Jobs & Careers in New York, NY

Find your next job in New York, NY. Search New York, NY jobs from thousands of job and career search sites. A search engine for jobs with a different approach to job and career searches. In one simple search, job seekers get free access to millions of employment opportunities from thousands of websites. Find your next job in New York, NY today.

Joey Chestnut Retains Mustard Belt with Record 68 Hot Dogs

Joey Chestnut is now well on his way to a Kobayashi-like dynasty after winning his third consecutive Nathan's Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. Chestnut jumped out to an early lead on his archrival Takeru Kobayashi and never looked back on his way to a new record of 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Kobayashi did everything he could to hold pace with Joey Jaws, setting his own personal record with 64 1/2 dogs—both men eclipsing the mark of 59 they both hit to send them into overtime a year ago. Chestnut even broke the 2007 record of 66 dogs that he set back when the old rules gave competitors an extra two minutes in regulation.

Immediately after, Chestnut said, "After the second minute, I knew my body was cooperating and it would be tough to beat me." The Shea brothers, George and Kevin, were armed with their usual arsenal of one-liners as they broadcast the event from the stage and announcer's booth respectively. As soon as the final buzzer rang, Kevin Shea said, "I don't moisturize and I don't watch Gossip Girl, but I'm very emotional right now."

You knew that the contest was going to live up to its reputation for being a wild and colorful affair early on when we saw Tim "Gravy" Brown arrive armed with a good luck charm of a painting titled "Believe" inspired by a vision he had of riding into the contest on a unicorn while gnawing on a turkey leg. Patrick Bertoletti, who finished in thrid with an impressive 55 dogs downed, once again set the bar for style points, ditching his Mohawk and purple suit for a look that appeared to be an homage to the cops portrayed by the Beastie Boys in the "Sabotage" video. And of course, no one takes competitive eating with quite the gravitas as Kobayashi, this year arriving with a Nathan's t-shirt that had been signed by various Olympic medalists from Japan.

But once again, Chestnut skipped flare for ferociousness, finishing franks fast and furiously. It would be difficult for anyone to look pretty while scarfing down almost seven dogs a minute, but Chestnut truly lets it all hang out on his quest to become "the Bill Belichick of the belly" as Kevin Shea deemed after today's victory. Chestnut was hardly modest after, saying he thought he could reach 70, but "the buns were going down slow today." Hold onto that while you can, Joe.

Audit: 39 Retired City Workers "Double-Dipping"

In this case, double-dipping doesn't refer to a George Costanza-like social faux pas—it's the more serious instance of a retired city worker who collects his/her pension PLUS pay from a new public job! The Daily News reports, "New city audits have found 39 city retirees double-dipping with new public jobs - and pulling in some $600,000 in improper pension payments," such as "a retired assistant district attorney collecting a $69,660 pension on top of a $99,100 consulting contract for the state courts... a retired police captain who earned $51,246 as a city teacher on top of a $55,622 pension and a retired teacher with a $55,882 pension who also worked an FDNY office job for $76,490." Nice work if you can get it! The News further explains that retired city employees cannot receive pension payments if they take "another city or state job, though some are allowed to do so if they obtain waivers." City Comptroller William Thompson said, "Immediate action ... is needed to investigate and recoup, if appropriate, any improper payments made to these retirees identified as possible 'double-dippers.'"

Rangel, NY Times Agree: Maloney Should Run For Senate If She Wants

With Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan) looking to challenge Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the 2010 Democratic Senate primary, much is being made of Maloney is doing so much to the dismay of the Obama administration. But Rep. Charles Rangel thinks President Obama should stay out of race—and the NY Times says the same in an editorial!

President Obama called Rep. Steve Israel (D-Long Island) to tell him not to run and Vice President Joe Biden called Maloney essentially asking the same. Rangel told the Daily News, "I really cannot say anything negative about a senior member who wants to run and whose polls, at this point in time, appear to be in her favor... Nobody can challenge that she's not a hardworking member of Congress." He hasn't endorsed either Maloney or Gillibrand, but added, "I really don't understand why President Obama got involved in our primary. I don't want to use the word wrong, but it doesn't seem like the astute political thing to do."

The NY Times editorial is pretty pointed:

It was hard to know what standards of qualification Mr. Paterson applied when he elevated Ms. Gillibrand. It’s just as hard to fathom why President Obama and his team are now trying to stop other Democrats from challenging the appointed senator.

If that sounds heavy-handed and undemocratic, it is. An election should offer choices.

Senator Gillibrand is a personable and energetic politician and a phenomenal fund-raiser. But we’re still figuring out how much credence to place in her overnight conversion to more progressive stands on issues such as gun control and immigration...

At this point, we don’t think Mr. Obama or anyone else should be trying to discourage candidates from running for office. That should be especially true of President Obama’s team. Remember how people tried to dissuade him from running against the unstoppable Senator Clinton in 2008?

A June Quinnipiac poll showed that Maloney with 27% to Gillibrand's 23%, but 44% were undecided. At the time, Quinnipiac's Maurice Carroll said, "The New York cliche, that a liberal wins a Democratic primary, looks like it holds true in this poll. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, a city liberal, edges Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, an upstate moderate, but almost half are undecided. They each beat Congressman Peter King, a Long Island Republican, by about the same."

Man Killed In Brutal Flushing Hit-and-Run

A fatal hit-and-run accident in Flushing left the victim's body in such bad shape, authorities had to obtain dental records to identify that it was 30-year-old Matthew Kim. Kim had returned to his Flushing home earlier Thursday night after going out for drinks with friends—the Post says that he was helping console a friend who had just recently lost his mother. Kim, a former architecture student who now worked in construction and taught Sunday school, was nearly decapitated after being hit by a driver making a U-turn while walking on 149th place. A person walking their dog at 3:30 a.m. spotted his body and told the News, "I couldn't imagine any human being leaving someone like that."

Statue of Liberty Opens Up One More Room with a View!

The Statue of Liberty's crown reopened to the public this morning after being closed down since 9/11, making today possibly the biggest reason to celebrate the Fourth inside Lady Liberty since she turned 100 and reopened from renovations in 1986.

After the initial tour of the crown was given to a group of men and women from the armed forces, some of the young winners of an essay contest got to take in the view that has been unavailable for most of their lifetimes. One youngster told the News it was "unbelievable" and another deemed it "the coolest thing ever."

The Post reports that there's been an effort to prevent scalping for much-coveted giveaway crown tickets, but just yesterday four found their way onto Craigslist for $200. The posting appears to be be taken down as of now with the agency Liberty Cruises keeping a close eye on the internet for anyone else attempting to capitalize on the big moment. A spokeswoman said, "We didn't want to turn it into a situation like a Bruce Springsteen ticket. We will not tolerate this kind of thing."

Now let's cross our fingers that there are no Saboteur moments anytime soon!

Elephants Beat Humans In Nathan's Hot Dog Bun Eating Contest

In the warmup to today's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, yesterday there was the pachyderm vs. homosapien showdown over eating Nathan's Hot Dog Buns. And perhaps to no one's surprise, Ringling Bros. Circus elephants Bunny, Susie and Minnie ate 505 buns in six minutes—while Juliet Lee, Gravy Brown and Eric "Badlands" Booker could only chow down 143. Circus production manager Jason Gibson told the Daily News he was confident, "Our girls train every day. They eat 150 to 200 pounds of food a day. I knew they'd do fine," said Jason Gibson, circus production manager.

Booker, a subway conductor and rapper, was philosophical to NY1, "We probably got about five dozen down apiece, but the elephants, you know, they're just massive. In one whole swoop they get about one or two dozen. You know, we can't compete with that." And Lee was pleased with her performance, "I eat 10 percent of my body weight. They only eat three percent of their body weight, so I am the real winner."

Major League Eating chairman George Shea was disappointed; he lamented to the Brooklyn Paper, "Am I embarrassed for my species? Of course I am. This is as dark a day for humanity as the evening of the Hindenberg crash. But this time, my heart is screaming, ‘Oh, the pachydermity! Oh, the pachydermity.’"

