Photograph of damaged door by dhfdz on Flickr Around 3:45 a.m., a device exploded outside the military recruiting center in Times Square. No one was injured, but a glass entryway was shattered. The streets around Times Square were shut down (now traffic can pass through) and subway service passed through the Times Square station without stopping (it's back to normal now), as authorities investigated the scene. WNBC reports police were searching for a "suspect......

The Parks Dept. decided to throw in the towel on litigation that's been going on for three years and conceded to reevaluate its requirement that no more than 50,000 people could gather on Central Park's Great Lawn at one time. Aside from six allotted exceptions (per year) that include four reserved for performances by the Metropolitan Opera and the NY Philharmonic, the city's rationale for crowd-size restrictions was that very large crowds could damage the......

That just happened! Senator Barack Obama won the Democratic Iowa Caucus with at least 37% of the vote (projections are changing). Former Senator John Edwards got 30% of the vote while Senator Hillary Clinton got 29%. The media is playing this as a huge failure for the Senator from New York, given how powerful the Clinton machine has seemed. Also stunning: There were 82% more Democratic voters in this year's caucus compared with 2004,......

This morning, WNBC 4 aired Gabe Pressman's News Forum interview with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. Pressman asked Kelly about topics such as attacks on the police given the city's record low crime, stop-and-frisks, the recent arrest of a man who intimidated a witness in the Sean Bell case, the NYPD's eal Time Crime Center, terrorism, Rudy Giuliani and police conduct during the Republican National Convention. This is a small bit of Pressman and Kelly's exchange:PRESSMAN:......

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani visited South Carolina and said, "There's a real good chance" he'll run for President. While this doesn't sound like new news, it's apparently his "most succinct" comments (per the Times) to date about his 2008 ambitions. But then he said he wasn't sure if he could make a "unique contribution" and his aides wouldn't comment further. Giuliani did, though, say, "The fact is I appeal to conservative Christians the way I......

NYC is a two time loser now! After the Republican party decided to have its 2008 convention in the Twin Cities, the city hoped to win the Democratic convention. But now the Democratic National Committee has announced the 2008 convention will be in Denver. Here's DNC Chairman Howard Dean's statement:The recent Democratic gains in the West exemplify the principle that when we show up and ask for people's votes and talk about what we......

Yesterday, bicyclists and politicians protested the NYPD's attempt to change parade permits. The NY Times explains the police proposal: The proposal, up for debate at a public hearing yesterday, would define a parade, which requires a permit, as a procession or race of 30 or more “vehicles, bicycles or other devices moved by human power, or ridden or herded animals proceeding together upon any public street or roadway.” Under the proposal, if the procession......

Ooh, Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn are are headed to Chicago in order to present New York City as the spot for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The NY Sun reports that Bloomberg and Quinn will have Lorraine Bracco as celebrity back-up at a cocktail reception at Millennium Park - and "Cosmopolitans, Manhattans, and 'Big Apple' Martinis" will be served. That's the way to a politician's heart - make 'em realize the......

Nice: Court papers have been released showing how the city successfully blocked protests in Central Park, most notably protests during the Republican Convention. You might remember from two years ago that the some of the city's excuses for not having the protests on the Great Lawn were to protect the lawn (which had been renovated) and that the police might not be able to secure the lawn. But it turns out everyone's conspiracy theories......

The NY State Democratic Convention is taking place in Buffalo today and tomorrow (the NY State Republican Convention is in Long Island on Wednesday and Thursday), and the gloves are coming off as the Democrats are looking to grab the Governor's house. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, the Democratic frontrunner for the gubernatorial nomination, called the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation "an abject failure". Well, of course he would say that - didn't recently resigned LMDC......

Yesterday, the NY Times revealed that the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board, the agency that investigates complaints against the NYPD, criticized two deputy chiefs for prompting "unnecessary arrests" of protesters during the Republican Convention. Needless to say, Police Commissioner Kelly had to respond, saying that they acted properly as demonstrators didn't have a permit to protest and that the NYPD allowed thousands of people to protest without incident. The NYCCCRB letter found that deputy chiefs......

It's become an expected refrian: Crime in the city is still dropping, down 6% from last year. The NY Post reports that murders are down 16% versus the same first-five-months-of-the-year period last year, while rape is down 8.8% and bank robberies have declined by almost 50% (except at Commerce Banks, probably). Also: 20% more DWI arrests, leading to 13% less DWI-related accidents and 25% less DWI-related deaths, and crime in "impact zones," the targeted neighborhoods,......

- Making cupcakes that look like pandas, koalas and bears - Finding out what other species there are after hipsters: Robert Lanham's Food Court Druids, Cherohonkees and Other Creatures... - An interview with comedian Dave Gorman - NYC Transit Authority wants a ban on subway photography - The hot concerts in the city this season - Partying with Penthouse Pets - 2nd Avenue Deli provides alibi for unjustly arrested man during the Republican Convention......

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's approval ratings are up since August which may mean that even if you're a stiff, marble-mouthed billionaire who brings the Republican Convention into a blue city, people can still like you. Gothamist loved how NY Times reporter Jennifer Steinhauer put it into perspective: "[It seems like] a year spent doing things like playing boccie in Queens, doling out public works goodies in Staten Island and enduring abuse at community meetings is starting......

