Did the cards help create Stepford Straphangers, totally okay with fare hikes and delays? No. But the MTA's Christopher Boylan, says: “God knows people want to feel good, they want to feel up, they want to feel positive. If I can make a couple of customers smile a day, that’s nice.”

The artist, Reed Seifer, says, “I like that maybe not everyone’s going to see it. Or maybe one day you just look and say, ‘Oh.’ It exists between the card and the person who receives the card." What word would you put on the back of a MetroCard?

Locals told the Queens Tribune that it's fortunate "Korean people love these fruits... if it wasn't for the Asian gleaners coaxing fruits down with poles, the smell would be truly unbelievable." (Learn more about gingko gathering here.)

Parks Department Commissioner Adrian Benepe told one resident of the neighborhood, "despite the admittedly displeasing smell, the trees were of value to the city because they reduce pollution, improve air quality, and enhance property values." The department won't remove a tree unless it's dying, but they do say they're not planning on planting anymore female gingkos.

Meanwhile, a reader tells us of his own Lady Gingko problems, saying: "I'm on the board of my BH co-op, and Tuesday night a bunch of discussion centered around the fact that a branch on one of our gingko trees has decided to change sex — from male to female, and is already creating a 'stink'. They've asked me to look into what can be done. Some people even suggested cutting the branch off — something I'm opposed to." He opined on his blog: "if the branch wants to be female, let it. Besides, what if we cut this one off, and another branch changes?" The gingkos are mutating, people.

As you can see, it looks whimsically ridonkulous, with dark brown wallpaper, hand-crafted wood sculptures lining the walls, plush leather banquets, a leather cross-stitched bar, and flower boxes with mysterious shining crystals. Why not? According to one of the owners, THOR is a "celebrity-driven hotel" and we could see driven celebs like Jeremy Piven fitting right in here under the giant disco ball. It's open nightly from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m., and serves a late-night menu by neighboring restaurant LEVANTeast.

CV // 105 Rivington Street // (646) 202-9458

According to the NYCLU latest report, police made more than 404,000 stops of New Yorkers during the first nine months of the year, the majority of whom were black and Latino. Only seven percent of those stopped were given a summons and just six percent were arrested. Between July and September alone, 137,894 people were questioned, with nearly nine out of 10 of these stops resulting in no charges or citations.

Police claim that these stops deter criminals, preemptively at times, and that the NYCLU is distorting "the statistics by defining an "innocent" person as someone who hasn't been convicted of a crime."

The NYCLU views this as blatant racism: “A practice that wastes an officer’s valuable time with a 90 percent fail rate - while at the same time humiliating hundreds of thousands of black and brown New Yorkers - is not a wise or effective policing technique,” said Donna Lieberman, the executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. “It is a stunning abuse of power. It is not a crime to walk down the street in New York City, yet every day innocent black and brown New Yorkers are turned into suspects for doing just that.” And lest we forget, they're keeping a database of names of all the people stopped, questioned, frisked, and released each year.

Berk insisted that there was never any threat made, and that he had just made reference to the fact that the Air Force One landing area was a security risk: "No threat involved at all...Nobody was threatened. Nothin'. There was no reason to threaten anybody. I was just going out to have a gyro and a juice for lunch break."

Essex County chief assistant prosecutor Kieth Harvest said it was the context of his comments that provoked the jail stay, saying, "It was pretty clear he had a bias against certain ethnic groups, one of which the president happens to be of." Brek was subsequently fired from his job, and his gun collection ("43 weapons") was confiscated by police. He also has a restraining order on him, requiring him to stay away from the President: "Asked what he would say to President Obama if given the chance, Brek said simply, 'I'm sorry this happened. I'm not trying to kill you, or anyone for that fact.'"

The big stash was found in an apartment above defunct Laila Lounge on North Seventh Street. Building super Johanny Olmedo, 51, and his girlfriend, Christine Ladeveze, 48, reside there, the Daily News reports. Investigators tell Brooklyn Paper that on Wednesday, state troopers allegedly spotted another man, Ronald Lugo, exiting the apartment carrying two boxes to his car. He was pulled over on the Bronx side of Triboro Bridge, and 10 kilos of cocaine were found in the boxes. Investigators then obtained a search warrant to search the apartment yesterday. The three face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, and ugh everyone's going to be so boring this weekend.

"Pankabestia: Punk Beasts of the Swimming Cities of Serenissima," is considered a retrospective of the journey and will also include large-scale wall drawings, original Swimming Cities boat installations, portions of the ships, and found objects acquired from sea. The opening reception is tonight from 6 to 9 p.m.