NYC Prep World Reels Over Bravo's NYC Prep

The new Bravo reality show NYC Prep has been ridiculed in many places, but it's mostly bringing shame to the schools where the students/reality show's players attend. In a NY Times Styles section article, parents are uttering things like, “Absolute garbage,” and "Like a bad ‘Dynasty’ episode," about the show that features spoiled teens (including ones who are amazed that teachers wants students "to, like, study during Christmas break") at private schools Nightingale-Bamford School, Dwight School, Birch Wathen Lenox School and the Ross School (in East Hampton) and public school (GASP!) Stuyvesant High School. Administrators are aghast while some parents are upset seeing the show's teens "spend most of their time scheming, partying, eating in expensive restaurants and shopping for $2,000 skirts." But the best quote is from the author of a private school guide, who says, "The schools on this show are all at the bottom"—top schools being Dalton, Brearley, and Collegiate—"There would never be a Brearley girl on this show." Thank goodness for snobbery!

Senate Still In Stalemate, But Paterson Lets 'Em Go Home Today

There is no power-sharing deal between the Democrats and Republicans in the State Senate, however the NY Times says there's a thaw between the two bickering parties. After the Democratic and Republican leaders met with Paterson yesterday, the Times noticed, "There was a lightened mood — after weeks of insults and accusations that have shattered the chamber’s usual decorum — and suggestions of progress, however halting."

Espada said, "The difference is we are actually together and focused on the solution. We are no longer apart, throwing shots at each other from one side of the aisle to the other. We’re very focused on this." The Senators have been meeting without truly doing working (just gaveling in, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and gaveling out), but yesterday, they all gave a standing ovation to Senator Owen Johnson (R-Long Island), who turned 80 years, prompting Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) to shout, "We did something together!" That'd be funny if it weren't sad as well.

Paterson is appreciative that the two sides are talking. Originally, he had scheduled "extraordinary" Senate sessions for 3 p.m. today and tomorrow, but rescheduled today's to 11 a.m. and tomorrow's for 6 p.m., so some Senators may be able to go home and celebrate July 4th with their families. A Paterson aide told the Daily News, "The fact they are all in a room together talking things through is a sign of progress. Where it goes from there, I don't know." And the governor told the Times, "I think that they were surprised at how far you can get if there is someone sort of keeping the discussion in a place. They seemed to agree on resources. They seemed to agree on staffing. And they seemed to agree that in that respect, they are pretty split down the middle. Where they don’t agree is over this June 8th issue." You know, the coup itself!

Former Cop Turned Bronx Big Mac Bouncer Shoots Mugger

A McDonald's in The Bronx had a real McDowell's-like situation on its hand when an employee intervened with a gun-toting mugging going on. But in this Soundview altercation, the action took place outside of the fast food joint when the guard of the Golden Arches spotted a couple attacking a man filling up his tank at a nearby gas station. And luckily for the McDonald's security guard who spotted the altercation and decided to get involved, he didn't have to rely on Prince Akeem's martial arts skills with a mop stick—he opened fire with his own weapon. The guard had a little background with using a firearm to chase down perps—he's a former cop. He was able to shoot one of the muggers in the leg, but the man's girlfriend was able to round up her partner in crime and drive off before the two could be apprehended. An 18-year-old fellow employee of the guard's at the restaurant said, "He shot first and he pistol-whipped [the driver]. His head was bleeding a lot. [Then] the security guard went out shooting. It's crazy. You don't expect this. I mean, I only work at McDonald's."

NYers Reminded That Fireworks Aren't For Amateurs

On Friday, Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Kelly and Fire Commissioner Scoppetta reminded the public that consumer fireworks are illegal and dangerous (watch the ones over the Hudson instead!) and urged them to call 311 to report fireworks. Bloomberg said, "This should be a time to celebrate. Something we look back on with nothing but good memories. How would you feel if one of your family members or friends was really badly injured or worse? The other thing is, how would you like to be arrested?" Staten Island is getting much of the attention, with the cops and fire department busting people who return from buying fireworks in Pennsylvania. S.I. Borough Commander Chief Stephen Paragallo told NY1, "The type of residences in the other boroughs, excluding Staten Island, generally play into not having these large shows, block party-type shows. Not to say they don't happen in the other boroughs, but not to the degree they happen here." Flashback: The 2007 fireworks fracas, which resulted in 19 arrests on Staten Island.

Last Night's Action: Early Strike Dooms Mets

• Phillies 7, Mets 2: That sound the Mets heard is Livan Hernandez's other shoe dropping. A guy with ERAs of 4.83, 4.93 and 6.03 the last three seasons wasn't going to keep his mark at 4.04. After he allowed seven runs in three innings, Hernandez now sports a 4.56 mark. That's what happens when you allow 14 of the 23 batters you face to reach base. The Mets couldn't rally, even against Philadelphia starter Rodrigo Lopez, who hadn't pitched in the big leagues since 2007. Ryan Church went 3-for-4 to continue his hot hitting, but no one else did much. The Mets got their two runs on three doubles in four batters in the seventh inning. The Mets trail the Phillies by two games in the National League East. Florida is also ahead of the Mets.


• Yankees 4, Blue Jays 2: This is the A.J. Burnett the Yankees paid for. Will he stick around? Burnett allowed two runs in seven innings, striking out seven and walking two. Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez each homered. The Yankees are back to a season-high 13 games over .500, but they have Chien-Ming Wang facing Roy Halladay on Saturday. Good luck with that.





Extra, Extra



Photograph of NewYorkDailyPhoto.com
• From the Gothamist Newsmap: A barricaded situation at W 52nd St & 7th Ave in Manhattan, an attempted bank robbery at 163rd Ave & Cross Bay Blvd in Queens, and an MVA at 140 St & Grand Concourse in the Bronx.
• Just after graduating from the Police Academy and becoming a full-fledged cop, rookie police officer Dariel Firpo helped nab a man robbing an elderly man in Midtown.
• Regarding Thursday's Staten Island Ferry crash, one of the boat's transformers broke down and the other three malfunctioned.
• The long-planned expansion to the Javits Center has been approved; Governor Paterson says work will begin immediately.
• A non-profit group wants to turn a decrepit lighthouse on Long Island into a bed and breakfast.
• City Councilman Simcha Felder is looking into abolishing the Public Advocate's Office. His spokesman said, "Ninety-nine percent of New Yorkers don't know what the public advocate does or who the public advocate is, and Simcha believes the money in the advocate's budget could be better used for education, child care, senior services and elsewhere."
• The elephants beat the humans in the hot dog eating contest at Coney Island today.
• A California teacher gave her students DVD of class memories—but it included clips of her having sex on a couch. A parent, who said the tape goes from his son to the couch scene, said he'd like the school to "offer some sort of counseling for my children, ask me how my children are doing. I want somebody to ask me the kind of questions my kids are asking me."





Alaska Governor Sarah Palin To Resign At End Of July


Get ready to see more of Sarah Palin around the continental U.S.: The Alaska Governor and former vice presidential hopeful says she will step down as governor at the end of the month, "We know we can effect positive change outside of government... It is my duty to always protect our great state. With that in mind, my family and I determined that it is best to make a difference this summer, and I am willing to change things, so that this administration, with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future, can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success." Politico reports, "Leaving office at the end of the month, [Palin] will be able to travel the country more freely without facing the sort of repeated ethics inquiries she’s been fending off since returning to Alaska earlier this year."

Here's 7 minutes of her 18 minute speech (which was something else—here's the text of her full, basketball analogy-filled remarks):

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The Caucus reports, "Her decision follows a week of extraordinarily bad publicity, from within her own state over ethics inquiries and across the national landscape as top aides on her vice-presidential campaign and supporters have been engaged in a highly public feud that has spilled out in vociferous tones online on blogs and on television. Bloggers in Alaska, critics of the governor as well as former Palin supporters, suggest also that pending releases of e-mails among the Palins were about to expose her to further questions about her finances and governance issues." The Democratic National Committee issued this statement:

Either Sarah Palin is leaving the people of Alaska high and dry to pursue her long shot national political ambitions or she simply can’t handle the job now that her popularity has dimmed and oil revenues are down. Either way - her decision to abandon her post and the people of Alaska who elected her continues a pattern of bizarre behavior that more than anything else may explain the decision she made today.

Ouch! Sources tell NBC News' Andrea Mitchell that Palin is out of politics for good.

Vanity Fair's scathing profile of Palin offered this post-2008 election observation, "The conventional wisdom among Palin’s supporters in the Republican establishment was that she should go home, keep her head down, show that she could govern effectively, and quietly educate herself about foreign and domestic policy with the help of a cadre of experienced advisers. She has done none of this."






A Look Back At Independence Days Of The Past


       

With all this rain it may not seem very much like summer out there lately, but hopefully by the 4th will be all sunshine and fireworks. Here are some old images of New York City on Independence Day, courtesy of LIFE's photo archive. Man, people really packed on to those beaches!