Prosectors have dropped charges against over 200 Republican Convention protesters that had been arrested near Ground Zero during the second day of the convention. According to the Post, Assistant D.A. William Beesch said, "No useful purpose would be served by continuing the prosecution," and the judge complied. Considering one of yesterday's defendants from the War Resisters League protest was Richard Hardie, 73 year old major and combat veteran who flew in the Korean and Vietnam......

Today, the NY Times has two articles about the Senate race this fall, and Gothamist must admit, we forgot that Senator Charles Schumer, Park Slope resident, was up for reelection until we saw his current TV commercials. The NY Times reports that a Quinnipiac poll shows Schumer's Republican opponent, an Orange County Assemblyman named Howard Mills, trailing 13% to Schumer's 63%, reinforcing the "somnolent" in the article's headline, "First Schumer TV Ad Appears in a......

It's a win for the Mayor, Commissioner Kelly, and the Central Park Conservancy: A judge agrees with the city and bars two protest groups from gathering in Central Park for a pre-Republican Convention protest. Two reasons stated: Groups had waited too long to file suit and security concerns. Manhattan Federal Court Judge William H. Pauley suggested other parks to protest in, like Van Cortlandt in the Bronx and Flushing-Corona in Queens, with Judge Pauley calling......

Because we were skimming the Post, Gothamist first thought we read in the article about what's in Republican Convention delegates' goodie bags "macaroni shaped like Rudy Giuliani" but it was really "elephant-shaped macaroni and cheese and a book by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani." Macaroni shaped like Rudy Giuliani would be more amusing...think of it - a pasta combover! Some ether swag Republicans may be getting: Yankee tickets, digital cameras from B&H, DVDs about Ellis Island,......

The New York arts and theatre scene could never be accused of political ambivalence � especially with an election on the way, and a Republican Convention soon to hit town. So if political theatre is your bag, or if you�re just looking for something to constructively raise your blood pressure, Gothamist suggests that you check out some of the following: MAKE NICE? MY ASS! If laughter�s your preferred way to survive this election season, Gothamist......

Is it just Gothamist, or does it seem that projections are never correct. Sure, they are estimates, but how about just calling them guesses from now on. It looks like the convention might not generate $265 million in economic activity after all. Rooms in popular hotels and tables at top-notch restaurants remain available. The marketing director for the group that owns Nobu told The Times that "At this point you could probably get a table......

- A token booth clerk punches a customer - Some Republican Convention Notes: 1, T -19 days, and choppers and limos as vehicles of terror - What's the deal with the skyways in the city? - A dog rides the subway - Mike Wallace gets arrested for meatloaf and tells his story - Two deaths by rain and electrocution from Wednesday's storm - A design team is chosen for the High Line - McGreevey resigns......

Gothamist was wandering around the Mayor's website when we found this Republican National Convention FAQ. It lets you know things like what pedestrian traffic will be affected and whether there will be protests...which makes this is a site for people half-living under a rock. But we appreciate it anyway, because you know that we'll be calling 311 to complain about delegates being too noisy or protestors needing some deodorant. Some more of today's stories about......

Blah blah Republican National Convention blah. Yes, Gothamist can't escape reading about the RNC either, and the thing is, it's actually all very interesting how a massive production like a convention actually takes place. Like how to entertain the delegates and viewing audience. The NY Times had a ">feature on the director of entertainment, Frank Breeden, who promises "the convention to be heavy with gospel, country and Broadway music, and with patriotic music." Speaking of......

After a semi-hysterical article this past weekend about how New Yorkers are fleeing town during the Republican Convention, the NY Times looks a New York Region > A Guide to the Convention, but Not Just for Republicans" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/09/nyregion/09guide.html">new map of NYC to help out convention goers and protestors alike - complete with information about hotels where delegations are staying as well as bail bondsmen. Designed by Paul Chan, Nadxieli Mannello, and Joshua Breitbart (friend of......

Many Ask Gothamist readers have written to us recently with questions related to politics, current events, and the upcoming Republican convention and Presidential election. So Ask Gothamist is going to be bringing you non-partisan advice over the upcoming weeks and months about participating in the democratic process. Whatever your political leanings, it's a good idea to vote in the upcoming election, educate yourself about local and national candidates and issues, and make sure that your......

Because it's been a while, here are some Republican Convention stories: - New York City hospitals have been stocking up and running drills in anticipation of any sort of incidents they may need to respond to. It sounds like hospitals are going through the plans they put in place after September 11, which is scary and good. Gothamist hopes all they'll have to attend to is some dehydrated protestors and delegates, besides whatever heart problems......

Some city stories to take you through the weekend: - The City has announced plans to redevelop the Brig. What is the Brig? It used to be a naval prison and City correctional facility (before Riker's Island), and is near the Brooklyn Navy Yard, in the Wallabout/Fort Greene part of Brooklyn. The site is 104,600 square feet, and the building will be demolished for new homes, apartments, and commercial and community space. A task force......

If it's the last Monday in July of 2004, it must mean Boston is the town the country is watching, with the 2004 Democratic National Convention (official site) taking place. Presumptive Democratic nominee, John Kerry, threw out the first pitch at the Red Sox-Yankees game last night, which bounced before caught, saying, "It's the opening of the convention, it's a wonderful rivalry, and it's a great event [Gothamist thinks he's referring to the Yankees and......

Tamar Adler, Editor at Harper's...