tags: job events, job fairs, new york city job fairs, job front

Viral video: Dayman, by everyone

Sunday July 12, 2009 2:41 PM By Emily Hulme

In anticipation of the return of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," FX put together this little video of YouTube citizens (including Of Montreal) performing the classic "Dayman."

Tags: dayman, it's always sunny in philadelphia, of montreal, viral video

Obama's speech earn him positive reviews in Ghana

Sunday July 12, 2009 2:18 PM By Emily Ngo

By Phillip Molnar

Special to amNewYork

President Barack Obama’s pledge over the weekend to assist those African countries committed to democracy won him praise from Ghanaians who spent months preparing for the visit.

“It’s history for Africa,” said 32-year-old soccer recruiter Joojo Armah, of Accra, the capital of Ghana where Obama spoke. “Everyone is trying to see the first black [American] president.”

The president on Saturday also encouraged eco-friendly energy solutions, strong health care systems and peaceful resolutions to conflict.

“Africa’s future is up to Africa,” said Obama, who commended the strength of Ghana’s democracy, saying they “help point the way forward” for the rest of Africa. The West African country declared its independence 52 years ago and, despite a series of military coups, has peacefully transferred power three times.

The president announced $63 million to fund a new global health care initiative to fight, among others, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and polio, but stressed caution in extending “America’s helping hand” unless African countries can meet his four requirements.Obama asked the African youth — nearly 40 percent of Ghana is under 14 years of age — to change their continent. “The world will be what you make it,” he said.

Throughout Ghana, people gathered around TV sets and listened to radios to hear Obama. Reaction to his speech was positive.

“What Obama said makes sense to Africans,” said Godwin Omebo, 32, of Accra. “I hope Obama says that to every [African] head of state.”

Ombeo, who works at a radio station in the capital, said Obama visiting is a “great opportunity” for his country. “I think Ghana will be one of the top countries in five years.”

Francis Fia, 44, a building contractor in north Accra, said the speech was in his top five of all time. “[Obama] showed his desire to help,” he said. “It was great.”

Obama said Ghana “shows a face that the West doesn’t often see” and that Africa is not just “the crude characteristic of a continent at perpetual war.”

Ghanaians have been preparing for Obama for months: street vendors have been selling Obama shirts and football jerseys, a local musician named Blakk Rasta created an Obama song that is regularly played on radios across Ghana, and large billboards with a picture of Ghanaian President John Atta Mills and Obama, that read “Partnership for Change,” dominated Accra’s landscape.

Ghanaians walked away from the speech hopeful for a new relationship, especially the youth he directed to lead the charge. “Obama has warmed the ties between [our] countries,” said 19-year-old student Jasmine Mkiumah. “I hope there are more visitors.”

Ghanaians cheer on President Barack Obama during his visit Saturday to the West African country. (Photos: AP)

Tags: president barack obama, international relations, politics, ghana, africa

Don't forget your Times Square lounge chair-inspired memorabilia

Sunday July 12, 2009 1:40 PM By Emily Ngo

The sight of people reclined in lounge chairs that now decorate the pedestrian-friendlier sections of Times Square “officially” has become iconic enough to warrant a T-shirt. I didn't believe it until I saw it. And it's on sale for $14.99. Bring on the tourism revenue. Or not.

Tags: times square, tourism, fashion, lounge chairs, manhattan, advertising

Tim Hortons gears up for Monday NYC debut

Sunday July 12, 2009 1:26 PM By Rolando Pujol

Crews from the Riese Organization on Sunday were transforming a Dunkin' Donuts on 34th Street near Seventh Avenue into a Tim Hortons. Twelve more Dunkin' Donuts are undergoing the same process, and will debut Monday morning as Tim Hortons, giving New Yorkers their first taste of the Canadian doughnuts and coffee chain that has developed a cult following. (Timbits anyone?)

-- Rolando Pujol

Tags: tim hortons, dunkin' donuts, riese, restaurants

Albany reaches peace ... for now

Thursday July 9, 2009 8:35 PM By Garett Sloane

For now.

You always have to add that phrase to any discussion of politics in Albany. For now.

Pedro Espada Jr., the volatile pol whose penchant for party flipping has made the state Senate look even more ridiculous than usual, pulled a screeching U-turn Thursday, declaring that he has found it in his mixed-up heart to realign with the Democrats.

For now.ellis@henican.comhttp://twitter.com/HenicanGod only knows what tomorrow brings. Espada, who represents a district in the Bronx but actually lives in Westchester, could be a Whig by then. Or a Scientologist. Or a vegetarian. Actually, scratch vegetarian. Espada is far too much of a carnivore — animal, human, political, whatever — to deny himself any opportunity to feed off the sagging flesh of other creatures.

It’s always chomp, chomp, chomp ’till Pedro’s had his fill, regardless of the consequences for the Senate, the state, basic decorum or his own constituents. The crucial calculation remains the same: “What’s best for Pedro — for now?”

Do not think for a moment that his latest swerve has anything to with philosophy or ideology or a quest for public service. This move, like the last 47, is simply a matter of weighing the competing bribery. The Republicans are offering more today? Then Espada’s with the Republicans. The Dems are? Put a capital D next to his name! None of this makes the competing parties look good.

The Democrats are regaining their grip — for now — because they could offer Espada something the Republicans could not: a leadership position in a party that would be indisputably in control.

Of course, nothing in Espada is temperament, brain power, sanity, integrity or loyalty remotely could be described as leader-like. But he possessed a crucial vote — the 32nd — and that, he and the Democrats calculated, was worth the title of majority leader of the New York state Senate. For now.

What does all this mean for maybe-Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch, for the power-sharing arrangement Republicans and Democrats were negotiating, or for Espada’s claim earlier in the day that no such deal was in the works?

No one knows. For now.

E-mail ellis@henican.com.

Follow at twitter.com/Henican.

Tags: ellis henican, albany, pedro espada jr., capitol disfunction, new york state politics

MJ friend reveals why The Gloved One came to be

Thursday July 9, 2009 6:35 PM By Marlene Naanes

(AP photo)

Tags: environment

Cracking down on imitation trucks is serious business for Mister Softee

Thursday July 9, 2009 6:09 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

Mister Softee isn’t just dispensing vanilla ice cream this summer, he’s also trying to dish out soft-serve justice to cone-head wannabes.

Mister Softee distributors aren’t soft or sweet when it comes to rogue franchisees who routinely rip off the company’s trademarks without paying the licensing fees.

They hire private investigators to tail imposters and send the U.S. Marshals Service to tow offending trucks. They even spend tens of thousands of dollars every year to sue about 40 truck owners for lifting the cone-head logo, the white-and-blue color scheme and the jingle.

“These guys are mobile,” said Peter Bouzio, the Mister Softee distributor for the Bronx and Manhattan. “It’s an uphill battle.”In midtown Thursday, an ice cream truck called “Softee Treats” infringed on Mister Softee’s trademark, according to the company’s lawyer.

“I’m not Mister Softee, nowhere on my truck does it say Mister Softee,” shouted the ice cream vendor, who declined to give his name.

Last month, marshals confiscated two trucks from a depot tucked away in Greenpoint. A federal judge ordered the Queens vendors repaint their trucks and pay $20,000 in legal fees in January, but they kept driving the streets — until investigators busted them.

“We’ve made a dent in the problem, but it’s continuing,” said Jeff Zucker, the company’s lawyer.

Mister Softee was born in 1956, when two enterprising brothers started selling green ice cream out of truck for St. Patrick’s Day. The jingle came along in 1960, and the New Jersey company eventually cornered the city market, with Good Humor ceasing street-truck vending in 1977.

Six hundred trucks in 15 states —more than half of them in New York City — now dispense banana shakes, ice cream sandwiches and vanilla soft serve dipped in sprinkles.

Softee distributors say they don’t mind competitors, but can’t tolerate copycats. Franchisees pay $5,000 for the right to drive a Mister Softee truck, and about $3,000 in royalties for the summer season.

“To do business on the back of Mister Softee is what I take umbrage with,” said Hilary “Doc” Guishard, distributor for a fleet of 90 trucks in Brooklyn. “That’s where the rubber meets the road.”

Imitators are getting crafty. They download the jingle online and form shell companies that are hard to trace, Zucker said. In the case of the trucks confiscated in Greenpoint, the owners acquired the vehicles from former Mister Softee drivers.

Kerry John Katsorhis, a lawyer for the Greenpoint vendors, said his clients are new to this country and didn’t understand American trademark law.

“Now they are aware of their rights and responsibilities,” Katsorhis said.

The city Department of Health requires ice cream trucks obtain a permit for mobile food vending, and they are inspected at least once a year regardless of brand name, a spokeswoman said. The city’s 311 line received 21 complaints since last year about dairy food vendors.

Ice cream lovers in midtown were mixed Thursday on how much a true Mister Softee cone mattered. One became offended when he noticed his vanilla shake from Softee Treats came in a Ranch1 cup.

“I’m fired up by this,” said Allen Loupo, 41.

Anastasia Economides contributed to this story.

How to spot a fake

• Imitation Mister Softee trucks will often use a spin on the company’s name

• Look for taglines like Mister Soft, Mister Soft Freeze and Mr. Softee

• The company trademarks the name, cone-head logo, jingle and white-and-blue color scheme

Tags: new york, ice cream, mister softee, food

Report: City Council more environmentally friendly

Thursday July 9, 2009 6:01 PM By Marlene Naanes

By Marlene Naanes

The City Council is becoming a green legislation machine, according to a tally of member’s environmental records released Thursday.

A green group gave council members 68 out of 100 for their records of sponsoring or voting for environment-friendly bills. In 2006 they received a score of 46.

“The scorecard shows that, by and large, the City Council is making progress,” said a statement released by the New York League of Conservation Voters, which gave the grades.The scorecard looked at the 51 council members’ position on 13 environmental bills, giving extra points for voting yes on five bills that had the broadest environmental impact. The legislation included the mayor’s congestion pricing bill, which passed the city council but not the legislature, and a bill that banned commercial establishments from letting air conditioning pour into the street through open doors.

Even though the council improved overall since the 2006 survey, the same amount of members — about half — scored below 65.

Eight members scored 100 percent. And seven received the two lowest scores, 13 and 17.

Most of the low-scoring members had no comment or could not be reached, but Erik Martin Dilan’s office noted that some of the 13 bills have not yet been voted on, and he only sponsors bills after carefully reviewing them. Dilan, who scored a 13, said he’s concerned about the impact some of the bills, which involved energy issues, on homeowners.

Councilman James Oddo (R-Staten Island), who scored 17, took issue with the group and its scoring. Oddo sponsored a bill, which was signed into law last month and increased the penalty for cutting down trees in four areas protected by the city.

“We’re trying to protect older trees,” he said. “Where’s that factored into their scorecard? Their 17 means nothing to me. It’s not reflective of my record on the environment.”

-------------

The best and worst voting records on green legislation, according to the survey:

Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan) 100

Daniel Garodnick (D-Manhattan) 100

Alan Gerson (D-Manhattan) 100

Eric Gioia (D-Queens) 100

Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan) 100

Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) 100

Thomas White Jr. (D-Queens) 100

David Yassky (D-Brooklyn) 100

Erik Martin Dilan (D-Brooklyn) 13

Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn) 17

Mathieu Eugene (D-Brooklyn) 17

Vincent Ignizio (R-Staten Island) 17

Darlene Mealy (D-Brooklyn) 17

James Oddo (R-Staten Island) 17

Eric Ulrich (R-Queens) 17

Source: New York League of Conservation Voters

Tags: city council, environment, politics

Wirless becoming reality for NY rails

Thursday July 9, 2009 5:56 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The MTA is moving forward on a long-anticipated proposal to provide wireless Internet service on trains and stations served by Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road.

Last week, the agency requested information from wireless companies to determine how much the service will cost and how long it will take to cover the 2,200 cars and 230 stations.

Last month, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York) blasted the MTA for not moving on the technology, saying the agency was “slow to adapt.”

“We had [the proposal] in the works prior to the Schumer announcement,” MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said.According to the information request, the network will also allow for electronic ticketing.

The MTA will determine a timeline for rolling out the program after the initial request ends in September, Donovan said.

Tags: metro north, lirr, transit

BYOB spots that'll leave you boozed-up but not maxed-out

Thursday July 9, 2009 5:05 PM By Julie Gordon

Bring your favorite bottle of wine to Pâtes et Traditions in Williamsburg. (Caitlin Ragione)

By Margeaux Baulch Klein

In addition to saving diners money, BYOB restaurants provide a perk: the ability to drink exactly what you want.

“No restaurant’s inventory can possibly match all the choices available to a savvy consumer,” said Lynn Hoffman, author of “The Short Course in Beer.” “Someone who loves good beer with dinner can find himself with almost no choices in even the most sophisticated restaurants, but every choice in his market if he brings his own.”

Pâtes et Traditions

52 Havemeyer St., btwn N. Sixth and N. Seventh sts., Williamsburg, 646-409-4019

Decorated like a French country home with beaucoup of flowers and knickknacks, Williamsburg’s newest provincial French restaurant is one of the few in the city to have a loyal French expat following. Bring a bottle of wine and enjoy the menu of pastas and crepes, including the provençale crepe with shrimp and tomatoes ($11) or, for the more adventurous, the curry crepe ($10). Cash only.

Catch de Fish

147 Third Ave., at 15th St., 212-477-7799

For those looking for a cozy, BYOB date place that doesn’t skimp on atmosphere, Gramercy’s Catch de Fish may be the perfect spot. A Thai restaurant with an emphasis on seafood, Catch de Fish offers a recession-friendly, early-bird dinner special that includes three appetizers and a choice of entrée, including steak, salmon or bass, for only $14. The special runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week.