Presented By:


Thanks to This Week's Advertisers


We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Gothamist.


• Summer Restaurant Week, from July 12-31 at over 250 NYC restaurants. Make your reservation today!
  
• ACES trains, taking you directly from Penn Station to Atlantic City with a $29 fare promotion through July 31st.
  
• NYC: The Real Deal, save now on shopping, dining, arts & entertainment, hotels and more.
  
• American Apparel, with 25 stores in NYC, you can look your best after dark.
  
• GroupOn, using collective buying power to bring you one ridiculous coupon each day.
  
• Connect by Hertz, where you can rent by the hour or by the day.

If you're interested in advertising on Gothamist or any other site in our network, check out our online mediakit.





Statue Of Liberty's Crown Reopens Tomorrow


After years of being out of tourists' reach, the Statue of Liberty's crown will reopen tomorrow. Groups of 30 people at time will be able to travel all the way to the top of the landmark, and two of the people in the first group are Aleyna Bartnick and her father Chris. The Merrick 8-year-old, whose mother passed away a year after her birth, is fascinated with the Statue of Liberty and her nanny April Shrader snagged tickets, thanks to two phones and the redial button. Shrader told Newsday, "If I told her I'd gotten Jonas Brothers tickets, she could care less. But when she found out she was going to the Statue of Liberty, she was jumping up and screaming like most kids do for Hannah Montana." Aleyna excitedly said, "I've only seen pictures of it, and I know it's special because it welcomes the people who come to America," and showed off her knowldge—"The seven points on the crown represent the seven continents and the seven seas." Awww. Also: The Daily News had an essay contest, picking five kids (one from each borough, natch) to visit the crown tomorrow—the kids met Rep. Anthony Weiner, who said their essays will be printed in the Congressional Record. Nice!






Joe Jr., Classic Village Coffee Shop, to Close This Weekend



Photographs from reader Mike Murphy

After more than 35 years in business, quintessential greasy spoon Joe Jr. Restaurant on West 12th Street and Sixth Avenue will close this weekend. Devoted regulars and casual admirers were both dismayed at the news yesterday, and over 1,000 customers signed a petition begging the landlord to renew the lease, which expired June 30th. But 65-year-old owner Teddy Hondros seems resigned to his fate, and says an 11th hour overture from the landlord is too little too late; he's arranged to have the gas turned off and close after one more Saturday night.

Hondros's son Gregory, who manages the coffee shop, tells NY1, "It hurts right now. I'm trying not to cry because I grew up here since I was eight years old but it hurts me, it hurts my father, it hurts all of us." He says an electrical fire broke out in the basement of the building last month, and his father had been in a dispute with the landlord—also a father-son team—over who should pay for the repairs and renovation. Speaking to the Times, Gregory estimated that the work would have cost "hundreds of thousands of dollars." (Eater reports that figure at $750,000.)

Teddy Hondros tells Grub Street, "With the father I can agree all the time, but the son has new ideas. Maybe they want to clean this place, with all the smoke and oil. Young people don't want the flames, the cooking, all this stuff." While NY1 was on the scene, the elder landlord, Sal Iuso, showed up and promised to work out a solution to keep Joe Jr.'s alive. Gregory refused to believe him, insisting that Iuso's son wanted them out. Iuso replied, "Forget him altogether, forget him we'll rectify it that's it." But by all accounts, Teddy Hondros seems tired and absolutely committed to closing Sunday.






Village Voice On Its Michael Jackson Cover


To accompany its Michael Jackson package of articles, the Village Voice put a 1976 photograph of the music legend on its cover. The Voice's Runnin' Scared blog explains that the picture of a dynamic Jackson against the city was "taken on a balcony on the Upper East Side by music photographer Michael Putland. Whatever brought him to town, Jackson was a tough subject, Putland says. He could hardly believe that someone who projected such a giant personality on stage could be so fragile and soft-spoken in person. 'I felt almost sorry for him while taking the photos. I wanted to say, "It's OK, Michael."' Putland also said that it was hard getting Jackson to show his personality, noting that he seemed "very child-like." Also: "It was Jackson's request to wear the deerstalker. Putland remembers thinking that it was a silly hat, but he didn't have the heart to say no." Also check out the Voice's archives of Jackson reviews and articles. In other MJ news, tickets for Jackson's memorial in LA next Tuesday will be randomly drawn (enter here), the powerful sedative Diprivan was found in his home, and he will be buried in a $25K casket.






Get Ready For July 4th Fireworks Over The Hudson



Photograph of last year's fireworks by Loladear on Flickr

Tomorrow night is the 33rd annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. As we all know, the fireworks will take place over the Hudson River this year, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the river's exploration by Henry Hudson. Expect a dazzling display of 45,000 shells (which will explode a rate of more than 1,500 per minute) from six barges, which is the most barges that Macy's has ever used. Fireworks designer Gary Souza told the Post that the Hudson "gives us a broader area to launch the fireworks from and makes the show that much more spectacular. It's one of the biggest and best shows we've ever put together."

The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks, which were first held on the Hudson back in 1976, is set with an American River, and there will be some tie-ins with Dutch culture in the fireworks themselves. The fireworks are just one of the highlights of the city's and Netherlands' festivities Hudson's voyage all year long. Renée Jones-Bos, the Dutch Ambassador to the United States, told us, "The Netherlands and New York share a special bond that has been fortified over time. Our bond is recognized not only in the fireworks to be seen on the 4th of July, but also in the many ways the Dutch influence has permeated New York City. From Dutch words incorporated into New Yorkers' everyday language such as 'Yankees' and 'Breukelen', to the atmosphere of multiculturalism and tolerance the city is known for, to New York City's role as a capital of finance, the Netherlands and New York share a world of similarities."

According to Macy's, the best viewing spots along the Hudson (on the NYC side) are anywhere below 59th Street along 12th Avenue—but there are specific access points on 11th Avenue: 24th Street, 26th-30th Streets, 34th Street, 40th-44th Streets, 47th-52nd Streets, and 54th-57th Streets. There is very limited viewing north of 59th Street on the West Side. The fireworks begin at 9 p.m.; there's also a NBC broadcast and radio simulcast on 1010WINS.






Man Beaten When Mom's Cries Of Ecstasy Were Misunderstood


Sometimes when a man and a woman love each other very much, they become physically intimate and express their passion vocally. And sometimes children can mistake mommy's cries of pleasure for howling anguish, and rush to her aide. Such was the awkward and violent scenario that erupted on June 6th when a 16-year-old Connecticut girl heard screams coming from her mother's bedroom and thought she was being murdered. So she called her friends, who burst into the bedroom and beat 25-year-old Roger Swanson with their fists and a bat. (He was hospitalized with a black eye and several bruises.) The girl's mother, Melanie Arnold, 34, denies screaming and says her daughter only heard a slap, but police Lt. Bruce Whiteley insists it was the amorous crying that alarmed the girl, who was arrested Tuesday night along with her three friends. Swanson says the teens never gave him a chance to explain, and tells AP, "What if they fight someone else and those guys don't walk away? What if they kill somebody? Then they're going to spend the rest of their lives in jail. These kids need to learn." Yeah, they need to learn a lot of things. Kids grow up so slow these days!






Dry for the Fourth



6-30-7 by Kesnerster on Flickr

There's one more day of rain to contend with before the dry weekend. Two upper level disturbances are going to pass overhead today. You know the drill, look out for scattered showers and thunderstorms from early this afternoon through the evening. These are expected to be slow-moving storms, so they may dump lots of rain where they strike. Also, small hail and gusty winds. We'll see highs from the mid 70s to near 80.

However! Humidity levels will begin to drop late tonight as a weak high pressure system moves into the region. There may be a few fair weather cumulus clouds tomorrow but our July 4th skies should be clear for the fireworks. Sunday is also looking sunny. Both days should see seasonable highs in the lower 80s. Look for more of the same on Monday.

The cool and rainy weather has been ideal for the spread of the disease and pestilence. Late blight, the fungus that caused the Irish Potato Famine, has been seen all over the northeast affects tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant. The fungus can spread rapidly when seedlings are packed close together such as at big-box store garden centers. If your plants are infected the Plant Disease Diagnostic Center at Cornell recommends bagging in plastic and tossing in the trash.






