Gothamist

Pencil This In

Jen Carlson — 2008-12-04T13:03:08-05:00

EVENT: Invoke your inner Charlotte tonight and save poor Wilbur here from a wretched fate by attending this "Winter Wonderland" fundraiser for The Farm Sanctuary, which rescues animals from the misery of industrial agriculture and gives them new lives on an upstate farm near Watkins Glen. Tonight's bash features fancy cocktails and gourmet hors d'oeuvres from local vegan restaurants, pastry chefs and caterers. $100 washes Wilbur's blood from your hands and gets you in to rub elbows with promised attendees like Laurie Anderson, Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and—wait for it—License to Drive star Corey Feldman. – John Del Signore

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. // The Art Directors Club [106 W 29th St] // Call (607) 583-2225, ext. 221 for tickets.

FOOD: Are you casserole crazy? Who isn't! Tonight the Brooklyn Kitchen invites you to join Emily Farris in their third and final Casserole Tasting and Book Signing. Blue Angel Wines will bring some samples to pair with comfort food. They add: "Please bring any non-perishable foods you can spare to the store for the food drive, and we will be matching all cash donations made in our donation jar."

6:30 p.m. // The Brooklyn Kitchen [616 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn] // Free

ART: Chelsea Art Galleries takes a look at Kate Manheim’s first solo NYC show, saying: "Famous for her work with Richard Foreman’s Ontological-Hysteric Theatre in the 1980’s, Kate Manheim’s artwork explores many of the theoretical concepts, dualities and the blurry lines in between that she first embodied in her on-stage characters." The show kicks off tonight (running through January 24th) with an opening reception, and was curated by John Zorn.

6 to 8 p.m. // CUE Art Foundation [511 W 25th St] // Free

MUSIC: The Teenagers (they've got that tribute to Scar-Jo called "Starlett Johansson"), Heloise & The Savoir Faire and Lissy Trullie take the stage at Music Hall tonight. A worthy lineup that should keep you out of trouble for the night.

8 p.m. // Music Hall of Williamsburg [66 North Sixth St, Brooklyn] // $15

Assistant Principal Charged With "Fixing" Exam Answers

Jen Chung — 2008-12-04T12:47:25-05:00

With more focus being put on public schools improving standardized test scores, should we be surprised that a high school administrator is accused of falsifying answers? Department of Education investigators say that High School for Contemporary Arts Assistant Principal Ruth Ralston "brazenly erased 1,000 wrong answers on her students' algebra Regents exams and swapped them for the correct responses," according to the Post." The NY Times reports someone noticed that "1,013 multiple-choice answers had been erased and changed — in 94 percent of the cases, from incorrect to correct." Suspicion fell on Ralston, who held the uncorrected exams after students took them and before they were graded. She had also been told her $109K/year job might be eliminated due to budget cuts--"while a high passing rate on the exam might not save her job, 'it could help her search for a new position.'" (The Post says she's still working there three days a week.)

Top Chef Tries Out for Today Show

Jen Chung — 2008-12-04T12:30:23-05:00

It was an episode full of corporate synergy! Sort of reminiscent of when Project Runway designers had to create an outfit for Today Show contributor Tiki Barber, last night's episode of Top Chef had contestants develop a dish they could demonstrate on TV for the Today Show. Plus there were reminders that the chefs are using...GE Monogram appliances in the kitchen!

First, they had to deal with a "breakfast amuse-bouche" quickfire challenge, judged by Padma Lakshmi and guest judge Rocco DiSpirito, who professed his love for bacon. The point of the exercise was to make a perfect bite of breakfast, which led to some of the chefs getting annoyed with each other and some to riff on things they liked or served their kids (hello, Ariane).

As for the TV demonstration-elimination challenge, the contestants needed to present a recipe within a short amount of time (2 minutes, 30 seconds), which more daunting than they thought. The challenge also confirmed that Daniel (the one with the weird beard who thinks Donald Trump is the richest man in NYC) is a ham-- he explained how he looked up to Bobby Flay's career and entrepreneurial skills and even threw in a little "Baba-booey." But the crowning moment was when the three best dishes were served up to actual Today Show hosts live-- there's nothing like Kathie Lee Gifford reacting badly to something! And if you want a spoiler, here's last night's winner on the Today show this morning, demonstrating the selected dish.