Abistro

154 Carlton Ave., btwn Myrtle and Willoughby aves., Clinton Hill, 718-855-9455

Located in the heart of Clinton Hill, Abistro combines North African-fusion cuisine with upscale comfort food in a lively but intimate atmosphere. Chow down on starters or skip right to the entrees — juicy Senegalese fried chicken ($21), or a bistro burger with Senegalese salsa and seasoned herbed fries ($11). Just be sure to leave room for dessert and a cup of Ethiopian coffee.Mombar

25-22 Steinway St., at 25th Ave., 718-726-2356

The dinner menu at Astoria’s Mombar ranges from familiar Middle Eastern food (tangy hummus and falafel) to more adventurous and eccentric Egyptian delicacies (cow feet and lamb brains). Eclectically decorated with mosaic tables and Moroccan and Egyptian decor, the restaurant offers a $30 tasting menu that includes bread, an appetizer and three entrees. Cash only.

Nook

746 Ninth Ave., btwn 50th and 51st sts., 212-247-5500

As its name suggests, Nook can only seat a handful of people in its small but cozy space in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen. But what it lacks in square footage it compensates for with its delicious menu of American classics. Try the cheddar burger with rosemary fries ($15) or opt for the spicy citrus marinated shrimp with vegetable couscous ($18). Cash only.

Poke

343 E. 85th St., btwn First and Second aves., 212-249-0569

There is almost always a wait to be seated at this small Upper East Side Japanese restaurant, but its near Nobu-quality sushi makes the delay worth it. Among the large selection of unique and delicious sushi rolls worth sampling are the salmon roll with spicy truffle sauce ($13) and the pearl roll with deep- fried oyster wrapped in seaweed ($7). Cash only.

Tags: bars

45,000-square-foot Italian marketplace coming to Manhattan

Thursday July 9, 2009 3:42 PM By Lucy Blatter

Mario Batali is behing a new 45,000-square-foot Italian marketplace that will open in the Flatiron district. Credit: Getty

Eataly, the largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace in the world, is coming to the Flatiron district.Two years after opening in Turin, Italy, founder Oscar Farinetti is teaming up with Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich and Joe Bastianich to bring a 42,500 square foot culinary destination to the former Toy building at 200 Fifth Avenue.

Each retail area will be paired with its own dedicated restaurant. There will be a separate wine shop, bakery and patisserie. On the roof will be a 4,500 square foot open-air rooftop beer garden, where sausages and pizza will be served.

Demos and classes will also take place.

The marketplace is set to open in spring 2010.

Tags: eataly, mario batali, lidia bastianich, joe bastianich, food

Viral Video: ‘United Breaks Guitars’

Thursday July 9, 2009 3:32 PM By Ryan Chatelain

Dave Carroll watched in horror as some United Airlines baggage handlers tossed his Taylor guitar around on the Tarmac. Sure enough, they broke it. After United refused to pay for the damages, Carroll sought revenge by recording this song and video about the ordeal.

Tags: viral video

Tim Hortons coming to NYC

Thursday July 9, 2009 3:14 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Garett Sloane

Tim Hortons is bringing its Canadian brand of doughnuts to New York City.

The franchise, known as Canada’s Dunkin' Donuts, is teaming up with the Riese Organization, a major city franchisee, to open 12 Manhattan eateries and one in Brooklyn. The Tim Hortons will replace Dunkin' Donuts shops that Riese operated.

“If this takes off in New York then I’m going to be in at the bottom and grow with it,” said Dennis Riese, CEO of Riese.The rebranded locations will open Monday morning, and will include locations in Penn Station, Times Square and Fulton Street in Manhattan. Tim Hortons have already crept into upstate New York, and the nearest one is in Meriden, Conn.

This won't be the first time that a Tim Horton has been in New York. The hockey player who founded the chain in 1964 played for the New York Rangers for two seasons, from 1969 to 1971, at Madison Square Garden, just above the new Penn Station doughnut shop. He died in a car accident in Ontario in 1974 at the age of 44.

Riese and Dunkin' just ended a tumultuous relationship. In 2002, the companies were involved in a lawsuit over what Dunkin considered unsanitary conditions at its locations run by Riese. Dunkin tried to terminate the relationship then, but Riese won the lawsuit in 2004.

Riese disputed the Dunkin version of the story, saying the eateries he operates are up to standard. “They wouldn’t let us operate for five years with health code violations.”

Even still, Riese said, he “landed on his feet with this one.”

“It’s one of [Dunkin' Donuts] worst-case scenarios,” he said. “Not only are they losing 13 top locations in the city, but they’re seeing their competition come to town.”

Photo: A Tim Hortons sign in Toronto (Rolando Pujol)

Tags: tim hortons, dunkin' donuts

Two charged with hate crime for attack on transgender woman

Thursday July 9, 2009 3:01 PM By Pete Catapano

By Pete Catapano

Two men were charged today with assault as a hate crime for an attack on a transgender female in St. Albans, Queens, according to the Queens district attorney’s office.

According to the charges, Carmella Etiennes a transgender female, walking near the intersection of 199th Street and 116th Avenue last night when she was struck on the foot with a rock. When she turned around, she allegedly saw the two men throwing rocks at her. The two men then yelled “don’t ever walk that block anymore or we will slash your throat.” The DA said.

The two men, Nathaniel Mims, 25, of 2198 Palmer Avenue in the Bronx, and Rasheed Thomas, 22, of 88-15 168th Street in Queens, were charged with second degree assault as a hate crime and other charges and face up to 15 years in prison.

Tags: crime

Wandering turtles shut down JFK runway

Wednesday July 8, 2009 6:55 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

First it was the geese, now it’s the turtles.

Flights were delayed at Kennedy Airport for 90 minutes Wednesday while workers removed 78 diamondback terrapin turtles from a runway.

A spokesman for the Port Authority, which runs the airports, said a pilot called in a sighting of the turtles shortly after 9 a.m.The animals were collected and released back into the water, said the spokesman, John Kelly.

The incident came on the heels of a controversial program to kill dozens of Canada geese near the city’s airports to prevent bird strikes to plane engines, such as the one that brought down US Airways flight 1549, which was safely landed in the Hudson River in January.

Though not as big a problem as geese, turtles have ended up on runways before.

“It is not totally unprecedented,” Kelly said. “But it’s not wildly common.”

Kelly disputed a report that a plane ran over the turtles.

It is mating season for turtles and that may have been why they were wandering around.

Tags: airports

Waiting for the G train? Don't wait for a public annoucement

Wednesday July 8, 2009 6:18 PM By Heather Haddon

(Photo by amNY)

By Heather Haddon

Inaudible subway announcements are irritating, but better something than nothing.

Nearly all of the G train’s platforms lack public address systems, forcing riders on the Brooklyn-Queens line to rely on station agents and conductors to get info on subway delays.

But NYC Transit is eliminating hundreds of station agents across the system through attrition, so G riders craving information may need to develop ESP.

“It’s uncomfortable,” said Kirill Naumov, 21, a G rider from Brooklyn. “You don’t know when the train will come.”

The issue caused outrage earlier this week when a busted signal knocked out G service in Brooklyn for more than an hour. Hundreds of angry riders at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn platform waited in vain for an announcement.

“I understand that the signals break down and there is no money to repair them,” said Steve Cusson, 40, a Brooklyn rider who begrudgingly took a car service from the station. “But there is no PA system. There is no staff. There is no communication with the riders.”

James Anyansi, a NYC Transit spokesman, confirmed that most of the G stations don’t have public address systems, but said the agency will receive funding next year to put up a PA system, along with a new system of digital boards noting train arrival times. But installing the boards has hit major snags on other subway lines.

PA systems are used to communicate train delays, service changes and emergencies. Some stations also receive information from central dispatch about approaching trains.A 2005 report by the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee found that nearly a third of the 468 stations lacked PA systems. Transit installed speakers connecting to some token booths since, but the G seems to have gotten the short end of the stick.

At the 21 Street in Queens, for example, the G stop lacks a PA.

“It’s a big gap,” said Ellyn Shannon of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee. “There’s no means of communication.”

The MTA planned to replace all of the PA systems by 2009. Instead, it prioritized the installation of the digital boards on subway platforms.

The boards are up and running on the L line, but rampant problems with the contractor has slowed the expansion to a crawl. The boards won’t go live in 156 stations until 2011, five years after the deadline, according to the most recent report by an independent engineer mandated to study MTA projects.

“It’s just unbelievable,” Shannon said. “Why don’t they put up some speakers if they can’t do the new technology?”

Anastasia Economides contributed to this story.

Tags: transit

NYC congestion second only to LA

Wednesday July 8, 2009 6:07 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

New Yorkers, get out of your cars.

The metropolitan region is the second most traffic congested area in the country, just behind Los Angeles, according to a study released yesterday by the Texas Transportation Institute.

Traffic delayed the average driver a total of 44 hours a year in 2007, way up from a decade ago.

Still, high gas prices caused congestion to fall slightly from the year before, and no other city saves as much time by taking subways and buses. Public transportation spared commuters a total of 319 million hours in traffic a day, the study found.

“There is a way to reduce congestion — invest in public transportation,” said Veronica Vanterpool of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, an advocacy group. “If you have a strong transit system, people will leave their cars at home.”

Tags: transit

For foodies: Baking lessons, prix-fixes, free paninis, ice cream festival and rooftop brunch

Wednesday July 8, 2009 6:01 PM By Lucy Blatter

Adour Alain Ducasse at The St. Regis is offering a $65 prix fixe.

Baking lessons at Tribeca Treats: Tribeca Treats will be hosting baking demonstrations and lessons for anyone who has ever wanted to bake that perfect cookie or cake. Wednesday, from 7-8 p.m. will be Cookie Extravagana. Birthday Cake 101 will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 7-8 p.m. Each lesson is $35 for adults and $10 for children younger than 13. To reserve, e-mail info@tribecatreats.com.

Adour Alain Ducasse at The St. Regis: At Adour Alain Ducasse at The St. Regis, executive chef Joel Dennis has created a special summer three-course prix fixe that includes Adour’s signature house-made macaroons and chocolates. The summer prix fixe runs Sundays through Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. until Sept. 10 and is $65 per person.Free panini Mondays: Start your week right at Vero Wine Bar’s two locations, which offer three paninis for free on Mondays with every purchase of wine, beer, specialty cocktail or martini. 1004 Second Ave., at 53rd St., 212-935-3530; 1483 Second Ave., btwn 77th and 78th sts., 212-452-3354

Brunch by the Hudson: This is not your typical post-hangover breakfast, so be ready to dress up, mix and mingle. The a la carte rooftop brunch at the upscale Hudson Terrace lounge runs Sundays from 2-8 p.m. Breakfast favorites, along with a selection of red and white wines, sangrias and mojito pitchers, are available. 621 W. 46th St., 212-315-9400

Rosa Mexicano does ice cream: All three of Rosa Mexicano’s NYC locations are currently celebrating an Ice Cream Festival (ending July 19). Additions to the menu include guacamole de postre, a salted avocado and butter ice cream with strawberries and chocolate shavings, Mexican wedding cookie crunch and mint leaves, made tableside. The dish is served with chocolate-dusted sweet tortilla chips and sweet tomatillo sauce.

On Saturday, Rosa Mexicano’s Union Square location will hold an ice cream-making demo at 10 a.m. and a three-course luncheon at 11:30 a.m. It’s $35/person, but free for each adult who brings a child. For reservations, call Jackie Landowne at 212-397-0666.

(Lizbette Ocasio-Russe)

Obama coming to NYC next week

Wednesday July 8, 2009 5:57 PM By Jason Fink

President Barack Obama will make his first official visit to New York City next week when he addresses the 100th anniversary convention of the NAACP.

Obama is scheduled to speak next Thursday morning, the final day of the convention, at the Hilton New York on Sixth Avenue.

The convention begins Saturday and will also include speeches by Gov. David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Colin Powell and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Tags: president barack obama, naacp, politics

MJ Doc: I'm not children's father--I think

Wednesday July 8, 2009 5:51 PM By Marlene Naanes

(AP photo)

By Marlene Naanes

Michael Jackson’s longtime dermatologist yesterday slapped down a report that he fathered the singer’s two eldest children — kind of.

“To the best of my knowledge I am not the father of these children,” Dr. Arnold Klein told ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “I can’t answer it in any other way because you know what, I don’t want to feed any of this insanity that’s going around.”

The Los Angeles-based doc did not elaborate.

It was a confusing answer to who is the real father of Jackson’s eldest son, Prince, 12, and daughter, Paris, 11, who gave a tear-filled speech during his public memorial on Tuesday.

The question of paternity arose when US Weekly reported less than a week after Jackson’s June 25th death that Klein fathered two of the star’s three children. Surrogate mom for Prince and Paris, Debbie Rowe was an assistant to the Klein at the time.Klein also denied being one of five doctors under investigation in Jackson’s death, saying police have not contacted him. He also said he did not prescribe painkillers for the King of Pop, according to ABC.

However, TMZ reported yesterday that Klein’s name appeared on a list of doctors the Jackson family gave to the LAPD. The family suspects that the doctors may have improperly given Jackson prescription drugs that led to his death.

In other developments:

--It’s still a mystery as to where Jackson will be buried. Various reports have said he was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills before Tuesday’s public memorial; he has been cremated and that the family is waiting to see if they can bury the 50-year-old superstar at Neverland ranch, where he once lived.

However, Jackson’s mother apparently is vetoing Neverland as a final resting place despite her son, Jermaine Jackson, insisting that he wants his brother buried there, according to the Daily News.

The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that Jackson’s body is being stored at a secret location, and no decision had been made about burial.

--The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office told E! On-line that part of Jackson’s brain is being held and will be returned to the family after neuropathology tests are completed.

-- The Los Angeles Police Department yesterday said it spent about $1 million on overtime for officers and civilian personnel handling Jackson’s memorial. The cost was $15 million lower than expected because the crowds were smaller than anticipated.

Tags: mj, doctor, children, entertainment

Fine dining for less

Wednesday July 8, 2009 5:08 PM By Lucy Blatter

Le Cirque Cafe and Wine Bar is a more relaxed alternative to the main dining room.

By Alexis Korman

Special to amNewYork

Who says you have to give up haute cuisine in hard times? With upscale eateries offering exclusive recession deals and lower-priced prix-fixes — diners can splurge, without spending a ton of dough.