Desk Jockey Cops Can Now Remain Seated


A plan to beef up street patrols around the city on Fridays by making NYPD desk jockeys walk the beat has been dropped, and the police chief who ordered the summertime reassignments has been essentially demoted, the Post has learned. A source tells the tabloid that Police Commissioner Ray Kelly pulled the plug because he "was annoyed that he wasn't told about it. It wasn't going to work anyway, because the cops involved weren't for it. It was just window dressing." When it was announced last month, an NYPD spokesman insisted, "This is not a new program, and the NYPD has been using this for years." But today's news seems to contradict that assertion, and Kelly has stripped Chief of Patrol Robert Gianelli, his former radio-car partner, of command of the Special Operations Division over the flap. Today would have been the third Friday that administrative cops—as many as 10 from each of the 76 police precincts—were reassigned to foot patrols. According to the Post, precinct commanders were grumbling because the officers are needed to perform the day-to-day administrative tasks to keep office operations running.






Early Addition



Photograph by Digiart2001 | jason.kuffer on Flickr
• From the Gothamist Newsmap: A bicyclist struck at 1st Ave & E 96th St in Manhattan, an EDP in the water at FDR & 92nd St in Manhattan, and an overturned auto on the westbound Grand Central Parkway at Union Turnpike in Queens.
• A 41-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run in Queens. Witnesses say the vehicle (which appears to be a van or SUV, based on the tires) may have been trying to make a U-turn.
• A federal agency evaluated Woodhull Hospital using records that Woodhull's medical chief altered after the patients left. The medical chief resigned and an investigation is continuing.
• A couple entering their Valley Stream home were robbed at gunpoint.
• There's free admission for today's volleyball tournament—the AVP CROCS SLAM LUMBER LIQUIDATORS CONEY ISLAND OPEN PRESENTED BY KENTUCKY GRILLED CHICKEN semifinals—at Coney Island.
• Janet Redmond-Mercereau, sentenced to 25 years to life for killing her fire marshal husband, was reportedly smirking during the sentencing.
• Tea party rallies are being held in NJ tomorrow; there was one in Times Square on Wednesday.
• The public memorial for Michael Jackson will occur at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday; while 20,000 tickets will be available, it's unclear how the tickets will be distributed.





Broadway Pedestrian Plazas: Masterpiece Or Nightmare?



this charming broad's Flickr
Opinions remain bitterly divided on the merits of the new Broadway pedestrian plazas that opened on Memorial Day, and an official analysis of the pilot program's traffic impact won't be available any time soon. The Times has found that the DOT's previous timeline for studying the changes has been pushed back because the department still isn't finished hanging traffic signals, painting roads, building out the plazas and adding concrete barriers. Officials won't start measuring the program's effects until the middle of August and won't submit a final report until December, when Bloomberg will decide whether to make the changes permanent. DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan says, "When we have finished the project, we will begin collecting the data. You wouldn’t want to look at a Picasso that’s halfway done." But some critics are already trashing Sadik-Khan's masterpiece; cab driver Fhahidul Hossain tells the Times, "If you have one fare to go to the theater district, your day or night is finished. A 10-minute fare is going to take you an hour or so. It's a nightmare. In Manhattan, you have to move, man. You cannot do it like this. This is not Europe. This is New York City, for God's sake!" And don't even get Hossain started on those lawn chairs.





Kobayashi and Chestnut Weigh In for "Day of Reckoning"


       

Yesterday the top dogs of competitive eating faced off at the scales. Reigning champ Joey Chestnut and six-time winner Takeru Kobayashi were weighed in prior to their annual July 4th Nathan't Hot Dog showdown tomorrow. Chestnut, 25, came in at 218 lbs, to his 31-year-old competitor's 132 lbs. The two have faced off four times, with each taking home the belt twice, so this year will be a tie-breaker. Chestnut currently holds the world record, with his 2007 performance of eating 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes

The Daily News reports that Mayor Bloomberg was on hand, and told the crowd, "July 4 isn't a holiday for these men. It's going to be a day of reckoning." There will be 18 other eaters in the contest, but who will take home the mustard belt?!

The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is broadcast at noon on ESPN, but the fun on Coney Island's Stillwell Avenue starts at 10:30 a.m.






Ruth Madoff Left Apartment With Just A "Straw Bag"


A couple more details from the U.S. Marshals' seizure of Bernard and Ruth Madoff's $7 million East 64th Street penthouse. According to the AP, "Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff's wife asked to stay in her $7 million Manhattan penthouse and wanted to take a fur coat with her before federal marshals seized the property. A federal official informed of Ruth Madoff's departure from her apartment Thursday tells The Associated Press that when marshals said she couldn't take her coat, she left carrying just a straw bag." However, her lawyer tells the Post, "This cheap effort to smear Ruth Madoff is meritless. And it was she who forfeited the furs last Friday as the publicly filed stipulation states." And the marshals do say she left voluntarily with all the apartment's contents there, including "$18,000 worth of bedding and $382,000 in rugs and curtains."






Bloomberg: "Rich People Don’t Always Win"


At last night's Working Families Party mayoral forum with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Comptroller Bill Thompson and City Councilman Tony Avella, Bloomberg defended his campaign spending, "I made every dime that I have... I've used my money only to talk about what I would do and what I have done. There's nothing wrong with that as far as I can see... Rich people don’t always win...You can't buy an election. The public's much too smart for that. You can use it to get a message out." The NY Times, though, found the explanation "drew some hisses and even laughter."

Bloomberg also said his staff was looking at whether NYC could mandate paid sick days (he supports it for large businesses, doesn't know about impact on small ones) and said his administration's homelessness policy made shelters "much more humane and civilized." However, Thompson and Avella questioned Bloomberg's reluctance to raise taxes on the rich.

The Times also reports that, per crowd reaction, Bloomberg seemed the "least popular of the three" while Avella "seemed to generate the most applause" and notes that the WFP endorsement is "especially crucial to Mr. Thompson, the presumptive Democratic nominee, because he trails Mr. Bloomberg badly in polls and has watched many Democrat-friendly unions and officials back the mayor." The WFP will endorse a candidate on July 9. And Reverend Billy, who is also running for mayor, wonders why the WFP didn't respond to his application to appear at the forum; the WFP claims they never received one.






Mob Hit At Staten Island Bus Stop


Early yesterday morning, a Staten Island man was fatally gunned down in the Arden Heights section. The Staten Island Advance reports, "He tried to run across the street but couldn't dodge the lethal shower of lead -- seven shots, at least," and it turns out that Anthony Seccafico, 46, was a part of the Bonanno crime family. Seccafico, who was headed to his construction job in Manhattan, "had been arrested a number of times dating to the early 1980s, and in 2002 was among 20 people arrested in a sweep of a Bonanno gambling and loansharking operation in Manhattan." The Post says that Seccafico may have recognized his killer—"Killing a made man is historically forbidden in the Mafia unless it is sanctioned by higher-ups in the family, sparking fears that a gang war may erupt." A Post source referred to Seccafico as being a "head case" with a "short fuse," adding, "There's always a guy you're not surprised [gets killed]."






NY State May Really Withhold State Senate Pay


About a week after Governor David Paterson threatened to dock the stalemated State Senators' pay, now State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli moving forward with it. On July 25, DiNapoli's office was trying to figure out whether the Governor had the power to do that, and last night, DiNapoli sent a press release out:

Shortly after the Senate leadership controversy arose, I directed my staff to stop processing any Senate vouchers, including those for Senators’ travel. To date, we are holding more than 250 vouchers, totaling $560,000.

The question of withholding Senators’ pay has raised complicated legal and constitutional issues. My staff has been meeting with Governor Paterson’s staff to resolve those issues. These discussions are ongoing.

Out of respect for the separation of powers, I have strived to avoid inserting my office into what is essentially an internal matter within a separate branch of government. But the deadlock in the Senate is undermining the ability of state government to function. Taxpayers are paying a very high price. The stalemate is costing taxpayers across the state millions of dollars a day.

As the state’s fiscal officer, I have a responsibility to taxpayers to safeguard their interests. These are difficult fiscal times. The state needs leadership and action.

I have instructed my staff to initiate the process to hold Senators’ pay. I have also filed suit in Supreme Court seeking declaratory judgment to clarify the Constitutional and statutory obligations surrounding this matter.

Every elected official has a duty to serve the people of this great state. I urge Senators to resolve their differences now. The people of New York deserve no less.