Granny Muggers Flee from Crime and Hail... Undercover Cop Car

Jen Chung — 2008-12-04T12:15:51-05:00

Bad story with good ending: WABC 7 reports that two men who "beat and robbed a 70-year-old woman were arrested after they mistook an undercover police car for a livery cab and tried to hail it to flee the scene." Really! Apparently the men had attacked the elderly woman in a Bronx apartment building on Tuesday, after kicking her and stealing her wallet. They ran out to the street and "noticed a light blue car and thought it was a livery cab, so they stopped, breathless on the street, and tried to hail it." But inside were undercover cops, who asked the two muggers for ID. And one of the men came up with the mugging victim's ID--then claiming he picked it up off the sidewalk. It gets better, too: They were arrested when the victim was being transported on a stretcher by EMT workers-- "The ambulance stopped near the car, and the woman identified the suspects."

Early Addition

Jen Chung — 2008-12-04T11:54:26-05:00

Photograph by Triborough on Flickr

From the Gothamist Newsmap: A person on the track at Grant City Station on Staten Island, an unruly EDP on Tillary St in Brooklyn, and a jumper down at 28 St & 2nd Ave in Manhattan.
Ambulances will take cardiac arrest patients to hospitals with "cooling therapy," because it's believed that helps "reduce chances brain damage."
A Manhattan lawyer was killed in Philadelphia, apparently by his dominatrix girlfriend's old client.
Roma pizza owner complains that his pizza's too expensive: "Four dollars I charge for that slice! It's not right. Too much!"
A Smithtown 18-year-old who crashed his car and killed three people was sentenced to 30 days. The three counts of criminally negligent homicide were dismissed by the judge.
NJ is allowing a feral hog hunt.
Regis Philbin backed his car into a police cruiser in Connecticut. The talk show host was really embarrassed and his insurer will pay damages.
Ha! Hardballer Chris Matthews really wants to run for a Senate seat in Pennsylvania--and is even considering quitting his MSNBC gig.
Congratulations to Midtown Lunch on his new addition--we expect that little Harry will know the best places for snacks and meals by the time he's 9 months.

Presented By:

2008-12-04T11:54:26-05:00

Empire State Building "Theft" Prompts Calls for Reform

John Del Signore — 2008-12-04T11:40:19-05:00

After the Daily News's recent stunt, in which reporters at the tabloid used fake documents to transfer ownership of the Empire State Building to a non-existent company, city prosecutors are calling for an overhaul on how the city register handles property transactions. As the News demonstrated, clerks in the office are not required to verify that the information on deeds and mortgages is correct, and some con artists exploit the loophole to claim ownership of properties, then cash in with illegitimate mortgages before disappearing. Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes tells the News today that there ought to be a law giving the register's office the time and power to check transactions before they're recorded. But Sam Miller, a bureaucrat at the city Finance Department, swears these fraudulent transfers "are few and far between." And more importantly, they usually don't end up on the cover the the Daily News.

Yes Viacom, There Isn't a Santa Claus

Jen Carlson — 2008-12-04T11:37:41-05:00

Photo via dorkasaurus_rex's flickr.

Kids, it's a cruel world out there. First they take away your TRL, and now this. Word is that Viacom has begun a "company-wide restructuring plan," which was announced via an email memo (after the jump) at 8:30 this morning, and means they're cutting down staff in all divisions. By the end of the corporate massacre, about 850 positions will have been eliminated. This shouldn't be too shocking considering the memos that led up to it and the fact that last year employees got royally scrooged when it came to holiday bonuses, and had to fight for their rights to insurance. But you're on notice, Redstone: Make any cuts to The City and we will cut you.

UPDATE: Gawker got their hands on a 2nd internal memo.

From: Offices of Philippe Dauman and Tom Dooley Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 08:30:19 -0500 Subject: Important Announcement

Dear Colleagues:

With less than a month until the close of 2008, our entire organization continues to do everything possible to anticipate and adapt to the unprecedented changes affecting all our businesses. We know it hasn't been easy and we couldn't be more proud or more appreciative of how you have risen to the challenge.

Even in these tough economic times, Viacom has a strong hand to play. We have a broad stable of outstanding brands, diverse revenue streams and an impressive global footprint, backed up by exceptional financial strength. Added to that we have talented employees, extremely able leaders and a creative ingenuity that runs deep.