If you look at the hourly report you'll notice that something happened between six and seven this morning. The pressure jumped, the winds shifted, the rain stopped, and the dew point dropped. All signs of a cold front passage. With the front out of the way we've got a mostly sunny and warm day ahead. The mercury should hover around 60 degrees until late-afternoon.

More sun is in store for the weekend. The mostly clear skies will give us cool mornings and warm afternoons. Look for a high in the upper 50s tomorrow and mid 50s on Sunday. Rain returns on Monday as part of a coastal storm.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Email us at info(at)gothamist(dot)com

Suspect Rohan Francis, 18, is Gentles's uncle, and brothers Cleve Smith, 20, and Clivie Smith, 19, are cousins, according to the Daily News. Gentles's mother Zelita Mighty moved to the Bronx from Jamaica over a decade ago, and at age 6 Carvett joined her a few years after her arrival. But Gentles's father could not get a visa, and Gentles doesn't get along with his step-father, so he's been living with Francis. Some neighbors who know Gentles insist he showed promise by gaining admission to the Bronx Leadership Academy, but he soon began skipping class and hanging with a "tough crowd."

According to a criminal complaint obtained by the Times, Clivie Smith had once beaten Gentles's mother in the nose and forehead, bloodying her and sending her to a hospital. During the assault, Smith had a gun in his waistband and told her, "I’ll make one phone call and all this will be smashed up." Michael Arterberry, director of the Youth Voices Center, tells CBS2 it's likely Gentles fell prey to some "perverted mentoring... The older guys are able to manipulate the situation and get these younger people to do things because they feel as if that's being loyal."

Gentles reportedly wept when investigators told him that one of the six bullets he fired had exploded inside the skull of bystander Vada Vasquez, 15, who is still in a medically-induced coma. Prosecutors believe Gentles had fired on the intended victim, Tyrone Creighton, as part of gang retaliation for an assault carried out by Creighton's brother on Rikers Island—where the five young men have now been sent.

• From the Gothamist Newsmap: A pediatric burn victim at 196th St & Hollis Ave in Queens, a double stabbing at West 171 St in Manhattan and a water rescue at Gerritsen Ave & Abbey Ct in Brooklyn.
• Even Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor forgets her purse at restaurants.
• A touching story about two kidney transplants that took place at NY Presbyterian Columbia Hospital—a woman donated her kidney to a stranger, the stranger's son gave his kidney to the woman's friend.
• Mayor Bloomberg said of his former rival, "Bill Thompson, I've said all along is a quality, honest guy who's really tried to make this city better."
• Plans for J.J. Byrne Park in Park Slope have been revealed—there are more defined kids' areas and "adult" areas (cafe seating).
• Because of the city's problems with issuing crane operator licenses, the Department of Buildings is looking at outside contractors to administer tests.
• While Dyker Heights may have the elaborate Christmas displays on lawns, check out this display on a Queens balcony.
• Aerosmith bandmates say that Steven Tyler needs help.
• And the case against the British man who strangled his wife (he dreamed she was an intruder) was withdrawn.

According to a particularly giddy Post report, it seems the Knicks are on the verge of signing Iverson to a one-year deal, possibly in time to join them on a three-game west coast trip next week. "Knicks president Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni were planning on interviewing Iverson first as final confirmation of their desire to make this massive move that changes the entire face of this season’s club." According to the Post, coach D'Antoni endorsed signing Iverson to the hesitant Walsh, for fear that a terrible season might make LeBron James and other free agents wary of signing with the team next year.

The Daily News is reporting that MSG chairman James Dolan is now the one holding up the process, and has "reservations" about signing the frequently controversial guard. Interestingly, GM Walsh is "doing background checks. He spoke to former Knicks coach Larry Brown, who has a long, tumultuous history with Iverson. Brown told the Daily News yesterday that Iverson asked him to call Walsh on his behalf this past summer. 'Donnie's always liked Allen,' Brown said on the phone yesterday. 'And I know Allen wanted to play there.'"

However, all that said, an anonymous source within the Knicks told ESPN this morning that, "We are definitely not pursuing him anymore." That clears things up! Today at noon, Knicks GM Walsh is supposed to address the press, and will hopefully give us a more clear indication of which way they're leaning.

UPDATE: With a little egg on their back-page face, the Post is reporting that the Knicks will officially announce that they are not pursuing Iverson this afternoon.

Most people would give up after coming to a crashing halt on the upper level of the GW, but after slamming into another car, the fugitive dashed to the edge of the bridge and leaped into the Hudson. As of last night, his body had not been found, but as one jumper demonstrated earlier this month, it is possible to survive the plunge.