However, DiNapoli's spokeswoman Jennifer Freeman told the Times, "Will those paychecks be likely released in the future? Yes. Taking away their pay is a completely different issue than holding their paychecks." The Senate Democrats' spokesman said, "We'll see him in court," while the Senate Republicans had no comment for the Daily News. But Republican Senator Martin Golden said, "I don't think it's legal, but to be honest with you, I think it's a good idea."

DiNapoli also provided a fact sheet showing the cost of Senate inaction—"Local Governments: $741 million; NYC: $902 million; State: $1.3 billion."






Happy July 4th Eve!


Since July 4th falls on a Saturday, today is a federal holiday. Government offices are closed, and most post offices are closed—the Farley Post Office at 8th Avenue and 32nd Street is open. Sunday parking rules are in effect and while there will be sanitation "pickups, street cleaning and recycling on Friday," there won't be any on Saturday according to the NY Times. Also, the subways are running on a Saturday schedule, while city buses are running on a Sunday one—and Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road are on a regular weekday schedule. Many businesses are giving employees the day off—are you taking it easy today?






Presented By:


Last Night's Action: A Winning Streak!



Photograph of Ryan Church connecting for a single to drive in Fernando Tatis for the go-ahead run by Gene J. Puskar/AP
• Mets 9 Pittsburgh 8 (10 Innings): They were down and they were up and they were down again, but in the end they prevailed for the win and established a two-game winning streak. The Pirates jumped all over Tim Redding for a 5-0 lead, but the Mets came back. Two runs in the fourth, four runs in the fifth and two runs in the sixth put them up front 8-5, but Francisco Rodriguez couldn’t hold it. Rodriguez gave up the lead, but escaped a jam that would have cost the Mets the game in the 9th and then set the Pirates down in order in the 10th. That proved to be the difference thanks to Ferando Tatis who got hit by a pitch and stole second. He scored on a single by Ryan Church, which proved to be the game-winner.
• Seattle 8 Yankees 4: C.C. Sabathia never had it and he gave up six runs in 5+ innings. The Yankees never recovered and their winning streak ended at seven.





Extra, Extra



Photo taken by xbettyx on flickr
• From the Gothamist Newsmap: A DOA floater at East River and Grand St in Manhattan, an armed robbery at E225 St & White Plains Rd in the Bronx, and a pedestrian struck at 48 St & 14 Ave in Brooklyn.
• After a rumor was going around that Di Fara's was closing, the famous Midwood pizzeria let us know that Dom is well and they are in fact open. It turned out to just be some oral surgery that was a little more unpleasant than expected.
• The Staten Island woman found guilty of killing her fire marshal husband was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
• The Health Department says that 11 cases of the measles have been confirmed in young Brooklyn children over the last two months.
• Someone is taking photographs from the Madoff family album and selling them via Getty Images—could it be Ruth?!
• Stocks fell—the Dow lost 223 points—after the news that the unemployment rate was now 9.5%, which was higher than expected.
• The opening of the High Line has sparked some interest in nearby condos.
• NY Magazine had breakfast with Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's grandson's daddy Levi Johnston, who says there are too many people in New York City. Johnston may be working on a reality show, though his agent says, "It will be a docudrama or something similar. I think the whole reality-show thing is played out."
• The Times is catching wind of a recent vampire trend.
• 50 Cent shows that he believes in keeping his friends close and his young YouTube enemies closer.
• Quincy Jones revealed in a recent interview that his daughter Rashida (of The Office and now Parks and Recreation) was once bitten by Bubbles the Chimp!
• One writer tries to break down what makes an Onion rape joke successful or just plain offensive.
• And how long until some local savvy baker takes a cue from the Bagelheads in Japan and utilizes the bizarre saline solution body morphing technique?





Maloney Begins Fighting Battle No Dems Want Her to Win


With it being all but official that Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney will be taking on Kirsten Gillibrand in the Democratic primary for Senate next year, now comes the tough part for Maloney—finding a base of voters while getting little to no support from Democratic big wigs up top. The Times accounts just what a mountain she's up against: receiving an Obama/Steve Israel-like call from Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer scaring away a potential campaign manager and now watching Gillibrand take credit for her WTC workers bill. Maloney said, “Here she takes my bill and introduces it." Maloney's nascent campaign is trying to build some momentum off of the presence of Bill Clinton at an upcoming fundraiser of hers, but it seems that she can't even get any love there. A Clinton spokesperson made it clear the former president was strictly attending to thank Hillary '08 supporters like Maloney and added, "The former president believes that Senator Gillibrand is doing a good job as senator and this type of thank-you event, and any other he may do, should not be read as an endorsement or un-endorsement."






NJ Braces For July 4 Fireworks


With the Macy's July 4 fireworks extravaganza on the Hudson River this year (to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage down the Hudson River), crowds will be lining up on both the New York and New Jersey sides of the river to catch a glimpse of the display. And while NY is used to the security and preparations required, NJ towns aren't: The NY Times reports, "The new location has left town officials in Hoboken, Weehawken, North Bergen and other waterfront communities confronting something they do not often have to deal with — the 100,000 or more spectators they expect to descend on the Hudson’s west bank." Local police and fire departments have warned about grilling regulations and some apartment buildings limited tenants' guests or said only tenants with ID will be allowed in (forget those parties!). There are also driving restrictions in Jersey City plus a zero-tolerance policy—"Open containers, public urination, public nuisance and destruction of property are all subject to a $1,000 fine per infraction," according to Hoboken Now, thanks to the rowdy St. Patrick's Parade behavior (which probably means having sex in public is "public nuisance" and pooping in the hallway is "destruction of property").






Mets Sleeping Under The Same Roof As A Horde Of Furries


Mr. Met already has enough to worry about when his team is in town, what with fans disgracing his wholesome image, drunkenly attacking him to the point that he's ready to snap. Now the poor guy's going to pick up the papers today and be as green as the team's commemorative St. Paddy's jerseys when he finds out that his Amazins have been canoodling with a whole throng of other mascots while on their road trip down in Pittsburgh.

It turns out that the team happens to be staying at the same hotel as Anthrocon, a festival of furries. And how did goofily grinning cat get let out of the bad? Where all big sports stories are broken these days—Twitter, of course. SNY's on-field reporter, Kevin Burkhardt, tweeted last night, "Our hotel in Pitt is overrun by people dressed up as animals. Anthrocon? And they act as animals. I have seen it all and I am freaked out." He went on to tweet about meeting Ralph Wiggam as a beaver (with Twitpic naturally) and how we was "so disturbed I can't go to sleep." Burkhardt's sense of shock is a little surprising, given that he's a Jersey Shore native.

Now before fans (and possible divorcee Mr. Met) get any ideas that the team may be down in Pittsburgh "hiking the anthropomorphic Appalachian trail," it sounds like Anthrocon is a more happy-go-lucky affair than any notions you might have from the "Furries and Plushies" special that once aired on the MTV Sex2K special. Anthrocon's website says, "If you as an adult still occasionally like to flip to the old cartoons, or have a stuffed animal sitting on the dashboard of your car, or buy cereal because it has a cool tiger on the box, you may well enjoy what our fandom has to offer."

Still, we have our suspicions about Met reliver Bobby Parnell telling a reporter, "The first thing I saw coming down the elevator this morning was a fox." Either way, this can't be making it any easier for Mr. Met's struggle to find some zzz's at this new home.