Unfortunately, our advantages and best efforts can't completely protect Viacom from the very serious and broad-based challenges of this economic recession. Viacom's long-term health will depend on our shared commitment to adapt, to innovate and to make difficult choices. To compete and thrive, we need to create an organization and a cost structure that are in step with the evolving economic environment.

Today, we are announcing a company-wide restructuring plan that includes staffing reductions in all divisions. This will result in a reduction of our worldwide workforce of approximately 7 percent, or about 850 positions. We are also suspending salary increases for the Company's senior level management in 2009. In addition, after a comprehensive review of our operations, we will write down certain programming and other assets. These three actions will bring us significant cost savings and other efficiencies.

Top managers at every part of the company worked thoughtfully, carefully and compassionately to create a leaner, more focused organization. It was not an easy task, but it was an essential step that will keep Viacom at the competitive forefront today and tomorrow. Department heads and supervisors will provide you with more information about the changes that will be taking place in your division.

Saying goodbye to friends and colleagues is always difficult, particularly when we have shared so much. Those of you who will be leaving should be proud of your contributions, which we will always respect and appreciate. We thank you and we wish you the best.

The true measure of an organization is how it deals with change and overcomes challenges. We know that you are up to the task and that together we will push through the difficulties ahead and go on to even greater achievements.

We truly appreciate your continued commitment and hard work and we thank you for everything you do each day.

Sincerely,

Philippe and Tom

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14-Year-Old, On Way to School, Fatally Struck by School Bus

Jen Chung — 2008-12-04T11:16:29-05:00

A 14-year-old girl walking to school in Queens was killed when a school bus hit her at 57th Avenue and 92nd Street in Elmhurst around 8:10 a.m. The girl was headed to Francis Lewis High School, where she is a freshman. CityRoom reports that cops think the incident "appeared to be accidental" (the bus driver, who stayed at the scene had "no alcohol" on his breath) and adds, "It was immediately unknown, for instance, in what direction the bus was traveling and along which of the streets and it was unknown what direction the teenage girl was walking... Also unknown was whether the vehicle was traveling with or against the traffic light." The Department of Education says the school bus was not affiliated with the DOE.

Work Abruptly Halts At Atlantic Yards Site

John Del Signore — 2008-12-04T11:00:40-05:00

In a striking reversal, developer Bruce Ratner has halted work at a location that is integral to his controversial $4.2 billion plan to build a Nets basketball arena, office towers and thousands of apartments in Brooklyn. Ratner has previously insisted that work would continue despite lawsuits attempting to stop the project, even vowing to break ground on the stadium this month. Now a spokesman for his comany, Forest City Ratner, tells the Daily News that "preliminary construction" at the MTA-owned Vanderbilt Rail Yards is being put on hold.

The Daily News also points out that Ratner has yet to actually, you know, purchase the railyard from the MTA, which a spokesman also blames on ongoing litigation. In a statement, Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn spokesman Daniel Goldstein notes that the $100 million purchase price is well below the yards' $214.5 million appraised value. He contends that the halted work has less to do with litigation and more to do with the project's "dire financial situation":

There is no other way to explain why the developer has halted work on the only part of his Atlantic Yards plan unencumbered by litigation. He is delaying his own project because of a serious lack of financing. Speculation and overdevelopment are a key cause of the current economic crisis. New York City and State can no longer support Ratner's non viable and highly speculative luxury housing plan and frivolous billion dollar arena.

Forest City Ratner spokesman Joe DePlasco, of course, blames the lawsuit challenging the use of eminent domain to acquire private land at the site: "Over the last two years, we've prepared the site for the next steps. We've gone about as far as we can go at this point with preliminary work, including sewer, track, infrastructure and utility work, along with demolition."

But according to an update from the Empire State Development Corp., additional work—including debris removal and other construction—was scheduled for last week and didn't happen. One unidentified "laid off" employee tells the News that workers were told two weeks ago to finish up what work they could before a deadline last week.