UPDATE: Website CLIFFVIEWPILOT.COM, your "first and best news source for Bergen, Hudson and beyond," scored "ANOTHER EXCLUSIVE" today, getting a quote from the driver whose car was clipped by the fugitive. Motorist Andy Rosenberg says the guy "just hopped out of his car and made a beeline. He never even paused. He got over that little guardrail, put his foot on the railing [for the bridge] and jumped. It happened so fast, the police had no chance to get to him." CLIFFVIEWPILOT.COM also reports that the man is a New York state corrections officer from Middletown, N.Y. who had argued with his wife earlier that morning. (Which might explain why he didn't hesitate to jump off the bridge.)

Castel said, "My advice to you is to try not to think about the case ... and to return rested and refreshed." The trial, which has the prosecutors accusing Gotti of racketeering and murder, has been going on for two months and has included juror drama and a freakout from Gotti's mom Victoria. His sister Victoria gave her thoughts on the jury's note to the Daily News, "It's not a bad thing by any means. I just know the jury is working very very hard. I just pray the jury is as fair as they've been, and they stand on principal."

They were married in July, and Rotger moved from the Bronx to Ambers's 700-square-foot apartment in the East 74th Street building where he used to work. In a $10 million lawsuit filed yesterday, Ambers accuses other posh people in the building of trying to force her out because they think it's crass to openly cavort with the help. She says the staff doesn't tell her when packages arrive, call cabs, etc. "It seems that Christina has breached some type of social order that existed in that building," says Joshua Price, a lawyer for the newlyweds. "You live in this ritzy Upper East Side apartment and now Angel the porter is Angel your next-door neighbor—I guess it makes some people feel uncomfortable." And Ambers tells the Daily News:

I hope that people can understand how awful it is to come home and to then be treated with hostility in a building where I have paid a lot of money to live. Nobody should have to live this way. The people in this building need to come into the 21st century. I fell in love with Angel because he is a sweet, caring man—how dare they look down on us!

But residents say Ambers is "the biggest problem in the building" because she "parades around" in skimpy outfits. Having thoroughly researched Ambers's body of work (a sampling is provided here for reference purposes) it's clear this is all about envy of her pretty hands and toes and strapping husband and morbidly obese cat.

     

According to one student protest blog, last night's demonstration included activities like "dropping banners off of statues and buildings, crashing New School art parties and decorating the city in solidarity with all the UC occupations!!!" This video shows two arrests, but the NYPD press office did not have any information for us. It's been a while since those peppy New School radicals have given us a crazy arrest video or occupied anything, so it's nice to see they've still got it. They've also been busy putting together a direct action how-to manual, sort of a "Student Occupation for Dummies" [pdf], which includes advice like "occupy fucking everything" and an illustrated guide to barricading doors.

Gehry, whose presence in Ratner's in-limbo Atlantic Yards project has been diminished, was in high spirits—he apparently pointed to the top of the building and said, "No Viagra." (It's his tallest building.) He told the Observer's Eliot Brown, "First of all, it’s a New York building, and so I respected the body of the New York skyscraper...We built many models of this. I holed myself up two days in a tall hotel room here and just looked at the skyline while I was designing it.” He also said the tower's undulation was inspired by Bernini.

While it may have been triumphant for Ratner to see progress on the skyscraper, he was served with another lawsuit to block the development of Atlantic Yards.

The dubious dorm dwellers have now leaked their secret to the NY Post (with paparazzi style photos), saying whenever they spot Law on his Washington Square balcony (sometimes with his son), there's complete chaos. Their not-so-subtle tactics include binoculars, screaming, and noses to the window. One told the paper that when he comes out to do his yoga, "People start screaming, 'Hey, Jude' — and it's clear he can hear us"

But the once giddy undergrads are turning on the current star of Broadway's "Hamlet." Allegedly a recent, innocent wave to the actor landed them a full-on citrus attack. Upon spotting his unwelcome audience he started hurling fruit at their windows, and one soured fan says: "there was orange pulp on the glass for a week. Now we don't like Jude Law anymore." Watch out Mr. Law, one of them is coming to your show tomorrow night!

"While employers in New York State continued to cut jobs over the past year, they did so at a more modest pace than those in the nation as a whole,” said Peter Neenan, director of the Labor Department’s Division of Research and Statistics. Low-five! And 44,300 people found jobs in educational and health services, though a lot of that has to do with the usual employment increase at private colleges and universities, reflecting the beginning of the academic year.