New Restaurants on the Radar: Cookie Road, Piccola Cucina, Aqualis Grill



Cookie Road, outside and in. (John Del Signore/Gothamist)

Cookie Road: Sometime last winter, a building on the corner of Franklin and Oak in Greenpoint was cryptically painted with happy illustrations about a mythical "Cookie Road." But it was many months before that road finally led to the promised land: a cozy bakery just down the block specializing in cookies, cakes, pastries, tea, and first-rate espresso. The charming Polish owners, Aneta and Jerzy Szot, tell us they opened the establishment at the bidding of friends who just couldn't get enough of their baking. There are a few chairs by the window inside, and several benches for relaxing under shady awnings outside. Selections last week included a rich but not-too-sweet lemon chocolate cheescake, red velvet cupcakes, hand-decorated cookies, key lime pies, and chocolate chiffon cakes. And if you take a jaunt down Cookie Road, definitely order one of their excellent espressos; the Szots say they have their beans regularly shipped overnight from the renowned Counter Culture coffee in North Carolina. 94 Franklin Street, Greenpoint; (718) 383-8094

Piccola Cucina: Chef and owner Philip Guardione, a native of Sicily, brings classics like arancini, vitello tonatto, and fresh tagliolini with clams and bottarga to a small, 300-square-foot, 22 seat restaurant. Guardione is devoted to salumi sliced to order, and has installed a cherry red Berkel slicer in the small space, which competes with Jonathan Adler lamps that have been made in the shape of Campari bottle. Appetizers, including Grilled octopus with eggplant puree and fennel-orange salad, are $11-$15; the most expensive entree here is $28. Most of the others, including tuna belly with eggplant, basil oil and balsamic cream, hover between the $21-25 price point. (Hugh Merwin)184 Prince Street; (212) 625-3200

Aqualis Grill: Albanian-born first-time restaurateur Gorian Papa opens this Mediterranean-inspired seafood spot tonight in the former Epoca space in Fort Greene. Chef John Tsakinis, a former chef de cuisine at midtown’s Kellari Taverna, has put together a menu emphasizing whole grilled fish simply dressed in custom vinaigrettes, plus a small number of "composed fish entrées" accompanied by greenmarket side dishes. That includes a Cod Filet with sautéed spinach ($18), a Sword Fish Kebob with steamed wild greens & saffron vinaigrette ($19), and appetizers like lightly grilled sardines with fresh herbs & olive oil ($9). The 46-seat space has brick walls, dark wood floors, and a large industrial chandelier; a dainty five-seat bar is situated just beyond a façade of French doors. No liquor license yet, but the current beverage menu features a variety of house-made sodas. 773 Fulton Street, Fort Greene; (718)797-3494






Working Families Party Hosts Mayoral Forum Today


At 5:30 p.m., the Working Families Party is hosting a mayoral forum with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Comptroller William Thompson, and City Councilman Tony Avella. The WFP will stream video of the forum live on their website. The candidates were given questions in advance, because, the WFP explained to PolitickerNY's Azi Paybarah, it would give the candidates a chance to offer "serious answers." Paybarah got the questions through one of the candidates' staffers—read them here, but here's one, "Paid Sick Days: During the Swine Flu panic, public health officials urged New Yorkers to stay home if they felt sick. But thousands of working New Yorkers don’t have a single day of paid sick time. Should New York City pass an ordinance mandating paid sick days for everyone who works inside the city limits?"






City Presents Alternative Superfund Plan, EPA Skeptical



Photo of the Superfund Octopus
Alright Gowanus Canal, where were we? The NY Times reports on the latest developments surrounding the clean-up debate, which is split between those who want it to be labeled a Superfund site and those who are afraid of that label's stigma (real estate developers). City officials are sided with the latter group, and have proposed an alternative cleanup plan that would be overseen by the EPA, would take less time, and wouldn't have such a scary word attached to it.

The plan would "allow polluters to voluntarily pay for the cleanup under binding agreements. To help bring them to the table, the officials said, the Army Corps of Engineers could complete a feasibility study it has already begun that calls for the corps’s own environmental restoration project at the canal. Such an effort would be eligible for separate federal funding and could reduce the ultimate price tag for the polluters."

An adviser of Mayor Bloomberg's said, “The goal is to have a Superfund-quality cleanup faster than the Superfund," but the plan still wouldn't be completed for 9 ½ years. The E.P.A. is concerned about the plan, saying it "relies on federal allocations that may not be forthcoming and adds to an already complicated process by having both the corps and the E.P.A. tackle parts of the cleanup." In other words: multiple parties, more problems.

Your opinion counts too, and public comments will be accepted on the proposed Superfund designation through July 8th, and supporters of the Superfund can go here.






U.S. Marshals Seize Madoff Penthouse


Guess Ruth Madoff is on the streets—the U.S. Marshals have seized her and her husband's East 64th Street penthouse apartment. The AP reports, "U.S. Marshal Joseph Guccione said Thursday that the marshals were at the property pursuant to a court order." Newsday explains that Ruth Madoff gets $2.5 million as soon as she vacates the Upper East Side duplex, which is worth $7 million, so maybe that's why the seizure happened so soon after her agreement giving up her three homes last week. However, it's been tough for her to find an apartment—apparently landlords aren't interested in having such a notorious tenant. Update: The U.S. Marshals say that they arrived at noon and that Ruth Madoff left all personal property, "We have possession of their furniture and everything in it." Her lawyer said, "Ruth moved out voluntarily pursuant to prior agreements we had reached with the government," but did not offer Madoff's forwarding address.






Naked Flier Wasn't Exhibitionist, Just Bipolar and Off His Meds


The Bronx man who was arrested Tuesday after going full monty during a flight bound from Charlotte to L.A. wasn't doing it to freak out the squares; he happens to be bipolar. Authorities have identified the U.S. Airways passenger as Keith Wright, a Navy veteran, and his wife Debra tells the Daily News that Keith left their Bronx home Tuesday without telling her, after spending days not eating or sleeping: "When I came home from work he wasn't around. Next thing I know I get a call from a FBI officer. That is when I knew."

Flight Service Supervisor Claudia Kearney approached Wright upon seeing him dancing in the boarding area before the flight, and he told her he had consumed one beer. According to a complaint against Wright obtained by Newsday, Kearney told the FBI she didn't smell alcohol on him and decided he was all right to fly. But once he got in the air, Wright decided to air everything out. He ignored flight attendants' requests that he put his clothes on, and threw off a blanked they put on him. Wright then punched and kicked a flight attendant, who asked two off-duty law officers to help subdue him.

Flight attendants were also dealing with an unrelated onboard medical emergency at the same time, and according to the FBI's report, the flight was actually diverted because of the medical emergency, with Wright's birthday suit a secondary reason for the pit stop in Albuquerque. He was taken off the plane naked in handcuffs, and is now in federal custody on a charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants. Passenger Ginny Keegan tells Newsday that when the flight resumed again from Albuquerque, the pilot got on the intercom to issue "a reminder to everybody to please keep your clothing on."






Gothamist
Gothamist is a website about New York. MoreEditor: Jen ChungPublisher: Jake Dobkin

 

Lady Liberty's crown reopens
The crown of the Statue of Liberty reopened to public on the 4th of July.

Chestnut wins hot dog eating match
Joey Chestnut has logged his third consecutive win with a world-record 68 franks.

Fireworks on the Hudson
They're lining up quite a show on the West Side.

Fireworks in the New York City area
Find fireworks displays in the New York City area.

North Korea fires seven missiles
It was likely to be seen as a message of defiance to the U.S. on Independence Day.

LA prepares for Jackson memorial service
Los Angeles city officials are preparing for massive crowds for Tuesday's public memorial.

Serena beats Venus for Wimbledon title
Serena Williams beat her sister Venus 7-6 (3), 6-2 on Saturday.

Blackened chicken at Bob's Place
As you fire-up your grill this holiday, maybe you'll be inspired to make some blackened chicken.

ACCUWEATHER: Sunny Holiday
We are declaring independence from rainfall on this 4th of July!

Find weekend events here!
Check our community calendar to discover what's happening this weekend!

Weekend Morning Interviews and Tips
Interviews, Up Close with Diana Willams, Like It Is with Gill Noble, ViewPoint and more!

Winning lottery numbers
Check the numbers for various lottery drawings.

Do you know a hero?
Nominate someone you know as an Eyewitness News Hero.

RADAR: Track the storms
Follow the action with the power of AccuTrack radar.

Find Your Finish!
Video on demand of the prostate cancer race finish line.

Blog or Bust with Lee Goldberg
Meteorologist Lee Goldberg is blogging about the weather!

Learn more about Digital TV
Click here for DTV information

Click to See!
Find out who is going Above and Beyond!

VOTE: Favorite Michael Jackson videos
Cast your vote in today's Question of the Day!

Run with Heidi
Click for tips from our experts, as well as blogs from our very own Heidi Jones!

SEND: Be an AccuWeather Watcher!
What's the weather like where you are? Tell Eyewitness News!

Viewpoint on WABC-TV
Find out more about the show

Eyewitness News Morning Channel
Start your day with Eyewitness News on ABC 7 and get more HERE on 7online.com

Submit, see weather photos & videos
There's a new way to submit your photos to Eyewitness News!

AP INTERACTIVE: Plane crashes
A timeline of major plane crashes over the past three decades.

Most Popular on 7online.com!
Check out what people are reading, watching and sharing!

FIND JOBS: New York area listings and more
Begin your search for a job (or post a job) here on 7online.com!

New York News, New Jersey News, and Connecticut News, Weather, and Traffic -- 7online.com
7online.com: from WABC TV in New York City, the News Leader for New York local news and New York area traffic, weather, business, sports and health. Turn to 7online.com for breaking news, updates on top stories and your Accu-Weather forecast.