Community Mourns Teen's Death in Brooklyn

Jen Chung — 2008-12-04T10:39:09-05:00

With police looking for the shooter who killed a 14-year-old in Bedford-Stuyvesant Tuesday night, his family and friends begged the community for answers. Apparently Mario Smith (also referred to as Mario Avilaz) was caught in the gunfire after a someone fired "in response to" an argument between two women. A friend said, "If you know something say something, and let's get to the bottom of this," and community activist Anthony Herbert said, "Let's go and eradicate this crime out of our community. That's the only way that it's going to get done. It can't get done by the NYPD by themselves, it's not going to get done by Mayor [Michael] Bloomberg or the governor. It's going to be done by us in the community, standing together, and making a change."

Paterson Aide Resigns Amidst SLA/Cipriani Probe

John Del Signore — 2008-12-04T10:29:10-05:00

Carl Andrews, former state senator from Brooklyn, has resigned from his $171,000-a-year job as aide to Governor Paterson in the midst of allegations that he illegally pressured the State Liquor Authority to renew liquor licenses for the Cipriani restaurants in Manhattan. After SLA Chairman Daniel Boyle (a Republican appointee) told the Post that Andrews tried to "intimidate" him into voting for the renewal, State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo launched a criminal investigation.

The Post also learned that the two Democratic appointees on the three-member SLA commission were given the use of state-owned cars after approving the Cipriani application. Which doesn't look good.

In an interview with the Post last night, Andrews denied that he was falling on his sword because of the Cuomo investigation: "My leaving is something that I've wanted to do. It's a plan that I've had and I'm implementing it." And he continued to insist that he did not apply "illegal pressure" on Boyle to vote for the Ciprianis. As of January 1st Andrews will start his own political consulting and lobbying firm (naturally).

The question now is whether any of this will blow back on Governor Paterson, which could potentially give New Yorkers their second governor resignation in a year. Just to be on the safe side, let's get to know our current Lieutenant Governor—oh no!

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Sparkles for the Season

Jen Chung — 2008-12-04T10:06:23-05:00

Last night, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree's lights were turn on for the holidays. With 30,000 lights on 5 miles of wire and a 750-pound star at top, it dazzled the crowd. A family of Hurricane Katrina survivors whose new home was partly built by lumber from an old Rock Center tree was on hand for the lighting; mother Tracey Davison told the AP, "It's been an awesome experience. I have a famous living room because of the tree from last year, and my girls and I have had a spectacular trip to New York for the first time."

There is an image gallery to this entry which you can view at Gothamist

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Giants Vendor Settles with Paralyzed Girl's Family for $25 Million

Jen Chung — 2008-12-04T09:46:38-05:00

In 1999, a NJ man who attended a Giants game--where he was served enough beer to have 0.266 blood alcohol level (legal limit is 0.08)--drove into oncoming traffic, paralyzing a 2-year-old girl and injuring her mother. Now it's revealed the Giants' beer vendor, Aramark, settled with the Verni family for $25 million. The settlement was split between daughter Antonia, now 11 and a quadriplegic on a ventilator and her mother. Though a jury's awarded $105 million to the family, an appeals court sent the case back into court. (The driver served 5 years in prison.) The Star-Ledger reports that yesterday's appeals panel found the case raised "issues of significant public concern" like whether the Giants and NFL "engaged in practices that encouraged socially irresponsible behavior, such as excessive consumption of alcohol." Verni's lawyer was happy with the deal, "She needed to get the appropriate care, and this will more than take care of her for the rest of her life."

Paterson Recommends Less Severe MTA Fare Hike-- And Tolls for East River Crossings

Jen Chung — 2008-12-04T09:27:01-05:00

Photograph by awgreen on Flickr

With the MTA in dire financial straits, there's been lots of talk about ways to save the MTA, from a 23% fare hike and service cuts to tolling the now-free bridges over the East and Harlem Rivers. Now, Governor Paterson is reviewing a plan with recommendations on how to help the MTA and likes the ideas it offers so far. The plan, submitted by the Ravitch Commission, will be made public today, but the ideas apparently include:

An 8% fare increase (vs. the 23% on proposed earlier)--it's unclear how that would impact subway/bus base and unlimited Metrocard fares.
Tolls for the East and Harlem River Bridges
A corporate payroll tax, paid by businesses in the region, of less than 1%.

While it's unclear how lawmakers might react to a corporate tax (and some "told the Post that the idea was a non-starter"), Paterson said, "As an alternative to a fare hike, I think it's very viable.. [the commission] found a way to reduce the fare increases to 8% by distributing the responsibility among all those who use the service." He added, "We are in a very difficult fiscal time, and so it's either going to be fare hikes, or it's going to be tolls and a combination of payroll taxes."