Craftsteak

85 10th Ave., at 15th St.,

212-400-6699

The front dining room of Tom Colicchio’s meat-centric eatery has transformed into “Halfsteak,” boasting a menu with items priced at $15 or less. The namesake dish is a half-portion of high-quality, dry-aged steak served with hand-cut fries for $14.50. Note: They don’t take reservations.

Anthos Upstairs

36 W. 52nd St.,

212-582-6900

In March, chef Michael Psilakis and restaurateur Donatella Arpaia opened the 48-seat Anthos Upstairs on the renovated second floor of their modern, upscale Greek eatery, Anthos. Bargain-hungry diners can choose from a variety of affordable dishes, such as sheep’s milk ricotta dumplings with leeks, baby spinach and feta butter fondue ($10). By-the-glass wines are $5-$10.

Le Cirque Café and Wine Lounge

151 E. 58th St., 212-644-0202

This legendary and luxurious restaurant is best known for its power-dining crowd, but the Café and Wine Lounge is reserved for more casual, affordable dining. This area features special prix-fixe menus for both lunch ($28) and dinner ($35) that change monthly. Jackets are not required (a first for the restaurant) and customers have been known to wear (gasp!) blue jeans.

Philippe Chow Express

469 Sixth Ave., btwn 11th and 12th sts., 212-929-8949

Chef Chow’s scene-y uptown and TriBeCa spots are known for celebutante clientele, but the same high-end Chinese dishes are available for bargain prices at Chow’s “Express” location in the West Village. This lesser-known eatery features a similarly dazzling dining room, decked out with sleek red banquettes. The “Express” menu includes a two-course lunch special for $14.99.

Per Se lounge

10 Columbus Circle,

212-823-9335

Considered by many to be Manhattan’s top restaurant, Thomas Keller’s elegant but pricey Per Se (the nine-course tasting menu is $275 per person) now offers an a la carte “Salon Menu” in its 24-seat lounge area. Changing daily, this reduced-priced menu features seven to 10 dishes priced at less than $46 (that includes service). Reservations aren’t required, but jackets are.

Tags: per se, anthos, craftsteak, phillipe chow express, le cirque, restaurants

Viral Video: Sid & Nancy redux

Wednesday July 8, 2009 4:25 PM By Emily Hulme

In this video, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zoey Deschandel, stars of the forthcoming “500 Days of Summer,” re-enact a scene from “Sid & Nancy.” Here, though, the genders are reversed, with Gordon-Levitt playing Nancy and Deschanel as Sid. It may be even more disturbing than the original. Watch here.

Tags: viral video

Fans unite throughout city to remember King of Pop

Tuesday July 7, 2009 7:33 PM By Marlene Naanes

(RJ Mickelson/amNY)

By Marlene Naanes, Ryan Chatelain and Anastasia Economides

Hundreds of New Yorkers braved rain showers, played hooky or took long lunch breaks yesterday to grieve with fellow fans at public showings of Michael Jackson’s memorial service.

“This is as close as I can get,” said Debra Townsend, 59, a fan who cried before a massive video screen outside the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building in Harlem. “I wanted to celebrate with people rather than sitting at home.”

Scores joined Townsend in Harlem, and down in Times Square, crowds gathered that were much larger than the usual mob. In Chelsea, they started lining up at noon for free tickets to watch the memorial at a theater.

“He can look down and say that he saw people coming to see it and that they actually cared for him,” said Athina Peterson, 11, of the Bronx, outside the theater.HARLEM

More than 500 people watched the memorial outside the state office building, singing along to his hits and raising their hands like they were at church.

A few short rain showers didn’t dampen the mood, many thanking Jesus when the sun returned.

“This is God’s way of sending him off right,” said Renee Harrison, 45, of Harlem. “When the sun comes out it’s a blessing for Michael.”

Natalie Chavis, 45, couldn’t make last week’s Apollo Theater memorial and vowed she wouldn’t miss this one.

“I promised him I was going to be here today, and every year after this, I will go out to California,” said Chavis of the Bronx.

TIMES SQUARE

Fans parked themselves at several vast video screens showing the proceedings.

“Oh, there he is in the hearse,” said David Crespo, 31, of the Lower East Side. “I feel sad to know that he’s in there, but he’s at peace. He sang that song ‘Leave Me Alone,’ and they’re still not leaving him alone, but he doesn’t have to hear it anymore.”

A hush fell while Jackson’s brothers wheeled the gold casket before the stage.

“It didn’t really hit me until now, actually seeing the casket,” said Chalika Ruiz, 30, who came to Duffy Square during lunch. “Ever since I could breath air, I have known Michael Jackson. He taught me my ABCs, he taught me I could heal the world … he told me to remember the time when we fell in love, and I do.”

CHELSEA

A nearly packed audience at Chelsea Cinemas sat in the dark to watch the broadcast. They applauded at the same moments the Staples Center crowd did and clapped along to Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of “Will You Be There.”

“I wanted to see it on the big screen,” said Melinda Hunter, 37, of the Bronx, who attended the viewing with her two children. “If I can’t be at the Staples Center, I can pretend.”

There were outbursts of “That’s true!” and “Beautiful! Beautiful!” when speakers such as Motown founder Berry Gordy delivered eulogies.

A resounding applause filled the room, with a handful of people springing to their feet, after the Rev. Al Sharpton told Jackson’s three children: “There was nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what he had to deal with.”

Tags: fans, city, michael jackson, king of pop, entertainment

Star-studded tribute to Michael Jackson draws millions of viewers

Tuesday July 7, 2009 6:27 PM By Jason Fink

The Jackson family, from left, Marlon Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Tito Jackson, Randy Jackson, Paris Katherine Jackson, Janet Jackson and Rebbie Jackson at Tuesday's memorial service. AP photo.

By Jason Fink

Around the world, millions stopped in their tracks Tuesday, in front of giant video screens in public squares and hunched over computer screens in offices, to witness the star-studded tribute to Michael Jackson.

With the same pageantry and showmanship that marked his life, Jackson’s death was commemorated by a host of celebrities who sang, gave rousing speeches and bid teary farewells during a three-hour ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

“I think he is simply the greatest entertainer who ever lived,” said Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, which signed the Jackson 5 more than four decades ago.In perhaps the day’s most heart-wrenching moment, Jackson’s 11-year-old daughter Paris broke down at the end of the ceremony as the family stood on stage, crying as she told the world how much she loved her father before falling into the arms of her aunt, singer Janet Jackson.

About 20,000 people packed into the arena, which was bathed in blue light, a multi-colored stained glass window serving as a backdrop to the stage. Jackson’s gold coffin, topped with red roses, was set in front of the stage by his brothers, each dressed in a dark suit, sunglasses and one white, sequined glove – their late brother’s signature.

“This is a celebration of his life, of his legacy,” said Magic Johnson, the former NBA star and a friend of Jackson’s who appeared in one of his music videos. “He was my idol. He was everything to me.”

With performances by Stevie Wonder, Usher, Mariah Carey, John Mayer and others, the memorial – at times emotional and subdued, at others and celebratory – was broadcast live on network and cable TV and beamed across the Internet.

It capped nearly two weeks of public outpourings for the self-declared King of Pop, whose death on June 25 at age 50 has gripped the nation. Topics relating to Jackson and the memorial dominated the top 100 search terms on Google Tuesday.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), read a resolution that will be voted on in the House honoring Jackson’s life.

“Michael fought for the tolerance of all people,” she said.

Jackson Lee, who is of no relation, was one of several speakers to address the controversy that surrounded the late pop star, including accusations of child molestation and his multiple cosmetic surgeries.

“As you climb up mountains sometimes you scar your knees,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton. “But don’t focus on the scars.”

Sharpton then addressed Jackson’s three children, seated in the front row along with his siblings and parents: “There wasn’t nothing strange about your daddy,” he said. “It was strange what he had to deal with.”

Gordy said there were “some tough times and some questionable decisions on his part” but concluded by saying: “Michael thank you for the joy, thank you for the love, you will be in my heart forever.”

The day began with a private service for Jackson’s family and close friends at Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills. It remained a mystery where his final resting place would be.

But there was little doubt what Jackson’s lasting legacy will be.

From the speakers inside the Staples Center to the fans who lined streets in cities across the globe, Jackson’s music and his charity were the dominant theme.

Towards the end of the memorial, dozens of singers, and many children, crowded the stage to sing “We Are the World” and “Heal the World” as symbols from various religions flashed across a giant screen.

“Michael did so much to heal the world,” said the Rev. Lucious Smith, who opened and closed the ceremony with a prayer. “May this moment of remembrance bring comfort to those who loved our friend.”

Tags: michael jackson, entertainment

Phone application plots the best subway exit strategy

Tuesday July 7, 2009 5:36 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

It can’t speed up the subways, but a new phone toy promises to get you off quicker.

An application launched Tuesday allows straphangers with smart phones to determine the subway car that will allow them to bolt out of an individual station exit. Users select a line, direction and station, and “Exit Strategy NYC” matches the exits and transfer points with a map of the train.

“If you’re running late, it’s a huge time saver,” said Jonathan Wegener, 24, a Brooklyn rider who invented the application with his sister. “You can be an entire avenue off if you mess up the exit.”Users can toggle through the maps underground, as the application doesn’t require Internet service. The Wegeners mapped all Manhattan stations and popular ones in the outer boroughs.

Exit Strategy NYC costs $1.99 for the iPhone or iPod Touch from the Apple store. It’s available for Blackberry phones for $2.99.

Tags: subways, iphone, transit

Fresh lobster: A summer staple

Tuesday July 7, 2009 4:39 PM By Lucy Blatter

Wild Edibles executive chef Paul Jambor prepares a lobster. Credit: Deidre Schoo

By V.L. Hendrickson

Special to amNewYork

Summer in New England is all about seafood, and on the Maine coast, lobstermen are gearing up for peak season, which runs from August through September. With lobster prices relatively low, from $12.99 a pound, it’s the perfect time to bring a little bit of the coast to your New York City table. Here’s a primer on this prehistoric-looking crustacean.

Low-calorie protein source

Lobster is a “versatile and nutritious protein source, without a lot of calories,” said Linda Bean, owner of the Port Clyde Lobster Company and the founder of a frozen seafood line Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine (and a Bean of the L.L. Bean order).

“A pound of lobster only has about 425 calories,” Bean said.

Preparation

Bean recommended asking for a lobster that is one- or two-pounds in weight. Lobsters should be purchased while still alive, preferably on the day they will be eaten. There shouldn't be any appendages missing.

The key to a succulent lobster is “all in the cooking,” Bean said. If you overcook this crustacean, it can become tough. “The main thing is not to over do it.”

The most traditional methods of cooking lobsters are boiling or steaming. Boil lightly salted water in your largest pot (either a few inches, if steaming, or a full pot). Holding the lobster at the base of its head, drop it, alive, into the pot, standing back from the pot to avoid being splashed. Cook for eight to 14 minutes, or until the shells have changed from mottled brown to bright red.

Grilling is also an option. Chefs from Legal SeaFoods give this advice: parboil the lobster for 5-7 minutes. Split it in half lengthwise, cutting from head to tail. Remove the claws at their base with a knife and baste the exposed meat with a mixture of butter, lemon and garlic. Place the body of the lobster on the grill, meat side down, for about 10 minutes. The claws will take longer, so place them on the hottest part of the grill for about 15 minutes.On The Side

The last thing you want to do is pair the lobster with side dishes that overwhelm its rich but subtle flavor. Bean recommends asparagus, artichoke or green beans, as well as the traditional corn-on-the-cob.

At Wild Edibles Restaurant and Market in Murray Hill, executive chef Paul Jambor pairs the rich flavor of the lobster with drawn butter, also called clarified butter, for dipping an a simple green salad.

Jambor recommends “a light, crisp Riesling, a California-style Chardonnay, nice and buttery, or even a beer such as a Hefeweizen” to accompany your lobster dinner.

Bib or No Bib?

Cracking into your lobster dinner can be a messy affair, but it’s all part of the fun. Once you’re at the table, twist the claws off the lobster at their base and break the tail from its body. Using a nutcracker, crack the shell of the lobster and pull out the meat with your fork (you can also split the underside of the tail with a knife). The claw meat is the sweetest. Female lobsters may have red roe inside, and many lobsters will also contain a green-substance called tamale. Both of these are an acquired taste, but are excellent spread on crusty bread. Don’t forget to put a scrap bucket on or under the table for the shells.

Lobster in the city:

If you happen to have leftovers, Jambor suggests lobster salad. After chopping the lobster meat roughly, add mayonnaise, lemon, lemon zest and a touch of mustard and mix. You can also add some celery and onion, softened a bit in a pan. Jambor serves it on brioche, but a humble hotdog bun is the most traditional. Or find a great lobster roll as you’re out and about in the city:

Wild Edibles Market and Restaurant

535 Third Ave.

212-213-8552

Enjoy chef Jambor’s lobster salad recipe, as well as other whole lobsters and other seafood. The market will also cook lobsters for you, so you can enjoy them at home.

Red Hook Lobster Pound at the Brooklyn Flea

Water St. and New Dock St.

One bite of the Red Hook Lobster Pound’s lobster roll, and you’ll be transported to the rocky coast of Maine. These are only sold at the Brooklyn Flea from 11-6 on Sundays; the line can be long, but it’s worth the wait.

Mermaid Inn

568 Amsterdam Ave.

212-799-7400

96 Second Ave.

212-674-5870

Enjoy a great deal on lobster rolls at the Mermaid Inn, which offers a Blue Plate Special including a lobster roll, fries, dessert and a beer for $20.

Tags: lobster, mermaid inn, wild edibles, red hook lobster pound, food

City restaurants honored for support of workers' rights

Tuesday July 7, 2009 12:18 PM By Lucy Blatter

City restaurants are often given ratings based on food and ambiance, but, unfortunately, it’s less common for a restaurant to be recognized for its commitment to employee rights.

This morning, the NYC Restaurant Industry Roundtable and Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York honored seven city restaurants with Exceptional Workplace Awards, for their support of workers’ rights and for providing benefits to workers.

The award winning restaurants are: One if by Land, Two if by Sea, Colors, Crema, La Palapa, Raw Soul, K-Dog and Dune Buggy, and Las Chicas Locas.