All the other numbers are pretty depressing—the state lost 12,700 private sector jobs in October; trade, transportation and utilities (-60,500) registered the largest over-the-year drop among declining sectors, as you read this your mother is secretly sifting through dumpsters for recyclable cans. Dry swallow some pills and sift through the charred data here.

Oprah Winfrey, the media mogul-juggernaut, is going to end her successful daytime talk show when her 25th season ends on September 9, 2011. She will be making the announcement on her program today. As for her future, the NY Times says she's expected to "concentrate on the forthcoming cable channel that will bear her name... The move represents an enormous bet — that her popularity and golden touch with programming can sustain an entire cable channel and that she’ll remain a central cultural figure even without the mass exposure of broadcast television every day."

When the show's staffers were told the news in a meeting yesterday, the Chicago Sun-Times reports many were crying. Harpo, Inc. President Tim Bennett sent a letter to stations, "We want to thank you for the partnership and friendship we have shared over the years. Your invaluable support has helped us to create the phenomenon of the 'Oprah Show' that we've all been so proud to be a part of for the last 24 years. My staff and I will be calling all of you directly tonight and tomorrow. We look forward to speaking with you."

Variety writes, "Winfrey's departure will make for an unprecedented shift in syndicated daytime TV in a manner similar to what happened in morning radio after Howard Stern split for satellite radio," and gives various scenarios in which broadcast TV stations would try to replace her to fight for her audience (would ABC make a play for Ellen DeGeneres' show, which has deals with NBC stations?). The Oprah Show's ratings provided big lead-ins for many ABC stations' evening broadcasts.

The Post's Linda Stasi, who admits she hasn't always agreed with Oprah, declares "giving up her daily platform is probably the bravest thing Oprah's ever done... This woman was once a 14-year-old pregnant girl whose child died within hours of being born. And yet, she rose through sheer will to become the richest and most influential woman on TV, and maybe the entire world."

How has the tour with Dirty Projectors been going? AWESOME ROCK ROCK WHOOPEE

Do you have any good anecdotes from the road? Hmm. This dude fell on me in Athens, Georgia at a sort of warehousey show that friends put on. It was the last song of the set, and he literally just fell from the front row into my drum and knocked my ukulele and hurt my wrist and I was so surprised that I almost started weeping spontaneously like a wee baby.

That show wasn’t with the Dirty Projectors. The anecdotes from that tour include things like, “remember that time that the show was sold out and our minds were blown?” That anecdote happened just about every night.

Why all the capital letters mixed in with lower case?! I was looking for a way to not only stick out as a practical thing—that my stage name would stick out more if it looked weird—but I find that a lot of people think “female singer-songwriter” and put it in a certain category, and I didn’t feel like the music was like that, it was something different so I wanted to provide a little friction, or be a little bit of a pain in someone’s ass, when they were typing my name.

It's funny how some people are really rubbed the wrong way by it, like I’ve ruined their day by making them use that Shift key. But it sorta worked the way I wanted it to—people pay attention. I don’t wanna preach to people, but if there’s anything that I want from my audience, it’s a pause moment, and having people capitalize it that way perhaps gives them that moment to stop and think.

Do you find it easier to create music on your own, or would you like to collaborate in the future? I’m collaborating with Nate Brenner who’s playing bass with me these days, and yes, I love collaboration. Recording I like to do mostly alone because I like to, like writing in your journal when you’re a 13-year-old, or sitting and sketching sparrows in the middle of winter in a warm coat with a thermos to keep your hand from going numb. It’s just one of the most calming creative experiences ever.

The NY Times said your voice was somewhere in between Aretha Franklin and Yoko Ono? How do you feel about that — do you think it's accurate? I mean, only a complete egotistical psychotic would answer “yes” to the comparison with Aretha. And same with the comparison as artist to Yoko Ono. So it’s very flattering, thank you, New York Times, but I still have a ways to go to live up to those women.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes me feel that I’ve sung well, or performed well. It seems best when I feel that the entirety of my being is within my voice, and that I’m using all of me to access something way beyond my reality. So if that’s what Aretha and Yoko do, then I’ll join that club.

Are those women inspirations to you musically? Where have you found musical inspiration? Absolutely, they both are. I find inspiration in many musicians, and female musicians’ successes inspire me especially, I suppose. Miriam Makeba to Tracy Chapman to Beyonce to Cyndi Lauper to Odetta...on and on. Inspired by movement, and music that makes me move. Barrington Levy and Lee Perry make me move. West African drumming and dance. Speaking of Yoko Ono, the song Mind Train.

I suppose if it doesn’t physically move me I’m not that inspired by it. But “physically” can be my butt moving or something clenching in my chest, my fingertips wanting to shake, what have you.