Stripper Billboard Uproar: Councilman Vows To Humiliate Patrons

John Del Signore — 2008-12-04T09:01:13-05:00

Queens residents are fuming about a massive billboard of an exotic dancer that's gone up on Rockaway Boulevard to promote the Platinum Gentleman's Club. Fox 5 peeks inside the home of one resident, who shows that when she sits down to look at her Christmas tree, the racy advertisement hovers in the background like a vision of Pottersville. What's worse is her teenage son can see it from his bedroom window, so now he knows about half-naked ladies. Enter City Councilman James Sanders, who says that if Platinum won't tear down that sign, he'll send photographers to the club to "take pictures of the great clientele and post them on the web and wherever we can advertise them." The idea is that attending a strip club is so shameful that clients will be "deterred," but didn't Owen Wilson shatter that myth that time he proudly rode his bike to Scores?

Comedian Mike Birbiglia, Sleepwalk With Me

John Del Signore — 2008-12-04T08:30:00-05:00

We could waste this introduction telling you how consistently funny Mike Birbiglia's new solo show Sleepwalk With Me is, but why not just let the man's comedy stylings speak for themselves? Here's a totally unrelated Birbiglia riff on our 43rd President: "I think Bush seems like that fun guy. You know, that guy you invite to the barbecue because you know he'll start the whiffle ball game. He's like Whiffle Ball Tony! You're like, 'Yeah, Whiffle Ball Tony's here! Alright, alright. This is cool.'

"And then one day, somebody's like, 'We're gonna put Tony in charge of EVERYTHING.' And I'm like, 'We are? I dunno if that's such a good idea.' Because he's very competitive. He starts going to the neighbor's lawn and challenges them to Whiffle Ball. He's like, 'I heard you wanna play Whiffle Ball, bitches!' And they're like, 'We never said that!' But he starts chucking hamburgers at them. We're like, 'Tony! What are you doing, man!?' He's like, 'They were gonna chuck hamburgers at me!' Then it turns out that they don't even have hamburgers! They have hot dogs, but they only throw them at each other, so it's cool. Then people get upset and they're like, 'Well, maybe we should've gone with Bookworm Steve... but he's so boring!'"

So, honestly, is it really true? How much of your play actually happened? Did you really [REDACTED]? Yes, but don’t tell anyone. I want people to know as little as possible coming in.

How does performing in an off-Broadway theater differ from doing standup? And do you prefer one over the other? Well, for one thing they listen. Or fall asleep. The young people listen. And the very old people are either enthralled or fall asleep. I’d like to think that means they’re enjoying it.

How upset are you that Obama upstaged you in the Times by winning the election in the same edition your big profile appeared? I think it’s hilarious. That Times article was one of the more exciting things I’ve had happen to me. And the Obama election was distinctly the most exciting thing that’s happened in my life. So the fact that I’m in that issue gives me an excuse to have the paper framed on my wall. I’m planning to print this interview and frame it on my wall as well—of course, next to your coverage of the Obama election.

Does knowing there are critics in the audience affect your performance? Hmmm. Yes. But I kind of guessed what the critics would say before they reviewed it and it ended up being better than I expected. I guessed they would say, “It’s funny but it’s not theater.” But they actually said, “It’s funny and it’s theater.” I was very surprised by the Times review. I thought they were going to slam it but they didn’t. My manager Stephanie said, “They’ll pan your next one—when you’re well known.” Maybe she’s right.

How did Nathan Lane get involved in producing Sleepwalk With Me? Well, he came to one of my shows at Caroline’s. He already my CD, My Secret Public Journal Live. We became friends. And I asked him if he’d consider presenting my show. I’m a bit delusional as a person so I’m sometimes willing to ask for things I don’t deserve. He said yes because he’s generous and believes in the show. (I’m assuming!)

What's your favorite part of doing this as a play? It might sound overly sentimental, but when someone is genuinely moved by the show. That means a lot to me. I went to see All My Sons and I was very moved by it. So when I think that the show I wrote actually is moving someone, it’s just exciting.

How long have you spent working on Sleepwalk With Me? It’s been about 4 years. I’ve been sculpting it with my director Seth Barrish for about 3 and a half. It took a while. Sometimes you don’t know what something is about until you know what it’s about. And sometimes even then you’re wrong.