Also released is “The New York City Diner’s Guide to High Road Restaurants,” a consumer’s guide to dozens of restaurants that go above and beyond city and state law requirements.

Taxes, fees for phone and cable drive up costs

Tuesday July 7, 2009 10:43 AM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

Almost anyone with a phone or cable TV has experienced it: The shock of a monthly bill much higher than what you signed up for.

In one case, a $39.99 cell phone plan becomes $54.70; in another, a $99.99 plan turns into $116.83.

The main culprits can be found in the last few lines on your bill, where enigmatic items like “State Telecom Excise” and “MCTD Surcharge” increase the total.

“Every month they seem to be going up,” said Sal Ottomanelli, 25, of Manhattan, who said he pays $30 to $40 in taxes and fees on two phones. “They pad it a lot.”Though some of the charges are for specific services, like the 911 system, many are simply taxes that go to the general funds of local and state governments, charged to the phone or cable company and passed on to the consumer.

Lou Manuta, an attorney for the Public Law Utility Project, an advocacy group, said New Yorkers pay more than people in almost any other state.

"Not only are there more taxes but the tax rates are higher," he said.

Besides paying state and local sales taxes, New Yorkers also reimburse companies for the business taxes they pay to the MTA, the fees they pay to connect to local phone networks, the fees they pay to the FCC to regulate them, and a host of other charges.

Phone companies were also permitted to charge for the cost of allowing people to keep their numbers when they switch carriers, though only for five years.

Both phone and cable providers pass along the costs of franchise agreements with local governments.

“It's ridiculous, I don't think they should have the authority to do that,” said David Simone, 45, of Manhattan, who switched to prepaid phone cards to avoid the fees. “They know people won't question it.”

The extras are only a few cents to a few dollars but they add up: According to CTIA, the industry association for wireless companies, New Yorkers pay 16 percent of their cell phone bills to taxes and fees.

“We do hear from consumers that they have an enormous number of taxes on their bills,” said K. Dane Snowden, a spokesman for CTIA. “We are really the collection agency for the government.”

A spokesman for Verizon, John Bonomo, called the taxes “an irritant.”

Cable TV customers don't pay sales tax but they do shoulder costs for franchise fees and public access broadcasting.

Time Warner cable declined to comment. Cablevision, which owns amNewYork, lists its charges as “taxes and fees.” Like other cable providers, it does not charge the same taxes for phone service as traditional carriers, a fact Verizon and others would like to see changed.

Phone companies also pass on the cost of providing service in rural areas, which is

required by the FCC.

That charge, the highest on most phone bills, is known as the universal service fund. It jumped from 7 to 12 in recent years, according to Manuta.

“It's outrageous,” he said. “It's astronomically high.”

Manuta said wireless companies are allowed to charge the same as those installing

land lines in under-served areas, even though it is cheaper to erect cell phone towers.

Assemb. Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach), who heads the consumer affairs committee, said the state's focus has been on assuring that charges are listed clearly on bills.

“We try to be as fair as we can,” she said.

In the city, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum is pushing a bill that would require cell phone retailers to more fully disclose the cost of plans, including hefty termination fees.

Manuta said that with little chance of getting these taxes and fees rolled back,

pressing for transparency has been the goal of most consumer groups.

“If you want to tax someone tell them you're taxing them so if they don't like it they can go their legislators and ask them to change it,” he said.

Anastasia Economides contributed to this story

Tags: taxes, cell phones, cable, technology

City won't hire new cops till Albany cleans up its mess

Monday July 6, 2009 6:12 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

New York City will put off swearing in 250 new cops Wednesday, part of a hiring freeze brought on by the continuing stalemate in the state Senate.

With no action on a bill to increase the city sales tax, which would have raised $60 million this month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg Monday announced the freeze, which will also indefinitely delay the hiring of 150 firefighters, 90 EMTs, 34 911 operators and others.

The state Senate’s inability to function may literally result in blood on the streets,” said City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria).The city will also review outside contracts, many of which were set to have begun July 1, and suspend agreements for non-essential services.

Asked about a recent report that Bloomberg was considering $52 million in raises for city managers, a mayoral spokesman would only say that City Hall never announced any increases and that those salaries have been frozen since last year.

“We have a legal mandate to produce a balanced budget,” Bloomberg said.

The freeze came on a day when the Senate again failed to pass any bills, meeting for a brief, fruitless session ordered by Gov. David Paterson.

The chamber is deadlocked 31-31 with no lieutenant governor to break the tie.

One lawmaker and two non-profit watchdog groups, suggested Monday that Paterson appoint someone to the post, but Attorney General Andrew Cuomo quickly released a statement saying such a move would be unconstitutional.

“We certainly understand the mayor's frustration,” said Austin Shafran, a spokesman for ousted Majority Leader Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans).

Tags: albany, budget, cops, mayor michael bloomberg, politics, city hall dispatch

MJ's memorial service packed with star power

Monday July 6, 2009 5:52 PM By Marlene Naanes

(AP photo: a fan holds her tickets and wristband to Michael Jackson's memorial)

By Marlene Naanes

Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Hudson are just a few of the performers who will add star power to the Los Angeles public memorial service for Michael Jackson on Tuesday.

Carey will be singing the Jackson 5 hit “I’ll Be There,” according to TMZ, but no other details have been released. The lineup was announced yesterday as fans clamored to get their hands on the 17,500 tickets to the Los Angeles memorial either by claiming the tickets on the up-and-up through the raffle system set up by organizers or scoring some on Craigslist and eBay.

Both sites listed tickets going for thousands of dollars, though it’s unclear if a sale went through as the postings were repeatedly and rapidly removed yesterday. Police said anyone with a scalped ticket would be arrested.

A private family service will take place at Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills hours before the 1 p.m. public memorial at the Staples Center. The family memorial will last two hours, according to the Los Angeles Times.Funeral details remain unclear.

Other developments yesterday:

• A judge yesterday ruled that Jackson’s longtime attorney John Branca and family friend John McClain will take over the King of Pop’s estate. The singer’s mother, Katherine Jackson, had petitioned to be in charge or share control of the estate.

In a 2002 will, Michael Jackson designated Branca and McClain as estate administrators and his mother as a beneficiary and guardian of his three children.

• Debbie Rowe, Jackson’s ex-wife and mother of his eldest children, said she would not attend the public memorial — after she first said she would.

"The onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael's legacy," according to a statement from her attorney. "Debbie will continue to celebrate Michael's memory privately."

(With AP)

Tags: michael jackson, memorial, stars, entertainment

New Yorkers angry at pol's video calling Jackson a "pervert"

Monday July 6, 2009 5:35 PM By Heather Haddon

By Anastasia Economides and Heather Haddon

Lay off the King of Pop.

New Yorkers shot back yesterday at Rep. Peter King (R-Long Island), who called Jackson a “pervert,” “child molester” and “pedophile” in a video he posted to YouTube Sunday.

“It was uncalled for,” said Dohrey Schlau, 18, of the Bronx. “This is the last thing anyone wants to hear when grieving.”

In an amateur video shot by a staff member, King stands before an American Legion hall on Long Island and blasts the widespread media coverage of Jackson's death.

“There's nothing good about this guy,” King said in the two-minute video. “Would you let your child or grandchild be in the same room as Michael Jackson?”

Thousands of people watched the video on-line yesterday, some responding by posting retorts.

New Yorkers yesterday largely defended Jackson.“Jackson brought love, peace and understanding to the world,” said Mario Clemenzio, 62, a Manhattan executive. “If King doesn't get it by now, he never will.”

Ken Sunshine, a spokesman for Jackson's family, declined to respond to King's criticism.

“(King) is narrow-minded,” said Troy Edwards, 40, of the Bronx. “Michael made a positive contribution to the world.”

Still, Pedro Martinez, 42, of Brooklyn, thought Jackson's past was a prime-target for scrutiny.

“Michael Jackson was creepy looking. He was a strange individual,” Martinez said. “I wouldn't let him near my house.”

(with AP)

Tags: michael jackson, peter king, entertainment

Subway escalators are on an upswing

Monday July 6, 2009 5:19 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

Things are looking up for the subway’s escalators.

NYC Transit is pushing the owner of two long-busted escalators at the Union Square station to fix them, the result a new program to force developers to pony up for repairs. And some long-broken escalators owned by the MTA are finally moving again.

Escalators are one of the most difficult things for the agency to fix, and the MTA hasn't historically gone after private developers with defective elevators or escalators. But in the past year, agency officials have started pressuring owners to maintain their

charges, Transit President Howard Roberts said.

“It's a philosophical change,” said Ellyn Shannon of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. “Access to the system is now important to them whether they own the escalator or not.”Zeckendorf Towers, a condo owner, built the escalators at the southeast corner of Union Square station. The stairways have been out for years, a source of constant frustration for less able-bodied riders.

“This is criminal,” said Aladin Haidalgo, 59, a Brooklyn rider struggling to walk up the subway stairs with a cane Monday. “It's a major impediment.”

Zeckendorf tried to sock NYC Transit with the bill for the escalators, but the company recently agreed to pony up for the millions of dollar in repairs, transit spokesman Paul Fleuranges said.

Fleuranges could not say when the escalators will be fixed, as it's up to the owner. A spokesman for Zeckendorf declined comment.

Meanwhile, the MTA has made strides in taking care of its own equipment.

After months of outages, all 12 escalators now run at Herald Square, the system's third busiest station. The MTA recently spent $36 million to overhaul the escalators, but the contractor did not install them properly. The escalators broke a total of 150 times during the first part of this year, with three of the stairways not running at all, according to MTA figures.

The repairs wrapped up in the last month or so. The contractor paid for the work, Fleuranges said.

In Queens, a chronically broken escalator at the Flushing-Main St stop on the No. 7 was repaired in May, Fleuranges said. Transit is moving on to the two other busted escalators traveling into the deep station he said.

Anastasia Economides contributed to this story.

Tags: subways, mta, escalators, transit

Summer camp revisited

Monday July 6, 2009 5:06 PM By Lucy Blatter

Canoe Bay's Dream Cottage is a very upscale version of a camp bunk.

By Jessie Pascoe

Special to amNewYork

Traditionally restricted to childhood, summer camp’s bucolic draw has more and more adults making their vacation a sleepaway experience. To cater to these forever-young vacationers, a slew of “grown-up” camps and activities have sprouted up, offering “mature” campers the chance to learn a new skill, perfect an old one or just indulge in some rustic relaxation. Here’s a sampling of some top adult camps.

Pura Vida Surf Camp

Located in the Costa Rican village of Malpais, Pura Vida offers week-long surf sessions for a mainly all-female crowd. Owned by Tierza Davis, a former dot-comer from San Francisco, Pura Vida offers daily surfing and yoga lessons, as well as gourmet meals, luxe cabin accommodations and hour-long massages. No wonder Davis admits that some guests take up long-term residency in town. $1995-$2595 for seven nights/six days ($200-off summer bookings); puravidaadventures.com

Canoe Bay

For those who want to forget early camp memories of mosquito mobs and makeshift outhouses, there’s Canoe Bay. Twenty-four Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired cabins sprawled across 280 acres of pristine Wisconsin wilderness, a strict no-kids policy, fireside massages, chef-led foraging expeditions, gourmet s’mores and artisan cheese tours promise to make you happy you’ve left childhood behind. Rooms start at $350; canoebay.com

The Inn at Manitou’s tennis clinic

Nestled on the banks of Ontario’s Manitouwabing Lake, The Inn at Manitou seems worlds away from the daily grind, even though its only 150 miles north of Toronto. One of North America’s top tennis resorts, the Inn at Manitou’s tennis clinic offers top-notch instruction in state-of-the-art facilities. The clinic takes all levels. Rooms start at $299 per night; manitou-online.comThe Tyler Place Family Resort

A summer camp for all ages, Tyler Place offers both adults and kids a chance to unwind across lush Vermont forestland. Grown-ups can indulge in more than 20 athletic activities, from diving in swimming holes to trap shooting, while those interested in cultural activities find organized Quebec wine tours and jazz nights with local musicians. Kids keep busy, too, with traditional and innovative camp activities every morning and evening. Housing options vary, but history buffs will appreciate the Elmwood cottage, a historic building built in the early 1890s. Rates start at $111 per night for adults and $78 for kids; tylerplace.com

Idyllwild Arts Academy

You would be hard pressed to find a more inspiring setting than Idyllwild Arts Academy’s San Jacinto Mountain range. Keep in mind this is not your average arts and crafts instruction. Classes as specific as Hopi Tewa pottery to as broad as “Mixed Media Art Buffet” await those eager to forget their 9-to-5 city job and embrace the California woods. Idyllwild’s child and young adult programs also make Idyllwild an ideal getaway for the whole creative clan. Rates vary with accommodation packages; idyllwildarts.org

Know Before You Go:

Camps usually offer discounts during their slower months, so make sure to ascertain these dates before deciding on your vacation schedule. Can’t find any deals online?

Sometimes a simple email or phone call can yield better, more up-to date information.

Tags: summer camp, camps for adults, travel

Heidi gets a $25K strip offer, Spencer calls us idiots

Monday July 6, 2009 4:39 PM By Perrie Samotin

Heidi and Spencer Pratt (Photo: Getty)

By Perrie Samotin

If only we were as strong as E! News, who recently banned any mention of reality personalities and married fame vultures Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt.

But, alas, we’re not.

Apparently, notorious NYC strip club Scores has offered Montag a temp gig. (We know, SO weird — Heidi totally doesn’t look like a stripper!)

We decided to do a little digging and while we didn't get any definitive answers, we did get called an idiot by the charming Spencer Pratt.

Luckily, we managed to snag and post a copy of the official offer letter sent to Montag by Scores' general manager Ed Norwick. Read it after the jump.Dear Mrs. Heidi Pratt,

As the nation watched you and your husband brave the jungle on "I'm A

Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here" and continue to brave the ups and downs

of "The Hills" and Lauren Conrad, we would like to take this time to

present you with an opportunity that will allow you to be center

stage-and have a lot of fun while doing so.