 

Why Short Al, Talkative Fan, Calls No More
A regular caller to a sports talk show had memories that went back to his childhood in the 1930s. Then one day, the calls stopped.

At the Pinnacle of Liberty, Feeling a Bit Confined
For the first time since the attacks of Sept. 11, the public had a chance to climb to the crown of the statue. But first, they had to endure red tape and stiff security.

The Promise of Grace Hartigan, and the Letdowns
Grace Hartigan, after an early triumph with Abstract Expressionism, continued to experiment, but with less successful results.

Twice as Much Art as Last Year
Lesser-known and less established art fairs have not been well patronized of late, given the state of the economy. The organizers of ArtHamptons hope to defy the odds.

Once Around the Island With Gay Talese
A writer with an aversion to the water takes a ferry tour of his home city, and finds a reservoir of memories.

Just Try to Get Past These Police Vehicles
The elite Emergency Service Unit, called on when the police need help, has an arsenal with 18-wheelers and intimidating armored trucks.

Thaw in Senate Talks, but No Hints of Power-Sharing Deal
After weeks of insults that brought Senate business to a halt, a holiday mood took hold, but there were not hints of progress.

July 3 Snapshots: The City Empties Out
Who was left behind on the first day of a holiday weekend in a desolate New York? Tourists, New York’s finest and a family of sparrows.

In New York City, Fewer Murders on Rainy Days
An analysis of rainfall and homicides for the last six years shows that when it rains substantially in the summertime, there are fewer homicides.

Holiday Plans? Senators Will Be Stuck in Albany
As the power struggle in the State Senate ends its fourth week, lawmakers remain stuck in the Capitol, looking for ways to pass the time.

A Month Past Opening, One Broadway Review Is Not In
The New York City Transportation Department says it is waiting until the Midtown pedestrian plazas are complete to review their impact.

Senators at an Impasse Find That Their State Pay Is at an Impasse, Too
New York’s comptroller said that he would withhold paychecks from senators in the midst of their leadership stalemate, the latest attempt to increase the pressure on them.

Formerly Reticent, a Brooklyn Democrat Finds a Voice as a Leader in the Senate
Since being elected co-leader of the Senate Democrats, John L. Sampson has criticized Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and taken Republicans to task in the chamber’s leadership battle.

An Affair to Remember
All of us in New York were happy to learn that Gov. Mark Sanford has been scheduling his assignations in our state. The airfare is cheaper than it is to Argentina. Plus, you can see “South Pacific.”

Appointment to Lead System Compensating Hurt Workers
Robert E. Beloten, appointed as the chairman of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, said he would work to shorten the amount of time it took for claimants to receive benefits.

NYT > New York
Local news and multimedia about New York, including breaking news and archival articles published in The New York Times.

 

Weekend Events in Queens — July 3-5, 2009
It's Satchmo's birthday this weekend. Photo courtesy of Louis Armstrong House Museum. Friday Concert Series at SculptureCenter - Lucky Dragons, Zola Jesus, Wet Hair Alley Pond Adventure Course - Opens July 3...

Astorian Weekend Edition - July 1 By Meg of Joey in Astoria
Summer is always a great time in Astoria. You can go for a swim, do some yoga, or just sit in a cafe drinking a cold frappe in one...

Where in Queens? Ornate Edition
Photo (c) gmpicket Name not just the neighborhood and the site, but the street...maybe a bit tricky. ...

Weekend Events in Queens — June 26-28, 2009
Subway Series Weekend - How is it possible that the Mets are a couple games out of first? Friday Bobby Sanabria & Quarteto Aché @ Queens County Supreme Court Jamaica Funk Concerts Orange...

Where in Queens? Lake Edition
Photo (c) John Roleke Miss the rain already? Can you get your toes wet in this lake this weekend? ...

Astorian Weekend Edition - June 24 By Foodista of Joey in Astoria
I can hardly believe that it’s going to be a hot, sunny weekend. There are tons of fun indoor and outdoor goings-on to enjoy: Shop for some cool art this Friday at Socrates...

Happening in Queens, New York, This July
Here's our top picks for fun this July in Queens. ...

Weekend Events in Queens — June 19-21, 2009
Friday Jackson Heights Poetry Festival - June 18-20 Las Catrinas - at at Circulo Español, Astoria - Through June 21 Allo, Kazenotayori (Letter From the Wind) LaGuardia Performing Arts Center Jamaica Funk Concert...

Astorian Weekend Edition - June 16 By Meg of Joey in Astoria
On Thursday evening, Lift Hair Studio (27-07 24th Ave) is holding a charity event from 6 to 9 p.m. Bring in your gently used blow dryers, flat irons, and...

Where in Queens? Goose, Goose, Goose Edition
...

About Queens, NY
Queens, NY

 

Summer 2009 New York City Restaurant Week!
We've just updated the list of participating New York City restaurants to reflect the changes for Summer 2009. This summer, New York City Restaurant Week will run for an unprecidented...

See Lucy in New York City!
Lucy's Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia offers New Yorkers and visitors to New York the unique opportunity to see the 3.18 million-year old remains of Lucy, the oldest and...

Celebrating the Fourth of July in New York City
This year, Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Display will take place in the Hudson River for the first time since 2000 to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson's exploration...

New York City Hotel Rates Continue to Drop
New York City hotel rates are the lowest they've been in over six years. While this might not be great news for New York City hoteliers, it's a great time...

Visit The Chrysler Building
With all the news about the Chrysler bankruptcy, you might not think about visiting New York City's Chrysler Building, but you should! The Chrysler Building is a beautiful example of...

2009 New York City Summer Restaurant Week Dates Announced!
New York City's Summer Restaurant Week will run for three weeks this July, from July 12-31, 2009. This is the longest official New York City Restaurant Week ever, giving you...

Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City
The annual Puerto Rican Day Parade will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2009. Over 80,000 marchers and more than 2 million spectators make the Puerto Rican Day Parade one...

2009 Tony Award® Winners
American Theatre Wing's 63rd Annual Tony Awards® were given out on Sunday, June 7, 2009 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Highlights of the 2009 Tony Award®...

New York City for Movie Lovers
New York City is a very popular setting for films, making it a great destination for movie lovers who want to see the real-life locations featured in a wide variety...

Dance in November?
A reader writes: Hi Heather, We are making our almost annual trip to New York in November. My 10-year-old granddaughter will be making her first trip to New York. She...

About New York City Travel
New York City Travel

 

At the Pinnacle of Liberty, Feeling a Bit Confined
For the first time since the attacks of Sept. 11, the public had a chance to climb to the crown of the statue. But first, they had to endure red tape and stiff security.



In Public Housing, Talking Up the Recycling Bin
In the General Grant Houses in Manhattan, two women are spreading the word about recycling, door by door.



Our Father, Lead Us to Tweet, and Forgive the Trespassers
Many churches are trying to embrace Facebook, MySpace and other social media networks, but it has been an uneasy alliance thus far.



Why Short Al, Talkative Fan, Calls No More
A regular caller to a sports talk show had memories that went back to his childhood in the 1930s. Then one day, the calls stopped.



Thaw in Senate Talks, but No Hints of Power-Sharing Deal
After weeks of insults that brought Senate business to a halt, a holiday mood took hold, but there were not hints of progress.



Harlem Journal: The Good Old Red, White and Barbecue
How does the family of Dorothy Davis of Harlem celebrate the Fourth? With chicken, and ribs, and greens, and macaroni, and lots of it.



Just Try to Get Past These Police Vehicles
The elite Emergency Service Unit, called on when the police need help, has an arsenal with 18-wheelers and intimidating armored trucks.



July 3 Snapshots: The City Empties Out
Who was left behind on the first day of a holiday weekend in a desolate New York? Tourists, New York’s finest and a family of sparrows.



Lottery Numbers
July 3, 2009.



Big City: Astor Legacy Now a Victim of Indignity
The trial of Brooke Astor’s son has upended the philanthropist’s carefully presented public persona by exposing her private frailties and vulnerabilities.



Once Around the Island With Gay Talese
A writer with an aversion to the water takes a ferry tour of his home city, and finds a reservoir of memories.



City Room: This Week’s Complaint Box
A concerned citizen seeks to protect the flora of a public park from the unwitting ravages of a child.