If you could create your all-time live band supergroup, with musicians dead or alive, who would be in the band? Janis, Miriam Makeba, Fela, Ali Farka Toure, James Jamerson, and, of course, Michael. Jeez Louise.

What bands are you currently listening to? Prussia, Afuche, Li’l Mama, Karl Blau, Micachu, Happy Birthday, and clearly the Dirty Projectors.

Which New Yorker do you most admire? Right now, Jay-Z. Damn.

Given the opportunity, how would you change New York? Well, mostly don’t change, New York. But could you start recycling a little more? I find it totally self-centered to eject all your trash to other islands of trash without thought about the, uh, future. It makes you trashy in the other way, New York. But stay self-centered in other regards, it’s how we recognize you.

Best cheap eat in the city. Five dollars for pho in the Bowery.

Best venue to hear/play music in NYC. Both the Bowery rooms, Ballroom and the Music Hall. I understand that’s not reaching into the depths of this town, to underground places like Sycamore (intimate and magical) and seedy dirt-hole apartments where kids have house shows. But the sound staff are freaking primo at these places, and they’re run so gracefully…I love performing at these rooms, my DIY roots be damned. Don’t worry, I’ll be back to gritty apartments soon enough.

• From the Gothamist Newsmap: A pedestrian struck on 91 St in Queens, an all hands on 2nd Ave in Manhattan and an armed robbery at Edwards St & Park Ave in Brooklyn.
• The MTA's 2010 budget has no fare hikes or service cuts, but given the sorry state budget, who knows how long that'll last.
• Assemblyman Dov Hikind is considering buying property in an Arab neighborhood of Jerusalem.
• Norah Jones can get the windows she wants for her Brooklyn home.
• The first episode of Lost's final season will premiere on February 2, a Tuesday night.
• EW: Procter & Gamble is recalling some Vick nasal spray because of bacteria found in it.
• James Franco, so lonely, so angry so...sigh.
• The USPS is cutting its Letters to Santa program, where kids get replies with a North Pole postmarked.
• Check out Lady Gaga back at a 2005 NYU Talent Show.

Police believe the shot came from a nearby altercation, but no arrests have been made. Street vendor Mohamed Gendia says, "There was shouting right by me ... then I heard a shot." The suspects then ran in opposite directions along Lenox Avenue. The bullet fractured a bone in Valree's leg, and doctors will operate on her to remove it, but she's in otherwise stable condition.

Monday's victim of stray gunfire wasn't so lucky; 15-year-old Vada Vasquez is in a medically-induced coma after a stray bullet struck her in the head. At least seven people have been killed by stray bullets so far this year, compared to four people fatally shot by errant bullets in 2008.

FLAG director Stephanie Roach tells Bloomberg News that the foundation hopes to "attract a serious art-world audience, plus others who might not have considered art accessible" with the exhibit which will focus on the scale and magnitude of the presented works. Shaq, whose other artistic endeavors include acting, rapping, and Tweeting, says he's "pleased to be starting at the top" and will be in NYC to help install the show as well.

Writer James Frey, who is working on the essay for the show's catalog, say it won't be like any other "nice show at MoMA or the Met...Getting Shaq, one of the largest people in the world, to curate a show about scale is really fun. He does a lot of things that are unconventional for a guy of his stature." Indeed—his bio on the FLAG website points out, "Along with his NBA accomplishments, Shaq has written an autobiography, starred in his own television show, released a certified platinum album, received his B.S. from Louisiana State University, an M.B.A from University of Phoenix, and is working toward a Ph.D. in Human Relations."

Instead, the majority opinion expressed "hope that the Legislature will address this controversy." Still, Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle told the AP, "It absolutely builds momentum. It's another court saying the state Senate should act and clarify the issue." Legally married same-sex couples will now be entitled to public employee health insurance coverage and certain other benefits enjoyed by heterosexual spouses.

The lawyer for the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund, which challenged the benefits In New York, had argued that "the only relationship recognized as marriage is the committed union of a man and a woman. State and local officials should not attempt to use marriage laws from outside jurisdictions to place their political agendas ahead of the law." The state Assembly passed a bill earlier this year to legalize same-sex marriage, but it stalled in the Senate.

Last week Governor Paterson promised that Senate leaders had agreed to bring it to a vote by the end of the year. Though the bill's sponsor Senator Thomas Duane says he has the votes to pass it, the AP reports that "the measure appears a few votes short of passage."