Allow me to introduce you to SCORES, the renowned and famous New York

City based gentlemen's club, well known for being a favorite hang-out

local for notorious radio personality Howard Stern, NHL player Sean

Avery, Russell Crow, Owen Wilson and Madonna. A Hollywood hot-spot in

New York City for such A-list celebs and couples, much like yourself. As

we took note that you will be posing in Playboy soon, we thought you may

be interested in dabbling in yet another adventure that will most

definitely expose your softer side.

As we recently re-opened after a short hiatus, SCORES would be honored

to have you dance at our club on the main stage each night for five

days, upon which, we will offer you a fee of $25,000.

Best,

Ed Norwick

$25K? We had no idea that was the going rate for “celebrity” dancers.

Heidi’s rep told us, “I have not seen an offer, but this is certainly not an offer Heidi would entertain.”

And of course, what would a story about Mrs. Pratt be without the requisite comment from the mister?

“I feel dirty they even asked,” Pratt told us in an e-mail — although we later found out he meant to e-mail that to his publicist.

He then proceeded to call us “idiots” when he learned that he e-mailed us by mistake.

Spencer’s so right.

We’re totally the idiots in this scenario.

Tags: entertainment

Sales: July 6 to 12

Monday July 6, 2009 11:46 AM By Julie Gordon

French Sole

Until July 13, Mon. to Fri. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun. 12 to 5 p.m. 976 Lexington Ave., btwn 71st and 72nd sts., 212-472-9200

The company that originated the ballet flat trend is selling its hand-made shoes for up to 70 percent off. Ballet flats are $105, half-off the original price. Leather sandals are on sale for $109, originally $200.

Halston

July 7 to 9, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 96 Spring St., btwn Broadway and Greene St., 2nd Fl., 212-282-1200

Dresses and accessories from the famous designer are 75 percent off. Long dresses that retail for $2,695 are now $695.Rachel Comey

July 8 to 9, 5 to 9 p.m; July 10, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; July 11, 12 to 5 p.m. 335 W. 35th St., btwn Eighth and Ninth aves., 7th Fl., 212-334-0470

Flirty dresses and men’s and women’s shoes are up to 60 percent off, with prices starting at $60. Silk dresses that were $380 are now $165.

Boutique on 57

July 8 to 10, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 12 W. 57th St., btwn Fifth and Sixth aves., 212-247-2229

Clothing, handbags, shoes and jewelry by famous designers, including Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Lacroix and Valentino, are up to 75 percent off.

Alexander Wang (see at left)

July 9, 2 to 8 p.m.; July 10, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; July 11, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 83 Wooster St., btwn Spring and Broome sts., 212-532-3103

Pieces from Alexander Wang’s edgy spring collection are 80 percent off. A denim-and-leather motorcycle jacket is $745, originally $1,495. A fitted dress that was $795 is now $395.

Photo: A model at the Alexander Wang spring '09 show (Getty)

Send sample sale listings to jgordon@am-ny.com.

Tags: shopping, fashion

Wanna get away? This week's travel deals

Monday July 6, 2009 10:47 AM By Lucy Blatter

If you're looking to visit D.C. this summer, take advantage of Hotel Helix's 1776 deal. But you have to book today!

D.C. for $92/night: Hotel Helix, located in D.C.’s Dupont Circle, is offering Sunday night stays for $17.76. The “Party Like It’s 1776” package applies when you stay Friday and Saturday nights with rates for those nights beginning at $129/night. This brings the three-night total to $92/night – a 30 percent discount. Book by today for travel through July 31. 800-546-7866, hotelhelix.com, use promo code 1776.

Upstate, low prices: More than 250 upstate hotels, lodges, B&Bs, and cabins are jumping on the third-night free bandwagon. Additionally, Amtrak is offering a 20 percent discount on all New York state destinations. For more information visit SummerGetaways.ILoveNY.com

For the Amtrak discount, call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com, use code V122.Budapest & Prague, roundtrip air, six-nights for $999: The price includes a British Airways flight from NYC to Budapest, return flight from Prague, three nights each at Ibis Budapest Vaci Ut and Prague’s Ibis Praha Mala Strana, the train ticket from Budapest to Prague, fuel surcharges and all breakfasts. Departures are available Sept.9-Oct.21. For an additional $50 depart on 15, or July 29-Aug.19. Book by Aug. 31

Gate1Travel.com, 800-682-3333

Roundtrip air to Honolulu beginning at $256 in August: Fly.com, a new site by Travelzoo, has found roundtrip air from NYC to Honolulu as cheap as $256 (including tax) beginning in August. The new site searches hundreds of airlines and travel agencies for the cheapest flights, then displays that price in a convenient calendar format. Fly.com

(Emily Mathis)

Tags: d.c., upstate new york, budapest, prague, honolulu

Summer jewelry must-haves

Monday July 6, 2009 9:20 AM By Julie Gordon

By Julie Gordon

Most seasonally themed clothing is a big style no-no (think Santa-adorned sweaters), but that’s not the case with summer accessories. Sea creatures, hula dancers, colors that remind us of the beach — they’re all fair game for adding a little warm-weather flair to a summertime ensemble.

Emily Elizabeth Jewelry necklace, $55; at emilyelizabethjewelry.com

Emily Elizabeth calls this brass piece its “Saved by the Bell” necklace. We’re sure Zack, Kelly, Slater, Screech, Lisa and even Jessie would approve.

Komodokat earrings, $9; at girlzlyfe.com

A campfire favorite, s’mores make their way onto the earlobes of New Yorkers this summer. Tasty!

Target bracelet, $12.99, and earrings, $4.99; at Target

Leave it to Target to make a completely affordable charm bracelet and earrings look expensive — and adorable.

Lucid New York necklace, $55; at The Market NYC, 268 Mulberry St. (Sat.-Sun.)

If your favorite childhood pastime was jumping rope, you’ll flip for this 14-karat gold vermeil piece of nostalgia.

GirlPROPS earrings, $4.99; at GirlPROPS, 153 Prince St., 212-505-7615

Pair these hula-girl earrings with a green skirt and some flowers in your hair — and bite into a ham sandwich — and you just might feel like you’re at a Hawaiian luau instead of a Brooklyn barbecue.

J. Crew ring, $65; at J. Crew

Dress up an evening outfit with this flashy floral cocktail ring, made of 18-karat gold-plated metal with Czech-glass rhinestones.

Steven Shein ring, $29; at shopstevenshein.com

Even if your summer romance doesn’t make it past the fling stage, this plexiglass-and-acrylic-on-wood ring will.

Little Bijou necklace, $50; at littlebijou.com

This turquoise piece from newbie New York City brand Little Bijou perfectly captures the tranquility of the summertime ocean and sky.

Manic Trout bracelet, $45; at manictrout.com

This handmade brass critter looks like he’s about to jump off the wrist and into the water.

Go for the bold

Designer Steven Shein gave us his take on wearing bold and bright jewelry.

-“It’s best to either wear one piece of loud jewelry at a time or go totally overboard and rock a ton of it.”

-“It doesn’t matter what you wear as long as you wear it proudly.”

-“Whatever one is comfortable with is usually the best way to go.”

Tags: shopping, fashion

Mets continue to unravel

Sunday July 5, 2009 7:15 PM By Pete Catapano

Mets catcher Omir Santos, front, watches Philadelphia Phillies' Paul Bako scores on a single by Shane Victorino on Saturday. (AP photo)

By Pete Catapano

It may be only the halfway point of the season, but Mets fans are fully frustrated.

The team entered the season with a shiny new ballpark and great expectations, but the Mets are coming apart with eight losses in the last 10 games, including a sweep to the rival Phillies over the weekend in which they Amazin’s scored just three runs.

How to save the season is anyone’s guess.

“They’re playing like a minor league team,” Luis Manuel Ortiz, 27, a Met fan from Harlem said after the team’s disheartening 2-0 loss to the Phillies yesterday.

And things probably won’t get easier soon for the Mets. Now a season-high three games below .500 at 39-42, the Mets start a three-game series with the league-best Dodgers tomorrow.One person was so fed up yesterday he proposed on the team’s official message board that fans boycott a game at Citi Field by not entering the stadium until the third inning and wearing signs that say “enough” in blue letters.

“We need to figure things out and get going,” said the Mets’ All-Star third baseman, David Wright, who went 0-for-11 in the series against the Phillies.

While the team has been decimated by injuries to its star players, it had stayed in contention with grit, some good pitching and the fortunes of being in a mediocre division.

However, the team has unraveled in recent weeks with embarrassingly bad defense and other head-scratching moments.

In fact, ESPN radio host and Yankees broadcaster, Michael Kay, said that manager Jerry Manuel’s decision to throw a pitch to Derek Jeter instead of walking him immediately with a pitcher on deck during the Mets’ recent series against their crosstown rival was a “fireable offense.” Kay, however, insisted that he didn’t say Manuel should be fired, according to the Daily News.

Manuel now has been at the helm of the team for just over a year, taking over last June, after the Mets wobbled through the first half of the season under manager Willie Randolph. While questions have been raised about how effective Manuel has been, there has not been the same outcry for his dismissal that lead to Randolph’s firing.

“I cannot blame Jerry Manuel for what’s happened, because he’s not playing with a full roster,” said John Strubel, writer for Mets online magazine Flushing9.com.

As far as the errors go, it’s hard to find an explanation for the on field miscues.

“They can’t make the most fundamental plays on a day-to-day basis,” Strubel said.

But fans aren’t ready to give up with their team just four games out of first place.

“We’re halfway through the season. I’m hoping we don’t lose, but I’m not expecting much,” said fan Nes Martinez, 21, of midtown.

Anastasia Economides contributed to this story.

Tags: new york mets, philadelphia phillies, jerry manuel, willie randolph, michael kay, david wright, carlos beltran, carlos delgado, mariano rivera, derek jeter

Jackson's memorial, funeral details remain mystery

Sunday July 5, 2009 6:29 PM By Marlene Naanes

(AP photo: outside the Staples Center yesterday)

By Marlene Naanes

One thing about Michael Jackson’s mysterious public memorial service is clear: Scores of fans want to go but the vast majority won’t be able to.

While details on the event remain unclear, more than 1.6 million people registered for the ticket drawing for tomorrow’s public memorial service. About 8,750 people were notified yesterday that they received a pair of free tickets to attend the memorial tomorrow at the Staples Center in Los Angeles or watch it simulcast nearby.

The police are poised to handle a crush of non-ticket holders trying to get close to the service. They are employing an elaborate security detail, which includes closing the streets around the Staples Center and placing wristbands on ticket holders to prevent scalping.

Despite the hype, the family said no details on what exactly will transpire during the service will be released beforehand.Also hazy is the pop star’s funeral service. The Los Angeles police only confirmed the Jackson family is planning a private ceremony at Hollywood Hills’ Forest Lawn cemetery but did not release any details.

Other reports said a burial could be as soon as today at Forest Lawn, making it unclear whether Jackson’s body will be reposed at tomorrow’s public memorial, according to The New York Post. The Post also said the burial could be as late as next week as some in the Jackson clan hope that red tape can be cleared so he can be buried at his beloved Neverland ranch.

Meanwhile, Jackson’s siblings reportedly are planning on performing together at live tribute performances, using video footage taken of the King of Pop rehearsing for his would-be upcoming tour, according to the Post. The siblings involved include Tito, Jermaine, Jackie, Marlon and possibly Janet and La Toya.

Where the tribute will take place is unclear, but the Post reported it could take place as early as July 13, the date Jackson’s tour would have launched in London, or sometime in August and could include multiple shows around the world.

(With AP)

---------

Michael Jackson fans who aren’t fortunate enough to score a ticket to the King of Pop’s Los Angeles memorial aren’t completely out of luck. Here are details on how to catch the ceremony from New York:

-The memorial airs live at 1 p.m. Tuesday on ABC, CNN, E! Entertainment, MSNBC and NBC.

-It will be broadcast from the Staples Center and will not include Jackson’s funeral service, which will be held privately at another time and place. No details about the public event have been released.

-At least one video screen in Times Square will show the memorial live. MTV confirmed its screen, on Broadway between West 44th and 45th Streets, will broadcast the video feed from the Staples Center.

Tags: michael jackson, memorial, funeral, entertainment

Extreme Commuter: LI to NYC in three hours--at night

Sunday July 5, 2009 6:02 PM By Marlene Naanes

By Marlene Naanes

Jennifer Grumbach not only commutes three hours from her Long Island home to her job at the Upper East Side ASPCA, she does it in the dark.

Grumbach, 24, works the eight-hour night shift as a licensed veterinary technician, leaving her Ridge, N.Y., home at 8:30 p.m. to get to work in Yorkville just shy of midnight.

“My days get confused,” she said. “I never know what day it is because at the end of my workday, it’s another day.”

Grumbach began the extreme trek almost nine months ago when she landed a job at the ASPCA, where she said she’s wanted to work ever since seeing the organization featured on Animal Planet’s “Animal Precinct” shows. But the two horses she owns prevents her from moving closer to the city.“It would be $1,000 just to board them in the city,” she said.

Every Thursday through Monday, Grumbach drives from home to the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road station for a 9:11 p.m. train, which drops her off at Penn Station. From there, she hops on an uptown E train and transfers to a No. 6 train at Lexington Avenue. Then she jumps on a M86 bus that drops her near work.

At 8 a.m., she begins the long trip home. Grumbach said she likes working in the city.

“When I’m done I can go downtown, go shopping,” she said. “I have friends meet me in the city and we go out to breakfast, go out to dinner. That’s the nice part.”

If you have an extreme commute to share, e-mail us.

--------------

Monthly cost:

$100 Gas

$380 LIRR ticket and MetroCard

$480 Total

Tags: li, nyc, extreme commuter, transportation

Finding your ideal job

Sunday July 5, 2009 5:37 PM By Lucy Blatter

Quit daydreaming about your ideal job and start doing some soul-searching.

By Lonni Romirowsky

Special to amNewYork

Whether you’re looking for work, or trying to get out of a job you hate, there’s hope on the horizon.

Before applying for jobs, consider what your ideal career would look like. Career consultant and radio host Maggie Mistal said you need to do a bit of soul searching before you can start looking forward to Mondays.