I believe you describe the internet as "an infinite well of nothing" during the show. That doesn't apply to every website, does it? There are several exceptions: Etrade, Ebay, Gothamist, etc.

I saw a photo of you in your pajamas standing behind a Nasdaq sign. Were you ringing the bell at the stock exchange? Yes, that happened. That reminds me, I should write about that in my secret public journal.

Do you have a favorite bar or restaurant in NYC at the moment? I love this place in my hood called PJ Clarke's. I also love Union Hall in Brooklyn. That place to me is quintessential New York.

If you could change one thing about NYC what would it be? I would introduce an ordinance that makes my apartment bigger. Lately, a lot of interviewers come to my apartment to see where I sleep. You know, because of the sleepwalking stuff. They always have this look on their faces like, “Where’s the rest of your apartment?”

Photo courtesy Joan Marcus.

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More Job Cuts Announced, Automakers Plead Case for Bailout

Jen Chung — 2008-12-04T08:10:59-05:00

News that AT&T will cut 12,000 jobs--or 4% of its workforce--due to "economic pressures, a changing business mix and a more streamlined organizational structure," and DuPont will cut 2,500 employees is sending stock futures down, along with lower earnings forecasts from Merck, Nokia, and Credit Suisse. GM, Ford and Chrysler are headed back to D.C. to ask for a $34 billion bailout. And the Labor Department revealed that jobless claims fell "unexpectedly" by 21,000 (as in the actual jobless claims were 21,000 less than expected) last week, but that still means there were 509,000 jobless claims: "The four-week moving average of new jobless claims, a better gauge of underlying labor trends because it irons out week-to-week volatility, rose to 524,500 from 518,250 the week before, the highest since the week of Dec. 18, 1982, when a reading of 554,500 was recorded."

Last Night's Action: When is 2010 Again?

Tom Boorstein — 2008-12-04T00:01:00-05:00

Cavaliers 118, Knicks 82: Maybe things will be different if LeBron James is on the Knicks. Until then, watching New York play will include painful nights like these. The Cavs had a lead of 42 (!) in the second half in this domination. The Knicks shouldn't feel too bad about losing in Cleveland -- the Cavs are 10-0 at home -- but this was a non-effort. Chris Duhon had six points on 1-for-9 shooting. Al Harrington led the way with 20, but this was a joke from the start.

Rangers 3, Penguins 2 (SO): Good thing Petr Prucha played. he had been inactive for 10 games, but he scored the goal that sent this game to overtime. Scott Gomez had two assists. The Rangers are now 7-1 in shootouts. Not too shabby.

Spitzer New Gig: Writing for Slate

Jen Chung — 2008-12-03T22:49:57-05:00

Get ready for the Steamroller online: The Observer reports that Eliot Spitzer will start writing a column for Slate.com. Called, "The Best Policy," Slate editor-in-chief Jacob Weisberg said, "He's going to be doing a regular thing. It'll be heavily about the financial crisis and fixing financial markets and the economy generally" (topics he covered in his Washington Post editorial last month). Weisberg added, "He was very receptive to the idea. I don't portray this as something we had to coax him into. He's got a lot to say and he was very receptive to writing on the subject." Yes, Spitzer does have a lot to say: You can read his first column about why the U.S. should "stop using bailouts to rebuild gigantic financial institutions."

Extra, Extra

Jen Chung — 2008-12-03T19:42:25-05:00

Photograph by nschaden on Flickr

From the Gothamist Newsmap: A maced member of service at S Railroad Ave & Fremont Ave on Staten Island, a fire on Roosevelt Island, and a car vs. building at Wyckoff St & Nevins St in Brooklyn.
Stocks managed to rally, in spite of "dismal economic reports"; the Dow, Nasdaq and S&P 500 were up 2%, 2.84%, and 2.58% respectively.
Is a deal between the City Council and Mayor Bloomberg over the $400 property rebate coming soon?
The father of the Rivka Holtzberg, who was killed in Mumbai alongside with husband Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, said his daughter was pregnant at the time of her death.
A former Defense official says U.S. intelligence found that the terrorists behind the Mumbai attacks were trained by former Pakistani army and intelligence officers. Also, one of the terrorists revealed that there were still explosives at the train station.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he expects linebacker Antonio Pierce, who was present when Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself, to play on Sunday.
Hawkmeadinejad, the beloved bird of prey at Columbia University, chowed down on the South Lawn.
Daily Intel rounds up various bad news about the media business--like how Time Out New York is for sale for $40 million.
Momofuku everywhere, all the time! You're next, Williamsburg.
And a Republican congresswoman hung up on President-elect Obama twice (well, maybe once, because the second call was from chief of staff-designate Rahm Emanuel) because she thought a radio station was pranking her.