The Post reports that Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz) noted that Mohammed said he wanted to plead guilty at a military tribunal, "How could he be more likely to get a conviction than that?" to which Holder replied, "These trials do not hinge on the desire of Khalid Sheik Mohammed. He will not select the prosecution venue. I will — and I have." Holder did speak with victims' families afterward; Alice Hoagland, who lost her son on Flight 93 said:

I have great respect for you and your office. But I have to say I take great exception to your decision to give short shrift to the military commissions and put the five most heinous criminals and war criminals into court in New York City. I can't help feeling that it does make New York City a much more dangerous place and a target. And it will give these ugly people like Khalid Sheik Muhammad and Ramzi Bin Alshib especially very eloquent access to all of the media sources of the United States.

President Obama stepped into the fray yesterday, saying that critics won't find it "offensive at all when he's convicted and when the death penalty is applied to him," but then had to backtrack, "I'm not going to be in that courtroom. That's the job of the prosecutors, the judge and the jury." Some experts say this gives the defense a chance to show that the suspects can't get a fair trial.

Some stats: There have been 587 reports of sexual offenses on the subways (374 of those reports were in Manhattan), with 412 arrests. City Room says that of the arrests, "71 had committed prior sexual offenses and 14 were registered sex offenders. Five of the 14 were the most serious level of sex offender, Level 3. The average perpetrator is a 39-year-old male, while the vast majority of victims are females over 17 years old." Also, many of the perps really like to stalk the 4, 5, 6, lines between 14th Street and 42nd Street-Grand Central.

While the MTA has introduced anti-groping posters, Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. said, "I'd like to see a wall of shame. Posting pictures of people convicted, especially with 20 percent recidivism ... would be a useful deterrent." Hall said that women shouldn't be discouraged if they don't have a cellphone picture, "At a minimum, a report alone allows us to deploy more effectively."

A reader happened to tell us about a groping incident that occurred her on a Q train this morning (read it after the jump) but didn't tell the cops, "I stayed on the train (I was late and the chances of a cop being on the platform and actually caring were slim to none) and I was too freaked out to snap a picture." (One time, when a woman told a police officer about a subway flasher, the cop allegedly said it wasn't a police matter.) The NYPD's press office tells us that people should not hesitate to contact the police—or an MTA worker or use the speakers in the station—because if a crime is reported, they will try to solve it.

This morning I got on a Manhattan bound Q train at the Prospect Park stop around 8:15 for my morning commute to work. The train was packed but it didn't stop an asian guy in his mid-twenties that also got on Prospect park from pushing through people to stand next to me. He was clearly "off," very disheveled looking, black coat, black canvas laptop bag, holding a plastic water bottle and trying to grab a pole with the same hand, pushing people, etc. Long story short he groped my butt until I yelled at him to stop touching me. I guess thats why he needed the free hand. Of course everyone on the train looked at us (and me, I'm sure they thought I was nuts) but it must have scared him because he ran off at Atlantic ave. I stayed on the train (I was late and the chances of a cop being on the platform and actually caring were slim to none) and I was too freaked out to snap a picture. I know its not much to go on, I just wanted to let other women on the Q train to be on the lookout.

Times Newsweekly reports that the DOT "aims to have work crews repair defective sidewalks in most areas of the borough within 45 days of receiving a request submitted by a homeowner in writing or online. According to the agency, there are currently more than 5,000 properties" in Queens alone that have sidewalk violations. This may be why this new pilot program just launched in that borough.

The new Expedited Sidewalk Repair Program has raised the DOT's normal rates of $8 to $9 per square foot, to $11 to $13 per square foot ("Based on the average 200 square feet of sidewalk adjacent to a typical one-family home in Queens, homeowners could be charged anywhere between $2,200 and $2,600 if it is determined entire pathway must be repaired"). They note there's a similar program for the Parks Department regarding uprooted trees causing sidewalk damage... or you can save your money and call in Arnold Diaz. [via Queens Crap]

• Topaz Arts Annual Fall Open House

• Safe and Sound: A Night of Rhymes and Rhythms to Benefit Children's Rights at Hell Gate Social

• City Ice Pavilion Opening

• Glass & Water Art Exhibition at Rockaway Artists Alliance - Opening - Through December 5

• 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution celebration at Bohemian Hall

• Melava Malka Concert - Cong. Etz Chaim

• Two Video Premiers:Chigualeros and Taught to Hate at Queens Museum of Art

• SUM!SiGAW: A Filipino American Youth Cultural Show at Queens Museum of Art

• New New Yorkers Program: Tools for Learning English at Queens Museum of Art

Sunday

• Rockaway Artists Alliance GIFTED 2009 Opening Reception - Through Sunday December 13

• Forest Hills Jewish Center Parents' Association Book Fair and Holiday Boutique

Weekend Events in Queens — November 20-22, 2009 originally appeared on About.com Queens, NY on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 00:47:49.