Here are some tips for finding the right fit.

Passions

Make a list of your passions, both professionally and personally. Do you enjoy communicating with others? Working with children? Playing sports? Try to narrow your list down to your top five out-of-office passions.

Talents

While passions play a vital role in choosing a profession, it is important to realistically consider your talents, specifically those you enjoy. Perhaps you are a strong writer, or public speaking comes naturally. It is important to distinguish the strengths you wish to use in your career.Motivators

Next, make a list of the issues and ideals most dear to you, such as helping children in need. Your “ideal” career will be much more meaningful and enjoyable if you are both utilizing your talents and participating in something fulfilling.

Work environment

Try to think beyond the stereotypical work setting, and consider the working environment you would most enjoy. Do you prefer working in small groups or alone? Does travel play an important role in your routine? Take time to set your own parameters.

Salary

When choosing a career, it is important to evaluate the type of lifestyle you envision. Your desired annual income and benefits play a large role in determining which fields match with your ideal career.

Project how much money you anticipate receiving each month, then subtract the purchases you will make every month, such as electric bills and rent. The amount remaining is your discretionary fund. Consider how much discretionary money you’ll need for the lifestyle you envision.

Now, think of a few careers that align with your interests and strengths.

According to Mistal, “one of the best and most underutilized career research tools is the informational interview.” Find people in the industry who can give you insight.

Find out the training and education needed, salary range and job outlook for your potential jobs.

The last step is creating an action plan with a timeline. Set dates for completing research, conducting informational interviews or applying for jobs. By this point, you should have a strong sense of your direction and where you’ll be happiest professionally.

Tags: dream job, ideal career, job front

Looking for work? This week's job fairs and events

Sunday July 5, 2009 5:11 PM By Lucy Blatter

Monday, July 6

How to Start a Profitable Business

Location: Slate, 54 W. 21st St.

Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

To register: $10, contact Andrew Wong at andrew-rwong@aol.com or 317-603-7220Wednesday, July 8

Eastern Queens and Long Island Networking Group

Location: Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, 267-07 76th Ave., New Hyde Park

Time: 6-8 p.m.

To register: $20, contact Gayle Naftaly gnaftaly@accessoffice.net or 866-391-2780

Thursday, June 9

CareerBuilder.com’s New York City Career Fair

Location: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St.

Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

To register: Free, register at CareerBuilder.com

Thursday, June 9

Business Financing Fair

Location: Shabazz Center, 3940 Broadway, at 165th St.

Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

To register: Free, registration required, contact Yahaira Nunez ynunez@seedco.org or 917-493-7243

(Lizbette Ocasio-Russe)

Tags: job fairs, career fairs, new york job fairs, new jobs, looking for work, job posting

Dress for interview success

Sunday July 5, 2009 4:52 PM By Lucy Blatter

Lina Henao, creative director of Bijoux Terner, said a simple, classic suit and bold embellishments make a great interview ensemble.

By Lucy Cohen Blatter

Sure, you want to wow interviewers with your expertise, charisma and charm, but you also need to have the right look.

Lina Henao, creative director at accessories company Bijoux Terner, offered simple tips for looking like a million bucks without spending a fortune.

Stay neutral, but accessorize with personal style

Henao suggested wearing traditional-style suits in classic colors to be on the safe side.

For men, she suggested neutral-color shirts as well.

“But, you don’t want to look boring,” she warned. “So you can have a plain black suit, but add some accessories. Look for accessories in colors you feel comfortable in that look good on you,” she said.

She recommended women wear silk scarves and tops to add color. “Those give an updated look and a touch of color.”

For men, she suggested a tie with color, so as not to look too somber.

Also, wear nice cuff links that match your tie — that shows attention to detail.

“Don’t fall prey to trends. You want things you feel comfortable in,” she said.Coordinate with the office environment

Always keep the job environment in mind when planning your outfit.

If you’re interviewing at a law firm or formal office, you’ll want to dress rather conservatively. If it’s a design job you’re looking for, show off your personal style. “If you’re a fashionista, you’re going to want to look for something really bold,” Henao said.

“Some companies are strict on dress code, though, so research before,” she said.

Know when to splurge and save

Henao suggested both men and women splurge on a classic, simple suit. You can even get one that’ll work from season to season.

“Look for one that fits you really well,” she advised.

Shoes should also be a splurge, she said. “You want to go for something that’s fashionable, and neutral — something that goes well with the suit.”

When it comes to accessories and tops, though, look for bargains. “Look for quality, craftsmanship and thread. The brand doesn’t matter,” Henao said. “If they are well-made and sewn properly, they hold their shape and that will show.”

Tags: interview outfit, dressing for a interview, job interview, job front

amNewYork letters to the editor

Sunday July 5, 2009 3:53 PM By Sara Baumberger

Planes and birds can share the skies

Re Andy Bellizzi, “Get rid of the dangerous geese,” July 2-5: Just what would he suggest — remove every bird from the skies? Not only is it not certain that it was a goose that was involved in the latest “incident” referred to, but the Port Authority’s vile gassing of resident Canada geese is far from an answer to any perceived problem. Birds and planes have been sharing the skies since the first plane was launched. One plane goes down — with no casualties, thanks to an experienced pilot — and the answer is immediately to kill. It never occurs to selfish humans that perhaps there are just too many planes in the sky!

— Teresa D’Amico, Manhattan

Enough with the Jackson stories

I’m sick of hearing about Michael Jackson, his various ex-wives, his various plastic surgeries and his drug cocktails. The country is in a recession and soldiers are being killed in Iraq, yet Michael Jackson’s death has been a headline for the past week. Only here can an accused pedophile and drug addict be worshipped like he’s the Messiah.

— Leonard Wilson, Jamaica

Can’t blame Palin for leaving job

How can you blame Sarah Palin for quitting? She can’t step out of her front door these days without being sued for conflict of interest. She’s done more as governor of Alaska than most politicians do in their entire careers. She’s certainly better than our governor.

— Michael Chimenti, Oakland Gardens

Tags: letters to the editor

Viral Video: Living with first-person shooter disease

Sunday July 5, 2009 2:49 PM By Ryan Chatelain

Gene has a disease. His motor skills are limited to those of a character in a shoot-’em-up video game.

Tags: viral video, first-person shooter disease

Some slices of American pie for the Fourth of July

Wednesday July 1, 2009 8:31 PM By Ryan Chatelain

California’s paying its employees with Mickey Mouse money.

That’s America.

Minnesota has a new senator, just in time for his re-election campaign.

That’s America.

Mississippi is still the fattest, but Alabama’s closing the flab gap fast.

That’s America.

Mark Sanford is suffering from a dual addiction — one to other women and another to blabbing about it.

That’s America.Willie Mays lived longer than Billy Mays did, but he couldn’t shout as loud.

That’s America.

Vibe’s vibe says quit publishing a hip-hop magazine.

That’s America.

Lear is filing for bankruptcy, but it’s the car-seat Lear not the jet-plane Lear. The jet-plane Lear is already owned by Canadians.

That’s America.

Six years after the Iraq invasion, U.S. troops are coming home.

That’s America.

Karl Malden proved that even a plain-looking guy could be an Oscar-winning movie star.

That’s America.

A third of the workers may be illegal: No wonder those American Apparel hoodies are cheap!

That’s America.

Tailed by the U.S. Navy, suspected North Korean weapons ship Kang Nam is headed back to harbor with who-knows-what aboard.

That’s America.

Smokers get another excuse not to quit: FDA says some anti-smoking drugs can drive you crazy (if quitting smoking doesn’t do it).

That’s America.

We still don’t have a health care plan, an energy plan or a bunch of other desperately needed plans.

That’s America.

Simon Cowell is offered $144 million to stay on “American Idol.”

That’s America.

The private sector shed another 473,000 jobs in June.

That’s America.

Michael Jackson’s memorial will never be at Neverland.

That’s America.

The Jackson family fight over Michael’s millions is already getting rough. First to court? Mother, Katherine Jackson, who’s demanding that she be in charge of her late son’s trust.

That’s America.

Diana Ross finds herself in an unfamiliar position, singing backup. Michael’s 2002 will says if something happens to his mom, Diana, 65, gets custody of Prince Michael, 12; Paris Michael Katherine, 11; and Prince Michael II, 7.

That is America.

E-mail ellis@henican.com.

Follow at twitter.com/Henican.

Tags: ellis henican

So who was Henry Hudson?

Wednesday July 1, 2009 8:07 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Perrie Samotin

The river, the valley, the highway — all integral parts of New York’s landscape that share Henry Hudson as their namesake.

While most of us are aware of Hudson’s stature as an explorer, maybe we’ve forgotten (or never knew) the events that led to landmarks being christened with his name.

We spoke with James Nevius who, along with his wife, Michelle, leads walking tours of New York City, about why we’re celebrating Henry Hudson.

In basic terms, what was Hudson’s greatest achievement?

Discovering New York, which was an accident. He was looking for a Northeast Passage to the Orient.

How did he find it?

After two failed voyages in search of the passage he was hired by the Dutch East India Company. Against orders, he revised his course and sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean, into what’s now the New York Harbor.What were some historical ramifications of his discovery?

The biggest is the Dutch colonization of New York. He was working for a Dutch company. After finding the harbor, he reported back that it was a good find. It was teeming with beaver (a valuable commodity), which drew Dutch settlers.

What’s a little-known fact about Hudson’s voyage?

The day Hudson seized New York Harbor was actually Sept. 11, 1609. That’s the actual anniversary.

What ultimately became of Hudson?

Still looking for a way to the Orient, he went on a fourth voyage. Hudson was a bad captain — he was headstrong and didn’t listen to his crew. Eventually the crew decided to mutiny and put Hudson and his son into a boat and set it adrift. They were never heard from again.

If he was a bad captain, why such a celebration?

There’d be no New York if he hadn’t thought the Hudson River was a shortcut to the Orient.

James and Michelle Nevius are the authors of “Inside the Apple: A Streetwise History of New York City.”

Henry Hudson: Fast facts

Circa 1565

Little is known about Hudson’s early life, but historians assume he was born around this time in London, England.

Previous failures

Between 1607 and 1608, Hudson was hired twice by Russia's Muscovy Company to find the Northwest Passage. While he did happen upon a series of small islands, he didn't find what he was looking for.

What led him to New York

To find the passage, the Dutch East India Company instructed Hudson to sail around the Arctic Ocean north of Russia, into the Pacific and into to the Far East. Not wanting to deal with the ice that plagued all his previous voyages, Hudson revised his route, eventually — and quite accidentally — sailing into New York Harbor.

(Perrie Samotin)

Photo: A bust of Henry Hudson in his upstate namesake city. (Rolando Pujol)

Tags: henry hudson, history

Cheers to the Fourth! Where to get your patriotic drink on

Wednesday July 1, 2009 7:21 PM By Rolando Pujol

Good times at The Patriot Saloon in TriBeCa (RJ Mickelson/amNY)

By Alexis Korman

Special to amNewYork

Just in time for July Fourth, here’s a rundown of a few patriotic party spots to help you imbibe on Independence Day weekend and beyond. God bless America!

Harry’s at Water Taxi Beach

2-01 Borden Ave., Long Island City, 877-974-6998

“You don’t have to leave the city to have fun on July Fourth,” says Tom Fox, of Harbor Experience Cos., which owns this popular, bare-bones party spot.

“We’ve got hot dogs, burgers, sand, sun, music, beer, and tropical drinks.”

This year, $10 will get you into their Fourth of July extravaganza (free before 8 p.m.).

The Pony Bar

637 10th Ave., 212-586-2707

You might not want to be caught dead near Times Square, but this new spot may be worth the trip. Decorated with Neil Young photos and wooden barrels, the bar focuses on $5 U.S. craft brews — no foreign suds here.Pier Maritime 66 (Formerly The Frying Pan)

Pier 66 at W. 26th St.,

no phone

It’s hard to imagine this boat as a once-submerged lightship, but that was its fate until it was salvaged and brought to New York in the 1980s. Today, the boat is one of the liveliest party locations around.

On the Fourth, there’s an an exclusive party (for $200 a ticket, benefiting historic ship restoration) with premium views of the fireworks.

The Patriot Saloon

110 Chambers St., 212-748-1162

Expect American flags, grubby bras and ties hanging from the ceiling, as well as country music blasting from the jukebox and scantily clad bartenders pouring cheap drinks. The vibe is 100 percent American roadhouse.

Hearth

403 E. 12th St., 646-602-1300

The bar area at this East Village restaurant harbors a little secret: In honor of Obama’s move to bring back the White House cocktail hour, chef Marco Canora is offering a presidential cocktail party every Wednesday from 6-10 p.m.

“We can’t think of a better way to get people to come together,” says Hearth’s mixologist, Kelley Slagle.

Southern Hospitality

1460 Second Ave., 212-249-1001

Elvis posters and neon beer signs help make this joint all-American. On the Fourth of July weekend, specials will include $3 beers such as Miller and Coors, $6 frozen drinks and cheap snacks.

Rodeo Bar

375 Third Ave., 212-683-6500

Live country and bluegrass music and a down-home vibe make this place all-American. The July Fourth celebration will feature a surprise band and drink deals ($4 drafts and $6 margaritas.)

Tags: bars, holiday traditions

July 4th fireworks honor Henry Hudson

Wednesday July 1, 2009 7:02 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Anastasia Economides

Special to amNewYork

When Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor in 1609, he and his crew aboard the Half Moon could never have imagined the nation’s largest fireworks display would honor his trip 400 years later — or, for that matter, have conceived of the city that would grow around it.

The 33rd annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks are honoring Hudson’s arrival, which led to the establishment of New Amsterdam, which in 1664 would become New York.

“We are pleased by the celebration. It’s a symbol of Dutch-American relations, the arrival of the Dutch,” said Gajus Scheltema, consul general of the Netherlands in New York, who will attend Saturday’s show.

The evening’s spectacle will end with bursts of red, white and blue fireworks shaped like tulips — flowers that symbolize Dutch heritage.The Dutch brought the [idea of] entrepreneurship with their trades, something which is very characteristic of New York and the United States. These are the basic values that we still share,” Scheltema said.