Rep. Rangel Goes Head to Head with NY Times

Jen Chung — 2008-12-03T18:41:51-05:00

It's politician vs. big newspaper pissing match! Representative Charles Rangel wasn't happy when the NY Times blew the lid on his four rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem (at a press conference, he told a Times reporter, "Don’t make yourself look more dumb than you want") over the summer.

Now the powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee is upset about the Times' story from last week; the article suggested that an oil executive donated $1 million to the City College school of public service being named after Rangel because Rangel preserved a tax loophole. Yesterday, the Ways and Means Committee communications director said, "The New York Times reporter repeatedly ignored facts and statements provided by tax policy experts that Chairman Rangel played no role in defending this tax loophole. In fact, the Nabors Corp. was grandfathered into the benefit by those who negotiated the 2004 Republican Jobs Act, a group that did not include Chairman Rangel.”

Now Rangel has sent a detailed letter to the Times complaining about the story. And the NY Times printed Rangel's letter with a point-by-point response and prefaced "He Said, Times Said" bit with:

The article was based on weeks of reporting, including an extensive review of Congressional records, public statements and news media accounts of the legislation as it was written, as well as interviews with dozens of people involved in the creation of the law — from members of Congress and Congressional staff members to lobbyists, corporate executives and other interested parties. In an effort to provide a fair and complete depiction of Mr. Rangel’s account of events, he was repeatedly asked for an interview, and when he declined those requests, his lawyers were given the opportunity to convey his recollections — which they did in face-to-face discussions, more than two dozen telephone conversations and via e-mail, over the course of several weeks. Those recollections were reflected in the article itself.

We can't wait until Round 2!

Presented By:

2008-12-03T18:41:51-05:00

Wal-Mart Faces Lawsuit Over Worker's Black Friday Death

Jen Chung — 2008-12-03T17:54:12-05:00

The family of Jdimytai Damour, the Wal-mart worker killed in the Black Friday stampede, has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the retailer. Damour, a temporary employee hired at the Valley Stream store for the holidays, was trampled to death by shoppers who had been waiting for hours for Wal-Mart to open its doors at 5 a.m. Newsday reports that the lawsuit faults the store for not providing enough security and says Wal-Mart "engaged in specific marketing and advertising techniques to specifically attract a large crowd and create an environment of frenzy and mayhem and was otherwise careless, reckless and negligent." (You can see one Wal-Mart Black Friday ad here.) Other parties named in the suit are the realty company that manages the property and the security firm for the store; Damour's family "also filed notice saying it plans to sue Nassau County and the Nassau County Police Department."

Gotham Delivers Independent Film Awards

Jen Carlson — 2008-12-03T17:35:44-05:00

Last night the 18th annual Gotham Independent Film Awards took place at Cipriani on Wall Street. The award ceremony is the East Coast answer to the Independent Spirit Awards, and was founded as a satellite program of the 1979 NY Film Fest.

Indiewire reports back from the event with the big winners (listed after the jump), which included Frozen River's Melissa Leo who took home the breakthrough actor award and declared New York City "the birthplace of independent film, truly independent film." Check out more images from the night at Hollywood Elsewhere.

There is an image gallery to this entry which you can view at Gothamist]]>The 18th annual Gotham Independent Film Awards recipients:

Best Feature:
"Frozen River," directed by Courtney Hunt; produced by Heather Rae, Chip Hourihan (Sony Pictures Classics)

Best Documentary:
"Trouble the Water," directed and produced by Tia Lessin & Carl Deal (Zeitgeist Films in association with HBO Documentary Films)

Breakthrough Director Award:
Lance Hammer, director of "Ballast" (Alluvial Film Company)

Breakthrough Actor Award:
Melissa Leo ("Frozen River")