Local Stop | Williamsburg: A Piece of Brooklyn Perhaps Lost to Time
The vivid images found in one area of Brooklyn — knife-grinders on the street, bearded men in 19th-century frock coats — offer an anachronistic pleasure.



New York on Less: Are Parents Thinking Differently About Education?
City Room is asking parents how the recession is affecting their decisions.



NYT > N.Y. / Region


 

House Rules (The Brian Lehrer Show: Monday, 06 July 2009)
Congressman Henry Waxman, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and co-author of The Waxman Report: How Congress Really Works, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the legislative process and discusses the recent climate bill. Then, Liz Benjamin of The Daily News on the latest from Albany and Tom Robbins of the Village Voice analyzes who is benefiting from the dysfunction. Plus, State Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, (D-Central Brooklyn) on Project Reclaim, a proposal to transform new vacant residential developments into affordable housing.




What Went Wrong (The Leonard Lopate Show: Monday, 06 July 2009)
We look into what went wrong with the McCain-Palin ticket with Vanity Fair writer Todd Purdum. Then, we find out how a master counterfeiter got away with passing fake hundred-dollar bills. And Michael and Elizabeth Norman describe World War II's Bataan Death March. Plus, three writers talk about the records and music that has influenced them most.




Running: The Remix (Soundcheck: Monday, 06 July 2009)
Summer is the high point of the year for runners. It's also the peak season for marathon training. Today: a look at playlists and podcasts designed to help runners keep pace with training programs.




Independents Days: Akron/Family (Spinning On Air: Sunday, 05 July 2009)


Akron Family joins host David Garland for a brand new episode in the 4th of July series, Independents Days. Akron/Family is celebrated for their musical adventurousness, the transcendental spirit in their music, and the crackling excitement of their marathon live shows. Akron/Family visited Spinning On Air in 2005 when their first album was released, and have returned several times since to share their changes and development. The band's latest album is Set 'em Wild, Set 'em Free, and this time they join David live in the WNYC studio for a quiet, informal performance of some of their new songs, and to talk about their continuing musical journey.

The band Akron/Family is celebrated for their musical adventurousness, the transcendental spirit in their music, and the crackling excitement of their marathon live shows. Akron/Family visited Spinning On Air in 2005 when their first album was released, and have returned several times since to share their changes and development. The band's latest album is "Set 'em Wild, Set 'em Free," and this time they join host David Garland in the WNYC studio for a quiet, informal performance of some of their new songs, and to talk about their continuing musical journey.

View photos of the session

www.akronfamily.com

Akron/Family on Spinning On Air, Oct. 15, 2006

Akron/Family on Spinning On Air, Nov. 25, 2005

Akron/Family with Angels of Light on Spinning On Air, Oct. 23, 2005

Akron/Family on Spinning On Air, April 15, 2005




You Just Don’t Understand: An Edith Wharton Celebration (Selected Shorts: Sunday, 05 July 2009)
"’You always hated, you know, to have things—happen’, she added incoherently. ‘You never would let them.’" – Edith Wharton , “The Dilettante,”
Two intricate tales of love and emotional manipulation by American master Edith Wharton.




Wildcards (Mad About Music: Sunday, 05 July 2009)


The non-classical music selections of "Mad About Music" guests: President Jimmy Carter, Katharine Graham, Lorin Maazel, Felix Rohatyn, William Buckley, West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Peter Jennings, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Richard Meier, Valery Gergiev, Alec Bladwin and Tom Brokaw.




The Great Gatsby (Studio 360: American Icons: Friday, 03 July 2009)
Studio 360 explores F. Scott Fitzgerald’s THE GREAT GATSBY and finds out how this compact novel became the great American novel of our age. Novelist Jonathan Franzen tells Kurt Andersen why he still reads it every year or two, and writer Patricia Hampl explains why its lightness is deceptive. We’ll drive around the tony Long Island suburbs where Gatsby was set, and we’ll hear from Andrew Lauren about his film G, which sets Gatsby among the hip hop moguls. And Azar Nafisi describes the power of teaching the book to university students in Tehran. Readings come courtesy of Scott Shepherd, an actor who sometimes performs the entire book from memory.




July 3, 2009 (On The Media: Friday, 03 July 2009)
Debunking popular myths about President Obama, Kitty Genovese and the Cuban Missile Crisis




Deradoorian (Soundcheck: Wednesday, 01 July 2009)
Angel Deradoorian is a member of Dirty Projectors, a New York experimental rock band that recently collaborated with David Byrne. The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist joins us to talk about her solo outing, an EP called Mind Raft. And, she performs live in our studio.




WNYC New York Public Radio
latest highlights from WNYC.org home page

 

New York Cities Info - Sponsored Link
Ad - www.info.com Jul 4 2009 7:05PM GMT

'New York' gets good press in US
Argentina Star Jul 4 2009 7:05PM GMT

CROWN REOPENS TO DELIGHT OF NEW YORKERS, TOURISTS
New York Post Jul 4 2009 5:14PM GMT

NYC Muslims push to add holidays to school year
Town Hall Jul 4 2009 5:08PM GMT

Historic Buildings of New York - The Six Best
Suite101.com Jul 4 2009 5:03PM GMT

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING GETS GREEN MAKEOVER
New York Post Jul 4 2009 5:02PM GMT

NYC fireworks set fly higher _ and over Hudson
Newsday Jul 4 2009 4:59PM GMT

New Yorker Victor Aliwalas is still overwhelmed by Philippine showbiz
PEP.ph Jul 4 2009 3:14PM GMT

New Yorkers shocked by our crying boy
Brisbane Times Jul 4 2009 2:49PM GMT

Radiation Detectors for New York: Earmark or Vital Homeland Security Need?
CQ Politics Jul 4 2009 1:47PM GMT

Lack of defined roles not hurting New York Yankees bullpen
New Jersey Online Jul 4 2009 12:36PM GMT

New York Mets GM Omar Minaya unenthusiastic about trade market so far
New Jersey Online Jul 4 2009 12:35PM GMT

Toronto stock market closes flat on low trading volume; New York closed
Medicine Hat News Jul 4 2009 12:32PM GMT

Toronto stock market edges up on strength of base metals sector; New York closed
Medicine Hat News Jul 4 2009 12:31PM GMT

New York Firefighters Rescue Driver Trapped in Burning Car
Firehouse.com Jul 4 2009 11:38AM GMT

New York, New York and Bollywood
Khaleej Times Jul 4 2009 11:26AM GMT

Elephants the big hot dogs in Coney Island competition with human's big eaters
New York Daily News Jul 4 2009 11:20AM GMT

Elephants the big hot dogs in Coney Island competition with big eaters
New York Daily News Jul 4 2009 11:19AM GMT

NYC fireworks feature 'dance of light' beneath Hudson River
New York Daily News Jul 4 2009 11:19AM GMT

Harlem charter school blocks public school from expanding, say parents
New York Daily News Jul 4 2009 11:19AM GMT

Neverland's coaster: Dragon Wagon Kiddie now resides in Coney Island
New York Daily News Jul 4 2009 11:19AM GMT

QUEENS THUGS BEAT OLD-TIMER
New York Post Jul 4 2009 11:11AM GMT

Neverland's coaster now resides in Coney Island
New York Daily News Jul 4 2009 10:45AM GMT

New York Vacation Packages: Airfare, 4-Nights Hotel from $450
Cheapflights.com Jul 4 2009 10:26AM GMT

Toronto stock market closes flat on low trading volume; New York closed
Macleans Online Jul 4 2009 10:24AM GMT

MAYOR BLOOMBERG UPDATES NEW YORKERS ON SCHOOL GOVERNANCE WITH BOROUGH PRESIDENTS, SPEAKER QUINN, AFT PRESIDENT WEINGARTEN, AND CSA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT MCNALLY
Media Newswire Jul 4 2009 10:08AM GMT

MAYOR BLOOMBERG HOSTS RECEPTION TO HONOR THE WINNERS OF THE 27TH ANNUAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN
Media Newswire Jul 4 2009 10:08AM GMT

Escape from New York (Part II)
Private Equity HUB Jul 4 2009 9:06AM GMT

James Gandolfini throws out intruder during Broadway performance
Los Angeles Times Jul 4 2009 9:01AM GMT

Ion Media Networks Launches Digital Broadcast in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Individual.com Jul 4 2009 8:47AM GMT

Mining in New York Raises Concerns Over Fracking Process
Epoch Times Jul 4 2009 7:36AM GMT

Moreover Technologies - New York City news
New York City news - more than 340 categories of real-time RSS news feeds