To honor Hudson, this year’s barges will be positioned in the Hudson River for the first time since 2000 — a boon to West Siders, who normally have to make the trek over to the FDR Drive to see the East River show.

Fireworks will explode to the festive tune of patriotic classics performed by the New York Pops.

Celebrities such as Rob Thomas, Jewel, theater and television star Audra McDonald and Tony winning-actress Idina Menzel are set to perform.

The 26-minute spectacle will feature some never-before-seen pyrotechnic effects, as well as some traditional favorites.

The nautical shells — where fireworks hover above the water — are back in action this year. Saturn shells with interlocking rings will float and fade into sparkle dust.

The new “ghost” shells will fool the viewer into thinking the illuminations are achieved by disappearing for a few seconds before reappearing.

The customary one-mile-long shower of gold sparkles, known as “Macy’s Golden Mile,” will be accompanied this year by the first-ever “Silver Mile.”

Fast facts

* 9:20 p.m.: Show begins

* 40,000 fireworks

* 6 barges positioned side by side

* 26: The length in blocks the boats will occupy, from 24th Street to 50th Street

* 1,500 fireworks per minute, at 1,000 feet high

Public access points,

along 11th Avenue

* 24th Street

* 26th Street through 30th Street

* 34th Street

* 40th through 44th Street

* 47th Street through 52nd Street

* 54th Street through 57th Street

Bacteria at Brooklyn dog runs linked to pet deaths

Wednesday July 1, 2009 6:43 PM By Heather Haddon

Aaron Goodman, of Williamsburg, lost his rat terrier, Parker, to Leptospirosis last week.

By Heather Haddon

Parker died by playing in the places he loved.

The 6-year-old rat terrier dog is believed to have caught Leptospirosis, a fast-moving illness transmitted through water infected by rat or mice urine. Doctors suspect that the dog contracted the disease from one of North Brooklyn's dog runs, which have been awash in mud and stagnant puddles during June's heavy rains.

Within days, Parker went from scampering in his Williamsburg home, to suffering from kidney failure so severe that he had to be euthanized last Sunday. No details were available about the other dog.

“It's horrible,” said Aaron Goodman, 29, Parker's owner. “You don't hear the pitter-patter of his toenails on the floor. There is no dog cuddling next to me on the couch.”At least two healthy dogs from the area died from Leptospirosis in the last two weeks, which has alarmed those frequenting the three dog runs in Greenpoint and Williamsburg.

“It's really scary,” said Rebecca Wendfeldt, 38, as her three pooches played in the McCarren Park dog run Wednesday. “To think about my dog potentially dying, it makes me cry.”

City Health Department officials are investigating the two deaths, a spokeswoman said.

The city reported 17 infections among dogs in 2007, with two cases linked to Prospect Park, according to the most recent city data. Last year, officials notified Brooklyn veterinarians to watch for the disease.

“It's a public health concern,” said Dr. Orlando Diaz, a Williamsburg vet who cared for the two deceased canines. “Both were young dogs and the infection was so acute.”

In rare cases, humans can contract Leptospirosis through open wounds or by swimming in infected waters. The disease typically causes flu-like systems in humans. In dogs, it prompts vomiting, diarrhea and jaundice, and grows fatal without immediate treatment.

“He wasn't eating. His skin turned yellow,” Goodman said about Parker. “They just couldn't do anything for him.”

Dog runs in Greenpoint and Williamsburg lack fresh water and suffer from poor drainage, which owners believe could have contributed to the outbreak.

“It's a big problem,” said Katharine Spector, 28, a golden retriever owner. “We have to be wary.”

Shayndi Raice contributed to this story.

Tags: dogs, williamsburg, health

City Living: Crown Heights

Wednesday July 1, 2009 6:42 PM By Rolando Pujol

Photos by Marie Claire Andrea (More images in Thursday's edition of amNewYork)

By James Yolles

Special to amNewYork

For a glimpse of Crown Heights, stand on a weekday afternoon outside the Kingston Avenue subway station, where residents stream onto Eastern Parkway, Frederick Law Olmsted’s sweeping, tree-lined boulevard that divides the large central Brooklyn neighborhood roughly in half.

There, Haitians, Hasidic Lubavitch Jews, African-Americans and whites emerge from the station. They head home, onto quiet streets of row homes, apartment buildings and housing projects, and onto avenues peppered with curried goat restaurants and kosher fish shops. The pulse of reggae music fills the air as traditionally dressed Lubavitchers go to pray. The diversity of Crown Heights’ population and streets alone makes it worth a visit.

It’s a neighborhood filled with promise, yet still working to turn a corner since the racially fueled riots of 1991.

The geography and makeup of Crown Heights can be confusing. The neighborhood straddles two community boards, two City Council districts and two police precincts. In every case, Eastern Parkway is the divider. Though technically part of one large neighborhood, these two areas have little to do with each other.

“This neighborhood has worked hard to pull itself up to get going in the right direction,” said Suzanne Spellen, a Crown Heights community activist. “The glory days are not behind us because we’re really in our glory days now.”Essential Visit

The Chassidic Discovery Tour

305 Kingston Ave., 718-953-5244, jewishtours.com

This is a unique opportunity to step inside a world most New Yorkers know little about. A rabbi will guide you through life in the Lubavitch community, among other interesting features.

Real Estate

Like many other neighborhoods, Crown Heights real estate was hit hard by the economic downturn. An example can be found on East New York Avenue, where vacant condos that were supposed to sell for $250,000-$350,000 were obtained by the city to house homeless families. Additionally, many Crown Heights residents who were priced out of Manhattan are now moving back since prices have fallen in the recession, said Greg Todd, an associate broker with The Corcoran Group in Fort Greene. Still, Todd says that he sees strong potential in Crown Heights.

To rent

$600

Studio on St. Marks Avenue with lots of light

$1,000

One-bedroom on St. Johns Place, completely renovated, two blocks from the No. 3 train

$1,650

Two-bedroom on Dean Street, newly renovated, on landmarked block

To buy

$318,000

Studio duplex condo on Park Place, completely renovated, on quiet block

$398,000

Two-bedroom condo on Park Place, new construction, in elevator building

$650,000

Two-family house on Lincoln Place, needs some work, one block from the No. 3 train

Contact: Greg Todd, The Corcoran Group, 718-496-5139

To Play

Places to meet friends, have a drink and relax are few and far between in Crown Heights. A recent influx of young residents has led to the opening of a few spots that have helped invigorate the nightlife scene.

Tavern on Nostrand

813 Nostrand Ave., 718-778-7160

Half a block into Crown Heights South, Tavern on Nostrand is a popular 4-year-old dining and after-work drinks spot that came under new ownership in March. There is an intimate, neighborhood feel at the bar, where Tuesday-Friday happy hours offer $5 well drinks and $4 beers. An owner said a name change is coming soon.

Washington Commons

434 Park Pl., at Washington Ave., 718-230-3666

You have to look carefully for this low-key bar on a Washington Avenue corner. The only indicator that there’s something going on inside is the small chalkboard listing happy-hour specials. The newly opened bar features a generous 3-8 p.m. happy hour seven days a week, where it’s $2 off all drinks. Instead of the usual standbys, there are 16 rotating beers on tap from Cooperstown, Chicago, Germany, Belgium and Vermont, among other places.

Franklin Park

618 St. Johns Pl., 718-975-0196

Part old mechanic’s garage, part outdoor beer garden, Franklin Park has a typically laid-back Brooklyn feel, partially thanks to the music (think Mark Ronson and Marvin Gaye). The beer garden is routinely packed on summer weekends, where many patrons sip Sixpoint Craft Ales from Red Hook.

Though there are a surprising number of restaurants in Crown Heights, few manage to stand out, but here are several worth a visit.

Abigail Café and Wine Bar

807 Classon Ave., 718-399-3200

This bright, airy spot, which opened a year ago, offers a diverse, affordable selection of wines and tap beers, along with an ambitious menu that often hits the mark. The roasted monkfish with a pea puree and roasted radishes is a refreshing summer dish. Abigail also offers a jazz brunch, and holds various weekly events that are detailed on the Web site.

Chavella’s

732 Classon Ave., 718-622-3100, cash only

This small Mexican restaurant serves flavorful food to a neighborhood crowd. In the tacos ($3), the vegetables are fresh, and the sauces are vibrant.

David’s Brisket House and Deli

533 Nostrand Ave., no phone

Though it’s just over the Atlantic Avenue border into Bedford-Stuyvesant, this old-school joint is worth mentioning. Inside this narrow, informal spot, you’ll taste some of the best pastrami and brisket sandwiches ($7.50) outside of Katz’s in Manhattan. Thinly sliced brisket, doused with juices, on rye with mustard and a pickle from David’s is a true New York City lunch.

The Islands

803 Washington Ave., 718-398-3575, cash only

There are a seemingly infinite number of West Indian restaurants serving jerk chicken and other specialties in Crown Heights, but this one is the best. You might have to wait for a seat at this restaurant across Eastern Parkway from the Brooklyn Museum, but it’s worth it. If you’re looking for an authentic taste of West Indian Crown Heights, order the jerk chicken platter ($8) and a Ting — grapefruit soda — to drink.

Q&A

Valerie Bowers, a 65-year-old former librarian, has lived in a three-story row house on Dean Street in Crown Heights since 1949.

What was the neighborhood’s character and flavor like when you were growing up?

It was more integrated. There were more white people. They’re starting to move back now. … You had bakeries, butcher shops, individual greengrocers and ice cream parlors. We didn’t have to leave the neighborhood to shop for clothing, which you do now. It was just a safe, friendly place to live.

Are there still remnants of that Crown Heights?

With all the crime problems we had in the ’70s and ’80s, this has been a stable community. So many of the properties have been passed down by families through generations. I still know my neighbors on either side from a long time ago. It’s not a transient place.

Is there anything you’d like to change?

Nostrand Avenue. I would like to see a better variety of commercial stores. I don’t know how many roti shops, how many nail shops there are, but there’s hardly any variety.

What do you think attracts people to this area?

The neighborliness. It’s a real community.

If someone had a few hours to spend in Crown Heights, what would you suggest they do?

Walk around. I would go down Dean Street, turn right at New York Avenue, and just look at the houses.

To Shop

Again, the lack of quality retail in Crown Heights is a concern, but the diversity of the neighborhood results in a variety of stores that add flavor to the neighborhood.

Beri Outlet

500 Prospect Pl., 718-622-3494

The outlet store for Dumbo’s Bluberi and Prospect Heights’ Redberi sells fashionable off-season vintage and designer women’s clothing, bags, shoes and jewelry. Clothing is up to 60 percent off, bags up to 50 percent, shoes up to 40 percent and jewelry up to 30 percent.

Judaica World of Crown Heights

329 Kingston Ave., 718-604-1020,

judaica-world.com

A block from the Lubavitch headquarters is Judaica World, one of the best places for Jewish items in New York City. It sells, among other items, menorahs, mezuzahs, Sabbath candleholders, yarmulkes, and Jewish books and music.

Raskin’s Fish Market

320 Kingston Ave., 718-756-9521,

raskinfish.com

Since 1961, Raskin’s has offered a wide variety of fresh kosher fish, pickled vegetables and other Jewish specialties. This is a taste of the real old Jewish New York that, for the most part, long ago left the Lower East Side.

Brooklyn Beverage Barn

1423 Bedford Ave., 718-783-0101

Another former auto garage turned drink-themed establishment, Brooklyn Beverage Barn has a selection of beers from breweries such as Flying Dog, Dogfish Head, and St. Peter’s — a rarity in Crown Heights.

To See

Weeksville Heritage Center

1698 Bergen St., 718-756-5250

Three historic homes from one of the first free black communities in the country still stand in the northeastern section of Crown Heights. Named for James Weeks, who bought the land in 1838, the village was once home to about 500 residents.

Brooklyn Children’s Museum

145 Brooklyn Ave., 718-735-4400

The attractive museum features child-friendly exhibits that teach visitors about Brooklyn, its ethnic groups and cuisines. Children can also learn about area stream and woodland creatures and see live frogs. A performance theater, gift shop and cafe are within.

Jewish Children’s Museum

792 Eastern Parkway, 718-467-0600

This is a state-of-the-art, hands-on environment where children can learn about the Jewish faith, traditions, holidays and kosher foods. They can also eat at a kosher deli.

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Pkwy., 718-638-5000

Housed inside a grand, 1895 Beaux-Arts building, this is the second-largest art museum in the city. It features permanent collections of paintings by prominent artists, ancient Egyptian works, and masks from Africa and the Pacific Islands.

Grant Square

Bedford Avenue at Dean Street

See several pieces of historic Crown Heights here: a statue of Ulysses S. Grant on horseback, the former Unity League Club headquarters and several examples of classic Crown Heights North architecture.

Tags: city living, crown heights, brooklyn, real estate, shopping, architecture, history, restaurants, nightlife

Picnics go gourmet

Wednesday July 1, 2009 6:35 PM By Lucy Blatter

Braeburn's picnic options are vast.

By Linda Perney

Special to amNewYork

With Fourth of July looking you right in the eye, the summer picnic

season is well underway.

This year, make it easy on yourself: Let someone else pack the lunches.

Here, a choice of restaurants around town that’ll pack up an al-fresco meal at the drop of an order.

Bouchon Bakery (Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 212-823-9357)

has two summer picnic totes. The first offers breakfast for two, with

a choice of croissants, muffins and scones with preserves and butter,

and a choice of orange juice, coffee or tea, for $32. (Note: Allow 24-

hours advance notice when ordering breakfast). The picnic tote for

two offers a choice of cheese plate, salmon rillette or pate with a

baguette and assorted macarons, plus a choice of Gus sodas, all for $45.