Best Ensemble Performance Award:
"Synecdoche, New York"
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hope Davis and Tom Noonan (Sony Pictures Classics); Casting Director Jeanne McCarthy

tied with

"Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz & Patricia Clarkson (The Weinstein Company); Casting Directors Patricia Kerrigan DiCerto & Juliet Taylor

Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You:
"Sita Sings the Blues" written, directed and animated by Nina Paley

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Saigon Grill Owners Arrested, Charged With Felonies

John Del Signore — 2008-12-03T17:15:50-05:00

Police have arrested Simon Nget, a Cambodian refugee who built a thriving Vietnamese restaurant mini-chain in NYC only to see the well-received food eclipsed by his notorious mistreatment of the Chinese immigrant delivery workers, who recently won a $4.6 million class action lawsuit against the restaurateur. Nget's wife Michelle was also arrested this morning. The couple is charged with falsifying business records and evidence tampering, allegedly to hide how many hours the delivery staff worked. The prosecution is being spearheaded by the office of state attorney general Andrew Cuomo, and the Times reports that the Ngets have been charged with over Class E 200 felony counts, which each carry a term of up to four years in prison.

Paterson: Top Judge Nominee List = Sausage Fest

Jen Chung — 2008-12-03T17:01:01-05:00

Governor David Paterson asked Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for legal alternatives concerning the chief judge nominees list. With Chief Judge Judith Kaye retiring from the State Court of Appeals this year, a state panel submitted a list of candidates to replace her--the state constitution says the governor must pick from that list--but Paterson was "disturbed" that the list lacked women!

The governor said, "The issue is not the merit of the candidates who have been brought forward, they're outstanding. The issue is that I don't accept that there wasn't a woman in this state that wasn't qualified to serve on the Court of Appeals." And Cuomo added, "For the commission to say we searched the state, we couldn't find a single solitary qualified woman to serve on the bench, something is wrong with either the process, or the legislation, or the way it was administered."

The Daily Politics has some more Paterson quotes, including, "It is not my desire to go back and start this process over because then those seven individuals would suffer and I don't want them to suffer ...But I've got to wonder how this group would feel comfortable sending forth a selection team of seven people and not one of them represents half of the human race." Capitol Confidential notes that he contrasted the list with the euphoria of Barack Obama's presidential victory.

World's Most Expensive Book Draws Crowds at NYPL

Jen Carlson — 2008-12-03T16:31:46-05:00

The New York Public Library is in temporary possession of a new coffee-table book that weighs in at 61-lbs. The NY Times reports that the rarity was recently hand-made "by scholars, artists and artisans," and is called Michelangelo: La Dotta Mano. The book cost around $126K to make (what recession?) and will be on view through Monday. The cover of the book is "a bas-relief depiction of Michelangelo’s 'Madonna of the Steps,' sculptured on a piece of white marble from one of the Polvaccio quarries in Carrara, Italy, that supplied stone for the master’s statues." Decadence lives! ArtInfo reports that according to "a fine-art publication house in Italy whose charitable foundation donated this copy to the New York library, the book is intended to be 'a provocation in the age of the Internet.'" If you've got some cash to burn, 99 limited edition copies will be made, 20 of which have already been sold. Library president, Paul LeClerc, says: “It is one of the single greatest books made in the last 100 years. There is nothing else at this level.”

Bally Total Fitness Pulls Towels

Jen Carlson — 2008-12-03T16:08:33-05:00

Bally Total Fitness, the notoriously deceptive gym, has found a new way to screw over its loyal members. A reader informs us that "the Bally's Sports Club in Worldwide Plaza announced this week that, effective Dec. 15, it will no longer provide clean towels for members to use."

Earlier this year the club got a failing grade for their cleanliness, so a decision to remove towels likely won't help out with the whole bacteria festering away on the equipment thing. The tipster continues, saying: "This raised concerns among members who worried about potential health issues, not to mention the luxury of having a clean towel to use to dry off after a shower or a swim in the club's pool. I think that it'll take one person to slip on wet equipment (like a treadmill) or a wet floor, and the club will wish that towels was its biggest expense."

A call to Bally confirmed that all of their clubs will be pulling towels from their shelves, allegedly due to budget concerns. When asked, New York Sports Club said they would be continuing their towel service...now if only you could get out of that iron-clad Bally membership. For now, it's B.Y.O.T. time (which could be a good thing?).