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The weekend before Thanksgiving is a good time to chill before all the big holiday get-togethers. Check out a fun, casual eatery, watch football or enjoy a party at the beer garden.

Have you been to Stamatis (29-09 23rd Ave, Astoria, 718-721-4507) yet? It's a long-time Greek food staple in the heart of Astoria and the food is legit. Recommendations include the tzatziki dip and the chicken souvlaki platter.

This Friday, check out Mezzo Mezzo (31-29 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, 718-278-0444) for their 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. happy hour. They'll feature a signature free buffet, $4 draft beers and house wines, and $12 hookah.

Toast to freedom this Saturday (5 p.m.) at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave, Astoria, 718-274-4925), where they'll celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. Admission is free and they'll have $2 wine, vodka shots, Czech liquor, and $10 pitchers of Czech beer. Nazdravie!

Are you ready for some football? There are plenty of great places where you could catch the game but two in particular are Gleason's (33-08 Broadway, Astoria, 718-626-5393) -- where on Sunday they serve 25 cent wings, and the newly-opened Yolo (22-55 31st St, Astoria, 718-777-1177), which has a $11 weekend brunch special.

If you're in the mood for something low-key this weekend, visit 24 Wine Bar (25-19 24th Ave, Astoria, 347-777-6164). New things happening here include press coffee, vegan brownies, muffins, and free wifi. Brunch may be in the works soon so check back to find out more.

Astorian Weekend Edition - November 18 originally appeared on About.com Queens, NY on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 21:13:00.

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A tough one? Name the neighborhood, the view, the street, if you can.

If you were wondering about the previous unsolved photos, here's one answer and here's another.

Do you want to contribute a neighborhood photo to Where in Queens? Email me at queens.guide@about.com.

Where in Queens? Photo of the Week originally appeared on About.com Queens, NY on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 23:53:36.

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On this Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 21 and 22) the City Ice Pavilion skating rink opens up with a party and free skating. It's a rooftop rink - the only one in NYC -- that's covered an "air dome." Sounds like the real deal -- "NHL-sized" rink according to the press release -- with lessons, figure skating, and hockey. And it's so out of left field that it could actually be a blast.

The location is in the midst of warehouse and taxi land, close to LaGuardia CUNY and west of Sunnyside. There's nothing else to do in the immediate vicinity. Go to Sunnyside to eat afterwards.

City Ice Pavilion is at 47-32 32nd Place, Long Island City, NY 11101. That's a couple blocks from the 7 train - 33rd Street at Queens Boulevard, and close to Queensboro Bridge.

If you try out the rink, please let us know how it is. Ice skating is the best.

City Ice Pavilion - Rooftop Skating Rink in Long Island City originally appeared on About.com Queens, NY on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 23:55:48.

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Can you recommend any other turkey options? Good places to shop for (uncooked) turkeys? Let us know in the comments. And enjoy the holiday!

Thanksgiving Turkey originally appeared on About.com Queens, NY on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 00:28:48.

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• Burnt Sugar Arkestra
  at York College

• 18th Century Tavern Nights Queens Farm Museum - "authentic 18th century dinner prepared on an open hearth"

• The Children's Hour at Poppenhusen Institute - Through November 21

• Top Chef Contestants from Season 4 at BJ's in College Point

Saturday

• New New Yorkers Program: Basic Drawing in Spanish at Queens Museum

• Indian Karaoke Singing Group presents "Geet Jamboree" at Queens Museum of Art

• New New Yorkers Program: Tools for Learning English at Queens Museum of Art

• Rockaway Artists Alliance presents: GIFTED 2009 Through December 13

Sunday

• The Mighty Sparrow" In Benefit Concert At York College Performing Arts Center - WOW - The Might Sparrow -- if you love calypso music -- is ... just the tops! He's probably the grestest living calypsonian. This is a must event for music lovers.

Weekend Events in Queens - November 13-15, 2009 originally appeared on About.com Queens, NY on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 00:47:44.

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The Long Island City Business Development Corporation (LICBDC), one of the most dynamic business groups in Queens, hosts the biggest networking event for Queens businesses at its annual trade show and luncheon. The name says Long Island City, but entrepreneurs across the borough will benefit from reaching out and meeting one another, especially during the free trade show. This year 3,500 are expected to attend the LICBDC's trade show. NY State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is the keynote speaker.