Boqueria SoHo (171 Spring St., 212-343-4255) and Boqueria Flatiron (53 W. 19th St., 212-255-4160) offer a picnic with a Spanish accent. Baskets come with a choice of two Spanish cheeses, two

Spanish cured meats, two bocatas, such as chef Seamus Mullen’s Bocata de

Butifarra Blanca (grilled white Spanish sausage sandwich with caramelized onions, and grainy mustard on toasted Stirato), one salad, two desserts and a bottle of mineral water. The picnics come in a canvas bag for $25 per person and can be ordered ahead of time by calling either location.South Gate (154 Central Park South; 212-484-5120), just outside

Central Park, offers a picnic bag that includes a choice of gourmet salad or sandwich, like the Griddled Chicken Sourdough (St. André cheese, bacon and beet-stained chips), Voss bottled water, and house-made chocolate chip and black gold cookies. Picnics cost $19.95 per person and orders can be placed by phone or made in-

person 15 minutes ahead of time.

AQ Kafé (1800 Broadway at Columbus Circle; 212-462-0005), will pack a boxed lunch of salad or sandwich such as Peppercorn Salami and Goat

Cheese (herb mustard, arugula, on whole wheat), side, beverage and dessert, all for $14.95 per person. And if you ned something to do while you work on that sandwich, AQ Kafé will throw in a free Frisbee for orders of four or more. Walk-in orders are welcome.

Blue Ribbon Bakery Market (14 Bedford St., 212-647-0408) has

picnic baskets that range from $100 for two to $175 for four, all to be ordered a day ahead. What’s in the baskets? A little of everything in the market, says the manager: smoked salmon, mixed olives, pickles, deviled egg, bread, cheese and honey. For dessert, there are berries and cookies.

Braeburn (117 Perry St., 212-255-0696) lets you have it your way, with an extensive picnic menu to mix and match. Entrees include braised pork rib roll – slow-cooked St. Louis ribs with crispy coleslaw — for $9, or buttermilk fried chicken for $15 per person. In addition, there are plenty of sides and starters to choose from.

Top the meal off with seasonal berries macerated in red wine and mint, and you have yourself one respectable picnic.

Susie’s Supper Club (susiessupperclub.com) prepares nutritious meals for families and delivers them throughout the city. Among the offerings: Picnic in the Park, which includes Chicken Milanese with dipping sauces, coleslaw, haricots verts and homemade biscuits ($10.50 per person). Beach Party Picnic features flank-steak sandwiches, new potato salad, sugar snap peas in sesame dressing and chocolate-chip cookies ($10.50 per person). Each is available in one of Susie’s Supper Club’s blue and white totes with bamboo utensils, plates and paper napkins. Order by 5 p.m. and your picnic basket will be delivered the next day in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Tags: picnics, july 4, restaurants

Restaurateur Q and A: Chris Potter of Dog Ear Tavern

Wednesday July 1, 2009 5:55 PM By Lucy Blatter

Dog Ear Tavern is an upscale tavern in the SoHo west area.

Dog Ear Tavern had its grand opening last month. The upscale tavern, which is located at 333 Hudson St., is poised to become a regular hangout for locals who have a shortage of decent eateries in their SoHo west location. We spoke to owner Chris Potter about his new place.

What attracted you to this neighborhood?

It’s a very busy, up-and-coming area. But it’s not great for destination dining.

I felt it was a booming neighborhood that was underdeveloped.

There a lot of small and medium business — advertising, radio, MTV, VHI — so we’re seeing a lot of groups after work.

My place is a neighborhood place, so we’re doing well.

What are the prices like?

We wanted to make it affordable to everyone. But we have some upscale items — the $21-steak goes a long way for people with expense accounts.How about the atmosphere?

It’s a comfortable, casual atmosphere. It’s somewhere where you can sit with your laptop, or bring a dinner date.

We’re also high-chair friendly. There’s a surprising number of families with kids and dogs in the neighborhood.

There’s a pool table and a dart board that goes with the theme.

What are your favorite dishes?

A good hamburger sets a tone for a menu, especially in a tough economy. We put a lot of effort into our burger. We use the finest quality meat, bread and bacon [it’s $10].

What about cocktails?

We do a daily special for $5 every day.

How has the current economic climate affected the restaurant?

There are extra difficulties now. City agencies are underfunded. They cut back on customer service. It makes it difficult to get accounts open and get the attention you need.

333 Hudson St. at Charlton Street, 212-243-3345, Open Mon.-Fri.: Lunch and Dinner,

Saturday: Dinner, Sundays starting in the fall

Tags: dog ear tavern, restaurants

Supreme second in line to look after MJ's kids

Wednesday July 1, 2009 5:53 PM By Marlene Naanes

By Marlene Naanes

Michael Jackson’s second choice for his children’s guardian is certainly “supreme.”

The King of Pop declared in his will that if his mother was unable or unwilling to care for his three children, he wanted his friend Diana Ross, the 65-year-old former lead singer of The Supremes, to be their guardian.

Jackson’s 7-year-old will was filed Wednesday in a Los Angeles court, appointing his mother Katherine, 79, as guardian and giving his entire estate to a family trust.

“The most important element of Michael’s will is his unwavering desire that his mother, Katherine, become the legal guardian for his three children,” the will’s appointed co-executors, John Branca and John McClain, said in a statement.Katherine Jackson and the children also were named as beneficiaries of the trust, completely cutting out the singer’s ex-wife, Debbie Rowe. A judge also granted the Jackson matriarch temporary control of 2,000 items at her son’s Neverland ranch, setting a hearing for Monday to determine who will have permanent control.

Even as probate proceedings moved forward, Michael Jackson’s final resting place still remained a mystery on Wednesday as California officials reportedly barred a burial at Neverland. California law allows burial at private residences only with an exemption, which would take too long to complete within the week.

The Jackson family told TMZ that neither a private or public viewing would take at Neverland. Some reports said a public memorial could take place at the Los Angeles’ Staples Center.

In other Jackson developments:

-The Jackson family was given results from the second, private autopsy, which showed that his body was lean and was riddled with injection wounds, a Jackson family lawyer told The Sun in Brtain. His head was partially covered in fuzz from losing his hair and his chest was covered in marks from vitiligo, a disorder that causes the skin to loose pigment in patches.

- Soaring sales of Jackson’s own music have pushed three of his albums to the top three spots of this week’s total album sales. "Number Ones," ''Essential Michael Jackson" and "Thriller" leapfrogged the Black Eyed Peas’ latest release.

(With AP)

(Associated Press photo)

Tags: mj, supreme, children, entertainment

Who's next? Celebrity death hoaxes spread on-line

Wednesday July 1, 2009 5:34 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

Celebrities are dropping like flies ... at least, virally.

The high-profile deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett spawned a series of celebrity death hoaxes that have fueled on-line hysteria in the last few days.

“Celebrities’ deaths are big stories,” said Robert Thompson, a pop culture expert at Syracuse University. “We are attracted to them like moths to flames.”

The ludicrous, and false, reports included:

- Keith Olbermann, of MNSBC’s “Countdown”, died Wednesday morning from complications arising from celiac disease

- Two-hit pop wonder Rick Astley died in a Berlin Hotel room- George Clooney perished in a plane crash over the Rockies

- Actors Jeff Goldblum and Natalie Portman fell to their deaths, separately, off cliffs in New Zealand

- Harrison Ford died after a yacht he was sailing on caught fire

Some of the deaths, including rumors that Britney Spears and Ellen DeGeneres perished last weekend, started after hackers broke into the celebs’ Twitpic accounts. A fake “Associated Press” story Monday broke the news about Astley, whose “death” generated the third highest volume of Google searches earlier this week. The Wikipedia page for “Countdown” listed Olbermann’s death.

With network TV waning in significance, Internet buzz has begun to drive water-cooler talk, Thompson said. Tweeting has also fanned the rumors faster than the infamous “Paul is dead” hoax about Paul McCartney in 1968.

“We reach for stuff that could be true, because it may be more interesting than what is,” Thompson said.

“It gives people a sense of being alive, instead of just going about their work days,” said Diana Kirschner, a psychologist in Manhattan and an author.

Tags: celebrities, michael jackson, entertainment

amNewYork Letters to the Editor

Wednesday July 1, 2009 5:24 PM By Sara Baumberger

Why no reporting on Cap-and-Trade bill?

Why is it that this paper will dedicate an entire page to Michael Jackson, but does not dedicate any space to the cap-and-trade bill that will affect every American in this country? If this bill passes the Senate in its current form, anyone selling a house will not be able to sell it until an EPA inspector inspects the house to see if it meets the efficiency standards. If it doesn’t, the seller cannot sell the house until they’ve made the upgrades. The efficiency standards can also be changed at any time by the federal government.

— Sean Urban, Rego Park

Finally, extended No. 5 service

Thank you, MTA, for the long-awaited satisfactory service on the No. 5 Flatbush Avenue service. For years, I have stood and waited while several No. 4 trains to Crown Heights came and the lone No. 5 also was headed to Crown Heights. Finally, we are getting the service we pay for. I hope it continues. I really don’t mind paying the additional fare, if the service warrants it. Once again, thank you.

— Paula Henry, East Flatbush

Get rid of the dangerous geese

Almost another crash? How many times does this problem of airplanes being struck by birds have to happen before something will be done? Why is it OK to hunt and shoot pheasant, quail, crows, etc., and kill chickens but not the geese?

— Andy Bellizzi, North Bergen, N.J.

Tags: letters to the editor

For foodies: Dining briefs

Wednesday July 1, 2009 4:43 PM By Lucy Blatter

230 Fifth's rooftop brunch will be available all year round.

Easily find the best wine deals: Zagat.com has paired with wine expert Kevin Zraly for “Your Sommelier,” a program that guides users to wine deals at 100 of the city’s top restaurants. Zraly pored over wine lists to give followers a percentage of each restaurant’s under-$100 bottled and under-$50 bottles (at Landmarc, for example 78 percent of bottles are under $100). The program also spotlights “Bang for the Buck” menus such as The Oak Room’s “50 under $50”,” and “Buy by the Glass” — a guide to the best by-the-glass values.

It’s the 1980s at Gotham Bar and Grill: To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the restaurant will serve original dishes at original prices every Sunday night this summer. Throwbacks to the ‘80s include a $12 appetizer of goat cheese ravioli with roast tomato, pancetta, and basil, a $17 lobster pasta served with fettuccini, basil, Maine lobster Bolognese sauce, a $24 hangar steak entrée with creamed spinach, crisp potatoes, and bordelaise sauce and desserts such as a $7 vanilla crème brulee with fresh raspberries and sugar cookies.

12 E. 12th St, 212-620-4020230 Fifth’s year-round outdoor rooftop brunch: Manhattan’s largest rooftop bar will offer a “Champagne Party Brunch,” from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. for the next 52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays, on its 14,000 square foot palm-punctuated roof deck. The brunch, featuring more than 40 dishes mostly priced between $8-$12, is divided into eight categories of dishes, such as “For Skinny People” featuring a $12 “Liquored Up” French Toast with Grand Marnier, Bailey’s, mascarpone, maple syrup, and carmelized bananas.

Eleven different kinds of egg and omelette preparations will be offered, such as an East Coast oyster, cilantro, chili, vinegar and bean sprout filling served with fries. Southeast Asian dishes such as the $15 nasi lemark, the national breakfast of Malaysia, comprised of curried chicken over coconut simmered rice topped with a slow, poached egg, sambal and pickles. Classic options include the $11 super grilled three cheese with gruyere, mild cheddar and mozzarella served with fries or salad. True to its name the brunch also features four specialty cocktails and six Champagnes.

230 Fifth Ave. btwn 26th and 27th sts, 212-725-4300

Summer Restaurant Week to kick off with cast of "Hair": NYC Restaurant Week Summer 2009 will kick off Thursday, July 9, from 12-2 p.m. at The Shops at Columbus Circle in the Time Warner Center. The free event will include VIP tastings from five NYC Restaurant Week eateries — Tribeca Grill, Porter House New York, Spice Market, Bice Ristorante and DB Bistro Moderne — and a performance by the Tony Award-winning Broadway cast members of "Hair" at 12:45 p.m. Restaurant Week will take place from July 12-31; excluding Saturdays. As usual, prices for the program will remain at $24.07 for three-course prix-fixe lunches and $35 for three-course prix-fixe dinners.

(Emily Mathis and Lucy Cohen Blatter)

Tags: gotham, zagat, kevin zraly, 230 fifth, restaurants

Katz's: Stepping on history

Wednesday July 1, 2009 3:13 PM By Rolando Pujol

Certain features of Katz's Delicatessen are famous, including the signs from World War II that suggest that you "send a salami to your boy in the army." Of course, the old neon sign outside is legendary, along with the mural on the side of the building.

But there's one spot that visitors probably never look at that deserves a few moments of attention. During your next visit to Katz's, look down at the terrazzo flooring outside of the entrance and notice how beautifully worn down it is. The words "Katz's" and "205," for 205 E. Houston St., have been stepped on countless times over the decades. The worn surface is a testament not only to the longevity of this New York institution, but to its incredible popularity.

-- Rolando Pujol

Tags: katz's delicatessen, endangered nyc, signs

Michael Jackson pub crawl to be held in Village

Wednesday July 1, 2009 3:13 PM By Julie Gordon

Michael Jackson. Top row, L-R: 1971, 1977, 1979. Bottom row, L-R: 1983, 1987, and 1990. Jackson has died in Los Angeles at age 50 on Thursday. (AP)

Don't stop 'til you get enough (booze that is).

The Village Pourhouse and surrounding bars are hosting a King of Pop Pub Crawl on July 11 in memory of Michael Jackson. All bars along the route will sell $1 Bud Light drafts, $2 well drinks and two-for-one "Black or White" cocktails (black and tans). Tickets cost $20 and are available by clicking here.

The day will end with an organized "Thriller" dance at SideBAR at 5 p.m. Drink specials will then go on until 8.

Here's the schedule for the day:

Village Pourhouse :11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bar None: 1 to 2 p.m.

Finnerty's: 2 to 3 p.m.

Kingshead 3 to 4 p.m.

Still: 4 to 5 p.m.

SideBAR: 5 to 8 p.m.

Tags: entertainment, bars

Viral Video: Police surprised by squirrel in cleavage

Wednesday July 1, 2009 2:40 PM By Ryan Chatelain

Ohio police were questioning a woman in a murder investigation when a baby squirrel popped out of her top.

Tags: viral video