• LICBDC Annual Luncheon and Trade Show
• November 18, 2009
• Trade show floor: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., free
• More Details - Long Island City Business Development Corporation
• Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, 52-11 111th St, Corona, NY 11368, 718-592-5000
• RSVP - 718-786-5300 or at LICBDC

LICBDC Annual Luncheon and Trade Show - Queens Business Networking originally appeared on About.com Queens, NY on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 00:11:47.

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Can you believe it is November already? All this warm weather we've been having makes me want to head to one of our amazing local parks and enjoy the last bits of Fall.

This weekend is the Queens Film Festival, which showcases the diversity of our borough and features films being screened in multiple locations around our neighborhood. Check here for the venues, dates, and times. The opening party is Thursday at the Hotel Ravel.

Have you all heard about The Secret Theater 44-02 23rd St, Long Island City)? No? Now is a great time to check them out. This Thursday they are debuting the play Cyrano De Bergerac, the classic story of how the disfigured genius, poet, and dashing swordsman, Cyrano, falls in love with Roxanne. Runs through December 5.

This Sunday try something new! Holistic health counselor Kristy Bredin will be teaching a class on traditionally fermented miso. Learn the health benefits and make a batch from scratch.

Enjoy a relaxing brunch at Bistro Les Minots (47-16 30th Ave), and get a great deal with their new $14 prix-fixe brunch, which includes two drinks. On Sundays, listen to singer Andrew Gottlieb and enjoy the newly installed show by painter Gabriele Perici while you eat.

• Previously on Joey in Astoria
• Neighborhood Profile - Astoria, Queens

Astorian Weekend Edition - November 11 By Mackenzi of Joey in Astoria originally appeared on About.com Queens, NY on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 21:05:20.

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This is a record. For two weeks in a row, you've been stumped! Folks have gotten close to guessing this one (tough) and that one, but no cigar yet.

This week...you might think it a little easier (click image for big view). Show the world your borough knowledge and name this scene in the comments. Bonus points if you get this one and the other two.

Where in Queens? More Fall in the Borough originally appeared on About.com Queens, NY on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 23:52:25.

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Got a new profile up of Fort Totten, plus photos, and while researching it, a great event came to my attention.

This Thanksgiving weekend (2009) the park rangers lead tours of the tunnels at the old fort. These are normally closed to the public.

Sure, it won't be as thrilling as real spelunking, but it sounds like a great Thanksgiving weekend activity. There's no shopping involved; it could keep a clot of 10-year olds enthralled; and the weather doesn't matter underground.

• Fort Totten - Profile and directions

Tunnel Time at Fort Totten originally appeared on About.com Queens, NY on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 23:36:48.

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Details: Tim Burton at MoMA
Visitors Guide: MoMA Visitors Guide
Visitor Tips: MoMA Visitor Tips

_{Image Details: Untitled Polaroid (Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Sally). 1993 © 2009 Tim Burton}

Tim Burton Retrospective at MoMA originally appeared on About.com New York City Travel on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 09:00:42.

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Want To Get Married at the Empire State Building? originally appeared on About.com New York City Travel on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 09:00:33.

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Traveling The Silk Road Exhibit at AMNH originally appeared on About.com New York City Travel on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 09:00:47.

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Hotel Review: Hotel Elysee Review

_{Photo courtesy of HKHotels.}

Exclusive New York City Hotel Deal for About.com Readers originally appeared on About.com New York City Travel on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 09:00:33.

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Families visiting New York City might want to consider some of these chains with locations in New York City:

Embassy Suites New York:

102 North End Avenue, 212-945-0100

Like the name implies, all the accommodations are suites, giving parents and children traveling together a bit of extra space (and privacy!). In addition, room rates include cooked to order breakfast and a nightly Manager's reception with wine, beer, cocktails and snacks. The location is a bit of a walk from the subway, but it's near the Hudson River and Battery Park, and well situated for families who want to explore downtown Manhattan.

Cookie Magazine Picks for Best Hotel Chains originally appeared on About.com New York City Travel on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 09:00:43.

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Official Site: Kids' Night on Broadway
Best of NYC: Best Broadway Shows for Families

_{Kids' Night on Broadway graphic courtesy of The Broadway League.}

Kids' Night on Broadway Returns! originally appeared on About.com New York City Travel on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 09:00:47.

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33rd Annual Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival at AMNH originally appeared on About.com New York City Travel on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 09:00:02.

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_{Photo of The Pond at Bryant Park © Heather Cross, Licensed to About.com}

Grand Opening of The Pond at Bryant Park originally appeared on About.com New York City Travel on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 09:00:40.

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Holiday Markets Blog Carnival originally appeared on About.com New York City Travel on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 08:57:22.

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